AU602791B2

AU602791B2 - Fuel delivery identification system

Info

Publication number: AU602791B2
Application number: AU21858/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Chris Nicholson
Original assignee: CATS Co Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Trans-Mit Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1987-09-04
Filing date: 1988-09-02
Publication date: 1990-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-02
Also published as: AU2185888A

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Fcrm PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specif ication- Lodged: Accepted Published: Priority: Related Art This do, urnint contains the amendments made under 6et,,ii 49 and is correct for rini rg TO BE COMPILETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Addre~ s of Applicant: COMPANY F'TY. L-TD\ 466 Malvern Road, PRAHRAN. VICUO1IA. 31.RL CHRISTOPHER CHARLES NICHOLSON Actual Inventor: Address for Service: SANDERCOCK, SMITH BEADLE 207 Riversdale Road, Box 410) Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: FUEL DELIVERY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM The following statement is a full description to me:of this invention, including the best method of performing it known 1I- Mimi .14 rPT r'TATMO, flPPTNTM(n TRR TNVPNTTflN AIW AQ POflTflTTJ YII~ ii i e r c a This invention relates to an electronic identif.ication system for fluid delivery and more particularly to an identification system for ensuring a delivery hose for fluid is connected to a correct receiving tank.

The invention has particular utility in the delivery of fuel to garages and service stations where a mobile tanker dispenses fuel into one of a plurality of underground storage tanks at the garage or service station. A hose is connected to an outlet on the mobile tanker and extends to a stand pipe which is connected to the particular underground tank to which fuel is to be delivered. If the tanker is delivering unleaded petrol, for example, the hose must be connected to an underground tank for unleaded petrol. In some instances the mobile tanker has various compartments each for transporting different fuels. Two of these compartments can be emptied simultaneously and each hose must be connected to the correct tank at both ends.

It is a fact that in some instances the driver/operator connects the hose to the wrong underground tank or to the wrong compartment of a multi-compartment tanker with the result that different types of fuels become mixed in the underground tank. This is a serious problem which requires the complete emptying of the underground tank with consequent loss of time and of the fuel therein.

Whilst the invention herein described has particular utility in relation to fuel tanker deliveries, it will be readily apparent that it could be applied in many other situations where there is a possibility for connecting a fluid delivery hose between incorrect vessels.

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V I r V C0 I 14 The object of this invention is to provide an electronic identification system for fluid delivery which readily enables identification, at a delivery vessel, of the receiving vessel to which a delivery hose is connected.

The invention therefore provides an electronic identification system for fluid delivery between a dispensing tank and a storage tank whereby said storage tank is identified electronically at said dispensing tank, said system comprising a decoder at said dispensing tank, an electronic identity tag at said storage tank, and conducting means associated with a fluid delivery hose for connection between said tanks, said conducting means providing the sole connection for transmitting electrical signals between said decoder and tag, said decoder providing a supply voltage to said tag via said conducting means when the hose is connected between said tanks to cause said tag to modulate data onto said conducting means for detection by said decoder, which data is used to identify the particular type of storage tank.

Another form of the invention provides a fluid delivery hose for an electronic identification system, said hose having an insulated conductor passing along the length thereof within the fluid passage, a connector at each end of said hose in electrical contact with said conductor, each connector being located on the longitudinal central axis of said hose and being supported by a cross-member which is connected to an end coupling of said hose.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood a particular embodiment will now be described

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i: Oonnni 1- 4 1 with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 2 FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a fuel 3 delivery system incorporating the electronic identification 4 system of the invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation of adjoining 6 female and male ends of a fuel delivery hose and standpipe, 7 respectively, showing respective ball and socket type 8 electrical connectors provided therein, 9 FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the ball connector of FIG. 2, 11 FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG 2 of a male type hose 12 connector or adaptor incorporating a socket type electrical 13 connector as would be used at the tanker outlet.

14 FIG. 5 is an end view of an identity tag and mounting 4 t I *1 r 15 assembly therefor as would be used at the receiving tank, 16 FIG. 5a is a section on the line A-A of FIG. 5, and 17 FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an electronic decoder S18 and an electronic tag according to the embodiment.

S 19 Referring first to FIG. 1 a tank 10 is shown delivering fuel via a delivery hose 11 to a ground tank 12. The tank 21 10 may be a single tank on a mobile delivery tanker as shown i 22 or may be a multi-compartment tank (not shown) in which case 23 the outlet 13 of the tank 10 is an oitlet of one of the 24 compartments. The outlet 13 is coupled to an end of the delivery hose 11 by means of a connector or adaptor 15 (Fig.

26 4) which connects with a female coupling 22 at one end of 27 the hose 11, which female coupling is similar to a 28 conventional type of hose coupling.

29 The ground tank 12 has a neck porti -n 16 to which a S- -o

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5 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 r 16 17 18 S" 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 standpipe 17 is connected during the filling operation. The stand pipe 17 has a female coupling for mating with an adaptor on the neck portion 16 and the upper end of the stand pipe 17 has a male coupling for mating with a female coupling 22 at the other end of the hose 11. A decoder 18 is mounted at the tank 10 and an identity tag 19 is mounted in the neck portion 16 of the ground tank 12. Electrical connection between the decoder 18 and the tag 19 is by means of an insulated copper conductor 20 which passes inside the delivery hose 11. Suitable contact members which will be described in detail hereinbelow are arranged in the ends of the hose 11 to facilitate interconnection between the conductor 20 of the hose and the conductor 20 of the standpipe 17 and the conductor 47 of the adaptor Similarly, complementary contact members are arranged in stand pipe 17 and adaptor 15. In some instances a joiner (not shown) may be provided to facilitate interconnection of two separate hoses 11 in instances where a long distance is to be covered between the tanker and the ground tank.

FIG. 2 shows an end portion of the hose 11 with a female aluminium end coupling 22 for the purpose of interconnecting the hose with stand pipe 17 or adaptor 15.

Also shown in Fig. 2 is a male aluminium end coupling 29 as is used on the upper end of standpipe 17. Each of the couplings 22 and 29 is provided with a diametrically extending cross-member 23 formed of aluminium and cast integral with the coupling. The cross-member 23 has a central boss 14 with aperture for accommodating a terminating assembly for connecting the conductor 20 to I rC .al ii ii i i i:; i

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6 7 *4 oi 4 4 4 4 12 13 14 4 17 4 919 21 14 16 17 28 19 eaItnler a bDall type con ne t or 27 a S 7-Zae Z 22 o r a so r-ke t t T -De c on n ac tor 31 as I s he case v: coupl'ing 29.

.Each terminat'ing assembly isbmeinal 7-7 Saze, as, ~hown more clearly in Fig. 3 and comprises a 22l which passe~s through the aperture hcss 3 n a is electricalT, insulate-d therefrro= by invai g~ashels 23,5 The bolt 24 has an axial hole at each and end atoe-_ ends (the inner end in relation to the hose l12 t he 1131e aS threaded and a conventional pneumatic tube fitmting 2,6 is screwed into the bolt. The tube fitting 2'6 receives am end of the conductor 20 and provides electrical term]ination- As is evident in Fig. 3 the conductor 20 is enclosed -w ithin a nylon tube 30 for protection against damage caused by flexing resulting from fluid flow in the hose. The central copper wire of the conductor 20 is soldered to the tube fitting at 21 and the nylon tube and conductor insulation terminate at end wall 32 of the fitting. An ring 33 provides a seal against fluid penetration and plastic insert 34 retains the nylon tube 30 within the fitting 26. At the other or outer end of the bolt 24 a nut 35 retains the bolt in position. Washer 36 prevents damage to the insulating washer 25 when the nut 35 is tightened. As regards the terminating assembly of the coupling 22 a ball connector 27 on spindle 27a is retained within the other bolt end hole by compression olive 37 and nut 38 which is tightened onto the bolt 24.

The terminating assembly of the coupling 29 is the same as for the coupling 22 except the ball connector 27 is Q r) 0 n I 1 0, 1F 1 44 4 44 4 4- 4 4C 4 41 4 4 4 4tl it .r 7 1 replaced by a socket 31 which is screwed over the end of the 2 bolt 24. The socket 27 is split to allow expansion to 3 forceably receive the ball connector 27 when the couplings 4 22 and 29 are mated. Any slight misalignment between the ball 27 and socket 31 is taken up by a slight deflection of 6 the spindle 27a.

7 A rubber gasket 40 is provided in the coupling 22 to 8 provide a seal with the end of the coupling 29 when the two 9 are mated.

The other end coupling of the hose 11 is identical to 11 the coupling 22 described above.

12 The construction of the hose 11 is evident in Fig. 2 13 which shows that it is, apart from the inclusion of 14 conductor 20, of conventional construction and includes an 15 inner helical steel wire 41 and an outer helical steel wire 16 42 enclosing the hose casing therebetween. The outer wire 17 42 extends over the end hose couplings 22 to retain the hose 18 casing thereon and steps in the outer surface of the 19 couplings 22, ensure that the proper retention occurs. The outer wire 42 provides an electrical earth wire which 21 extends between the end couplings 22 and forms electrical 22 contact therewith, whereby a continuous electrical earth 23 extends along the hose 11 and, via the couplings, extends 24 between the delivery tank 10 and the ground tank 12. The neck portion 16 of the ground tank 12 is electrically 26 earthed whereby an earth connection is made between the tank 27 10 and the ground tank 12 as well as along the hose 28 extending therebetween. Thus earth connection around the 29 hose provides a return electrical path for an electrical r c- 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 4 9 9 4~10 11 040 44 12 *4 9 13 4 14 16 Z 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 -8 circuit comprising the conductor 20, identity tag 19 and decoder 18.

As mentioned above the coupling 29 is arranged at the upper end of standpipe 17 which is a rigid standpipe connected to the neck 16 of the ground tank 12. The coupling at the lower end of the standpipe (not shown in detail) is a female coupling, as opposed to the male coupling 29, which is adapted for connection to the upper end of the neck 16 and which has a ball type electrical connector assembly therein identical to the terminating assembly and electrical connector in the coupling 22.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 5a the identity tag 19 is shown in greater detail together with mounting assembly therefor. The mounting assembly comprises a ring 51 having radial spokes 52 which terminate at a central boss 53. The central boss 53 has an aperture which receives bolt 54 which in turn attaches to socket connector 55 similar to the socket 31. The bolt 54 and connector 55 are insulated from the ring 51 by insulating washers 56 and 57. A stainless steel tube 58 is welded to the boss 53 and accommodates therein the electrical circuitry comprising a tag 19. The electrical circuitry is not shown in Fig. 5 except for wires 59 and 60 which connect to the bolt 54 and tube 58 respectively. The entire tag circuitry including wires 59 and 60 is potted in epoxy resin 61 to guard against contamination by fuel passing into the ground tank 12.

The ring 51 is designed to sit on a lip (not shown) on the inside of the neck 16 of the ground tank and is retained therein by a collar (not shown) which screws onto the neck

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9 8 n QQ.q no,-,OOR,- r P q n P -9- 1 2 3 4 6 00410 10 Q 0 0 00 9 1 00 14 12 0400 21 24 21 22 23 16. The collar is for receiving the lower end of standpipe 17 which clamps thereon.

Reference should now be made to Fig. 4 which shows the connector or adaptor 15 in more detail. The adaptor 15 is connected to the outlet 13 of tank l0 in order to facilitate connection of one end of hose 11 thereto. The adaptor 15 is not permanently affixed to the outlet 13 because a different fitting is required when filling the tank 10. The adaptor 15, like the couplings 22 and 29, is of cast aluminium and has a cross-member 43 cast integral therewith. The crossmember 43 is the same as the cross-members 23 and incorporates central boss 44 which is identical to the bosses 14. The terminating assembly and socket type connector is almost identical to that previously described (thus the same reference numerals are used for identical parts) except a bolt 45 without an axial hole in the head thereof is used. Instead of the tube fitting 26 an electrical terminal connector 46 is placed on the bolt shaft and is thereby secured in electrical contact with the socket connector 31. The connector 46 is at one end of a short insulated copper wire 47 which extends to the perimeter of the adaptor 15 and is electrically connected through the outer wall of the adaptor by bolt and nut assembly 48 and insulating washers 46 which retain further terminal connectors 46. Electrical connection is thereby established between socket connector 31 and external insulated wire which connects to decoder 18. The adaptor 15 also incorporates a gasket 40 for fluid seal.

Reference should now be made to FIG. 6 which shows a .1 0* *a 0 o 0.

e, or 0 000 0 O YU0 *t F 0 0 c c 0 1 detailed circuit diagram of the decoder 18 and the identity 2 tag 19. The conductor which extends between the decoder and 3 tag is again represented by the reference numeral 20. The 4 decoder 18 is shown in the top portion of FIG. 6 and is supplied with plus 8 volt supply on terminal 37 and minus 8 6 volt supply on terminal 38 from an external power supply 7 (not shown). The output of the decoder 18 appears on the 8 DATA connection from XR2211 and is in a form capable of 9 analysis by an external computer (not shown) which is provided at the tank 10 for determining whether the data 11 indicates that the conductor 20, and hence the hose 11 is 12 connected to the correct type of ground tank 12. In the 13 event that a correct connection is detected, the computer 14 may be adapted to open an outlet valve (not shown) associated with the outlet 13 whereby fuel is able to flow 16 from the tank 10 to the ground tank 12.

17 It is not necessary to provide a detailed description 18 of the circuit diagram of FIG. 6 since the type of 19 components are readily apparent on the drawing. Briefly, the decoder provides a plus 6 volt supply to the tag 19 21 which in turn modulates its data onto the signal wire or 22 cable 20. The decoder 18 then detects this data and outputs 23 it as serial A.S.C.I.I. on the DATA connection.

24 The LM317 regulator supplies 6V to tag 19 through RI and R2. Ri enables the detection of the data coming back 26 from the tag and R2 provides a current limit for intrinsic 27 safe protection. D2 is a fast zener diode which provides 28 protection against static discharge.

29 At the tag 19, D3 provides static protection, and D4 8809 I ns n cA =t n, 1 2 3 4 6 Stt 7 *r tP SO 8 rrr 9 10 S" 11 12 13 4. C4 ,a 4 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 11 and CO10 give a clean supply to the tag circuitry. When power is first applied R17 and C11 give a power up reset to the clock, 4060, and the address counter, 4040. Of course power is first applied when the hose coupling is completed.

As the address counter 4040 is clocked it selects data from the 27C256 read only memory (EPROM) in a binary sequence.

Only one data bit is used, and this appears as a serial data stream to drive transistor Ql, which in turn draws extra current from the supply via R15. The stored data in the EPROM is frequency shift keyed (FSK) by storing a binary one as six one/zero patterns and binary zero as three one, one/zero, zero bit patterns.

The data current appears across R1 as a small differential voltage and it is amplified by LF356 to a level suitable for driving the phase locked loop, XR2211. RV2 sets the operating centre frequency of XR2211. The CD output of the XR2211 indicates when carrier is detected at its input.

The connections on the circuit diagram marked "Hose Case" are connections to the aforementioned helical earth wire which extends along the outside of the hose 11. The circuitry of tag 19 may be incorporated in a fluid tight casing or, as described above, may be potted in epoxy resin or other suitable material which renders it safe from contamination by the fuel passing into the ground tank 12.

In this manner, there is no need for any external connections at the ground tank 12. As is evident from the above, as soon as the hose 11 is connected between outlet 13 and neck portion 16 via the stand pipe 17, an electrical j

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12 1 connection is formed between the decoder 18 and the identity 2 tag 19. Electrical supply is conducted from the decoder 18 3 to the tag 19 which in turn modulates its data back to the 4 decoder. Each different type of ground tank 12 will have a different identity tag 19 whereby different data is returned 6 to the decoder 18. In the embodiment described, a computer S7 connected to the decoder 18 will only respond to data 8 representing a ground tank 12 which is suitable for 9 receiving whatever type of fuel is in the tank 10. In the it 10 event that a mobile tanker includes a number of different 11 tanks 10 each containing a different type of fuel, there 12 will be an input multiplexer to select a tank outlet. The 13 multiplexer will receive data from a tag in a ground tank to 14 which a hose connection is made and connect it to the decoder. If the tank is the correct type of tank for 16 receiving the fuel from a particular mobile tank then 17 op.eration of an outlet valve at the mobile tanker will be 18 facilitated. It should be evident that when two tanker 19 compartments are emptied simultaneously the present invention ensures that the hoses cannot be crossed and the 21 compartments emptied to the wrong ground tanks as could 22 occur, for example, if the conductor 20 was connected Si 23 between the tanker and the ground tank separate from the 24 delivery hose. In the case of separate connection the conductor could be connected to the correct ground tank 26 indicating via the decoder that a correct connection has 27 been made but the hose could be connected to the incorrect 28 tank. The present invention clearly avoids this 29 possibility.

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13 It should be further evident from the above that the present invention provides an improved and unique apparatus for ensuring that different fuels do not become mixed in a ground tank due to an incorrect delivery hose connection.

The provision of an electrical conductor within the delivery hose on the longitudinal axis thereof ensures that the electrical connection is protected at all times and readily facilitates interconnection between conductors in separate hoses which are joined together via a joiner when extended hose lengths are required. An alternative mounting arrangement (not shown) for the ball and socket type electrical connection within the couplings will facilitate incorporation of the present invention into existing fuel delivery hoses and existing stand pipes and other components.

The entire contents of the provisional specifications lodged with Australian Patent Applications of which this is the complete specification are hereby imported into this specification and form part of the disclosure of this specification. The claims form part of the disclosure of this specification.

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Claims

1. An electronic identification system for fluid delivery between a dispensing vessel and a storage vessel whereby said storage vessel is identified electronically at said dispensing vessel, said system comprising a decoder at said dispensing vessel, a k electronic identity tag at said storage vessel, and electrical conducting means associated with a fluid delivery hose for connection between said vessels, said conducting means providing the sole connection for transmitting electrical signals between said decoder and tag, said decoder providing a supply voltage to said tag via said conducting means when the hose is connected between said vessels to cause said tag to modulate data onto said conducting means for detection by said decoder, which data is used to identify the particular type of storage vessel.

2. An electronic identification system as defined in claim 1 wherein said conducting means comprises a signal wire and an earth wire each extending along said hose, said earth wire completing said connection.

3. An electronic identification system as defined in claim 2 wherein said signal wire is inside said hose and said earth wire is wound around the outside of said hose.

4. An electronic identification system as defined in claim 3 wherein said connectors are provided at the ends of said hose, internal of the hose and on the longitudinal central axis thereof, for providing electrical connection to said signal wire inside said hose, and for facilitating electrical connection to said decoder and tag, respectively.

An electronic identification system as defined in claim t p 4 I Q Qrnnf 1 1 Ar% 1 F 15 4 wherein said connectors are mounted centrally within end couplings of said hose and comprise ball type connectors for mating with socket type connectors of further couplings which are connected to said hose.

6. An electronic identification system as defined in claim wherein a terminating assembly for terminating said signal wire at a said ball type connector is mounted on a cross- member which extends diametrically across a said end coupling and is moulded integrally therewith, said terminating assembly being insulated from said cross-member, and said ball type connector being arranged on a spindle which allows flexing to account for small misalignment between the ball of said ball type connector and a mating socket of a sockct type connector.

7. An electronic identification system as defined in claim or 6 wherein said electronic identity tag is mounted on a support member adapted for location and removable retention in a neck portion of said storage vessel, which storage vessel is an underground fuel tank, said tag comprising electronic circuitry potted in epoxy resin or the like to prevent contamination by fuel passing along said neck portion.

8. An electronic identification system as defined in claim 7 wherein said dispensing vessel is a mobile fuel tanker, said system further including an adaptor for connection to an outlet of said dispensing vessel and comprising an adaptor coupling for attachment to an end coupling of said hose and having a said socket type connector mounted therein for providing electrical connection with a said ball type j C CCI~^-I~~r ii .I i I 'i' 11 16 connector of said hose, said adaptor socket connector being connected to a wire which passes to the perimeter of said adaptor and, via an insulated connection through a wall of the adaptor, externally of said adaptor for connection to said decoder.

9. An electronic identification system as defined in any one of the preceding claims 2 8 wherein said signal wire is an insulated copper wire enclosed within a nylon tube.

10. An electronic identification system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein a computer is provided at said delivery vessel for analyzing said data and identifying the type of storage vessel.

11. An electronic identification system as defined in claim I wherein said computer is able to initiate opening of an outlet t valve at said delivery vessel for dispensing fluid to said storage vessel in the event that the correct type of storage vessel is identified. ta.,

12. An electronic identification system substantially as at t hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. i o !e d i B "ii 2'G DATED this June 22, 1990 SMITH SHELSTON BEADLE Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: CATS COMPANY PTY. LTD. psspe016/cats 90 6 22 'A