F0RM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
1. Title of the invention. - A DISPLAYING SYSTEM FOR VAPOUR
RECOVERY CONTROL AND MONITORING PARAMETERS IN FUEL DISPENSERS
2. Applicant(s)
(a) NAME : LARSEN &TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian Company.
(c)ADDRESS: L & T House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400 001,
State of Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for displaying of vapour recovery parameters in fuel dispensers. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with displaying the various vapour recovery parameters related to monitoring and control system fitted to subsequently monitor and control the behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers so as to prevent over pressure in the under ground storage tank and subsequent evaporation of gasoline resulting in losses.
BACKGROUND AND THE PRIOR ART
US5765603 teaches a vapor recovery system monitoring system includes a vacuum monitor and a vent sensor. The vacuum monitor has a signal relay in communication with a vacuum system served by a vacuum source to generate a first signal upon actuation of the vacuum source for recovery of displaced fuel vapor and a second signal when a minimum vacuum level is achieved; a timer measuring elapsed time between first and second signal; a comparator comparing elapsed time with a predetermined standard; and an error display actuated when the predetermined number of instances of elapsed time is exceeded.
US6360789 teaches a pressure sensing for vapour line. This helps in determining the blockages in the system, which will in turn affect the volumetric efficiency of the vapour recovery system.
US52 4 4 017 teaches a vapour flow indicator in nozzle indicating flow. The vapour recovery indicators provide


only indication of vapour flow and do not provide any discrete value of the vapour recovery parameters.
US5316057 describes a test equipment with analog meters indicating flow. Here a separate equipment is attached to the dispenser with vapour recovery components to test whether the system is operating within the acceptable limits of vapour recovery parameters. The analog meters are used for the purpose.
US6151955 describes a device and method for testing for the recovery of vapor in a system in which a fluid is dispensed into a tank through a nozzle, according to which a vacuum is created to induce the flow of the vapor into the nozzle. The vacuum is measured and a display is provided that indicates whether or not the vacuum attains a predetermined threshold value.
US6082415 describes systems that indicate the parameters like A/L ratio on display card during test mode.
Some vapour recovery system provide indications in the form of alarms or flashing LED's that indicate inappropriate vapour recovery.
No system displays the Hydrocarbon concentration. The amount of hydrocarbon can further be used to determine whether any liquid is getting sucked by the system and is deposited in the vapour line. This is indicated by very high percentage of hydrocarbon on the display.
Thus there exists a long felt need of providing a monitoring and control system for appropriately and accurately displaying the vapour recovery parameters in


fuel dispensers which would help in the prevention of over pressure in fuel storage tanks and subsequent evaporation of gasoline resulting in losses.
The present inventors have found that an improved monitoring and control system to monitor and control parametric behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers can be achieved by incorporating a unique controller means having comparative logic control functionalities which would provide appropriate and accurate monitoring and control and error free indication of vapour recovery parameters to the customer. Such type of monitoring and control system would help in the prevention of over pressure in under ground fuel storage tanks and evaporation of gasoline resulting in losses which would on the other hand make the present system and the process of dispensing fuel thereof cost effective.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly one object of the present invention is to overcome the problems and the difficulties of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for monitoring and controlling the behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for indicating various vapour recovery parameters to the customer after every fuelling transaction.


Further object of the present invention is to provide a system for visualizing the error indication after every fuelling transaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a system for monitoring and control of the
behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers,
said system comprising :
controller means;
plural sensor means for sensing fuel flow rate and
concentration of hydrocarbon in sucked_in air, wherein said
sensor means being operatively connected to said controller
means so as to provide information/data, input on the fuel
flow rate and concentration of nydrocarbon to said
controller means;
wherein said controller means being further adapted to
generate volumetric efficiency data from the available said
information/data input thereafter providing control
entities corresponding to said efficiency data;
plurality of valve means being operatively connected to
said controller means, said valve means being adapted to
receive said control entities from the controller means so
as to actuate opening and/or closing of another set of
valve means directing flow of vapour; and
indicating means operatively connected to said controller
means in a manner to display various vapour recovery
parameters.
The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description provided hereinbelow


with reference to the accompanying figures and detailed description provided herein below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVETION
The monitoring and control system of the present invention is used to visualize and control the behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers.
In dispensing system for dispensing fuel (for example hydro-carbon fuel) for vehicles into a tank having filler neck collects vapours to reduce atmospheric pollution. The amount of collected vapours is calculated by controller means and the same is displayed on electronic card meant for displaying the same. When the controller means receives both fuel flow data from the fuel sensor and vapour flow data from vapour sensor, the same can be used for calculating ratio between the volume of fuel and vapour flow and validate against a pre-said value. In the system of the present invention if the ratio of the volume of fuel and that of vapour is within the limit then certain indicator means provided in the system are actuated to denote the present status of the system. For example the indicator means comprises of plurality of LEDs, say green or red. However, such colours of indication are not to be considered as restriction to the scope of present invention.
In one embodiment the system comprises of vapour recovery controller card which can be programmed according to the regional standards for vapour recovery. For example 21 BlmSchV in Europe (Germany) and therefore, such card means provides flexibility to the use of the system in various


reasons with the behaviour customized to suit their requirement.
In more details the constructional components of the system of the present invention is described hereinbelow :
Vapor recovery controller: As the fuel is being dispensed into the vehicle tank the data regarding the rate of dispensing of the fuel is given to the vapour recovery controller. The controller also receives the data on the rate at which the fuel vapours and air being sucked. Once both the signals are received the volumetric efficiency is calculated and the corresponding control is given to the proportional valve to either increase or decrease the valve opening. This volumetric efficiency is then being displayed by the controller on the display card. Other vapour recovery parameters like the percentage hydrocarbon, flow rate of air and fuel vapour mixture, error count, etc can be displayed on the display card similar to volumetric efficiency. When the vapour recovery parameters are not within the given range for a particular period as specified in the std. the controller sends the signals to the motor and the dispensing stops. The controller has to be reset after an appropriate maintenance work is carried out to resume further operation.
Proportional Valve: Proportional valve controls the opening of the vapor valve through which the vapor flows. The proportional valve has to open in according to the fuel flow so as to maintain the volumetric efficiency. The control signal to the proportional valve is given by controller.


Vapor sensor: The vapour sensor gives information related to the fuel flow rate and the hydrocarbon concentration in the mixture. This can be of infra-red, calorimetric, vortex, pressure, peizo electric, venturi type. The electrical signals corresponding to the vapour recovery parameters are send to the controller which then controls the behaviour of the proportional valve and hence the entire vapour recovery system.
Display & indication of A/L Ratio: A separate Display card is used to display the various vapour recovery parameters like the Volumetric efficiency, Hydrocarbon concentration etc after every fuelling transaction. These can be then used for diagnosing in case of a failure of a system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the monitoring and
control system of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a fuel dispenser system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The system as shown in Figures 1 & 2 comprises vapour recovery controller means (1), proportional valves (2), vapour sensors (3) , display and indication means (4) and a motor (5) of the fuel dispenser. In Figure 2 vapour flow indicator' is also shown which is located in the midway between the motor (5) and proportion valve (2).
The structure thus conceived is adaptable to numerous modifications or variations. In practice the materials and dimensions may be dependant upon specific requirements and that will be comprised within its true spirit.


WE CLAIM
1. A system for monitoring and control the behaviour of
vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers, said
system comprising :
controller means;
plural sensor means for sensing fuel flow rate and
concentration of hydrocarbon in sucked-in air, wherein
said sensor means being operatively connected to said
controller means so as to provide information/data
input on the fuel flow rate and concentration of
hydrocarbon to said controller means;
wherein said controller means being further adapted to
generate volumetric efficiency data from the available
said information/data input thereafter providing
control entities corresponding to said efficiency
data;
plurality of valve means being operatively connected
to said controller means, said valve means being
adapted to receive said control entities from the
controller means so as to actuate opening and/or
closing of another set of valve means directing flow
of vapour; and
indicating means operatively connected to said
controller means in a manner to display various vapour
recovery parameters.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controller means comprises vapour recovery controller card.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensor means is vapour sensor.


4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said vapour sensor is selectively infrared sensor, calorimetric sensor, vortex sensor, pressure sensor, piezoelectric sensor, venturisensor and combinations thereof.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises proportional valve.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises vapour valve.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein indicating means comprises display card adapted to display various vapour recovery parameters like volumetric efficiency, hydrocarbon concentration, flow rate of air, error count and the like after every fuelling transaction.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control entities are in the form of electrical signals corresponding to vapour recovery parameters.
9. A system for monitoring and control the behaviour of vapour recovery process in fuel dispensers as herein substantially described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.
Dated this 30th day of March 2009

Abhishek Sen Of. S. Majumdar & Co. Applicant's Agent