FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a system for monitoring, controlling and
providing power backup for dispenser pump.
BACKGROUND & PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
In conventional petrol pumps, the accounting of sales, debiting for
payment and collection of charges are made by operators through
manual calculation or cash registers based on recollection of the sales
including recollection of various kinds and quantities of fuel and
goods sold after the completion of services.
Various petrol metering devices for use in the commercial dispensing
of petroleum products are known in the art. Such known devices have
been largely restricted to mechanical forms of metering and price
computation and are well-known and utilized mostly in all the fuel
stations. Until the recent advent of solid state electronics and low
power requirement components, the prior art devices were restricted
to the mechanical forms, as has been dictated by safety requirements
which are inherent with exigencies surrounding petrol handling and
dispensing. However, most recently there has been a great amount of
activity in the research and development of suitable forms of electronic
calculation devices for use in fuel dispensing. Further, there are now
several electronic systems known and in use.
Additionally, a system is often required to accurately and rapidly
provide an arithmetic conversion from one unit to a second unit or
from one unit to a second and a third unit. A petrol pump computer
having a device responsive to the passing of an incremental amount of
petrol to display total quantity and cost of the petrol delivered to the
consumer is an example of such a conversion system. However, the
systems currently available have poor accuracy and it is difficult to
quickly change the units. Also, many existing systems are incapable of
storing the running totals of quantity and cost for successive sales.
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Reference may be made to the following known arts.
US patent no 6,529,800 relates to a control system for a fuel
dispensing system for simultaneously refueling from at least two fuel
dispensers to provide a single transaction total wherein the two fuel
dispensers are a master/satellite fuel dispenser pair. A first
communication device enables the dispenser control circuitry in the
master dispenser to control the dispensing of fuel from the satellite
dispenser. A second communication device enables the dispenser
control circuitry to receive data regarding the amount of fuel
dispensed by the satellite dispenser. A combination device generally
associated with the dispenser control circuitry combines the total
amount of fuel dispensed from the master/ satellite fuel dispenser pair
to a single vehicle.
US patent no 4,593,365 discloses microprocessor controlled
apparatus that monitors a plurality of flow meters for computing and
displaying the flow rates detected by each flow meter, the total
volumes accumulated through each flow meter, the sum of the current
flow rates for the flow meters and the sum of the total volumes for the
flow meters.
US patent no 4,216,529 is directed to system for monitoring and
controlling the operation of a plurality of fuel dispensers, such as
gasoline pumps or the like in a self-service gasoline station. The
system includes an operating console that may be located in a station
building and has electronic displays, dispenser selecting push buttons
and a keyboard including numeric and functional switches, all of
which an operator can use to control the operation of the system.
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US patent no 4,290,538 discloses fuel-dispensing system with selfchecking
means. A processor is used to control a price display unit for
a fuel-dispensing system. The amount of fuel dispensed by the system
is measured and information responsive thereto is fed to the
processor. The processor calculates the cost of the dispensed fuel and
those costs are then displayed.
US patent no 3,935,435 relates to an automatic gasoline dispenser
receiving tokens from customers and paying out change to the nearest
penny for gasoline purchased but not dispensed.
US publication no 20090315729 provides for a means of preventing
the introduction of incorrect fuel type into an engine. Data is
transmitted wirelessly from a fuel storage apparatus to at least one
receiver. In part, the selected data comprises the type of fuel that is
required to be introduced into the fuel storage apparatus. Data is also
transmitted wirelessly from a fuel dispensing apparatus to the
receiver. The receiver determines whether the type of fuel required to
be introduced into the fuel storage apparatus corresponds to the type
of fuel present in the fuel dispensing apparatus. If the two types of
fuel correspond, i.e., match, fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispensing
apparatus into the fuel storage apparatus. If the two types of fuel do
not match, the fuel dispensing apparatus is not activated. The
receiving apparatus may also provide an indication that the fuel from
the fuel dispensing apparatus does not match the type required to be
introduced into the fuel storage apparatus. In another embodiment, if
the two types of fuel do not match, a cut-off system is activated that
stops dispensing of the fuel during the fueling process.
US patent no 6,119,110 relates to the measuring device, particularly
for fuel pumps in service stations, comprising a pulser equipped with
a microprocessor unit and an electronic head equipped with a
microprocessor unit, in which device the pulser and the electronic
head are connected and mutually communicate information and data
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correlated to the supply; the information and the data are encrypted
by means of an algorithm loaded in said microprocessor units and are
sent to the electronic head from the pulser together with the
measurement values of each supply, in order to allow the verification
and the validation of the transmitted data.
US publication no 20080302089 relates to a system for dispensing a
reactant into an exhaust stream. The system dispenses a mixture of
reactant and pressurized air into the exhaust stream. This system
includes a mixing manifold that mounts to an exhaust pipe that
carries the exhaust stream. The system also includes a metering
device remotely mounted from the mixing manifold.
Reference may be made to an article by "Luminous, EFY Times Com,
February 19, 2009". The article explains Jumbo inverter, a special
range of inverters with the DSP Sine wave technology, making it very
safe and reliable. It offers pure sine wave output with controlled
frequency, making it safe for sensitive appliances. Jumbo inverter is
ideally suited for high power appliances that require protection from
surges, spikes and interruptions in input power. Starting from 6 KVA
and going up to for 100 KVA, this special range is also suitable for
applications like petrol pumps, deep freezers, lifts, small offices,
nursing homes, data centers and cyber cafes, photocopier machines
and many other applications.
Reference may be made to an article entitled "Fuel management
system" by Witura. The article explains system to monitor their
valuable assets to provide continuous monitoring the usage of the
fuel, and provides measurement of the fuel level in a fuel tank. Fuel
tank monitoring by using our system attached to the fuel level sensor,
the fuel information in the fuel tank can be easily transmitted to your
mobile phone this system also allow you to maintain optimal fuel
inventories and eliminates un expected cost associated with leaking
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tanks. With improved efficiency the system will alerts you when
critical fuel levels are reached.
In stations that have a more advanced administrating system, flow
quantity signal transmission equipment and signal receiving devices
are sometimes used, wherein kind and amount of supplied fuel and
sales amount are transmitted from the fuel supplying post to an office
room for subsequent calculation.
However, no system has therefore been devised by which a central
office can fully and promptly monitor the operations of a number of
fuel dispenser units, including sales from each dispenser, inventory
and other data important in planning future operations and can at the
same time be assured of the accuracy of the information obtained. Nor
has any such system been devised which allows an operator to
monitor sales on a dispenser, including temporarily storing data on a
previous sale and recalling the previous sale. At the same time, it gives
the operator capability of instantly determining fuel inventories and
levels of fuel in each of the storage tanks.
In light of the above, there is a need for a system which can provide a
backup for the dispenser during power failure, the status of the fuel in
the tank and monitor the dispenser pump.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump capable of being operated in several different operating modes.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which is capable of use with a single petrol pump without any
significant expense or difficulty.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which can monitor the status of the tank.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a power backup
system which logs the history of the amount of dispensed fuel.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which logs the history of the amount of fuel in the tank.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which gives access of the data to the user from a remote
location.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump having both local and remote dispensing control.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which successively adds cost and quantity to accumulate a
total in response to the passing of predetermined amounts of fuel.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for
monitoring, controlling and providing power backup for dispenser
pump which is safe, cost effective and simple in construction.
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SUMMARY
The present invention discloses a power back u p system for fuel pump
with monitoring and controlling. Further, the invention provides a
nonvolatile totals memory for maintaining/ running total quantity and
cost of the fuel measured.
In an embodiment, real time data management using communication
media or hand held device is provided for remote monitoring. The
user can monitor the status of the fuel dispensed and the status of the
fuel in the tank using a hand held device. The power backup system
also has a provision of history log, parameter display and audible
alarms when the level of the fuel in the tank goes below a
predetermined level.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the power backup
system also has the connectivity through communication media. It
provides connectivity of the power backup system to the internet with
or without a computer. Using this, the user can monitor & control the
product from a remote location even using his hand held device.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the power backup system
is used with the fuel dispensing system such as but not limited to
petrol/diesel pumps or CNG pumps.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a system for monitoring,
controlling and providing power backup for dispenser pump comprises
hybrid input supply, storage device, a sensor, a monitoring unit and a
controller controlling inverter cum charger, automatic voltage
regulator supplying output signals, display, and fuel dispensing pump
as a load connected to each other as shown in Figure. 1 wherein the
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system monitors, controls fuel dispensing pump and stores all
dispensing records.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more
apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Figure 1 shows the block diagram according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows backup system at pump location
Figure 3A and 3Bcshows the flow chart according to the present
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO
THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS;
Reference may be made to fig 1, which shows the block diagram of a
power back up system for fuel pump with monitoring and controlling.
The invention provides a nonvolatile totals memory for maintaining/
running total quantity and cost of the fuel measured. The fuel
dispensing data processing apparatus and system comprises hybrid
input supply, storage device, a sensor, a monitoring unit and a
controller controlling inverter cum charger, automatic voltage
regulator supplying output signals, display, and fuel dispensing pump
as a load., multiple digital counters and transaction sequencers which
generate, format, store and validate fuel pump transaction data such
as but not limited to total quantity dispensed, cost per unit and the
total cost of a transaction.
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In an aspect of the present invention, the power backup system is
connected to the dispensing pump. The pump and a sensor are
attached to the power backup system to transfer the information from
the pump to the processor of the inverter during the dispensing. The
power backup system is monitored and controlled from local/ remote
location, which can be performed by any display device such as but
not limited to computer, mobile. All data stored at local processing
machine as historical records. The fuel pump administrator views all
these records by entering personal code/ key/ password.
Administrator analyzes records, generate reports and store it in
various document formats. The data from dispenser is stored in
processing machine/ computer and generates the different
management information reports. This arrangement shows the volume
of fuel remaining in the tank and gives calculated cost of the
dispensed/ remaining fuel. Also the power back up system
incorporates the feature of restricted access to fuel dispenser pump.
The dispenser pump is restricted to open by giving command from
local monitoring and control application. For this the administrator
has to login and select that particular dispenser and give the OPEN or
LOCK command to power backup system and in this way the Power
backup system opens/ closes the dispenser's cabinet. The power
backup system also tracks the open/ close timings of dispenser's
cabinet and this data is stored at local monitoring system. This data
provides the detailed and consolidated report for dispenser access.
Even the delay between cabinet open and close is stored in database.
This information provides a track of authorized access of fuel
dispenser.
The dispenser control circuitry is in electronic communication with
control interface of power backup system. The combined transactional
data signal indicating the total amount and total price of fuel
dispensed from the dispenser can be utilized to generate a display of
the total volume of fuel dispensed and the total price of such fuel on
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display and control interface of the power backup system. In an
embodiment, real time data management using communication media
or hand held device is provided for remote monitoring and control.
Figure 3 A and B shows the block diagram according to the present
invention. The user can monitor the status of the fuel dispenser pump
as well as the power back up system. The system initializes and
synchronizes the dispenser & monitoring machine, initializes PWM
and controls the output based on feedback signals. It stores the data
and transfers it to the monitoring machine kept as the dispenser
sensing data. If data packets available at communication point,
synchronizes the backup system and dispenser, compares it with
threshold value and forwards this information to the concerned
person. User monitors various parameters but not limited to fuel
dispensed, voltage/ frequency/ current of input & output power/
energy sources by using a hand held device. The power backup
system also has a provision of history log, parameter display and
audible alarms when the amount of the fuel goes below a
predetermined volume/ amount. These history logs used to store at
power backup system and after a preset time interval it is transferred
to local and remote monitoring system.
In an aspect, the power backup system has the connectivity through
communication media. It provides connectivity of the power backup
system to the internet with or without a computer. Using this, the
user can monitor 85 control the product from a remote location even
using his hand held device. The power backup system uses multiple
communication media to ensure reliable data communication between
the sub systems. Sub-systems include power back u p system, energy
bank and dispenser unit and measurement sensors.
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The power backup system broadcasts exception/alarms notifications
to all concern personnel by global communication media but not
limited to Internet, GSM, CDMA, GPRS or other Wired /Wireless. These
notifications are generated from Power backup system in conditions
but not limited to battery voltage high, battery voltage low, output over
voltage, output under voltage, and any short circuit conditions, cable
disconnected, over load conditions for each energy sources and for all
phases. If the dispenser cabinet is opened for more than a preset time
then there is an exception notification/alarm, which is sent to all
concern personnel.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is
intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and
adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this
invention.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to
modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art.
Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of
this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present
invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM;
1. A system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump comprises hybrid input supply, storage device,
a sensor, a monitoring unit and a controller controlling inverter
cum charger, automatic voltage regulator supplying output signals,
display, and fuel dispensing pump as a load connected to each
other as shown in Figure. 1 wherein the system monitors, controls
fuel dispensing pump and stores all dispensing records.
2. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump and a
sensor are attached to the power backup system to transfer the
information from the pump to the processor of the inverter during
the dispensing.
3. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the system is monitored and controlled from local/ remote
location, through handheld device.
4. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the system stores the data of dispensing unit at local
processing machine as historical records and generates different
management information reports.
5. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the records are available to the authorized user by
entering personal code/ key/ password.
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6. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the system gives calculated cost of the dispensed/
remaining fuel wherein the dispenser pump is restricted to open by
giving command from local monitoring and control application.
7. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein in case the dispenser cabinet is opened for more than a
preset time, the power backup sends an exception notification/
alarm, to all concern personnel.
8. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the system broadcasts exception/alarms notifications to
all concern personnel by global communication medias but not
limited to internet, GSM, CDMA, GPRS or any other other wired/
wireless media.
9. The system for monitoring, controlling and providing power backup
for dispenser pump as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the notifications are generated from power backup system
in conditions but not limited to battery voltage high, battery voltage
low, output over voltage, output under voltage, and any short
circuit conditions, cable disconnected, over load conditions for
each energy sources and for all phases.
10. A system for monitoring, controlling and providing power
backup for dispenser pump substantially as herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.