DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobile engineering. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fuel intake system of an automobile.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE SPECIFICATION
As used in the present disclosure, the following term is generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The expression “Misfuelling” used hereinafter in this specification refers to filling a vehicle with an unsuitable fuel.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
Fuel adulteration is mixing of low premium fuel, i.e., kerosene with high premium fuel, such as petrol or diesel. Fuel adulteration, by the retailers, has become an acute problem globally due to substantial differences between the fuel price of low premium fuel and high premium fuel. The adulterated fuel impedes the performance of an engine, misfiring, and, in some cases, may also cease the engine. The use of adulterated fuel also causes air pollution as it results in excessive emission of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter.
Further, in an event of inadvertent misfuelling of the fuel tank of the vehicle, i.e., filling petrol in a diesel vehicle or vice versa, may cause substantial damage to the engine of the vehicle when it is operated. Operating the vehicle with incorrect fuel often results in wear out of pistons, piston rings, valves, cylinder walls, fuel injectors, and the like. Moreover, substantial cost is incurred for detoxing the entire fuel intake system and the fuel tank.
Therefore, there is felt a need of an apparatus that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks and prevents the vehicle for misfuelling or usage of adulterated fuel.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
The object of the present disclosure is to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that prevents a vehicle from being misfuelled;
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that prevents the usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus which is modular.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus which can be retrofitted in conventional vehicles.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that has simple configuration.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for preventing misfuelling or usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle.
The apparatus comprises a proximity sensor, at least one density measurement sensor, at least one temperature sensor, a computational unit, and a valve system. The proximity sensor, the density measurement sensor, and the temperature measurement sensor are disposed on a fuel pipe of the vehicle.
The proximity sensor is configured to detect the introduction of a fuel filling nozzle in the fuel pipe, and is further configured to generate a nozzle detection signal. The density measurement sensor is configured to measure the density of the fuel being introduced into the fuel pipe, and is further configured to generate a density signal. The temperature measurement sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the fuel being introduced into the fuel pipe, and is further configured to generate a temperature signal.
The computational unit is configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor, the density measurement sensor, and the temperature measurement sensor, and is further configured to compute either a first actuation signal or a second actuation signal depending upon threshold values. Further, the valve system is disposed on the fuel pipe, and is configured to receive the first actuation signal and the second actuation signal from the computational unit. The valve system is further configured to be oriented in a first operative position wherein the introduced fuel flows from the fuel pipe to a fuel tank and a second operative position wherein the introduced fuel is drained from the fuel pipe to prevent the fuel tank from being misfuelled or being filled with adulterated fuel.
In an embodiment, the valve system includes a solenoid valve and a drain valve. The solenoid valve is configured to be actuated based on the received first actuation signal to facilitate the flow of the introduced fuel from the fuel pipe towards the fuel tank. The drain valve is configured to be actuated based on the received second actuation signal to facilitate drainage of the introduced fuel from the fuel pipe.
In another embodiment, the computational unit is configured to receive the nozzle detection signal, and is further configured to generate an activation signal to activate the density measurement sensor and the temperature measurement sensor.
In an embodiment, the computational unit includes a memory, a signal conditioning unit, a crawler and extractor, and a controller.
The memory is configured to store a lookup table having a list of pre-determined temperature values and a pre-determined density value corresponding to each of the pre-determined temperature values. The signal conditioning unit is configured to receive the measured density signal and the measured temperature signal from the density measurement sensor and the temperature measurement sensor, and is further configured to convert the measured density signal and the measured temperature signal to a measured density value and a measured temperature value respectively.
The crawler and extractor is configured to receive the measured temperature value from the signal conditioning unit, and is further configured to crawl through the lookup table to extract the stored threshold density value based on the received measured temperature value. Further, the controller is configured to receive the measured density value from the signal conditioning unit and the extracted threshold density value from the crawler and extractor. The controller is further configured to compare the measured density value with the extracted threshold density value to:
• generate the first actuation signal when the measured density value is equal or greater than the extracted threshold density value; and
• generate the second actuation signal when the measured density value is less than to the extracted threshold density value.
In an embodiment, the computational unit is configured to generate at least one alert signal subsequent to generation of the second actuation signal.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes a notification unit. The notification unit is configured to cooperate with the computational unit, and is further configured to provide notification to an operator of the vehicle indicating misfuelling or the presence of adulterated fuel based on the alert signal generated by the computational unit.
In still another embodiment, the notification unit is selected from the group consisting of a buzzer, a display, an LED, and a speaker.
In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an auxiliary tank connected to the fuel pipe via the valve system. The auxiliary tank is configured to receive and store the drained fuel.
In an embodiment, the computational unit is electronically coupled to the solenoid value and the drain valve via a first relay and a second relay respectively. The first relay is configured to receive the first actuation signal from the computational unit, and is further configured to actuate the solenoid valve to facilitate the flow of fuel towards the fuel tank. The second relay is configured to receive the second actuation signal from the computational unit, and is further configured to actuate the drain valve to facilitate draining of the fuel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An apparatus for preventing misfuelling or usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus for preventing misfuelling or usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle;
Figure 2 illustrates another schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1 depicting modular arrangement; and
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Apparatus
102 – Density measurement sensor
104 – Temperature measurement Sensor
106 – Drain valve
108 – Solenoid valve
110 – Pair of flanges
110’ – First flange
110’’ – Second flange
112 – Fuel pipe
114 – Fuel tank
200 – Computational unit
202 – Controller
206 – Proximity sensor
208 – Notification unit
210 – First relay
212 – Second relay
214 – Memory
216 – Signal conditioning unit
300 – Valve system
302 – Crawler and Extractor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An apparatus for preventing misfuelling or usage of adulteration of fuel in a vehicle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus 100 for preventing misfuelling or the usage of adulteration of fuel in a vehicle. Figure 2 illustrates another schematic view of the apparatus 100 depicting modular arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1.
The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope of ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
Typically, the density of a fuel is inversely proportional to its temperature. For example, the density of petrol may change about 0.5 - 1% per 5°C change in temperature. Thus, the quality of the fuel can be determined by measuring the density and the temperature of the fuel.
The apparatus 100 is configured to detect and prevent the usage of adulterated fuel, i.e., fuel mixed with other liquids such as kerosene, water, and the like, and is further configured to detect and prevent the vehicle (not shown in figures) from being misfuelled, i.e., fueling a petrol vehicle with diesel and vice versa.
Referring to Figure 1 through Figure 3, the apparatus 100 is configured to either facilitate the flow of the fuel introduced in a fuel pipe 112 of the vehicle towards a fuel tank 114 or restrict the flow of the fuel introduced in the fuel pipe 112 towards the fuel tank 114. More specifically, the apparatus 100 is disposed on the fuel pipe 112 and is placed downstream of a fuel inlet (not specifically shown in figures) of the vehicle and upstream of the fuel tank 114.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 is installed on the fuel pipe 112 by means of a pair of flanges 110. A first flange 110’, of the pair of flanges 110, is connected to an upstream end of the apparatus 100 and the second flange 110’’, of the pair of flanges 110, is connected to a downstream end of the apparatus 100.
The apparatus 100 comprises a proximity sensor 206, at least one density measurement sensor 102, at least one temperature measurement sensor 104, a computational unit 200, and a valve system 300. The proximity sensor 206, the density measurement sensor 102, the temperature measurement sensor 104, and the valve system 300 are disposed on the fuel pipe 112 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the density measurement sensor 102 is an ultrasonic sensor.
In an embodiment, the proximity sensor 206 is disposed on the fuel pipe 112 proximal to a fuel inlet port of the fuel pipe 112.
The proximity sensor 206 is configured to detect the introduction of a fuel filling nozzle (not specifically labelled in the figures) in the fuel pipe 112, and is further configured to generate a nozzle detection signal. In an embodiment, the computational unit 200 is configured to receive the nozzle detection signal from the proximity sensor 206, and is further configured to generate an activation signal to activate the density measurement sensor 102 and the temperature measurement sensor 104.
The density measurement sensor 102 is configured to measure the density of the fuel being introduced into the fuel pipe 112, and is further configured to generate a density signal. The temperature measurement sensor 104 is configured to measure the temperature of the fuel being introduced into the fuel pipe 112, and is further configured to generate a temperature signal.
The computational unit 200 is configured to cooperate with the proximity sensor 206, the density measurement sensor 102, and the temperature measurement sensor 104, and is further configured to compute either a first actuation signal or a second actuation signal depending upon threshold values.
Further, the valve system 300 is configured to receive the first actuation signal and the second actuation signal from the computational unit 200. The valve system 300 is further configured to be oriented in a first operative position wherein the introduced fuel flows from the fuel pipe 112 to the fuel tank 114 and a second operative position wherein the introduced fuel is drained from the fuel pipe 112 to prevent the fuel tank 114 from being misfuelled or being filled with adulterated fuel.
In an embodiment, the valve system 300 includes a solenoid valve 108 and a drain valve 106. The solenoid valve 108 is configured to be actuated based on the received first actuation signal to facilitate the flow of the introduced fuel from the fuel pipe 112 towards the fuel tank 114. The drain valve 106 is configured to be actuated based on the received second actuation signal to facilitate drainage of the introduced fuel from the fuel pipe 112. In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes an auxiliary tank (not shown in figures) connected to the fuel pipe 112 via the valve system 300. The auxiliary tank is configured to receive and store the drained fuel.
In an embodiment, the computational unit 200 includes a memory 214, a signal conditioning unit 216, a crawler and extractor 302, and a controller 202.
The memory 214 is configured to store a lookup table having a list of pre-determined temperature values and a pre-determined density value corresponding to each of the pre-determined temperature values. In an embodiment, the set of pre-determined temperature values and the set of threshold density values stored in the memory 214 are the values associated with a particular fuel used in the vehicle.
The signal conditioning unit 216 is configured to receive the measured density signal and the measured temperature signal from the density measurement sensor 102 and the temperature measurement sensor 104, and is further configured to convert the measured density signal and the measured temperature signal to a measured density value and a measured temperature value respectively.
The crawler and extractor 302 is configured to receive the measured temperature value from the signal conditioning unit 216, and is further configured to crawl through the lookup table to extract the stored threshold density value based on the received temperature value. Further, the controller 202 is configured to receive the measured density value from the signal conditioning unit 216 and the extracted threshold density value from the crawler and extractor 302. The controller 202 is further configured to compare the measured density value with the extracted threshold density value to:
• generate the first actuation signal when the measured density value is equal or greater than the extracted threshold density value; and
• generate the second actuation signal when the measured density value is less than the extracted threshold density value.
Further, the computational unit 200 is configured to generate at least one alert signal subsequent to generation of the second actuation signal. More specifically, the controller 202 is configured to generate the at least one alert signal upon generating the second actuation signal.
The apparatus 100 further includes a notification unit 208. The notification unit 208 is configured to cooperate with the computational unit 200, and is further configured to provide notification to an operator of the vehicle indicating misfuelling or the presence of adulterated fuel based on the alert signal generated by the computational unit 200. In an embodiment, the notification unit 208 is selected from the group consisting of a buzzer, a display, an LED, and a speaker. In another embodiment, the notification unit 208 is configured to provide continuous or intermittent notifications to the driver/operator.
In an embodiment, the computational unit 200 is electronically coupled to the solenoid value 108 and the drain valve 106 via a first relay 210 and a second relay 212 respectively. The first relay 210 is configured to receive the first actuation signal from the computational unit 200, and is further configured to actuate the solenoid valve 108 to facilitate the flow of the fuel towards the fuel tank 114. The second relay 212 is configured to receive the second actuation signal from the computational unit 200, and is further configured to actuate the drain valve 106 to facilitate draining of the fuel being introduced in the fuel pipe 112.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the present disclosure includes a communication module (not shown in figures). The communication module is configured to receive and transmit the alert signal received from the controller 202 to a cluster (not shown in figures) of the vehicles, thereby alerting the operator/driver of the vehicles.
In another embodiment, the visual notification provided to the driver/operator may indicate detection of adulterated fuel and/or misfuelling of the fuel tank.
The purpose of the apparatus 100 is to allow the intended fuel to flow towards the fuel tank 114 and restrict the wrong or adulterated fuel from entering the fuel tank 114.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an apparatus, that:
? prevents a vehicle from being misfuelled;
? prevents usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle;
? is modular;
? can be retrofitted in conventional vehicles;
? is cost effective; and
? has simple configuration.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein above and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification, specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. An apparatus (100) for preventing misfuelling or usage of adulterated fuel in a vehicle, said apparatus (100) comprising:
a proximity sensor (206) disposed on a fuel pipe (112) of said vehicle, said proximity sensor (206) configured to detect the introduction of a fuel filling nozzle in said fuel pipe (112), and further configured to generate a nozzle detection signal;
at least one density measurement sensor (102) disposed on said fuel pipe (112), said density measurement sensor (102) configured to measure the density of the fuel being introduced into said fuel pipe (112), and further configured to generate a density signal;
at least one temperature measurement sensor (104) disposed on said fuel pipe (112), said temperature measurement sensor (104) configured to measure the temperature of the fuel being introduced into said fuel pipe (112), and further configured to generate a temperature signal;
a computational unit (200) configured to cooperate with said proximity sensor (206), said density measurement sensor (102), and said temperature measurement sensor (104), and further configured to compute either a first actuation signal or a second actuation signal depending upon threshold values; and
a valve system (300) disposed on said fuel pipe (112), said valve system (100) configured to receive said first actuation signal and said second actuation signal, and further configured to be oriented in a first operative position wherein the introduced fuel flows from said fuel pipe (112) to a fuel tank (114) and a second operative position wherein the introduced fuel is drained from said fuel pipe (112) to prevent said fuel tank (114) from being misfuelled or being filled with adulterated fuel.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve system (200) includes:
a solenoid valve (108) configured to be actuated based on said received first actuation signal to facilitate the flow of the introduced fuel from said fuel pipe (112) towards said fuel tank (114); and
a drain valve (106) configured to be actuated based on said received second actuation signal to facilitate drainage of the introduced fuel from said fuel pipe (112).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computational unit (202) is configured to receive said nozzle detection signal, and is further configured to generate an activation signal to activate said density measurement sensor (102) and said temperature measurement sensor (104).
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computational unit (200) includes:
a memory (214) configured to store a lookup table having a list of predetermined temperature values and a threshold density value corresponding to each of said predetermined temperature values;
a signal conditioning unit (216) configured to receive said measured density signal and said measured temperature signal from said density measurement sensor (102) and said temperature measurement sensor (104), and is further configured to convert said measured density signal and said measured temperature signal to a measured density value and a measured temperature value respectively
a crawler and extractor (302) configured to receive said measured temperature value from said signal conditioning unit (216), and is further configured to crawl through said lookup table to extract said stored threshold density value based on said received measured temperature value;
a controller (202) configured receive said measured density value from said signal conditioning unit (216) and said extracted threshold density value from said crawler and extractor (302), said controller (202) is further configured to compare said measured density value with said extracted threshold density value to:
• generate said first actuation signal when said measured density value is equal or greater than said extracted threshold density value; and
• generate said second actuation signal when said measured density value is less than said extracted threshold density value.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computational unit (202) is configured to generate at least one alert signal subsequent to generation of said second actuation signal.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said apparatus (200) includes a notification unit (208) configured to cooperate with said computational unit (202), and is further configured to provide notification to an operator of said vehicle indicating misfuelling or the presence of adulterated fuel based on said alert signal.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said notification unit (208) is selected from the group consisting of a buzzer, a display, an LED, and a speaker.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus (100) includes an auxiliary tank connected to said fuel pipe (112) via said valve system (200), and configured to receive and store said drained fuel.
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said computational unit (202) is electronically coupled to said solenoid value (108) and said drain valve (106) via a first relay (210) and a second relay (212) respectively, wherein:
a. said first relay (210) being configured to receive said first actuation signal from said computational unit (202), and being further configured to actuate said solenoid valve (108) to facilitate the flow of fuel towards said fuel tank (114); and
b. said second relay (212) being configured to receive said second actuation signal from said computational unit (202), and being further configured to actuate said drain valve (106) to facilitate draining of said fuel.