WO2004011364A1

WO2004011364A1 - Apparatus for dispensing oil/gas

Info

Publication number: WO2004011364A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/003368
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malachy Molloy
Original assignee: Malachy Molloy
Priority date: 2002-07-30
Filing date: 2003-07-30
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: AU2003255746A1; GB0217585D0

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for dispensing combustible fluids such as oil/gas to users comprising a main storage tank (2) and at least one customer's tank (3) in fluid communication via pipes (4) extending therebetween. A dispensing means (6,7) is mounted intermediate the main storage tank (2) and the customer's (3) and a customer terminal (5) is in operable communication with the dispensing means (6,7). The customer terminal (5) is operable on receipt of required information to activate the dispensing means (6, 7) to deliver a quantity of oil/gas to the customer's tank (3).

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING OIL/GAS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing combustible fluids to domestic users and in particular to an apparatus for dispensing oil/gas.

Inhabitants of residential dwellings all over the world have heating systems installed which are dependent upon oil/gas to provide central heating and hot water. For oil fired systems, the oil is stored adjacent to residential dwellings in tanks ranging in size from approximately nine hundred litres to two thousand three hundred litres. These tanks are periodically filled from larger tanks which are transported on various customised vehicles. Bulk delivery of oil involves a substantial cost to the end user and this cost can fluctuate considerably in response to the fluctuation of oil prices around the world.

The oil delivery companies find that a great deal of expense is incurred in an effort to recover payment for the delivered oil as a consequence of the financial burden placed on customers by the bulk delivery system. This generally involves the oil supplier's account manager calling a number of times with the customers who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Gas heating systems are effected by directly piping centrally stored gas to the household of customers who are metered and invoiced for their gas consumption on a periodic basis. This system has the same fundamental problem associated with the bulk delivery of oil, namely financial burden due to one off billing for high volumes of gas resulting in difficulty for the gas supplier in recovering funds owed.

This is clearly an undesirable situation for both the customer and the vendor and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for dispensing oil/gas in order to overcome the problems associated with the collection of payment for bulk delivery of oil/gas. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing combustible fluids such as oil/gas to customers comprising a main storage tank and at least one customer's tank In fluid communication via pipes extending therebetween, a dispensing means mounted intermediate the main storage tank and the customer's tank and a customer terminal in operable communication with the dispensing means, the customer terminal being operable on receipt of required customer information to activate the dispensing means to deliver a quantity of oil/gas to the customer's tank.

The required customer information may include customer's identification, quantities of oil/gas to be purchased and the payment method therefor. Preferably, the customer terminal comprises input means and a microcontroller in communication therewith for receiving information from the input means and transmitting information back to the input means

Ideally, the input means has identification means selected from a group consisting of a magnetic-stripe card reader and a chip and pin card reader. Preferably, the input means further comprises a keypad and a visual display unit

(V.D.U.).

Ideally, the input means further comprises a coin/note receiving and reading device. Preferably, the microcontroller has a control program stored thereon for providing output signals in response to information received from the input means. Ideally, the control program transmits information to the V.D.U. in response to receiving information from the input means.

Preferably, the main storage tank is connected to a plurality of customers' tanks by a network of underground pipes extending between the main storage tank and customers' tanks. Ideally, the dispensing means comprises a pump and a plurality of valves located in the pipes. Preferably, the pump is located on an outlet from the main storage tank.

Ideally, a valve is located at or adjacent each customer's tank.

Preferably, the pump and valves are controllable by the microcontroller.

Ideally, the pump and valves are operable via the control program stored on the microcontroller in response to customer identification and confirmation of payment being received by the program.

Preferably, the microcontroller is in communication with a secondary control system which is configured to monitor and dispense fuel.

Ideally, a single customer terminal is provided for a plurality of dwellings. Preferably, a customer terminal is provided in each dwelling.

Ideally, the apparatus comprises a card carrying encoded information including identity of a customer, their address and a personal identification number (P.I.N.) associated with the card for accessing the customer terminal.

Preferably, the encoded information also includes electronic funds pre-paid onto the card.

Ideally, the or each customers' tanks and the main tank have monitoring means such as sensors preventing inadvertent overfilling or emptying of the tanks.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a remotely monitorable security system which alerts a system operator in the event that anyone interferes with the tanks, the dispensing means the pipes or the or each customer terminal.

Ideally, a method of dispensing oil/gas from the apparatus is also provided comprising the steps of receiving and validating identification means from a customer, receiving a purchase order from a customer including mode of payment, validating payment and dispensing the paid-for volume of oil/gas to the identified customer. Preferably, the customer terminal is in electrical communication with the dispensing means. Ideally, the main storage tank is located underground in the locality of the customers' tank.

Preferably, the main storage tank is capable of holding between fifty and seventy thousand litres of oil. Ideally, the volume of the main storage tank is dependent upon the number of dwellings it serves.

Ideally, the information transmitted to the V.D.U. by the microcontroller is in the form of menus such as mode of payment or quantity of oil/gas required from which a selction is made. Preferably, the customer's tanks are located in a secure area and may be underground or overground.

Ideally, the valves are accessible for maintenance.

Preferably, the customer terminal is provided in a form similar to currently available cash dispensing machines and is located in a housing/apartment development to serve a predetermined number of dwellings.

Ideally, the customer terminal is in a secure building adjacent to the main storage tank. A single card can be used in order to gain entry to the building and to operate the customer terminal.

In another aspect of the invention, the respective customer terminal may be accessed remotely by a customer via the Internet. The customer can access the customer terminal by logging on to an associated website and inputting security details. When the customer has gained access, details of the amount of oil/gas and credit card/debit card details may be inserted. The oil/gas supplier provides a website for the public to access via modem/broadband/ISDN connections and the microcontroller of the customer terminal administers the oil/gas supplier's website. Alternatively, a separate microcontroller in communication with the microcontroller of the customer terminal administers the oil/gas supplier's website. The present invention also provides a method of dispensing oil/gas from the apparatus described above comprising the steps oft- receiving and validating identity information from a customer; receiving a purchase order from a customer including mode of payment; validating payment; and dispensing the paid-for volume of oil/gas to the identified customer.

Optionally, providing the customer with an option to terminate the transaction prior to dispensing the amount of oil/gas requested.

In one mode of operation the method includes the steps of a customer inserting identify information, such as a card carrying a magnetic stripe into a magnetic stripe reading device, the customer inserting a P.I.N. number and inputting the amount of oil/gas needed and selecting proceed once the transaction is approved. In this mode of operation the magnetic stripe on the card includes information in relation to the balance of the customer's account with the card issuing authority. In a second mode of operation the method comprises the steps of inserting the card and P.I.N. number identifying the customer and using a coin/note receiving and reading device for entering payment for the amount of oil/gas requested.

In a third mode of operation, the method comprises the steps of inserting the card and P.I.N. number identifying the customer, the customer selecting payment via credit card from a menu on a V.D.U., the magnetic-stripe reader being used to read a credit card swiped therethrough, whereby the control programme on the controller transmits the information on the credit card to the relevant banking authority via a modem or some similar connection in order to check the credit facility as a valid mode of payment for the oil/gas and in response to receiving authorisation and dispensing the oil/gas. Preferably, the identification means is also capable of reading chip and pin cards, commonly referred to as smart cards. Ideally, the cards are prepaid cards and the control program is capable of debiting the cost of the fuel ordered and dispensed as part of the transaction.

Preferably, the storage tank, the or each customer's tank and the valves have status indicators which are monitored by the control program. Preferably, Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale (EFTPOS) technology is used to effect payments.

Ideally, a communication method to obtain authorisation of payment is selected from a group comprising PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), Paknet (Vodafone Radio Data Network), leased line (x25) and BT Dial Plus. Preferably, the microcontroller of the customer terminal is in communication with a secondary control system for controlling and monitoring fuel distribution.

Ideally, the secondary control system is capable of activiating the pump and valves in response to a signal from the microcontroller.

Ideally, the microcontroller only signals the secondary control system to dispense fuel when customer and payment validation and authorisation have been received by the microcontroller.

Preferably, the secondary control system utilises Programmable Logic Control (P.L.C.) technology.

Alternatively, the secondary control system utilises Personal Computer (P.O.) technology.

Preferably, the secondary control system comprises a plurality of sensors/indicators located in any one of or any combination of the tanks, pipes, pump and valves of the apparatus and the secondary control system has means for monitoring these devices in order to determine their status. Ideally, the secondary control system comprises shut-off valves located in the apparatus which are activatable in response to a fuel leak or damage to any part of the apparatus.

Preferably, flow meters are disposed in one or any combination of the main tank, the or each customer's tank and the pipes.

Ideally, the identification means is capable of reading cards of the type incorporating biometric sensors.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, one embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing oil/gas. In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. 1 , there is shown an apparatus for dispensing oil/gas indicated generally by the reference number 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a main storage tank 2 in the locality of a number of customers' tanks 3 being connected by a network of pipes 4 extending therebetween. A customer terminal 5 is in operable communication with dispensing apparatus comprising a pump 6 and a plurality of valves 7. One valve 7 is located adjacent to each customer's tank 3. Further valves 7 are provided within the network of underground pipes at strategic locations such as T-joints. The customer terminal 5 has input apparatus including a magnetic tape reader 8, a keypad 9 and a V.D.U. 10 in communication with a microcontroller 12. Each customer terminal 5 also has a coin/note receiving and reading apparatus 11 also in communication with the microcontroller 12. The customer terminal 5 has a two-way communication channel 14 for transmitting and receiving electrical signals via a modem 15 or some similar interface device. A remote user may access the customer terminal 5 using a remote workstation 16 in electrical communication with the modem 15. In use, a customer swipes a card carrying a magnetic strip through magnetic tape reader 8 and the microcontroller 12 requests a P.I.N. number via a V.D.U. 10 in response to receiving information from the magnetic strip. The customer enters their P.I.N. number and the microcontroller 12 validates the P.I.N. number. The microcontroller 12 presents the customer with a number of menus via the V.D.U. 10 containing various quantities of oil/gas and methods of payment such as cash, account or credit card in response to the correct P.I.N. number being entered via keypad 9. The customer selects an amount of oil/gas, and a method of payment using the keypad 9. The microcontroller 12 confirms that the method of payment is valid and subsequently signals the pump 6 and the relevant valves 7 in order to pump the oil/gas to the identified customer via the network of pipes 4.

When a customer selects payment via cash the microcontoller 12 sends information to the V.D.U. 10 requesting the customer to insert notes/coins into the reading apparatus 11 for receiving coins and notes. If a customer selects payment via a credit card, the microcontroller 12 sends information to the V.D.U. 10 requesting the customer to swipe their credit card through the magnetic tape reader 8. The microcontroller 12 transmits the information received from the credit card via a modem 15 to the relevant banking authority to confirm sufficient credit is available to proceed prior to signalling the pump 6 and valves 7 to deliver oil/gas.

The microcontroller 12 turns on the pump and opens a sequence of valves 7 allowing oil/gas to flow from the main storage tank 2 to the identified customer's tank 3.

Variations and modifications can be made to the above without departing from the scope of the invention described above as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1 ) for dispensing combustible fluids such as oil/gas to customers comprising a main storage tank (2) and at least one customer's tank (3) in fluid communication via pipes (4) extending therebetween, a dispensing means (6, 7) mounted intermediate the main storage tank (2) and the customer's tank (3) and a customer terminal (5) in operable communication with the dispensing means (6, 7), the customer terminal (5) being operable on receipt of required customer information to activate the dispensing means (6, 7) to deliver a quantity of oil/gas to the customer's tank (3).

2. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the customer terminal (5) comprises input means (8, 9, 10, 11) and a microcontroller (12) in communication therewith for receiving information from the input means (8, 9 10, 11) and transmitting information back to the input means (8, 9, 10, 11).

3. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input means (8, 9 10, 11 ) comprises identification means selected from a group consisting of a magnetic-stripe card reader (8) and a chip and pin card reader.

4. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the input means (8, 9 10, 11) has a keypad (9) and a visual display unit (V.D.U.) (10).

5. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the input means (8, 9 10, 11) has a coin/note receiving and reading device (11).

6. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the microcontroller (12) has a control program stored thereon for providing output signals in response to information received from the input means (8, 9, 10, 11).

7. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control program transmits information to the V.D.U. (10) in response to receiving information from the input means (8, 9, 10, 11).

8. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main storage tank (2) is connected to a plurality of customers' tanks (3) by a network of underground pipes (4) extending between the main storage tank (2) and customers' tanks

(3).

9. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing means (6, 7) comprises a pump (6) and a plurality of valves (7) located in the pipes (4).

10. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pump (6) is located on an outlet from the main storage tank (2).

11. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein a valve (7) is located at or adjacent each customer's tank (3).

12. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the pump (6) and valves (7) are controllable by the microcontroller (12).

13. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the pump (6) and valves (7) are operable via the control program stored on the micro-controller (12) in response to customer identification and confirmation of payment being received by the program.

14. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11 , wherein the microcontroller is in communication with a secondary control system which is configured to monitor and dispense fuel.

15. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a single customer terminal (5) is provided for a plurality of dwellings.

16. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a customer terminal (5) is provided in each dwelling.

17. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a card carrying encoded information identifying a customer, their address and their personal identification number (P.I.N.) associated with the card for accessing the customer terminal (5).

18. An apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the encoded information includes electronic funds pre-paid onto the card.

19. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each customers' tanks (3) have monitoring means preventing a customer from inadvertently overfilling or emptying the tank (3).

20. An apparatus (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1 ) includes a remotely monitorable security system which alerts a system operator in the event that anyone interferes with the tanks (2, 3), the dispensing means (6, 7), the pipes

(4) or the or each customer terminal (5).

21. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective customer terminal (5) is accessible remotely by a customer via the Internet by logging on to a customer terminal associated website and inputting security and payment details.

22. An apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a separate microcontroller is in communication with the microcontroller (12) of the customer terminal

(5) for administering the oil/gas supplier's website.

23. A method of dispensing oil/gas from the apparatus (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims described above comprising the steps of:- receiving and validating identification means from a customer; receiving a purchase order from a customer including mode of payment; validating payment; and dispensing the paid-for volume of oil/gas to the identified customer.