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(11) | EP 2 868 616 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A dismounting device and a process for extracting a motor from a fuel pump |
| (57) The invention relates to a dismounting device (1) and a process for extracting a
motor (2) from a fuel pump (3) mounted into a fuel dispenser (4), said motor (2) comprising
a pulley (5) driving another pulley (6) fixed to a pumping unit (21) by means of a
transmission belt (7). The dismounting device (1) comprises a trolley (8) mobile with
respect to the fuel dispenser (4) and an arm (9) fixed to the trolley (8) at its first
end (10). The arm (9) comprises grasping means (11) at its second end (12), adapted
to be fixed to the pulley (5) of the motor (2). The dismounting device (1) comprises
height setting means (13) provided on the trolley (8) to adjust the height of the
arm (9) sensibly at the height of the pulley (5) of the motor (2).
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[0001] The invention relates to a dismounting device and a process for extracting a motor from a fuel pump mounted into a fuel dispenser.
[0002] A service station comprises usually several fuel dispensers. A fuel dispenser can deliver gasoline or diesel fuel into the tank of a car for instance.
[0003] A fuel dispenser comprises several compartments including a hydraulic compartment comprising one or several fuel pumps, an electronic compartment positioned above the hydraulic compartment and a compartment including the hose management systems.
[0004] The fuel pump comprises a motor having a pulley driving another pulley fixed to a pumping unit by means of a transmission belt. The pumping unit is equipped with at least a suction pump (gear pump or vane pump for instance), a filter with the function of eliminate the solid particles present in the fuel, an air separator and a recovery chamber to remove air dissolved in the fuel. A pumping unit can be linked to two fuel meters for delivering fuel on each side of the fuel dispenser.
[0005] A hydraulic compartment can comprise more than two pumping units which are cumbersome and heavy. The motor can have a weight of more than 16 kilograms and the space inside the hydraulic compartment, between the pumping units and the motors, is limited to obtain a compact hydraulic assembly.
[0006] Sometimes, the motor can malfunction or be broken. It must be removed from the hydraulic compartment to be replaced on site. The dismantle operation is very difficult for the staff and two persons are needed to extract the motor which is heavy. The access into the hydraulic compartment is limited. The operation takes a lot of time and it could be dangerous for the staff. In some cases, the employee can have its fingers broken or have its hands cut.
[0007] The aim of the invention is to solve these issues in providing a dismounting device for extracting a motor from a fuel pump enabling to reduce the number of employees for extracting the motor. A single employee is required instead of two. The cycle times in carrying out this activity is reduced. The labor time on-site is reduced and the cost is reduced.
[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a dismounting device for extracting a motor from a fuel pump mounted into a fuel dispenser, said motor comprising a pulley driving another pulley fixed to a pumping unit by means of a transmission belt. The dismounting device comprises:
- a trolley mobile with respect to the fuel dispenser,
- an arm fixed to the trolley at its first end, said arm comprising grasping means at its second end, adapted to be fixed to the pulley of the motor, and
- height setting means provided on the trolley to adjust the height of the arm sensibly at the height of the pulley of the motor.
[0010] The invention enables a reduction in personnel. In order to comply with United Kingdom Hygiene and Security legislation, most motor dismounting operations require two men on-site in order to safely lift the motor. The dismounting device enables a single technician to do this job safely.
[0011] The invention enables to reduce the cycle-time for extraction. Typical time on-site for this operation is around two hours. The dismounting device permits to do this operation over one hour.
[0012] In different possible embodiments, the present invention also relates to the features which will appear during the following description and which should be considered individually or in all their technically possible combinations:
[0013] The grasping means has a ring shape adapted to be inserted into a groove formed around the periphery of the pulley of the motor, the grasping means being sensibly perpendicular to the arm.
[0014] The grasping means comprises two half-rings including a first half-ring fixed to the arm and a second half-ring connectable and removable from the first half-ring by means of clamping means enabling to clamp the two half-rings together and to tighten said half-rings against the pulley of the motor.
[0015] The grasping means can be easily and quickly fixed to the motor pulley. It permits to hold the motor in a simple manner.
[0016] The clamping means are formed by threaded holes provided at each respective ends of the two half-rings and by two screws, when the half-rings are positioned around the groove of the pulley of the motor, the threaded holes of the half-rings are aligned and the screws screwed into said holes to join the half-rings together.
[0018] The length setting means comprises two pipes including a first pipe fixed to the trolley and a second pipe movable with respect to the first pipe, the grasping means being fixed to one ends of the second pipe and the second pipe being able to slide inside and along the first pipe between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the second pipe is extended outside the first pipe.
[0019] A handle is fixed to the second pipe and a slot is formed in the first pipe for guiding the handle between the retracted and the extended positions.
[0020] The slot has a "T" shape including a first longitudinal part extending along the longitudinal direction of the arm and a second part perpendicular to the first longitudinal part.
[0021] The dismounting device comprises weight setting means for adjusting the weight of the trolley so as to be greater than the weight of the motor.
[0022] This feature enables to use the dismounting device for a wide range of motor of a wide range of pumping units.
[0023] The invention relates also to a process for extracting a motor from a fuel pump mounted in a fuel dispenser, the motor comprising a pulley driving another pulley fixed to a pumping unit by means of a transmission belt and the process comprising the steps of:
- removing the transmission belt from the pulley of the motor,
- removing the pulley of the pumping unit,
- extracting the motor from the fuel dispenser with the dismounting device as defined above.
[0024] In different possible embodiments, the present invention also relates to the features which will appear during the following description and which should be considered individually or in all their technically possible combinations:
[0025] The step of extraction of the motor from the fuel dispenser comprises the steps of:
- setting the height of an arm of the dismounting device in order to adjust this one to the height of the pulley of the motor,
- fixing the arm to the pulley of the motor by means of grasping means,
- moving the dismounting device toward a direction A opposite to the fuel dispenser in order to extract the motor from the fuel dispenser.
[0026] The step of extraction of the motor from the fuel dispenser comprises, before the step of moving the dismounting device toward a direction A, the steps of:
- extending the length setting means toward a direction B opposite to the direction A in order to separate the motor from the fuel dispenser,
- lowering the arm.
[0027] In some case, the fixing means enabling to fix the motor to the fuel dispenser comprises a hinge assembly having one or two pins fixed on a bracket of the motor intended to be inserted in two holes of a dispenser bracket, as illustrated in figure 4. For extracting the motor, the staff has to push the motor in a direction B opposite to the direction A to disengage the pins from the respective holes.
[0028] The direction B is the direction toward the dispenser. The direction A is the opposite direction toward the dismounting device. After this operation, the staff pushes down the motor and moves it in the direction A to extract the motor from the fuel dispenser. This operation is difficult because the motor is heavy and the space around the motor is limited.
The length setting means enable to extend the arm toward the direction B to disengage the pins of the motor bracket from the holes of the dispenser bracket. The trolley does not move during this operation. The handle is translated along the first part of the slot toward the direction B. It permits to separate the motor from the dispenser easily and safely.
[0029] After this step of separation of the motor, the motor is lowered by the height setting means and the handle of the arm is put in a retracted position. The handle is translated along the first part of the slot toward the direction A. The handle is then introduced in the second part of the slot to block the handle before the step of translation of the dismounting device toward the direction A for extracting the motor from the dispenser.
[0030] The length setting means combined with the height setting means enable an accurate movement of the motor according to two directions (horizontal and vertical). Complex movements can be done to extract the motor from its tight compartment.
[0031] The invention will be described more in detail with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
- FIGURE 1 represents a dismounting device extracting a motor from a fuel dispenser according to the invention,
- FIGURE 2 represents the arm of the dismounting device according to the invention,
- FIGURE 3 represents a front view of the grasping means,
- FIGURE 4 represents an example of fixing means enabling to fix the motor to the fuel dispenser.
[0033] Each fuel pump 3 comprises a motor 2 having a pulley 5 driving another pulley 6 fixed to a pumping unit 21 by means of a transmission belt 7.
[0034] As illustrated in figure 4 the motor 2 is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4 by fixing means 36 comprising a hinge assembly 37a, 37b including two motor hinge parts 37a fixed on a bracket 38 of the motor 2 and two dispenser hinge parts 37b fixed on a dispenser bracket (not shown). The bracket 38 of the motor 2 is fixed to the motor 2 and the dispenser bracket is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4.
[0035] Each motor hinge part 37a comprises a pin 41 and each dispenser hinge part 37b comprises a hole 39 intended to receive one pin 41. This hinge assembly 37a, 37b enables the motor 2 to rotate with respect to the pumping unit 21 which is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4.
[0036] This fixing means 36 is described as an example. The dismounting device 1 can be used for other kinds of fixing means and arrangements.
[0037] The dismounting device 1 as illustrated in figure 1 comprises a trolley 8 mobile in translation with respect to the fuel dispenser 4 and an arm 9 fixed to the trolley 8 at its first end 10. The arm 9 comprises grasping means 11 at its second end 12 adapted to be fixed to the pulley 5 of the motor 2. The dismounting device 1 comprises height setting means 13 to adjust the height of the arm 9 sensibly at the height of the first pulley 5 of the motor 2.
[0038] In the embodiment of figure 1, the trolley 8 comprises four rollers 40. The height setting means 13 are integrated in the trolley 8. In the embodiment of figure 1, the trolley 8 is a floor jack as used for lifting cars to replace tires. Other kinds of trolley 8 can be used. A handle 34 is provided on the trolley 8 to activate the lifting of the arm 9. Thus, the height of the arm 9 can be set at the same height of the pulley 5 of the motor 2.
[0039] The trolley 8 comprises weight setting means 20 for setting the weight of the trolley 8. Weights 22 can be added on the trolley 8. The weights 22 act as a counter weight. The trolley weight is set so as to be greater than weight of the motor 2 and the arm 9. Thus, the dismounting device 1 can be used to extract motors 2 of different weights. A tray 23 is provided at the back of the trolley 8 to bear the weights 22. The tray 23 is sensibly horizontal and can comprise a vertical rod 24 to thread the weights 22. The weights 22 comprise a hole 35 to be inserted in the rod 24.
[0040] The grasping means 11 have a ring shape adapted to be inserted into a groove 14 formed around the periphery of the pulley 5 of the motor 2. The grasping means 11 is preferably sensibly perpendicular to the arm 9. Alternatively, the grasping means 11 can be inclined with respect to the arm 9.
[0041] As illustrated in figure 3, the grasping means 11 comprise two half-rings 15a, 15b including a first half-ring 15a fixed to the arm 9 and a second half-ring 15b connectable and removable from the first half-ring 15a by means of clamping means 16 enabling to clamp the two half-rings 15a, 15b together and to tighten the half-rings against the pulley 5 of the motor 2.
[0042] The clamping means 16 comprise threaded holes 17 provided at each respective ends of the two half-rings 15a, 15b and two screws 18. When the half-rings are positioned around the groove 14 of the motor pulley 5, the threaded holes 17 of the half-rings are aligned. The screws 18 are then screwed into said holes 17 to join the half-rings together.
[0043] The first half-ring 15a comprises two legs 25 fixed on two respective legs 26 of the arm. The grasping means 11 can have a diameter of 60 mm or 70 mm for example. This diameter is adapted to the diameter of the motor pulley 5.
[0044] In the embodiment of figure 1, during the extraction operation, the first half-ring 15a is positioned bellow the pulley of the motor 2 and the second half-ring 15b is positioned above this one. Alternatively, the first half-ring 15a could be positioned above the motor pulley 5 and the second half-ring 15b could be positioned bellow this one.
[0046] The arm 9 extends along a longitudinal direction. It has an elongate shape. For example, it can have a length of 412 mm. Other lengths are possible.
[0047] As illustrated in figure 2, the arm 9 comprises length setting means 19 for adjusting the length of the arm 9. The arm 9 is telescopic. The length setting means 19 comprises two pipes 27a, 27b including a first pipe 27a fixed to the trolley 8 via an arm linking bracket 28 and a second pipe 27b movable with respect to the first pipe 27a. The second pipe 27b slides inside and along the first pipe 27a. The grasping means 11 are fixed to the end of the second pipe 27a which is the end 12 of the arm 9. A handle 29 is fixed to the second pipe 27b to extend the length of the arm 9. A user can push or pull the second pipe 27a via the handle 29. The handle 29 has a T shape. A slot 30 is provided in the first pipe 27a for guiding the handle 29 which can move from a retracted position when it is near the arm linking bracket 28 up to an extended position when moved in the opposite direction B toward the motor 2.
[0048] The slot 30 has a "T" shape including a first longitudinal part 32 extending along the longitudinal direction of the arm 9 and a second part 33 perpendicular to the first longitudinal part 32. The slot 30 is positioned above the first pipe 27a. The second part of the slot 33 is near the arm linking bracket 28. The handle 29 crosses the slot 30 and slides along the slot. The front end 31 of the first longitudinal part 32 acts as a stop to stop the handle 29 when totally extended toward the direction A. The handle 29 can move toward the direction B to reach the retracted position. The handle 29 can move toward the direction A to reach the retracted position. The handle 29 is then inserted into the second part 33 of the slot 30 to block the arm 9 in the retracted position. The second part 33 of the slot 30 has a curved shape. It could be semi-circular for instance.
[0049] The handle 29 can have a stroke comprised between 40 mm and 80 mm. It can be 62 mm for instance.
[0050] The process for extracting a motor 2 from a fuel pump 3 mounted in a fuel dispenser 4 is described below.
[0051] The extraction process is described for extracting a motor 2 but it can be also applied for the reverse operation consisting in mounting a motor 2 into a fuel dispenser 4.
[0052] The extraction process comprises the steps of:
- removing the transmission belt 7 from the pulley 5 of the motor 2,
- removing the pulley 6 of the pumping unit 21,
- extracting the motor 2 from the fuel dispenser 4 with the dismounting device 1 as defined above.
[0053] The step of extracting the motor 2 from the fuel dispenser 4 comprises the sub-steps of:
- setting the height of the arm 9 of the dismounting device 1 in order to adjust this one to the height of the pulley 5 of the motor 2,
- fixing the arm 9 to the pulley 5 of the motor 2 by means of the grasping means 11,
- removing the fixing means enabling to fix the motor 2 to the fuel dispenser 4,
- translate the dismounting device 1 toward a direction A opposite to the fuel dispenser 4 in order to extract the motor 2 from the fuel dispenser 4.
[0054] The steps above described are preferably done in this order. Alternatively, it can be done in a different order.
[0055] As said above and illustrated in figure 4, in some case the motor 2 is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4 by fixing means 36 comprising a hinge assembly 37a, 37b including two motor hinge parts 37a fixed on a bracket 38 of the motor 2 and two dispenser hinge parts 37b fixed on a dispenser bracket (not shown). The bracket 38 of the motor 2 is fixed to the motor 2 and the dispenser bracket is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4.
[0056] Each motor hinge part 37a comprises a pin 41 and each dispenser hinge part 37b comprises a hole 39 intended to receive one pin 41. This hinge assembly 37a, 37b enables the motor 2 to rotate with respect to the pumping unit 21 which is fixed to the fuel dispenser 4.
[0057] For extracting the motor 2, the staff has to push the motor 2 in a direction B opposite to the direction A to disengage the pin 41 of the motor hinge parts 37a from the hole 39 of the dispenser hinge parts 37b. After this operation the staff can lower the motor 2 and move it in the direction A to extract it from the dispenser. This operation is difficult because the motor 2 is heavy and the space around the motor 2 is limited.
[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the extraction process comprises, before the translation of the dismounting device 1 toward a direction A, a step of extending the arm length by means of the length setting means 19 toward the direction B to disengage the pin 41 of the motor hinge parts 37a from the respective hole 39 of the dispenser hinge parts 37b. The handle 29 of the arm is moved toward the direction B to reach the extended position. During this step, the trolley 8 does not move. The handle 29 is translated along the first part 32 of the slot toward the direction B.
[0060] After this step of separation of the motor, the handle 29 of the arm is put in a retracted position. The handle 29 is translated along the first part of the slot 32 toward the direction A. The handle 29 is then introduced in the second part 33 of the slot to block the handle 29 before the step of translation of the dismounting device 1 toward the direction A for extracting the motor completely from the fuel dispenser.
[0062] Fixing means for fixing the motor to the dispenser can be different. In a general manner, the length setting means 19 permits to push or pull the motor with respect to the dispenser during the dismounting process. In addition, the height setting means 13 enable to lift or lower the arm 9. Thus the motor 2 can be manipulated easily and with accuracy according two directions (vertical and horizontal) and in a narrow space.
[0063] When the motor 2 is removed from the fuel dispenser 4, the employee can tilt the dismountable device 1 to put the motor 2 on the floor.
[0064] As a result, the dismounting operation can be done by only one employee instead of two and in safer conditions.
[0065] The dismounting device 1 can be used for the reverse operation consisting in mounting the motor 2 into the fuel dispenser 4.
[0066] The process for mounting the motor 2 into the fuel dispenser 4 comprises the steps of:
- fixing the grasping means 11 of the dismounting device 1 on the pulley 5 of the motor 2,
- setting the weight of the dismounting device 1 which must be greater than the weight of the motor and the arm via the weight setting means 20,
- setting the height of the arm 9 of the dismounting device 1 via the height setting means 13 in order to put the motor 2 in front of the motor housing positioned below the pumping unit,
- introducing the motor in the motor housing of the fuel dispenser by moving the dismounting device 1 in the direction B,
- lifting the motor 2 via the height setting means 13 when the hinge parts 37a of the motor is in front of the hinge parts 37b of the dispenser bracket,
- translate the motor 2 in the direction A via the length setting means 19 to insert the hinge parts 37a of the motor in the hinge parts 37b of the dispenser bracket,
- removing the grasping means 11 from the pulley 5 of the motor.
1. Dismounting device (1) for extracting a motor (2) from a fuel pump (3) mounted into
a fuel dispenser (4), said motor (2) comprising a pulley (5) driving another pulley
(6) fixed to a pumping unit (21) by means of a transmission belt (7), characterized in that said dismounting device (1) comprises:
- a trolley (8) mobile with respect to the fuel dispenser (4),
- an arm (9) fixed to the trolley (8) at its first end (10), said arm (9) comprising grasping means (11) at its second end (12) adapted to be fixed to the pulley (5) of the motor (2), and
- height setting means (13) provided on the trolley (8) to adjust the height of the arm (9) sensibly at the height of the pulley (5) of the motor (2).
2. Dismounting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the grasping means (11) has a ring shape adapted to be inserted into a groove (14)
formed around the periphery of the pulley (5) of the motor (2), said grasping means
(11) being sensibly perpendicular to the arm (9).
3. Dismounting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the grasping means (11) comprises two half-rings (15a, 15b) including a first half-ring
(15a) fixed to the arm (9) and a second half-ring (15b) connectable and removable
from the first half-ring (15a) by means of clamping means (16) enabling to clamp the
two half-rings (15a, 15b) together and to tighten said half-rings against the pulley
(5) of the motor (2).
4. Dismounting device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the arm (9) comprises length setting means (19) for adjusting the length of the arm
(9).
5. Dismounting device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the length setting means (19) comprises two pipes (27a, 27b) including a first pipe
(27a) linked to the trolley (8) and a second pipe (27b) movable with respect to the
first pipe (27a), the grasping means (11) being fixed to one end of the second pipe
(27b) and the second pipe (27b) being able to slide inside and along the first pipe
(27a) between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the second pipe
(27b) is extended outside the first pipe (27a).
6. Dismounting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that a handle (29) is fixed to the second pipe (27b), a slot (30) being formed in the
first pipe (27a) for guiding the handle (29) between the retracted and the extended
positions.
7. Dismounting device (1) according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises weight setting means (20) for adjusting the weight of the trolley (8)
so as to be greater than the weight of the motor (2).
8. Process for extracting a motor (2) from a fuel pump (3) mounted in a fuel dispenser
(4), said motor (2) comprising a pulley (5) driving another pulley (6) fixed to a
pumping unit (21) by means of a transmission belt (7), said process comprising the
steps of:
- removing the transmission belt (7) from the pulley (5) of the motor (2),
- removing the pulley (6) of the pumping unit (21),
- extracting the motor (2) from the fuel dispenser (4) with the dismounting device (1) as defined in claims 1 to 7.
9. Process for extracting a motor (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the step of extraction of the motor (2) from the fuel dispenser (4) comprises the
steps of:
- setting the height of an arm (9) of the dismounting device (1) in order to adjust this one to the height of the pulley (5) of the motor,
- fixing the arm (9) to the pulley (5) of the motor by means of grasping means (11),
- moving the dismounting device (1) toward a direction A opposite to the fuel dispenser (4) in order to extract the motor (2) from the fuel dispenser (4).
10. Process for extracting a motor (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the step of extraction of the motor (2) from the fuel dispenser (4) comprises, before
the step of moving the dismounting device (1) toward a direction A, the steps of:
- extending the length setting means (19) toward a direction B opposite to the direction A in order to separate the motor (2) from the fuel dispenser (4),
- lowering the arm (9).