Innovation and Technologies by Nozzle Eng: 'Dot One' - the new refueling nozzle with electronics inside.

Nozzle Eng. is glad to present the new series of electronic nozzles DOT ONE for dispensing liquid fuels. The official presentation will be done during Automechanika at our stand 10B81. Visit and see the future with your own eyes …

The 'Dot One' electronic nozzle is the result of the field work and projects which the company carried out throughout years. 'Dot One' embodies all Nozzle Eng's knowledge, representing the state-of-the-art product of the company.

Designed from leading-edge concepts and leveraging well-established electronic and software technologies, 'Dot one' represents a product with no equal. Optimizing hydraulics and using analog and digital sensors to implement safety functions, Nozzle Eng has created a refueling nozzle with original features, not replicated by any other device on the market.

The development of 'Dot One' has been involving experts and companies specialized in the building of particular high-tech assembly (such as high precision electronic sensors). The R&D Department of Nozzle Eng has been responsible for the design, supervision, integration and configuration of the various parts adapting them to the specifications imposed by such a fueling device.

In the last few years, thanks to the feedback from companies in the petrol industry, like oil companies and dispenser manufacturers located in various continents, Nozzle Eng has optimized both the aesthetics and the engineering of 'Dot One'. The result allows a high level of safety standard combined with an outstanding usability and management, in full compliance with all applicable regulations (UL, ATEX, TUV, EMC, ...)

Find detailed information about DOT ONE nozzle on the next page » » »

Meets your customer requirements

The user experience has always been the focus of Nozzle Eng. Usability in modern technologies is a driving feature and this applies also to the refueling nozzle market. Nozzle Eng has therefore spent time and resources in order to identify some of the improvements desired by users. According to the study, cleanness and effortless device operation are at the top of the list. To meet these requirements Dot One introduces ergonomic push buttons which can be easily activated with just a click and a body which has been expressly engineered to be completely sealed to avoid any leakage.

User experience is further enhanced by the 2.4 inches LCD screen which can display either metering or contextual advertising. The display has been selected to have a wide visual angle and to be visible under sunlight in order to guarantee a clear view in all environmental conditions at the service station. The LCD screen is located at the top of the nozzle lightweight body which has been designed following not only technological constraints but also the special flavor characterizing a cutting-edge Italian design. The shape has just been refined, bringing up new ergonomic details, like the soft grip handle.

An unparalleled safety level

The most exclusive attribute of the nozzle is its software control. It represents an advancement in the industry which opens new possibilities and new scenarios for the dispensing systems. First and most importantly, it impacts on safety. The enabling factor of augmented safety is in the set of sensors which monitor the status and conditions in some points of the device. The software reads the data coming form the sensors and determines how to handle the situation applying the programmed logic to all the inputs in just a few milliseconds time.

The function which automatically shuts off the electro-valve to avoid fuel splash outs uses ad-hoc sensors installed in the spout to recognize the fluid or even the foam approaching the upper level of the tank. These sensors have been designed in order to provide high reliability and to detect the appropriate physical properties of fuels and foams. Additional valuable functionalities have been implemented. A digital accelerometer reads both the horizontal and vertical angles and detects whether the device is moving above a speed threshold. The software automatically deactivates the control buttons or in case the fueling is in progress stops the flow by shutting off the electro-valve. Fueling is thus not possible while walking around the petrol station or driving away by car. Also an alarm is triggered whenever the nozzle is in the tank for a certain number of seconds and no operation occurs. This is to avoid damages produced when a vehicle moves away with the nozzle still inserted in the tank. Angles and timeouts are all configurable and may be set up according to the specific installation.

The control software running on the nozzle has also an impact on product quality checking. Running repeated automated tests which monitor not only the outer behavior of the nozzle but also the inner one is now possible. Interfacing the software with a personal computers allows to track the performance of the nozzle in a number of real-world scenarios. This opens up a new way of managing the product life-cycle starting from the production and assembly facilities with the goal of guaranteeing customers the best of the Nozzle Eng's production.

On the side of the maintainers

One of the requirements which emerged from the Nozzle Eng's study was a support of the work-flow and operations of maintenance. Two tools have been designed to meet this requirement. The first is a wireless interface on board of the nozzle by which the control software logs the status and the completed transactions on a remote receiver placed either on the dispenser or in the service station office. The log journal reports key facts about the life of the nozzle and can be queried to aggregate data per period or type of event. The second tool is the Nozzle Eng Management System (NEMS) which is a web application offering a visual environment to remotely monitor a set of nozzles, track their conditions and possibly plan in advance the on-site maintenance operations. The warning levels related to the nozzle usage are all configurable with a granularity ranging from the whole fleet to a per nozzle basis. The tool is particularly useful to keep control of maintenance and to prevent total or partial denial of services.

Some of the tools will be part of the standard 'Dot One' kit which comprises the nozzle, the reed and the transceiver device to be placed either on the dispenser or in the station office. Of course the 'Dot One' nozzle can be installed on any existing system with or without its accessories.

Plus in every way

'Dot One' has also features which change the environmental impact of the device, a theme which has always drawn attention and more strongly in these times. The electro-valve has been specifically engineered for the application in order to have a very fast shutting off time. The result is that 'Dot One' effectively reduces the amount of fuel drops lost from the spout after the transaction is over. This makes 'Dot One' compliant with the strict CARB regulation. Further, the nozzle is equipped with an heating device which is activated whenever the outside temperature is below a specified level. This permits an easier deployment of DEF/ADBlue fuels which usually require special cabinets to protect against low temperatures.

Finally, the architecture of the nozzle is suitable to accommodate extra needs without affecting the existing functionalities. Some operators have already thought about the possibility of using the LCD screen to display advertisements (which can be uploaded through the wireless interface) or to introduce logging data useful for fleet management and even integrate the NEMS with existing management software.

Dot One is available in 4 versions: diesel, gasoline with vapor recovery, gasoline with vapor recovery with on/off valve and DEF/ADBlue. All models are compatible with existing systems with certificated connections and pressure devices.

Find out more about Nozzle Eng company on the next page » » »

Nozzle Eng is a company founded in 2005 with the aim of developing and marketing innovative fueling devices. Nozzle Eng comprises professionals with an extensive experience in the field of fueling systems and engineers specialized in mechanics, electronics and hydraulics.

The mission of the company is to design and manufacture fueling devices which responds to usage and management requirements coming from end-users and  industry operators. This approach has lead Nozzle Eng to study novel solutions to answer to the market needs.

 Visit www.nozzleeng.eu or www.lpggroup.eu for more information.