Dispenser for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Filling Station

Abstract

A fueling station dispenser for distributing a combustible gas that is lighter than air, and that includes electrical and gas handling sections in the same frame. A vapor barrier in the cabinet blocks fugitive gas that may be present in the gas handling section from entering the electrical section. According to most applicable codes, by isolating combustible gas from the electrical section gives it a Class I, Division 2 designation. Which eliminates the need to seal or air purge the electronics section as this designation allows for electronics that under normal intended operating conditions do not generate an arc with sufficient energy to initiate combustion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for handling compressed gas comprising:
 a frame;   a gas handling section in the frame;   an electronics section in the frame; and   a vapor barrier in the frame, so that when fugitive gas is in the gas handling section, the fugitive gas is blocked from flowing into the electronics section by the vapor barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor barrier comprises a bulkhead in the frame that defines an upper terminal end of the gas handling section. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor barrier comprises a bulkhead disposed in the frame above the gas handling section. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor barrier comprises a housing in the electronics section and in which electronics are disposed. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 2 , further comprising an electrical conduit extending between the electronics section and the gas handling section and through the bulkhead. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises compressed natural gas. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising side columns in the frame that extend adjacent the gas handling section and to above the electronics section, an opening in a sidewall of the gas handling section, and a vent in a sidewall of each of the side columns, so that fugitive gas in the gas handling section can flow through the opening, along the side columns, and through the vents to outside of the frame and past the electronics section. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the gas handling section is defined as a Class I, Division 1 area, and the electronics section is defined as a Class I, Division 2 area. 
     
     
         9 . A dispenser for use with a combustible gas comprising:
 a frame;   a gas handling section in the frame in communication with a supply of combustible gas; and   an electronics section in the frame in signal communication with the gas handling section;   a vapor barrier in the cabinet that defines an obstacle to a free flow of fugitive gas to within the electronics section; and   a vent system in which fugitive gas from the gas handling section selectively bypasses the electronics section.   
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the vapor barrier comprises a bulkhead mounted in the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the bulkhead is in the gas handling section. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the bulkhead is in the electronics section. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the vapor barrier comprises a housing in the electronics section, and wherein electronics are disposed in the housing that only during unexpected conditions are the electronics capable of producing an arc having sufficient energy to initiate combustion. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the vent system comprises vertical open spaces housed in side columns on lateral sides of the frame, openings that extend through sidewalls of the gas handling section and that intersect with the vertical open spaces, and vents in the side columns on a side of the electronics section opposite the gas handling section, and that define a communication path between the vertical open spaces and ambient. 
     
     
         15 . A dispenser for handling a combustible gas comprising:
 a cabinet;   a gas handling section in the cabinet that comprises a line in communication with a source of combustible gas, and that is in selective communication with a nozzle outside of the cabinet;   an electronics section in the cabinet;   a first bulkhead in the gas handling section that defines a first vapor barrier;   a second bulkhead in the electronics section that defines a second vapor barrier; and   a housing in the electronics section having electrical hardware disposed therein and that defines a third vapor barrier.   
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , having electrical hardware that can produce an arc having sufficient energy to initiate a combustion only during unexpected operation. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , further comprising an air gap between the gas handling section and the housing and an air gap between side wall of the cabinet and the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , wherein the gas is lighter than air.