The present invention relates to a control system for supplying fluid to an apparatus. Preferably this apparatus can be a vehicle.

In particular, the system refers to supply of a reactant active in reducing the polluting agents present in the exhaust gases produced by the vehicle engines.

Generally, the invention can also apply to any technical fluid the quality of which must be controlled and guaranteed. By way of example, these technical fluids can also comprise brake fluid, antifreeze fluid, lubricating oils, fuels and so on.

In greater detail, the system applies to heavy means such as, for instance, trucks, articulated lorries, trucks and full trailers, buses, articulated buses, caravans, earthwork means or the like and finally, the system also applies to cars and agricultural means.

In the last twenty years the European Union has activated important measures for limiting the atmospheric pollution.

Although in the period from 1980 to 2000 an important reduction in the emissions of a certain number of pollutants in the air and water, such as sulphur dioxide, lead, phosphorus, has been reached, there has not been an important reduction in the nitrogen oxide and the volatile organic compounds (from EU sources) . The pollutants that are introduced into the atmosphere come from many sources and can be divided into three main categories:

^• emissions from moving sources (transport industry) , emissions from immovable sources (industries, dwelling houses, farms, dumps);

^• emissions caused by energy production.

Within the emissions from moving sources, the carbon dioxide (CO2) , methane (CH ₄ ) , nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) , and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are the main responsible for the greenhouse effect.

Since 1990 the European Union has issued directives aiming at, on the one hand, imposing an improvement in the petrol and diesel fuel quality and, on the other hand, limiting the emissions from motor vehicles.

These directives have brought to the definition of standards that have fixed increasingly more rigid maximum values for the emissions of polluting substances produced by motor vehicles; these standards are known as Euro 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

The progressive coming into force of each of these standards has involved the prohibition of selling new vehicles consistent with the prior standards. The Euro 4 standard applies to new road vehicles sold in the EU starting from 2005. It limits the emissions for diesel cars to 0.25 g/km of NO _x and to 0.025 g/kg of fine dusts (PM10) . For petrol cars the limits are at 0.08 g/km of NO _x . For heavy vehicles, these limits are fixed to 3.5 g/km of NO _x and 0.02 g/km of PM.

Although no specific technology has been imposed for meeting these requirements, the reductions in the emissions have been typically obtained through use of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technologies. The SCR technology consists in treating the exhaust gases through a selective catalytic reduction converting the nitrogen oxides into water. The reaction takes place in the catalytic silencer. This fully revolutionary technology as compared with the development line that has brought to Euro 3 engines, takes advantage of the use of a system involving post- treatment of the exhaust gases.

This technology contemplates use of a reactant of chemical origin that is added to the exhaust gases on coming out of the engine, converting the nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) into steam and nitrogen, which substances are already present in nature and are innocuous. On the market such a reactant is known as AdBlue®, being preferably made up of urea (32% by weight) and distilled water (68% by weight) .

Use of this reactant is necessary for heavy vehicles that are responsible for the greatest nitrogen oxide emissions. Unfortunately, frequently the road haulage contractors use other types of reactants of lower quality and cost, in particular when said road haulage contractors are not the vehicle owners and have to receive a reimbursement from the vehicle owner based on the cost of the original fluid.

It should be noted that the damage caused by a low- quality product is not immediate, but can be discovered only after the vehicle has run some thousands of kilometres and at that point it is necessary to replace the whole SCR system, which is clearly disadvantageous from an economic point of view.

In addition, after this time interval, it is difficult to identify which was the product that caused the damage, and whether products different from the required ones were really used.

The counterfeited reactants have a very reduced antipollution effect and give rise to a quicker deterioration of the catalytic silencer. Therefore their use is dangerous both in terms of protection of the environment and in terms of conservation of the apparatuses being utilised, and also in terms of non- gains for the producer of the guaranteed original product .

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a control system for supplying a fluid to an apparatus which can guarantee the supply of the original product.

It is a further aim to provide a system that can guarantee the quality of the supplied product.

An additional aim consists in providing a system that can guarantee a safe supply.

In particular, the invention aims at making available a system avoiding the so-called "misfueling" condition, i.e. the situation in which for instance, diesel fuel is poured into the AdBlue tank or vice versa.

It is a further aim to provide a system enabling a quick tracking of the carried out supplies. The foregoing and further aims are achieved by the control system for supplying a fluid to an apparatus, in accordance with the description of the appended claims .

The system of the invention reaches the following advantages as compared with the known art:

- it prevents supply of a fluid different from the provided one;

- it guarantees the quality of the supplied fluid;

- it guarantees safety in the supply operation;

- it guarantees a tracking of the occurred supplies and therefore the possibility of recognising if the damaged piece is under guarantee in case of failure.

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will be more apparent and detailed from the description set out hereinafter of an embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of the control system for supplying a fluid to an apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows parts of a vehicle interacting with the fluid used by the system, according to the invention. With reference to Fig. 1, a control system 100 for supplying a fluid F to an apparatus 1 comprises a dispensing structure 20 for managing the supply of fluid F to apparatus 1. As above mentioned, preferably apparatus 1 is a vehicle and, in particular, it can be a heavy transport vehicle and the following description will be made with reference to this application field for the only purpose of simplifying exposition thereof.

Secondly, the system also applies to cars and agricultural means.

The dispensing structure 20 is preferably assimilable to a conventional pump for fuel supply such as those usually present in the filling stations.

It is however to be pointed out that the expression "dispensing structure" is to be understood as also comprising a portable container, such as an emergency can .

The expression "portable container" means a container that is substantially assimilable to a plastic bottle, even if not necessarily of the same shape and capacity.

In addition, this container is intended of the portable type as it is operatively and structurally disconnected from both the filling pump and any other part of the vehicle.

The container is adapted to be carried by the vehicle, preferably in a loading space, being of reduced sizes and capacity, preferably containing 5, 15 or 25 litres.

More specifically, by the term "can" it is intended a small handy container for liquids, preferably of plastic material and having the shape of a parallelepiped, preferably provided with a handle at the top. Preferably, the fluid F is a reactant of chemical origin that is added to the exhaust gases on coming out of the engine, and converts the nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) into steam and nitrogen.

More preferably, this reactant is made up of urea (32% by weight) and distilled water (68% by weight).

On the market this reactant is known as AdBlue®.

The dispensing structure 20 comprises a dispensing device 21 adapted to supply the fluid F to apparatus 1.

Preferably, this dispensing device 21 is a conventional filling gun structurally assimilable to those commonly used in the filling stations.

Should on the contrary the dispensing structure 20 comprise a portable container, the dispensing device 21 can consist of the outlet opening of this portable container, through which the fluid F is supplied to apparatus 1.

Further associated with the dispensing device 21 is a storage module 22 adapted to contain recognition data 23 of the fluid F.

Preferably, the storage module 22 further . comprises information by which it is possible to distinguish whether the dispensing device 21 is a conventional filling gun or a portable container. In other words, the dispensing device 21 is associated with a code identifying the type of dispensing device 21 and is able to ensure that the device is intended for supply of a predetermined fluid F. Advantageously, according to the invention, processing of the recognition data 23 prevents the supply of a counterfeited product, or at all events a product unsuitable for the function provided for. fluid F; for instance, these data ensure the impossibility of supplying fuels, if fluid F is AdBlue®.

Preferably, the storage module 22 comprises a RFID Tag for identification of the dispensing device 21 and the unique fluid F it is designed to supply.

In other embodiments, the storage module 22 can comprise other types of circuits or devices, in any case configured for maintaining in store at least one datum or signal, which are able to distinguish the dispensing device 21 of fluid F from other dispensing members that are not designed for supply of fluid F.

Preferably, the storage module 22 is placed at the dispensing mouth of the dispensing device 21.

The control system for supply of fluid F further comprises a control device 10, disposed on apparatus 1 and adapted to enable the supply of fluid F to said apparatus 1. Preferably, the control device 10 is an electronic control box. In the following the terms "control device 10" and "electronic control box" will be used indifferently. Preferably, this control device 10 comprises a reading device 11 for reading the storage module 22 and an actuator 12 adapted to open an access device 13 to a tank 14 containing fluid F if the recognition data 23 present in said storage module 22 are recognised. The control device 10 further comprises a processing module 15 for the recognition data 23 of fluid F, which is adapted to activate actuator 12 if the recognition data 23 are recognised. In other words, the electronic control box, through the reading device 11, reads the storage module 22 associated with the dispensing device 21 and transmits the recognition data 23 read to the processing module 15; if the processing module 15 recognises these data, i.e. if it identifies the dispensing device as correctly set for supply of the predetermined fluid, it activates actuator 12 for opening of the access device 13 to a tank 14 of fluid F. Preferably, the processing module 15 is associated with or comprises an auxiliary memory (not shown) , in which the data with which the processing module 15 compares the recognition data 23 are stored. The data stored in said auxiliary memory are therefore representative of the data "expected" by the processing module 15 for allowing activation of actuator 12 and consequent opening of the access device 13.

The data stored in the auxiliary memory therefore can for example be representative of the dispensing device 21 and/or fluid F; at all events they will be data corresponding to those previously stored in the storage module 22 associated with the dispensing device 21. Preferably, the access device 13 and tank 14 are external to the control device 10.

Advantageously, the system according to the invention inhibits a fluid F different from the provided one from being supplied; consequently, the quality of the supplied fluid is ensured.

In addition, taking into account the fact that the reading device 11 is sensitive to the distance from the dispensing device 21, due to the presence of the storage module 22 at the mouth of the dispensing device 21, security in the supply operation is ensured; in fact when the gun is moved away from the reading device 11, reading of the storage module 22 takes place no longer and the access device 13 is closed, so that introduction into the tank of a fluid different from the predetermined one is prevented.

Preferably, the reading device 11 is substantially always active; electric power can be supplied for example from the electric system of apparatus 1.

By way of example, if apparatus 1 is a motor-vehicle, the reading device 11 can be connected to the battery thereof.

Preferably, the reading device 11 carries out a sequence of reading operations without important interruptions at a predetermined frequency. For instance, the reading device can carry out a reading every 0.5 seconds. Obviously, also different frequencies can be used.

Therefore, when the processing module 15, by means of the reading device 11, recognises the presence of an "authorised" dispensing device 21, it sends a signal for activation of actuator 12 substantially in a continuous manner, so that the access device 13 remains in an open condition. When the dispensing device 21 is moved away and the storage module 22 is no longer detected by the reading device 11, no signal is sent any more for activation of actuator 12 and the access device 13 comes back to the closed position.

Advantageously, should the dispensing structure 20 consist of a portable container, the storage module 22 can be made useless after use of the contents of the portable container. This takes place as hereinafter described .

The reading device 11 is able to understand from reading the storage module 22 whether the dispensing device 21 is a conventional filling gun or a portable container. Associated with the reading device 11 is a writing device 11a that is active on the RFID tag that, as already said, enables the unequivocal identification of the dispensing device 21.

If the processing module 15 in cooperation with the reading device 11 identifies a portable container as the dispensing device 21, then the processing unit 15 gives a command to the writing device 11a for modification of one or more data contained in the storage module 22. In other words, the writing device 11a is interlocked with the processing module 15 for modification of one or more data contained in the storage module 22 as a function of the data read by the reading device 11. In particular, said modification of one or more data takes place when said data read by the reading device 11 allow identification of a portable container as the dispensing device 21. Preferably, the writing device 11a cancels the contents of the storage module 22; in other words, the writing device 11a deletes at least part of the contents of the storage module 22. The reader is able to recognise the tag presence even after occurrence of the modification/deletion of the storage module 22, thus enabling the processing module 15 to go on maintaining the access device 13 open to suitably control actuator 12 and allow the supply to be completed.

When the portable container is moved away from the reading device 11, the access device 13 is closed; if the same portable container subsequently approaches the reading device 11 again, said device 11 although recognising the tag presence, is unable to read the recognition data 23 of fluid F from the storage module 22. Consequently, it does not allow opening of the access device 13. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the portable container from being filled again, after a first use, with an inappropriate fluid and subsequently used again in an incorrect manner.

On opening of the access device 13 of fluid F, the dispensing device 21 can deliver a predetermined amount of fluid F. Referring in particular to Fig. 2, preferably, the fluid F is stored in tank 14 that is distinct from the fluid tank with which each vehicle is provided.

The fluid utilised by the system of the invention is used in the innovative technology for control of the exhaust gases referred to as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. The intervention point of fluid F in this technology is located downstream of the engine, the intervention taking place no longer during combustion through channels and ducts for fumes recirculation as it happened in the prior art technologies (classified as Euro 3, for example) , but after combustion, reaching these fumes and being added thereto before the same enter the catalytic silencer. The SCR technology consists in treating the exhaust gases through a selective catalytic reduction converting the nitrogen oxides to water. The reaction takes place in the catalytic silencer. This technology makes Euro 4 and Euro 5 engines structurally simpler than the preceding ones, with an added saving in terms of maintenance and assistance.

As already said, the fluid F is a reactant preferably made up of urea (32% by weight) and distilled water (68% by weight). This reactant is commercially known as AdBlue®. The AdBlue® is a stable and colourless product similar to water and not at all dangerous (it is not explosive, toxic or inflammable) , and odourless and has no restrictions for storage and transport.

The consumption of this product, controlled through a suitable control box, takes place in a percentage relative to the diesel consumption, which percentage is included between 3% and 5% for Euro 4 engines until 6-9% for Euro 5 engines.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, in the system of the invention, fluid F is adapted to be introduced into a duct 90 conveying the exhaust gases from the vehicle engine 18 to the vehicle catalytic silencer 19. The heat present in the catalytic silencer 19 converts the urea micronized through a suitable injector, into carbon dioxide and ammonia. This represents the active substance and the main component of the process taking place within the catalytic silencer 19.

During the following chemical-catalytic process, the nitrogen oxides are converted into nitrogen gas and steam.

The new SCR technology has brought many advantages.

Replanning of the engines ensures better performance, more reliability, longer servicing intervals and reduced fuel consumption. This is made possible by a higher thermal efficiency, capable of also reducing emission of unburnt particles or combustion residues. In addition, the new Euro 4 engines, through simple and cheap modifications, already fall within the Euro 5 parameters, in force since October 2009.

Due to the above, arrangement of suitable structures for supply of fluid F utilising the system of the present invention has been made very advantageous.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the control device 10 further comprises a memory card 16 including reference data of apparatus 1 and data relating to supplies of fluid F to apparatus 1.

A suitable reading device 40 for reading the dispensing operations can be removably connected to the memory card 16 and is adapted to read the data contained therein. This enables tracking of the supplies of fluid F received by apparatus 1; for vehicle drivers (typically heavy vehicles) owned by third parties, this certifies to said third parties that the correct fluid has been supplied and prevents the driver from being reimbursed when refilling has taken place with a counterfeited substance that is cheaper and dangerous for the vehicle. According to the invention, the memory card 16 is associated with a data communication device 17 of apparatus 1.

A data transmission station 25, in communication with the communicatio device 17, is adapted to activate an automated payment system 30 for payment of fluid F supplied to apparatus 1.

This payment system uses known payment technologies such as POS's, credit cards, or other similar payment modes .

Preferably, this data transmission station 25 is included in the dispensing structure 20.

In particular, in case of a refilling station, in the petrol pump a transmitter preferably of the wireless type is present; a central processor placed for example inside the refilling station, receives signals concerning supply and refilling operations from each transmitter .

Preferably, a respective number of credit card can associated with each memory card 15. On reading of identification data stored in the memory card through said reader 40 for example, the system will be able to verify whether the estimated amount has been paid and therefore will authorise delivery. Vice versa, if the amount is not paid, the system will stop delivery.