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Double gold award for fuel device

13/11/2008
A revolutionary new device developed by the University of Wolverhampton has scooped a double gold award at the British Invention of the Year Awards 2008.
 
The Caparo RightFuel device, which prevents motorists putting petrol in diesel cars, was invented by Martin White who partnered with the Caparo Innovation Centre at the University of Wolverhampton to develop and license the patent rights for the new device.Martin White (Left)and Pro. Andrew Pollard (right)
 
The device won a double gold award in the Industrial Innovation category at the show at Alexandra Palace in London.
 
Andrew Pollard, Industrial Professor at the SciTech Innovation Hub, said: “We’re thrilled that the Caparo RightFuel device has won such a prestigious national award. The positive response generated by this device has been phenomenal, especially amongst fleet and hire car companies for whom misfuelling is a significant and expensive problem.”
 
The Caparo RightFuel device is a retrofit product, which is installed as a direct replacement for the vehicle’s existing fuel filler cap. In its normal state, the mechanical device forms a physical barrier across the fuel intake aperture preventing access to the fuel tank.
 
The device is configured so that when a diesel fuel filler nozzle is inserted the physical barrier swings out of the way allowing fuel to be added to the vehicle. The device can distinguish between petrol and diesel fuelling nozzles and will not open when the smaller diameter petrol nozzle is inserted, therefore preventing the wrong fuel being added to the vehicle.
 
The Caparo RightFuel is available to purchase from www.caparorightfuel.com or by contacting 01926 473820

Further information

Pictured are inventor Martin White (left) and Prof. Andrew Pollard (right) from the University at the British Invention Show 2008 at Alexandra Palace in London.
 
The Caparo Innovation Centre (CIC), a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton, School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE) and steel multinational Caparo Plc, was established in early 2003 with the aim of helping inventors to transform new product ideas into commercial products. Based at the Wolverhampton Science Park, the CIC team comprises of engineering, product development and marketing professionals, who work with the inventor to strengthen the business case for promising new product ideas.
 
The CIC has been established under a basic principle that it does not require any upfront financial commitment from inventors. Instead the centre generates revenue by agreeing a percentage of the proceeds in the event that the product is commercialised, this system means that the CIC are as committed to commercialising the product ideas as the inventors are.
 
If you would like to find out more about the Caparo Innovation Centre or have a new product innovation you would like to discuss, please contact Professor Andrew Pollard on 01902 824182, email cic@wlv.ac.uk or visit  www.help4inventors.co.uk
 
For more information, contact Vickie Woodward in the Press Office on 01902 322736 or 07973 335112.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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