Liquid dispensing system

Claim 2

A liquid dispensing system comprising: a nozzle for dispensing liquid; flow rate selection means, including flow rate signalling means for selectively producing a flow rate signal indicative of a desired flow rate for dispensing a liquid; a conduit for conveying liquid; control means electrically connected to said flow rate selection means, said control means being responsive to said flow rate signal for producing a control signal; and electrically operated flow control valve means, responsive to a control signal for delivering liquid into one end of said hose at said desired flow rate, the other end of said hose being coupled to an inlet of said nozzle.

Claim 3

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 1, wherein said flow rate selection means is mounted in said nozzle.

Claim 4

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said flow rate signalling means includes transducer means for producing said flow rate signal.

Claim 5

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said valve means consists of a proportional flow control valve.

Claim 6

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 4, wherein said control valve is a solenoid valve.

Claim 7

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein said control means includes means for converting said flow rate signal to a form useful for controlling said proportional flow control valve.

Claim 8

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 6, wherein said means for converting said flow rate signal produces a pulse width modulated control signal.

Claim 9

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 7, wherein the magnitude of said flow rate signal is analogous to the selected flow rate at a given time, and said pulse width converter means includes a monostable timer responsive to the magnitude of said flow rate signal for producing an output pulse having a pulse width proportional to the magnitude of said flow rate signal, said output pulse being analogous to said control signal.

Claim 10

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein said control means further includes microprocessor means connected between said pulse width converter means and said valve means, responsive to said control signal for driving said valve means in accordance with preprogrammed conditions.

Claim 11

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 9, further including metering means connected between said valve means and said nozzle for producing pulses corresponding to the volume of liquid dispensed during a dispensing cycle, and means for providing entry of a volume signal to said microprocessor means indicative of a desired volume of liquid to be dispensed, said microprocessor means being programmed to respond to said pulses from said metering means and to said volume signal, for closing said valve means in a manner permitting only the desired volume to be dispensed from said nozzle.

Claim 12

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said control means further includes fail safe means responsive to the interruption or breakage of the electrical connection between said control means and said flow rate selection means, for terminating said control signal to turn off or close said valve means.

Claim 13

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said valve means includes fail safe means for turning off or closing said valve means to prevent liquid flow in the event electrical power is for any reason disconnected from said valve means.

Claim 14

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnitude of said flow rate signal is analogous to the selected flow rate at a given time.

Claim 15

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, further including metering means connected between said valve means and said nozzle for producing pulses corresponding to the volume of liquid dispensed during a dispensing cycle.

Claim 16

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, further including pumping means for delivering liquid under pressure to an inlet of said valve means during a given dispensing cycle.

Claim 17

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said flow rate selection means is mounted upon said nozzle, and said flow rate signalling means includes a transducer, and a squeezable handle connected to said transducer, for producing said flow rate signal having a magnitude proportional to the extent said handle is squeezed or moved from a null position, the magnitude of said flow rate signal being analogous to the desired flow rate.

Claim 18

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 16, wherein said transducer consists of a variable resistor having a movable wiping arm connected to said squeezable handle.

Claim 19

A liquid dispensing system according to any preceding claim, wherein said flow control valve means is located remote from said nozzle.

Claim 20

A liquid dispensing system, including a nozzle for dispensing liquid, a transducer integral with said nozzle, a flow handle connected to said transducer, said handle being squeezable for causing said transducer to produce an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude analogous both to the degree of movement of said handle from a null position and a desired flow rate, for dispensing said liquid from an outlet of said nozzle, a hose connected at one end to an inlet of said nozzle and at its other end to the outlet of a flow meter, a proportional valve connected in series with said flow meter and a pump for receiving said liquid under pressure, a pump handle switch operable to a closed position when said nozzle is removed from a storage receptacle built into a housing of said system, a display for displaying the price and volume of liquid dispensed in a given dispensing cycle and a microprocessor based controller programmed for a method comprising the steps of: sensing the closure of said pump handle switch; energizing said pump and said valve; sensing the magnitude of said flow rate signal; and opening said proportional valve to a setting for dispensing said liquid from said nozzle at a flow rate called for by said flow rate signal.

Claim 21

A liquid dispensing system, including a nozzle for dispensing liquid, a transducer integral with said nozzle, a flow handle connected to said transducer, said handle being squeezable for causing said transducer to produce an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude analogous both to the degree of movement of said handle from a null position and a desired flow rate, for dispensing said liquid from an outlet of said nozzle, a hose connected at one end to an inlet of said nozzle and at its other end to the outlet of a flow meter, a proportional valve connected in series with said flow meter and a pump for receiving said liquid under pressure, a pump handle switch operable to a closed position when said nozzle is removed from a storage receptacle built into a housing of said system, a display for displaying the price and volume of liquid dispensed in a given dispensing cycle and a microprocessor based controller programmed for a method comprising the steps of: sensing the closure of said pump handle switch; energizing said pump and said valve; sensing the magnitude of said flow rate signal; and opening said proportional valve to a setting for dispensing said liquid from said nozzle at a flow rate called for by said flow rate signal.

Claim 22

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 19, wherein the method includes the step of changing the opening of said proportional valve to correspond to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal, for changing the flow rate as called for by changes in the position of said flow handle.

Claim 23

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 19 or 20, wherein the method includes the steps of sensing the opening of said pump handle switch, and closing said valve upon the opening of said pump handle switch.

Claim 24

A liquid dispensing system according to Claims 19, 20 or 21, wherein the method includes the steps of sensing output signals from said meter corresponding to the volume of liquid dispensed, calculating the volume and price of liquid dispensed at any given time, and displaying the volume and price of liquid dispensed at any given time.

Claim 25

A liquid dispensing system, including a pump for delivering liquid under pressure, a flow meter for providing output metering signals indicative of the volume and/or rate of flow of said liquid during a dispensing cycle, and an electronic controller, characterised in that it comprises a relatively small and lightweight nozzle assembly including an inlet for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing fluid, and a flow control means manually positionable for establishing a desired rate of flow of said liquid, transducer means integral with said nozzle assembly and connected to said flow control means, for producing an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude both proportional to the position of said flow control means from a datum position at any given time, and corresponding to the desired rate ot flow, a relatively thin walled flexible hose having a relatively small outside diameter, for coupling an outlet of said meter to the inlet of said nozzle, and a proportional flow control valve means located remote from said nozzle assembly, having an inlet connected to said pump, and an outlet connected to an inlet of said flow meter, and responsive to a control signal for opening to provide a desired rate of flow, said controller being electrically connected to said transducer means and said valve means, and responsive to said flow rate signal from said transducer means for producing and varying a characteristic of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal, for correspondingly changing the opening of said valve means to provide desired rates of flow of said liquid over a dispensing cycle.

Claim 26

A liquid dispensing system, including a pump for delivering liquid under pressure, a flow meter for providing output metering signals indicative of the volume and/or rate of flow of said liquid during a dispensing cycle, and an electronic controller, characterised in that it comprises a relatively small and lightweight nozzle assembly including an inlet for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing fluid, and a flow control means manually positionable for establishing a desired rate of flow of said liquid, transducer means integral with said nozzle assembly and connected to said flow control means, for producing an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude both proportional to the position of said flow control means from a datum position at any given time, and corresponding to the desired rate ot flow, a relatively thin walled flexible hose having a relatively small outside diameter, for coupling an outlet of said meter to the inlet of said nozzle, and a proportional flow control valve means located remote from said nozzle assembly, having an inlet connected to said pump, and an outlet connected to an inlet of said flow meter, and responsive to a control signal for opening to provide a desired rate of flow, said controller being electrically connected to said transducer means and said valve means, and responsive to said flow rate signal from said transducer means for producing and varying a characteristic of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal, for correspondingly changing the opening of said valve means to provide desired rates of flow of said liquid over a dispensing cycle.

Claim 27

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 23, wherein said proportional flow control valve means includes a proportional solenoid flow control valve.

Claim 28

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein said flow control means consists of a handle or lever.

Claim 29

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 23, 24 or 25, wherein said proportional flow control valve means includes means for closing said valve means in the event of either a loss of power to said valve, or a loss of said control signal.

Claim 30

A fuel dispensing system comprising: a nozzle including an inlet for receiving fuel, and an outlet for dispensing the fuel; a transducer including a movable actuator mounted on said nozzle, said transducer producing a flow rate signal having a magnitude corresponding to the position of said actuator relative to a datum position, and indicative of a desired rate of flow for dispensing said fuel; a proportional solenoid flow control valve remotely located from said nozzle and transducer, including an inlet for receiving fuel under pressure, and an outlet connected to the inlet of said nozzle, said proportional flow control valve being responsive to a given parameter of a control signal for setting the opening of said valve for establishing a desired rate of flow of said fuel being dispensed at a given time; and a controller electrically connected to said transducer and said valve, responsive to said flow rate signal for producing said control signal, and varying said given parameter of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal.

Claim 31

A fuel dispensing system comprising: a nozzle including an inlet for receiving fuel, and an outlet for dispensing the fuel; a transducer including a movable actuator mounted on said nozzle, said transducer producing a flow rate signal having a magnitude corresponding to the position of said actuator relative to a datum position, and indicative of a desired rate of flow for dispensing said fuel; a proportional solenoid flow control valve remotely located from said nozzle and transducer, including an inlet for receiving fuel under pressure, and an outlet connected to the inlet of said nozzle, said proportional flow control valve being responsive to a given parameter of a control signal for setting the opening of said valve for establishing a desired rate of flow of said fuel being dispensed at a given time; and a controller electrically connected to said transducer and said valve, responsive to said flow rate signal for producing said control signal, and varying said given parameter of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal.

Claim 32

A liquid dispensing system according to any of Claims 1 to 18, wherein said flow rate selection means further includes first switch means for selectively producing a latching signal, and said control means further including means responsive to said latching signal for maintaining the control signal at a level fixing the flow rate at that called for by the flow rate signal at the time of producing said latching signal.

Claim 33

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 28, further including second switch means in said flow rate selection means for selectively producing a reset signal, and flow rate level fixing means in said control means responsive to said reset signal for transferring control of the flow rate back to said means for producing said flow rate signal.

Claim 34

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 28, wherein said control means further includes means responsive to operation of said flow rate signalling means after a predetermined time from the occurrence of said latching signal for transferring control of the flow rate back to said flow rate signalling means.

Claim 35

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 28, 29 or 30, wherein said control means further includes damping means for controlling changes in said control signal for changing flow rates in a manner substantially preventing undesirable oscillation of said valve means.

Claim 36

A liquid dispensing system according to any of Claims 28 to 31, further including an indicator mounted upon said nozzle, said control means including indicator driving means for energizing said indicator to indicate that said liquid dispensing system is in an activated condition.

Claim 37

A liquid dispensing system according to any of Claims 28 to 32, further including pump handle switch means being receptive of said nozzle for storage thereof, said pump handle switch means producing a "system on" signal whenever said nozzle is removed therefrom, said control means further including means responsive both to said system on signal for energizing said liquid dispensing system, and to the termination of said system "on signal" for de-energizing said liquid dispensing system whenever said nozzle is returned for storage upon said pump handle switch means.

Claim 38

A liquid dispensing system, including a nozzle for dispensing liquid, a transducer integral with said nozzle, a flow handle connected to said transducer, said handle being squeezable for causing said transducer to produce an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude analogous both to the degree of movement of said handle from a null position and a desired flow rate, for dispensing said liquid from an outlet of said nozzle, a hose connected at one end to an inlet of said nozzle and at its other end to the outlet of a flow meter, a proportional valve connected in series with said flow meter and a pump for receiving said liquid under pressure, means for selecting a given volume of liquid to be dispensed, a latching switch mounted upon said nozzle, a reset switch mounted upon said nozzle, a pump handle switch operable to a closed position when said nozzle is removed from a storage receptable built into a housing of said system, a display for displaying the price and volume of liquid dispensed in a given dispensing cycle, and a microprocessor based controller programmed for a method comprising the steps of: sensing the closure of said pump handle switch; energizing said pump and said valve; sensing the magnitude of said flow rate signal; opening said proportional valve to a setting for dispensing said liquid from said nozzle at a flow rate called for by said flow rate signal; sensing said selecting means for a preset volume of said liquid for dispensing during a given dispensing cycle; sensing output signals from said flow meter indicative of the volume of liquid being dispersed; and closing said valve in a manner for dispensing only the preset volume of liquid.

Claim 39

A liquid dispensing system, including a nozzle for dispensing liquid, a transducer integral with said nozzle, a flow handle connected to said transducer, said handle being squeezable for causing said transducer to produce an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude analogous both to the degree of movement of said handle from a null position and a desired flow rate, for dispensing said liquid from an outlet of said nozzle, a hose connected at one end to an inlet of said nozzle and at its other end to the outlet of a flow meter, a proportional valve connected in series with said flow meter and a pump for receiving said liquid under pressure, means for selecting a given volume of liquid to be dispensed, a latching switch mounted upon said nozzle, a reset switch mounted upon said nozzle, a pump handle switch operable to a closed position when said nozzle is removed from a storage receptable built into a housing of said system, a display for displaying the price and volume of liquid dispensed in a given dispensing cycle, and a microprocessor based controller programmed for a method comprising the steps of: sensing the closure of said pump handle switch; energizing said pump and said valve; sensing the magnitude of said flow rate signal; opening said proportional valve to a setting for dispensing said liquid from said nozzle at a flow rate called for by said flow rate signal; sensing said selecting means for a preset volume of said liquid for dispensing during a given dispensing cycle; sensing output signals from said flow meter indicative of the volume of liquid being dispersed; and closing said valve in a manner for dispensing only the preset volume of liquid.

Claim 40

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 34, wherein the method includes the step of sensing the momentary closure of said latching switch for locking in the setting of said valve for maintaining the flow rate established at the time of operating said latching switch.

Claim 41

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 34 or 35, wherein the method includes the steps of: sensing a subsequent momentary closure of said latching switch for unlatching the setting of said valve; and sensing the magnitude of said flow rate signal for establishing the degree of opening of said valve for obtaining a desired rate of flow of said liquid.

Claim 42

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein, in said method, the step of closing said valve includes ihe steps of: changing the rate of flow to a relatively low fixed rate until the preset volume is reached; and closing said valve when said preset volume is reached.

Claim 43

A liquid dispensing system, including a pump for delivering liquid under pressure, a flow meter for providing output metering signals indicative of the volume and/or rate of flow of said liquid during a dispensing cycle, and an electronic controller, characterised in that it comprises a relatively small and lightweight nozzle assembly including an inlet for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing fluid, and a flow control means manually positionable for establishing a desired rate of flow of said liquid, transducer means integral with said nozzle assembly and connected to said flow control means, for producing an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude both proportional to the position of said flow control means from a datum position at any given time, and corresponding to the desired rate of flow, a relatively thin walled flexible hose having a relatively small outside diameter, for coupling an outlet of said meter to the inlet of said nozzle, a proportional flow control valve means located remote from said nozzle assembly, having an inlet connected to said pump, and an outlet connected to an inlet of said flow meter, and responsive to a control signal for opening to provide a desired rate of flow, and a latching switch mounted on said nozzle assembly, said latching switch being operable for signalling said controller to latch in a presently established flow rate for dispensing said liquid, said controller being electrically connected to said transducer means and said valve means, and responsive to said flow rate signal from said transducer means for producing and varying a characteristic of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal, for correspondingly changing the opening of said valve means to provide desired rates of flow of said liquid over a dispensing cycle.

Claim 44

A liquid dispensing system, including a pump for delivering liquid under pressure, a flow meter for providing output metering signals indicative of the volume and/or rate of flow of said liquid during a dispensing cycle, and an electronic controller, characterised in that it comprises a relatively small and lightweight nozzle assembly including an inlet for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing fluid, and a flow control means manually positionable for establishing a desired rate of flow of said liquid, transducer means integral with said nozzle assembly and connected to said flow control means, for producing an electrical flow rate signal having a magnitude both proportional to the position of said flow control means from a datum position at any given time, and corresponding to the desired rate of flow, a relatively thin walled flexible hose having a relatively small outside diameter, for coupling an outlet of said meter to the inlet of said nozzle, a proportional flow control valve means located remote from said nozzle assembly, having an inlet connected to said pump, and an outlet connected to an inlet of said flow meter, and responsive to a control signal for opening to provide a desired rate of flow, and a latching switch mounted on said nozzle assembly, said latching switch being operable for signalling said controller to latch in a presently established flow rate for dispensing said liquid, said controller being electrically connected to said transducer means and said valve means, and responsive to said flow rate signal from said transducer means for producing and varying a characteristic of said control signal in correspondence to changes in the magnitude of said flow rate signal, for correspondingly changing the opening of said valve means to provide desired rates of flow of said liquid over a dispensing cycle.

Claim 45

A liquid dispensing system according to Claim 38 further including a reset switch mounted on said nozzle assembly, said reset switch being operable for signalling said controller to unlatch the established flow rate, and return control of the setting of the flow rate to said flow control means.