Patent US3814146A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3814146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic dispensing nozzle
Assignee: Gilbarco Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-28
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-03-28
Abstract
Abstract An electronic device for automatically controlling the delivery of fluid by a fluid dispenser into a receptacle utilizing a fluid sensing device preferably placed on the dispensing nozzle which is stimulated to vibrate at its natural frequency so that the vibrations can be employed to generate an electrical signal of commensurate frequency. The generated signal is then introduced to responsive circuitry that will open or permit opening of the dispenser valve to allow fluid to pass through the nozzle so long as the sensing device vibrating frequency remains unchanged and into the receptacle but will close the valve to terminate fluid flow when the sensing device vibrating frequency is altered.
Inventors
- 👤 T Mesh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:36
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/44; B67D7/46; B67D7/465; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2966; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2278; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for automatically controlling the delivery of fluid by a fluid dispenser through a valve and a flexible hose and into a receptacle, said device comprising: a portable dispensing nozzle secured to an end of the flexible hose, said nozzle including a barrel portion and an actuating trigger for initiating fluid delivery from the dispenser, said barrel portion including means defining a fluid flow path and a chamber shielded from inlet fluid flow, fluid sensing means mounted within said chamber and fixed relative to said nozzle portion, said fluid sensing means oscillating at a first frequency when remote from fluid and oscillating at a differing frequency when fluid within the receptacle backs up into said chamber and contacts the oscillating sensing means, said fluid sensing means generating an electrical signal commensurate with the oscillating frequency, and means responsive to the generated signal opening said valve to permit fluid to flow through the nozzle and closing the valve responsive to the differing frequency to terminate fluid flow through the nozzle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for automatically controlling the delivery of fluid by a fluid dispenser through a valve and a flexible hose and into a receptacle, said device comprising: a portable dispensing nozzle secured to an end of the flexible hose, said nozzle including a barrel portion and an actuating trigger for initiating fluid delivery from the dispenser, said barrel portion including means defining a fluid flow path and a chamber shielded from inlet fluid flow, fluid sensing means mounted within said chamber and fixed relative to said nozzle portion, said fluid sensing means oscillating at a first frequency when remote from fluid and oscillating at a differing frequency when fluid within the receptacle backs up into said chamber and contacts the oscillating sensing means, said fluid sensing means generating an electrical signal commensurate with the oscillating frequency, and means responsive to the generated signal opening said valve to permit fluid to flow through the nozzle and closing the valve responsive to the differing frequency to terminate fluid flow through the nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, said fluid sensing means including a piezoid generating said electrical signal commensurate with the oscillating frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, said valve opening means including a solenoid selectively opening the valve, circuit means coupling said signal generating means with said solenoid, and means selectively completing said circuit means to energize said solenoid and operate the valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, said signal generating means including a piezoid operable with said fluid sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, said circuit means including a relay having power contacts closing in response to energization of the relay by the generated electrical signal, power source, a normally open starter switch and a solenoid power circuit including said power contacts and said starter switch connecting said power source with a solenoid, whereby the generated signal energizes the relay and closes the power contacts to permit selective energization of the solenoid by the power source when the starter switch is closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, said stimulating means comprising an alternating voltage source and a separate piezoid responsive to the alternating voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means responsive to a frequency change in the fluid sensing means eliminating the generated signal at the valve opening means to close the valve and terminate fluid delivery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid dispenser has a by-pass flow valve and a by-pass flow valve control associated therewith and initial fluid contact with the fluid sensing means has eliminated the electrical signal means at the valve opening means to close the valve and terminate delivery initially, said nozzle furtHer comprising: means re-establishing the generated electrical signal at the valve opening means after a preselected time interval in the event there is no fluid contact with the fluid sensing means; and means actuating the by-pass flow valve control to open the by-pass flow valve in response to the electrical signal at said valve opening means so that fluid is dispensed through the by-pass flow valve to the nozzle at a reduced rate until the dispensing operation is terminated by further fluid contact with the fluid sensing means and the resulting elimination of the generated electrical signal at said valve opening means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of controlling flow of fluid from a dispenser through a valve and nozzle and then to a receptacle comprising the steps of: positioning the nozzle having fixed therein a sensing means at a desired level within the receptacle and remote from fluid; vibrating the sensing means at a first frequency; dispensing fluid through the nozzle while shielding said sensing means from inlet fluid flow; vibrating the sensing means at a differing frequency when the fluid level within the receptacle rises and backs up within the nozzle and contacts the sensing device; generating an electrical signal commensurate with the vibrating frequency of the sensing device; terminating fluid flow by closing the valve when fluid contacts the shielded sensing means and varies the frequency.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of controlling flow of fluid from a dispenser through a valve and nozzle and then to a receptacle comprising the steps of: positioning the nozzle having fixed therein a sensing means at a desired level within the receptacle and remote from fluid; vibrating the sensing means at a first frequency; dispensing fluid through the nozzle while shielding said sensing means from inlet fluid flow; vibrating the sensing means at a differing frequency when the fluid level within the receptacle rises and backs up within the nozzle and contacts the sensing device; generating an electrical signal commensurate with the vibrating frequency of the sensing device; terminating fluid flow by closing the valve when fluid contacts the shielded sensing means and varies the frequency.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of controlling flow of fluid from a dispenser through a valve and nozzle and then to a receptacle comprising the steps of: positioning the nozzle having a sensing device fixed therein at a desired level within the receptacle and remote from fluid; shielding said sensing device from inlet fluid flow; vibrating the sensing device at a selected frequency; generating an electrical signal commensurate with the vibrating frequency of the shielded sensing means; applying the generated signal to a valve controlling solenoid to operate the valve and initiate fluid flow from the dispenser through the nozzle to the receptacle; directing the flow of fluid into the receptacle and until the fluid level backs up into the nozzle and contacts and alters the vibrating frequency of the sensing device so that the solenoid in the valve is again operated to terminate fluid flow at the desired level.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
147 words
The method of controlling flow of fluid from a dispenser through a valve and nozzle and then to a receptacle comprising the steps of: positioning the nozzle having a sensing device fixed therein at a desired level within the receptacle and remote from fluid; shielding said sensing device from inlet fluid flow; vibrating the sensing device at a selected frequency; generating an electrical signal commensurate with the vibrating frequency of the shielded sensing means; applying the generated signal to a valve controlling solenoid to operate the valve and initiate fluid flow from the dispenser through the nozzle to the receptacle; directing the flow of fluid into the receptacle and until the fluid level backs up into the nozzle and contacts and alters the vibrating frequency of the sensing device so that the solenoid in the valve is again operated to terminate fluid flow at the desired level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |