US5249129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for dispensing precise amount of fluid with automatic set reset
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-02-22
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Granted: 1993-09-28
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Expires: 2011-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and an automatic control system for dispensing a desired precise amount of a fluid from a reservoir by automatic control of a pump. The fluid is discharged through an operator actuable dispensing mechanism which is operated by a user. More particularly, but not exclusively, the system is associated with a gas pump apparatus. The system detects a slow-down or a stoppage in the discharge of the fluid by sensing a signal at the output of a counter which is provided with the gas pump. These signals actuate the controls circuit to sense parameters of the counter whereby to initiate a slow rate of discharge of the fluid from the pump during a predetermined time period before a preset integral amount and after the slow-down or after the reactivation of the actuable dispensing mechanism if a stoppage of the mechanism was detected. After the integral amount is reached, the pump is shut off during a shut off period of time after which shut off period of time, the pump is re-activatable by actuation of the actuable dispensing mechanism. Accordingly, this system greatly facilitates the dispensing of a precise volumeric or cost amount of a fluid, such as gasoline.
Inventors
- 👤 Alain Lamoureux
- 👤 Mario Beaupre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:11
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/28; B67D7/30; B67D7/302; B67D7/303; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of dispensing a desired precise amount of a fluid from a reservoir by an operator controlling the operation of a pump, and wherein said fluid is discharged and controlled by an operator through an actuable dispensing mechanism operated by said operator at said pump, said method comprising: i) automatically detecting a slow-down or a stoppage in said discharge of said fluid through said dispensing mechanism as controlled by an operator. ii) slowing the rate of discharge of said fluid from said pump during a predetermined time period before a preset integral amount and after said operator slow-down, or a reactivation of said actuable dispensing mechanism by said operator if a stoppage of said mechanism was detected, and iii) shutting-off said pump after said integral amount for a predetermined shut off period of time and after which shut off period of time, said pump is reactivatable by said operator upon activation of said actuable dispensing mechanism, said steps (ii) and (iii) providing an operator a delayed dispensing action whereby to enable said operator to dispense a precise amount of said fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of dispensing a desired precise amount of a fluid from a reservoir by an operator controlling the operation of a pump, and wherein said fluid is discharged and controlled by an operator through an actuable dispensing mechanism operated by said operator at said pump, said method comprising: i) automatically detecting a slow-down or a stoppage in said discharge of said fluid through said dispensing mechanism as controlled by an operator. ii) slowing the rate of discharge of said fluid from said pump during a predetermined time period before a preset integral amount and after said operator slow-down, or a reactivation of said actuable dispensing mechanism by said operator if a stoppage of said mechanism was detected, and iii) shutting-off said pump after said integral amount for a predetermined shut off period of time and after which shut off period of time, said pump is reactivatable by said operator upon activation of said actuable dispensing mechanism, said steps (ii) and (iii) providing an operator a delayed dispensing action whereby to enable said operator to dispense a precise amount of said fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided the step of pre-setting a control means to establish said predetermined time period and said shut off period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined time period is terminated automatically upon said control means effecting the step of detecting an integral integer representative of a programmed volume or cost numerical value of said fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is further provided display means to display said integer, said display means being a numerical value of said volume or cost value of said fluid dispensed through said dispensing mechanism, said precise amount during said predetermined time period being dispensed automatically provided said actuable dispensing mechanism is actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
194 words
An automatic control system for dispensing a desired precise amount of a fluid, by means of a pump, from a reservoir to a dispensing element having an orifice and provided with an operator actuable dispensing mechanism to actuate said pump and control the rate of discharge of said fluid through said orifice, said system having control means to permit dispensing a desired precise amount of said fluid by an operator and having detection means to detect a slow-down or a stoppage in said rate of discharge as controlled by an operator of said actuable dispensing mechanism, said control means having rate discharge control means for slowing the rate of discharge of said fluid by said pump during a predetermined time period before a preset integral amount and after said slow-down is detected or after a reactivation of said actuable dispensing mechanism, if a stoppage thereof was detected, and after said integral amount shutting off said pump and maintaining said pump shut off for a predetermined shut off period of time and after which shut off period of time said pump is automatically placed in a reactivatable mode for actuation of said actuatable dispensing mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
194 words
An automatic control system for dispensing a desired precise amount of a fluid, by means of a pump, from a reservoir to a dispensing element having an orifice and provided with an operator actuable dispensing mechanism to actuate said pump and control the rate of discharge of said fluid through said orifice, said system having control means to permit dispensing a desired precise amount of said fluid by an operator and having detection means to detect a slow-down or a stoppage in said rate of discharge as controlled by an operator of said actuable dispensing mechanism, said control means having rate discharge control means for slowing the rate of discharge of said fluid by said pump during a predetermined time period before a preset integral amount and after said slow-down is detected or after a reactivation of said actuable dispensing mechanism, if a stoppage thereof was detected, and after said integral amount shutting off said pump and maintaining said pump shut off for a predetermined shut off period of time and after which shut off period of time said pump is automatically placed in a reactivatable mode for actuation of said actuatable dispensing mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said detection means comprises a pulse rate detector connected to an output of a meter counter wherein there is generated pulses at a frequency related to the rate of discharge of said fluid, said pulse rate detector providing information signals representative of a slow-down in the pulse rate or a cut off of said pulse rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rate discharge control means includes a verification circuit connected to said pulse rate detector and to a programmable circuit associated with said meter counter, said verification circuit generating control signals to actuate a dispensing rate control circuit associated with said pump to cause a reduction in the rate of discharge of said fluid for said predetermined time period and to shut off said pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said programmable circuit is provided with a meter programmable circuit to program a predetermined integer of said meter, said meter programmable circuit generating information signals to said verification circuit associated with said programmed integer wherein said verification circuit will generate control signals upon receipt of predetermined information signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said verification circuit has an output connected to a programmable timer circuit to preset a desired shut off period of time for said pump once said programmed integer has been detected, said pump being automatically placed to said reactivatable mode after said desired shut off period of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said verification circuit is a logic circuit comprising a plurality of gates which are fed logic information signals from said meter programmable circuit and said pulse rate detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said meter counter is constituted by a visual counter associated with a gas pump, said counter indicating a volume quantity of gas being dispensed or a dollar value quantity of said gas being dispensed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means is comprised by a microprocessor circuit controlled by a program to effectuate said functions of said control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic control system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said control means is comprised by electronic logic circuits.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |