US5331994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel additive dispensing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-09-29
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Granted: 1994-07-26
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Expires: 2013-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An additive dispensing system for diesel fueled applications includes a diesel fuel system having either single or multiple tanks, a fuel level sensor, an additive tank, a fixed rate additive dispensing pump and a microprocessor operating on a logic basis whereby a minimum of three fuel level readings, taken at fixed periods and compared to one another and/or to predetermined standards, provide the input necessary to control the operation of the additive dispensing pump so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of additive in the diesel fuel system regardless of random refueling sequences.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Bryan, III
- 👤 Brian W. Petersen
- 👤 Harley B. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:25
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B51/00; F02B47/00; F02B77/00; F02B77/04; F02D; F02D19/00; F02D19/12; B; B60; B60K; B60K15/00; B60K15/03; B60K2015/03328; B60K2015/03348; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2514; Y10T137/2534; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for automatically dispensing additive to a motor vehicle fuel supply, independent of vehicle operation, so as to maintain a predetermined additive concentration in said fuel supply through a series of random fuel depletion and refueling cycles comprising: refillable tank means for containing a fuel supply in a quantity measured by the level thereof; a supply of additive for treatment of said fuel; pumping means for transferring additive from said additive tank to said fuel supply at a fixed rate; means for gradual fuel depletion of said fuel supply; means for periodically sensing the level of said fuel supply; means for comparing a current level and the two consecutive prior levels to establish a lowest level of said fuel supply and for recognizing a refueling and the amount of fuel added; and means for activating and controlling said pumping means when said fuel supply level is increased so as to transfer a quantity of additive proportional to said amount of fuel added.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for automatically dispensing additive to a motor vehicle fuel supply, independent of vehicle operation, so as to maintain a predetermined additive concentration in said fuel supply through a series of random fuel depletion and refueling cycles comprising: refillable tank means for containing a fuel supply in a quantity measured by the level thereof; a supply of additive for treatment of said fuel; pumping means for transferring additive from said additive tank to said fuel supply at a fixed rate; means for gradual fuel depletion of said fuel supply; means for periodically sensing the level of said fuel supply; means for comparing a current level and the two consecutive prior levels to establish a lowest level of said fuel supply and for recognizing a refueling and the amount of fuel added; and means for activating and controlling said pumping means when said fuel supply level is increased so as to transfer a quantity of additive proportional to said amount of fuel added.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for identifying the lowest fuel level of said fuel supply further comprises means for recalling said lowest level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for recognizing a refueling further comprises means for identifying the completion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said periodically sensed level comprises an average of multiple levels sensed over a short period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An additive dispensing system according to claim 1 wherein said means for comparing further comprises: means for comparing the rate-of-change of fuel level over time to a predetermined characteristic rate-of-change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
An additive dispensing system system according to claim 1 wherein the means for comparing further comprises: means for continuously storing the past two consecutive levels as the first, earlier level and the second level; means for comparing the first level to the current level to detect any significant increase in level; means for comparing the first level to said second level to establish the presence of a significant increase in level during that period; and means for comparing the first level to the current level to determine the total amount of fuel added.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for automatically dispensing additive to a motor vehicle fuel supply, independent of vehicle operation, so as to maintain a predetermined additive concentration in said fuel supply through a random series of fuel depletion and refueling cycles comprising: refillable tanks wherein the fuel supply contained is measured by the level thereof; an additive tank containing a supply of additive for treatment of said fuel; pumping means for transferring additive from said additive tank to said fuel supply at a fixed rate; means for gradual depletion of said fuel supply; means for periodically sensing the level of said fuel supply; means for comparing a current level and the two consecutive prior levels to establish a lowest level of said fuel supply and for recognizing a refueling and the amount of fuel added; and means for activating and controlling said pumping means when said fuel supply level is increased so as to transfer a quantity of additive proportional to said amount of fuel added.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for automatically dispensing additive to a motor vehicle fuel supply, independent of vehicle operation, so as to maintain a predetermined additive concentration in said fuel supply through a random series of fuel depletion and refueling cycles comprising: refillable tanks wherein the fuel supply contained is measured by the level thereof; an additive tank containing a supply of additive for treatment of said fuel; pumping means for transferring additive from said additive tank to said fuel supply at a fixed rate; means for gradual depletion of said fuel supply; means for periodically sensing the level of said fuel supply; means for comparing a current level and the two consecutive prior levels to establish a lowest level of said fuel supply and for recognizing a refueling and the amount of fuel added; and means for activating and controlling said pumping means when said fuel supply level is increased so as to transfer a quantity of additive proportional to said amount of fuel added.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for identifying the lowest fuel level of said fuel supply further comprises means for recalling said lowest level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 and further comprising means for retaining substantially the lowest level of said fuel supply during the depletion thereof;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for recognizing a refueling further comprises means for identifying the completion thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An additive dispensing system in accordance with claim 7 wherein each said periodically sensed level comprises an average of multiple levels sensed over a short period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An additive dispensing system according to claim 7 wherein said means for recognising a refueling further comprises means for comparing the rate-of-change of fuel level over time to a predetermined characteristic rate-of-change.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
An additive dispensing system system according to claim 7 wherein the means for comparing further comprises: means for continuously storing the past two consecutive levels as the first, earlier level and the second level; means for comparing the first level to the current level to detect any significant increase in level; means for comparing the first level to said second level to establish the presence of a significant increase in level during that period; and means for comparing the first level to the current level to determine the total amount of fuel added.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for evaluating a complete refueling event in an additive dispensing system for a vehicle, independent of the operation of the vehicle, comprising the steps of: periodically measuring the fuel level at intervals known to at least approximate the time required for refueling and balancing fuel levels; continuously storing the past two consecutive levels as the first, earlier level and the second level; comparing the first level to the current level to detect any significant increase in level; comparing the first level to said second level to establish the presence of a significant increase in level during that period; and comparing the first level to the current level to determine the total amount of fuel added in the refueling event.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for evaluating a complete refueling event in an additive dispensing system for a vehicle, independent of the operation of the vehicle, comprising the steps of: periodically measuring the fuel level at intervals known to at least approximate the time required for refueling and balancing fuel levels; continuously storing the past two consecutive levels as the first, earlier level and the second level; comparing the first level to the current level to detect any significant increase in level; comparing the first level to said second level to establish the presence of a significant increase in level during that period; and comparing the first level to the current level to determine the total amount of fuel added in the refueling event.
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) | 1997-07-25 | 1998-01-24 | 1998-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-25 | 2002-01-24 | 2002-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-25 | 2006-01-24 | 2006-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |