Patent US5441072A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5441072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fuel additive metering system
Assignee: Syensqo USA LLC
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Filing: 1994-02-28
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Granted: 1995-08-15
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Expires: 2014-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A fuel additive system is disclosed which comprises a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fuel into the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon the fuel flow rate, a control system for conditioning the signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor, a metering pump driven by the motor for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of the motor, and a valving device for controlling the rate of increase in the fuel flow rate to permit the control system and the metering pump to respond to the variations within an effective response time to substantially maintain a predetermined ratio between the fuel flow rate and the additive dispensing rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Sophie Indey
- 👤 William Hagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:37
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M25/00; F02D; F02D19/00; F02D19/12; F02M25/14; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/02; F16K17/04; F16K47/00; F16K47/01; F16K47/011; F16K47/0111; G; G05; G05D; G05D11/00; G05D11/02; G05D11/13; G05D11/131; G05D11/132; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2514; Y10T137/2531; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/785; Y10T137/7852; Y10T137/7853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for dispensing an additive into a flowing fluid comprising: a) a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fluid entering the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon said fluid flow rate; b) means for conditioning said signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; c) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fluid flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and d) means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate to permit said signal conditioning means and said metering pump to respond to said variations within an effective response time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for dispensing an additive into a flowing fluid comprising: a) a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fluid entering the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon said fluid flow rate; b) means for conditioning said signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; c) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fluid flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and d) means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate to permit said signal conditioning means and said metering pump to respond to said variations within an effective response time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device is configured to generate a digital signal proportional to said fluid flow rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as recited in claim 2, wherein said signal conditioning means includes means for converting said digital signal to an analog signal, and means for converting said analog signal to a proportional voltage change to drive said motor assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate comprises a valving device including means for varying the orifice opening in said valving device to effect such control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate comprises a valving device including a spring biased valving member operatively associated with a hydraulic dashpot assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 5, further comprising means for selectively adjusting said dashpot assembly to control the movement of said valving member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for storing said additive for dispensation into the fluid flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for sensing the level of additive within said additive storing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein said additive system is configured as a self-contained unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 9, wherein said self-contained unit is adapted for utilization in a depot refueling facility.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for continuously blending said fluid and said additive prior to directing said fluid and said additive toward a final destination.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as recited in claim 11, wherein said blending means comprises an in-line static mixing device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for blending an additive into a fuel comprising: a) a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fuel entering the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon said fuel flow rate; b) means for conditioning said signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; c) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at an additive dispensing rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and d) means for controlling the rate of increase in said fuel flow rate to permit said signal conditioning means and said metering pump to respond to said variations within an effective response time to substantially maintain a predetermined ratio between the fuel flow rate and the additive dispensing rate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for blending an additive into a fuel comprising: a) a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fuel entering the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon said fuel flow rate; b) means for conditioning said signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; c) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at an additive dispensing rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and d) means for controlling the rate of increase in said fuel flow rate to permit said signal conditioning means and said metering pump to respond to said variations within an effective response time to substantially maintain a predetermined ratio between the fuel flow rate and the additive dispensing rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 13, wherein said sensing device is configured to generate a digital signal proportional to said fuel flow rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 14, wherein said signal conditioning means includes means for converting said digital signal to an analog signal, and means for converting said analog signal to a proportional voltage change to drive said motor assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 13, wherein said means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate comprises a valving device including means for gradually dampening variations in said fuel flow rate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 13, wherein said means for controlling the rate of increase in said fluid flow rate comprises a valving device including a spring biased valving member operatively associated with a hydraulic dashpot assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 17, further comprising means for selectively adjusting said dashpot assembly to control the movement of said valving member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 13, further comprising means for continuously blending said fuel and said additive prior to directing said fuel and said additive toward a fuel tank.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 13, wherein said additive system is configured as a self-contained unit for utilization in a depot refueling facility.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fuel additive system as recited in claim 19, wherein said blending means comprises an in-line static mixing device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
A self-contained fuel additive system for a depot refueling station comprising: a) outlet means from the refueling station; b) a flow meter for determining the flow rate of fuel exiting the outlet means; c) a transmitter operatively associated with said flow meter for generating a signal in dependence upon said fuel flow rate; d) a signal conditioner for converting said signal generated by said transmitter to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; e) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and f) a control valve disposed adjacent said flow meter for controlling the rate of increase in said fuel flow rate as fuel exits the outlet means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
A self-contained fuel additive system for a depot refueling station comprising: a) outlet means from the refueling station; b) a flow meter for determining the flow rate of fuel exiting the outlet means; c) a transmitter operatively associated with said flow meter for generating a signal in dependence upon said fuel flow rate; d) a signal conditioner for converting said signal generated by said transmitter to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor assembly; e) a metering pump driven by said motor assembly for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of said motor assembly; and f) a control valve disposed adjacent said flow meter for controlling the rate of increase in said fuel flow rate as fuel exits the outlet means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-contained fuel additive system as recited in claim 22, wherein said transmitter is configured to generate a digital signal proportional to said fuel flow rate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
A self-contained fuel additive system as recited in claim 23, wherein said signal conditioner is configured to convert said digital signal to an analog signal, and convert said analog signal to a proportional voltage change to drive said motor assembly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A self-contained fuel additive system as recited in claim 22, wherein said control valve includes a spring biased valving member operatively associated with a hydraulic dashpot assembly.
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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) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-02-13 | 1999-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-14 | 2003-02-13 | 2003-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-14 | 2007-02-13 | 2007-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |