US5794667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precision fuel dispenser
Assignee: Gilbarco Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-17
•
Granted: 1998-08-18
•
Expires: 2016-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A fuel dispenser for delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path, a flow rate modulator in the fuel delivery path and a control system operatively associated with the flow rate modulator for regulating the rate of flow in the fuel delivery path during a fueling operation to achieve a flow-rate-dependent result. The precision fuel dispenser may further include a flow transducer in the fuel delivery path configured to provide a flow transducer signal representing a volume of fuel flow in the fuel delivery path to the control system.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A. Payne
- 👤 Hal C. Hartsell, Jr.
- 👤 Walter L. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:55
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/06; B67D7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A precision fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel dispenser for delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; a flow rate modulator in said fuel delivery path; and a control system operatively associated with said flow rate modulator for regulating the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a portion of a fueling operation to define a flow-rate-dependent fueling process including controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a defined average flow rate during a portion of the fueling operation by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the defined average flow rate to compensate for any periods that varied from the defined average flow rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A precision fuel dispenser comprising: a fuel dispenser for delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; a flow rate modulator in said fuel delivery path; and a control system operatively associated with said flow rate modulator for regulating the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a portion of a fueling operation to define a flow-rate-dependent fueling process including controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a defined average flow rate during a portion of the fueling operation by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the defined average flow rate to compensate for any periods that varied from the defined average flow rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a flow transducer in said fuel delivery path configured to provide a flow transducer signal representing a volume of fuel flow in said fuel delivery path to said control system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 2 wherein said control system is adapted to derive a forcing function from differences between an actual flow rate determined from said flow transducer signal and a desired flow rate, said control system regulates the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path according to said forcing function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 2 wherein said control system is configured to indicate when a certain rate of flow is not achievable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 2 wherein said control system is configured to indicate when fuel flow is inhibited.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 2 wherein said control system is configured to indicate when a filter needs replaced, a delivery hose is deformed or said delivery path is otherwise obstructed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 2 wherein said flow rate transducer includes a flow meter and said transducer signals include volumetric pulses to said control system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system has a reference flow rate representing a desired flow rate, said control system is adapted to regulate the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path to achieve said reference flow rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to ramp up the rate of flow in said delivery path from a lower rate of flow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to ramp down the rate of flow in said delivery path from a higher rate of flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined average rate of flow during most of the fueling operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined rate of flow under varying dynamic conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined average rate of flow under varying dynamic conditions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow after a premature automatic shut-off.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to assist in topping off a fueling operation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow when a predetermined number of automatic shut-offs occur.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow when a predetermined number of automatic shut-offs occur within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured to control the rate of flow in said delivery path to compensate for deteriorating components which reduce flow.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The precision fuel dispenser of claim 1 wherein said flow rate modulator includes a control valve.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of delivering fuel comprising: delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; modulating fuel flow in said fuel delivery path; and controlling the modulation of fuel flow to regulate the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a portion of a fueling operation to achieve a flow-rate-dependent result by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the flow-rate-dependent result to compensate for any periods that varied from the flow-rate-dependent result.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of delivering fuel comprising: delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; modulating fuel flow in said fuel delivery path; and controlling the modulation of fuel flow to regulate the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a portion of a fueling operation to achieve a flow-rate-dependent result by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the flow-rate-dependent result to compensate for any periods that varied from the flow-rate-dependent result.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising providing a flow signal representing a volume of fuel flow in the fuel delivery path.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 21 further comprising deriving a forcing function from differences between an actual flow rate determined from the flow signal and a desired flow rate and regulating the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path according to the forcing function.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 21 further comprising indicating when a certain rate of flow is not achievable.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 21 further comprising indicating when fuel flow is inhibited.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 21 further comprising indicating when a filter needs replaced, a delivery hose is deformed or said delivery path is otherwise obstructed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising providing a reference flow rate representing a desired flow rate and regulating the rate of flow in the fuel delivery path to achieve the reference flow rate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising ramping up the rate of flow in said delivery path from a lower rate of flow.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising ramping down the rate of flow in said delivery path from a higher rate of flow.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined average rate of flow during most of the fueling operation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined rate of flow under varying dynamic conditions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a predetermined average rate of flow under varying dynamic conditions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow after a premature automatic shut-off.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to assist in topping off a fueling operation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow when a predetermined number of automatic shut-offs occur.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to provide a reduced rate of flow when a predetermined number of automatic shut-offs occur within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of delivering fuel of claim 20 further comprising controlling the rate of flow in said delivery path to compensate for deteriorating components which reduce flow.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of controlling fuel flow along a fuel path comprising: delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; providing a desired flow rate for regulating the rate of flow in the fuel delivery path during a fueling operation; providing an actual flow rate; deriving a forcing function according to a difference between the desired and actual flow rate; modulating the flow of fuel in the fuel path according to the forcing function; and regulating the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a fueling operation to achieve a flow-rate-dependent result by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the flow-rate-dependent result to compensate for any periods that varied from the flow-rate-dependent result.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of controlling fuel flow along a fuel path comprising: delivering fuel along a fuel delivery path; providing a desired flow rate for regulating the rate of flow in the fuel delivery path during a fueling operation; providing an actual flow rate; deriving a forcing function according to a difference between the desired and actual flow rate; modulating the flow of fuel in the fuel path according to the forcing function; and regulating the rate of flow in said fuel delivery path during a fueling operation to achieve a flow-rate-dependent result by increasing or decreasing the flow rate above or below the flow-rate-dependent result to compensate for any periods that varied from the flow-rate-dependent result.
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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) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |