Patent classifications
B67D7/3218
Devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles
Various exemplary devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles are provided. In general, the devices and methods for heating fluid dispensers, hoses, and nozzles can be configured to heat fluid dispensable by a user into a fuel tank or other type of container. In some embodiments, a fuel dispensing device can include a first passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and can include a second passageway fluidically isolated from the first passageway and having a heating element disposed therein. The heating element can be configured to heat the fluid passing through the first passageway. The first and second passageways can extend through at least a distal portion of a hose of the fluid dispensing device and through at least a proximal portion of a nozzle of the fluid dispensing device that has a proximal end attached to a distal end of the hose.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING FLUID OR MATERIAL TRANSFER INTO A RECEIVING TANK OR RECEPTACLE
An apparatus, including a monitor system including a microphone, first power supply; and transmitter which transmits a first sound indicative of a normal flow of a fluid into a tank and a second sound indicative of a need to cease the flow of the fluid; an attachment device, wherein the monitor system or microphone is attached to the attachment device, and the attachment device is attached to, or attached to an object in a vicinity of, a ventilation pipe; and a receiver system which is headset, earpiece, wearable device, or handheld device, which includes a housing; receiver which receives the first sound or second sound; second power supply; and speaker. The speaker outputs the first audio output indicative of the normal flow of the fluid into the tank and outputs the second audible sound indicative of the need to cease the flow of the fluid.
BREAKAWAY ASSEMBLY
A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector releasably coupleable to the first connector, wherein the assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are releasably coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are not coupled together. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a predetermined separation force is applied to the assembly. The assembly includes a closure valve positioned in one of the first or second connectors, wherein the closure valve is configured to be in an open position when the assembly is in the first configuration to allow fluid to flow therethrough, and to move to a closed position when the assembly moves to the second configuration to generally block the flow of fluid therethrough. At least part of one of the first or second connectors is axially movable relative to a remaining portion of the one of the first or second connectors, or is axially movable relative to the other one of the first or second connectors, when the assembly is in the first configuration and while the closure valve remains open, to accommodate force spikes.
System and method for on-demand fueling of vehicles with an electrically operated mobile cart
A system, apparatus and method for on-demand fueling of vehicles with a mobile, motorized handcart including a cart body coupled with a fuel tank, a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the cart body, the wheels operable with a motorized traction system, a steering handle operatively connected to the cart body and including controls for controlling the motorized traction system, a coupling system for securely coupling the cart body to the fuel tank, a hose and a nozzle, a spill guard surrounding the nozzle, an electric pump for pumping fuel from the fuel tank to the customer vehicle via the hose and nozzle, and a display dock disposed on the cart body, the display dock configured to dock a computing device configured to display fueling parameters based on a customer fuel request received via a communications network.
Automatic obstruction device of a circuit for filling one or more tanks with a fluid
An automatic obstruction device for closing a filling circuit for filling a tank with fluid includes: a movable element movable between a non-obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable element offers resistance to the fluid compatible with the filling of the tank, and an obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable offers a resistance to the fluid that is incompatible with the filling of the tank; a holding element of the movable element holding the movable element in the non-obstruction position, and allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position; and a first device of non-reversible movement or of non-reversible modification of the holding element allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position, and being controllable by a control device.
Emergency release mechanism for fluid loading equipment
Each of a pair of couplers includes: a vacuum double-pipe structure main part; a valve seat forming an opening through which a fluid flows; and a valve body in the main part. The valve body is configured such that, when separating the couplers, in each coupler, the body is brought into contact with the seat by a spring to close the opening, and when coupling the couplers, the body of each coupler is pressed by the body of the other coupler to move away from the seat and open the opening. The valve body includes: a holding member holding a sealing material sealing between the body and the seat when the body is in contact with the seat; a resin block covering a distal end surface of the holding member; and a metal operating member accommodating the block and protruding from the holding member to pass through the opening.
Fuel dispenser with leak detection
Devices, methods, and systems are provided for detection of various leaks within fuel dispensers, such as through visualization within a fuel dispenser. An exemplary fuel dispenser can include a housing having fuel dispensing components disposed therein, a control system in the housing for controlling the dispensing of fuel, and a leak detection assembly for detecting a fluid leak within the housing, and for visually confirming the presence of a leak using an imaging device.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ON-DEMAND FUELING OF VEHICLES WITH AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MOBILE CART
A system, apparatus and method for on-demand fueling of vehicles with a mobile, motorized handcart including a cart body coupled with a fuel tank, a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the cart body, the wheels operable with a motorized traction system, a steering handle operatively connected to the cart body and including controls for controlling the motorized traction system, a coupling system for securely coupling the cart body to the fuel tank, a hose and a nozzle, a spill guard surrounding the nozzle, an electric pump for pumping fuel from the fuel tank to the customer vehicle via the hose and nozzle, and a display dock disposed on the cart body, the display dock configured to dock a computing device configured to display fueling parameters based on a customer fuel request received via a communications network.
Systems and methods for managing refueling interactions
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to controlling a fuel dispenser. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a fuel dispenser includes broadcasting a pairing signal to a vehicle, receiving, from the vehicle, a confirmation signal confirming completion of a pairing process between the fuel dispenser and the vehicle, transmitting, subsequent to the confirmation signal, a disable signal to the vehicle in response to data from one or more proximity sensors indicating that the vehicle is within a threshold range and a determination that the vehicle is refueling, and transmitting an enable signal to the vehicle in response to a determination that the vehicle is no longer refueling. The disable signal disables a moving capability of the vehicle, and the enable signal restores the moving capability of the vehicle.
Method for preventing spills resulting from pipeline failures
A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline is provided. The system includes a first portion of the pipeline including an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material and a flow restriction downstream of the first portion of the pipeline. The system further includes a second portion of the pipeline downstream of the flow restriction, receiving the flow of fluid material from the first portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline. The flow restriction is configured to create a lower pipeline internal pressure within the second portion as compared to a pipeline internal pressure within the first portion. The system further includes a third portion of the pipeline downstream of the environmentally sensitive area and including the downstream portion of the pipeline.