A fuel supply port device includes a tubular main member portion where a fuel supply nozzle is inserted from a tube-upper-end side; a cover member covering a side portion on the tube-upper-end side of the tubular main member portion from an outside; an earth member electrically connecting a fuel-supply-nozzle side to be inserted and a body-panel side; and a seal member sealing a pass-through portion of the earth member formed in the cover member. The seal member includes an insert-through portion allowing a one-end-portion side of the earth member to be inserted to pass through from the outside of the tubular main member portion.

A refuelling system is disclosed having a fuel conduit, a variable-position valve for controlling a rate of flow of fuel leaving the conduit, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from a sensor arrangement a measurement of an electrostatic condition in a fuel tank being fuelled by the system. The controller is configured to control the variable-position valve to control the rate of flow of fuel based at least in part on the measurement received from the sensor arrangement.

An automatic fuel dispensing system is provided. The automatic fuel dispensing system includes an electronic terminal and a robotic arm. The electronic terminal houses a processor. The robotic arm is also controlled by the processor. The processor is programmed to perform a fueling program that will result in the refueling of an automobile. The fueling program provides a number of fuel options from which the user can select. When a fuel option is selected, a payment process is undergone, during which the customer pays for the refueling. Once the payment process is enacted, the fueling process is conducted. The fueling process causes the robotic arm to fuel the automobile.

In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow, which causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes exposing an air medium in the fuel tank to ionizing radiation to increase a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank and increase a rate of dissipation of the electrostatic charge. The method includes determining the level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

A method of predicting electrostatic charges in a liquid container is provided. The method includes generating a computer geometric model of the liquid container according to a design of the liquid container and generating executable code to reproduce fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation during transfer of liquid into the liquid container. The method includes executing a simulating application to at least: perform a simulation of the transfer of liquid into the liquid container subject to the fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation to produce a prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container during the transfer of liquid; and iterate the simulation to update the electrostatic charge conservation. The method includes outputting the prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container to enable certification of the design of the liquid container.

A tapping valve with a plastic valve housing for shipping and storage tanks for liquids, which are equipped with an inner tank with a filling socket and a drain socket for connecting the tapping valve, an outer jacket of a metal cage or sheet metal, and a pallet-like metal support frame. The tapping valve is screwed by means of the inlet socket of the valve housing onto a connecting flange, which is designed as a threaded flange, is made of an electrically conductive plastic material, and is welded onto the drain socket of the inner tank. The connecting flange of the valve housing is connected with the support frame or the outer jacket of the shipping and storage tank by an electric grounding conductor.

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring flammable, hazardous and/or cryogenic fluids, comprising a first coupling part and a second coupling part having a connecting and locking mechanism in order to establish a connection to the first coupling part by connecting contact surfaces comprising sealing devices, so that charge equalization can be established. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of operating an apparatus for transferring flammable, hazardous and/or cryogenic fluids into or out of a mobile, transportable or stationary storage device such that at first charge equalization is established before the transfer process begins.

A fuel supply port device includes a tubular main member portion where a fuel supply nozzle is inserted from a tube-upper-end side; a cover member covering a side portion on the tube-upper-end side of the tubular main member portion from an outside; an earth member electrically connecting a fuel-supply-nozzle side to be inserted and a body-panel side; and a seal member sealing a pass-through portion of the earth member formed in the cover member. The seal member includes an insert-through portion allowing a one-end-portion side of the earth member to be inserted to pass through from the outside of the tubular main member portion.

A method of predicting electrostatic charges in a liquid container is provided. The method includes generating a computer geometric model of the liquid container according to a design of the liquid container and generating executable code to reproduce fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation during transfer of liquid into the liquid container. The method includes executing a simulating application to at least: perform a simulation of the transfer of liquid into the liquid container subject to the fluid dynamics and electrostatic charge conservation to produce a prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container during the transfer of liquid; and iterate the simulation to update the electrostatic charge conservation. The method includes outputting the prediction of electrostatic charges in the liquid container to enable certification of the design of the liquid container.

A chemical above ground non-metallic storage tank has an inner tank grounding system to minimize a risk of a spark caused by a nearby lightning strike or a static discharge. An anchor is lowered via cable to a bottom of the tank. The top of the cable is secured to an anchor attached to a roof (or side) of the tank. A ground wire is run from the anchor to ground.