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.

Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel door to cover an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank, a lock to lock or unlock the fuel door, and a controller to cause the lock to unlock the fuel door if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are electrically coupled.

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. The act of supplying the fuel causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes determining a level of ionization of an 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 electrostatic charge accumulated on the surface of the fuel dissipates at an increased rate when the determined level of ionization of the air medium is higher than the baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

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.

Provided is a method for making a composite structure with exposed conductive fibers. The exposed conductive fibers can be used for static dissipation. In the present method, a liquid, gum, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of curable liquid resin into the conductive fiber material. The masked conductive fiber material is incorporated into the composite structure, along with structural fiber material. The liquid resin is cured. The mask material and cured resin are removed from the masked areas, thereby exposing the conductive fiber material. The exposed conductive fiber material can collect and drain electrostatic charges. The present method can be used to make storage tanks and other objects that require electrostatic charge dissipation.

Example methods and apparatus to ensure grounding between vehicles during a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation are described herein. An example vehicle described herein is to receive fuel from a refueling vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation. The example vehicle includes a fuel tank having a vent passageway, a valve coupled to the vent passageway, and a controller to close the valve if the vehicle and the refueling vehicle are not electrically coupled during the vehicle-to-vehicle refueling operation.

The present invention relates to a grounding device. In particular, the present invention relates to ground device, or an earth receptacle, that may be installed or fixed into a structure (e.g. placed in the ground) to provide an avenue of safe discharge for electrical current when the device is connected to a piece of equipment of vehicle. In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grounding device comprising: (a) a first casing having an open top; (b) a pin extending from the base of and within the first casing, the pin made from an electrically conductive material and has a longitudinal length with opposite first and second ends, the second end of the pin in contact with or integral with base of the casing; (c) a plate member having an opening to allow the plate to move along the longitudinal length of the pin between a first position and a second position, the plate member and the frame form a cavity within the first casing; and (d) a biasing member disposed within the cavity and attached to the plate member for biasing the plate member in the first position, wherein the first position conceals the longitudinal length of the pin within the cavity and the second position is any position that exposes a portion of the longitudinal length of the pin.

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.

The disclosure relates to monitoring systems and methods. A first aspect relates to a monitoring system for use when loading fluid from a source tank to a destination tank via a loader apparatus, the monitoring system having: a first input for coupling to the source tank in order to receive a source tank input signal; a second input for coupling to the destination tank in order to receive a destination tank input signal; a sensor input for receiving a sensor signal from a fill level sensor in the destination tank; circuitry configured to determine: a first status of an electrical continuity between the loader apparatus and the source tank in accordance with the source tank input signal, a second status of an electrical continuity between the loader apparatus and the destination tank in accordance with the destination tank input signal, and a fill level status in accordance with the sensor signal; and a single user interface for displaying the first status, second status and fill level status.

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.