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.

A nitrogen blanket system for small fuel tanks is disclosed that includes tank empty-space pressure control for sealed tanks that can hold pressure. The system includes a fuel tank storing some volume of fuel, such as diesel fuel. The remaining empty volume is filled with nitrogen by the disclosed system. The nitrogen blankets the liquid fuel and fills the remaining space in the fuel tank to prevent the accumulation of moisture and thereby prevent corrosion within the fuel tank.

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 nitrogen blanket system for small fuel tanks is disclosed that includes tank empty-space pressure control for sealed tanks that can hold pressure. The system includes a fuel tank storing some volume of fuel, such as diesel fuel. The remaining empty volume is filled with nitrogen by the disclosed system. The nitrogen blankets the liquid fuel and fills the remaining space in the fuel tank to prevent the accumulation of moisture and thereby prevent corrosion within the fuel tank.

An assembly for stored containment of fuel including a high-strength, impact resistant container having a hermetically sealed, fuel containing chamber and a nozzle operatively connected in fluid communication with the chamber. The nozzle includes a conduit disposed in fluid communication with the chamber and a sleeve movable relative to the conduit, between an inward retracted position and an outwardly extended position. The conduit at least partially defines a liquid flow path out of the chamber and a gaseous flow path into the chamber is disposed between the conduit and the sleeve. A seal assembly is mounted on the sleeve and movable therewith relative to the conduit to define a first opening of the liquid flow path and a subsequent opening of the gaseous flow path, both into fluid communication with and between the chamber and an exterior of the nozzle.

The present invention relates to a method, system, and apparatus for verifying a groundwire connection prior to transferring a fluid between a tank and a reservoir. The system includes a grounding unit configured to electrically ground the vehicle when the groundwire is connected thereto, at least one conduit adapted to connect the tank to transfer the fluid to or from the tank, an automated valve adapted to be connected to the at least one conduit, the automated valve configured to open and close to restrict the flow of fluid through the conduit, and at least one processor in communication with the automated valve, the at least one processor programmed or configured to: determine if the groundwire is connected to the grounding unit; and in response to determining that the groundwire is connected to the grounding unit, causing the automated valve to open.

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.

A tank system which prevents problems caused by electrostatic charging during a fueling sequence. The tank system includes a filling pipe, a filling hose which leads to a fuel tank, and a support sleeve, composed of an electrically conductive plastic material, in abutment with the filling pipe and the filling hose to thereby connect the filling pipe to the filling hose in an electrically conductive manner.

A nitrogen blanket system for small fuel tanks is disclosed that includes tank empty-space pressure control for sealed tanks that can hold pressure. The system includes a fuel tank storing some volume of fuel, such as diesel fuel. The remaining empty volume is filled with nitrogen by the disclosed system. The nitrogen blankets the liquid fuel and fills the remaining space in the fuel tank to prevent the accumulation of moisture and thereby prevent corrosion within the fuel tank.

A fuel dispenser system is provided including a partition part to separate a fuel dispensing unit from at least one electrically powered component. The partition part can be configured and arranged to seal the at least one electrically powered component from exposure to gas vapors emitted from the fuel dispensing unit. The fuel dispenser unit can include a fuel dispensing nozzle and a hydraulic component. The system can include additional fuel dispensing units. The fuel dispensing nozzle can be configured to dispense CNG, and the additional fuel dispensing nozzle can be configured to dispense CNG or another type of fuel. The at least one electrically powered component may include a transaction terminal.