Patent classifications
B67D7/303
AUTOMATED FUELING PRESET CONVERSION AND CONTROLS
An improved fluid transfer accuracy, information collection, and overall management. A system may utilize a pump to transfer fluid from a source to a target vessel, a meter for measuring an amount of fluid transferred, a density meter to detect actual fluid density, and a control unit to determine actual fluid transfer amount based on density. As an example, a fluid flow meter can be coupled with a flow conduit to determine fluid volume, along with the density meter to detect real-time density of transferred fluid. During a fluid transfer event, such as aircraft refueling, LPG fueling, or other refined fuels or valuable liquids, fluid volume can be converted to fluid weight in real-time based on actual density. The real-time fluid weight can be used to determine if a target fluid weight has been reached, and fluid flow can be shut off at the appropriate time.
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A FUEL DISPENSER
An improved control system for a fuel dispenser is disclosed that enables fuel dispensers to process prepaid gas cards based upon a discounted wholesale cost or a non-discounted price that is locked in at the time of the purchase without taking delivery. The control system has access to a snap shot of the regional wholesale gasoline costs across an entire region, such as the US, at the time of purchase of the prepaid gas card. This enables the prepaid gas card to provide a discount on the wholesale cost component of a gallon of gas at any location across the entire region. Since the discount only applies to one component of the retail gas price per gallon; namely, the wholesale gas cost per gallon, the control system automatically calculates a discounted retail gas price at the time and location of delivery based upon the discounted or locked in wholesale cost at the time of purchase of the prepaid gas card. The prepaid gas discount card is received in a magnetic card reader at the fuel dispenser in the same manner as conventional credit cards and provides a wholesaler the ability to create an elastic demand for the gas and regain customer loyalty for gas credit cards.
System and method for automatic fueling of hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield equipment
A system and method for fueling multiple saddle tanks of hydraulic fracturing equipment from a single self-propelled cart. The cart having multiple retractable fuel lines for providing and obtaining fuel. Each retractable fuel supply line uses a flowmeter, a ball valve, and an electrically actuated valve to provide remote control to a controller based on a user's selected fueling requirements. An electronic reporting system provides fuel data to operators and users. Fuel data such as fuel tank status, an amount of fuel usage over a stage level, a daily level, or job level along with a fill level of the fuel tank.
Apparatus for dispensing small quantities of heating oil
Heating oil is delivered to homes and commercial establishments in a regulation-confirming way by using a portable, self-contained, self-powered apparatus which is carried on a lighter weight truck as cargo. The portable apparatus comprises a skid upon which is mounted at one end a tank, a pump, an air-vapor eliminator, a meter subsystem, and a hose reel mounted on a stanchion. A battery power supply powers the pump. Vent lines run to the tank from the vapor eliminator and the pump in what is called a closed system. Apparatus components are arranged to provide a weight distribution lengthwise that is biased toward a one end of the apparatus when the tank is filled with oil. When carried as cargo in a three-quarter ton pickup truck, apparatus with oil weighs less than 1,500 pounds; when carried as cargo in a half ton pickup truck, the apparatus with oil weighs less than 1,000 pounds.
MOBILE DISTRIBUTION STATION HAVING ONBOARD FLUID STORAGE TANK
A distribution station includes a mobile trailer, a pump on the mobile trailer, at least one manifold on the mobile trailer and fluidly connected with the pump, a plurality of reels on the mobile trailer, and at least one fluid storage tank extending under the reels. A plurality of hoses are connected with a different one of the reels. A plurality of valves on the mobile trailer are situated between the at least one manifold and a respective different one of the reels. A plurality of fluid level sensors are associated with a different one of the hoses, and a controller is configured to individually open and close the valves responsive to the fluid level sensors.
DISPENSING METER FOR FLUID DISPENSING
A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND FLUID DISPENSER
A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.
Cleaning device for nozzle assemblies of beverage dispensers
A cleaning device for cleaning a dispensing nozzle assembly of a beverage dispenser is disclosed. The dispensing nozzle assembly may include a macro-ingredient/diluent outlet and a number of micro-ingredient outlets surrounding the macro-ingredient/diluent outlet. The cleaning device may include a handle, a head end rotatably attached to the handle, a guidance protrusion extending from the head end, a first set of bristles extending from the head end and surrounding the guidance protrusion, and a second set of bristles extending from the head end adjacent to the first set of bristles.
Method and apparatus for secure processing of fuel delivery requests
A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly instruct fuel dispensation initiation over a direct wireless connection between a vehicle and a refueling truck, responsive to a wireless request made by the refueling truck, the request including a valid token and a refueling truck MAC ID with which the wireless connection is established.
Dispensing meter for fluid dispensing
A handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter and to modify the functionality of buttons that control scrolling on the display. The control circuitry inverts the orientation of the visual output based on a command provided to the control circuitry by a user or by a position sensor.