Patent classifications
B67D7/10
Access control and metering of liquid storage tanks
A fluid access and control system for controlling access to a fluid storage tank includes a pump, a valve, a communications device, and controller. The pump is configured to supply a fluid output from the fluid storage tank. The valve is configured to control the fluid output of the pump. The communications device is configured to communicate with both a portable electronic device and a remote server. The communications device receives an access request from the portable electric device and transmits the access request to the remote server for validation. The controller is configured to control the operation of the pump and valve as defined by control signals transmitted by the remote server and received by the communications device. The controller is further configured to activate the pump and open the valve when the access request has been validated by the remote server and a START switch is actuated.
Access control and metering of liquid storage tanks
A fluid access and control system for controlling access to a fluid storage tank includes a pump, a valve, a communications device, and controller. The pump is configured to supply a fluid output from the fluid storage tank. The valve is configured to control the fluid output of the pump. The communications device is configured to communicate with both a portable electronic device and a remote server. The communications device receives an access request from the portable electric device and transmits the access request to the remote server for validation. The controller is configured to control the operation of the pump and valve as defined by control signals transmitted by the remote server and received by the communications device. The controller is further configured to activate the pump and open the valve when the access request has been validated by the remote server and a START switch is actuated.
FUEL DISPENSER HAVING INTEGRATED CONTROL ELECTRONICS
A fuel dispenser comprises fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. Control electronics, in operative communication with the fluid handling components, include a multi-core processor having at least two processor cores located on a common integrated circuit chip, the at least two processor cores utilizing different operating systems in an asynchronous manner.
Antimicrobial, Push Button Switch Assembly for Use at a Self-Service, Dispensing or Charging Station
An antimicrobial, push button switch assembly for use at a self-service, dispensing or charging station is provided. The assembly includes a housing and a selection button supported for bi-directional movement within an opening in the housing. The selection button includes a plastic substrate and a plastic film sheet bonded to the substrate in a molding process. The film sheet has an outer touch surface configured to be pressed by a customer to initiate a dispensing or charging transaction. The film sheet is configured to allow at least one of germicidal light and antimicrobial agents to travel therethrough to the outer touch surface to disinfect the outer touch surface of pathogenic microorganisms.
Fuel dispenser printer module
Fuel dispensers, systems and methods are provided for electronically transmitting data characterizing fueling transactions in a fueling environment, and in particular from a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, a fuel dispenser is provided having a printer module that can perform operations that enable any one or more of replacing a printer, providing a user with a printed transaction record at a remote location, and/or provide the user with an electronic transaction record. The application of the printer module can facilitate providing a user with a printed and/or electronic transaction record, while minimizing, or eliminating, changes to standard communication protocol associated with components of a payment terminal that can deliver formatted transaction data to a typical printer. Minimizing or eliminating changes to standard communication protocol associated with providing users with transaction records can facilitate retrofitting the printer module to existing fuel dispensers, and/or simplify design considerations for new dispenser.
Automated Fueling Assembly
An automated fueling assembly includes a refueling station that is positioned at a gas station for refueling gas burning vehicles. The refueling station includes a control panel that is movably integrated into the refueling station to facilitate a driver of a vehicle to access the control panel. The refueling station includes a robotic arm that is actuatable to extend into a refueling port in the vehicle for refueling the vehicle without requiring the driver to exit the vehicle. A pair of sensing units is each positioned on a driveway adjacent to the refueling station. Furthermore, the refueling station is turned on when each the sensing units senses the weight of the vehicle.
Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing
Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing include a reservoir of base condiment and a plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A first pump is pneumatically connected to the reservoir of base condiment. The second pump is pneumatically connected to at least one flavoring reservoir of the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A nozzle is fluidly connected to the reservoir of base condiment and fluidly connected to the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. The nozzle is configured to simultaneously dispense the base condiment and at least one flavoring therethrough. A controller receives the user selections of the base condiment and the at least one flavoring and operates the first pump and the second pump to dispense base condiment and at least one flavoring.
Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing
Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing include a reservoir of base condiment and a plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A first pump is pneumatically connected to the reservoir of base condiment. The second pump is pneumatically connected to at least one flavoring reservoir of the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A nozzle is fluidly connected to the reservoir of base condiment and fluidly connected to the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. The nozzle is configured to simultaneously dispense the base condiment and at least one flavoring therethrough. A controller receives the user selections of the base condiment and the at least one flavoring and operates the first pump and the second pump to dispense base condiment and at least one flavoring.
Portable vehicle fueling kiosk
Improvements in a portable vehicle fueling kiosk is disclosed. The kiosk is constructed on a pallet or a skid that allows the kiosk to be placed, located or moved to a location where the fuel dispensing is desired. A fuel tanker that would normally dispense fuel to a storage tank of a gas station is connected to one side of the kiosk. The kiosk accepts payment by nearly any form of money, credit card or token to measure, dispense and bill or invoice the user. The kiosk can have a Wi-Fi or cellular communication to communicate with a user at a distance and can monitor, use, status and remaining fuel in the tanker. If a fuel tanker has been depleted additional tankers can be connected to the kiosk, and when the kiosk is no longer needed it can be transported to another location.
Point-of-sale octane/cetane-on-demand systems for automotive engines
A point-of-sale fuel dispensing system, a pump assembly and a method of dispensing fuel at a point-of-sale. The system includes a market fuel storage tank, pump assembly, fuel conduit, separation unit, numerous enriched fuel product tanks and a controller. The separation unit may selectively receive at least a portion of market fuel and convert it into an octane-rich fuel component and a cetane-rich fuel component that may be subsequently dispensed to a vehicle being fueled, where a fuel grade selection and retail payment of a fuel containing the octane-rich or cetane-rich fuel components is provided to the vehicle based on user input at the customer interface.