Gilbarco Inc.

Veeder-root Company Inc.

Other

Fuel Guard Systems Corporation

Hutchinson, John Joseph

Hutchinson, Ray

Ray Hutchinson

Kent Reid

Robert P Hart

Richard K Lucas

Richard G Dolson

Donald D Halla

John S McSpadden

David J Bolt

Timothy E Dickson

David L Kaehler

Richard Fricke

Robert Shepard

John Joseph Hutchinson

Jeremy Robert Baillargeon

Don Halla

A fuel dispensing apparatus and method for delivering fuel from a fuel source is disclosed. The fuel dispensing apparatus also includes an electronic control system in communication with a particle detector. The electronic control system is configured to determine, based on raw particle counts of the particle detector, a particle ratio and whether the particle ratio exceeds a particle threshold.

Automated water and particle detection for dispensing fuel including aviation fuel

A fuel dispensing apparatus and method for delivering fuel from a fuel source, including, without limitation, delivering aircraft fuel from a fuel tank to an aircraft is disclosed. The fuel dispensing apparatus also includes an electronic control system in communication with a particle detector and configured to receive fuel quality sensor information corresponding to at least one detected fuel quality characteristic in real time. The electronic control system is configured to determine, based on the received fuel quality sensor information, a particle ratio defined as an approximate ratio of a measurement of total water and particulate per unit volume of fuel, and a first water characteristic indicative of a presence or absence of a threshold amount of water per unit volume of fuel. Based on the first water characteristic and on the particle ratio, the electronic control system is configured to determine whether to initiate at least one corrective action.

Automated water and particle detection for dispensing fuel including aviation fuel, and related apparatuses, systems, and methods

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a fuel dispensing apparatus for delivering fuel from a fuel source, and related components, systems, and methods. As fuel is delivered from the fuel source, fuel quality is monitored using one or more fuel quality sensor devices, which detect one or more corresponding fuel quality characteristics. In response to the detected fuel quality characteristics, a visual indication of fuel quality is provided at a visual indication device. The visual indication includes a unique combination of a color component and a frequency component, thereby allowing a user of the fuel dispensing apparatus to quickly determine fuel quality status as the fuel is delivered from the fuel source.

Apparatuses and methods for providing visual indication of dynamic process fuel quality delivery conditions with use of multiple colored indicator lights

A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.

Vacuum-actuated shear valve device, system, and method, particularly for use in service station environments

An in-dispenser leak pan provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any fuel that leaks from fuel-handling components located inside the fuel dispenser above the pan. The pan is secondarily contained by an outer pan or container such that an interstitial space is formed therebetween. If a breach exists in the top part of the pan, the captured leaked fuel will be contained in by the outer pan in the interstitial space. The interstitial space of the pan is drawn under a vacuum level using a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. If a leak is detected, a control system may generate an alarm and/or cause the submersible turbine pump to stop supplying fuel, or cause the dispenser product line shear valves to close, thereby only stopping fuel flow to the individual fuel dispenser containing the leak.

Secondarily contained in-dispenser sump/pan system and method for capturing and monitoring leaks

A fueling environment that distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank by the outer wall of the double walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.

Service station leak detection and recovery system

A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.

Secondary containment system and method

Secondary containment leak prevention and detection system and method

A leak collection chamber is provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any leaked fuel from fuel handling components inside the fuel dispenser so that the fuel does not leak to the environment. The leak collection chamber can be removed from the fuel dispenser for evacuation. The control system inside the fuel dispenser can determine the liquid level inside the leak containment chamber and generate signals and alarms if the liquid level exceeds a threshold liquid level value and/or the rate of increase in liquid level exceeds a threshold liquid level increase value. The control system can alert service personnel and/or other systems of the leak collection chamber liquid level. Further, the control system and/or other systems shut down the submersible turbine pump that services the fuel dispenser with fuel in response to catastrophic leak condition.

Leak container for fuel dispenser

A submersible turbine pump includes a power head enclosed in a casing. A vacuum source associated with the submersible turbine pump draws a vacuum in the interior space of the casing. A pressure sensor may be used to monitor the vacuum in the interior space to detect a leak in the power head or the casing. If a leak is detected, an alarm may be generated and the submersible turbine pump may be deactivated.

Growing community of inventors

Houma, LA, United States of America

Ray Hutchinson