Gilbarco Inc.

Marconi Commerce Systems Inc.

Exact Flow, LLC

William P Shermer

Seifollah S Nanaji

Edward A Payne

Kenneth L Pope

John S McSpadden

Philip A Robertson

Paul D Olivier

Richard R Sobota

Phil Robertson

A flow switch used in conjunction with a fuel meter in a fuel dispenser to determine when fuel is flowing. A flow switch can only be activated if fuel is flowing through the flow path of the flow switch. If fuel is flowing as indicated by the fuel flow switch, but the meter is not registering fuel flow, there is a meter error, which may be an error internally with components of the meter and/or a pulser that generates pulse signals indicative of fuel flow. If the meter pulser is registering fuel flow, but the flow switch is not registering fuel flow, then an error exists with the flow switch. If fuel is flowing and there are no errors, both the meter and the flow switch should indicate fuel flow.

Fuel dispenser fuel meter error detection device, system and method

A dual piston/poppet valve in a fuel dispenser works with a two-stage valve to help eliminate errors from an inferential flow meter. When the two-stage valve opens partially, a secondary fuel path is opened in the dual piston/poppet valve. A sensor detects the opening of the secondary fuel path and reports its opening to a control system. The two-stage valve opens fully and a primary fuel path is opened concurrently. During transaction completion, the two-stage valve partially closes, resulting in the closing of the primary fuel path. When the two-stage valve closes completely, the secondary fuel path closes. The sensor detects the closing of the secondary fuel path and reports the closing to the control system. Based on the outputs of the sensor, the control system accepts or declines input from a flow meter.

Dual piston/poppet flow switch

A flow switch used on conjunction with a fuel flow meter in a fuel dispenser to determine when fuel flow rate signals form a fuel flow meter should be ignored in the calculation of flow rate and/or volume of fuel dispensed. An inferential fuel flow meter may be used as the fuel flow meter. The inferential fuel flow meter may be a turbine flow meter that comprises one or more turbine rotors that rotate in response to fuel flow flowing through the turbine flow meter. The turbine rotors may continue to generate pulses even when fuel is no longer flowing. A flow switch determines when fuel is actually flowing and fuel is not actually flowing. The flow switch is described as either a single poppet or dual poppet flow switch in examples described herein.

Fuel dispenser fuel flow meter device, system and method

A fueling environment having a vent on an underground fuel storage tank may be improved by adding a mass flow meter in conjunction with a vapor recovery membrane in a tank vent. The mass flow meter measures an amount of vapor that passes through the vent and thus allows alarms to be generated if the vapors passing through the vent exceed a predetermined level or an efficiency of the membrane drops below a predetermined threshold. Measurements from the mass flow meter may be provided to a site controller or a remote location for further analysis.

Membrane and sensor for underground tank venting system

A pressure sensor includes a pair of inputs for determining the pressure within a vapor recovery path. The inputs are positioned about a flow restrictor within the vapor recovery path. The vapor recovery path may include a mounting platform for attaching the pressure sensor and positioning the inputs relative to the flow restrictor. In one embodiment, a vapor sensor may also be positioned within the vapor recovery path. An inlet port and an outlet port direct vapor from the vapor recovery path to a sensor. The inlet and outlet ports are positioned relative to the flow restrictor for forcing the vapor through the sensor. In this embodiment, a common flow restrictor within the vapor recovery path may accommodate both the vapor sensor and the pressure sensor. If vapor is not being returned in the vapor return path properly, the fuel dispenser may set an alarm condition and/or shut down the fuel dispenser operation. If vapor is not being returned at the proper rate, the vapor pump speed may be adjusted, for example, to bring the vapor return rate to the proper level.

Pressure sensor for a vapor recovery system

A system and method for determining whether a vehicle is equipped with an ORVR system. A processor receives a signal from a fuel pump or the like indicating the fuel being dispensed by the fuel dispenser. The processor is programmed to determine a threshold vapor concentration level based on the signal. Processor further receives a signal from at least one environmental sensor indicating at least one environmental condition to which the fueling operation is exposed. The processor is further programmed to adjust the threshold vapor concentration either up or down dependent upon the environmental condition. Finally, processor receives an actual vapor concentration from a vapor sensor. The processor then compares the actual vapor concentration value with the adjusted threshold vapor concentration value to determine whether the vehicle is equipped with an ORVR system.

Vapor recovery system for a fuel dispenser

A fuel dispenser system having a storage tank and a fuel delivery hose extending from the storage tank and terminating at a nozzle. A vapor recovery line extends between the nozzle and the storage tank. The vapor recovery line extends between the nozzle and the storage tank and has a section with a first larger diameter and a second section having a smaller diameter. A vapor pump is operatively connected to the vapor recovery line for moving vapor along said vapor recovery line. A chamber is positioned along the vapor recovery line and includes inlet and outlet ports, and a main sensor chamber. The inlet port connects to the vapor recovery line at a point having the larger diameter. The outlet port connects a point of the smaller diameter. Each of the ports connects to the main sensor chamber where a sensor is positioned for determining the vapor concentration.

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Greensboro, NC, United States of America

William P Shermer