Automated fuel management system, components therefor, and methods of

Abstract

An automated fueling facility comprising a fuel receiving station, at least one fuel storage tank, at least one fuel dispensing station all these components connected by associated transfer piping and a central data collection station having novel secure fueling operation is provided. Each of the components is in electrical communication with the central data collection station through an interface terminal which processes a digital data string of information from vehicles desiring fueling. The interface terminal compares the transmitted information to selected stored information, authorizing properly coded vehicles access to fuel from the fuel dispensing station and ceases fueling operations at the respective fuel dispensing station when the digital data string is interrupted. The fuel dispensing station has a fuel dispensing nozzle adapted for mating with and being secured to a fuel receiving tank at a common datum line. The nozzle is fitted with a receiving antenna and the fuel receiving tank is fitted with a transmitting antenna, with receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna in such close proximity as to interrupt transmission of the digital data string and cause cessation of the fueling operation upon minimal withdrawal of the nozzle from the fuel tank.