Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling pump and valve system operations

• US 20020188382A1
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spillguard Technologies, Inc., Spliiguard Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spillguard Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Sherwood, Randall Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence

Abstract

A centralized monitoring and control unit for a fluid transfer facility comprising one or more remote product storage tanks each having a base valve, a product pump and a flow-control valve in fluid conduits leading from individual ones of the remote storage tanks to two or more fill lanes, pump and valve control circuitry dedicated to controlling the pumps and valves, and individual ones of the fill lanes having an input mechanism for input of fill parameters, and one or both of overfill and ground monitoring circuits connectable to mating connectors and sensors on a vehicle to be filled in a lane, has a connective interface providing signal connectivity to the overfill and ground circuitry in individual ones of the fill lanes, to the pump and valve control circuitry, and to individual ones of the input mechanisms, and executable logic routines for accepting and monitoring input at the connective interface, and for providing output signals through the connective interface to external devices and equipment including at least the pump and valve control circuitry, the input mechanisms for input of fill parameters, and to the one or both of overfill and ground monitoring circuits. The system is characterized in that the centralized monitoring and control unit, through continuing execution of the executable logic routines, monitors conditions of the overall system, and automatically inhibits flow of fluids for specific pre-programmed conditions as monitored at the connective interface.

Claims

1. For a fluid transfer facility comprising one or more remote product storage tanks each having a base valve, a product pump and a flow-control valve in fluid conduits leading from individual ones of the remote storage tanks to two or more fill lanes, pump and valve control circuitry dedicated to controlling the pumps and valves, and individual ones of the fill lanes having an input mechanism for input of fill parameters, and one or both of overfill and ground monitoring circuits connectable to mating connectors and sensors on a vehicle to be filled in a lane, a centralized monitoring and control unit, comprising:

a connective interface providing signal connectivity to the overfill and ground circuitry in individual ones of the fill lanes, to the pump and valve control circuitry, and to individual ones of the input mechanisms; and

executable logic routines for accepting and monitoring input at the connective interface, and for providing output signals through the connective interface to external devices and equipment including at least the pump and valve control circuitry, the input mechanisms for input of fill parameters, and to the one or both of overfill and ground monitoring circuits;

characterized in that the centralized monitoring and control unit, through continuing execution of the executable logic routines, monitors conditions of the overall system, and automatically inhibits flow of fluids for specific pre-programmed conditions as monitored at the connective interface.

2. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 1 wherein one or both of input and output signals to and from remote equipment and the centralized monitoring and control unit are accomplished via a wireless communication system.

3. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 2 wherein the wireless communication system is an RF system, utilizing RF transfer and receive equipment in the centralized monitoring and control unit.

4. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 1 wherein the output signals include signals to remote alert equipment, and the centralized monitoring and control unit sends activating signals to the alert equipment in response to conditions of the overall system as determined by the centralized monitoring and control unit through execution of the logic routines.

5. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 4 wherein the alert equipment includes one or both of audio and visual alert apparatus positioned in various places throughout the fluid transfer facility.

6. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying status and conditions of the fluid transfer facility.

7. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 6 wherein the display includes ground conditions at fill lanes, and real-time flow rates in individual ones of the fluid conduits of the fluid transfer facility.

8. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 1 further comprising at least a red and a green visual alert indicator for providing a general indication of the status of conditions in the fluid transfer facility.

9. The centralized monitoring and control unit of claim 1 further comprising one or more manual inputs for immediate shutdown of one or more functions in the fluid transfer facility.