Balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to temperature changes

• US 20060157146A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pilot Travel Centers LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Flying J Inc.
• Inventors: Hillam, John D., Memmott, Vincent J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,536,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/198
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/085 Testing or calibrating apparatus therefore testing or calibrating apparatus for measuring volume flow in general G01F25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/222 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3209 relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection leak detectors for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/2892
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to the temperature changes with density. The method can include receiving an API gravity report that includes a measurement of a specific gravity and a temperature of the product reported at a rack. Utilizing the API gravity report, the method can include maintaining correct densities of the liquid product by utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert a gross volume measurement to a net volume measurement for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.

Claims

1. A system for balancing a net inventory of a liquid product, the system comprising:

a volume measurement device that measures a gross volume of liquid product upon delivery of the liquid product to a carrier and generates volume data indicative of said carrier liquid product gross volume;

a temperature measurement device that measures a temperature of liquid product upon delivery of the liquid product to a carrier and generates temperature data indicative of said carrier liquid product temperature;

a density measuring device for measuring a density of liquid product upon delivery of the liquid product to the carrier and for generating density data indicative of said carrier liquid product density;

a volume measurement device for measuring a gross volume of liquid product at a storage tank and for generating volume data indicative of said storage tank liquid product gross volume;

a temperature measurement device for measuring a temperature of liquid product at a storage tank and for generating temperature data indicative of said storage tank liquid product temperature; and

a density measuring device for measuring a density of liquid product at a storage tank and for generating density data indicative of said storage tank liquid product density;

wherein said tank liquid product density and liquid product volume data and said carrier liquid product density and liquid product volume data are used to determine a new volume adjusted tank liquid product density after said liquid product is delivered to said storage tank.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the volume adjusted tank density is temperature adjusted to a temperature of 60°

Fahrenheit.

3. A method for balancing a net inventory of a liquid product, the method comprising:

recording a density and a temperature for a volume of the liquid product when the liquid product is delivered to a delivery vehicle;

recording a density and a temperature of an additional volume of the liquid product in a storage tank;

delivering the liquid product from the delivery vehicle into the storage tank; and

using the recorded density and temperature values to calculate a volume adjusted net inventory balance of the product in the tank.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the net inventory balance is temperature adjusted to a temperature of 60°

Fahrenheit.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising performing a book to physical inventory reconciliation using the calculated net inventory balance as the physical inventory balance.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed both before and after delivery of the liquid product to the tank to ensure a complete delivery.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising identifying a discrepancy between the book inventory and the physical inventory, and informing a driver of the delivery vehicle that the discrepancy exists.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the driver verifies that the delivery is complete and the delivery vehicle is empty.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed in real time, even while a dispenser connected to the tank is dispensing liquid product.

10. A method for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of product relative to a temperature change and a reported density change of the product, the method comprising:

receiving a Bill of Lading report that includes a measurement of a density and a temperature of the product reported at a rack and delivered to a delivery vehicle;

utilizing the reported density for maintaining correct densities through an inventory cycle of the product; and

utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert a gross volume measurement to a net volume measurement for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the net book balance is temperature adjusted to a temperature of 60°

Fahrenheit.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing a book to physical inventory reconciliation using the calculated net volume measurement as the physical inventory balance.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed both before and after delivery of the liquid product to the tank to ensure a complete delivery.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising identifying a discrepancy between the book inventory and the physical inventory, and informing a driver of the delivery vehicle that the discrepancy exists.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the driver verifies that the delivery is complete and the delivery vehicle is empty.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed in real time, even while a dispenser connected to the tank is dispensing liquid product.