System and method for automatically adjusting an ORVR compatible stage II vapor recovery system to maintain a desired air-to-liquid (A/L) ratio
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting a vapor recovery system in a fuel dispenser having one or more dispensing points adapted to fuel ORVR and non ORVR-equipped vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- collecting A/L ratio data for fueling transactions at the fuel dispenser;
excluding ORVR fueling transactions from the A/L ratio data to form a non-ORVR A/L ratio data set;
calculating a desired A/L calibration adjustment value for the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the non-ORVR A/L ratio data set and a permitted A/L ratio range; and
adjusting the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the A/L calibration adjustment value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automatically adjusting an ORVR-compatible Stage II vapor recovery system to maintain the air-to-liquid (A/L) ratio within desired tolerances or limits to meet regulatory and/or other requirements. An air flow sensor (AFS) or vapor flow meter measures the amount of recovered vapor for a dispensing point to calculate the recovery efficiency of the system in the form of the A/L ratio. Volume or flow rate measurements can be used. ORVR fueling transactions are either minimized or excluded from the A/L ratio, so that the A/L ratio is not artificially lowered due to a blocked or altered recovery. The A/L ratio is then compared to a desired or nominal A/L ratio. Adjustments to the recovery system are made within prescribed safety tolerances if the A/L ratio differs from the desired ratio.
112 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting a vapor recovery system in a fuel dispenser having one or more dispensing points adapted to fuel ORVR and non ORVR-equipped vehicles, comprising the steps of:
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collecting A/L ratio data for fueling transactions at the fuel dispenser;
excluding ORVR fueling transactions from the A/L ratio data to form a non-ORVR A/L ratio data set;
calculating a desired A/L calibration adjustment value for the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the non-ORVR A/L ratio data set and a permitted A/L ratio range; and
adjusting the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the A/L calibration adjustment value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A Stage II fuel dispenser equipped with a vapor recovery system and having one or more dispensing points adapted to dispense fuel into ORVR and non ORVR-equipped vehicles having vehicle fuel tanks, comprising:
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one or more dispensing points comprised each of a hose and nozzle that receive fuel and dispense the fuel to the vehicle fuel tank;
a vapor recovery system adapted to recover vapors expelled from the vehicle fuel tank when fuel is dispensed into the vehicle fuel tank;
a fuel meter coupled to the hose and nozzle that determines an amount of fuel dispensed by the one or more dispensing points;
an air flow sensor coupled to the vapor recovery system that determines an amount of vapor recovered from the vehicle fuel tank; and
a fuel dispenser control system adapted to control the dispensing of fuel into the vehicle fuel tank and communicate with the fuel meter and the air flow sensor to calculate an A/L ratio for each dispensing point;
the fuel dispenser control system adapted to control the vapor recovery system to control the amount of vapor recovered in accordance with a desired A/L ratio based on a A/L calibration value; and
a second control system adapted to;
collect A/L ratio data for fueling transactions carried out at the fuel dispenser for each of the dispensing points using the calculated A/L ratios for each fueling transaction;
exclude ORVR fueling transactions from the A/L ratio data to form a non-ORVR A/L ratio data set for each dispensing point;
calculate a desired A/L calibration adjustment value for the vapor recovery system for each dispensing point based on the non-ORVR A/L ratio data set and a permitted A/L ratio range; and
adjust the vapor recovery system based on the A/L calibration adjustment value for each of the dispensing points. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification