Method of and Apparatus for Recording Fuel Supplied to a Vehicle

• US 20100042340A1
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Piszko
• Original Assignee: Peter Piszko
• Inventors: Piszko, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,442,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/55
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0614 Actual fuel mass or fuel injection amount
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/36 using electrically actuated indicating means G01F23/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 9/008 where the other variable is the flight or running time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8342 Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A fuel measuring device, for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, has a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank. A processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank and a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank, are provided. A connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle. A signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank may be used. A related method enables fuel usage to be tracked by, for example, the renter of a vehicle, and a further related method provides improved fuel gauges for use in fleets of rental cars.

Claims

1. A fuel measuring device for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising:

a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank;

a processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank;

a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank;

and a connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle.

2. A fuel measuring device is claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector provides at least one of a wired connection and wireless connection.

3. A fuel measuring device is claimed in claim 1, that is removable, whereby, in use, the fuel measuring device may be mounted on a vehicle for use in a rental fleet, and, when the vehicle is to be resold, the fuel measuring device may be removed for reuse.

4. A fuel measuring device is claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector includes an input enabling the fuel measuring device to be reset, whereby the recorded volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle can be reset to zero.

5. A fuel measuring device as claimed in claim 1, including a connector, for connection to the vehicle electrical supply.

6. A fuel measuring device, for connection to a signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising:

a processor for determining amounts of fuel supplied to the vehicle from increases in the fuel level in the fuel tank indicated by the signal from the sender unit;

a data storage device, connected to the processor, for recording data indicative of the fuel amounts supplied to the vehicle;

and a connector for enabling the stored data to be transferred to another device remote from the vehicle.

7. A fuel measuring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector provides at least one of wired and a wireless connection.

8. A fuel measuring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the processor includes a connection to a dashboard microprocessor for receiving a signal indicative of average fuel consumption rate from the dashboard microprocessor and storing the fuel consumption data in the data storage unit, for later transfer to a device remote from the vehicle.

9. A method of renting a vehicle and recording fuel volume, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) recording a start odometer reading;

(2) completing a rental agreement with a customer;

(3) during a term of the rental agreement, recording fuel supply to the vehicle;

(4) on return of the vehicle at the end of the rental agreement, recording an end odometer reading, and from the start and end odometer readings determining a total distance traveled;

(5) from total distance travelled and an expected fuel consumption rate, calculating an expected total fuel consumption figure for the term of rental agreement;

(6) at the end of the rental agreement, recording total fuel supplied to the vehicle during the term of the agreement;

(7) comparing total fuel supplied to the vehicle with the expected volume of fuel supplied to a vehicle, to determine if adequate fuel has been supplied to the vehicle.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, including, if the total fuel actually supplied to the vehicle during the term of the rental agreement is less than the expected amount of fuel that was consumed during the time of the rental agreement, charging the customer for the difference between these two amounts.

11. A method is claimed in claim 10, including in the rental agreement the following provisions:

(a) the volume of fuel that should be supplied to the vehicle is to be calculated from the distance traveled by the vehicle during the term of the rental agreement and a base fuel consumption rate figure;

(b) if the actual total fuel actually supplied to the vehicle during the term of the agreement is less than the expected volume of fuel that should have been supplied to the vehicle, charging the customer for the difference in the two amounts;

(c) providing that the charge will be calculated as the difference between the two amounts multiplied by a fixed price for the fuel per unit volume.

12. A fuel measuring device for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, the fuel measuring device comprising a sensor for measuring fuel supplied to the vehicle, a data store for storing the fuel data, and a connector or display for enabling transmission of the data to another device for use externally of the vehicle.

13. A method of providing vehicles with improved fuel gauges for use in fleets of rental cars, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) requesting vehicle manufacturers to provide vehicles for use in a rental fleet with sender units that are at least accurate over all the upper portion of fuel tank, and devices connected to the sender units for enabling accurate recordal of actual total fuel supplied by renters of the vehicles during terms of rental agreements;

(ii) purchasing sufficient quantities of vehicles from a vehicle manufacturer, to justify the additional costs of providing the improved sender units; and

(iii) utilizing the vehicles in the rental fleet, and utilizing said devices, to ensure that renters of the vehicles cover the cost of fuel used.