METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING A FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM FROM DISPENSING INAPPROPRIATE FUEL TO A VEHICLE

• US 20100065147A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Schulz, Melissa A., Gerard, Dale A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,261,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/4
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and system for dispensing fuel to a vehicle includes a sensor generating a fuel identifier signal associated with the vehicle and a fuel dispenser having a fuel type a fuel type selector generating a fuel type selector signal. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser. The control module compares the fuel identifier with fuel type. When the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, the control module enables a dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser. When the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, the control module prevents the dispensing of fuel.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

communicating a fuel identifier signal from a sensor associated with a vehicle to a fuel dispenser having a fuel type;

comparing the fuel identifier to the fuel type;

when the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, dispensing fuel from the fuel dispenser; and

when the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, preventing dispensing fuel from the fuel dispenser.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating comprising communicating the fuel type identifier signal in response to a query signal.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein communicating the identifier signal comprises communicating the identifier signal in response to the query signal from an antenna proximate a nozzle.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein communicating the identifier signal comprises communicating the identifier signal in response to the query signal from an antenna proximate the fuel dispenser.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating the fuel identifier signal comprises communicating the fuel identifier signal from the sensor in a fuel cap.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating the fuel identifier signal comprises communicating the fuel identifier signal from the sensor in a fuel filler door.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein s communicating the fuel identifier signal comprises communicating the fuel identifier signal from the sensor in a key.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting the fuel type from a fuel type selector.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising when the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, generating an indicator.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein generating an indicator comprises generating an audible indicator.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein generating an indicator comprises generating a visual indicator.

12. A system comprising:

a sensor generating a fuel identifier signal associated with a vehicle;

a fuel dispenser having a fuel type selector generating a fuel type selector signal; and

a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser, said control module comparing the fuel identifier with fuel type, when the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, said control module enabling a dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser, when the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, said control module preventing the dispensing of fuel.

13. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising an indicator in communication with the control module, said control module activating the indicator when the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the display comprises an audible indicator.

15. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the display comprises a visual indicator.

16. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the sensor is associated with a fuel filler door of the automotive vehicle.

17. A system as recited in claim 12 wherein the sensor is associated with a fuel cap of the automotive vehicle.

18. A system as recited in claim 12 further comprising a transceiver communicating a query signal to the sensor, said sensor generating the fuel identifier signal in response to the query signal.

19. A system as recited in claim 18 further comprising an antenna in communication with a fuel dispenser, said antenna transmitting the query signal and receiving the fuel identifier signal.

20. A system as recited in claim 19 wherein the transmitting antenna comprises is disposed at a fuel nozzle.