SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING EMISSIONS OFFSET CREDITS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for reducing emissions from a fuel filler cap, comprising:
- valuating a cost of replacing the fuel filler cap;
calculating an amount of emissions that corresponds to an emissions offset credit having a monetary value equal to the cost;
estimating an emissions threshold that an object having a fuel container would have to reach to meet the amount of emissions;
measuring a leakage amount of the fuel filler cap; and
replacing the fuel filler cap when the measured leakage amount exceeds the emissions threshold.
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Abstract
Methods for obtaining emissions offset credits and methods for reducing emissions from a fuel filler cap. An interface system for gathering emissions reduction data and for converting the emissions reduction data into emissions trading data includes at least one tester for generating the emissions reduction data, at least one local computer for gathering the emissions reduction data from the at least one tester, and a central computer for converting the emissions reduction data gathered by the at least one local computer into the emissions trading data.
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Citations
82 Claims
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1. A method for reducing emissions from a fuel filler cap, comprising:
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valuating a cost of replacing the fuel filler cap; calculating an amount of emissions that corresponds to an emissions offset credit having a monetary value equal to the cost; estimating an emissions threshold that an object having a fuel container would have to reach to meet the amount of emissions; measuring a leakage amount of the fuel filler cap; and replacing the fuel filler cap when the measured leakage amount exceeds the emissions threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by testing a population of fuel tanks that includes instances of both leaking and non-leaking fuel filler caps, comprising:
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testing each fuel filler cap for leakage; determining that the fuel filler cap passes when the fuel filler cap'"'"'s leakage is below a threshold amount; determining that the fuel filler cap fails when the fuel filler cap'"'"'s leakage is above the threshold amount; and when the fuel filler cap fails, replacing the fuel filler cap, and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from replacing the fuel filler cap. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by testing a population of fuel tanks that includes instances of missing fuel filler caps, comprising:
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checking whether each fuel filler neck of the population of fuel tanks has a missing fuel filler cap; and when the fuel filler neck has a missing fuel filler cap; providing a replacement fuel filler cap, and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from replacing the missing fuel filler cap. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for obtaining carbon offset credits, comprising:
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testing the integrity of a gas cap on a vehicle that is not subject to having its gas cap tested on a periodic basis; determining that the integrity of the gas cap is acceptable when the gas cap'"'"'s leakage is below a threshold; determining that the integrity of the gas cap is unacceptable when the gas cap'"'"'s leakage is above the threshold; replacing the gas cap when its integrity is unacceptable; and obtaining a carbon offset credit when the gas cap is replaced.
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51. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by reducing use of motor oil, comprising:
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upon a request to change motor oil of an engine, testing a condition of the motor oil; determining whether the condition is acceptable; changing the motor oil solely when the condition is unacceptable; and when the condition is acceptable, obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from not changing the motor oil. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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55. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by reducing use of antifreeze, comprising:
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upon a request to change coolant in an engine cooling system, testing a condition of the coolant; determining whether the condition is acceptable; changing the coolant solely when the condition is unacceptable; and when the condition is acceptable, obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from not changing the coolant. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by reducing evaporation of fuel from a portable fuel container, comprising:
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replacing a leak prone portable fuel container with a low leak portable fuel container; and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from preventing evaporation of fuel from the leak prone portable fuel container. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64)
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65. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits, comprising:
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repairing an engine emissions control system; and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from repairing the emissions control system. - View Dependent Claims (66)
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67. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits, comprising:
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installing an electronic catalytic converter in series with a fuel intake line of an internal combustion engine; and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from installing the electronic catalytic converter. - View Dependent Claims (68)
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69. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits, comprising:
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performing an activity selected from the group consisting of implementing an energy conservation measure and installing a renewable energy source; and obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from performing the activity. - View Dependent Claims (70)
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71. An interface system for gathering emissions reduction data and for converting the emissions reduction data into emissions trading data, comprising:
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at least one tester for generating the emissions reduction data; at least one local computer for gathering the emissions reduction data from the at least one tester; and a central computer for converting the emissions reduction data gathered by the at least one local computer into the emissions trading data. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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80. A computer readable medium on which is stored a computer program for obtaining emissions offset credits by testing a population of fuel tanks that includes instances of both leaking and non-leaking fuel filler caps, the computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of:
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testing each fuel filler cap for leakage; determining that the fuel filler cap passes when the fuel filler cap'"'"'s leakage is below a threshold amount; determining that the fuel filler cap fails when the fuel filler cap'"'"'s leakage is above the threshold amount; and when the fuel filler cap fails, obtaining emissions offset credits for emissions reductions resulting from replacing the fuel filler cap.
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81. A method for obtaining emissions offset credits by replacing a leaking fuel filler cap of a vehicle, comprising:
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testing the fuel filler cap for leakage; replacing the fuel filler cap with a replacement fuel filler cap; calculating a difference in leakage between the fuel filler cap and the replacement fuel filler cap; estimating an emissions reduction of the vehicle based on the difference in leakage; and applying for emissions offset credits for the emissions reduction. - View Dependent Claims (82)
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Specification