SECURING PRODUCT STORAGE TANKS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED DELIVERY

• US 20170075362A1
• Filed: 11/22/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knappco, LLC (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Soneco LLC
• Inventors: Lichtash, Avraham Shmuel
• Granted Patent: US 9,964,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/04 for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/346 by reading a code
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/36 Arrangements of flow- or pressure-control valves associated with nozzles B67D7/42
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/18 Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form G05B19/418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15117 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36536 Inhibit, forbid, prevent execution of program if no tool or worpiece data
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods

Abstract

A system and method prevent product-type contamination in a bulk liquid storage tank. A control unit receives an indication of a storage product type in the bulk storage and a delivery product type in the tanker truck. The control unit compares the delivery product type with the storage product type and controls delivery based on a result of the comparison.

Claims

1. A method of preventing product-type contamination by a tanker truck in a bulk liquid storage tank, the method comprising:

(a) providing an indication of a storage product type in the bulk storage tank;

(b) communicating a delivery product type in the tanker truck to a control unit; and

(c) the control unit comparing the delivery product type with the storage product type and controlling delivery based on a result of the comparison.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is practiced by providing the indication of the storage product type with a device positioned at an entry port of the bulk liquid storage tank.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the entry port is closed by a remote controlled valve (RCV), and wherein step (a) is practiced by programming the RCV with the storage product type.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising, prior to step (c), detecting a drop elbow attached to the RCV, and then, establishing communication between the RCV and the control unit.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein after establishing the communication between the RCV and the control unit, the method comprises the control unit communicating a password to the RCV.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the control unit issuing an open valve command to the RCV when the delivery product type matches the storage product type, and displacing the RCV to an open position for delivery.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced wirelessly.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising preventing delivery when the delivery product type does not match the storage product type in step (c).

9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising sounding an alarm when the delivery product type does not match the storage product type in step (c).

10. A system for preventing product-type contamination by a tanker truck in a bulk liquid storage tank, the system comprising:

an identification module positioned adjacent an access to the bulk liquid storage tank, the identification module storing an indication of a storage product type in the bulk storage tank;

a drop elbow connecting the tanker truck to the liquid storage tank, wherein the identification module includes a sensor that identifies when the drop elbow has been connected; and

a control unit communicating with the identification module, the control unit comparing a delivery product type in the tanker truck with the storage product type, wherein the control unit is configured to control delivery of the delivery product type based on a result of the comparison.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the identification module is disposed adjacent an entry port of the bulk liquid storage tank.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the identification module comprises a remote controlled valve (RCV) secured to the entry port, the RCV being programmed to store the storage product type.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the RCV is displaceable between a closed position in which the entry port of the bulk liquid storage tank is closed for liquid delivery and an open position in which the entry port is accessible for liquid delivery.

14. A system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is programmed to prevent the delivery of the delivery product type when the delivery product type does not match the storage product type.