SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING FUEL

• US 20170101305A1
• Filed: 10/07/2015
• Published: 04/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1119456 B.C., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: 0854851 B.C. Ltd. (Decisive Dividend Corp.)
• Inventors: McKay, Stephen William, Estok, Robert Michael, Ladd, Neil Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,725,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/04 for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3209 relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection leak detectors for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/2892
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3272 using pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/362 combined with over-fill preventing means indicating or measuring liquid level G01F23/00; level control G05D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/46 when liquid in container to be filled reaches a predetermined level
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/78 Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/00 Joints with fluid cut-off means quick-acting joints with cut-off means F16L37/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for delivering fuel to a plurality of vehicles. The system comprises a fuel source, a pump operable to draw fuel from the fuel source and a distribution manifold having a plurality of outlets. The system further comprises a plurality of fuel lines extending from the distribution manifold and a plurality of valve assemblies, each located in a tank of one of the plurality of vehicles each of the valve assembly being operable to independently shut off flow of fuel therethrough when the tank is filled to a predetermined level. The method comprises pumping the fuel supply from the fuel source to the distribution manifold, connecting a plurality of fuel lines to the distribution manifold and a valve assembly in each of a plurality of trucks in connection with one of the fuel lines.

Claims

1. A system for delivering fuel to a plurality of vehicles comprising:

a fuel source;

a pump operable to draw fuel from said fuel source;

a distribution manifold having a plurality of outlets, said distribution manifold in open fluidic communication with said pump;

a plurality of fuel lines, each of said plurality of fuel lines connected in free fluidic connection one of said outlets of said distribution manifold; and

a plurality of valve assemblies, each located in a tank of one of said plurality of vehicles open fluidic communication with each of said plurality of fuel lines, each of said valve assembly being operable to independently shut off flow of fuel therethrough when said tank is filled to a predetermined level.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a control circuit adapted to control the operation of said pump.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn on said pump for a run period of time sufficient to fill said tanks of said plurality of vehicles after which said control module turns said pump off.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn on said pump after an interval period of time sufficient to empty said tanks of said plurality of vehicles to a predetermined volume.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising a pressure sensor in said distribution manifold.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn off said pump when said pressure sensor detects a pressure drop greater than a predetermined level.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said each of said valve assemblies comprise a mechanical valve.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein each of said mechanical valve assemblies are adapted to a shut off a flow of fuel therethrough upon detecting that said tank is full.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said mechanical valve includes a biased piston slidably locatable within a housing and having a sealing face adapted to be sealed into contact with said housing when said tank is filled to said predetermined level.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said piston includes a bore therethrough in fluidic communication with a float valve operable to be closed when said tank is filled to said predetermined level.

11. A method for delivering fuel to a plurality of vehicles comprising:

providing a fuel source containing a fuel supply;

pumping said fuel supply from said fuel source to a distribution manifold having a plurality of outlets, said distribution manifold in open fluidic communication with said pump;

connecting a plurality of fuel lines in free fluidic connection one of said outlets of said distribution manifold;

locating a valve assembly in each of a plurality of trucks; and

connecting each of said valve assemblies in open fluidic communication with each of said plurality of fuel lines, each of said valve assembly being operable to independently shut off flow of fuel therethrough when said tank is filled to a predetermined level.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a control circuit adapted to control the operation of said pump.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn on said pump for a run period of time sufficient to fill said tanks of said plurality of vehicles after which said control module turns said pump off.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn on said pump after an interval period of time sufficient to empty said tanks of said plurality of vehicles to a predetermined volume.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising a pressure sensor in said distribution manifold.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said control circuit is adapted to turn off said pump when said pressure sensor detects a pressure drop greater than a predetermined level.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein each of said valve assemblies comprises a mechanical valve.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein each of said mechanical valve assemblies are adapted to a shut off a flow of fuel therethrough upon detecting that said tank is full.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said mechanical valve includes a biased piston slidably locatable within a housing and having a sealing face adapted to be sealed into contact with said housing when said tank is filled to said predetermined level.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said piston includes a bore therethrough in fluidic communication with a float valve operable to be closed when said tank is filled to said predetermined level.