Liquid dispensing apparatus and method by sensing the type of liquid vapors in the receiver

• US 5,209,275 A
• Filed: 08/28/1991
• Issued: 05/11/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Junkosha Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Junkosha Company Limited
• Inventors: Satoh, Hiroshi, Kojima, Kazuyuki, Akiba, Jyuji, Sugibuchi, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/751,317
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 141/83, 141/1, 141/94, 141/95, 141/96, 141/192, 141/198, 73/19.01, 73/23, 73/29, 73/19.1, 73/19.11, 338/22 SD, 338/34, 340/632, 422/90, 422/88, 204/431
• US Class Current: 141/83
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/342 by discriminating the kind of liquid by analysis or by physical properties, e.g. vapour-pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/12 of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluid; of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid , for detecting components in the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/126 comprising organic polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus which includes a detecting element for detecting the liquid from the vaporized gas surrounding the remaining liquid in a storage tank to be supplied, where the detecting element is disposed at the output end of a liquid supply line, and a discriminator for discriminating the signals and information obtained from such a detecting element. The discriminator generates a lock signal to be fed to a locking means for allowing suspension of the supply of liquid based on a signal generated in the discriminator and fed to the locking means. The detection element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a gas-sensing member connected to the first electrode and connected to the second electrode, which gas-sensing member is formed of a resin material including a conducting material which furnishes an impedance change upon contacting the vaporized gas of the liquid to be detected.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising

a liquid supply line having an input and having an output end;

a dispenser gun attached to the output end of the liquid supply line;

a detecting element including a measuring means having an impedance change depending on a surrounding evaporated gas and attached to the dispenser gun for detecting the kind of liquid to be supplied from a gas evaporated from residual liquid surrounding a location which requires additional supply, said detecting element furnishing a sensor signal corresponding to the evaporated gas;

a discriminator connected to the detecting element for discriminating the sensor signal obtained from said detecting element and for generating a lock signal depending on distinction based on the kind of gas derived from evaporated liquid surrounding the location; and

a locking means connected electronically to the discriminator and actuated by said lock signal of the discriminator for interrupting dispensing of liquid depending on the lock signal furnished by the discriminator, further comprising

an outlet tube disposed at the output end of the dispenser gun, wherein the detecting element is disposed in the outlet tube for a liquid near the output end of the liquid supply line, and wherein the detecting element is covered with a protective film, which is permeable to gas but impermeable to liquid.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising

a liquid supply line having an input and having an output end;

a dispenser gun attached to the output end of the liquid supply line;

a detecting element including a measuring means having an impedance change depending on a surrounding evaporated gas and attached to the dispenser gun for detecting the kind of liquid to be supplied from a gas evaporated from residual liquid surrounding a location which requires additional supply, said detecting element furnishing a sensor signal corresponding to the evaporated gas at an output;

a discriminator connected to the detecting element for discriminating the sensor signal obtained from said detecting element and for generating an electronic lock signal depending on distinction based on the kind of gas derived from evaporated liquid surrounding the location; and

a locking means having an electronic input connected electronically to the discriminator and actuated by said lock signal of the discriminator for interrupting dispensing of liquid depending on the lock signal furnished by the discriminator, wherein

the discriminator is an electronic circuit which generates the electronic lock signal for controlling the operation of the locking means including

a differentiating circuit having an input connected to an output of the detecting element;

a comparator having a first input connected to an output of the differentiating circuit and having a second input;

a set point value memory having an input and having an output connected to a second input of the comparator;

a lock signal generator having an input connected to the comparator and having an output connected to an electronic input of the locking means.

3. The liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising

an input keyboard connected to the set point value memory for adjusting set point values stored in the set point value memory;

a reset timer having an input connected to the output of the set point value memory for receiving a set point value from the memory and having an output connected to the lock signal generator;

a display mounted to the top of the dispenser gun as disposed in a filling position and connected to the comparator.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising

a liquid supply line having an input and having an output end;

a dispenser gun attached to the output end of the liquid supply line;

a detecting element including a measuring means having an impedance change depending on a surrounding evaporated gas and attached to the dispenser gun for detecting the kind of liquid to be supplied from a gas evaporated from residual liquid surrounding a location which requires additional supply, said detecting element furnishing a sensor signal corresponding to the evaporated gas;

a discriminator connected to the detecting element for discriminating the sensor signal obtained from said detecting element and for generating a lock signal depending on distinction based on the kind of gas derived from evaporated liquid surrounding the location; and

a locking means connected electronically to the discriminator and actuated by said lock signal of the discriminator for interrupting dispensing of liquid depending on the lock signal furnished by the discriminator, wherein

the detecting element is formed by

a first electrode,

a second electrode,

a gas-sensing member disposed between the first and the second electrode, said gas-sensing member is formed of resin material including a conductive substance, and which conductive substance changes its impedance upon being placed in contact with a vaporized gas of a liquid to be detected, wherein

the detecting element is provided by a measuring means having an impedance change depending on the surrounding vaporized gas and wherein the discriminator is connected to and adapted to the measuring means for allowing to distinguish liquids to be detected based on their vapors,

wherein the detecting element is an elongated structure disposed aligned with the direction of output wires of the detecting element;

a socket disposed between the gas sensing member and ends of respective output wires for allowing a quick connection of the gas sensing member to the socket.