Pump controller program
First Claim
1. A method of operating a pump controller to pressurize a liquid product line for thermal stabilization during a leak detection test, comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining if a pump is operating by reading an input of a microprocessor in the pump controller;
(b) distinguishing whether the pump is being operated from an external source or the pump controller;
(c) beginning a leak detection test after the pump shuts "off" if the pump has been operated by the external source;
(d) delaying pump operation by the pump controller to permit a more uniform temperature throughout the liquid product line while a leak detection test is being conducted;
(e) operating the pump for a period of time sufficient to repressurize the liquid product line while a leak detection test is being conducted;
(f) counting the number of cycles the pump has been operated by the pump controller while a leak detection test is being conducted; and
,(g) halting pump operation by the pump controller when a predetermined number of cycles have been completed, and the leak detection test has been completed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for operating a pump controller to pressurize a liquid product line for thermal stabilization during a leak test is accomplished as follows. A microprocessor controlled timer is installed in a petroleum service station product dispensing system that includes a pump relay, a pump, a dispenser, and a leak detection monitor. The timer activates pump relays to pressurize a liquid product line that runs from a tank to the dispenser at predetermined intervals to compensate for thermal contraction during product line leakage testing. Prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry and program determines if product is currently being dispensed. If product is being dispensed, the timer waits until dispensing has halted then starts a timer to provide a delay before activating pump relays to pressurize the product line. Also prior to activating pump relays, the timer has circuitry and program determines if pump operation should be inhibited and if so halts before activating pump relays. Optical isolation is used between the timer and pump relays and a dispenser switch.
49 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of operating a pump controller to pressurize a liquid product line for thermal stabilization during a leak detection test, comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining if a pump is operating by reading an input of a microprocessor in the pump controller; (b) distinguishing whether the pump is being operated from an external source or the pump controller; (c) beginning a leak detection test after the pump shuts "off" if the pump has been operated by the external source; (d) delaying pump operation by the pump controller to permit a more uniform temperature throughout the liquid product line while a leak detection test is being conducted; (e) operating the pump for a period of time sufficient to repressurize the liquid product line while a leak detection test is being conducted; (f) counting the number of cycles the pump has been operated by the pump controller while a leak detection test is being conducted; and
,(g) halting pump operation by the pump controller when a predetermined number of cycles have been completed, and the leak detection test has been completed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification