Methods and devices for fuel characterization and optimal fuel identification on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser
First Claim
1. A method for determining at least one pre-selected fuel property of a fuel sample comprising the steps of:
- measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis;
comparing the measured value with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property; and
displaying a result of the comparison step.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and devices for fuel characterization and optimization on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser are disclosed. Fuel properties associated with a fuel sample of a fuel can be measured by mid-infrared analysis and displayed. Pre-determined preferred values for the fuel properties for the particular vehicle can be determined by inputting the model and type of vehicle into a processing means and correlating the vehicle information with the preferred values. The preferred and measured values can be compared and the comparison displayed. A fuel sample rating for the vehicle can be performed based this comparison and displayed. An optimal dispenser fuel for the vehicle can be identified based on a comparison between the preferred values and the values for the fuel properties for each of the dispenser fuels. In one embodiment, driveability index can be the fuel property determined in situ and in real time. In other embodiments, octane number, and Reid vapor pressure can be similarly determined.
35 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for determining at least one pre-selected fuel property of a fuel sample comprising the steps of:
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measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; comparing the measured value with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property; and displaying a result of the comparison step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for determining at least one fuel property of a fuel sample comprising:
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a measurement means for measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for at least one pre-selected fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; a comparison means for comparing the measured value with a predetermined preferred value range for the fuel property; and a display means for displaying a result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for determining at least one pre-selected fuel property of a fuel sample comprising the steps of:
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measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; entering vehicle information; correlating the vehicle information with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; comparing the measured value with the predetermined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; evaluating a rating of the fuel sample for the vehicle based upon the comparing the measured value with the pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; and displaying the fuel sample rating.
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25. A method for determining at least one pre-selected fuel property of a fuel sample comprising the steps of:
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measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for the fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; entering vehicle information; correlating the vehicle information with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; comparing the measured value with the pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; correlating the pre-determined preferred value range with a value for the fuel property for each of a plurality of dispenser fuels; identifying an optimal dispenser fuel for the vehicle based upon a result of the correlating step; and displaying a result of the identifying step.
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26. An apparatus for determining at least one fuel property of a fuel sample comprising:
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a measurement means for measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for at least one pre-selected fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; an inputting means for entering vehicle information; a processing means for correlating the vehicle information with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; rating means for evaluating the fuel sample for the vehicle based upon comparing the measured value with the pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; and a display means for displaying the fuel sample evaluation.
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27. An apparatus for determining at least one fuel property of a fuel sample comprising:
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a measurement means for measuring on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser a value for at least one pre-selected fuel property associated with the sample through mid-infrared analysis; an inputting means for entering vehicle information; a processing means for correlating the vehicle information with a pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle; an identification means for correlating the pre-determined preferred value range for the fuel property for the vehicle with a value for the fuel property for each of a plurality of dispenser fuels to identify an optimal dispenser fuel for the vehicle; and a display means for displaying the optimal dispenser fuel for the vehicle.
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Specification