Apparatus and method for the cordless remote control of a filling function of a mobile vehicle
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the cordless remote control of a filling function for a mobile vehicle comprising:
- a) a signal transmitter that is mounted on a selected portion of a mobile vehicle, said signal transmitter being powered by a battery;
b) a liquid level sensing means that is attached to a fluid reservoir of the mobile vehicle, said liquid level sensing means being arrayed for detecting a predetermined level of fullness of the fluid reservoir, the liquid level sensing means being further adapted for providing a full signal to the signal transmitter as and when a level of a filling fluid reaches the predetermined level of fullness;
c) a filler control assembly including a signal receiver, and a control valve, the filler control assembly being arrayed for controlling the selective opening of the control valve;
said control valve controlling the flow of a filling fluid from a supply source to the fluid reservoir of the mobile vehicle by way of a conduit, said conduit being removably placed into a filling aperture of said fluid reservoir, the filler control assembly further including at least one status indicating means, a user adjustable timer, and a delay cycle timer, said adjustable timer being arrayed for providing a terminate signal, said delay cycle timer being adapted for selectively sending the initiate signal at a predetermined time of day; and
wherein said signal transmitter being powered by the battery for providing a cordless communication with said signal receiver, said cordless communication providing for the transmission of said full signal, said filler control assembly placing the control valve in an open condition upon receipt of an initiate signal so that the filling fluid flows to the fluid reservoir and said filler control assembly subsequently closing the control valve for stopping the flow of the filling fluid to the fluid reservoir after receiving said full signal, said terminate signal closing the control valve if and when a full signal is not received within a predetermined period of time after receipt of the initiate signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the cordless remote control of a filling function of a mobile vehicle that includes a signal transmitter (12) and a liquid level sensor (14) that is mounted on a tank (18) of a mobile vehicle (16). The liquid level sensor (14) transmits a full signal to a remote signal receiver (22) by way of the signal transmitter (12). The full signal closes a control valve (26) interupting the flow of the fluid to the tank (18) by way of a conduit 28. An adjustable timer (44) provides a system safety back-up signal that closes the valve (26) if the full signal is not received within a preset time period. This apparatus and method can be operated in a semi-automatic mode or an automatic mode by the addition of an adjustable delay clock/timer (42). Audible and/or visual indicators are provided for monitoring the status of the filling operation.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the cordless remote control of a filling function for a mobile vehicle comprising:
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a) a signal transmitter that is mounted on a selected portion of a mobile vehicle, said signal transmitter being powered by a battery; b) a liquid level sensing means that is attached to a fluid reservoir of the mobile vehicle, said liquid level sensing means being arrayed for detecting a predetermined level of fullness of the fluid reservoir, the liquid level sensing means being further adapted for providing a full signal to the signal transmitter as and when a level of a filling fluid reaches the predetermined level of fullness; c) a filler control assembly including a signal receiver, and a control valve, the filler control assembly being arrayed for controlling the selective opening of the control valve;
said control valve controlling the flow of a filling fluid from a supply source to the fluid reservoir of the mobile vehicle by way of a conduit, said conduit being removably placed into a filling aperture of said fluid reservoir, the filler control assembly further including at least one status indicating means, a user adjustable timer, and a delay cycle timer, said adjustable timer being arrayed for providing a terminate signal, said delay cycle timer being adapted for selectively sending the initiate signal at a predetermined time of day; andwherein said signal transmitter being powered by the battery for providing a cordless communication with said signal receiver, said cordless communication providing for the transmission of said full signal, said filler control assembly placing the control valve in an open condition upon receipt of an initiate signal so that the filling fluid flows to the fluid reservoir and said filler control assembly subsequently closing the control valve for stopping the flow of the filling fluid to the fluid reservoir after receiving said full signal, said terminate signal closing the control valve if and when a full signal is not received within a predetermined period of time after receipt of the initiate signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for the cordless remote control of a filling function for a mobile vehicle comprising:
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a) mounting a signal transmitter on a selected portion of a mobile vehicle, said mobile vehicle being an ice rink resurfacing vehicle, said signal transmitter being powered by a battery; b) attaching a liquid level sensing means to a resurfacing fluid reservoir of the ice rink resurfacing vehicle, the liquid level sensing means being adapted for providing a full signal to the signal transmitter as and when a level of a filling fluid fills the resurfacing fluid reservoir; c) providing a filler control assembly, the filler control assembly including a signal receiver, and a control valve, the filler control assembly being arrayed for controlling the selective opening and closing of the control valve;
said control valve controlling the flow of a resurfacing fluid from a supply source to the resurfacing fluid reservoir of the ice rink resurfacing vehicle by way of a flexible conduit, said flexible conduit having a filling end, said flexible conduit being removably placed into a filling aperture of said resurfacing fluid reservoir, the filler control assembly being mounted at a location other than on said ice rink resurfacing vehicle and simultaneously near a second end of said flexible conduit, said filler control assembly further including at least one status indicating means;d) providing a cordless radio type communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver for the omnidirectional transmission of said full signal; e) placing the control valve in an open condition upon receipt of an initiate signal placed at the filler control assembly so that the filling fluid flows to the fluid reservoir; f) subsequently closing the control valve for stopping the flow of the resurfacing fluid to the fluid reservoir after the signal receiver receives said full signal; and g) removing the filling end of said flexible conduit from the resurfacing fluid reservoir, said signal transmitter remaining mounted on the ice rink resurfacing vehicle absent any physical attachment to said filler control assembly during operation of said ice rink resurfacing vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification