Electronic control sensor systems

• US 5,851,108 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beaudreau Electric, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beaudreau Electric, Inc.
• Inventors: Clymer, Mark, Graves, Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): An, Meng-Al T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): THAI, XUAN MARIAN
• Application Number:
  US08/372,962
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 417/9, 417/17, 417/36, 417/37, 417/44.1, 417/45, 73/290 R, 73/DIG. 5, 200/84 C, 137/392, 222/40, 222/3, 222/41
• US Class Current: 417/44.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3218 relating to emergency shut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/025 by means of floats

Abstract

A motion sensor for connecting to the housing of a gasoline dispenser which is used to dispense gasoline to vehicles. The motion sensor includes components to detect motion, such as that caused by a vehicle striking the dispenser housing, and provides a signal to a controller which cuts off electrical power through an electrical supply line to electrical components of the dispenser. With power disconnected from electrical components of the dispenser, potential arcing of electricity to those electrical components when they become damaged, or potential arcing when the electrical supply line becomes damaged can be prevented to potentially prevent a resulting fire or explosion.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a gasoline dispenser for pumping gasoline to a vehicle, the gasoline dispenser including a housing containing electrical components;

an electrical power supply line providing power to the electrical components in the gasoline dispenser;

a motion sensor that is mechanically attached to the gasoline dispenser housing, the motion sensor having an output producing a first electrical signal upon detecting a predetermined quantity of motion of the gasoline dispenser housing; and

a controller connected to the output of the motion sensor and the electrical power supply line, the controller when receiving the first signal causing power to substantially stop flowing in the electrical power supply line.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises a housing having a first end and a second end with a levitating magnet disposed at the first end and a magnetic sensor disposed at the second end and having a levitated magnet disposed therebetween, wherein, upon a predetermined quantity of motion of the gasoline dispenser housing, the levitated magnet moves in relation to the magnetic sensor and produces the first signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the motion sensor further comprises a ferrous latching plate disposed at the second end and wherein when the levitated magnet moves in proximity to the magnetic sensor the levitated magnet latches to the latching plate.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a receptacle positioned at a base of the gasoline dispenser housing for collecting gasoline spilled in the dispenser; and

a liquid level sensor disposed in a base of the receptacle, the liquid level sensor being designed to produce a second electrical signal upon the detection of a predetermined quantity of the spilled gasoline,

wherein the controller is further connected to the liquid level sensor, the controller when receiving the second signal causing power to substantially stop flowing in the electrical power supply line.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the liquid level sensor comprises a housing having a wall, an open end, and a closed end defining a chamber, the chamber having a flexible membrane bound therein in proximity to the closed end, the membrane having a magnet bound thereto, the closed end having a magnetic sensor bound thereto, wherein when the quantity of the liquid chemical is collected the liquid chemical is communicated against the open end and forms a head of pressure within the chamber pressing against the membrane and causing the membrane to be flexed toward the closed end which causes the magnet to be moved in closer proximity to the sensor thereby producing the second signal.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the liquid level sensor comprises a housing having a wall, an open end, and a substantially closed end defining a chamber, the chamber having a float disposed therein, the float having a top end and a bottom end and a magnet bound to the top end, the closed end having a magnetic sensor bound thereto, wherein when the quantity of the liquid chemical is collected the liquid chemical is communicated into the open end causing the float to be moved toward the closed end which causes the magnet to be moved in proximity to the sensor thereby producing the second signal.