Testing device and method of use

• US 6,341,629 B1
• Filed: 04/29/1999
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BP Oil International Limited (BP PLC)
• Original Assignee: BP Oil International Limited (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Read, Harry, Clark, Alisdair Quentin
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/301,606
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/59, 141/83, 141/192, 141/290
• 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: B67D 7/425 including components powered by electricity or light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2829 Mixtures of fuels

Abstract

Method for controlling movement of a liquid from a first location to a second location via a dispenser for the liquid located in a liquid line between the first and second location. The dispenser includes a nozzle, an internal liquid conduit, a valve, a body portion, a hollow annular collar and a first detector. The first detector is located in the collar which is positioned around the nozzle or between the nozzle and the body portion such that the first detector is in vapor communication with a vapor space above the second location. The vapor from the vapor space is analyzed by withdrawing the vapor past the first detector and using the results of the analysis to control the operation of the valve.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the movement of a liquid, from a first location to a second location via a dispenser for the liquid located in a liquid line between the first and second location, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle, an internal liquid conduit, a valve, a body portion, a hollow annular collar and a first detector and wherein the first detector is located in the collar which is positioned around the nozzle or between the nozzle and the body portion such that the first detector is in vapor communication with a vapor space above the second location, said method comprising analyzing the vapor from said vapor space by withdrawing the vapor past the first detector and using the results of the analysis to control the operation of said valve, wherein the first location has a vapor space above the liquid and a second detector is placed in vapor communication with said vapor space, the method comprising analyzing the vapor in or from the second location and in or from the first location, and comparing the results of the analysis in or from the second location with the results from the analysis in or from the first location.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the analysis of the vapor from said vapor space is compared to a standard.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the control of the operation of the valve is automatically dependant upon the results of the analysis.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid comprises a liquid hydrocarbon.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the vapor in each of the first and second locations is independently selected from the group consisting of:

(a) aviation gasoline and kerosene,

(b) motor gasoline and diesel oil, and

(c) leaded and unleaded gasoline.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the analysis is of total vapor concentration and the comparison of the results of the analysis controls operation of the valve depending on whether the total vapor concentration is above or below a defined level.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the analysis is specific to at least one compound present in said liquid and the comparison of the results of the analysis controls operation of the valve depending on whether the amount of said compound(s) present is above or below a defined level.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first location is a non-movable tank of liquid and the second location is a tank of a movable vehicle.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the annular collar also comprises a processor to analyze the results from the detector and a valve controller to act on instructions from said processor.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the annular collar is separate from but in use engageable with the nozzle and/or the body portion of the dispenser.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the valve is shut in response to the activation of an alarm.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the alarm is an audible and/or optical warning.

13. An apparatus which is a liquid dispenser comprising

a tank containing vapor;

a nozzle for the exit of liquid which nozzle is insertable into said tank containing vapor;

an internal liquid conduit through the dispenser for the liquid;

a valve in said conduit for control of dispensing said liquid;

a body portion;

a hollow annular collar;

a first detector;

a processing means;

a first means for passing a signal from said first detector to said processing means for comparison of said signal; and

a valve controller means;

said detector being located in the collar which is positioned around the nozzle or between the nozzle and the body portion, wherein in use vapors at the exit end of the nozzle are drawn into the collar and past the first detector, wherein said apparatus comprises a second detector adapted to be in vapor communication with vapors at the uptake end of the dispenser and a second means for passing a signal from said second detector to the processing means for comparison with the signal from said first detector.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said apparatus comprises a means for passing a signal from said processing means to said controller which receives output from said analysis for controlling the operation of the valve.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processing means and the controller means are located in the collar.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said valve is urged to a closed position by urging means but is releasably openable against said urging means.

17. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the annular collar is separate from but in use engageable with the nozzle and the body portion of the dispenser.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the detector is selected from the group consisting of spectroscopic detectors, gas chromatographic devices and olfactory sensors.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the detector is an infra red detector.

20. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the detector is battery powered and the batteries are recharged by induction when waiting for use.

21. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the controller operates an alarm.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the alarm provides an audible and/or optical warning.

23. A method for controlling the movement of a liquid, from a first location to a second location via a dispenser for the liquid located in a liquid line between the first and second location, wherein the dispenser comprises a nozzle, an internal liquid conduit, a valve, a body portion, a hollow annular collar and a first detector and wherein the first detector is located in the collar which is positioned around the nozzle or between the nozzle and the body portion such that the first detector is in vapor communication with a vapor space above the second location, said method comprising analyzing the vapor from said vapor space by withdrawing the vapor past the first detector and using the results of the analysis to control the operation of said valve wherein the annular collar also comprises a processor to analyze the results from the detector and a valve controller to act on instructions from said processor.

24. An apparatus which is a liquid dispenser comprising

a tank containing vapor;

a nozzle for the exit of liquid which nozzle is insertable into said tank containing vapor;

an internal liquid conduit through the dispenser for the liquid;

a valve in said conduit for control of dispensing said liquid;

a body portion;

a hollow annular collar;

a first detector;

a processing means;

a first means for passing a signal from said first detector to said processing means for comparison of said signal; and

a valve controller means;

said detector being located in the collar which is positioned around the nozzle or between the nozzle and the body portion, wherein in use vapors at the exit end of the nozzle are drawn into the collar and past the first detector, wherein the processing means and the controller means are located in the collar.