Computerized fluid supply systems

• US 6,394,150 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Capital Bank, NA, Hi-G-Tek, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hi-G-Tek, Ltd.
• Inventors: Cohen, Roni, Haimovich, Yosef
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/710,739
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94,98,231 340/5.9,825.72
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0376 Dispensing pistols

Abstract

A computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank, a fluid tank mounted identifier, a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, the fluid fill nozzle reader being in wireless communication with the tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with the system controller, the fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with the nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of the conduit portion.

Claims

1. A computerized fluid supply system comprising:

a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank;

a fluid tank mounted identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information there from and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted onto said conduit portion exteriorly of said conduit portion.

2. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 1 and wherein said conduit portion is removably connected in series with said nozzle.

3. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 1 and wherein said conduit portion is threadably connected in series with said nozzle.

4. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 1 and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

5. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 1 and wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

6. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 1 and wherein said electronic circuitry is powered by electrical energy stored in an electrical energy storage device associated therewith.

7. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 6 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source.

8. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 7 and wherein said external energy source is associated with said fluid tank mounted identifier.

9. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 7 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with said controller.

10. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 7 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with a storage location at which said nozzle is located when not engaged in fluid supply.

11. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 7 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source in a wireless manner.

12. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said electronic circuitry is operative in a quiescent mode and in an active mode and wherein said electronic circuitry shifts from said quiescent mode to said active mode in response to the orientation of said nozzle.

13. A computerized fluid supply system comprising:

a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank;

a fluid tank mounted identifier;

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the electronic circuitry from said conduit portion.

14. A computerized fluid supply system comprising:

a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank;

a fluid tank mounted identifier;

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the electronic circuitry from said conduit portion.

15. A computerized fluid supply system comprising:

a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank;

a fluid tank mounted identifier;

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, wherein said electronic circuitry is coupled to at least one external antenna which is mounted on said nozzle at a location forward of said conduit portion.

16. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 15 and wherein said electronic circuitry is coupled to said at least one external antenna in a wireless manner.

17. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid flu nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted onto said conduit portion exteriorly of said conduit portion.

18. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said conduit portion is removably connected in series with said nozzle.

19. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said conduit portion is threadably connected in series with said nozzle.

20. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

21. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

22. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuitry is powered by electrical energy stored in an electrical energy storage device associated therewith.

23. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 22 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source.

24. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 23 and wherein said external energy source is associated with said fluid tank mounted identifier.

25. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 23 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with said controller.

26. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 23 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with a storage location at which said nozzle is located when not engaged in fluid supply.

27. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 23 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source in a wireless manner.

28. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuitry is operative in a quiescent mode and in an active mode and wherein said electronic circuitry shifts from said quiescent mode to said active mode in response to the orientation of said nozzle.

29. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the electronic circuitry from said conduit portion.

30. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the at least one battery.

31. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly for use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of a fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a tank and a tank identifier, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, and wherein said electronic circuitry is coupled to at least one external antenna which is mounted on said nozzle at a location forward of said conduit portion.

32. A fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly according to claim 31 and wherein said electronic circuitry is coupled to said at least one external antenna in a wireless manner.

33. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a fluid receiving tank d a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle assembly including a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted onto said conduit portion exteriorly of said conduit portion.

34. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said conduit portion is removably connected in series with said nozzle.

35. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said conduit portion is threadably connected in series with said nozzle.

36. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

37. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion.

38. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said electronic circuitry is powered by electrical energy stored in an electrical energy storage device associated therewith.

39. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 38 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source.

40. A computerized fluid supply system according to claim 39 and wherein said external energy source is associated with said fluid tank mounted identifier.

41. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 39 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with said controller.

42. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 39 and wherein said external electrical energy source is associated with a storage location at which said nozzle is located when not engaged in fluid supply.

43. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 39 and wherein said electrical energy storage device receives electrical energy from an external electrical energy source in a wireless manner.

44. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 33 and wherein said electronic circuitry is operative in a quiescent mode and in an active mode and wherein said electronic circuitry shifts from said quiescent mode to said active mode in response to the orientation of said nozzle.

45. A fluid fill nozzle assembly according to claim 42 and wherein said electronic circuitry is coupled to said at least one external antenna in a wireless manner.

46. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a fluid receiving tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle assembly including a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the electronic circuitry from said conduit portion.

47. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a fluid receiving tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle assembly including a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tank identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit portion, and wherein said electronic circuitry includes at least one battery which is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and wherein said electronic circuitry is removably mounted onto said conduit portion and includes a switch which prevents electrical arcing upon mounting or removal of the at least one battery.

48. For use in a computerized fluid supply system including a controller controlling at least supply of fluid via a fluid fill nozzle to a fluid receiving tank and a tank identifier,

a fluid fill nozzle assembly including a fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly, said fluid fill nozzle reader assembly being in wireless communication with said tank identifier for receiving tail identification information therefrom and with said system controller, said fluid fill nozzle mounted tank identification reader assembly including a conduit portion connected in series with said nozzle and electronic circuitry mounted exteriorly of said conduit potion, and wherein said, electronic circuitry is coupled to said at least one external antenna in a wireless manner.