Gas pump filter optimization and alarm system with GPS and web enabled monitoring

• US 7,493,820 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2007
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guy E. Mossman
• Original Assignee: Guy E. Mossman
• Inventors: Mossman, Guy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Assistant Examiner(s): JENKINS, JERMAINE L
• Application Number:
  US11/826,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20090019946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.5, 73/560.7, 737/16, 738/614.7, 738/610.2, 738/616.3, 702182-190, 340/552, 340/603, 340/606, 340/607
• US Class Current: 73/716
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/06 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring fuel filter performance and transmitting performance information. The performance information may be transmitted wirelessly to a computer or a wireless telephone and then transmitted to a technician. The performance information is preferably transmitted with location information which identifies the location of the filter for which maintenance is required. The information may also be transmitted to a web server which can store the information in a database and also send information via text messaging or telephone voice transmission or other automatic electronic transmission mechanism.

Claims

1. A monitoring system comprising:

a) a differential pressure cell adapted for connection to an incoming fuel line and an outgoing fuel line at a fuel filter;

b) said differential pressure cell is electronically connected to a sensor control panel having a data acquisition device which transfers fuel flow data received from said differential pressure cell via a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter to a data storage device;

c) said data storage device is electronically connected to a monitoring center having a web server and a database and a control and display device; and

,

d) said web server being adapted for communication with a telecommunication device to provide information based upon said fuel flow data; and

,

e) said data storage device contains GPS location data.

2. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said GPS location designates the location of said fuel filter.

3. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a PC card.

4. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a PDA.

5. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a computer.

6. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

a) said telecommunications device is a telephone.

7. A monitoring system comprising:

a) a differential pressure cell adapted for connection to an incoming fuel line and an outgoing fuel line at a fuel filter;

b) said differential pressure cell is electronically connected to a sensor control panel having a data acquisition device which transfers fuel flow data received from said differential pressure cell via a wireless transmitter to a data storage device;

c) said data storage device is electronically connected to a monitoring center having a web server and a database and a control and display device;

d) said web server being adapted for communication with a telecommunication device to provide information based upon said fuel flow data; and

e) said data storage device contains GPS location data.

8. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 7, wherein;

a) said GPS location designates the location of said fuel filter.

9. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 7, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a PC card.

10. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 7, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a PDA.

11. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 7, wherein;

a) said telecommunications device is a telephone.

12. The monitoring system as set forth in claim 7, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a computer PDA.

13. A method of monitoring fuel station equipment comprising the steps of:

a) connecting a monitoring device to a fuel supply line in a fuel station dispensing unit to determine the performance of a fuel supply filter;

b) collecting performance data and supplying said data to a data storage device;

c) transmitting said performance data from said data storage device to a location remote from said monitoring device; and

d) receiving and storing GPS location data.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising the step of:

a) transmitting said GPS data to said location remote from said monitoring device.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein;

a) transmitting includes sending via telecommunications said performance data and said GPS location data.

16. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein;

a) said data storage device is a computer.

17. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein;

a) transmitting include wireless transmission of said performance data.

18. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein;

a) said monitoring device is a differential pressure cell adapted for connection to an incoming fuel line and an outgoing fuel line at a fuel filter.