Determining fuel usage

• US 7,533,703 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Shuey, Kenneth C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust; Timothy L
• Assistant Examiner(s): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US11/205,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20070039662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/95, 141/230, 137/557, 222/40, 222/71, 701/123
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A system, device, and method for quantifying fuel flow from a substantially stationary consumer container is contemplated. The system includes a flow sensor, a communications medium, and a receiver. Both the flow sensor and the receiver are in communication with the communications medium. The system may include a display, a computing device in communication with the receiver and an environmental sensor in communication with the communications medium. The communications medium may be wireless.

Claims

1. A system for quantifying fuel flow from a substantially stationary consumer container, comprising:

a computing device;

a flow sensor;

a fill gauge in direct connection with said flow sensor, the fill gauge in communication with the computing device through the direct connection with said flow sensor;

a communications medium in communication with said flow sensor;

a receiver in communication with said communication medium; and

a display in communication with said receiver,

the computing device in communication with said display, said computing device capable of calculating a fuel ordering window, said fuel ordering window including a staff date, staff time, end date and end time, and

said computing device further capable of ordering a fuel refill, said fuel refill requiring an authorization by a user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications medium is wireless.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an environmental sensor in communication with said communications medium.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said fill gauge is in communication with said communications medium.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said flow sensor is demountably attached to a fuel container.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device predicts future fuel usage.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said communications medium is wireless.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an environmental sensor in communication with said communications medium.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network for fuel pricing data in communication with said communications medium, wherein said network is in communication with a fuel service provider.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device alerts said user of said fuel ordering window.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device alerts said user by at least one of the following:

an e-mail message, simple messaging system text, instant message text, or hyper text markup language, an audible tone, or a visual indicator.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat for quantifying room temperature and controlling a heating system, wherein said thermostat is in communication with said computing device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein a user entered configuration directs said computing device to control said thermostat.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said fill gauge is in communication with said communications medium, wherein said computing device detects tank leakage and alerts a user.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications medium is part of an automated meter reading system.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said display is inside a residence.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device is a personal computer.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein said network for fuel pricing data uses Internet connectivity.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said display shows a representation of fuel usage history.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said display shows a representation of fuel usage by time of day.

21. A device for quantifying fuel flow from a substantially stationary consumer container, comprising:

a computing device;

a flow sensor for quantifying flow into data;

a fill gauge in direct connection with said flow sensor, the fill gauge in communication with the computing device through the direct connection with said flow sensor;

an input for presenting flow at said flow sensor;

a transmitter in communication with said flow sensor for communicating said data; and

q receiver in communication with said transmitter,

the computing device in communication with said receiver, said computing device capable of calculating a fuel ordering window, said fuel ordering window including a start date, start time, end date and end time, and

said computing device further capable of ordering a fuel refill, said fuel refill requiring an authorization by a user.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising a fuel output for receiving flow from said input.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein said transmitter is a spread spectrum radio.

24. The device of claim 21, further comprising a connector for demountably securing said input to a fuel container.

25. The device of claim 21, further comprising a reset switch for indicating a fuel level.

26. The device of claim 21, further comprising a battery for providing electrical energy. pg,18

27. The device of claim 21, further comprising an environmental sensor in communication with said transmitter.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein said environmental sensor quantifies at least on the of the following:

temperature, wind speed, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein said environmental sensor detects propane gas.