Balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to temperature changes

• US 7,536,264 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pilot Travel Centers LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Flying J Inc.
• Inventors: Hillam, John D., Memmott, Vincent J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau; Tung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kundu; Sujoy K
• Application Number:
  US11/062,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20060157146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 702/55, 702/156, 702/51, 702/45, 702/47, 702/50, 702 85- 86, 702/88, 702 98-100, 702/189, 141/1, 141/83, 73/492, 731/49, 700/281
• US Class Current: 702/55
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/085 Testing or calibrating apparatus therefore testing or calibrating apparatus for measuring volume flow in general G01F25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/222 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3209 relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection leak detectors for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/2892
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to the temperature changes with density. The method can include receiving an API gravity report that includes a measurement of a specific gravity and a temperature of the product reported at a rack. Utilizing the API gravity report, the method can include maintaining correct densities of the liquid product by utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert a gross volume measurement to a net volume measurement for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.

Claims

1. A method for balancing a net inventory of a liquid product, the method comprising:

recording a density and a temperature for a volume of the liquid product when the liquid product is delivered to a delivery vehicle;

recording a density and a temperature of an additional volume of the liquid product in a storage tank;

collecting and recording a density and a temperature of a third volume of liquid product from sensors located at one or more dispensers while the liquid product is being dispensed from the one or more dispensers;

delivering the liquid product from the delivery vehicle into the storage tank; and

using the recorded density and temperature values to calculate a volume adjusted net inventory balance of the product in the tank by converting the volume, the additional volume, and the third volume to equivalent volumes at a standardized temperature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the standardized temperature comprises 60°

Fahrenheit.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a book to physical inventory reconciliation using the calculated net inventory balance as the physical inventory balance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed both before and after delivery of the liquid product to the tank to ensure a complete delivery.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising identifying a discrepancy between the book inventory and the physical inventory, and informing a driver of the delivery vehicle that the discrepancy exists.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the driver verifies that the delivery is complete and the delivery vehicle is empty.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the inventory reconciliation is performed in real time, even while a dispenser connected to the tank is dispensing liquid product.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein using the recorded density and temperature values to calculate a volume adjusted net inventory balance of the product in the tank by converting the volume the additional volume, and the third volume to equivalent volumes at a standardized temperature further comprises multiplying the volume and the additional volume by one or more conversion factors.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the conversion factors are determined using a certified method.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the standardized temperature comprises the temperature of the liquid product in the storage tank.