System and method for detecting pressure variations in fuel dispensers to more accurately measure fuel delivered
First Claim
1. A fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel from fuel storage tanks into a vehicle, comprising:
- a control system;
a fuel flow path to receive fuel from the fuel storage tanks for dispensing to the vehicle;
a meter coupled inline to the fuel flow path and through which fuel passes and adapted to generate a meter signal in relation to the amount of fuel passing through the meter to the control system; and
a pressure sensor positioned in the fuel flow path that senses pressure in the fuel flow path and communicates a pressure signal associated with the pressure sensed to the control system;
the control system adapted to;
receive the meter signal from the meter;
calculate a volume or flow rate of the fuel delivered to the vehicle based on the meter signal;
detect if a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor; and
compensate the calculated volume or flow rate of the fuel in response to detection of the non-steady state condition, wherein the non-steady state condition is due to a nozzle snap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel from fuel storage tanks into a vehicle, comprising:
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a control system; a fuel flow path to receive fuel from the fuel storage tanks for dispensing to the vehicle; a meter coupled inline to the fuel flow path and through which fuel passes and adapted to generate a meter signal in relation to the amount of fuel passing through the meter to the control system; and a pressure sensor positioned in the fuel flow path that senses pressure in the fuel flow path and communicates a pressure signal associated with the pressure sensed to the control system; the control system adapted to; receive the meter signal from the meter; calculate a volume or flow rate of the fuel delivered to the vehicle based on the meter signal; detect if a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor; and compensate the calculated volume or flow rate of the fuel in response to detection of the non-steady state condition, wherein the non-steady state condition is due to a nozzle snap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel from storage tanks into a vehicle, comprising:
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a control system; a fuel flow path to receive fuel from the fuel storage tanks for dispensing to the vehicle; a meter coupled inline to the fuel flow path and through which fuel passes and adapted to generate a meter signal in relation to the amount of fuel passing through the meter to the control system; a first pressure sensor positioned in the fuel flow path downstream from the meter that senses pressure in the fuel flow path and communicates a first pressure signal associated with the pressure sensed to the control system; and a second pressure sensor positioned in the fuel flow path upstream from the meter that senses pressure in the fuel flow path and communicates a second pressure signal associated with the pressure sensed to the control system;
whereinthe control system is adapted to; receive the meter signal from the meter; calculate a volume or flow rate of the fuel delivered to the vehicle based on the meter signal; detect if a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path based on at least one of the first pressure signal received from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure signal received from the second pressure sensor; and compensate the calculated volume or flow rate of the fuel in response to detection of the non-steady state condition, wherein the non-steady state condition is due to a nozzle snap. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for dispensing fuel received from fuel storage tanks into a vehicle, comprising:
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receiving from a meter a meter signal in relation to the amount of fuel passing through the meter; calculating a volume or flow rate of the fuel dispensed to the vehicle based on the meter signal; detecting a non-steady state condition in the fuel flow path based on a pressure signal received from a pressure sensor positioned in the fuel flow path; and compensating the calculated volume or flow rate of the fuel in response to detection of the non-steady state condition wherein the non-steady state condition is due to a nozzle snap. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification