System and method for automatically adjusting an ORVR compatible stage II vapor recovery system to maintain a desired air-to-liquid (A/L) ratio
First Claim
1. A method for adjusting a vapor recovery system in a fuel dispenser having one or more dispensing points adapted to fuel ORVR and non ORVR-equipped vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- collecting A/L ratio data for a plurality of fueling transactions at the fuel dispenser using measurements from at least one air flow sensor coupled to the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system and from at least one fuel meter that indicates an amount of fuel dispensed by the one or more dispensing points;
excluding ORVR fueling transactions from the collected A/L ratio data to form a non-ORVR A/L ratio data set;
calculating a desired A/L calibration adjustment value for the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the non-ORVR A/L ratio data set and a permitted A/L ratio range; and
adjusting the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the A/L calibration adjustment value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automatically adjusting an ORVR-compatible Stage II vapor recovery system to maintain the air-to-liquid (A/L) ratio within desired tolerances or limits to meet regulatory and/or other requirements. An air flow sensor (AFS) or vapor flow meter measures the amount of recovered vapor for a dispensing point to calculate the recovery efficiency of the system in the form of the A/L ratio. Volume or flow rate measurements can be used. ORVR fueling transactions are either minimized or excluded from the A/L ratio, so that the A/L ratio is not artificially lowered due to a blocked or altered recovery. The A/L ratio is then compared to a desired or nominal A/L ratio. Adjustments to the recovery system are made within prescribed safety tolerances if the A/L ratio differs from the desired ratio.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for adjusting a vapor recovery system in a fuel dispenser having one or more dispensing points adapted to fuel ORVR and non ORVR-equipped vehicles, comprising the steps of:
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collecting A/L ratio data for a plurality of fueling transactions at the fuel dispenser using measurements from at least one air flow sensor coupled to the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system and from at least one fuel meter that indicates an amount of fuel dispensed by the one or more dispensing points; excluding ORVR fueling transactions from the collected A/L ratio data to form a non-ORVR A/L ratio data set; calculating a desired A/L calibration adjustment value for the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the non-ORVR A/L ratio data set and a permitted A/L ratio range; and adjusting the fuel dispenser vapor recovery system based on the A/L calibration adjustment value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification