Method and apparatus for monitoring for a restriction in a stage II fuel vapor recovery system

• US 8,191,585 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems Incorporated (EBW, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mellone, Joseph A., Boucher, Randall S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arnett, Nicolas A
• Application Number:
  US12/473,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/4, 141/5, 141/44, 141/45, 141/47, 141/50, 141/54, 141/55, 141/59, 141/61, 141/94, 141/98, 141/392
• US Class Current: 141/5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0496 Performance test devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2892 for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/30 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting a failure in a Stage II fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. An exemplary failure is a restriction in the vapor recovery system. In one detection system dispensing points may be flagged if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the respective dispensing point below a first threshold. Further, an estimated ORVR penetration percentage may be determined for each dispensing point. In a second detection system an average A/L ratio for each dispensing point may be determined. The average A/L ratio may be an approximation of the average A/L ratio for non-ORVR transactions.

Claims

1. For a fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel from a plurality of dispensing nozzles into ORVR and non-ORVR equipped vehicles, the fuel dispensing system including a vapor recovery system, a method for monitoring for a restriction in the vapor recovery system comprising:

determining over a period of time, for each dispensing nozzle, an ORVR penetration ratio of A/L ratios below a first threshold versus A/L ratios above the first threshold;

flagging one of the dispensing nozzles if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the one dispensing nozzle below the first threshold;

upon completion of the period of time, determining an average of the ORVR penetration ratios of the non-flagged dispensing nozzles;

determining an acceptable ORVR penetration ratio as a function of the determined average ORVR penetration ratio;

comparing the ORVR penetration ratio of each of the flagged dispensing nozzles to the acceptable ORVR penetration ratio; and

providing an indication for a given flagged dispensing nozzle if the penetration ratio for the flagged dispensing nozzle is greater than the acceptable ORVR penetration ratio.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the period of time is one day.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the period of time is one week.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the indication is an alarm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the function of the average penetration ratio is equal to [(1−

average penetration ratio)/x+average penetration ratio], wherein x=a number greater than 1.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein x=2.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is performed by a controller.

8. For a fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel from a plurality of dispensing nozzles into ORVR and non-ORVR equipped vehicles, the fuel dispensing system including a vapor recovery system, a system for monitoring for a restriction in the vapor recovery system comprising:

a controller, wherein the controller;

determines over a period of time, for each dispensing nozzle, an ORVR penetration ratio of A/L ratios below a first threshold versus A/L ratios above the first threshold;

flags one of the dispensing nozzles if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the one dispensing nozzle below the first threshold;

upon completion of the period of time, determines an average of the ORVR penetration ratios of the non-flagged dispensing nozzles;

determines an acceptable ORVR penetration ratio as a function of the determined average ORVR penetration ratio;

compares the ORVR penetration ratio of the flagged dispensing nozzles to the acceptable ORVR penetration ratio; and

provides an indication for a given flagged dispensing nozzle if the penetration ratio for the flagged dispensing nozzle is less than the acceptable penetration ratio.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the period of time is one day.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the period of time is one week.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the indication is an alarm.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the function of the average penetration ratio is equal to (1−

average penetration ratio)/x+average penetration ratio, where x equals a number greater than 1.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein x=2.