Method and system for preventing a fuel dispensing system from dispensing inappropriate fuel to a vehicle

• US 8,261,784 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gerard, Dale A., Schulz, Melissa A
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Application Number:
  US12/237,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 141/59, 141/83, 141/94, 141/98, 141/192, 141/197
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/145 by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and system for dispensing fuel to a vehicle includes a sensor generating a fuel identifier signal associated with the vehicle and a fuel dispenser having a fuel type a fuel type selector generating a fuel type selector signal. The system also includes a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser. The control module compares the fuel identifier with fuel type. When the fuel type corresponds to the fuel identifier, the control module enables a dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser. When the fuel type does not correspond to the fuel identifier, the control module prevents the dispensing of fuel.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a fuel type identifier from a sensor implemented within a fuel cap of a vehicle at a fuel dispenser;

receiving, at the fuel dispenser, an indicator of a type of fuel selected by a user at the fuel dispenser;

receiving, at the fuel dispenser, indicators of a number of different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle;

comparing the type of fuel selected by the user with the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle;

when the type of fuel selected by the user corresponds to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, dispensing fuel from the fuel dispenser; and

when the type of fuel selected by the user does not correspond to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, preventing dispensing fuel from the fuel dispenser.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising communicating the fuel type identifier in response to a query signal.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising communicating the fuel type identifier in response to the query signal from an antenna proximate a nozzle.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising communicating the fuel type identifier in response to the query signal from an antenna proximate the fuel dispenser.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising when the type of fuel selected by the user does not correspond to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, generating an indicator.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein generating the indicator comprises generating an audible indicator.

7. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein generating the indicator comprises generating a visual indicator.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising determining, at said fuel dispenser, said different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle based on said fuel type identifier.

9. A system comprising:

a sensor that is implemented within a fuel cap of a vehicle and that generates fuel type identifier;

a fuel dispenser; and

a control module in communication with the sensor and the fuel dispenser, said control module receiving an indicator of a type of fuel selected by a user at the fuel dispenser, receiving indicators of a number of different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, comparing the type of fuel selected by the user with the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle,

when the type of fuel selected by the user corresponds to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, said control module enabling a dispensing of the fuel type from the fuel dispenser, and

when the type of fuel selected by the user does not correspond to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle, said control module preventing the dispensing of the fuel type.

10. A system as recited in claim 9 further comprising an indicator in communication with the control module, said control module activating the indicator when the type of fuel selected by the user does not correspond to at least one of the different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle.

11. A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the indicator comprises an audible indicator.

12. A system as recited in claim 10 wherein the indicator comprises a visual indicator.

13. A system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a transceiver communicating a query signal to the sensor, said sensor generating the fuel type identifier in response to the query signal.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising an antenna in communication with the fuel dispenser, said antenna transmitting the query signal and receiving the fuel type identifier.

15. A system as recited in claim 14 wherein the antenna transmitting the query signal is disposed at a fuel nozzle.

16. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein said control module further determines said different types of fuels that are acceptable for the vehicle based on said fuel type identifier.