System and method for monitoring a ground connection

• US 8,360,117 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation (Chevron Corp.), Texaco Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Texaco Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Hajiaghajani, Masoud
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARNETT, NICOLAS ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/710,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20080202624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/1, 361/212, 361216-217, 340/649, 340/652
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3236 relating to electrostatic charges

Abstract

Exemplary systems and methods are directed to monitoring a ground connection at a fueling facility. The system being configured to perform the method that includes measuring a vehicle ground quality. The method also includes determining a dispenser ground quality, evaluating the vehicle ground quality based on the dispenser ground quality and a threshold value, and controlling the dispensing of fuel based on the evaluation.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the dispensing of fuel based on a ground detection, comprising:

(a) measuring a vehicle ground quality, the measuring comprising causing current flow between a sensor connected to the vehicle and plural electrodes each located adjacent to the vehicle;

(b) providing a dispenser ground quality;

(c) evaluating the vehicle ground quality based on the dispenser ground quality and a threshold value; and

(d) controlling the dispensing of fuel based on the evaluating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluating comprises:

computing a difference value between the vehicle ground quality and the dispenser ground quality.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the controlling comprises:

permitting the dispensing of fuel when the difference value is within a predetermined range of the threshold value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring comprises:

applying voltage across two points of the vehicle;

measuring an impedance value or current value between the two points; and

determining whether the measured impedance is within an accepted impedance range.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ground quality is measured across two tires of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 3, comprising:

repeating steps (a)-(d) when the dispensing of fuel is permitted.

7. A system for controlling a dispensing of fuel, comprising:

a fuel dispenser having a dispenser ground quality;

a vehicle sensor that measures a vehicle ground quality, the vehicle sensor attached to a wheel or a tire of a vehicle, the vehicle sensor comprising a charging circuit that receives power from a rotor coupled to the wheel or the tire; and

a controller that evaluates the vehicle ground quality based on the dispenser ground quality and a threshold value, and controls the dispensing of fuel from the fuel dispenser based on the evaluation.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fuel dispenser includes a transceiver for sending and receiving data.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller includes a transceiver for sending and receiving data.

10. The system of claim 7, further comprising a pad upon which the vehicle rests, wherein the pad comprises a grounding device for grounding the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the pad further comprises:

electrodes that apply a voltage across two terminals on the vehicle while the pad is grounded,

wherein the vehicle sensor further comprises a meter that measures an impedance across the two terminals.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the two terminals of the vehicle are tires.

13. An apparatus that evaluates a ground quality of a vehicle to be fueled at a fueling facility, the apparatus comprising:

means for storing a dispenser ground quality value;

means for grounding the vehicle;

means for measuring a vehicle ground quality value; and

means for generating a control signal based on a comparison of the dispenser ground quality value and the vehicle ground quality value and sending the control signal to the dispenser to control the dispensing of fuel.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the generating means is configured for computing a difference between the dispenser ground quality value and the vehicle ground quality value and comparing the difference to a threshold.