Automated fuel quality detection and dispenser control system and method, particularly for aviation fueling applications

• US 8,720,499 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.), Fuel Guard Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.), Fuel Guard Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Kastner, Christopher K., Jensen, Kevin G., Wetmore, Phillip A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NIESZ, JASON KAROL
• Application Number:
  US12/015,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,309 Days
• Field of Search: 73/530.1, 73/614.3, 141/59, 141/94, 141/96, 141/192, 141/302, 141/231, 141/206, 222/189.06
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/28 Liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/28 with automatic means for reducing or intermittently interrupting flow before completion of delivery, e.g. to produce dribble feed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/32 Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/342 by discriminating the kind of liquid by analysis or by physical properties, e.g. vapour-pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/76 Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/766 of water separators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 Vehicle

Abstract

A fuel quality monitoring system and method to automatically and/or continuously monitor quality of fuel dispensed and control the operation of the fuel dispenser. The control system monitors fuel quality to prevent unsafe refuelings when the fuel quality is unacceptable. In one embodiment, a combination of a differential pressure sensor, a water detector, and/or a particle monitor is employed inline the fuel flow path of a fuel dispenser, and in particular an aviation refueling truck, to monitor the quality of the fuel. If fuel quality is at an acceptable level although not ideal, the control system can allow fueling with the generation of reports and alarms. If the fuel quality is unacceptable, fuel flow can be stopped. If the differential pressure across the filter indicates a high degree of debris and/or water retention, the control system can automatically lower the flow rate to reduce the risk of filter breakdown without completely preventing fueling until the filter can be replaced.

Claims

1. A fuel dispensing apparatus for delivering fuel from a fuel source, comprising:

a flow conduit defining a fluid flow path from a fuel source to an outlet where fuel is dispensed;

a fuel filter located along said fluid flow path;

an electrically-controlled valve located along said fluid flow path;

at least one water detector configured to detect at least one water fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;

at least one particulate monitor configured to detect at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;

at least one differential pressure sensor configured to detect at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time, and

an electronic control system in communication with each of said at least one water detector, particulate monitor, and differential pressure sensor and configured to receive fuel quality sensor information corresponding to said at least one detected water fuel quality characteristic, particulate fuel quality characteristic, and fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time,

wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve from a high flow position corresponding to a first flow rate of said fuel to a low flow position corresponding to a second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, thereby maintaining said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source at a reduced flow rate, in response to receiving fuel quality sensor information indicating that;

said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a first pressure threshold;

said at least one water fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first water fuel quality threshold; and

said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first particulate fuel quality threshold.

2. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to direct said valve to a stop flow position if said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a second pressure threshold greater than said first pressure threshold.

3. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to provide an alarm if said at least one fuel pressure drop exceeds said second pressure threshold, said at least one water fuel quality characteristic does not exceed said first water fuel quality threshold, and said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic does not exceed said first particulate fuel quality threshold.

4. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to provide a check filter indication if said at least one fuel pressure drop exceeds said first pressure threshold.

5. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one water detector and said at least one particulate monitor is located downstream of said fuel filter.

6. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of water fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common fuel quality sensor device water detector.

7. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to average said plurality of water fuel quality characteristics to determine an average water fuel quality characteristic and automatically directs said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average water fuel quality characteristic.

8. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to change at least one threshold for at least one of said at least one water fuel quality characteristic, said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, and said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter based on said fuel quality sensor information, at least one of said at least one detected water fuel quality characteristic, said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, and said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter.

9. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a fluid meter located along said fluid flow path to measure a quantity of fuel being dispensed.

10. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fuel source comprises an on-board fuel tank.

11. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to report to a remote computer.

38. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to direct said valve to a stop flow position if a fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a second pressure threshold followed by said fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter being lower than said second Pressure threshold.

39. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to calibrate said second pressure threshold.

42. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said at least one of said at least one water detector and said at least one particulate monitor is located upstream of said fuel filter.

43. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein said electronic control system is configured to:

determine a likelihood of failure for said fuel filter based on a comparison of said fuel quality sensor information received from said at least one water detector or particulate monitor located upstream of said fuel filter to said fuel quality sensor information received from said at least one water detector or particulate monitor located downstream of said fuel filter; and

vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source based on said determined likelihood of failure for said fuel filter.

44. A fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said at least one water detector, particulate monitor, and differential pressure sensor is adapted to detect said at least one corresponding fuel quality characteristic instantaneously in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;

and

said electronic control system is in communication with each of said at least one water detector, particulate monitor, and differential pressure sensor and is configured to receive said fuel quality sensor information corresponding to said at least one corresponding detected fuel quality characteristic instantaneously in real time.

45. The fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common particulate monitor.

46. The fuel dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to average said plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics to determine an average particulate fuel quality characteristic and automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average particulate fuel quality characteristic.

12. A refueling vehicle for delivering fuel to a fuel tank comprising:

an on-board fuel tank; and

an on-board fuel dispensing apparatus including;

(i) a flow conduit defining a fluid flow path from said fuel tank to an outlet where fuel is dispensed;

(ii) a pump for moving fuel through said flow conduit;

(iii) an electrically-controlled valve located along said fluid flow path;

(iv) a fluid meter located along said fluid flow path to measure a quantity of fuel being dispensed;

(v) at least one water detector configured to detect at least one water fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;

(vi) at least one particulate monitor, configured to detect at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, said at least one particulate monitor adapted to detect at least one corresponding fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;

(vii) at least one differential pressure sensor configured to detect at least one fuel pressure drop across a fuel filter in real time; and

(vi) an electronic control system in communication with each of said at least one water detector, particulate monitor, and differential pressure sensor and configured to to receive fuel quality sensor information corresponding to said at least one detected water fuel quality characteristic, particulate fuel quality characteristic, and fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time,

wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve from a high flow position corresponding to a first flow rate of said fuel to a low flow position corresponding to a second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, thereby maintaining said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source at a reduced flow rate, in response to receiving fuel quality sensor information indicating that;

said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a first pressure threshold;

said at least one water fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first water fuel quality threshold; and

said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first particulate fuel quality threshold.

13. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to direct said valve to one of said high flow position corresponding to said first flow rate of said fuel, said low flow position corresponding to said second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, or a stop flow position corresponding to a flow rate of zero, based on said fuel quality sensor information.

14. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of water fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common water detector.

15. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to direct said valve to a stop flow position if said at least one fuel pressure drop measured by said at least one differential pressure sensor across said fuel filter exceeds a second pressure threshold.

16. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 15, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to provide an alarm if said at least one fuel pressure drop measured by said at least one differential pressure sensor exceeds said second pressure threshold.

17. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to provide a check filter indication if said at least one fuel pressure drop measured by said at least one differential pressure sensor exceeds said first pressure threshold.

18. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to average said plurality of water fuel quality characteristics to determine an average water fuel quality characteristic and automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average water fuel quality characteristic.

19. A refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to change at least one threshold for at least one of said at least one water fuel quality characteristic, said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, and said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter based on at least one of said at least one detected water fuel quality characteristic, said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, and said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter.

47. The refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common particulate monitor.

48. The refueling vehicle as set forth in claim 47, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to average said plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics to determine an average particulate fuel quality characteristic and automatically direct said valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average particulate fuel quality characteristic.

20. A method of controlling dispensing of fuel from a fuel source based on contemporaneous quality monitoring, said method comprising:

(a) providing a flow conduit between a fuel source and a dispensing outlet, said flow conduit having a replaceable fuel filter and an electrically-controlled flow valve located therealong;

(b) detecting at least one water fuel quality characteristic, at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic, and at least one pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time as fuel passes through said flow conduit and producing fuel quality sensor information indicative thereof in real time;

(c) providing said fuel quality sensor information in real time to an electronic control system adapted to evaluate said fuel quality sensor information; and

(d) utilizing said electronic control system in real time to automatically direct operation of said flow valve to deliver said fuel to said fuel source at a variable flow rate based on an evaluation of said fuel quality sensor information such that the flow rate is reduced from a first flow rate of said fuel to a second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, thereby maintaining said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source at a reduced flow rate, in response to receiving fuel quality sensor information indicating that;

said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a first pressure threshold;

said at least one water fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first water fuel quality threshold; and

said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first particulate fuel quality threshold.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said at least one fuel quality characteristic comprises a plurality of fuel quality characteristics comprised of at least one particulate count and at least one water content.

22. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said electronic control system operates in (d) to direct said flow valve to a stop flow position if said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a second pressure threshold.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said second pressure threshold is approximately 14.5 psi.

24. A method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising:

(e) utilizing said electronic control system to provide an alarm if said at least one fuel pressure drop exceeds said second pressure threshold.

25. A method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said first pressure threshold is approximately 7 psi.

26. A method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising:

(e) utilizing said electronic control system to provide a check filter indication if said at least one fuel pressure drop exceeds said first pressure threshold.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said at least one water fuel quality characteristic includes water content.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27, wherein said electronic control system operates in (d) to direct said flow valve to a stop flow position if said water content exceeds a second water fuel quality threshold.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein said second water fuel quality threshold is approximately 15 PPM.

30. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein said water content is detected in (b) at a location downstream of said fuel filter.

31. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein detecting said at least one water fuel quality characteristic and said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic comprises detecting both particle count and water content.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31, wherein said electronic control system operates in (d) to direct said flow valve to a stop flow position if said particle count exceeds a second particulate fuel quality threshold.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32, wherein said second particulate fuel quality threshold is approximately 15 PPM.

34. A method as set forth in claim 32, wherein said particle count is detected in (b) at a location downstream of said fuel filter.

35. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said electronic control system automatically directs said flow valve to vary flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of water fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common water detector.

36. A method as set forth in claim 35, wherein said electronic control system averages said plurality of water fuel quality characteristics to determine an average water fuel quality characteristic and automatically directs said flow valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average water fuel quality characteristic.

37. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said electronic control system is configured to change at least one threshold for said one of said at least one water fuel quality characteristic and said at least one particulate fuel quality characteristic based on said fuel quality sensor information.

40. A method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising calibrating a differential pressure sensor to learn said second pressure threshold.

41. A method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising calibrating a differential pressure sensor to learn said first pressure threshold.

49. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said flow valve to vary flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on a plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics detected at different times by a common water detector.

50. The method as set forth in claim 49, wherein said electronic control system is further configured to average said plurality of particulate fuel quality characteristics to determine an average particulate fuel quality characteristic and automatically direct said flow valve to vary said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit based on said average particulate fuel quality characteristic.