Cross contamination control systems with fluid product ID sensors

• US 9,823,665 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2013
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Knappco Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Knappco Corporation (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Finnell, Scott A., Gramling, Steven D., Dudley, Mark William, Mixon, Claude W., Stemporzewski, Jr., Francis V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Azad, Md Abul
• Application Number:
  US14/075,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20140129038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0428 having devices to avoid a mix up of different fuels
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0446 measuring physical properties of the fluid to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/0453 recognising the fuel to be dispensed
• 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 7/344 by checking a correct coupling or coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0629 characterised by the type of regulator means

Abstract

A crossover protection system including a product transport vehicle having a tank compartment for containing a liquid product, a fluid property sensor positioned to contact liquid product stored in the tank compartment, a system controller, and a valve coupled to the tank compartment. The valve regulates a flow of liquid product from the tank compartment and has a normally locked state. The system controller may compare a received transported liquid type signal from the fuel property sensor indicative of the type of liquid product in the tank compartment and compare the type of liquid product to a stored liquid product type. If the two types match, the crossover protection controller transitions the valve to an unlocked state to allow the liquid product to unload from the tank compartment. If the two types do not match, the crossover protection controller will disable the valve from transitioning to the unlocked state.

Claims

1. A crossover protection system, comprising:

a product transport vehicle comprising a tank compartment for containing a liquid product;

a valve coupled to the tank compartment, the valve regulating a flow of liquid product from the tank compartment and having a normally locked state;

a fluid property sensor positioned to contact the liquid product stored in the tank compartment;

a tank delivery connector fluidly coupled to a distribution side of the valve, the tank delivery connector comprising;

a tank tag reader for interrogating a tank tag coupled to a distribution tank separate from the product transport vehicle;

a lock mechanism coupled to the tank delivery connector, the lock mechanism comprising a locking lever with a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock mechanism mechanically securing the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank when the locking lever is in the locked position; and

a lock sensor for sensing whether the locking lever is in the locked position or the unlocked position, wherein when the locking lever is in the locked position as indicated by the lock sensor;

the tank tag reader interrogates the tank tag to retrieve a stored liquid type encoded on the tank tag, wherein the stored liquid type is indicative of a type of the liquid product in the distribution tank; and

the tank delivery connector transmits a stored liquid type signal indicative of the stored liquid type; and

a system controller communicatively coupled to the valve, the fluid property sensor, and the tank delivery connector, the system controller comprising a processor and a storage medium containing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system controller to automatically;

receive a transported fluid property signal from the fluid property sensor, the transported fluid property signal being indicative of at least one of a viscosity, density, dielectric constant, and temperature of the liquid product in the tank compartment;

determine a transported liquid type of the liquid product in the tank compartment based on the transported fluid property signal;

receive the stored liquid type signal;

determine the stored liquid type based on the stored liquid type signal;

compare the transported liquid type to the stored liquid type;

maintain the valve in the normally locked state when the stored liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match to prevent the flow of liquid product from the tank compartment; and

transition the valve from the normally locked state to an unlocked state when the stored liquid type and the transported liquid type match, thereby permitting the flow of liquid product from the tank compartment.

2. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein the valve is an emergency valve.

3. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein the valve is a control valve.

4. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising a display electrically coupled to the system controller, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to indicate on the display at least one of the stored liquid type of the distribution tank and the transported liquid type of the liquid product in the tank compartment.

5. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery hose fluidly coupled to the distribution tank, wherein the tank delivery connector is fluidly coupled to the delivery hose and fluidly coupled to the distribution tank.

6. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein

the lock sensor is mechanically coupled to the lock mechanism and electrically coupled to the tank tag reader, wherein the lock sensor provides a delivery connector locked signal when the locking lever is in the locked position and the tank delivery connector transmits the delivery connector locked signal to the system controller when the tank delivery connector is secured to the distribution tank.

7. The crossover protection system of claim 6, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to:

receive the delivery connector locked signal, and

enable the valve to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state.

8. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein power to the tank tag reader is only provided when the locking lever is in the locked position.

9. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein the tank tag reader further transmits a tank delivery connector ID signal to the system controller, the tank delivery connector ID signal indicating an identity of the tank delivery connector, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to pair the system controller with the tank delivery connector having the identity.

10. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising:

a delivery hose fluidly coupling the tank compartment to the tank delivery connector, the delivery hose comprising a lock tag at a lock end of the delivery hose and a connector hose tag at a connector end of the delivery hose, wherein the lock tag and the connector hose tag are encoded with a first hose ID;

an adaptor tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on a hose adaptor coupled to the tank compartment, the adaptor tag reader interrogating the lock tag of the delivery hose at the lock end and sending an adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller when the delivery hose is coupled to the hose adaptor;

a hose tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on the tank delivery connector, the hose tag reader interrogating the connector hose tag at the connector end of the delivery hose and sending a hose signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller when the delivery hose is coupled to the tank delivery connector, wherein the processor of the system controller executes the computer readable and executable instructions to further;

receive the hose signal indicative of the first hose ID from the hose tag reader;

receive the adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID from the adaptor tag reader;

enable the valve to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state when both the hose signal and the adaptor signal are received; and

maintain the valve in the normally locked state when at least one of the hose signal and the adaptor signal are not received.

11. The crossover protection system of claim 1, wherein the fluid property sensor is a tuning fork sensor.

12. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising a product grade indicator (PGI) controller communicatively coupled to the system controller, the PGI controller comprising an input device for inputting a loaded liquid type into the PGI controller.

13. The crossover protection system of claim 12, wherein the PGI controller further comprises a display indicating the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type in the tank compartment.

14. The crossover protection system of claim 12, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to prevent the flow of loaded liquid product into the tank compartment with the valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

15. The crossover protection system of claim 12, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to allow the flow of loaded liquid product into the tank compartment with the valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type match.

16. The crossover protection system of claim 12, further comprising an overfill detection system communicatively coupled to the system controller, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to transmit an overfill condition to the overfill detection system, wherein the overfill detection system stops the flow of loaded liquid product from a liquid product loading station into the tank compartment when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

17. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor positioned in the tank compartment, the pressure sensor transmitting a pressure signal to the system controller indicating an amount of liquid product present in the tank compartment.

18. The crossover protection system of claim 1, further comprising a point level sensor positioned in the tank compartment, the point level sensor transmitting a point signal to the system controller indicating whether there is an overfill condition of liquid product within the tank compartment.

19. A crossover protection system for a product transportation vehicle with multiple tank compartments, the system comprising:

a product transport vehicle comprising a plurality of tank compartments for containing liquid product;

a plurality of valves, individual ones of the plurality of valves being coupled to individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments and regulating a flow of liquid product from the individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments and having a normally locked state;

a plurality of fluid property sensors, individual ones of the plurality of fluid property sensors being positioned to contact the liquid product stored in individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments;

a tank delivery connector fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of valves, the tank delivery connector comprising;

a tank tag reader for interrogating a tank tag coupled to a distribution tank separate from the product transport vehicle;

a lock mechanism coupled to the tank delivery connector, the lock mechanism comprising a locking lever with a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock mechanism mechanically securing the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank when the locking lever is in the locked position; and

a lock sensor for sensing whether the locking lever is in the locked position or the unlocked position, wherein when the locking lever is in the locked position as indicated by the lock sensor;

the tank tag reader interrogates the tank tag to retrieve a stored liquid type encoded on the tank tag, wherein the stored liquid type is indicative of a type of the liquid product in the distribution tank; and

the tank delivery connector transmits a stored liquid type signal indicative of the stored liquid type; and

a system controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of valves, the plurality of fluid property sensors, and the tank delivery connector, the system controller comprising a processor and a storage medium containing computer readable and executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the system controller to automatically;

receive a transported fluid property signal from individual ones of the plurality of fluid property sensors, the transported fluid property signal being indicative of at least one of a viscosity, density, dielectric constant, and temperature of the liquid product in individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments;

determine a transported liquid type of the liquid product in individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments based on the transported fluid property signal;

receive the stored liquid type signal;

determine the stored liquid type based on the stored liquid type signal;

compare the transported liquid type in each of the plurality of tank compartments to the stored liquid type;

maintain individual ones of the plurality of valves in the normally locked state when the transported liquid type in the corresponding tank compartment is not the same as the stored liquid type to prevent the flow of liquid product from the corresponding tank compartment; and

transition individual ones of the plurality of valves from the normally locked state to an unlocked state when the transported liquid type in the corresponding tank compartment is the same as the stored liquid type, thereby allowing the flow of liquid product from the corresponding tank compartment.

20. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of valves includes an emergency valve.

21. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of valves includes a control valve.

22. The crossover protection system of claim 19, further comprising a display electrically coupled to the system controller, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to indicate on the display at least one of the stored liquid type of the distribution tank and the transported liquid type of the liquid product in the plurality of tank compartments.

23. The crossover protection system of claim 19, further comprising a delivery hose fluidly coupled to the distribution tank, wherein the tank delivery connector is fluidly coupled to the delivery hose and fluidly coupled to the distribution tank.

24. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein

the lock sensor is mechanically coupled to the lock mechanism and electrically coupled to the tank tag reader, wherein the lock sensor provides a delivery connector locked signal when the locking lever is in the locked position and the tank delivery connector transmits the delivery connector locked signal to the system controller when the tank delivery connector is secured to the distribution tank.

25. The crossover protection system of claim 24, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to:

receive the delivery connector locked signal, and

enable the corresponding valve of the plurality of valves to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state.

26. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein power to the tank tag reader is only provided when the locking lever is in the locked position.

27. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein the tank tag reader further transmits a tank delivery connector ID signal to the system controller, the tank delivery connector ID signal indicating an identity of the tank delivery connector, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to pair the system controller with the tank delivery connector having the identity.

28. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein the tank delivery connector is a first tank delivery connector, the system further comprising:

a first delivery hose fluidly coupling a first tank compartment of the plurality of tank compartments to the first tank delivery connector, the first delivery hose comprising a first lock tag at a first lock end of the first delivery hose and a first connector hose tag at a first connector end of the first delivery hose, wherein the first lock tag and the first connector hose tag are encoded with a first hose ID;

a plurality of hose adaptors, a first hose adaptor of the plurality of hose adaptors being coupled to the first tank compartment;

a first adaptor tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on the first hose adaptor, the first adaptor tag reader interrogating the first lock tag of the first delivery hose at the first lock end and sending a first adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller when the first delivery hose is coupled to the first hose adaptor;

a first hose tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on the first tank delivery connector, the first hose tag reader interrogating the first connector hose tag at the first connector end of the first delivery hose and sending a first hose signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller when the first delivery hose is coupled to the first tank delivery connector, wherein the processor of the system controller executes the computer readable and executable instructions to further;

receive the first hose signal indicative of the first hose ID from the first hose tag reader;

receive the first adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID from the first adaptor tag reader;

enable a first valve of the plurality of valves corresponding to the first delivery hose to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state when both the first hose signal and the first adaptor signal are received; and

maintain the first valve of the plurality of valves corresponding to the first delivery hose in the normally locked when at least one of the first hose signal and the first adaptor signal are not received.

29. The crossover protection system of claim 28, further comprising:

a second delivery hose fluidly coupling a second tank compartment of the plurality of tank compartments to a second tank delivery connector, the second delivery hose comprising a second lock tag at a second lock end of the second delivery hose and a second connector hose tag at a second connector end of the second delivery hose, wherein the second lock tag and the second connector hose tag are encoded with a second hose ID;

an second adaptor tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on a second hose adaptor coupled to the second tank compartment, the second adaptor tag reader interrogating the second lock tag of the second delivery hose at the second lock end and sending a second adaptor signal indicative of the second hose ID to the system controller when the second delivery hose is coupled to the second hose adaptor;

a second hose tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on the second tank delivery connector, the second hose tag reader interrogating the second connector hose tag at the second connector end of the second delivery hose and sending a second hose signal indicative of the second hose ID to the system controller when the second delivery hose is coupled to the second tank delivery connector, wherein the processor of the system controller executes the computer readable and executable instructions to further;

receive the second hose signal indicative of the second hose ID from the second hose tag reader;

receive the second adaptor signal indicative of the second hose ID from the second adaptor tag reader;

enable a second valve coupled to the second tank compartment to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state when both the second hose signal and the second adaptor signal are received; and

maintain the second valve in the normally locked state when at least one of the second hose signal and the second adaptor signal are not received.

30. The crossover protection system of claim 29, further comprising:

a first position sensor coupled to the first valve, the first position sensor transmitting a first position signal to the system controller indicating whether the first valve is open or closed; and

a second position sensor coupled to the second valve, the second position sensor transmitting a second position signal to the system controller indicating whether the second valve is open or closed.

31. The crossover protection system of claim 30, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to receive the second hose signal and the second adaptor signal when the first position sensor indicates the first valve is open.

32. The crossover protection system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fuel property sensors includes a tuning fork sensor.

33. The crossover protection system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of product grade indicator (PGI) controllers, individual ones of the plurality of PGI controllers being communicatively coupled to the system controller and coupled to individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments, individual ones of the plurality of PGI controllers comprising an input device for inputting a loaded liquid type.

34. The crossover protection system of claim 33, wherein individual ones of the plurality of PGI controllers further comprises a display indicating the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type in the corresponding tank compartment.

35. The crossover protection system of claim 33, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to prevent the flow of loaded liquid product into individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments with the corresponding valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

36. The crossover protection system of claim 33, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to allow the flow of loaded liquid product into the individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments with the corresponding valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type match.

37. The crossover protection system of claim 33, further comprising an overfill detection system communicatively coupled to the system controller, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to transmit an overfill condition to the overfill detection system, wherein the overfill detection system stops the flow of loaded liquid product from a liquid product loading station into individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

38. The crossover protection system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors, individual ones of the plurality of pressure sensors being positioned in individual ones of the plurality of tank compartments, individual ones of the plurality of pressure sensors transmitting a pressure signal to the system controller indicating an amount of liquid product present in the corresponding tank compartment.

39. The crossover protection system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of point level sensors, individual ones of the plurality of point level sensors being positioned in individual ones of the plurality of corresponding tank compartments, individual ones of the plurality of point level sensors transmitting a point signal to the system controller indicating whether there is an overfill condition of liquid product within the corresponding tank compartment.

40. A method for preventing the mixing of dissimilar liquid products, comprising:

coupling a tank delivery connector to a distribution side of a valve coupled to a tank compartment of a product delivery vehicle;

sensing when a lock mechanism of the tank delivery connector secures the tank delivery connector to a distribution tank with a lock sensor;

when the lock mechanism secures the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank as indicated by the lock sensor, interrogating a tank tag coupled to the distribution tank with a tank tag reader of the tank delivery connector in order to retrieve a stored liquid type encoded on the tank tag, wherein the stored liquid type is indicative of a type of liquid product stored in the distribution tank;

when the lock mechanism secures the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank as indicated by the lock sensor, transmitting to a system controller a stored liquid type signal indicative of the stored liquid type of the distribution tank;

receiving at the system controller the stored liquid type signal;

determining the stored liquid type based on the stored liquid type signal;

receiving at the system controller a transported fluid property signal from a fluid property sensor positioned to contact liquid product stored in the tank compartment, the transported fluid property signal being indicative of at least one of a viscosity, density, dielectric constant, and temperature of the liquid product in the tank compartment;

determining a transported liquid type of the liquid product in the tank compartment based on the transported fluid property signal;

comparing the transported liquid type to the stored liquid type;

maintaining the valve in a normally locked state when the stored liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match to prevent the flow of liquid product from the tank compartment; and

transitioning the valve from the normally locked state to an unlocked state when the stored liquid type and the transported liquid type match, thereby permitting the flow of liquid product from the tank compartment.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the valve is an emergency valve.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the valve is a control valve.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising displaying at least one of the stored liquid type of the distribution tank and the transported liquid type of the liquid product in the tank compartment on a display electrically coupled to the system controller.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

fluidly coupling a delivery hose to the distribution tank such that the tank delivery connector is fluidly coupled to the delivery hose and fluidly coupled to the distribution tank.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

locking the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank with the lock mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism includes a locking lever with a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock mechanism mechanically securing the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank;

and

transmitting a delivery connector locked signal to the system controller when the locking lever is in the locked position and the tank delivery connector is secured to the distribution tank.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the computer readable and executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the system controller to:

receive the delivery connector locked signal, and

enable the valve to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

locking the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank with the lock mechanism such that the lock mechanism mechanically secures the tank delivery connector to the distribution tank;

actuating a switch electrically coupled to a power supply and the tank tag reader; and

transmitting the stored liquid type signal to the system controller when the switch is actuated.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving at the system controller a tank delivery ID signal indicating an identity of the tank delivery connector from the tank tag reader.

49. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

coupling the tank compartment to the tank delivery connector with a delivery hose, the delivery hose comprising a lock tag at a lock end of the delivery hose and a connector hose tag at a connector end of the delivery hose, wherein the lock tag and the connector hose tag are encoded with a first hose ID;

interrogating the lock tag of the delivery hose at the lock end with an adaptor tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on a hose adaptor coupled to the tank compartment;

sending an adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller with the adaptor tag reader;

interrogating the connector hose tag at the connector end of the delivery hose with a hose tag reader communicatively coupled to the system controller and positioned on the tank delivery connector;

sending a hose signal indicative of the first hose ID to the system controller with the hose tag reader;

receiving at the system controller the hose signal indicative of the first hose ID from the hose tag reader;

receiving at the system controller the adaptor signal indicative of the first hose ID from the adaptor tag reader;

enabling the valve to transition from the normally locked state to the unlocked state when both the hose signal and the adaptor signal are received; and

maintaining the valve in the normally locked state when at least one of the hose signal and the adaptor signal are not received.

50. The method of claim 40, wherein the fluid property sensor is a tuning fork sensor.

51. The method of claim 40, further comprising inputting a loaded liquid into a product grade indicator (PGI) controller communicatively coupled to the system controller, the PGI controller comprising an input device.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising indicating the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type in the tank compartment a display coupled to the PGI controller.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising preventing the flow of loaded liquid product into the tank compartment with the valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

54. The method of claim 51, further comprising allowing the flow of loaded liquid product into the tank compartment with the valve when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type match.

55. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

transmitting an overfill condition to an overfill detection system, the overfill detection system communicatively coupled to the system controller; and

stopping the flow of loaded liquid product from a liquid product loading station into the tank compartment with the overfill detection system when the loaded liquid type and the transported liquid type do not match.

56. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

sensing an amount of liquid product present in the tank compartment with a pressure sensor positioned in the tank compartment; and

transmitting a pressure signal to the system controller indicative of the sensed amount of liquid product present in the tank compartment.

57. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

sensing an overfill condition of liquid product within the tank compartment with a point level sensor positioned in the tank compartment; and

transmitting a point signal to the system controller indicating whether there is the overfill condition of liquid product within the tank compartment.