Automatic fueling system and components therefor
First Claim
1. A fueling system for a vehicle having a body and a fuel tank fixed relative to the body, comprising a fill pipe extending from the tank;
- a fuel inlet port through the body and coupled with the fill pipe;
a retro-reflective target about the fuel inlet port outwardly of the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic fueling system includes a pump having a telescoping arm capable of placement in three-dimensional space, a flexibly mounted nozzle on the end of the arm and a docking cone to mate with the fuel port on a vehicle. A camera provides a view of the side of the vehicle on a monitor with guides visible to the operator of the vehicle to assist in locating the vehicle within range of the pump. A light and a camera located adjacent to the nozzle are used to recognize retro-reflective light from an annular target about the intake port. Multiple approximations of the distance and location of the intake port are made with the nozzle moving closer to mating with the intake port. A data link is provided through the mated nozzle with a keypad accessible by the vehicle operator. The vehicle includes a control actuator which selectively couples actuator cables associated with the fuel door and the fuel inlet valve with the emergency brake cable to engage the emergency brake, open the fuel door and open the inlet valve. A vacuum system on an evaporation canister insures that vapor is drawn from the fuel tank as it is being displaced by incoming fuel.
6 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A fueling system for a vehicle having a body and a fuel tank fixed relative to the body, comprising
a fill pipe extending from the tank; -
a fuel inlet port through the body and coupled with the fill pipe;
a retro-reflective target about the fuel inlet port outwardly of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of positioning a first element relative to a second element, comprising
sensing a known shape on the second element using a sensor on the first element; -
estimating the distance and location of the second element relative to the first element;
moving the first element closer to the second element by a portion of the estimated distance;
estimating again the distance and location of the second element relative to the first element after the step of moving the first element closer;
moving the first element into position with the second element based on the second estimate.
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Specification