Fluid management controller
AssigneeGraco Minnesota Inc.
InventorsBenjamin J. Paar, Bradley G. Kahler, Chad G. Igo, Gregory D. Sieckert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid management controller includes a processor, a wireless interface, and a memory. The wireless interface is configured to communicate between the processor and one or more fluid management components. The processor is configured to authorize control of the one or more fluid management components over the wireless interface. The memory is encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide dispense authorizations to the one or more fluid management components and record fluid dispense information from the one or more fluid management components in the memory.
Claims17
A fluid management system comprising:
- plurality of fluid management components, the plurality of fluid management components including:
- a tank level monitor configured to monitor a fluid level of a fluid tank;
- a pump controller configured to control activation of a pump;
- and
- a dispensing meter;
- a user interface device;
- and
- a fluid management controller configured to communicate wirelessly with plurality of fluid management components, authorize the plurality of fluid management components to initiate a dispense event, and collect data received from each of the plurality of fluid management components;
- wherein the fluid management controller is configured to receive log-in information from the dispensing meter and to compare the log-in information to work order information for the dispense event, wherein the work order information fluid type information and authorized user information;
- wherein the fluid management controller is configured to authorize the plurality of fluid management components to initiate the dispense event based on the comparison between the log-in information and the work order information;
- wherein the fluid management controller is further configured to collect fluid level data regarding the fluid level from the tank level monitor;
- wherein the pump controller is configured to activate the pump in response to the fluid management controller initiating the dispense event;
- and
- wherein the fluid management controller is further configured to collect data regarding the dispense event from the dispensing meter.
A method comprising:
- receiving, at a fluid management controller, log-in information from a dispensing meter;
- comparing, by the fluid management controller, the log-in information with work order information, the work order information including fluid type information and authorized user information;
- authorizing, by the fluid management controller, a first dispense event based on the comparison of the log-in information and the work order information, wherein authorizing includes activating, by the fluid management controller, a pump controller to thereby activate a pump, the pump driving fluid to the dispensing meter;
- collecting, by the fluid management controller, first fluid data regarding the first dispense event from a plurality of fluid management components, the plurality of fluid management components including the pump controller, the dispensing meter, and a tank level monitor, wherein the fluid management controller is configured to communicate wirelessly with the plurality of fluid management components;
- and
- providing access, by the fluid management controller, to the first fluid data by a user interface device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.