US 2014/0279535 A1 · APPARATUS FOR USE IN AN AUTOMATED FUEL AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM FOR REFRIGERATED TRAILERS

Abstract

An automated fuel authorization system equips refrigerated trailers with a reefer tag that implements the function of tracking run time data for a compressor in the refrigerated trailer that is responsible for refrigeration. The reefer tag automatically sends the run time data to a fuel vendor as part of an automated fuel authorization request. Based on the run time data, a known fuel tank size, and a normal fuel consumption rate for the compressor, the fuel vendor automatically determines an amount of fuel to authorize for dispensing into the fuel tank at the refrigerated trailer. If the fuel authorization request is approved, the fuel vendor automatically authorizes a fuel transaction for the amount of fuel so determined. An exemplary reefer tag includes a radio frequency data link for sharing the run time data. No run time data will be shared if the trailer is not coupled to a tractor.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A fuel authorization component to be installed in on a refrigerated trailer participating in a fuel authorization program, comprising:

(a) a housing;
(b) an RF component enclosed in the housing, the RF component for exchanging data over an RF data link;
(c) a physical data link for coupling the fuel authorization component into the refrigerated trailer, so that the fuel authorization component can receive power and data from the refrigerated trailer;
(d) a controller disposed in the housing, the controller being logically coupled to the RF component and the physical data link, the controller automatically implementing the functions of responding to an RF query from a different fuel authorization element by transmitting run time data for a compressor in the refrigerated trailer responsible for providing refrigeration over the RF data link, the run time data being indicative of how much reefer fuel has been consumed by the compressor.

1 more element

A method for administering a fuel authorization program for refrigerated trailers, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) automatically responding to a radiofrequency (RF) query from a first fuel authorization element on a tractor unit by transmitting run time data for a compressor in the refrigerated trailer responsible for providing refrigeration over an RF data link between the first fuel authorization element and a second fuel authorization element at the refrigerated trailer;
(b) automatically conveying the run time data from the first fuel authorization element on the tractor unit to a fuel vendor element over an RF data link between the first fuel authorization element and the fuel vendor element;
(c) based on the run time data, a known fuel tank size at the refrigerated trailer, and a normal fuel consumption rate for the compressor, automatically determining an amount of fuel to authorize for dispensing into the fuel tank at the refrigerated trailer;
and
(d) automatically authorizing a fuel transaction for the amount of fuel so determined.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for use in an automated fuel authorization program for refrigerated trailers

Life of this patent

Apparatus for use in an automated fuel authorization program for refrigerated trailers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21