Fuel meter and theft prevention device

Theft and fraud prevention apparatus for installation in a commercial vehicle having a fuel tank comprising:

• a non-removable connector for an inlet opening of said tank;
• a fluid-tight tube attached at one end to said connector with its other end adapted to receive fuel from a fuel dispensing nozzle;
• fluid flow meter means within said tube having an inlet, an outlet, a fuel flow sensor, and means for causing said fuel flow sensor to be only activated by fuel flowing therethrough including means for preventing activation of said sensor by gaseous fluid input to said tube, said meter means outlet being permanently connected by a conduit to said connector;
• and
• non-resettable recording means for recording total liquid flow through said meter means whereby said apparatus provides for the accurate measurement of fuel added to the fuel tank.

In a vehicle having an engine, a drive train, and at least one fuel tank, the improvement comprising:

• a tube adapted to receive a conventional vehicle fuel dispensing nozzle;
• a flow meter having an inlet permanently connected to said tube, an outlet, and sensing means for sensing and recording liquid volume flow in a non-resettable register and being insensitive to gas flow induced into said tube;
• a conduit permanently connected to said outlet for conducting liquid from said meter to an inlet of the fuel tank;
• and
• means for connecting said conduit to the fuel tank in a manner to prevent unauthorized removal whereby said flow meter provides an accurate measurement of fuel added to the fuel tank.