Vehicle identification system for a fuel dispenser

A vehicle identification system adapted for use with a fuel dispenser for refueling a vehicle, said dispenser having at least one fuel nozzle associated therewith and attached to the dispenser by a fuel hose, said system comprising:

• a first control circuit associated with the dispenser for generating a first power signal of relatively low power;
• a second control circuit located in a protective housing on the fuel nozzle and electrically connected to the first control circuit through an intrinsically safe connection along the fuel hose, the second control circuit including circuit components for generating and storing a second power signal, the second power signal being of substantially higher power than the first power signal;
• a pulse generating circuit associated with the first control circuit, the pulse generating circuit being operative to transmit a periodic enable pulse through the fuel hose to the second control circuit;
• a switching device associated with the second control circuit for releasing the stored second power signal in response to the enable pulse;
• an antenna associated with the second control circuit for broadcasting an electromagnetic signal from the released second power signal;
• a transponder disposed on said vehicle for receiving said electromagnetic signal and transmitting a responsive identification signal;
• and
• a receiver for detecting the identification signal and controlling the dispenser in accordance with the identification signal.

A vehicle identification system adapted, for use with one or more fuel dispensers for refueling vehicles, each of the dispensers having at least one fuel nozzle associated therewith and attached to the dispenser by a fuel hose, the system comprising:

• a first circuit located in each dispenser for generating a first power signal;
• a second circuit disposed on each fuel nozzle;
• an intrinsically safe circuit connection between the first and second circuits, the intrinsically safe circuit connection including at least one power limiting circuit component, the first power signal being transmitted to the second circuit through the intrinsically safe circuit connection such that power from the first power signal is stored in the second circuit, the second circuit using the stored power to generate a second power signal;
• an antenna associated with the second circuit for generating an electromagnetic signal from the stored second power signal;
• and
• an identifying device associated with a vehicle for generating an identification signal in response to the electromagnetic signal.