Sensing device for nozzle removal and replacement detection

An apparatus for dispensing fuel comprising:

• a fuel dispenser for pumping fuel having a storage tank, supply lines extending from said storage tank, a fuel pump positioned on said supply lines, a hose extending from said supply lines having a nozzle at an end opposite said supply lines, and a receptacle for housing said nozzle;
• a sensor positioned in proximity to said receptacle for sensing the presence of said nozzle within said receptacle;
• and
• a control system in communication with said sensor and said fuel pump, said control system receiving a first signal from said sensor when said nozzle is within said receptacle for deactivating said fuel pump and receiving a second signal from said sensor when said nozzle is outside of said receptacle for activating said fuel pump.

A fuel dispenser comprising:

• a fuel delivery means for dispensing fuel from a storage tank;
• a first dispensing location having at least one nozzle attached to said fuel delivery means for dispensing fuel and at least one receptacle for housing said first dispensing location nozzle;
• a second dispensing location having at least one nozzle attached to said fuel delivery means for dispensing fuel and at least one receptacle for housing said second dispensing location nozzle;
• a sensor positioned at each of said receptacles within each of said first dispensing location and said second dispensing location, each of said sensors detecting the presence said nozzle within said receptacle;
• and
• sensor electronics in communication with each of said sensors and said fuel pump, said sensor electronics receiving a signal from said sensor indicating the presence of said nozzle to control said fuel pump.

A system for controlling the distribution of fuel through a fuel dispenser comprising:

• a dispenser housing;
• a fuel delivery system having a storage tank, fuel delivery lines extending from said storage tank to said dispenser housing, and a fuel pump;
• a hose having a first end extending from said dispenser housing and connected to said fuel delivery line and a second end having a nozzle;
• a receptacle positioned on said dispenser housing for mounting said nozzle;
• a sensor positioned about said receptacle for detecting the presence of said nozzle within said receptacle;
• and
• sensor electronics in communication with said sensor and said fuel pump to control the activation of said fuel pump,
• wherein said sensor transmits a first signal to said sensor electronics when said nozzle is removed from said receptacle resulting in said fuel pump being activated to allow for fuel to flow from said storage tank to said nozzle, said sensor sending a second signal when said nozzle is replaced in said receptacle resulting in said sensor electronics deactivating said fuel pump.

A fuel dispenser comprising:

• fuel delivery means for dispensing fuel from a storage tank through a fuel delivery line to a nozzle for distribution to a user;
• a receptacle for housing said nozzle;
• and
• sensor means for detecting said nozzle within said receptacle, said sensor means sending a signal to said fuel delivery means to dispense fuel when said nozzle is absent from said receptacle.

A method of controlling the dispensing of fuel from a fuel dispenser comprising the steps of:

• removing a nozzle from a receptacle positioned on the fuel dispenser;
• detecting the removal of the nozzle from the receptacle;
• signaling a fuel pump to pump fuel from a storage tank to the nozzle;
• activating the nozzle to control the rate of fuel flowing through the fuel dispenser;
• replacing the nozzle into the receptacle;
• detecting the replacement of the nozzle back into the receptacle;
• and
• signaling the fuel pump to shut off.

An apparatus for dispensing energy comprising:

• an energy dispenser having a storage chamber, supply lines extending from said storage chamber, a transfer mechanism positioned on said supply lines, a hose line extending from said supply lines having a nozzle, and a receptacle for housing said nozzle;
• a sensor positioned in proximity to said receptacle for sensing the presence of said nozzle within said receptacle;
• and
• a control system in communication with said sensor and said transfer mechanism, said control system receiving a first signal means from said sensor when said nozzle is within said receptacle for deactivating said transfer mechanism and receiving a second signal means from said sensor when said nozzle is outside of said receptacle for activating said transfer mechanism.