US 9,216,892 B2Granted

Automated fuel quality detection and dispenser control system and method, particularly for aviation fueling applications

AssigneesFuel Guard Systems Corporation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

InventorsChristopher K. Kastner, Kevin G. Jensen, Phillip A. Wetmore

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A fuel quality monitoring system and method to automatically and/or continuously monitor quality of fuel dispensed and control the operation of the fuel dispenser. The control system monitors fuel quality to prevent unsafe refuelings when the fuel quality is unacceptable. In one embodiment, a combination of a differential pressure sensor and a fuel quality monitoring device. If fuel quality is at an acceptable level although not ideal, the control system can allow fueling with the generation of reports and alarms. If the fuel quality is unacceptable, fuel flow can be stopped. If the differential pressure across the filter indicates a high degree of debris and/or water retention, the control system can automatically lower the flow rate to reduce the risk of filter breakdown without completely preventing fueling until the filter can be replaced.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A fuel dispensing apparatus for delivering fuel from a fuel source, comprising:

a flow conduit defining a fluid flow path from a fuel source to an outlet where fuel is dispensed;
a fuel filter located along said fluid flow path;
an electrically-controlled valve located along said fluid flow path;
at least one fuel quality sensor device configured to detect at least one fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;
at least one differential pressure sensor configured to detect at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time;
and
an electronic control system in communication with each of said at least one fuel quality sensor device and differential pressure sensor and configured to receive fuel quality sensor information corresponding to said at least one detected fuel quality characteristic, and fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time,
wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve from a high flow position corresponding to a first flow rate of said fuel to a low flow position corresponding to a second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, thereby maintaining said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source at a reduced flow rate, in response to receiving fuel quality sensor information indicating that:
said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a first pressure threshold;
and
said at least one fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first fuel quality threshold.

8 more elements

A refueling vehicle for delivering fuel to a fuel tank comprising:

an on-board fuel tank;
and
an on-board fuel dispensing apparatus including:
(i) a flow conduit defining a fluid flow path from said fuel tank to an outlet where fuel is dispensed;
(ii) a pump for moving fuel through said flow conduit;
(iii) an electrically-controlled valve located along said fluid flow path;
(iv) a fluid meter located along said fluid flow path to measure a quantity of fuel being dispensed;
(v) at least one fuel quality sensor device configured to detect at least one water fuel quality characteristic in real time as said fuel passes through said flow conduit;
(vi) at least one differential pressure sensor configured to detect at least one fuel pressure drop across a fuel filter in real time;
and
(vii) an electronic control system in communication with said at least one fuel quality sensor device, and differential pressure sensor and configured to receive fuel quality sensor information corresponding to said at least one detected fuel quality characteristic, and fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter in real time,
wherein said electronic control system is further configured to automatically direct said valve from a high flow position corresponding to a first flow rate of said fuel to a low flow position corresponding to a second flow rate of said fuel lower than said first flow rate, thereby maintaining said flow of said fuel through said flow conduit to be delivered to said fuel source at a reduced flow rate, in response to receiving fuel quality sensor information indicating that:
said at least one fuel pressure drop across said fuel filter exceeds a first pressure threshold;
and
said at least one fuel quality characteristic does not exceed a first fuel quality threshold.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/245,476Filed 4 Apr 2014 · continuation
Priority: 16 Jan 2007
Published: US 2014/0216602 A17 Aug 2014
Granted: 22 Dec 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B67D 7/28
Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred: with automatic means for…
B67D 7/766
Arrangements of devices for purifying liquids to be transferred, e.g. of filters, of air or water separators: of water separators
B64F 1/28
Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations: liquid-handling installations specially adapted for fuelling stationary aircraft
B67D 7/32
Details or accessories: arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid

Family

Application60/885,108Us provisional application · filed 16 Jan 2007
Application12/015,111Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Jan 2008
US 2014/0216602 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Aug 2014
US 8,720,499 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2008/0230146 A1Published application
US 9,216,892 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.