Patents Assigned to Fe Petro, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7260499
    Abstract: A control system for a fuel delivery system provides enhanced functionality and diagnostic capabilities relative to known systems. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, enhanced functionality and diagnostic capability is provided by integrating the pump controller and the tank gauge by way of a control or integration unit. The control unit includes a microprocessor and communication hardware for communicating with the tank gauge and the pump controllers. In accordance with alternate embodiments of the invention, a control unit is included which provides additional functionality, such as automatic logging of controller faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Edward Watzke, Jr., Donald Patrick Kenney
  • Patent number: 7118354
    Abstract: A submersible pump-motor assembly for use in dispensing petroleum from petroleum storage tanks. The pump-motor assembly of the present invention enhances the performance characteristics of the pump-motor assembly by providing greater flow area around the motor stator while maintaining the alignment of the assembly's critical pump components. Such enhanced pump performance characteristics provide the petroleum dispensing station manager using such pump-motor assemblies with greater flow rates per dispenser or, when maximum flow rates are capped, potentially greater dispensing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fe Petro, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, Donald A. Gibson, Randy E. Craig
  • Publication number: 20040039549
    Abstract: A control system for a fuel delivery system provides enhanced functionality and diagnostic capabilities relative to known systems. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, enhanced functionality and diagnostic capability is provided by integrating the pump controller and the tank gauge by way of a control or integration unit. The control unit includes a microprocessor and communication hardware for communicating with the tank gauge and the pump controllers. In accordance with alternate embodiments of the invention, a control unit is included which provides additional functionality, such as automatic logging of controller faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Edward Watzke, Donald Patrick Kenney
  • Patent number: 6070760
    Abstract: A pumping system for use in a fuel service station including one or more fuel dispensers, a fuel storage tank and conduits connecting the fuel dispensers with the tank. The pumping system comprises a variable speed pump-motor assembly for pumping fuel from the storage tank to the conduit and the dispensers, and a control connected to the pump-motor assembly for holding the fuel pressure in a preset range. Preferably the range is that required for efficient operation of a vapor recovery system, or other requirement by the EPA or by another agency, or by a service station operator. The control includes sensors which respond to the pressure in the conduits leading to the fuel dispensers. The sensors may comprise, for example, a pressure sensor in the conduit, or they may comprise power consumption sensors connected to the electrical power supply for the variable speed pump-motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David M. Triezenberg
  • Patent number: 5934508
    Abstract: A pumping system for use in a fuel service station including one or more fuel dispensers, a fuel storage tank and conduits connecting the fuel dispensers with the tank. The pumping system comprises a variable speed pump-motor assembly for pumping fuel from the storage tank to the conduit and the dispensers, and a control connected to the pump-motor assembly for holding the fuel pressure in a preset range. Preferably the range is that required for efficient operation of a vapor recovery system, or other requirement by the EPA or by another agency, or by a service station operator. The control includes sensors which respond to the pressure in the conduits leading to the fuel dispensers. The sensors may comprise, for example, a pressure sensor in the conduit, or they may comprise power consumption sensors connected to the electrical power supply for the variable speed pump-motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David M. Triezenberg
  • Patent number: 5769134
    Abstract: A pumping system for use in a fuel service station including one or more fuel dispensers, a fuel storage tank and conduits connecting the fuel dispensers with the tank. The pumping system comprises a variable speed pump-motor assembly for pumping fuel from the storage tank to the conduit and the dispensers, and a control connected to the pump-motor assembly for holding the fuel pressure in a preset range. Preferably the range is that required for efficient operation of a vapor recovery system, or other requirement by the EPA or by another agency, or by a service station operator. The control includes sensors which respond to the pressure in the conduits leading to the fuel dispensers. The sensors may comprise, for example, a pressure sensor in the conduit, or they may comprise power consumption sensors connected to the electrical power supply for the variable speed pump-motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Fe Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David M. Triezenberg
  • Patent number: 5762104
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for pumping a liquid from a storage tank, through a pipe and out of a valve of a liquid dispenser. The apparatus comprises a manifold housing having a main flow passage formed therein, a check valve mounted in said main flow passage and enabling liquid to flow from the storage tank to the liquid dispenser, and a manually-operated pressure relief mechanism around the check valve. The mechanism comprises a bypass flow passage formed in the housing in parallel with the check valve, and a stopper which normally closes the bypass flow passage. To relieve the liquid pressure, the stopper is manually moved to a relief position where it is removed from the bypass flow passage, thereby enabling the liquid to flow around the check valve. To resume normal operation, the stopper is returned to its normal position where it blocks the bypass flow passage. The stopper is movably mounted in a bore in the housing, and the bore extends to an opening at the exterior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Fe Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Green, Leon R. Schuster
  • Patent number: 5673732
    Abstract: A pumping system for use in a fuel service station including one or more fuel dispensers, a fuel storage tank and conduits connecting the fuel dispensers with the tank. The pumping system comprises a variable speed pump-motor assembly for pumping fuel from the storage tank to the conduit and the dispensers, and a control connected to the pump-motor assembly for holding the fuel pressure in a preset range. Preferably the range is that required for efficient operation of a vapor recovery system, or other requirement by the EPA or by another agency, or by a service station operator. The control includes sensors which respond to the pressure in the conduits leading to the fuel dispensers. The sensors may comprise, for example, a pressure sensor in the conduit, or they may comprise power consumption sensors connected to the electrical power supply for the variable speed pump-motor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David M. Triezenberg
  • Patent number: 5577895
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a variable length pipe assembly for connection between a pump-motor unit and a manifold. The assembly is particularly useful in a gasoline dispensing system of a service or filling station. The assembly comprises an inner pair of pipes and an outer pair of pipes. The pipes of the inner pair have telescoped portions and outer ends that are connectable to the pump-motor unit and the manifold. The pipes of the outer pair also have telescoped portions and outer ends that are connectable to the pump-motor unit and the manifold. The inner pair is mounted within the outer pair, a first passage being formed within the inner pair and a second passage being formed by the annular space between the inner pair and the outer pair. A seal is provided between the telescoped portions of the inner pair and another seal is provided between the telescoped portions of the outer pair, and a clamp is provided for securing together the telescoped portions of the outer pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: FE Petro Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Franklin, Donald P. Kenney, Brian C. Green