Patents Assigned to Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 11420862Abstract: Fuel management systems for a fuel dispensing facility including a fuel delivery system are disclosed. The fuel delivery system includes at least one storage tank configured to contain a fuel, at least one dispenser configured to receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, and a fuel handling system which is configured to one of (1) deliver the fuel to the at least one storage tank, (2) receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, (3) monitor for a leak within the fuel delivery system, and (4) monitor for a fuel inventory within the fuel delivery system. The fuel management system may include installation records of the fuel handling components. The fuel management system may monitor cameras positioned in sumps of the fuel delivery system. The fuel delivery system may include a camera positioned to monitor an interior of a sump, the interior of the sump being provided by a sump basin and a sump cover. The sump cover may be a sump lid. The sump cover may be a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Jay Jerard Walsh, Lisa Marie O'Leary, Bill Nelson
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Patent number: 11248945Abstract: A fuel storage system has a tank access chamber with improved monitoring, servicing and maintenance capabilities. In particular, the chamber includes a sump monitored by a liquid sensor whose proper function can be automatically checked remotely, e.g., via an electronic controller or remote manual operation. In cases where such a check indicates a need for physical inspection of the sump sensor, the present system provides for sensor removal and installation by service personnel from a location outside the tank access chamber. Thus, the present system facilitates regular inspection and routine or unplanned maintenance without the need for a person to physically enter the tank access chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Lee B. Markham, John R. West, William S. Nelson, Paul Ridge
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Patent number: 10730739Abstract: Fuel management systems for a fuel dispensing facility including a fuel delivery system are disclosed. The fuel delivery system includes at least one storage tank configured to contain a fuel, at least one dispenser configured to receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, and a fuel handling system which is configured to one of (1) deliver the fuel to the at least one storage tank, (2) receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, (3) monitor for a leak within the fuel delivery system, and (4) monitor for a fuel inventory within the fuel delivery system. The fuel management system may include installation records of the fuel handling components. The fuel management system may monitor cameras positioned in sumps of the fuel delivery system. The fuel delivery system may include a camera positioned to monitor an interior of a sump, the interior of the sump being provided by a sump basin and a sump cover. The sump cover may be a sump lid. The sump cover may be a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jay Jerard Walsh, Lisa Marie O'Leary, Bill Nelson
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Patent number: 10337947Abstract: A leak detection system is provided for detecting a leak in a fuel line. A controller determines the presence of a leak in the fuel line based on an analysis of data obtained from individual leak tests performed on the fuel line, the individual leak tests may span one or more fuel delivery events.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Walt Simmons
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Patent number: 9428375Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary monitoring system includes a controller, at least one monitor, and an output. The monitoring system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The monitoring system may also automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Lorraine Vander Wielen Sabo, William Nelson
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Patent number: 9362071Abstract: A circuit breaker monitoring system may monitor both at least one gas characteristic of a gas surrounding the circuit breaker and at least one fault arc energy characteristic. The monitored characteristics may be used to forecast maintenance events. The monitored characteristics may be used to control the operation of the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Randall Boucher, Vitaliy Demin, James A. Webber, John Eastman, Christopher D. Farrar
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Patent number: 9352951Abstract: A console for a fuel delivery management system, including a processor, a touch-sensitive display, a plurality of ports configured to facilitate communications with a plurality of lines, tanks, containments, sensors and pumps, and a memory including a plurality of instructions which when executed by the processor cause the console to generate a home screen on the display, the home screen having a quick jump menu icon which when activated by a user, causes the processor to generate a navigation window on the home screen, the navigation window including a plurality of function icons, each corresponding to a function screen, wherein activation of one of the plurality of function icons causes the processor to generate a function screen including a graphic indication of a parameter of one of the plurality of lines, tanks, containments, sensors and pumps.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel H. Marston, Andrew P. Knapp, Jason A. Nees, Randall S. Boucher, Barrett L. Stetson
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Patent number: 9249790Abstract: A fuel delivery system is provided including one or more pump assemblies and one or more controllers configured to control the one or more pump assemblies. The fuel delivery system may conserve energy by selectively activating the one or more pump assemblies and the one or more controllers.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alexander P. Kobryn, Donald Edward Watzke, Jr., William S. Nelson
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Publication number: 20150240966Abstract: An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir and a structure for securing drop tube segments are described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and, in certain embodiments, a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. A variety of internal actuators are used to actuate the valve body within the drop tube segment. The structure for securing drop tube segments provides a first drop tube segment with a groove into which the wall of a second drop tube segment can to deformed to seal and fasten the two drop tube segments to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2013Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Justin Kuehn, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus
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Patent number: 9114973Abstract: A sump for a fuel dispenser which allows wiring to pass from beneath the ground vertically upwards through the footprint of the fuel dispenser without compromising a wall of the sump and without providing access to the ground positioned beneath the footprint of the fuel dispenser for a fluid contained within the fuel dispenser, including fuel leaks from the piping contained within the dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, a sump frame is provided which mates with an open upper portion of the sump which provides access to the sump. The portion of the frame extending over the opening to the sump is generally open, allowing passage of fluids from within the fuel dispenser to the sump. The sump frame further includes a conduit entry frame adapter which extends beyond the perimeter of the sump, but which is positioned within the footprint of the fuel dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gary J. Saltz, Verge Manyen
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Patent number: 9108837Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a failure in a Stage II fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. An exemplary failure is a restriction in the vapor recovery system. In one detection system dispensing points may be flagged if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the respective dispensing point below a first threshold. Further, an estimated ORVR penetration percentage may be determined for each dispensing point. In a second detection system an average A/L ratio for each dispensing point may be determined. The average A/L ratio may be an approximation of the average A/L ratio for non-ORVR transactions.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Mellone, Randall Boucher
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Patent number: 8878682Abstract: A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, David R. Kruschke
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Patent number: 8752597Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle includes a removable valve subassembly that controls the flow of fluid and the recovery of fluid vapor through the body of the nozzle. The subassembly may be pre-assembled and installed within a nozzle body as a single unit. The nozzle may include a vacuum-driven automatic shut-off system which prevents fluid from flowing through the nozzle when the downstream end of the nozzle spout is submerged. The shutoff system may also be magnetically actuated to allow for dry testing in which the automatic shut-off functionality is testing without dispensation of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Vadim Tumarkin
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Publication number: 20140130578Abstract: An underground storage system includes a primary containment unit and a secondary containment unit. The underground storage system further includes a leak detection system which is fluidly connected to the secondary containment system, and which is adapted to detect fluid leaks in the primary containment system and the secondary containment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140130575Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal representing one of the density and the pressure of gas within a high voltage circuit breaker based on a dial position of a pressure switch includes a clip configured to mechanically couple to the dial, the clip including a magnet, and lens assembled into the switch between the switch housing and an outer component of the switch. The lens includes a sensor positioned within a cavity of the lens in alignment with the clip magnet to detect the position of the pressure switch dial from a magnetic orientation of the magnet, and circuitry for converting the detected position into an electric signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: James A. Webber, John P. Eastman
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Publication number: 20140096057Abstract: A console for a fuel delivery management system, including a processor, a touch-sensitive display, a plurality of ports configured to facilitate communications with a plurality of lines, tanks, containments, sensors and pumps, and a memory including a plurality of instructions which when executed by the processor cause the console to generate a home screen on the display, the home screen having a quick jump menu icon which when activated by a user, causes the processor to generate a navigation window on the home screen, the navigation window including a plurality of function icons, each corresponding to a function screen, wherein activation of one of the plurality of function icons causes the processor to generate a function screen including a graphic indication of a parameter of one of the plurality of lines, tanks, containments, sensors and pumps.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Daniel H. Marston, Andrew P. Knapp, Jason A. Nees, Randall S. Boucher, Barrett L. Stetson
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Patent number: 8684024Abstract: A spill containment system is attachable to a riser pipe with an axially moveable seal. The spill containment system allows access to a drop tube in the riser pipe via a removable liquid communication assembly. The spill containment system includes a sealed interstitial space, which remains sealed during installation, service and use of the system. The spill containment system is protected by a weather resistant cover assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Justin F. Kuehn
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Patent number: 8677805Abstract: A leak detection system is provided for detecting a leak in a fuel line. A controller determines the presence of a leak in the fuel line based on an analysis of data obtained from individual leak tests performed on the fuel line, the individual leak tests may span one or more fuel delivery events.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventor: Walt Simmons
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Publication number: 20140076421Abstract: An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir is described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. The non-contact valve actuator has a first position in which the non-contact valve actuator does not actuate the valve body from the open position to the closed position in a second position, achieved when the liquid reservoir reaches a predetermined level approaching the capacity of the liquid reservoir, the non-contact valve actuator actuating the valve body from the open position to the closed position when the non-contact valve actuator obtains the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Justin Kuehn, Bill Nelson, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus
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Patent number: RE48204Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary monitoring system includes a controller, at least one monitor, and an output. The monitoring system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The monitoring system may also automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Lorraine Vander Wielen Sabo, William Nelson