Patents Assigned to Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
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Patent number: 12359956Abstract: A car wash additive measuring system and method use a bubbler which provides a flow of pressurized gas through each bulk container. A pressure of each individual flow of pressurized gas is measured by a pressure transducer to output a signal indicative of the level of additive stored in the container. Flow rates of the respective flow of pressurized gas may be adjusted to accommodate particular additives.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Randall Boucher, Vitaliy Demin, Danny Norton
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Patent number: 12255448Abstract: An intrinsically safe (IS) multi-drop communication hub operable in a hazardous environment, including a power contact; a controller and a first signal input contact; a multiplexer communicatively connected to the controller; and a communication port communicatively connected to the controller to transmit the signal data provided by the multiplexer, wherein when the controller causes the multiplexer to supply power in a predetermined sequence to a first of the IS devices during a first time interval to generate a signal from the first of the IS devices and, after the first time interval, to a second of the IS devices during a second time interval, which does not overlap in time with the first time interval, to generate a signal from the second of the IS devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Vitaliy Demin, Timothy Dyson, John J. Gillis, Alexander Lapayev
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Publication number: 20240416779Abstract: A power distribution utility panel is provided with a first panel area configured to be accessed only by personnel of a utility, the first panel area including a current transformer, a second panel area including at least one remote controllable device for connecting and disconnecting power to/from one or more loads, and a third panel area including at least one power converter assembly, a controller and a power meter configured to monitor power from a power source, the at least one power converter assembly being configured to route power from the power source to an electric vehicle charger and/or an energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: December 19, 2024Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Randall Boucher, Justin F. Kuehn, Balaji Swaminathan
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Patent number: 12007040Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 11885452Abstract: A termination fitting assembly for use with a conduit includes the conduit comprising a primary pipe positioned centrally within a secondary pipe along a longitudinal axis of the conduit and the conduit having an interstitial space defined between the primary pipe and secondary pipe. The termination fitting assembly includes an interior fitting having an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall sized and shaped for insertion into and sealing with the primary pipe, and the outer wall extending circumferentially around the secondary pipe of the conduit. The termination fitting assembly includes an annular channel defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the interior fitting and in fluid communication with the interstitial space of the conduit and an exterior fitting positioned around the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Kiran Muggulla, James Novak, Todd Breuer, Justin F. Kuehn, Randall Boucher
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Patent number: 11858803Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Nicholas Schultz, James Novak, Bill Nelson, Randall Boucher, Martin Turnidge, George Risch, Todd Breuer
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Patent number: 11859731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin Kuehn, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus, Bill Nelson
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Patent number: 11846360Abstract: A P/V valve that can be positioned at a working height above grade (i.e., a height reachable by a service technician positioned at grade) while still providing appropriate resistance to fire and explosion by venting to atmosphere at an appropriate height above grade (e.g., 12 feet) is disclosed. In certain exemplifications of the present disclosure, the P/V valve features a diaphragm actuated two-way poppet valve actuatable by a valve piston. In alternative exemplifications of the present disclosure, the P/V valve is positioned intermediate grade and the distal end of a P/V valve riser pipe and is contained in a vault fluidly connected to the P/V valve riser pipe, the P/V valve locally venting in the vault, which is hermetically sealed to the P/V valve riser pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventor: Justin F. Kuehn
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Patent number: 11674886Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. One or more sensors may be employed to signal proper operation of the remediation system.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Todd Breuer, Leon Schuster
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Patent number: 11580811Abstract: A fuel station controller to dispense fuel and drinks, a fuel station including the fuel station controller, and a product management subsystem including sensors communicatively coupled with the fuel station controller. The controller includes a housing comprising product modules having connectors adapted to connect conductors from an ingestible product dispenser, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the product modules and comprises processing instructions operable to receive a value indicative of a quantity of an ingestible product in a box to be dispensed by the ingestible product dispenser and to generate an empty box alert if the value is below an empty box setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Martin L. Turnidge, Randall S. Boucher, Vitaliy Demin, Timothy Dyson, John J. Gillis, Adam Main, George A. Risch, John Francis Larkin
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Patent number: 10883948Abstract: A monitoring system for an enclosure having an arc quenching gas includes at least one fluid characteristic sensor in fluid communication with an interior the enclosure, and an electronic controller operatively coupled to the at least one fluid characteristic sensor. The electronic controller forecasts a maintenance event based on values received from the at least one fluid characteristic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: John Eastman, Steven Carl Shaver
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Patent number: 10801640Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 10703623Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle of a fuel dispensing system comprising a lockout mechanism that prevents the delivery of fuel when the fuel nozzle is not inserted into a fuel reservoir. The fuel dispensing nozzle includes a lookout plunger selectively restrained from movement by a rocker arm. The rocker arm maintains a freely moveable condition or a constrained turn movement condition based on the status of the fuel nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Adam Main, Jim Novak
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Publication number: 20190285194Abstract: 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: June 3, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin Kuehn, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus, Bill Nelson
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Patent number: 10371283Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 10336602Abstract: 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: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Daniel H. Marston, Andrew P. Knapp, Jason A. Nees, Randall S. Boucher, Barrett L. Stetson
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Patent number: 10309550Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin Kuehn, Bill Nelson, David Laundrie, Michael O'Flahrity, Erik Backhaus
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Patent number: 10288469Abstract: A transducer includes a composite waveguide including a composite wire having an internal core of low electrical resistance material and an outer layer of magnetostrictive material.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventor: Vitaliy Demin
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Patent number: 10280911Abstract: A pumping system and a pumping method implemented with the pumping system. The pumping system comprises a solar panel performing a photovoltaic conversion based on an insolation level including a first insolation level and a second insolation level; a fuel reservoir containing a fuel in a liquid state; an electric motor; a pump rotatable by the electric motor to pump the fuel; and a first motor drive converting electrical energy supplied by the solar panel to drive the electric motor at a first speed when the insolation level is at the first insolation level and at a second speed, slower than the first speed, when the insolation level is at the second insolation level, thereby pumping the fuel at a first rate and a second rate, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Leon R. Schuster, James M. Novak, Donald E. Watzke, William S. Nelson
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Patent number: 10202271Abstract: 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: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Jay Jerard Walsh, Lisa Marie O'Leary, Bill Nelson