Abstract: A facility for storing and dispensing fuel, comprising: a storage tank (2) equipped with a vent pipe (3) and connected to a fuel dispenser (1) by a fuel dispensing system and by a vapor recovery system (10), and a condensation/separation device (4) connected to the vent pipe (3) and allowing fuel vapor originating from the storage tank (2) and water vapor originating from the outside air to be condensed, characterized in that it comprises: at least one detection means (7, 8) cooperating with the condensation/separation device (4) for detecting the presence of condensed fuel and/or condensed water in said device and generating and transmitting a warning signal in response to said detection, and a control device (9) receiving said warning signal and transmitting, in response, information concerning the malfunction of the fuel vapor recovery system (10) to a control center (24).

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a liquid dispenser intended for vehicles and a method implemented during the operation of such a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser for a vehicle includes a liquid dispensing circuit (2) connected at one end to a liquid reservoir and at the other end to a flexible hose (3) connected to a gun (4) for dispensing the liquid from a reservoir of the vehicle, the flexible hose (3) having two substantially coaxial ducts (5, 6) including a first duct (5) for transferring the liquid from the liquid dispensing circuit (2) to the gun (4) during the delivery of the liquid from the reservoir of the vehicle, and a second duct (6) extending along the first duct (5). The liquid dispenser includes a heating system (7) intended to generate a flow of hot air through the second duct (6) of the flexible hose (3) so as to heat the liquid inside the first duct (5) of the flexible hose (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a fuel dispenser includes a support or base assembly coupled to the fuel dispenser at its underside. The apparatus is mounted to a service station island or refueling position roadway. One form of the apparatus includes at least one base member. Several base members can be connected together in a stacking formation to form a composite bed for the fuel dispenser having a desired vertical rise. Fasteners are used to interconnect the base members and to make a connection to the fuel dispenser. Another form of the apparatus includes upper and lower members disposed in adjustable vertically slidable relationship to one another. The fuel dispenser rests on the upper member. The height of the fuel dispenser can be adjusted by moving the upper member relative to the lower member.

Abstract: A fueling-station information-processing network is disclosed for a fueling station that comprises one or more fuel-dispenser stations each of which comprises one or more fuel dispensers for controlling transfer of fuel purchased by a customer from a fuel vendor's fuel-storage tank to the customer's fuel reservoir. The fueling-station information-processing network comprises one or more fuel-dispenser information-processing device(s) that are mounted to one or more of the fuel-dispenser stations and that perform the functions of controlling operation of the fuel-dispenser station and/or displaying information upon display screens for viewing by the customer. One or more of the fuel-dispenser information-processing device(s) of the fueling-station information-processing network are communicatively linked to a proxy server, which is communicatively linked, in turn, to a host server.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled fuel dispenser includes a card reader adapted to retrieve a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data element from a portable card encoded with the URL information and carried by the customer. A client machine at the dispenser position accesses the World Wide Web server specified by the retrieved URL data element and receives a Web page downloaded from the accessed server. The Web page includes customer financial information representing various payment options such as digital cash and credit card account numbers. The Web page is presented for viewing on a graphical user interface (GUI) touch-screen display that enables the customer to select one of the displayed payment options and thereby initiate further processing of the refueling transaction request by submitting the payment selection to the refueling point-of-sale (POS) facility.

Abstract: A system implements a communications protocol in connection with a refueling environment coupled to a remote facility. The remote facility is disposed apart from the fuel dispenser locations and is connected to a network such as the World Wide Web of the Internet. Regarding a customer at one of the fuel dispenser locations, a user identification such as credit card account information is sent to the remote facility. The remote facility then establishes an access connection with a network node such as a server, on behalf of the customer. The network communications follow a client-server session format and are correlated to the user ID. The remote facility sends a cookie element to the server that was previously set by the server during an initial Web site visit. The cookie contains state information such as a unique identification number generated by the server. The remote facility associates the unique identification number with the relevant user ID.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing test data in a fuel dispenser. The test data is generated for the fuel dispenser. The test data is then stored to a nonvolatile memory within the fuel dispenser.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a surveillance system having a video camera-recorder combination such as a camcorder. The camcorder is configured to collect and record images relating to the refueling customer and/or customer vehicle. The point-of-sale (POS) terminal directs activation of the recording operation following authorization of a transaction in which the customer has selected a post-fueling payment option. If the customer leaves without paying, this drive-off event is recorded by generating a video-based delinquency report that includes a video segment corresponding to the video images recorded by the camcorder during the current transaction session. The recorded images and/or delinquency report may be furnished to a remote facility such as an Internet resource by configuring the refueling environment for connection to a communications network.

Abstract: A communications protocol is provided for use in a refueling environment connected to a remote facility. The remote facility is disposed apart from the fuel dispenser locations and is connected to a network such as the World Wide Web of the Internet. Regarding a customer at one of the fuel dispenser locations, a user identification such as credit card account information is sent to the remote facility. The remote facility then establishes an access connection with a network node such as a server, on behalf of the customer. The network communications follow a client-server session format and are correlated to the user ID. The remote facility sends a cookie element to the server that was previously set by the server during an initial Web site visit. The cookie contains state information such as a unique identification number generated by the server. The remote facility associates the unique identification number with the relevant user ID.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a cylindrical poppet having a fluid metering stem. The valve is configured such that the effective surface area of the transverse aspect of the poppet exposed to fluid pressure during a closed valve condition is greater than the effective surface area of the transverse aspect of the poppet exposed to fluid pressure during an open valve condition. This feature creates a narrow spread for cracking to reseat pressure points since the surface area of the poppet available to experience fluid-related pressure is reduced as the valve moves from its closed to open position. While closed, the poppet is exposed to fluid pressure at the axial end face of the stem and at an annular end face portion of the poppet defined by the clearance between the stem and fluid channel. While open, the poppet experiences fluid pressure at the end face of the stem.

Abstract: A fuel-dispenser station which comprises one or more fuel hoses with fuel-dispenser nozzles useable to control a flow of fuel, which has been purchased from a fuel vendor, from the fuel vendor's fuel storage tank to the customer's fuel storage reservoir. The fuel-dispenser station comprises one or more hydraulics modules, fuel-hose modules, and/or head electronics modules. Each of the modules of the fuel-dispenser station constitutes a subsystem of the fuel-dispenser station and comprises a module frame-structure to which all of the other components of the module are engaged. Such a module of a fuel dispenser station can be assembled as a unit before being mounted to the fuel-dispenser station and can further be removed from the fuel-dispenser station as an assembled unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an integrated vapor recovery and fuel delivery system for a fuel dispenser. The apparatus includes a fuel dispenser having a member constructed from extruded material connected to the fuel dispenser. The member has at least one fluid conduit located inside the member for transporting fluid. The member also has a vapor conduit located inside the member for transporting vapor.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled fuel dispenser includes a card reader adapted to retrieve a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) data element encoded on a card-type device furnished by the customer. The URL data element defines the Internet address of a server that hosts an e-mail messaging account preferably belonging to the customer. A client machine at the dispenser position accesses the server specified by the retrieved URL data element and receives the email messages downloaded by the server in response to the e-mail request. The customer views the downloaded e-mail messages on a display installed at the dispenser position. The dispenser position is provided with a suitable connection facility to make a networked connection to the Internet, which preferably includes the World Wide Web.