Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel. A pump assembly draws the fuel from the storage tank providing the fuel under pressure to a fuel supply line. A fuel conditioning assembly includes a housing having a storage volume, a housing inlet receiving the fuel under pressure created by the pump assembly, a housing outlet through which fuel exits the housing, and a housing port through which fuel can be drawn into the housing. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing outlet is operative to selectively apply a vacuum to the outlet of the housing so that liquid can be drawn into the housing via the port. A water intake device is in fluid communication with the housing port. The water intake device has at least one inlet situated adjacent to a bottom of the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. A fuel dispenser is in fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser is also provided. The fuel dispensing system further comprises a corrosion detection assembly operative to identify presence of a corrosive substance in the fuel. The corrosion detection assembly includes at least one corrosion sensor positioned to be in contact with fuel vapor in the fuel dispensing system, the corrosion sensor producing a detector signal indicating presence of the corrosive substance. The corrosion sensor according to this aspect has a printed circuit multilayer structure in which at least one sensing element is positioned on an exposed surface of the multilayer structure and at least one reference element is positioned on an inner surface of the multilayer structure to be unexposed to the fuel vapor.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel into a vehicle comprises a stationary fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. At least one fuel dispenser is in fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump is operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser. A level detector is located in the fuel tank. A tank monitor is in electronic communication with the level detector, the tank monitor being operative to produce information indicative of the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel dispensing system further includes a fuel additive injection assembly comprising an additive reservoir configured to contain a quantity of fuel additive. A controller is in electronic communication with the tank monitor to receive information indicating a delivery of fuel into the fuel tank, the controller having a processor and memory operative to execute instructions determining when an additive quantity should be provided.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel, fuel piping configured to convey fuel from the fuel storage tank to a fuel dispenser, and a fuel conditioning and filtration assembly having an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel piping and an outlet in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank to return the fuel. A fuel conditioning and filtration element is interposed between the inlet and the outlet, the fuel conditioning and filtration element being configured to remove water from the fuel passing through the filter element. A flow valve allows and prevents flow of fuel through the filter element. Processing circuitry is operative to control the flow valve based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing system includes a fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. A fuel dispenser in is fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump is operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser. A corrosive detection assembly operative to identify presence of a corrosive substance in the fuel is also provided. The corrosive detection assembly has at least one thermoelectric detector positioned to be in contact with fuel vapor in the fuel dispensing system, the thermoelectric detector producing a detector signal indicating presence of the corrosive substance. Electronics are in electrical communication with the thermoelectric detector, the electronics being operative to interpret the detector signal and produce an output if the corrosive substance is present. The at least one thermoelectric detector may comprises a plurality of thermoelectric detectors at different locations in the fuel dispensing system.

Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serving as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel and a pump assembly for drawing the fuel from the storage tank providing the fuel under pressure. A fuel supply line is configured to convey the fuel under pressure from the pump assembly to the at least one fuel dispenser in a dispenser flow path. A fuel conditioning and filtration assembly comprise a housing having a housing inlet receiving the fuel under pressure created by the pump and a housing outlet whereby the fuel entering the housing inlet exits the housing through the housing outlet. A filter element is within the housing and interposed in the flow path between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. A return tube receiving fuel from the outlet of the housing is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing biocorrosion of fuel handling components located in a sump in a fuel dispensing environment. One method includes exposing a hygroscopic material to moisture-laden air in the sump such that the hygroscopic material deliquesces into a liquid solution and exposing a buffer material to ethanol-blended fuel vapors in the sump. The method also includes collecting the liquid solution in a reservoir and monitoring the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir using a liquid level sensor. Further, the method includes notifying service personnel of the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating the flow rate of fluid at a fluid dispensing nozzle. In one embodiment, a nozzle includes a body, a spout coupled with the body, and at least one fluid flow path disposed within the body. The at least one fluid flow path is configured for fluid communication with a fluid dispensing hose. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the body and operatively coupled with the at least one flow path. Control electronics are in electronic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The control electronics are operative to cause the ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic waves into the at least one fluid flow path. The ultrasonic waves are modulated with information representative of a desired fluid flow rate.

Abstract: An attitude sensing arrangement for triggering a shutoff mechanism on a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a rolling element placed inside a non-cylindrical chamber that is sealed with a plug such that the rolling element may move freely inside the chamber. A vacuum sensing path passes from a sensing port in the nozzle spout, through a vacuum sensing tube, into the non-cylindrical chamber, and into a venturi-generated vacuum chamber. The attitude sensing arrangement is configured such that the rolling element blocks a shutoff port in the non-cylindrical chamber when the nozzle is raised past a certain shutoff angle. When the vacuum sensing path is blocked by the rolling element in this manner, the shutoff mechanism closes the main fuel valve.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a first body member and a second body member. The first and second body members are operative to releasably connect together. The first and second body members define a fluid flow path therein when the first and second body members are connected together. The first and second body members are operative to disconnect from one another in response to a predetermined tensile force. At least one valve member is disposed within at least one of the first and second body members and is movable from an open position to a closed position with respect to the fluid flow path upon disconnection of the first body member from the second body member. A sensor is disposed within one of the first and second body members and is operative to sense whether the first and second body members are connected together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

Abstract: A fueling environment is equipped with leak detection probes and liquid level probes. Each of the probes is associated with a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceivers send probe data to a site communicator wireless transceiver. To ensure that the site communicator receives the probe data, repeaters are used within the fueling environment. The repeaters receive the probe data, and some period of time after the sensor transceivers stop transmitting, the repeaters retransmit the probe data to the site communicator. The site communicator discards duplicative information and processes the probe data as needed.

Abstract: A method of operating a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle during refueling at a fuel dispensing point and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor flow path that is in fluid communication with an air to liquid regulator valve and a vapor pump. The method includes dispensing fuel into the vehicle through the fuel dispensing point, regulating an amount of vapor that is recovered through the fuel dispensing point with the air to liquid regulator valve in proportion to the fuel dispensed into the vehicle, detecting a parameter of the vapor recovery system, and maintaining a substantially constant pressure level in a first portion of the vapor return path that is disposed between the vapor pump and the air to liquid regulator valve.

Abstract: An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to a motor. At least one control structure is mounted on the shaft, and at least one impeller is carried by the shaft. The impeller is adapted to rotate independently of the shaft so as to pump a fluid. The apparatus also comprises a magnetic coupling between the control structure and the impeller. Further, the impeller is adapted to translate axially along the shaft in response to a change in downstream pressure to alter the strength of the magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A method of determining if phase separation into an upper layer of a first fluid and a lower layer of a first fluid has occurred in a tank containing a first fluid, the method including determining a first density of the first fluid adjacent a top surface of the first fluid, determining a second density of the first fluid adjacent a bottom of the tank, and comparing the first density of the first fluid to the second density of the first fluid to determine if the first fluid has separated into the upper layer of the first fluid and the lower layer of the first fluid separated by a phase separation boundary.

Abstract: A submersible turbine pump (STP) comprising a manifold, a yoke assembly including a yoke sleeve integrally connected to the manifold, and a packer removably secured to the manifold is provided. The manifold includes an electrical cavity that receives electrical wiring from an external source. The yoke sleeve has a hollow interior and is integrally connected to manifold, and a first end of the yoke sleeve is within the electrical cavity. The packer includes a chamber having a yoke sleeve inlet port and an electrical conduit inlet port. The yoke sleeve inlet port receives a second end of the yoke sleeve extending from the manifold, and the electrical conduit inlet port receives an electrical conduit extending from a pump within an underground storage tank. The electrical wiring passes from the electrical cavity to the chamber through the yoke sleeve and then to the pump through the electrical conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a phase separation float assembly, a phase separation detection system, and a method for detecting phase separation. One embodiment comprises a first float subassembly comprising a first float adapted for vertical travel along a fuel level probe shaft and a magnet. This embodiment also comprises a second float subassembly comprising a second float adapted for vertical travel along the shaft. The first float has a first density and the second float has a second density greater than the first density. The second float subassembly further comprises at least one stop feature which engages the first float subassembly when the first float subassembly travels vertically a predetermined distance along the fuel level probe shaft. The first float density is selected such that the first float subassembly travels vertically along the shaft to engage the at least one stop feature in the presence of phase separation.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting an ORVR-compatible Stage II vapor recovery system to maintain the air-to-liquid (A/L) ratio within desired tolerances or limits to meet regulatory and/or other requirements. An air flow sensor (AFS) or vapor flow meter measures the amount of recovered vapor for a dispensing point to calculate the recovery efficiency of the system in the form of the A/L ratio. Volume or flow rate measurements can be used. ORVR fueling transactions are either minimized or excluded from the A/L ratio, so that the A/L ratio is not artificially lowered due to a blocked or altered recovery. The A/L ratio is then compared to a desired or nominal A/L ratio. Adjustments to the recovery system are made within prescribed safety tolerances if the A/L ratio differs from the desired ratio.