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: The present invention provides a submersible turbine pump (STP) comprised of a manifold comprising an electrical cavity, a port above the electrical cavity, and a field wiring conduit through which electrical field wiring is brought into the electrical cavity and connected to the submersible turbine pump. The STP is further comprised of a removable plug adapted to be inserted into the port. When the removable plug is inserted into the port, the plug seals the electrical cavity. When the removable plug is removed from the port, access is provided to the electrical cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a submersible turbine pump (STP) including a packer and a manifold and that requires less force to separate the packer from the manifold. The STP comprises a casing body including the manifold and the packer that is removably secured to the manifold. The STP also includes one or more springs located within pockets in the manifold and that exert a force against the packer when the packer is secured to the manifold due to compression. In one embodiment, the force exerted by the one or more springs is sufficient to separate the packer from the manifold. The packer may be secured to the manifold by a fastener, such as a stud and corresponding nut. In one embodiment, studs extend from within the pockets in the manifold, thereby placing the one or more springs below a corresponding nut.

Abstract: A submersible turbine pump (STP) is provided. The STP includes a manifold having an integral siphon connection coupled to a fuel flow path in the STP and a siphon cartridge removably inserted into the manifold via the siphon connection. In general, the siphon cartridge includes a nozzle that directs fuel from the fuel flow path through a venturi when the STP is energized, thereby creating a vacuum in a chamber within the siphon cartridge. A connection point of the siphon cartridge is fluidly coupled to the chamber such that a fluid connection is provided from the exterior of the siphon cartridge to the vacuum.

Abstract: A system and method for removing, compressing, and storing excess air and vapors from a fuel dispensing facility fuel storage containment system during periods of over-pressurization without venting or processing the excess air and vapors. The stored air and vapors are subsequently returned back to the containment system during periods of under-pressurization that typically occur diurnally during periods of high fueling activity. The system may be used to compliment an ORVR compatible dispensing system that typically encounters over-pressurization problems when low or no refueling activity is occurring.

Abstract: A storage tank leak detection and prevention system that detects a breach or leak in the interstitial space of a double-walled fuel storage tank in a service station environment. The interstitial space is placed under a vacuum using a submersible turbine pump that is also used to pump fuel to the fuel dispensers in the service station and therefore a separate vacuum generating source is not required. A sensing unit and/or tank monitor monitors the vacuum level in the interstitial space over time. If a significant vacuum level change occurs in the interstitial space after the interstitial space is placed under a vacuum level, a catastrophic leak detection alarm is generated. If a minor vacuum level change occurs in the interstitial space after the interstitial space is placed under a vacuum, a precision leak detection alarm is generated. Functional tests also ensure that the leak detection system is functioning properly.

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 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 method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistance from another pump in the pump network. When fuel is added to the tank, the fuel pump controller will detect the presence of the fuel and reactivate the pump.

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 method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistance from another pump in the pump network. When fuel is added to the tank, the fuel pump controller will detect the presence of the fuel and reactivate the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for calibrating a liquid storage tank. The apparatus includes a sensor disposed within the tank for sensing the liquid levels in the tank and one or more metering devices for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed into or out of the tank. A processor is also provided which is capable of determining the volume in the tank as well as the amount of liquid dispensed into or out of the tank based on liquid level measurements obtained during idle periods following dispensing periods. The processor is programmed with an algorithm which employs a mathematical function which relates either the volume of the liquid or the change in volume of the liquid per unit of associated height change of the liquid in the tank as a function of the height of the liquid in the tank and a number of calibration parameters which include the length, diameter, end shape, and tilt of the tank as well as the offset of the sensor from the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for calibrating manifolded liquid storage tanks. The apparatus includes sensors disposed within the tanks for sensing the liquid levels in each of the tanks and a metering device for measuring the amount of liquid dispensed into or out of the storage tanks. A processor is also provided which determines the amount of liquid dispensed from each tank based on liquid level measurements obtained during idle periods following dispensing periods. Once this information is obtained, single tank calibration techniques are employed. An alternate combined tank calibration can also be used. This method does not separate out the amount of liquid dispensed from each tank, but rather utilizes the combined amount dispensed. From this simpler, but less accurate method, an "equivalent" combined tank chart or combined mathematical formula may be generated using the metered amounts and a combined height amount. Heights from the two tanks may be simply averaged.