Abstract: A body coupled antenna system usable in a personal locator unit includes an antenna element for connection to an RF circuit; a coupling plate for conductively coupling to an adjacent body for broadening the tuning frequency and reducing the loading sensitivity; a first capacitance interconnected between the coupling plate and the antenna element; and a second capacitance interconnected between the coupling plate and the RF circuit; the first and second capacitances being set to restore a predetermined matching impedance level while maintaining the broadened tuning frequency.

Abstract: A body coupled antenna system usable in a personal locator unit includes an antenna element for connection to an RF circuit; a coupling plate for conductively coupling to an adjacent body for broadening the tuning frequency and reducing the loading sensitivity; a first capacitance interconnected between the coupling plate and the antenna element; and a second capacitance interconnected between the coupling plate and the RF circuit; the first and second capacitances being set to restore a predetermined matching impedance level while maintaining the broadened tuning frequency.

Abstract: A method for automated refuelling is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing the vehicle with a radio frequency transponder effective to communicate information sufficient to establish a position of a fuel inlet on the vehicle; receiving the communicated information at location where the vehicle is to be refuelled when the vehicle is located at the location where the vehicle is to be refuelled; when the vehicle is located at the location where the vehicle is to be refuelled, determining the position and orientation of the vehicle within the location; determining from the position and orientation of the vehicle and the communicated information, an expected location of the fuel inlet; after the vehicle is driven to an automated refuelling apparatus, initiating refuelling by moving a fuel dispenser to adjacent the expected location of the fuel inlet; providing a sensor on the fuel dispenser to determine the location of the fuel inlet relative to the fuel dispenser; repositioning the fuel dispense

Abstract: A fuel dispensing unit shutoff switch is provided, the switch comprising: a fuel supply nozzle, having a fuel supply outlet, capable of being inserted into a fuel tank inlet conduit of a vehicle; a plurality of vacuum conduits, each vacuum conduit providing communication between a volume in the vicinity of the fuel supply nozzle outlet, and sources of essentially equal negative pressures; a differential pressure sensor having a plurality of inputs with each input being a point along a different vacuum conduit, and an output signal that is activated when the pressures of the vacuum conduits at the differential pressure sensor inputs differ by more than a threshold amount of differential pressures; and a means effective to stop fuel flow when the output signal is activated. The sources of equal negative pressures are preferably one or more venturies in the fuel supply nozzle, and the threshold amount of differential pressure is preferably between about 0.1 and about 3 inches water of differential pressure.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle and a method utilizing that dispensing nozzle, are provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sealing means effective to mate in a sealing relationship with a fuel tank inlet, the sealing means comprising a boot having an elastomeric sealing surface, a source of pressurized gas, a channel providing communication from the source of pressurized gas to outside of the boot wherein pressure on the elastomeric sealing surface restricts flow through the channel, and a means to block fuel flow through the fuel dispensing nozzle when a threshold pressure or greater exists at the source of gas supply, the threshold pressure indicative of a sealing relationship between the sealing surface of the boot and a fuel tank inlet; mating the sealing surface to the fuel tank inlet; and passing fuel into the fuel tank only when the pressure within the gas supply conduit exceeds the threshold pressure.

Abstract: An ion mobility detector comprising a one piece dielectric tube with conductive bands as field elements for accelerating ions formed in a reactor region of the tube and passed to a drift region of the tube under control of a gate separating the reactor region from the drift region and thence to an electrometer plate. A first d.c. voltage source provides operating voltages to the conductive bands while a separate d.c. voltage source provides operating voltages to the gate. The detector includes circuitry for varying the potential of the gate to ensure correct focusing of ions within the cell. The circuitry includes an arrangement for altering the potential of the gate. The arrangement can be automatically controlled as a function of the output of an amplifier connected to the electrometer plate.