Patents by Inventor Christopher Adam Oldham
Christopher Adam Oldham has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11339049Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Gordon W. Johnson, Christopher Adam Oldham, Michael C. Liebal
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Publication number: 20210101795Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Gordon W. Johnson, Christopher Adam Oldham, Michael C. Liebal
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Patent number: 10870572Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Gordon W. Johnson, Christopher Adam Oldham, Michael C. Liebal
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Patent number: 10266387Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprising fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. The fuel flow piping further has a filter manifold for mounting a fuel filter thereon. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. A sensor device is mounted to the filter manifold, the sensor device having at least one sensor operative to detect a sensed condition related to the fuel dispenser. The sensor device further comprises electronics to transmit a signal related to the sensed condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Wayne McNinch, Howard Myers, Edward A. Payne, Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20180275688Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprises a fuel nozzle configured to be connected to a vehicle fuel system and fuel piping configured to transfer fuel from at least one fuel storage tank associated with the fuel dispenser through the fuel nozzle into the vehicle fuel system. A flow control valve is located along the fuel piping. A fuel dispenser controller comprises processing circuitry configured to receive vehicle fuel system data from a vehicle, determine a desired flow rate based on the vehicle fuel system data, and control the flow control valve to prevent a fuel flow rate from exceeding the desired flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventor: Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20180044163Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Gordon W. Johnson, Christopher Adam Oldham, Michael C. Liebal
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Patent number: 9878896Abstract: A meter for measuring the flow rate of fuel in a fuel dispenser comprises a housing with an axial bore extending therethrough and defining an inlet and an outlet. A flow indicating mechanism comprising one or more rotatable components are mounted in the axial bore of the housing and configured to rotate as fuel flows from the inlet to the outlet, wherein each rotation indicates fuel flow. A pulse generating device senses rotation of the rotatable components and generates an output signal indicative of the fuel flow. Finally, a vapor generating device is configured to generate vapor bubbles that flow through the flow indicating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
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Patent number: 9804016Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of fuel flow meters by compensating for the presence of vapor bubbles generated within the flow meter. The method comprises measuring the temperature of the fuel flowing through the meter and using an algorithm or static lookup table to determine a vapor compensation factor based on that temperature. Because the tendency of fuel to vaporize depends largely on seasonal variations in fuel temperature, applying a temperature-dependent vapor compensation factor promotes year-round accuracy of the flow meter output.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20170283239Abstract: A fuel dispenser comprising fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. The fuel flow piping further has a filter manifold for mounting a fuel filter thereon. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. A sensor device is mounted to the filter manifold, the sensor device having at least one sensor operative to detect a sensed condition related to the fuel dispenser. The sensor device further comprises electronics to transmit a signal related to the sensed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Wayne McNinch, Howard Myers, Edward A. Payne, Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20160122174Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of fuel flow meters by compensating for the presence of vapor bubbles generated within the flow meter. The method comprises measuring the temperature of the fuel flowing through the meter and using an algorithm or static lookup table to determine a vapor compensation factor based on that temperature. Because the tendency of fuel to vaporize depends largely on seasonal variations in fuel temperature, applying a temperature-dependent vapor compensation factor promotes year-round accuracy of the flow meter output.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20160122175Abstract: A meter for measuring the flow rate of fuel in a fuel dispenser comprises a housing with an axial bore extending therethrough and defining an inlet and an outlet. A flow indicating mechanism comprising one or more rotatable components are mounted in the axial bore of the housing and configured to rotate as fuel flows from the inlet to the outlet, wherein each rotation indicates fuel flow. A pulse generating device senses rotation of the rotatable components and generates an output signal indicative of the fuel flow. Finally, a vapor generating device is configured to generate vapor bubbles that flow through the flow indicating mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PREDICT FUEL FLOW ISSUES BY MONITORING TRENDS IN THE OPERATION OF FUEL VALVES
Publication number: 20160016783Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring fluctuations in the operation of the electromechanical valves of a fuel dispenser over a series of fueling transactions and identifying trends that may indicate mechanical wear of the valve or other fuel system issues. By identifying these issues before fuel dispenser performance is negatively affected, an operator may be notified and preventative maintenance or corrective action may be initiated before the issues affect the customer or gas station throughput.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Ivan Rubin-Ayma, Christopher Adam Oldham -
Patent number: 8960019Abstract: A fuel dispenser has internal fuel flow piping, a flow meter located along the internal fuel flow piping, and a displacement sensor operatively connected to the flow meter to generate information representative of an amount of fuel passing through the flow meter. The fuel dispenser also has a control system comprising a memory. In embodiments, however, the control system does not comprise a real-time clock. The fuel dispenser also comprises a synchronization module in electronic communication with the control system. The synchronization module comprises at least one antenna configured to receive a carrier wave modulated with synchronization information. Methods for obtaining accurate time information at the fuel dispenser are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Christopher Adam Oldham, Juergen Voss, Joseph Daniel Long
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Patent number: 8433441Abstract: A fuel dispenser is configured to transmit fueling information to a receiver associated with a vehicle at a first fueling position adjacent the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser comprises a control system configured to generate first fueling information associated with a first transaction at the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser also comprises first transmitter electronics in electronic communication with the control system. The first transmitter electronics are configured to produce first RDS information based on the first fueling information. Also, the first transmitter electronics comprise modulator circuitry to modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal carrying the first RDS information. The RF carrier signal has a predetermined frequency. The fuel dispenser further comprises an antenna in electrical communication with the first transmitter electronics to radiate the modulated RF carrier signal over the first fueling position for receipt at the vehicle receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventor: Christopher Adam Oldham
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Publication number: 20130018504Abstract: A fuel dispenser is configured to transmit fueling information to a receiver associated with a vehicle at a first fueling position adjacent the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser comprises a control system configured to generate first fueling information associated with a first transaction at the fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser also comprises first transmitter electronics in electronic communication with the control system. The first transmitter electronics are configured to produce first RDS information based on the first fueling information. Also, the first transmitter electronics comprise modulator circuitry to modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal carrying the first RDS information. The RF carrier signal has a predetermined frequency. The fuel dispenser further comprises an antenna in electrical communication with the first transmitter electronics to radiate the modulated RF carrier signal over the first fueling position for receipt at the vehicle receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventor: Christopher Adam Oldham
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Patent number: 8285506Abstract: An apparatus for generating a measure of fluid. The apparatus comprises a flow meter and a pulser having an identifier and a memory. The pulser is associated with the flow meter for generating pulser data indicative of a volume of fluid delivered through the flow meter. The pulser may alter the pulser data using correction data stored in its memory to generate altered pulser data. The pulser may store at least one of the pulser data and the altered pulser data in the memory. The apparatus further comprises a switch operatively connected to the pulser's memory. The switch is operative to vary the memory of the pulser between a write-protected and a write-enabled mode. Also, the apparatus comprises a controller in communication with the pulser and a serial communication circuit which enables communication between the pulser and the controller. Communication between the controller and the pulser includes the identifier.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Christopher Adam Oldham, Christopher Eric Scott, Juergen Voss
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Publication number: 20110191037Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for generating a measure of fluid. The apparatus comprises a flow meter and a pulser having an identifier and a memory. The pulser is associated with the flow meter for generating pulser data indicative of a volume of fluid delivered through the flow meter. The pulser is also adapted to alter the pulser data using correction data stored in its memory to generate altered pulser data. The pulser is further adapted to store at least one of the pulser data and the altered pulser data in the memory. The apparatus further comprises a switch operatively connected to the pulser's memory. The switch is operative to vary the memory of the pulser between a write-protected and a write-enabled mode. Also, the apparatus comprises a controller that is communicatively coupled to the pulser and a serial communication circuit which enables communication between the pulser and the controller. Communication between the controller and the pulser includes the identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Christopher Adam Oldham, Christopher Eric Scott, Juergen Voss