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 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: 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: 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 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 retrofit assembly for installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank. The shaft, which comprises a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, is coupled with the fuel quality sensor. An isolation sheath is sized for receipt over the shaft and to extend between the fuel quality sensor and the tank interface. The sheath has a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage between the sheath and the shaft when the sheath is received over the shaft. The passage(s) extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. Also provided is a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The product-level float is configured to translate along the sheath with the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A carbon canister for use with a fuel storage system having a fuel storage tank and a vent line connected thereto. The carbon canister includes an inner container having a first end and a second end, an outer container having a first end and a second end, the outer container being disposed about an outer surface of the inner container such that the outer container and the inner container are concentric. A first end plate is disposed at the first end of the inner container and the first end of the outer container and a second end plate is disposed at the second end of the inner container and the second end of the outer container, such that a first volume is defined by the inner container, the outer container, the first end plate and the second end plate, and hydrocarbon adsorbing activated carbon disposed in the first volume. The vent line of the fuel storage tank is external to the carbon canister and the first volume of the carbon canister is in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A double-walled shear valve that carries fuel from a branch or main fuel piping to fuel dispenser piping. The double-walled shear valve comprises a containment housing defining a shear groove on the outside circumference of the containment housing and an inner housing defining an inner housing orifice therein forming a fuel flow path. The inner housing is coupled to the containment housing, and at least partially surrounded by the containment housing, such that an interstitial space is formed separate from the fuel flow path between the containment housing and the inner housing. The double-walled shear valve further comprises a main poppet valve coupled to the inner housing that is adapted to close the fuel flow path to prevent flow of fuel.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank. The shaft, which comprises a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, is coupled with the fuel quality sensor. An isolation sheath is sized for receipt over the shaft and to extend between the fuel quality sensor and the tank interface. The sheath has a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage between the sheath and the shaft when the sheath is received over the shaft. The passage(s) extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. Also provided is a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The product-level float is configured to translate along the sheath with the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A double-walled shear valve that carries fuel from a branch or main fuel piping to fuel dispenser piping. The double-walled shear valve comprises a containment housing defining a shear groove on the outside circumference of the containment housing and an inner housing defining an inner housing orifice therein forming a fuel flow path. The inner housing is coupled to the containment housing, and at least partially surrounded by the containment housing, such that an interstitial space is formed separate from the fuel flow path between the containment housing and the inner housing. The double-walled shear valve further comprises a main poppet valve coupled to the inner housing that is adapted to close the fuel flow path to prevent flow of fuel.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A carbon canister to adsorb hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon air mixture in a UST system to prevent fugitive emissions due to overpressurization. The carbon canister has an inlet port at one end coupled to the UST system. An outlet port on the opposite end of the canister is connected to a flow-limiting orifice with a known calibrated flow rate that vents in a controlled fashion to the atmosphere. When UST pressure rises slightly above ambient pressure, fuel vapors and air from the UST system enters, via the inlet port, into the canister, where hydrocarbons are adsorbed onto the surface of the activated carbon. The cleansed air vents through the controlled flow outlet port to atmosphere, thereby preventing excessive positive pressure from occurring in the UST system. The activated carbon is purged of hydrocarbons by means of reverse air flow caused by negative UST pressures that occur during periods of ORVR vehicle refueling.

Abstract: A shear valve employing a two-stage main poppet valve. The two-stage main poppet valve that can be opened with less force than normally required by prior art designs. For example, if there is pump pressure trapped on the upstream side of the two-stage main poppet valve and little or no pressure or atmospheric pressure on the downstream side, more force than can be provided may be required to open the two-stage main poppet valve to reset the shear valve after the two-stage main poppet valve is closed. The two-stage main poppet valve is designed to first begin to equalize pressure differential across the shear valve without opening a main poppet valve head from its seat inside the shear valve. Thereafter, the main poppet valve head can be opened with less force than otherwise would be required.

Abstract: A carbon canister for use with a fuel storage system having a fuel storage tank and a vent line connected thereto. The carbon canister includes an inner container having a first end and a second end, an outer container having a first end and a second end, the outer container being disposed about an outer surface of the inner container such that the outer container and the inner container are concentric. A first end plate is disposed at the first end of the inner container and the first end of the outer container and a second end plate is disposed at the second end of the inner container and the second end of the outer container, such that a first volume is defined by the inner container, the outer container, the first end plate and the second end plate, and hydrocarbon adsorbing activated carbon disposed in the first volume. The vent line of the fuel storage tank is external to the carbon canister and the first volume of the carbon canister is in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A carbon canister to adsorb hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon air mixture in a UST system to prevent fugitive emissions due to overpressurization. The carbon canister has an inlet port at one end coupled to the UST system. An outlet port on the opposite end of the canister is connected to a flow-limiting orifice with a known calibrated flow rate that vents in a controlled fashion to the atmosphere. When UST pressure rises slightly above ambient pressure, fuel vapors and air from the UST system enters, via the inlet port, into the canister, where hydrocarbons are adsorbed onto the surface of the activated carbon. The cleansed air vents through the controlled flow outlet port to atmosphere, thereby preventing excessive positive pressure from occurring in the UST system. The activated carbon is purged of hydrocarbons by means of reverse air flow caused by negative UST pressures that occur during periods of ORVR vehicle refueling.

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: An in-dispenser leak pan provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any fuel that leaks from fuel-handling components located inside the fuel dispenser above the pan. The pan is secondarily contained by an outer pan or container such that an interstitial space is formed therebetween. If a breach exists in the top part of the pan, the captured leaked fuel will be contained in by the outer pan in the interstitial space. The interstitial space of the pan is drawn under a vacuum level using a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. If a leak is detected, a control system may generate an alarm and/or cause the submersible turbine pump to stop supplying fuel, or cause the dispenser product line shear valves to close, thereby only stopping fuel flow to the individual fuel dispenser containing the leak.

Abstract: A carbon canister to adsorb hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon air mixture in a UST system to prevent fugitive emissions due to overpressurization. The carbon canister has an inlet port at one end coupled to the UST system. An outlet port on the opposite end of the canister is connected to a flow-limiting orifice with a known calibrated flow rate that vents in a controlled fashion to the atmosphere. When UST pressure rises slightly above ambient pressure, fuel vapors and air from the UST system enters, via the inlet port, into the canister, where hydrocarbons are adsorbed onto the surface of the activated carbon. The cleansed air vents through the controlled flow outlet port to atmosphere, thereby preventing excessive positive pressure from occurring in the UST system. The activated carbon is purged of hydrocarbons by means of reverse air flow caused by negative UST pressures that occur during periods of ORVR vehicle refueling.

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.