Patents by Inventor Michael Charles Liebal

Michael Charles Liebal 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).

  • Patent number: 10266387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Wayne McNinch, Howard Myers, Edward A. Payne, Christopher Adam Oldham
  • Patent number: 10155652
    Abstract: A retail fueling environment comprises a plurality of fuel dispensers located so that each defines at least one refueling position. Site automation electronics are in communication with the plurality of fuel dispensers. A fueling position availability indicator system is also provided, including a plurality of position indicators indicating availability status of at least one associated refueling position. Detection electronics are operative to ascertain data regarding transaction status of refueling transactions at the refueling positions. In addition, processing electronics are operative to determine a state of each of the position indicators based at least in part on the transaction status. A position indicator control device is operative to produce control signals to the position indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Andrew Pearce, Wayne McNinch
  • Publication number: 20180029869
    Abstract: A retail fueling environment comprises a plurality of fuel dispensers located so that each defines at least one refueling position. Site automation electronics are in communication with the plurality of fuel dispensers. A fueling position availability indicator system is also provided, including a plurality of position indicators indicating availability status of at least one associated refueling position. Detection electronics are operative to ascertain data regarding transaction status of refueling transactions at the refueling positions. In addition, processing electronics are operative to determine a state of each of the position indicators based at least in part on the transaction status. A position indicator control device is operative to produce control signals to the position indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Andrew Pearce, Wayne McNinch
  • Patent number: 9878896
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
  • Patent number: 9804016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham
  • Publication number: 20170283239
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Giovanni Carapelli, Michael Charles Liebal, Wayne McNinch, Howard Myers, Edward A. Payne, Christopher Adam Oldham
  • Publication number: 20160122175
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
  • Publication number: 20160122174
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham