Patents by Inventor Michael L. Jennings

Michael L. Jennings 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).

  • Fuel dispenser tamper detection arrangement
    Patent number: 10156594
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide for detecting tampering of a fuel dispenser. Power is applied to a valve coil of a fuel dispenser. The valve coil is part of a control valve configured to accomplish a gradated fuel flow of the fuel dispenser. Current flowing through the valve coil is measured in response to the power being applied to the valve coil. The current measurements are compared with predetermined criteria and tampering with the valve coil is determined if the current measurements are sufficiently different than expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Benton, Michael L. Jennings
  • Fuel Dispenser Tamper Detection Arrangement
    Publication number: 20180067151
    Abstract: Methods and systems provide for detecting tampering of a fuel dispenser. Power is applied to a valve coil of a fuel dispenser. The valve coil is part of a control valve configured to accomplish a gradated fuel flow of the fuel dispenser. Current flowing through the valve coil is measured in response to the power being applied to the valve coil. The current measurements are compared with predetermined criteria and tampering with the valve coil is determined if the current measurements are sufficiently different than expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Benton, Michael L. Jennings
  • Fuel dispenser controlled in dependence on an electrical signal from a gas detector of the dispenser
    Patent number: 5363988
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fuel dispenser comprising a gas detector responsive to the presence of gas within the fuel. The gas detector provides an electrical signal indicative of the presence or absence of gas to a computer which controls a valve, and thus the dispensing of fuel in dependence upon the signal received from the gas detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Gilbarco Limited
    Inventors: John E. Saxton, Michael L. Jennings, Jack F. Bartlett, James R. Dormer, Peter D. G. Massingberd-Mundy