Patents by Inventor Michael Lawrence Jennings

Michael Lawrence 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).

  • Patent number: 9817042
    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: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Danaher UK Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Benton, Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Patent number: 9422147
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and at least one fluid conduit completing first and second fluid flow paths between the at least one fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser also has a fluid flow meter located along said fluid flow path, a control system, and a recirculation subsystem. The recirculation subsystem has a bypass valve located along one of the first and second flow paths. The bypass valve is operative to prevent fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is in use and to allow fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is not in use. Methods of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Francis Bartlett, Jonathan E. Deline, John E. Ingold, Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Publication number: 20140300372
    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: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Danaher UK Industries Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Benton, Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Publication number: 20140238534
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and at least one fluid conduit completing first and second fluid flow paths between the at least one fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser also has a fluid flow meter located along said fluid flow path, a control system, and a recirculation subsystem. The recirculation subsystem has a bypass valve located along one of the first and second flow paths. The bypass valve is operative to prevent fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is in use and to allow fluid communication between the first and second fluid flow paths when the fluid dispenser is not in use. Methods of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Francis Bartlett, Jonathan E. Deline, John E. Ingold, Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Patent number: 8757009
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting fraud caused by tampering with a fuel flow meter. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a fuel flow meter for measuring the flow of liquid fuel. The flow meter has at least one shaft supporting a rotor. The method further comprises providing the flow meter with a rotary displacement sensor. Also, the method comprises measuring a first angular position of the shaft upon termination of a first fueling transaction and measuring a second angular position of the shaft upon initiation of a second fueling transaction. Finally, the method comprises comparing data indicative of the first and second shaft angular positions to determine whether fraud has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Danaher UK Industries Limited
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Patent number: 8733590
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and a fluid conduit completing a fluid flow path between a fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser further has a control system, at least one controllable valve and a fluid flow meter located along the fluid flow path. The fluid dispenser further has a fluid temperature conditioning subsystem located along the fluid flow path upstream of the flow meter. The control system selectively operates the fluid temperature conditioning subsystem upon detection of a predetermined temperature. At least one controllable recirculation valve may also be provided, and the control system may selectively actuate the controllable recirculation valve such that the fluid flows back to the fluid storage tank. A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Francis Bartlett, Jonathan E. Deline, John E. Ingold, Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Publication number: 20120150344
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting fraud caused by tampering with a fuel flow meter. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a fuel flow meter for measuring the flow of liquid fuel. The flow meter has at least one shaft supporting a rotor. The method further comprises providing the flow meter with a rotary displacement sensor. Also, the method comprises measuring a first angular position of the shaft upon termination of a first fueling transaction and measuring a second angular position of the shaft upon initiation of a second fueling transaction. Finally, the method comprises comparing data indicative of the first and second shaft angular positions to determine whether fraud has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: DANAHER UK INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Jennings
  • Publication number: 20120024892
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a housing in which fluid flow control components are located and a fluid conduit completing a fluid flow path between a fluid storage tank and a nozzle coupled to the housing. The fluid dispenser further comprises a control system, at least one controllable valve in and a fluid flow meter located along the fluid flow path. The fluid dispenser further comprises a fluid temperature conditioning subsystem located along the fluid flow path upstream of the flow meter. The control system is selectively operates the fluid temperature conditioning subsystem upon detection of a predetermined temperature. At least one controllable recirculation valve may also be provided, and the control system may selectively actuate the controllable recirculation valve such that the fluid flows back to the fluid storage tank. A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in the fluid dispenser is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jack Francis Bartlett, Jonathan E. Deline, John E. Ingold, Michael Lawrence Jennings