Patents by Inventor Richard E. Etling

Richard E. Etling 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: 5983198
    Abstract: The system and method include a fleet of vehicles to provide material to a plurality of tanks at various customer locations. An inventory indicator associated with each of the tanks provides a quantity signal to the central station indicating the quantity and temperature of each of the tanks. A processor at the central station monitors the quantity signals of each of the tanks to determine past usage rates of the contents of each of the tanks. The processor projects future tank quantities based on the past usage pattern and determines possible routes for each of the vehicles to each of the tanks. The processor optimizes the routes, delivery amounts, and delivery schedule to minimize total delivered cost for the products based on the projected future tank levels and the possible routes to dispatch each of the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Mowery, John P. Bartley, Robert J. Hantak, Richard E. Etling, Joseph R. Read
  • Patent number: 5878767
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluid from a filling reservoir to a receiving tank. The system includes a fluid transfer line for conveying fluid from the filling reservoir outlet to the receiving tank inlet, and couplings for selectively connecting the fluid transfer line to a filling reservoir outlet and a receiving tank inlet. The system further includes a vapor return line for conveying vapor from a receiving tank vent to a filling reservoir inlet to simultaneously prevent pressure from building in the tank and a vacuum from developing in the reservoir as fluid is transferred from the reservoir to the tank, and couplings for selectively connecting the vapor return line to the filling reservoir inlet and the receiving tank vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Novus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Etling, Samuel J. Jenkins, Stephen J. Lorbert, Philip H. Allen, Anthony F. DeJohn