Patents by Inventor Sarah Ann Lambrix

Sarah Ann Lambrix 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: 9765933
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a CNG dispenser is provided that includes a user-actuatable button for allowing selection of a pressure to which to fill a vehicle tank with CNG, and a controller for opening a high pressure fill valve to dispense high pressure CNG into the vehicle tank while monitoring the pressure of the vehicle tank until the pressure reaches the user-selected pressure. According to another embodiment, the controller is operable in a selected one of two modes of operation. The two modes of operation include a one-pressure bank operation mode in which only the input of a high pressure fill valve is coupled to a CNG supply line, and a three-pressure bank operation mode in which the inputs of each of three fill valves are coupled to respective CNG supply lines. A graphic fuel gage may be provided on the dispenser payment terminal screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BPC Aquisition Company
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M Rathbun
  • Publication number: 20170234488
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying integrity of a recirculation valve in a recirculation line of an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the recirculation valve and a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring a mass of the LNG flowing through the recirculation line to ensure that the mass flowing therethrough is less than an acceptable threshold; and aborting any pending sales if the mass of the LNG flowing therethrough is not less than the acceptable threshold. According to another embodiment, a method is provided for verifying integrity of a vent valve in an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the vent valve and opening a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring the pressure of the LNG within the fill hose to ensure that the pressure remains steady; and aborting any pending sales if the pressure does not remain steady.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M. Rathbun
  • Patent number: 9638374
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying integrity of a recirculation valve in a recirculation line of an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the recirculation valve and a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring a mass of the LNG flowing through the recirculation line to ensure that the mass flowing therethrough is less than an acceptable threshold; and aborting any pending sales if the mass of the LNG flowing therethrough is not less than the acceptable threshold. According to another embodiment, a method is provided for verifying integrity of a vent valve in an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the vent valve and opening a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring the pressure of the LNG within the fill hose to ensure that the pressure remains steady; and aborting any pending sales if the pressure does not remain steady.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BPC Acquisition Company
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M Rathbun
  • Publication number: 20140261867
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying integrity of a recirculation valve in a recirculation line of an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the recirculation valve and a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring a mass of the LNG flowing through the recirculation line to ensure that the mass flowing therethrough is less than an acceptable threshold; and aborting any pending sales if the mass of the LNG flowing therethrough is not less than the acceptable threshold. According to another embodiment, a method is provided for verifying integrity of a vent valve in an LNG dispenser. The method includes: closing the vent valve and opening a fill valve in a supply line that supplies LNG; monitoring the pressure of the LNG within the fill hose to ensure that the pressure remains steady; and aborting any pending sales if the pressure does not remain steady.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BPC Acquisition Company
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M. Rathbun
  • Publication number: 20140263420
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a CNG dispenser is provided that includes a user-actuatable button for allowing selection of a pressure to which to fill a vehicle tank with CNG, and a controller for opening a high pressure fill valve to dispense high pressure CNG into the vehicle tank while monitoring the pressure of the vehicle tank until the pressure reaches the user-selected pressure. According to another embodiment, the controller is operable in a selected one of two modes of operation. The two modes of operation include a one-pressure bank operation mode in which only the input of a high pressure fill valve is coupled to a CNG supply line, and a three-pressure bank operation mode in which the inputs of each of three fill valves are coupled to respective CNG supply lines. A graphic fuel gage may be provided on the dispenser payment terminal screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BPC Acquisition Company
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M. Rathbun
  • Publication number: 20140261882
    Abstract: Fuel dispensers are provided that include a controller that controls sales transactions, The controller allows a user to dispense more than one fuel type in a single sales transaction. The types of fuel may include various combinations and subcombinations of liquid natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, diesel fuel, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). A display on the dispensers may be used to display training images. The dispensers may use a novel communication protocol for communicating with a control console of a fuel farm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BPC Acquisition Company
    Inventors: Sarah Ann Lambrix, Chad Robert Paffhausen, Adam Kenneth Simon, Jonathan M. Rathbun