Abstract: A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector that is releasably coupleable to the first connector. The assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are axially separated. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a sufficient separation force is applied to the assembly, and to be moved from the second configuration to the first configuration when a sufficient connecting force is applied to the assembly.

Abstract: A breakaway assembly including a first connector and a second connector that is releasably coupleable to the first connector. The assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the first and second connectors are coupled and together define a fluid path through which fluid is flowable, and a second configuration in which the first and second connectors are axially separated. The assembly is configured to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when a sufficient separation force is applied to the assembly, and to be moved from the second configuration to the first configuration when a sufficient connecting force is applied to the assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a reference meter to provide automated calibration for a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one method, first historical metering data associated with a fuel flow meter and second historical metering data associated with a reference meter are maintained within a memory. The first historical metering data is compared with the second historical metering data. It is determined whether a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter. In response to determining that a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter, an automated calibration of the fuel flow meter is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating a calculated or flow rate of fuel dispensed to a vehicle via a fuel flow path in response to a determination of a non-steady state condition based on data corresponding to a signal transmitted by a pressure sensor operatively coupled to the fuel flow path and configured to sense pressure therein, where the pressure sensor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the sensed pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a reference meter to provide automated calibration for a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one method, first historical metering data associated with a fuel flow meter and second historical metering data associated with a reference meter are maintained within a memory. The first historical metering data is compared with the second historical metering data. It is determined whether a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter. In response to determining that a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter, an automated calibration of the fuel flow meter is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the accuracy of fuel flow measurement by a fuel dispenser are provided. Pressure sensors positioned in the fuel flow path detect pressure in the fuel flow path and communicate pressure signals to a control system in the fuel dispenser. The pressure signals are used by the control system to enhance the accuracy of the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed that the control system determines by converting meter signals from a meter. In particular, the pressure signals are used by the control system to determine whether a non-steady state condition exists in the fuel flow path and compensate the fuel flow rate and fuel dispensed due to the non-steady state condition.

Abstract: A lower cost meter comprised of an inner housing constructed out of a high permeable material surrounded by an outer housing constructed out of a lower cost, lower permeable material. A port is placed in the outer housing that runs down to the surface of the inner housing to detect the rotation of a rotational component that rotates inside the meter as fluid or gas flows through the meter. A sensor is placed in the port to detect rotation of the rotational component through the lower permeable material inner housing. The lower cost meter can be used for any application for measuring fluid or gas, and may be used in a service station environment for measuring fuel or vapor in vapor recovery applications.

Abstract: A dual piston/poppet valve in a fuel dispenser works with a two-stage valve to help eliminate errors from an inferential flow meter. When the two-stage valve opens partially, a secondary fuel path is opened in the dual piston/poppet valve. A sensor detects the opening of the secondary fuel path and reports its opening to a control system. The two-stage valve opens fully and a primary fuel path is opened concurrently. During transaction completion, the two-stage valve partially closes, resulting in the closing of the primary fuel path. When the two-stage valve closes completely, the secondary fuel path closes. The sensor detects the closing of the secondary fuel path and reports the closing to the control system. Based on the outputs of the sensor, the control system accepts or declines input from a flow meter.

Abstract: A flow switch used on conjunction with a fuel flow meter in a fuel dispenser to determine when fuel flow rate signals form a fuel flow meter should be ignored in the calculation of flow rate and/or volume of fuel dispensed. An inferential fuel flow meter may be used as the fuel flow meter. The inferential fuel flow meter may be a turbine flow meter that comprises one or more turbine rotors that rotate in response to fuel flow flowing through the turbine flow meter. The turbine rotors may continue to generate pulses even when fuel is no longer flowing. A flow switch determines when fuel is actually flowing and fuel is not actually flowing. The flow switch is described as either a single poppet or dual poppet flow switch in examples described herein.

Abstract: A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.

Abstract: A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser with a flow meter prevents fraud in the form of flow meter replacement by storing a unique identifier in the memory associated with the flow meter. The unique identifier is stored in the memory of the fuel dispenser as well. Prior to each fueling transaction, the unique identifiers in the respective memories are compared. In the event that a match is not found, an alarm may be generated. A calibration factor may likewise be stored in both memories and compared concurrently with the unique identifiers. In an alternate embodiment, each element of the flow meter has a unique identifier which is compared prior to a fueling transaction.

Abstract: A lower cost turbine flow meter comprised of an inner housing constructed out of a high permeable material surrounded by an outer housing constructed out of a lower cost, lower permeable material. A port is placed in the outer housing that runs down to the surface of the inner housing to detect the rotation of turbine rotors that rotate inside the meter as fluid or gas flows through the meter. A pickoff coil is placed in the port to generate a magnetic signal to penetrate through the inner housing wherein the turbine rotor vanes superimpose a pulse signal on the magnetic signal. The lower cost turbine flow meter can be used for any application for measuring fluid or gas, and may be used in a service station environment for measuring fuel or vapor in vapor recovery applications.

Abstract: A turbine flow meter used as a vapor flow meter in a vapor recovery-equipped fuel dispenser. The turbine flow meter measures the vapor recovered by the fuel dispenser during a fueling operation that is returned back to the underground storage tank. The turbine flow meter measurements may be ignored when fuel is no longer flowing through the fuel dispenser since the turbine rotors in the turbine flow meter may continue to rotate even after vapor is no longer being recovered.

Abstract: A dual piston/poppet valve in a fuel dispenser works with a two-stage valve to help eliminate errors from an inferential flow meter. When the two-stage valve opens partially, a secondary fuel path is opened in the dual piston/poppet valve. A sensor detects the opening of the secondary fuel path and reports its opening to a control system. The two-stage valve opens fully and a primary fuel path is opened concurrently. During transaction completion, the two-stage valve partially closes, resulting in the closing of the primary fuel path. When the two-stage valve closes completely, the secondary fuel path closes. The sensor detects the closing of the secondary fuel path and reports the closing to the control system. Based on the outputs of the sensor, the control system accepts or declines input from a flow meter.

Abstract: A dual piston/poppet valve in a fuel dispenser works with a two-stage valve to help eliminate errors from an inferential flow meter. When the two-stage valve opens partially, a secondary fuel path is opened in the dual piston/poppet valve. A sensor detects the opening of the secondary fuel path and reports its opening to a control system. The two-stage valve opens fully and a primary fuel path is opened concurrently. During transaction completion, the two-stage valve partially closes, resulting in the closing of the primary fuel path. When the two-stage valve closes completely, the secondary fuel path closes. The sensor detects the closing of the secondary fuel path and reports the closing to the control system. Based on the outputs of the sensor, the control system accepts or declines input from a flow meter.

Abstract: A dual piston/poppet valve in a fuel dispenser works with a two-stage valve to help eliminate errors from an inferential flow meter. When the two-stage valve opens partially, a secondary fuel path is opened in the dual piston/poppet valve. A sensor detects the opening of the secondary fuel path and reports its opening to a control system. The two-stage valve opens fully and a primary fuel path is opened concurrently. During transaction completion, the two-stage valve partially closes, resulting in the closing of the primary fuel path. When the two-stage valve closes completely, the secondary fuel path closes. The sensor detects the closing of the secondary fuel path and reports the closing to the control system. Based on the outputs of the sensor, the control system accepts or declines input from a flow meter.

Abstract: A turbine flow meter used as a vapor flow meter in a vapor recovery-equipped fuel dispenser. The turbine flow meter measures the vapor recovered by the fuel dispenser during a fueling operation that is returned back to the underground storage tank. The turbine flow meter measurements may be ignored when fuel is no longer flowing through the fuel dispenser since the turbine rotors in the turbine flow meter may continue to rotate even after vapor is not longer being recovered.