Abstract: A system for blending two-blend components to form a blended final product including a first supply line for supplying a first blend component at a first flow rate and a second supply line for supplying a second blend component at a second flow rate. The first supply line and the second supply line intersect to form a blended product line. The system further includes a blended product measuring device positioned in the blended product line for measuring the flow rate of the blended product and an auxiliary measuring device positioned in the first supply line for measuring the flow rate of the first blend component. The auxiliary measuring device may have a degree of accuracy less than that of the blended product meter. Alternatively, the auxiliary measuring device may have the same level of accuracy as that of the blended product meter.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes vapor and hydrocarbon concentration sensors positioned in the vapor recovery line to provide accurate feedback relating to the speed and concentration of hydrocarbon laden vapor recovered by a vapor recovery system. The sensors provide diagnostic information about the vapor recovery process as well as insuring that the vapor recovery process is carried out in an efficient manner. Additionally, the sensors may be positioned in an underground storage tank vent apparatus to monitor fugitive emissions from the underground storage tank.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system includes an anemometer positioned in the vapor return line to calculate the volume of returning vapor in the vapor return line. The anemometer is connected to a control system which compares the volume of returning vapor to the volume of fuel being dispensed and adjusts the speed at which vapor is recovered so that the two volumes approximately equal one another. The anemometer may be a Wheatstone bridge arrangement or a pair of thermometers.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser's vapor recovery system nozzle capable of responding to the presence of an onboard vapor recovery system (ORVR) in an automobile. The invention includes a vapor recovery nozzle having a vapor passage in its nozzle spout and a vapor inlet in communication with the vapor passage. The spout includes a moveable seal mounted on the spout with the seal having a first position adjacent to the plurality of vapor inlets and a second position covering the vapor inlets so as to substantially block the passage of vapors through the vapor inlets. The seal may be biased in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel dispensing apparatus and method for blending at least one blended fuel using a single meter both the blended fuel and the blend components. The invention includes an apparatus for dispensing a blended fuel that includes first and second valves in fluid communication with a low octane blend component and a high octane blend component respectively. A meter is in fluid communication with the first and second valves for generating a signal indicative of the volume of the blended fuel dispensed from the apparatus. The invention further includes a real time octane sensor in fluid communication with the blended fuel for generating an output signal indicative of the octane level of the blended fuel. A blend controller receives the octane sensor output signal and generates output control signals to the first and second control valves to maintain the blended product octane level at a predetermined level or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the hydrocarbon concentration of the return vapor flow of a fuel dispenser equipped with a vapor recovery system. The apparatus includes a sensing housing positioned adjacent the vapor return passage so as to provide fluid communication with the return vapor flow and to discourage entry of liquid into the sensing housing and a vapor inlet positioned in the vapor return passage for admitting hydrocarbon vapor into the sensor chamber. Desirably, the sensing housing is angled to the vapor flow within the vapor return passage.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an ORVR-equipped vehicle having a fuel tank filler pipe including an annular vapor block mounted in the fuel tank filler pipe. The vapor block has sufficient length to substantially block vapor flow through a plurality of vapor return openings in a vacuum assist nozzle spout and further includes an internal diameter complementary with the outside diameter of the nozzle so as to prevent the creation of a vapor tight seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a blended fuel including first and second real time octane sensors in fluid communication with sources of low and high octane blend components. The sensors generate an output signal indicative of the octane level of each component. The apparatus also includes first and second flow control valves in fluid communication with the first and second octane sensors respectively for independently controlling the flow rates of the low level and high level blend components. The invention further includes first and second meters in fluid communication with first and second flow control valves respectively for generating a signal indicative of the flow rates of the first and second blend components. The meters discharge to a blend manifold for mixing the blending components.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system nozzle capable of responding to the presence of an onboard vapor recovery system (ORVR) in an automobile. The invention includes a vapor recovery nozzle having a vapor passage in its nozzle spout and a vapor inlet in communication with the vapor passage. The spout includes a moveable seal mounted on the spout with the seal having a first position adjacent to the plurality of vapor inlets and a second position covering the vapor inlets so as to substantially block the passage of vapors through the vapor inlets. The seal may be biased in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a fuel tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the fuel tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the fuel tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the fuel tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a hydrocarbon detector to detect hydrocarbon concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the hydrocarbon detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor from the ullage when the press

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the pressure in a fuel tank ullage. The apparatus includes a vapor pump which withdraws vapors from the tank ullage responsive to a signal generated by a pressure sensor in communication with the ullage. The vapors are directed to a canister containing a VOC-adsorbent material where the VOC content of the vapor is removed. Non-polluting VOC-free air is vented from the canister to the atmosphere. The invention also contemplates the provision of a second canister which would accept the tank ullage vapors after the material in a first canister becomes saturated. A portion of the VOC-free air exiting the first canister is used a purge gas to regenerate the saturated material in the first canister. The operation of the multiple canisters would alternate between adsorption and regeneration until the tank ullage pressure is reduced to below a threshold level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing and metering a fluid, particularly fuel, from a plurality of fluid sources to a single or a plurality of fluid outlets. The invention uses a single meter for measuring the amount of fluid dispensed from each of the fluid outlets. Valves are used at the inlet to and outlet from the meter to control the flow of fluid from a single source to a single outlet intended to dispensing fluid from the selected source. The invention is particularly useful in a multiple grade or octane-level fuel pump or dispenser. The meter can advantageously be located near the dispensing nozzles, so that the contamination caused by using a single meter is purged after a small amount of fuel is dispensed. The invention preferably uses a small-volume meter with valves located near the meter, to thereby limit the amount of octane variation caused by use of a single meter.

Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a volatile chemical tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the volatile chemical tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the volatile chemical tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the volatile chemical tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a VOC detector to detect VOC concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the VOC detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor fr

Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a volatile chemical tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the volatile chemical tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the volatile chemical tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the volatile chemical tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a VOC detector to detect VOC concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the VOC detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor fr

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a desired pressure within a fuel storage tank or tanks while minimizing or eliminating the amount of pollutants discharged from the fuel storage tank(s). A fuel storage tank is provided with a conduit and a chamber interfaced along the path of the conduit such that all fluid passing through the conduit must pass through the chamber. A fractionating membrane is housed within the chamber for capturing pollutants while allowing air to pass through. As pollutants are collected on the fractionating membrane, they permeate, thereby reducing the pressure in the tank and associated conduit. A vapor pump is provided for drawing vapor through the conduit and the membrane, and for drawing pollutants off of the membrane. A pressure transducer located in the tank or associated piping makes the vapor pump responsive to the pressure therein. A vent is further provided for allowing air into the tank and piping and for depressurizing the tank and piping.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping recovered vapor in a vapor recovery liquid fuel dispenser includes a liquid fuel dispenser apparatus adapted to dispense liquid fuel to a liquid fuel dispenser nozzle proximate a fuel vapor passage. A transducer associated with the dispenser apparatus generates a liquid fuel flow signal indicative of the rate of liquid fuel flow therethrough. A vapor pump driven by an electric motor is arranged to pump vapor from the vapor passage through a vapor pump inlet to a vapor pump outlet and has a characteristic that the flow rate through the vapor pump at a given vapor pump operating speed is inversely proportional to the difference between the vapor pump inlet and outlet pressures. Sensors associated with the inlet and outlet ascertain inlet and outlet pressures and generate signals representative thereof. A controller for the vapor pump includes vapor recovery control electronics and motor drive electronics.