Fluid Dispensing System

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supplying fluid wherein a product specific ticket, card, or order form is utilized which incorporates a bar code, notch or hole formed in the media thereof, a mark, a colored area, or a particular shape to designate the fluid type to be installed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/704,277 entitled “Fuel Dispensing System” filed Aug. 1, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a dispensing system such as for example a system for supplying fuel to an aircraft wherein a product specific indicia designates the fuel type to be installed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The improper fueling of aircraft can be extremely dangerous. The type, quality, and purity of fuel for aircraft are critical for the safe operation of aircraft engines. Improper fueling of aircraft caused by ground personnel has resulted in aircraft engine failures.

Continuous efforts have been made in the aircraft industry to assure that proper fuels are supplied to aircraft during the refueling of the aircraft engines. While many attempts have been made toward automating the refueling of aircraft, these attempts have failed to produce a safe and sound system to assure the introduction of the proper fuel into an associated aircraft.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a system for delivering fuel to an aircraft to ensure that the correct fuel enters the appropriate aircraft without the use of complex or expensive electronic systems.

It is another object of the invention to produce a system for ensuring the delivery of the correct fluid using a ticket, card, or order form which is fluid specific.

Still another object of the invention is to produce a system for supplying fluid wherein a product specific ticket, card, or order form is utilized which incorporates a bar code, notch, or hole formed in the media thereof, a mark, a colored area, or a particular shape to designate the fluid type to be installed.

It is still another object of the invention to produce a system for supplying fluid wherein the operator of the equipment has no potential to accidentally install incorrect fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a fluid dispensing system using a product specific ticket, card, or order form, which ensures the correct fluid is delivered without the use of complex or expensive electronic systems has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, a method of dispensing fluid is described where the method includes providing a source of fluid, providing conduit communication for the flow of fluid from the source to a remote location, normally preventing the flow of fluid in the conduit; and selectively providing communication between the source of fluid and the conduit upon the introduction of a product specific indicia containing media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description describes various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description serves to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.

While the invention has application to the proper delivery of fluids, it has particular application to the delivery of fuel for aircraft engines. There are presently four types of fuel used in an aircraft. The fuel types are: 1) avgas; 2) jet fuel; 3) jet fuel with additives; and 4) diesel. The fuel types are typically dispensed from a single fluid source. The fluid source includes an outlet from which the fluid is dispensed, and a conduit disposed to the outlet which directs the fluid to a remote location.

In a first embodiment, the fluid dispensing system includes an indicia recognition device. Indicia recognition devices are commonly known in the art. The indicia recognition device is in communication with the fluid source, and adapted for use with a product specific media. The product specific media includes an indicator. The indicator maybe a bar code, a notch, an aperture formed therein, a mark, a symbol, a colored area, or a shape. Additionally, other manners of indication may be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

Normally, the indicia recognition device prevents the fluid source from communication with the outlet. The product specific media is specified, provided, or chosen by a representative for the delivery of the fluid, and introduced into the indicia recognition device. The indicia recognition device interprets the indicia contained on the product specific indicia, and selectively provides communication between the source and the outlet.

The indicia recognition device will allow only the fluid type encoded on the indicator on the product specific media to be released from the source, assuring that the fluid dispensing system dispenses the correct fluid and will not allow the incorrect fluid to be dispensed.

Additionally, the fluid source may further include a fluid type selector. An operator inputs the type of fluid to be released from the source using the fluid type selector. The indicia recognition device compares the fluid type encoded on the product specific media and the fluid type using the fluid type selector, and allows communication between the source and outlet only if both are the same.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the invention is product specific and does not depend on quantity information or customer information as in prior dispensing systems. The information required to actuate the system is in a physical form and does not depend upon electronics, customer data, customer number, or liquid quantity. The system assures that it is product selective and, therefore, avoids the problems in the prior art.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing system, comprising:

a source of fluid having an outlet;

conduit means directing the flow of fluid from the outlet of said source to a remote location; and

an indicia recognition device normally preventing communication between the outlet of the source and the conduit means, the device selectively providing communication between the source and the conduit means upon the introduction of a product specific indicia containing media into an indicia recognition device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicia recognition device includes the product specific indicia containing media.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the product specific indicia containing media comprises at least one of a bar code, a notch, an aperture formed therein, a mark, a symbol, a colored area, and a shape.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of fluid dispenses at least one of avgas, jet fuel, jet fuel with additives, and diesel.

5. The system of claim 1, including a fluid type selector designating a fluid type selected by an operator, and selectively providing communication between the source and said conduit means upon the introduction of a product specific indicia containing media corresponding to the type of fluid selected using the fluid type selector.

6. Method of dispensing fluid, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a source of fluid;

(b) providing communication for the flow of fluid from the source to a remote location;

(c) normally preventing the flow of fluid in the conduit; and selectively providing communication between the source of fluid and the conduit upon the introduction of a product specific indicia containing media.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of providing a product specific indicia comprising at least one of a bar code, a notch, an aperture formed therein, a mark, a symbol, a colored area, and a shape, for introduction into an indicia recognition device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the source of fluid dispenses at least one of avgas, jet fuel, jet fuel with additives, and diesel.

9. The system of claim 8, further including the step of selecting a type of fluid using a fluid type selector.

10. The system of claim 9, including performing step (c) by selectively providing communication between the source and the conduit means upon the introduction of a product specific indicia containing media corresponding to the type of fluid selected using the fluid selector.

11. A fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a source of fluid having an outlet;

a conduit in communication with the outlet; and

an indicia recognition device normally preventing the flow of fluid in the conduit, and selectively providing communication between the source of fluid and the conduit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a product specific indicia containing media.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the product specific indicia containing media is at least one of a bar code, a notch, an aperture formed therein, a mark, a symbol, a colored area, and a shape.