US3814148A - Vehicle fueling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for providing maintenance service to vehicles. A vehicle servicing unit is provided with a plurality of fuel sources, means for supplying fuel from the sources to vehicles, and means for automatically registering billing data. A vehicle to be serviced is equipped with an electrical connector including pins that are wired to give a coded identification number, pins that are wired to give a coded fuel-type indication, and pins to activate the system, and a mating connection is provided on the servicing unit. The system has all electrical components enclosed in a pressurized cabinet to ensure that fuel vapors cannot get into the area adjacent those components. The system permits supplying of other items such as lubricating oil, and the billing circuitry ensures that the correct charge is made for such items so that a customer is not billed for items delivered to a previous customer. Means are also provided for withdrawing fuel vapors and overflow liquid fuel from the area adjacent the delivery nozzle to a disposal, rather than allowing them to escape to the atmosphere.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Wostl VEHICLE FUELING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Wolfgang J. Wostl, South Holland,

[73] Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company, New

. York, NY.

{22] Filed: July 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 273,217

[52] US. Cl 141/98, 137/2346, 141/392,

. 141/232, 235/151 [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/00 [58] Field of Search 141/1, 98, 231, 232, 233,

Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr.

, Attorney, Agent, or FirmThomas. J. Clough 1 June 4, 1974 [57 1 ABSTRACT A system for providing maintenance service to vehicles. A vehicle servicing unit is provided with a plurality of fuel sources, means for supplying fuel from the sources to vehicles, and means for automatically registering billing data A vehicle to be serviced is equipped with an electrical connector including pins that are wired to give a coded identification number, pins that are wired to give a coded fuel-type indication, and pins to activate the system, and a mating connection is provided on the servicing unit. The system has all electrical components enclosed in a pressurized cabinet to ensure that fuel vapors cannot get into the area adjacent those components. The system permits supplying of other items such as lubricating oil, and the billing circuitry ensures that the correct charge is made for such items so that a customer is not billed for items delivered to a previous customer. Means are also provided for withdrawing fuel vapors and overflow liquid fuel from the area adjacent the delivery nozzle to a disposal, rather than allowing them to escape to the atmosphere.

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mowmwmmzou VEHICLE FUELING APPARATUS The present invention pertains to the periodic maintenance of vehicles. More particularly, the present inventiori pertains to a vehicle servicing unit which can readily be provided in the vicinity of vehicles to be serviced, for example in a parking lot, to provide selected vehicles with a supply of essentials such as fuel and lubricant.

Supplying necessary items such as fuel and lubricant to motor vehicles is a minor yet time consuming chore which the users of motor vehicles frequently overlook or postpone until such time as the supply of such necessities is almost exhausted and must be replenished before further use can be made of the vehicle. Thus, for example, a motorist frequently drives his vehicle until the fuel supply is almost exhausted, making it absolutely necessary that the motorist obtain additional fuel before continuing to use the vehicle. Frequently the motorist is about to undertake some task which should have his-immediate time and attention, and thus the delay in obtaining'supplies such as fuel can be a serious problem rather than simply an inconvenience. Large numbers of people commute to ,work every day in motor vehicles. Often these vehicles are parked for a considerable length of time in a parking area near the work place of the user. The vehicle operator is considerably aided if his vehicle can be supplied with such things as fuel during the time that it is parked and while he is absent. Not only does this ensure against running out of fuel, it also eliminates the necessity of stopping for fuel while commuting. U.S. Pat/No. 3,650,303 issued Mar. 21, 1972, discloses a system for providing supplies and minor maintenance to vehicles parked, for examplein a parking lot, and while the owners of such vehicles are absent. The disclosure of that patent is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to improvements on the system disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,650,303. Thus the present invention relates to an apparatus for providing in the vicinity of the vehicles requiring service a vehicle servicing unit including a fuel supply and means for identifying the vehicle to which fuel is supplied, means for ensuring that liquid fuel and fuel vapors do not escape to the atmosphere while vehicles are being serviced. In addition, the system can incorporate intrinsically safe circuits and can'provide a non-hazardous operating environment.

In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle to be serviced is identified by a vehicle identification number which is encoded into a connector through which a connection must be established before operation can commence. That connector further identifies the type of fuel which is to be provided to a particular vehicle. The vehicle servicing unit, including the connector, incorporates safety features providing intrinsically safe components in a non-hazardous environment. Thus, for example, the fuel nozzle includes means for withdrawing overflow liquid fuel and fuel vapor from the vicinity of the nozzle outlet to a fuel disposal, rather than allowing them to escape to contaminate the environment. In addition, the vehicleidentifying connector and the servicing unit control console include features assuring that flammable vapors are kept from areas around electrical connections when power is provided thereto.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are more apparent in the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates the servicing of vehicles within an area by means of a vehicle servicing unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a control panel suitable for use in a system in accordance with the present invention, with FIG. 3 taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a vehicle identificationdevice in accordance with the present invention together with a schematic representation of one embodiment of a vehicle identification unit suitable for incorporation into the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a fuel nozzle and hose suitable for use in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the providing of fuel in accordance with the present invention in a manner which avoids escape of liquid fuel or fuel vapors into the atmosphere.

FIG. 1 illustrates a parking lot 10 which is typical of those encountered in urban centers and work areas. As shown therein, a number ofvehicles 12 are parked inrows 14, generally two vehicles deep with anopen aisleway 16 betweenadjacent rows 14.

A vehicle servicing unit 18 is shown-in accordance with the present invention in anaisleway 16 to service the particular vehicles parked adjacent that aisleway.

The servicing unit 18 is preferably motorized, either as an integral unit or it could be, for example, mounted behind and connected to a cab-type motoring means. The servicing unit 18 includes acontrol panel 20, within aside panel 22 of unit 18, aservice panel 24 having fuel delivery means such asfuel delivery hoses 26 terminating innozzle 28.Hoses 26 are of a length sufficient to service thevehicles 12 in the proximate area, for example a length up to about 20 feet or more. Servicing unit 18 can also contain a number of accessories such as cans of lubricating oil, rags, windshield wipers, etc. useful in performing accessory services to a vehicle.Service panel 24 is illustrated as including air hose 30, for supplying air to vehicle tires, and-water hose 32, for supplyingwater for vehicle radiators and batteries.

Servicing unit 18 can be established in the proximate area of aparticular vehicle 34 which is identified as a member of the periodic maintenance system, as by means of asticker 36 located on the rear ofvehicle 34. The nozzle of afuel delivery hose 26 can be inserted into the fuel storage tankfiller pipe inlet 38 of thevehicle 34. Adjacent the tiller pipe inlet there is avehicle identifying means 40 adapted to identify the particular vehicle being serviced so that when the fuel nozzle ofhose 26 is inserted into the tiller pipe, theparticular vehicle 34 is automatically identified to the servicing unit 18. As fuel is supplied to the vehicle fuel tanks from servicing unit 18 throughhose 26 andnozzle 28, the amount of fuel transferred and its price are recorded on servicing unit 18, together with the vehicle identification number.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a panel suitable forcontrol panel 20 on vehicle servicing unit 18. Within theside panel 22 of servicing unit 18 anopening 152 is provided. Atransparent window 154 of, for example, plastic or shatter-proof glass covers opening 152.Gasket 156 provides a substantially air tight seal between win- 3dow 154 andside panel 22.Window 154 is held in place by suitable means such asclamps 158 that are secured toside panel 22 bybolts 160.Control unit 162 is within vehicle servicing unit 18 behindwindow 154. By way of example, servicing unit 18 can be equipped to provide three types of fuel such as leaded gasoline, non-leaded gasoline, and diesel fuel. FIG. 2 illustrates threefuel buttoms 164, 166, and 168 associated respectively with the three types of fuel. Quantity indicator 164a and price indicator 16412 show the quantity and price of fuel delivered from the first source associated withfuel button 164. Likewise,indicators 166a, 166b, 168a and 168b show the quantity and price of fuel delivered from sources associated withfuel buttons 166 and 168, respectively. If desired, a single quantity indicator and a single price indicator could be provided to indicate the delivery from all sources, but of course I thiswould limit the system to delivery from one source ata time. If desired, each of thefuel buttons 164, 166 and 168 can be an actuator/indicator having, for example, three alternative indications, one showing that the fuel source associated with that button is available for delivery of fuel, one showing that the associated fuel source is in use, and one showing that the associated source has completed delivery of fuel and is ready for the printing of the associated bill.

Rotary switch 178 is provided to indicate the quantity of lubricant such as oil, which has been supplied to a vehicle and has fixed contacts corresponding with 0, l, and 2 quarts. The servicing unit attendant operatesswitch 178 to indicate the quantity of oil that has been provided to a vehicle. After delivery of fuel and, if necessary, lubricating oil has been completed, the associatedfuel button 164, 166, or 168 is actuated to initiate printing ofa bill. In addition to giving fuel and lubricant quantity and price, this bill shows the vehicle identification number. A copy of the bill is retained withinservicing unit 162, while another copy is ejected throughbill dispenser 182 for the attendant to place on the serviced vehicle, for example under a windshield wiper.

The interior of vehicle servicing unit 18, surroundingcontrol unit 16 2,is enclosed bywall 174, which closes against the inner surface ofside panel 22. This interior area is pressurized with, for example, air to prevent entry of fuel vapors to the area surrounding the control equipment, thus providing a non-hazardous environment for the control equipment Quantity indicators 164a, 166a, and 168a,price indicators 164b, 166b, and 168b, and the indications of the positions forswitch 178 do not require openings throughwindow 154.Controls 164, 166, 168, and 178 andbill dispenser 182, all require openings throughwindow 154. As illustrated in FIG. 2, these openings are preferably as small as possible, while permitting passage of the respective components therethrough, thus minimizing leakage of the pressurized air from within vehicle servicing unit 18'.

FIGS. 4 and illustrate apparatus for identifying a vehicle being serviced in accordance with the present invention. Vehicle identification means 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as one-half of an electrical connector having a plurality of a connector pins therein.Connector portion 40 is permanently attached adjacent thefuel tank inlet 38 on avehicle 34 which is to be serviced by vehicle servicing unit 18. The other half of theconnector 42 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and is provided adjacent thefuel dispensing nozzle 28 of vehicle servicing unit 18..

4 The length of the connection ofconnector portion 42 tonozzle 28 and the positioning of connector portion 41) onvehicle 34 make it extremely difficult or impossible to insertnozzle 28 other than withinfuel tank inlet 38 whenconnector portion 42 is coupled toconnector portion 40.

Connector portions 40 and 42 include a plurality of rows of connector pins. By way of illustration, FIG. 4 shows fiverows 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52 of connector pins, with four pins in each row. Each row of connector pins is utilized to provide a binary coded decimal representation of a digit of the vehicle identification number.

The connector of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be utilized 'with a four digit identification number. Thus, the upper four rows 44-50 correspond respectively to the four digits of that identification number. Each pin in a given row corresponds with a binary digit. Thus, each pin in theright-most column 54 of pins onconnector portion 40, represents a binary one, each pin in thenext column 56 of pins represents binary two, each in the third column 58 a binary four, and each in'the left-most column 60 a binary eight. The fifth or bottom row ofpins 52 is utlized for other purposes. Thus, in the illustrative examples of FIG. 4, theleft-most pin 62 in the bottom row is utilized as the common or excitation input. That pin is electrically connected to each of the pins in rows 4450 that are utilized to form the binary coded decimal representation of the particular vehicle identifcation' number. In the illustrative example of FIG. 8, theexcitation pin 62 is electrically connected to the pins corresponding with binary eight and binary one inrow 44, to the pins corresponding with binary two and binary one inrow 48, and to the pin corresponding with binary four in therow 50. Accordingly,connector portion 40 is coded to represent vehicle identification number 9034.

Theright-most pin 64 ofrow 52 inconnector portion 40 is utilized to actuatemicroswith 66 inconnector portion 42. Thus,microswitch 66 is closed to complete a circuit between its contacts whenconnector portion 42 is securely connected to theconnector portion 40 .On a vehicle. The contacts ofmicroswitch 66 are enclosed so that they never are contacted by the atmosphere. Accordingly, all circuits associated withmicroswitch 66 are intrinsically safe.

Pins 68 and 70 inrow 52 ofconnector portion 40 are utilized to identify the type of fuel which is to be supplied to the vehicle to which theconnector portion 40 is attached. Thus, by way of illustration, these pins can be used toprovide a binary'coded representation of the fuel type. For example, if excitation is supplied only to pin 68, one type of fuel is indicated; if excitation is supplied only to pin 70, a second type of fuel is indicated; and if excitation is supplied to both pin 68 andpin 70, a third type of fuel is indicated.Pins 68 and 70 mate with-pins 69 and 71 inconnector portion 42 whenconnector portion 42 is mated withconnector portion 40. Fuel-type identification pins 68-71 thus assure that the proper type of fuel is supplied to the vehicle, and so, for example, a vehicle having an engine intended to run on non-leaded gasoline can not be supplied with leaded gasoline.

Connector portion 42 is coupled bycable 72 to control equipment within vehicle servicing unit 18. The vehicle identification and billing circuitry of FIG. 5 includespower source 76 which supplies power tomaster control relay 78.Microswitch 66 is connected byleads 80 and 82 withincable 72 tomaster control relay 78 so that whenmicroswitch 66 is actuated by the coupling ofconnector portion 42 to aconnector portion 40 on a vehicle to be serviced,master control relay 78 is actuated to provide power to the remainder of the vehicle identification and billing circuitry. Actuation ofmicroswitch 66 also causes resetting of the associatedindicators 164a and 164b, 166a and 166b, or 1681i and 168b. Actuation ofmaster control relay 78 provides power throughcontroller 84 and a lead withinsubcable 85 ofcable 72 toexcitation pin 74 and thus toexcitation pin 62 from which the power is provided to those pins forming the binary coded decimal representation of the vehicle identification number. All the vehicle identification pins of rows 44-50 are connected throughsubcable 85 tocontroller 84. Thus,controller 84 is provided with a binary coded decimal representation of the vehicle identification number indicated by the pin connections withinconnector portion 40. This vehicle identification number is applied bycontroller 84 to recorder-printer 87. i

Leads 73 and 75 withincable 72 connect fuel-type identification pins 69 and 71 togates 86, 88 and 90 to control the type fuel which can be supplied. Thus, AND gate is connected to receive enabling inputs from fuel-type identification pins 69 and 71, while ANDgate 88 is connected to receive an enabling input from fueltype identification'pin 69 and an inhibiting input from fuel-type identification pin 71. Similarly, ANDgate 90 is connected to receive an inhibiting input fromfueltype identification pin 71.

Oncecontroller 84 has recorded the vehicle identification number, it provides an input togates 86, 88, and 90. Thegate 86, 88 or 90 corresponding with the type of fuel indicated by the connections to fuel-type identification pins 68 and 70 provides an output. ANDgates 86, 88, and 90 have their outputs connected respectively to actuatepump motors 92, 9.4, and 96 on the pumps for the different fuels available from vehicle servicing unit 18. Thepump motor 92, 94 or 96 which receives an output from its associated ANDgate 86,88, or 90 is thus actuated, permitting delivery of fuel from the associatednozzle 28. Preferably, the connectionsof gates, 86, 88, and 90 to pumpmotors 92, 94, and 96 include circuitry causing an actuated pump motor to remain actuated after the signals onlines 73 and 75 terminate. if this is so, then once a pump motor is actuated,'excitation is removed frompin 74 in'connector portion 42, providing further assurance of safety. The servicing unit attendant can then provide fuel from the actuated pump to the vehicle fuel tank. As 'thefuel is being supplied, the quantity and price are indicatedon indicators 164a and 1641 166a and 166b, or 168a and 16812, as appropriate. I

Oil charge control unit 1 14 is connected tocontroller 84 to be actuated once the vehicle identification number is sensed.Oil charge switch 178 indicates the quantity of oil which has been supplied to the vehicle.Common contact 112 ofswitch 178 is connected to oilcharge control unit 114 to receive excitaton therefrom.Switch 178 has fixed contacts corresponding with the number of quarts of oil which might be provided to a vehicle. Thus..in the illustrative example of FIGS. 2 and 5, the fixed contacts designated 0, 1, and 2, correspond respectively to zero, 1 or 2 quarts of oiLEach of'the fixed contacts is connected to oilcharge control unit 114 which provides a representation of the price of that quantity of oil to recorder-printer 87.

Once the servicing of the vehicle is completed, the attendant actuates thefuel button 164, 166 or 168, associated with thehose 26 that has been utilized. A binary coded digital representation of the fuel quantity and price is then applied from the associatedindicators 164a and 164b, 1660 and 166b, or l68b torecorderprinter 87. If it is desired to be able to pump fuel from more than one source at a time, recorder-printer 87 includes appropriate memory circuitry to store the vehicle identification number associated with each pump or source for mergingwith the sales data from the quan-' tity and price indicators at the time the bill is, printed. Recorder-printer 87 includes circuitry which inhibits its printing operation until a fresh input has been received fromoil controlunit 114, thus requiring that theattendant actuate switch 178, if only by rotating movingcontact 112 from the0 position to another position and back to the 0 position, before a bill can be printed.

mated to aconnector portion 40, actuatingmicroswitch 66, pressurized air is supplied to the connector interior, preventing entry of fuel vapors. Preferably, excitation is not supplied to pin 74 until after passage of time sufficient to allow flow of air through the connector equal to about four times the volume of the connector interior, thus assuringa non-hazardous environment.

Compressor 170 also supplies air to pressurize the interior of vehicle servicing unit 18, surroundingequipment 162.Pressure switch 176 senses this pressure, and should the pressure drop,pressure switch 176 applies a signal tocontroller 84, deactivating the system.Compressor 170 additionally supplies air for air hose 30.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depictnozzle assembly 210, suitable for supplying fuel to vehicle in a manner minimizing or eliminating escape of fuel vapors and liquid fuel into the atmosphere andin accordance with the present invention.Assembly 210 includes afuel nozzle 212 of a standard configuration, including ahousing 213 and adelivery spout 214. Characteristically,delivery spout 214 is slightly curved, having a convexupper surface 238 adjacent theupper surface 240 ofhousing 213.

Control handle 222 inhousing 213 ofnozzel 212 determines whether fuel is being delivered by the nozzle. Control handle 222 can be retained in its fuel-delivery position byretainer 224. It is conventional for such automatic fuel nozzles to include anorifice 216 near thedischarge outlet 218 ofdeliveryspout 214. atube 220 communicates fromorifice 216 to a control mechanism withinhousing 213 to sense whetherorifice 216 is surrounded by gas or by a liquid or solid; With control handle 222 held in its fuel-delivery position byretainer 224, the covering oforifice 216 by a liquid or solid re: sults in the control mechanism withinhousing 213 causing control handle 222 to be disengaged fromretainer 224. Such automatic fuel nozzles are well known in the art.

The major portion ofdelivery spout 214 is enclosed bybellows 230, the forward end of which terminates inclosure plug 221. As seen in FIG. 6,closure plug 221 includes first shell member 232, which is preferably integrally formed withbellows 230,liner 236, andsecond shell member 229, which is preferably integrally formed with mountingmember 228 to holdplug member 226. First shell member 232 andsecond shell member 229 are free to move relative to each other, both longitudinally along the major axis ofdelivery spout 214, and rotationally, about that major axis.Hook 242 is fastened to the upper surface of delivery spout'214 to engage the inner lip of a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe inlet, thus retaining nozzle assembly 10 in a fueldelivery position. The resilience ofbellows 230 urges first shell member 232 andliner 236 into contact withsecond shell member 229, and hook 242 prevents closure plug 221 from coming off the end ofdelivery spout 214.

Bellows 230, together with its first shell member 232, and mountingmember 228, together with itssecond shell member 229, can be made, for example, ofa light gage stainless steel or brass, in whichcase liner 236 providessufficient lubricity to permit free rotational movement between first shell member 232 andsecond shell member 229.Shell members 229 and 232 thus provide a rotational interface betweenbellows 230 andclosure plug 221.Liner 236 can be made of tetrafluorethylene (available under the trademark Teflon), for example. Alternatively, bellows 230, first shell member 232, mountingmember 228 andsecond shell member 229 might be formed ofa material such as cast neoprene so that sufficient lubricity exists between first shell member 232 andsecond shell member 229, in whichcase liner 236 might be omitted. Preferably,plug member 226 is formed of a somewhat resilient material which is resistant to fuels, for example, neoprene or tetrafiuorethylene.Hook 242 is mounted ondelivery spout 214 in a position which ensures thatorifice 216 is within the vehicle fuel tank filler pipe whenhook 242 engages the filler pipe lip so thatorifice 216 is normally surrounded by gas, but is surrounded by liquid fuel to sense when the fuel tank is filled, whereupon the control mechanism withinhousing 213 causes delivery of fuel to be terminated.

Closure plug 221 does not encircledelivery spout 214 tightly. lnstead, apassageway 227 exists betweendelivery spout 214 and plugmember 226, and apassageway 234 exists betweendelivery spout 214 andshell members 229 and 232 andline 236. Whennozzle assembly 210 is retained byhook 242 in a fuel-delivery position withdischarge outlet 214 within a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe, and no one is holding nozzle assembly. 210, the weight ofhousing 213 causesnozzle assembly 210 to rotate about its point of contact with the vehicle filler pipe. The resilience of bellows 230.causes plugmember 226 to remain snugly against'the vehicle fuel tank filler pipe inlet, and so ashousing 213 sags, due to this rotation, first shell member 232 rotates with respect tosecond shell member 229, anddelivery spout 214 moves withinpassageways 227 and 234 as necessary. Should the resiliency ofbellows 230 not be sufficient for this purpose, a spring can be provided, encirclingdelivery spout 214 withinbellows 230 to give additional bias.

Chamber 237 is defined withinclosure plug 221 betweensecond shell member 229 and mountingmember 228. As fuel is supplied to a vehicle fuel tank bynozzle assembly 210, fuel vapors coming from the vehicle fuel tank filler pipe pass throughpassageways 227 and 234 8 to the interior ofbellows 230. Should splash-back occur, th liquid fuel is directed back into the fuel tank byplug member 226. if the splash-back is great, some liquid fuel passes throughpassageway 227tochamber 237. Much of this fuel subsequently returns alongdischarge spout 214 to the fuel tank filler pipe.

Nozzle 210 is connected to the discharge end offuel delivery hose 244, the inlet end of which is connected to the outletof a fuel pump. Adjacent the connection ofbellows 230 tohousing 213, asmall orifice 246 provides communication from the interior ofbellows 230, throughhousing 213, to flexible.tube 248, which is enclosed withinfuel delivery hose 244. Also, withinfuel delivery hose 244 ishose 172 havingcable 72 within it.Hose 172, withcable 72 therewithin, passes out a side ofhousing 213 and terminates inconnector portion 42. Thus, the conductors ofcable 72 provide electrical connections to the, pins ofconnector portion 42,'whilehose 172 supplies air under slight pressure to pressurize the connector whenconnector portion 42 is mated with aconnector portion 40 so that fuel vapors can not get into the area adjacent the connector pin connections, thereby assuring a non-hazardous environment.

When vehicle servicing unit 18 is supplying avehicle 34 with fuel utilizingnozzle assembly 210,delivery spout 214 is inserted into the fuel tank filler pipe of thevehicle 34, andconnector portion 42 is mated to theconnector portion 40 on thevehicle 34. Closing ofmicroswitch 66 causes air to be applied throughhose 172 to the connector interior. After the connector interior has been adequately flushed with air, power is supplied to pin 62 ofconnector portion 42, and the system is activated. When the fuel delivery is to commence, control handle 222 is moved to a fuel-delivery position, and, if desired,retainer 224 is moved to retain control handle 222 in such position. As fuel is delivered throughnozzle assembly 210 to the vehicle fuel tank, air and fuel vapors pass from the vehicle fuel tank.Plug member 226 substantially closes the fuel tank filler pipe inlet, preventing passage of such gases into the surrounding atmosphere. Instead, the air and fuel vapors from the fuel tank pass throughfluid passageways 227 and 234 intobellows 230.Flexible tube 248 is coupled within servicing unit 18 to a fuel disposal. Thus,passageways 227 and 234, bellows 230,orifice 246, andtube 248 define a fluid path to the fuel disposal from the areaadjacent discharge end 218 of delivery spout.214. A mild vacuum is drawn throughflexible tube 248 to draw the air and fuel vapors frombellows 230 to the fuel disposal. Should splash-back occur,plug member 226 likewiseprevents escape of liquid fuel onto the ground. If the splash-back is so great thatplug member 226 is unable to return all of the liquid fuel to the vehicle fuel tank, the excess liquid fuel passes throughpassageways 227 and 234 tochamber 237 and the interior ofbellows 230. After the fuel delivery is completed and upon return ofnozzle 210 to its retention position onservice panel 24, in whichposition orifice 246 is at the lower end ofbellows 230, any liquid fuel withinbellows 230 drains throughorifice 246 andflexible tube 248 to the fuel disposal. Preferably, an opening 257' is provided inbellows 230 to permit entry of air to satisfy the vacuum requirements of the fuel disposal, should there be insufficient air and vapor entering throughopenings 227 and 234. v

The fuel disposal can be any device capable of removing fuel vapors from gas passing through it. By way of illustration, the fuel disposal can include a solid adsorbent, for example charcoal, to filterthe fuel vapor from the gas, and a liquid fuel trap. Alternatively, it could be a catalytic reactor to cause substantially complete combustion of the fuel liquid and vapor with air, giving exhaust products such as carbon dioxide and water, and to let out the exhaust products. As a third alternative, the fuel disposal could be a small internal combustion engine in which the fuel liquid and vapor is combusted with an excess of oxygen, permitting substantially complete combustion at. a low combustion temperature. The power from such an engine could be utilized to prov'idethe vacuum that draws the vapor and liquid fuel from bellows 230. As an additional and preferred alternative, the fuel disposal could be the engine of vehicle servicing unit 18, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of vehicle servicing system 18 of the present invention withnozzle assembly 210, utilizing the engine of servicing unit 18 as the fueldisposal to prevent escape of liquid fuel and fuel vapor into the surrounding atmosphere.Nozzle 210 is coupled byhose 244 to fuelsource 250 within servicing unit 18.Fuel source 250 includes fuel supply252, pump 254 which pumps fuel on'command fromfuel supply 252 throughhose 244, andgenerator 256 which providespower forpump 254.Flexible tube 248,hose 172, andcable 72 are withinhose 244. Hose orpipe 258 couplesflexible tube 248 toengine 260 of vehicle servicing unit 18 to apply to the engine the liquid fuel and fuel vapors which have been drawn within bellows 230. During the time fuel is being dispensed,governor 262 receives a control signal fromfuel source 250 to maintain the speed ofengine 260 constantat a level which drivesgenerator 256 at the required speed to provide proper power forpump 254. ln addition,engine 260powers compressor 170 which supplies air throughtube 171 to fuelsource 250 and thus tohose 17,2.Governor 262 is mechanically coupled to gearshift control 264 to ensure that the governor can not operate unless the transmission of vehicle servicing unit 18 is in its neutral condition. Accordingly, while fuel is being supplied to a vehicle, the fuel vapor leaving the vehicle fuel tank filler pipe and any liquid fuel entering bellows 230 due to splash-back are drawn toengine 260 in which they are combusted, rather than escapinginto the atmosphere. Proper control ofengine 260 results in substantially complete combustion with little or not contaminants.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous rearrangements and modifications could be made, and still the result would be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprisa. Identification means adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including:

1. vehicle identity means for identifying a particular vehicle to which the identification means is attached; and

2. fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including:

l. identification sensing means adapted for connection to saididentification means and having: i. vehicle identity sensing means for sensing the identification of the particular vehicle identified by said identification means; a

, ii. fuel-type identity sensing means for sensing the type of fuel identified by said identification means; i

2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a'vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fuel-type identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and

'3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.

i 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which? said identification means includes a first connector portion including binary coded connector pins, fuel-type connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins and said fuel-type pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number and of a fuel-type number; and

' said identification sensing means includes a second connector portion adapted to mate w ith said first connector portion and including connector pins adapted to mate with said first connector portion pins for supplying excitation to said first connector portion excitation pin and for sensing the binary coded representation of the vehicle identification number and of the fuel-type number.

3. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 2 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in which said second connectorportion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with a first connector portion and in which said identification sensing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said secondconneetor portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

4. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 in which said identification sensing means further includes an air supply responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supply-.

ing air under pressure to the interior of a connector formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.

5. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 4 in which said excitation means includes means for delaying the supplying of excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin until sufficient air has been supplied to the interior of the connector to flush the connector interior.

6. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3 in which said identification sensing means includes means for deactivating said excitation means following the sensing by said identification sensing means of a vehicle identity to terminate excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes printing means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes additional charge indication means for indicating a charge for additional items supplied to a vehicle.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said'recording means includes means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which'said printing means includes means for inhibiting the printing of a bill until receipt of an input from said additional charge indication means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a portion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet to prevent entry of vapor thereinto.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim ll further comprising means for sensing pressure within said cabinet and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon sensing of pressure within said cabinet below a preset pressure.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said fue supply means includes:

a nozzle including a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, a nozzle housing coupling said nozzle inlet and said nozzle outlet, and control means for controlling fuel flow from said nozzle inlet through said nozzle housing to said nozzle outlet;

closure means adjacent said nozzle outlet for substantially closing a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe inlet, with the nozzle outlet within the filler pipe inlet for delivery of fuel ,thereinto; and

means defining a fluid path communicating through said closure means and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing fluid communication from an area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the fuel disposal.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said closure means comprises resilient plug means and biasing means for biasing said resilient plug-means toward said nozzle outlet.

15. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 14 in which said defining means includes a first shell member and said resilient plug means includes a second shell member cooperating with said first shell member to provide a rotational interface between said defining means and said closure means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said defining means comprises a bellows encircling a portion of said nozzle, first fluid passage means for providing fluid communication from the area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the interior of said bellows, and second fluid passage means connected to said bellows and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing a fluid path from the interior of said bellows to the fuel disposal.

17. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 16 in which said closure means comprises a resilient plug means connected to said bellows to be biased by said bellows toward said nozzle outlet.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said plug means includes a first shell member and said resil- 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a fuel disposal connected to said defining means for receipt of fuel therefrom.

21. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 20 further comprising a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and transporting said apparatus, and in which said internal combustion engine comprises said fuel disposal.

22. Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuelstorage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: I

a. afirst connector portion adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including binary coded connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number for identifying a particular vehicle to which the first connector portion is attached; and i b. vehicle servicing means including:

1. a second connector portion adapted to mate with said first connector portion and including connector pins adapted to mate with said first connector portion pins to supply excitation to said first connector portion excitation pin and to sense the binary coded representation of the vehicle identification number for sensing the identification of the particular vehicle identified by said first connector portion;

2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel; storage tank in response to sensing by said second connector portion of the identity of a vehicle identified by a first connector portion; and

3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the second connector portion for'recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the second connector portion and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means. 23. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 22 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in whichsaid second connector portion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with said-first connector portion and in which said vehicle servicing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said vehicle servicing means further includes air supply means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying air under pressure to the interior of a connector formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.

ing said excitation means following the sensing by said 25. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 24 in which said 27. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 22 further comexcitation means includes means for delaying the supprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a por- Plymg of excltatlon through 531d SeCOnd Connector P tion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for suption 9 saidfirst connector pinion excitation pin until plying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet sufficient air has been supp led to the interior of the to prevent entry of vapor thereimu connector to flush the connector interior. I

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said Appdmngs as m w ig 39 vehicle servicing means includes means for deactivatpnsmg means or prejhsure I m Sal Ca me and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon second connector portion of a vehicle identity to termisensing of Pressure Within said Cabinet below a Preset nate excitation through said second connector portion Pressu eto said first connector portion excitation pin.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Po-wso .s v

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,814,143 d June 4, 1974 Inventofls) "w lfsang J. Wostl in the above-identified patent It is certified that error appears corrected as shown below:

and that said Letters Patent are hereby Column 11, lihe 67; delete the word "plug" and insert in place thereof bellows-.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

Claims (33)

1. Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. Identification means adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including: 1. vehicle identity means for identifying a particular vehicle to which the identification means is attached; and 2. fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including: 1. identification sensing means adapted for connection to said identification means and having: i. vehicle identity sensing means for sensing the identification of the particular vehicle identified by said identification means; ii. fuel-type identity sensing means for sensing the type of fuel identified by said identification means; 2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fueltype identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and 3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.

2. fuel-type identity means for identifying the type of fuel to be supplied to the particular vehicle; and b. Vehicle servicing means including:

2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to sensing by said second connector portion of the identity of a vehicle identified by a first connector portion; and

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which: said identification means includes a first connector portion including binary coded connector pins, fuel-type connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins and said fuel-type pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number and of a fuel-type number; and said identification sensing means includes a second connector portion adapted to mate with said first connector portion and including connector pins adapted to mate with said first connector portion pins for supplying excitation to said first connector portion excitation pin and for sensing the binary coded representation of the vehicle identification number and of the fuel-type number.

2. fuel supply means for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel storage tank in response to simultaneous sensing by said fuel-type identity sensing means of the type of fuel identified by a fuel-type identity means identifying the type of fuel within the fuel supply means and sensing by said vehicle identity sensing means of the identity of a vehicle identified by a vehicle identity means; and

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in which said second connector portion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with a first connector portion and in which said identification sensing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the identification sensing means for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the vehicle identity sensing means, the type of fuel sensed by the fuel-type identity sensing means, and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.

3. recording means associated with the fuel supply means and connected to the second connector portion for recording the identity of a vehicle sensed by the second connector portion and the amount of fuel supplied by said fuel supply means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said identification sensing means further includes an air supply responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying air under pressure to the interior of a conneCtor formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said excitation means includes means for delaying the supplying of excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin until sufficient air has been supplied to the interior of the connector to flush the connector interior.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said identification sensing means includes means for deactivating said excitation means following the sensing by said identification sensing means of a vehicle identity to terminate excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes printing means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said recording means includes additional charge indication means for indicating a charge for additional items supplied to a vehicle.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said recording means includes means for printing a bill for fuel supplied to a vehicle.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which said printing means includes means for inhibiting the printing of a bill until receipt of an input from said additional charge indication means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a portion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet to prevent entry of vapor thereinto.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising means for sensing pressure within said cabinet and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon sensing of pressure within said cabinet below a preset pressure.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said fuel supply means includes: a nozzle including a nozzle inlet, a nozzle outlet, a nozzle housing coupling said nozzle inlet and said nozzle outlet, and control means for controlling fuel flow from said nozzle inlet through said nozzle housing to said nozzle outlet; closure means adjacent said nozzle outlet for substantially closing a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe inlet, with the nozzle outlet within the filler pipe inlet for delivery of fuel thereinto; and means defining a fluid path communicating through said closure means and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing fluid communication from an area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the fuel disposal.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said closure means comprises resilient plug means and biasing means for biasing said resilient plug means toward said nozzle outlet.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said defining means includes a first shell member and said resilient plug means includes a second shell member cooperating with said first shell member to provide a rotational interface between said defining means and said closure means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said defining means comprises a bellows encircling a portion of said nozzle, first fluid passage means for providing fluid communication from the area adjacent said nozzle outlet to the interior of said bellows, and second fluid passage means connected to said bellows and adapted for connection to a fuel disposal for providing a fluid path from the interior of said bellows to the fuel disposal.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said closure means comprises a resilient plug means connected to said bellows to be biased by said bellows toward said nozzle outlet.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said plug means includes a first shell member and said resilient plug means includes a second shell member cooperating with said first shell member to provide a rotational interface between said bellows and said resilient plug means.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a Hook connected to said nozzle and adapted to engage a vehicle fuel tank filler pipe for retaining said nozzle outlet within the filler pipe.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a fuel disposal connected to said defining means for receipt of fuel therefrom.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and transporting said apparatus, and in which said internal combustion engine comprises said fuel disposal.

22. Apparatus for supplying fuel to a vehicle having a fuel storage tank with an inlet and recording sales data pertaining to the fuel supplied, said apparatus comprising: a. a first connector portion adapted for attachment to a vehicle and including binary coded connector pins, an excitation connector pin and circuit means connecting said excitation pin to selected ones of said binary coded connector pins to provide a binary coded representation of a vehicle identification number for identifying a particular vehicle to which the first connector portion is attached; and b. vehicle servicing means including:

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 in which said first connector portion includes an additional connector pin and in which said second connector portion includes a microswitch adapted to be actuated by said additional connector pin when said second connector portion is mated with said first connector portion and in which said vehicle servicing means includes excitation means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said vehicle servicing means further includes air supply means responsive to actuation of said microswitch for supplying air under pressure to the interior of a connector formed by the mating of said second connector portion and a first connector portion.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 in which said excitation means includes means for delaying the supplying of excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin until sufficient air has been supplied to the interior of the connector to flush the connector interior.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which said vehicle servicing means includes means for deactivating said excitation means following the sensing by said second connector portion of a vehicle identity to terminate excitation through said second connector portion to said first connector portion excitation pin.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 further comprising a cabinet substantially enclosing at least a portion of the apparatus, and pressurization means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of said cabinet to prevent entry of vapor thereinto.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising means for sensing pressure within said cabinet and means for deactivating said fuel supply means upon sensing of pressure within said cabinet below a preset pressure.

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