Patent ID: 6622757
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B67D,F02M,G01M

Abstract:
A system for monitoring vapor recovery in a liquid fuel dispensing facility having at least one fuel dispensing point connected to a main fuel storage system by a means for supplying liquid fuel to the dispensing point and a means for returning vapor from the dispensing point, said monitoring system comprising:a vapor flow sensor operatively connected to the means for returning vapor and adapted to indicate the amount of vapor flow through the means for returning vapor; a liquid fuel dispensing meter operatively connected to the means for supplying liquid fuel and adapted to indicate the amount of liquid fuel dispensed through the at least one fuel dispensing point; and a central electronic control and diagnostic arrangement having, a means for determining a ratio of vapor flow to dispensed liquid fuel for the at least one fuel dispensing point, said determining means receiving dispensed liquid fuel amount information from the liquid fuel dispensing meter and receiving vapor flow amount information from the vapor flow sensor, wherein the acceptability of vapor recovery for the fuel dispensing point is determined by said ratio of vapor flow to a dispensed liquid fuel; means for monitoring vapor containment in a vapor containing element of the liquid fuel dispensing facility, said means for monitoring vapor containment being operatively connected to any vapor containing element of the liquid fuel dispensing facility and the central electronic control and diagnostic arrangement, wherein the means for monitoring vapor containment includes: (a) a vent pipe-pressure relief valve arrangement connecting one or more vapor containing elements of the liquid fuel dispensing facility to atmosphere; (b) a pressure sensor operatively connected to the vent pipe; (c) a vapor processor operatively connected to the vent pipe; and (d) means for determining the acceptability of vapor containment incorporated into the central electronic control and diagnostic arrangement, said means for determining acceptability of vapor containment being operatively connected to the pressure sensor to receive pressure level information therefrom and being operatively connected to the vapor processor to selectively cause the vapor processor to draw a negative pressure in the main fuel storage system.