Patent ID: 8731725
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: B67D,G01F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fluid overfill detection and control system for controlling the transfer of fluid into a transport vehicle having multiple fluid compartments, the system comprising: a plurality of overfill sensors, wherein each sensor is associated with a respective fluid compartment and produces a respective output pulse in response to a respective input pulse when a detected fluid level in the respective compartment is below a threshold level, and which does not produce the respective output pulse when the fluid level in the respective compartment has reached or exceeded the threshold level, and wherein the overfill sensors are arranged in series with one another such that the output pulse of one overfill sensor is provided as the input pulse to a next overfill sensor; a controller that regulates the transfer of fluid into the transport vehicle and that provides an initial input pulse to a first overfill sensor in the series of overfill sensors and receives a last output pulse from a last overfill sensor in the series of overfill sensors, and that inhibits the transfer of fluid into the vehicle if the last output pulse is not received; a diagnostic line connected to each of the overfill sensors, the diagnostic line providing a diagnostic signal to the controller indicative of a number of the overfill sensors that generate a respective output pulse; and a sensor count signal source that provides a sensor count signal to the controller indicative of a total number of overfill sensors located in the vehicle, the controller comparing the sensor count signal to the diagnostic signal and inhibiting the transfer of fluid into the vehicle if the number of overfill sensors indicated by the diagnostic signal does not match the number of overfill sensors indicated by the sensor count signal, wherein the diagnostic signal has an initial value, and wherein each overfill sensor is configured to modify the diagnostic signal from the initial value by a predetermined amount when producing the respective output pulse.