Abstract:
A semi-tractor trailer for distribution of natural gas and a system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semi-tractor trailer supported fuel receptacle has a plurality of metered fuel dispensers along the sides thereof to permit customers to park along side the semi-tractor trailer and fuel their vehicles with clean natural gas, which may be compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas, for example. The semi-tractor trailer is filled at a central filling location and transported by a tractor to a convenient retail location. A volume monitor monitors the volume of clean natural gas in the in the semi-tractor trailer and transmits this information to the central filling location, which may dispense a replacement semi-tractor trailer upon the volume of clean natural gas reaching a pre-determined threshold and retrieve the spent semi-tractor trailer in one trip.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 61/708,108 entitled “System and Method for Facilitating the Clean Natural Gas Industry” and filed on Oct. 1, 2012 in the name of William Lamont Brown; which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates, in general, to the clean natural gas industry and, in particular, to a tractor trailer and system and method for use of the same, including a business methodology, for facilitating the growth of the clean natural gas industry and related economy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The oil and natural gas industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy as one of the nation&#39;s largest employers and purchasers of goods. Even in a struggling economy, America&#39;s oil and natural gas companies continue to provide well-paying jobs, revenue to governments and investment growth for millions of Americans. With respect to natural gas, in particular, clean-burning natural gas is critical for heating households, fueling our country&#39;s transportation needs and supporting American manufacturing jobs. Clean natural gas also means that energy-intensive manufacturing companies, which had been moving overseas for cheaper energy, can stay here in the United States as well as the related jobs, higher incomes, and a better future for all Americans. That is, as new and improved ways are found to grow the clean natural gas industry, America will grow. Accordingly, there continues to be an urgent need for systems and methods for growing the clean natural gas industry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It would be advantageous to achieve systems and methods for growing the clean natural gas industry utilizing current infrastructure, such as existing highways, for example, which would increase the availability of domestic clean natural gas. It would also be desirable to enable electro-mechanical and computer-based solutions that would mitigate or eliminate dependence on gasoline and increase dependence on more secure and less expensive energy sources. Further still, it would be desirable to enable solutions that would increase the dynamics of fuel distribution. To better address one or more of these concerns, a semi-tractor trailer for distribution of natural gas and a system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semi-tractor trailer supported fuel receptacle has a plurality of metered fuel dispensers along the sides thereof to permit customers to park along side the semi-tractor trailer and fuel their vehicles with clean natural gas, which may be compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas, for example. 
         [0005]    The semi-tractor trailer is filled at a central filling location and transported by a tractor to a convenient retail location. A volume monitor monitors the volume of clean natural gas in the in the semi-tractor trailer and transmits this information to the central filling location, which may dispense a replacement semi-tractor trailer upon the volume of clean natural gas reaching a pre-determined threshold and retrieve the spent semi-tractor trailer in one trip. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for utilizing a semi-tractor trailer for distributing clean natural gas according to the teachings presented herein; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a partial side elevation view illustrating one embodiment of a refilling station employing the semi-tractor trailers depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a partial top plan view illustrating one embodiment of the refilling station depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  is a partial top plan view illustrating one embodiment of the refilling station depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a right elevation view illustrating one embodiment of the semi-tractor trailer depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a left elevation view illustrating the semi-tractor trailer depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  is a front elevation view illustrating the semi-tractor trailer depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3D  is a rear elevation view illustrating the semi-tractor trailer depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of modularized logic for supplying fuel to vehicles using the semi-tractor trailer presented herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a circuit, which executes a portion of the modularized logic presented in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a sequence of events in supplying fuel to vehicles using the semi-tractor trailer presented herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , therein is depicted a system for distributing clean natural gas, which is schematically illustrated and designate  10 . In one embodiment, the system  10  includes a source of natural gas  12 , which is coupled to a natural gas plant  14  that is configured to convert the natural gas into clean natural gas, which may include, but is not limited to, compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas. A clean natural gas retail distribution network  16  includes multiple clean natural gas tankers or semi-tractor trailers  18 , which operate as mobile point-of-sale clean natural gas stations, at various dispensing locations  20 , which may be considered locations at which clean natural gas is distributed. The clean natural gas retail distribution network  16 , which includes a fuel container refilling location  26 , is deployed to geographically overlap the natural gas plant  14  and population centers  22  in a manor that leverages the existing interstate highway network  24 . With this implementation in mind, new infrastructure, such as pipelines, is not required. Rather the existing interstate highway network  24  is utilized for delivery. Moreover, new gas stations are not needed. Instead, the semi-tractor trailers  18  serve as mobile fuel delivering mechanisms. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, a capital distribution network is configured to distribute small business administration loans to businesses, which support the source of natural gas  12 , natural gas plant  14 , or natural gas retail distribution network  16 . These clean natural gas industry partners may be, for example, gas field service industry entities, manufacturing support plants, or retrofit/conversion companies. In one implementation, the small business administration loans are sold to pension funds with geographic overlap relative to the capital distribution network. In this manner, public risk is mitigated. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , two refilling locations  26  are servicing vehicles traveling to and from population centers  22 . At each of the refilling locations, one or more vehicles  34  are refueling. Additionally, a tractor in combination with a semi-tractor trailer  18  is in-route on the interstate highway  24  to replace an emptying semi-tractor trailer  18  with a full semi-tractor trailer  18 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D, one embodiment of the semi-tractor trailer for distributing clean natural gas is presented and as previously numbered, is designated  18 . Additionally, at refilling location  26  and empty semi-tractor trailer  18 E is present. With regard to the semi-tractor trailer  18 , multiple wheels  30  support an undercarriage  32  of the semi-tractor trailer  18 , which is configured to move the semi-tractor trailer  18  between a location  20  at which the clean natural gas is dispensed to vehicles, such as vehicles  34 , and a fuel container refilling location  26 . A fuel container  36  is disposed on the undercarriage  32  and configured to hold the clean natural gas. A volume monitor  38  is located within the fuel container  36  in order to monitor the volume of clean natural gas in the fuel container  36 . Fuel metering and dispensing units  40  are coupled to the fuel container  36  to simultaneously dispense metered quantities of clean natural gas to the vehicles  34 . Multiple point-of-sale transaction units  42  are respectively associated with the fuel metering and dispensing units. The point-of-sale transaction units  42  are configured to accept credit cards to enable credit card clean natural gas purchasing transactions. 
         [0023]    As shown, a driver side digital display  44  is mounted to the driver-side of the fuel container  36 . A passenger side digital display  46  is mounted to the passenger-side of the fuel container  36  and a rear digital display  48  is mounted to the rear of the fuel container  36 . In one embodiment, the three displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  have two operational modes. A first operational mode is configured to provide advertising relative to a fueling location  20  at which the clean natural gas dispensed from the semi-tractor trailer. The fueling location may be the location the semi-tractor is headed to or the closest location to the semi-tractor trailer, for example. In a second operational mode, the three displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  are configured to provide pricing details and vehicular movement instructions relative to a stationary location of the semi-tractor trailer. The pricing details and vehicular movement instructions may be audio-visual. The second operational mode may also include signage such as directional arrows, traffic pattern instructions, and placards. Both operational modes and all of the displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  may include visual information and audio information as represented in more detail in  FIG. 3A , where the display  46  is set in the second operational mode. More particularly, as represented by the letter V, the visual portion of the display reads “Natural Fuels Burn Cleaner” to promote the use of the clean natural gas. Additionally, as represented by the letter A, an audio portion states “Natural Fuels Burn Cleaner” and “Clean Natural Gas Available Here.” It should be appreciated that depending on the location and application, the visual and audio messaging provided by the displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  may vary. Further, the visual portion and the audio portion may be different or the same or a combination thereof. 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2A through 3D , the driver side digital display  44 , the passenger side digital display  46 , and the rear digital display  48  are in the first operational mode between the location  20  or locations at which the clean natural gas is dispensed to vehicles and the fuel container refilling location  26 . On the other hand, the driver side digital display  44 , the passenger side digital display  46 , and the rear digital display  48  are in the second operational mode at the location  20  or locations at which the clean natural gas is dispensed. 
         [0025]    An anti-theft device  50  is coupled to a king pin  52 , which is affixed to the undercarriage  32  of the semi-tractor trailer  18 . The king pin  52  may include a login and password type of access. In one embodiment, the anti-theft device  50  is configured, responsive to tampering, to transmit a distress signal via a central operations module  54  and a transceiver or an antenna  56 . In one implementation, the anti-theft device  50  also includes strategically located cameras  58 , which are mounted to the semi-tractor trailer  18 . The central operations module  54  and the antenna  56 , which is connected thereto, is also in communication with the volume monitor and periodically notifies the refilling location  26  of the volume remaining in the fuel container  36  of the clean natural gas. 
         [0026]    In brief, in operation, as shown, a tractor  60  delivers a semi-tractor trailer  18  to a dispensing location  20  and after unhooking the semi-tractor trailer  18  and appropriately initializing the anti-theft measures  50 , the tractor  60  may leave. Alternatively, as illustrated, if an empty semi-tractor trailer  18 E, is present, the tractor  60  may leave with the empty semi-tractor trailer  18 E and return the empty semi-tractor trailer  18  to the refilling location  26 . As shown, once the semi-tractor trailer  18  is positioned, vehicles  34  may be filled. In particular, in  FIG. 2C , vehicle  34 A is utilizing lane L1, as represented by the vehicular movement arrows, and vehicles  34 B and  34 C are utilizing land L2, as represented by a second set of vehicular movement arrows. Additionally, as shown the vehicle  34 A is leaving the refilling location  26  after a successful refueling operation, while the vehicles  34 B,  34 C are in the process of refueling as shown by the fuel metering and pumping units  40  being connected to the vehicles  34 B,  34 C. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of modularized logic for supplying fuel to vehicles using the semi-tractor trailer presented herein. As shown, the central operations module  54  is connected to the fuel metering and dispensing units  40  and the corresponding point-of-sale units  42 . The volume monitor  38  and antenna  56  are also connected to the central operations module  54 . The various anti-theft apparatus  50  is also connected to the central operations module  54 . As shown, the three displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  are controlled by the central operations module  54  as well. Further, as shown, in  FIG. 4 , the displays  44 ,  46 ,  48 , in the first operational mode, may include advertising displaying the closest location of a clean natural gas distribution point. In this case, each of the displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  read “Clean Natural Gas Exit 10 Interstate 45” to inform vehicles using the interstate highway system or other roadways with the in-route semi-tractor trailer, where the closest location may be found for the purchase of the clean natural gas. On the other hand, when the semi-tractor trailer is at a location dispensing clean natural gas, the displays are in a different operational mode, where as shown, various pricing information and vehicular movement directions, for example, may be provided. As shown, displays  44 ,  46 ,  48  have directional arrows and the stated price of “$3/gallon.” The displays and the mode of operation and the specific presentation therefrom are controlled by the central operations module  54 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of a circuit, which executes a portion of the modularized logic previously presented. In particular, a more detailed look at the central operations module  54  is presented wherein a processor  80  is coupled to a bus  82  and a memory  84 , which may include storage, ROM, and/or RAM. A transceiver  86  and various inputs  88  and outputs  90  are also coupled to the bus  82 . Additionally, a GPS circuit  92  is coupled to the bus  82 . The inputs  88  and outputs include the various connections from the central operations module  54  to the volume monitor  38 , point-of-sale units  42 , fuel metering and pumping units  40 , anti-theft measures  50 , and the displays  44 ,  46 ,  48 , for example. It should be appreciated that although a particular architecture is presented, other architectures and variations are within the scope of the teachings presented herein. 
         [0029]    The memory  84  is accessible to the processor  80  and the memory  84  includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  80  to poll the volume of clean natural gas in the fuel container by way of the fuel monitor. This data is transmitted via the transceiver  86  to the refilling location  26 . The processor-executable instructions also cause the processor  80  to receive GPS data, including location, date/time data, from the GPS circuit  92 . This GPS data is also transmitted via the transceiver  86  to the refilling location  26  or other location as designated from time-to-time. Moreover, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor  80  via the inputs  88  and outputs  90  to retrieve and process sales data from the point-of-sale units. This data is also provided to the refilling location  26 . With the sales data, volume of fuel container data, and location data, the refilling location  26  and the operator may dynamically adjust the deployment of the fleet of semi-tractor trailers to increase sales and better respond to the market place. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment of a sequence of events in supplying fuel to vehicles using the semi-tractor trailer presented herein. As previously alluded to, at block  100 , a semi-tractor trailer is filled at a refilling location. The clean natural gas laden semi-tractor trailer is then moved utilizing the interstate highway system to a retail dispensing location, as shown at block  102 . As previously mentioned, advertising of the retail dispensing location or a more proximate retail dispensing location occurs during transport. Next, at block  104 , the semi-tractor trailer may be disconnected from the tractor for service and the tractor may leave, optionally, taking a empty semi-tractor trailer to the refilling location on a return trip, as shown at block  106 . 
         [0031]    As will be appreciated, no additional infrastructure is required. No underground pipes are required to locate the clean natural gas at the retail dispensing location. The semi-tractor trailer is transported using the existing interstate highway network. At block  108 , the displays located on the sides at the rear of the semi-tractor trailer provide maneuvering and parking instructions with audio/visual indications. Additionally, various price and sales information is illustrated. At block  110 , a vehicle is parked adjacent to the semi-tractor trailer at a fuel metering and dispensing unit have a point-of-sale unit. The vehicle may have been attracted by the advertising displayed on the road, when the semi-tractor trailer was in transit or, alternatively, the advertising on the semi-tractor trailer once the semi-tractor trailer was positioned at the dispensing unit. Alternatively, a driver of the vehicle may use an application on a smartphone to locate the clean natural gas distribution point. 
         [0032]    At block  112 , the point-of-sale unit is activated by a credit card, smartphone payment, or other conventional method. Fuel is dispensed into the vehicle tank as indicated at block  114 . The payment is complete at block  116  and the vehicle departs the refilling location at block  118 . As referenced by the return arrow, the process of vehicles arriving and departing continues. At block  120 , the volume monitor within the semi-tractor trailer detects that the volume of the clean natural gas remaining in the fuel container is reaching a pre-determined threshold. At block  122 , the refilling location dispatches a replacement semi-tractor trailer with a tractor by filling a fuel container. The methodology then returns to block  100  as indicated by the return arrow. 
         [0033]    As will be appreciated, a first tractor may deliver the semi-tractor trailer to the location at which the clean gas is dispensed and a second or other tractor may retrieve the semi-tractor trailer from the location at which the clean gas is dispensed. In this manner, the point-of-sale unit and, more generally, the semi-tractor trailer, is independent of location and a GPS unit, which forms a portion of the semi-tractor trailer, determines the location of the clean natural gas transaction. Moreover, as part of a fleet or retail distribution network, each of semi-tractor trailers may be dynamically and selectively locatable at various mobile point-of-sale clean natural gas stations based on previous and projected GPS-based clean natural gas sales data. That is, the location of the mobile point-of-sale clean natural gas stations may be modified to increase sales by repositioning poor performing mobile point-of-sale clean natural gas stations. Or by way of additional example, if an event such a natural disaster is approaching, additional mobile point-of-sale clean natural gas stations may be deployed in an area that is safe and along an evacuation route, for example. 
         [0034]    While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.