Patent Application
20070041844
The invention relates to an improved system for controlling and safeguarding the dispensing of fluids used in servicing centers such as those devised to furnish lubricants to motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a programmable system that comprises means to activate and deactivate a plurality of fluid dispensing pumps to prevent fluid spills and to preclude the theft or dispensing of fluids at unauthorized times such as at times outside normal servicing hours. The invention also affords improved control for proprietors of servicing facilities to set and monitor operable pump periods and includes an automatic shut down of pump function capable of being pre-set at a selected time of day and until reactivated by unlocking via a master key.
Various systems are available commercially for monitoring and for inventory control of oil and lubricant fluids dispensed at vehicle servicing centers such as the unit of Samson Corporation of Swannanoa, N.C., referred to as “Control Master.” No system is known for monitoring and automatically controlling the dispensing of servicing fluids, however, in operable times such that pumps will dispense fluids only during limited authorized programmed time periods. Close monitoring control of this kind can be particularly desirable to prevent theft or unauthorized dispensing or leakage of fluids. The system of the invention is suitable for use with conventional vehicle servicing liquids such as, for example, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) gear oil, antifreeze liquid and motor oils, and other know lubricants especially synthetic oils which are relatively very expensive and frequently are misappropriated if pumps can be made operable at times other than those times authorized and monitored by the servicing center proprietor.
It is accordingly a primary object to the invention to provide a programmable pump operating system for scheduling operable periods for servicing fluid dispensing pumps which include an automatic shut down at a selected time of day such as at the end of the normal work day when the servicing facility is closed.
It is another object of the invention to provide a programmable and changeable servicing pump operating schedule that permits easy deactivation of the pumps to guard against inadvertent spills or unauthorized withdrawal of servicing fluids.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a pump control system capable of simultaneously servicing, i.e., operating and shifting down a plurality of servicing fluid supply pumps.
It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic system for scheduling pump operation times including a master key unlocking system once shutdown takes place and a visual indicator for signaling pump on and off status.
Additional objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art will be apparent from the drawing and accompanying description which follows:
Depicted in
Mounted on the tank is a conventional pump comprising an upper portion 20 exterior of the tank 24 and internal pump portions 25 and 26 which extend down into the servicing fluid 30. A conventional air solenoid 10 depicted with armature 14, when activated functions to the entry of pressurized control air through line 16 from a source (not shown) to activate pump 20. When the solenoid 10 is activated to the open position, air pressure operates the pump 20 to propel fluid through line 29 to a servicing nozzle (not shown).
Depicted in
Shown at 51 through 56 is a series of six individual operable rocker switches individually operable to enable the solenoid 10 of a corresponding pump. Each of the switches is accompanied by a companion corresponding ready light, 61 through 66, respectively, to visually indicate enablement of its corresponding pump. A master switch 45 which cuts off the feed of pressurized air, such as the feed at line 16 of
Of particular advantage of the invention resides in the pump operating times programming feature via control buttons 41, 42 and 43 which automatically shuts down the system, at a predetermined time, without further intervention, such that air pressure feed to the solenoid 10 is interrupted and cannot be reactivated until activated via the on/off master key switch 45. The automatic shut down feature characterized by the system of the invention is important as it cuts off the air pressure and guards against accidental leakage of the fluid from tank 24. A leak can be severe and can persist to the extent that the entire contents of the tank would be depleted thereby causing an environmental violation, and is indicative of a situation which can occur in current conventional systems that even during nonuse periods are maintained continuously under constant pressure. In systems under constant pressure, when a line, e.g., line 29, leaks or breaks, especially during unattended periods, the results from spillage are often catastrophic in terms of lost fluid, clean up costs and environmental and public relations consequences.
Although certain preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications, equivalents and alternatives will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
