METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED REFUELLING

• Main Authors: RAMSEY, WILLIAM, DALE, JR, MUSIL, DAVID, IRWIN, WILLIAMS, OWEN, RICARDO, WEST, AL, LOEN, ANDREW, EVERETT
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.02.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; LIQUID HANDLING; OPENING, CLOSING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

A method for automated refuelling is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing the vehicle with a radio frequency transponder effective to communicate information sufficient to establish a position of a fuel inlet on the vehicle; receiving the communicated information at location where the vehicle is to be refuelled when the vehicle is located at the location where the vehicle is to be refuelled; when the vehicle is located at the location where the vehicle is to be refuelled, determining the position and orientation of the vehicle within the location; determining from the position and orientation of the vehicle and the communicated information, an expected location of the fuel inlet; after the vehicle is driven to an automated refuelling apparatus, initiating refuelling by moving a fuel dispenser to adjacent the expected location of the fuel inlet; providing a sensor on the fuel dispenser to determine the location of the fuel inlet relative to the fuel dispenser; repositioning the fuel dispenser based on a signal from the sensor on the fuel dispenser to a position from which the vehicle can be refuelled from the dispenser; and refuelling the vehicle from the repositioned fuel dispenser. This method, and the apparatus useful in the practice of this method, do not require accurate initial positioning of the vehicle by the driver, or extensive modifications to the vehicle. The refuelling operation is not commenced until engine operation of the vehicle is discontinued, and the refuelling operation can be discontinued when the vehicle engine is restarted.