Apparatus and method for grounding compressed fuel fueling operator

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874496

Cohen, Joseph Perry ^[1]; Farese, David John ^[2]; Xu, Jianguo ^[3]

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1. Bethlehem, PA
2. Riegelsville, PA
3. Wrightstown, PA

A safety system for grounding an operator at a fueling station prior to removing a fuel fill nozzle from a fuel tank upon completion of a fuel filling operation is provided which includes a fuel tank port in communication with the fuel tank for receiving and retaining the nozzle during the fuel filling operation and a grounding device adjacent to the fuel tank port which includes a grounding switch having a contact member that receives physical contact by the operator and where physical contact of the contact member activates the grounding switch. A releasable interlock is included that provides a lock position wherein the nozzle is locked into the port upon insertion of the nozzle into the port and a release position wherein the nozzle is releasable from the port upon completion of the fuel filling operation and after physical contact of the contact member is accomplished.

• Research Organization: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Allentown, PA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC08-99NV13578
• Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Allentown, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6401767
• Application Number: 09/862259
• OSTI ID: 874496
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
method
grounding
compressed
fuel
fueling
operator
safety
station
prior
removing
fill
nozzle
tank
completion
filling
operation
provided
communication
receiving
retaining
device
adjacent
switch
contact
receives
physical
activates
releasable
interlock
included
provides
lock
position
locked
insertion
release
accomplished
physical contact
/141/307/362/