Patent · US Expired

Grounding system and detection circuit for fueling

US5159523A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
37References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 1990
Grant dateOct 27, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05F3/02
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A grounding system and detection circuit comprising a dual grounding configuration having a first or primary grounding means and a second or default grounding means, and a detection circuit connected to both the first and second grounding means. The first or primary grounding means may be any conventional manual grounding system such as a grounding cable attached to the frame, body, or fuselage of an aircraft, vessel, or vehicle. The second or default grounding means is automatically attached to the aircraft, vessel, or vehicle during fueling or fuel transfer, with the detection circuit positively detecting whether the first or primary grounding means is conductively connected to that same aircraft, vessel, or vehicle. A supplemental detection circuit may be utilized to verify that the first or primary grounding means is connected to the aircraft, vessel, or vehicle prior to connection of the second or default grounding means. The detection circuit may be coupled to an indicator to identify a properly grounded configuration to the operator, and to an interrupt or control means which prevents operation of a fuel dispensing system unless a proper grounding configuration is observed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.