Patent · US Expired

Method for automated refuelling

US5628351A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
11References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1995
Grant dateMay 13, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/3802
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

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 repositi…

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