Richard C Lucas

US Patent:

6622757, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Nov 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/725727

Inventors:

Robert P. Hart - East Hampton CT
Richard K. Lucas - Enfield CT

Assignee:

Veeder-Root Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

B65B 3100

US Classification:

141 7, 141 4, 141 5, 141 45, 141 59, 141 83, 141 94, 141104, 141285, 141290

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity, and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.

US Patent:

6802345, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Sep 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/672496

Inventors:

Robert P. Hart - East Hampton CT
Richard K. Lucas - Enfield CT

Assignee:

Veeder-Root Company Inc. - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

B65B 3100

US Classification:

141 7, 141 45, 141 59, 141 95, 141290, 73 52

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity, and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.

US Patent:

6834534, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Mar 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/390346

Inventors:

Don Halla - Southington CT
Richard Dolson - Collinsville CT
Robert P. Hart - East Hampton CT
Richard Lucas - Enfield CT
Ray Hutchinson - Houma LA
Kent Reid - Canton CT

Assignee:

Veeder-Root Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

G01M 326

US Classification:

73 492, 22056003, 2205671, 2205672, 340605, 405 54

Abstract:

A storage tank leak detection and prevention system that detects a breach or leak in the interstitial space of a double-walled fuel storage tank in a service station environment. The interstitial space is placed under a vacuum using a submersible turbine pump that is also used to pump fuel to the fuel dispensers in the service station and therefore a separate vacuum generating source is not required. A sensing unit and/or tank monitor monitors the vacuum level in the interstitial space over time. If a significant vacuum level change occurs in the interstitial space after the interstitial space is placed under a vacuum level, a catastrophic leak detection alarm is generated. If a minor vacuum level change occurs in the interstitial space after the interstitial space is placed under a vacuum, a precision leak detection alarm is generated. Functional tests also ensure that the leak detection system is functioning properly.

US Patent:

6880585, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

May 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/427364

Inventors:

Robert P. Hart - East Hampton CT, US
Richard K. Lucas - Enfield CT, US

Assignee:

Veeder-Root Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

B65B031/00

US Classification:

141 59, 141 94, 141285

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.

US Patent:

6968868, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733480

Inventors:

Robert P. Hart - East Hampton CT, US
Richard K. Lucas - Enfield CT, US

Assignee:

Veeder-Root Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

B65B031/00

US Classification:

141 6, 141 59, 141 83, 141 95

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a gas pump nozzle displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow using a vapor flow sensor on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles are calculated using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.

US Patent:

41173473, Sep 26, 1978

Filed:

Sep 15, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/833772

Inventors:

Thomas Hornak - Los Altos CA
Richard C. Lucas - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G11C 1928
H01L 2978

US Classification:

307221D

Abstract:

A charge-splitting device and method include a plurality of charge cells coupled to receive a charge in response to being simultaneously clocked into a charge receiving state by an applied clock signal. The received charge is split into predetermined charge portions among the plurality of charge cells in proportions dependent upon the total number of cells, their relative capacitance and the magnitude and timing of the applied clock signal. The charge portions are again split and selectively summed to obtain highly accurate charge splitting ratios.

US Patent:

20190318205, Oct 17, 2019

Filed:

Apr 11, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/381480

Inventors:

- Beaverton OR, US
Ramanathan Sathianarayanan - San Ramon CA, US
Vijay Ijju - Aurora CA, US
Richard Lucas - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/62
G06N 5/04
G06N 5/02
G06F 3/06
G06N 20/00

Abstract:

A system for performing test data management is disclosed. The system includes a data library having one or more databases, the one or more databases undergo a onetime data transfer to a data store, a performing test data management non-transitory storage media residing on the one or more databases, the performing test data management non-transitory storage media includes a means for performing artificial intelligence that resides on the performing test data management non-transitory storage media, a processor system, and a plurality of components and functions residing on the performing test data management non- transitory storage media, the components and functions include a first data transfer function, a data explorer component, a second data transfer function, a data modeler component, a third data transfer function, a data validation component, a fourth data transfer function, a main transfer function, and a data generator component. The system includes a corresponding method as well.