US3593883A - Automatic dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A gasoline dispensing system comprising a dispenser and a remote console which are operable in several modes, said dispenser comprising registers, zeroizing means pulsing means, ''''ON-OFF'''' lever and nozzle; said console comprising a transaction counter, zeroizing means, presettable downcount predeterminer, mode selector and actuator. When selector is set to ''''predetermine,'''' presetting of the register and operation of the actuator result in zeroizing the counter and enabling of t8e dispenser so that when the lever is turned on, the dispenser resets and then fuel will flow upon opening the nozzle. The console predeterminer and counter are actuated by the pulsing means. With the selector set to ''''fill-up'''' the operations are the same except that the dispenser is enabled without presetting. Another console control, when set, enables the dispenser to be operated independently of the console. The attendant is provided with means to suspend dispensing at any time.

Description

United States Patent Elmer Robbins Fort Wayne, 1nd. 811,422

Mar. 28, 1969 July 20, 1971 Tokheim Corporation [72] lnventor [21] Appl No 22 Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] AUTOMATIC DISPENSING APPARATUS 41 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

3,448,895 6/1969 Mesh ABSTRACT: A gasoline dispensing system comprising a dispenser and a remote console which are operable in several modes, said dispenser comprising registers, zeroizing means pulsing means, ON-OFF" lever and nozzle; said console comprising a transaction counter, zeroizing means, presettable downcount predeterminer, mode selector and actuator. When selector is set to predetermin-e," presetting of the register and operation of the actuator result in zeroizing the counter and enabling of t8e dispenser so that when the lever is turned on, the dispenser resets and then fuel will flow upon opening the nozzle. The console predeterminer and counter are actuated by the pulsing means. With the selector set to fill-up" the operations are the same except that the dispenser is enabled without presetting. Another console control, when set, enables the dispenser to be operated independently of the console. The attendant is provided with means to suspend dispensing at any time.

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INVENTQR ELMEQ A. Rossms W 7k' fl ATENTED JUL20 ISTI SHEET 8 [1F 9 mdl INVENTOR ELMER A. Qoeem WX7if vat/M AUTOMATIC DISPENSING APPARATUS This invention relates to automated dispensing systems of the kind wherein one or more dispensers of motor fuel are disposed at one or more dispensing stations or islands, and are controlled from a station located at a point remote from the dispensing stations, by an operator who is assigned to control the dispensers. Such operator is situated in a position from which the dispensing stations are visible, for reasons which will be described below.

Suitable read out and signalling devices are provided at the various stations to aid in controlling the operation of the system, and to provide the necessary data concerning the transaction as it progresses, and after it is terminated.

Apparatus is provided which is capable of two difierent modes of operation to deliver motor fuel to a customer. The first mode of operation provides operator monitored preset control, which allows the customer to draw a predetermined value of fuel, and the second provides operator monitored automatic fill control which permits withdrawal of an amount of fuel determined solely by the customer, as when he desires to fill the vehicle tank full of fuel. The first mode will be referred to as APC operation and the second as AFC operation.

Obviously, the apparatus mentioned can be provided as separate APC or AFC Systems by eliminating certain parts and circuits, which are unnecessary to the desired mode of operation. Thus, a dealer who wishes to follow the AFC mode of operation may secure such an apparatus at a lower cost represented only by the parts, etc. which are required to provide the AFC system and vice versa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Because of the flammable and explosive nature of motor fuels, the dispensing thereof is subject to laws and regulations whichvary in different cities, counties, and states, from absolutely forbidding anyone but a qualified operator or attendant from dispensing such fuels, through requiring supervision by a qualified operator, to requiring no attendant at all.

The shortage of manpower and generally high labor costs have impelled the development and increasing use of dispensers and dispensing systems which permit customer self-service, and which take varying degrees of cognizance of the intent of such laws and regulations; namely, minimizing the hazards connected with dispensing motor fuels.

In some cases, some devices or systems require the operator to operate a key switch or perform some other act of approval at the dispenser at the time the customer is ready to serve himself. This affords the operator ample opportunity to require the disposal of a lighted cigarette, etc. before he grants approval of service. Or, if the customer is not in condition to make a safe delivery, the operator may refuse approval. However, while supervision is exercised at the outset of the transaction, it is usually not maintained, because the operator leaves the dispenser to perform other duties, and may lose even visual contact with the transaction. He, therefore, has no continuing control over the transaction.

Another difficulty experience with self-service operations is that if the customer operates the dispenser improperly, or if the dispenser operates improperly, the registers of the dispenser may display a false reading which is detrimental to the interest of one or the other of the parties to the transaction, and there is no secondary record which will evidence the actual transaction to enable any ensuing dispute to be resolved.

Further, once the self-service has begun, the termination thereof is at the discretion of the customer, and post payment is required to complete the transaction.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a self-service dispensing system which is under continuous supervision of a qualified attendant, who has means at his disposal to suspend the delivery at will.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-service dispensing system which cannot dispense liquid without a definite act of approval by a qualified attendant.

Yet another object ofthe invention is to provide a self-service system which may be operated in either a prepay, (predetermined delivery) manner or a post pay (fill-up) manner, the selection of the mode of operation is made by the attendant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-service system in which the amount of fuel delivered is registered at the attendants station, as well as at the dispenser.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic reduction of the rate of fuel delivery near the end of a predetermined delivery.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for insuring that the transaction counters at both the customers and the attendants stations are zeroizcd before a delivery can be made.

It is further object of the invention to prevent operation in a prepay manner until the predetermining register has been set to establish a credit thereon.

Another object of the invention is to return the predetermining register toward zero as the predetermined amount is delivered, so that it is zeroized when delivery is completed.

A further object of the invention is to provide cumulative counters at the console, which register the total fuel delivered through the dispenser over a relatively long period of time.

It is also an object of the invention to provide signal lamps and legends on the control console to indicate the condition of the system during a transaction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide simple means for converting the system so that the dispenser may be operated in a conventional manner.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following specifications and claims.

The combined APC-AFC apparatus and system will be disclosed in the following specification, and the drawings which are attached thereto and made a part thereof, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view, showing a three channel console, each channel of which may be connected to control a separate motor-pump dispenser such as that shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear part of the console of FIG. 1, showing the components thereof, which are visible by raising the hinged lid thereof.

FIG. 3 is an elevation, showing a motor-pump dispenser adapted for used with one channel of the console, parts of the dispenser being broken away to show internal components thereof.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the meter and control valves and the piping interconnecting them with the hose.

FIG. 5 is a view of the computer resetting mechanism, dispensing use means and control lever in their initial or normal inoperative conditions.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the control lever in its on" position, and other parts in transient positions.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, but showing the parts in the'positions which they occupy after the completion of resetting.

FIG. 8A is a wiring diagram showing the power supplies, relays, and other components of the console and their connec tions in various circuits.

FIG. 8B is a wiring diagram of the predetermining register and the respective decades thereof.

FIG. 8C is a wiring diagram of the transaction counter and its decades.

FIG. 8D is a wiring diagram of the computer resetting, dispensing control, and valve means which form a part of the dispenser.

The APC Apparatus will first be described in detail. Referring to FIG. 3, numeral 1, represents a motor pump dispenser which includes a pump 3 which has its suction connected with a fuel storage tank and its discharge connected through an air eliminator 5 to a meter 7 which drives a computer 9, having a gallon register 11, and a cost or money register I3. An electric motor is belted to drive the pump and is controlled by a switch incorporated in the power reset mechanism 17. The latter mechanism is of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,187,945, issued June 8, 1965, to G. W. Wright et al. for Motorized Reset Mechanism for Registers.

The power reset unit (FIGS. 5, 6, & 7) is normally inactive, and is controlled by a control lever 19 which is off in the position shown in FIGS. 3 & 5. When the lever 19 is turned ap' proximately 90 to the dashed line on" position, (FIGS. 6 & 7), it prevents the replacement of the nozzle 21 in the nozzle boot 23 and on the support 25. Also the resetting motor 73 in the mechanism 17 will start, will rotate the shaft 27 which drives the computer 11 in a direction to reset the registers II & 13 to zero. Thereafter, the mechanism closes a switch to start the pump motor, and opens the resetting motor switch as will be described in detail below. The customer performs the operations of removing the nozzle and turning the lever 19 when the ready light 67A is lighted, if such a light is provided.

Before the lever 19 becomes effective to perform, the functions mentioned above, certain operations must be performed by the operator at the control station, where the console 31 is disposed.

The console comprises an open topped box which houses various counters, relays, switches, panel boards, and other components. A keyboard 35 is removably attached to and serves as a closure for the front part'of the top of the box. A door or lid 61 is hinged along the top rear edge of the box and closes the rear top portion thereof.

FIG. I shows a console which is adapted to receive the common power supplies and the separate but similar sets of components for three control channels, each set or channel being capable of controlling a dispenser such as that indicated by numeral 1 in FIG. 3. Each dispenser is connected with its channel by a cable (not shown) which contains the necessary connecting wires.

Since the power supplies are common to all three channels and since the components and circuits for each channel are alike, the detailed description of the structure and function of one channel will suffice to describe the others. Where parts of all three channels (A, B & C channels) are shown, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals will be used, but those indicating B and C channels will be primed and double primed respectively.

CHANNELA The panel 35 has a presettable predetermining register 37, comprising three decade orders 39, 41, and 43 as stated above, which display values of cents, dimes, and dollars respectively. Each decade is provided with a normally open pushbutton switch 45, 47, and 49, respectively, which is closed intermittently to step up or preset the associated order decade to a value as explained in detail below. It is sufficient at present to state that if it is desired to dispense $1.35 worth of fuel, the buttons would be operated as needed to cause S l .35 to show on counter 37. The switches may be operated to zeroize these decades, although whenever a preset amount is delivered, they are automatically returned to zero during delivery.

Also mounted on the panel 35 is a transaction cost or money counter 51 having cents, dimes, and dollars decades 53, 55, and 57. These decades are resettable to zero in response to a reset signal (described below), and must be zeroized before any transaction can be started. As fuel is dispensed, the cent decade is advanced, in 1 cent increments,

and as it passes from 9 to zero, it causes the dimes decade to advance one step. The count from the dimes decade is similarly transferred to the dollar decade, so that at all times, the register corresponds with the cost register of the computcr.

A nonresettablc, cumulative counter 59 is provided for the channel, and it is advanced step by step simultaneously with the cents decade 53. Since it has its own transfer mechanism,

it has no connection with the other decades. While this counter may have any reasonable number of orders, a sixorder unit is usually sufficient since it will accumulate a count of$9,999.99.

Counters 59, 59', and 59" are mounted independently in the case 33 and are normally concealed by a door 61 hinged to the case and preferably provided with a lock 63.

As the first operative step, the operator will push the switch buttons 45, 47, & 49 the number of times required to preset the amount (money value) of fuel to be dispensed, on the register 37.

The channel is provided with a normally open pushbutton operated "ready" switch 65, which is held closed long enough to cause the transaction counter 51 to be reset to zero. When resetting is completed and the ready switch 65 is released, a lamp 67 adjacent a legend ready" on the panel is lighted. This lamp and lamp 67A on the dispenser are connected in parallel.

At the end of resetting of the transaction counter, a reset control means is activated to extend a power circuit to the switch 69 of the power reset mechanism FIGS. 8A, C, & D, so that when the customer rotates the control lever 19 to the dashed line position, closing switch 71, FIG. 8D, the power reset motor 73 will start its cycle, resetting the computer registers.

At the conclusion of resetting of the computer, the reset motor moves the dispensing control means from normal to dispensing condition. This involves moving the A, B, and C contactors to open switch 69 and close switches 75, 77, and 79 to start the pump motor 15, and to light a lamp 8] on panel 35 to illuminate a legend Pump On, which is a part of the Ready Switch" button.

Switch 79 also energizes a solenoid pilot valve 83 and a slow flow solenoid valve 85 so that liquid will be delivered through the nozzle 21 when the customer opens the nozzle valve.

An emergency switch 87 is provided on each panel, which may be actuated at will by the operator to stop the flow of fluid to the dispensing nozzle.

Multipole, two position switch 89 is mounted on each panel. In one position, circuits to be described below, are established to enable APC operation of the system, and in the other position, certain circuits are established or disabled so that AFC operation is possible.

In some instances, it is desired to permit use of the dispensers as ordinary manual dispensers, without any of the control, provided by the console. To convert the dispensers to such manual operation a two-pole, single throw changeover switch 91 is provided for each channel, and is disposed under the door 61, as shown in FIG. 2, so that any or all of the dispensers may be readily converted for manual operation. The specific means for effecting such changeover is described below.

A circuit board or panel 2, FIG. 2, contains many of the circuits, and supports many of the components for channel A, and is removably mounted in the console so that it can be easily replaced for service upon opening the cover 61. The necessary fuses for the circuits are also mounted adjacent said panels.

AUTOMATIC PREDETERMINING CONTROL CIRCUITS 24 v. DC fully Rectified Power Supply. (FIG. 8A)

The apparatus utilizes alternating current at 1 l0 and/or 220 volts, fully rectified direct current at 24 volts and half wave rectified direct current at 12 volts.

The console is supplied with alternating current at l IOvolts from a hot line to neutral connection with the AC main 101 through a fuse 103, the primary coil 104 ofa transformer T-I. The secondary ofthe transformer is tapped to provide AC current by way of wires 106, 108 to a full wave rectifier 107, the positive DC output terminal 109 of which is connected to the negative terminal 111 thereof through a part of the negative DC output main 113 via a filter condenser 115. The positive DC main 119 is connected to terminal 109 through a fuse 117. This system produces a source of 24 v. DC power.

12 VoltHalf Wave Power Supply (FIG. 8A)

12 v., half wave rectified power is supplied from the taps 108 and 121 of the transformer secondary. The negative main 125 of this circuit extends from tap 121 through a diode rectifier D-16 and a fuse 123 to a normally open contact D-2 of relay I(-1, while the positive main 139 connects the transformer tap 108 with contact 8-2 of the same relay.

1 Volt-AC Supply (FIG. 8A)

A hot, 110 v., extension main 127 is connected to the AC supply at point between the fuse 103 and the primary coil 104. A branch line 133 connects main 127 with one side of the "Ready Switch 65, and extends on to terminal N of the dollar decade 57 of the transaction counter 51, FIG. 8C.

A second branch 128 (FIG. 8A) leads from main 127 through a resistor R-8 to normally open contact A-2 of relay K-2.

A third branch 130 connects 127 with normally open contact C2 of the APC-AFC selector switch 89. Main 127 terminates at movable switch contact B or relay I(-3 which is normally closed on fixed contact B-3 of K3.

The neutral of the AC source is extended by main 129 from which branch 126 runs to fixed, normally open contact 8-2 of relay K-2 and branch 132 runs to one end of the coil of relay K-2.

Branch 134 connects 129 with the normally open A-2 contact of the Normal Operation Switch" 91. Branch 136 connects 129 with the fixed contact of the normally closed Emergency Switch 87, and a wire 105 connects the movable contact of switch 87 to fixed contact B-2 of switch 91.

Branch 138 connects main 129 with one side of each of the Pump On" and the Ready" lamps 81 and 67, respectively, which are disposed on the console to light the legends in pushbutton 65 and 67A at the dispenser which is connected in parallel, with 67 when it is used. Branches 140, 142, 144 and 146 connect main 192 with the Fill-Up" lamp 93, one end of the coil of relay K-3, the movable contact A which is on contact A-3 of relay 10-3 and one end of the coil of relay K-4, respectively.

Presetting, Predetermining Register-Circuits A (FIGS. 8A & 88)

It is seen that the positive 24 v. DC main 119 extends to the movable contact D of relay K-3, FIG. 8A, which is normally closed on fixed contact D-3. The current is thus normally applied to the wire 1% and its three branches 148, 150, 8L 152, FIG. 83, to normally open presetting switches 49 (dollars), 47 (dimes), and (cents).

Circuits A By manually closing these switches, the required number of times, an amount in dollars, dimes, and cents can be preset upon the corresponding decades 43, 41, &39 of predetermining register 37 of the selected channel since the other contact of each switch is connected through a terminal R of the associated decade and through wires 307, 295, or 285, respectively, to the stepping coils 158, 156,,or 154 thereof, the T terminals and resistors R-4, R-S, or R45 to a branch of the negative DC main 113.

Upon each. energization of any coil. by its switch controlled circuit, the preset count on the associated decade is diminished by one digit except when the contactors move from zero to 9. The maximum preset amount, which can be established, is of course $9.99, and the minimum is $0.0 l. The corresponding movable contactors 164, 162, and 160 are moved clockwise from the contact marked 9 through the descending order contacts as the desired amount is being preset.

The rotating contactors, such as 311 (FIG. 8B) or 155 (FIG. 8C) and their associated fixed contacts, in any decade, may hereinafter be referred to as the first switch" of such decade while the other contactor such as 164 or 207 of the same decade may be designated as the "second Switch of the decade. It should also be noted that the rotary contactors of the first and second switches of each decade are geared together so that they are actuated simultaneously by the stepping mechanism of the decade, but rotate in opposite directions. Since the fixed contacts of the two switches are arranged in opposite orders of value, the difference in direction of rotation has no significance. Further, the transaction coun ters and predetermining registers are substantially the same in structure and operation as that shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,359 to R. E. Einem et al., issued Mar. 1, I966.

Transaction Counter Zeroizing; (FIGS. 8A & BC)

In order to insure that a proper registration of the amount of fuel dispensed is displayed on the transaction counter 51 of the console panel, it is necessary to insure that this counter and registers of the dispenser computer are reset to zero before dispensing begins. Provision is therefore made for resetting the panel register and the computer registers as well as for preventing dispensing until both have been reset. In the console, the resetting is accomplished by means of the halfwave rectified AC current when the "Ready switch 65 is closed and held for a short time by the operator. This action should be taken when the operator sees that the customer has driven to and parked at the dispenser to which he had been directed. Again, one channel, such as that controlled by panel 35, will be described in detail. The register 51, more specifi cally its three decades 53, 55, and 57 are assumed to be displaying the total value of the previous transaction.

It has been stated that the 12 v. DC ground potential is connected to fixed, normally open contact D-2 of relay K-ll, that the hotside of the AC line is connected with the ready switch 65 via 127 and 133, and that the neutral AC main 129 is connected to closed fixed contacts A, A3 or relay I(-3.

RELAY K-ll ENERGlZATION-CIRCUIT B (FIG. 8A)

CIRCUIT B is then established by closing of the Ready Switch" 65, wire 135, the coil of relay K-ll, wire 137, and contacts A-3, A of relay K-3, 144 to 129. Relay K-1 is energized and its contacts A, A2, B, B2 and D, D2 are made.

RESETTING OF TRANSACTION COUNTER-CIRCUIT C (FIGS. 8A & 8C)

CIRCUITS C are established, by the closing of the contacts B, B2 and D, D2, through the stepping coils of the decades 57, 55, and 53 as follows: From contacts B, B2 of K-1 through wires 14], 143, Diode D-lll, terminal T of decade 57, wire 145, coils 147, wire 151, brush 153 to rotary contactor 155. From this point the current may follow one of two paths, depending upon whether the contactor rests on one of the contacts 1 to 8, or upon contact 9. If it is on the zero contact, no current will flow in the circuit. The rotary contactor of this and the other transaction decades and its fixed contacts is subsequently referred to as the first ready" of such decades.

Assuming that the contactor is on one of the 1 to 8 contacts, all of which are connected by a common wire 157 to terminal U, the circuit will extend through wire 159, diode D-3, wire 161, Contacts D, D2 of relay K-l, to diode D-I6 and the other 12 v. circuit main, and resetting will continue in an upcounting direction until the rotary contactor 155 rests on contact 9, whereupon the circuit will extend from contactor 155 through contact 9, terminal S, diode D-1 and wire 163 to wire 161, contacts D, D2 to the same main, so that one additional pulse will be obtained to bring the movable contactor to its zero fixed contact. The visual read out dial S7 is also zeroized.

The resetting circuit shifts from the path through terminal U to that through S when the contactor is on contact 9, so that resetting from the 9 to the zero contact to interrupt the circuit will be definitely controlled by diode D-2. The contactor 207 of the second switch is mechanically connected with contactor 155 of the first switch and is zeroized in synchronism with it.

Decade 55 is similarly reset via K-l contacts B, B2, 141, 165, D-12, T, 167, coils 168, wire 169, brush I71, contactor 173, (U, 175, 177, D-6, 161) and/or (S, 179, D-3, 161) to D, D2 of K-l. The contactor 201 is simultaneously reset, as well as the visual readout dial.

Decade 53 is also reset by a similar circuit through K-I contacts B, B2, 141, 181, D-13, T, 183, coils 184, wires 185, 187, 189, (U, D5, 161) and/or (S, 271, -6, 161) to D, D2 of K-l. The contactor and visual dial are simultaneously reset.

CONDITIONING DISPENSER FOR OPERATION CIRCUIT D The dispenser is conditioned for operation by the customer as the result of the resetting of the transaction counter to zero by the closure of the Ready Switch 65 as described above.

Since the relay K-l was energized by ready switch 65, the A, A2 contacts were closed, to close CIRCUIT D from AC neutral 129, branch 132, the coil or relay K2, line 191, contacts A, A2 relay K-l, wire 193, terminal P, contactor 195, and zero contact of decade 53, wire 197 terminal N, wire 199, through the decade 55 in the same manner via P, contactor 201, zero contact 203, N, through decade 57 via wire 205, terminal P, contactor 207, zero contact, wire 209, N to branch 133 of the AC main 127.

It is obvious thatif the ready switch is opened before all of the contactors 195, 201, and 207 are zeroized, the relay K-2 will not be energized, and the holding Circuit E, next described, will not be established.

HOLDING CIRCUIT E FOR RELAY K-2 (FIG. 8A)

Wire 191, which leads from the coil of K-2, has a branch 211 which connects with contact C2 of relay K-2. Also, the AC neutral 129 is connected by a branch 126 to the contact B2. Since contacts B, B2 and C, C2 are closed when K2 is energized, a CIRCUIT E is closed from the terminal of AC main 127, through contacts B, B3 of relay K-3 which are normally closed, wire 213, contacts C, C2 of K-2, 211, 191, through the coil of K-2, 132 to 129, the AC neutral, to establish a holding circuit for K-2. This circuit is necessary because Circuit D will be interrupted as soon as the ready switch is opened, and deenergizes K-I to open its contacts A, A2.

POWER RESET MOTOR-CIRCUIT F (FIGS. 8A & 8D)

One leg of a ground CIRCUIT F is extended by the closure of contacts B2, B of relay K-2 from AC neutral 129, branch 126, contacts B2, B, line 215, power rest motor 73, 215A and normally open power reset switch 71-217 of the dispenser which will be actuated by lever 19 when the customer turns it to its on position. When this switch is closed, the circuit will be completed via 2158 and switch 69A, which is normally closed, and the wire 219 which is connected to one hot side of a 220 v. AC power line.

The completion of CIRCUIT F energizes the reset motor 73 which resets the computer registers 11 and 13 of the dispenser to zero (FIG. 3), and also establishes the dispensing control means in its dispensing condition. This operation includes the shifting of the movable contacts A, B, and C to positions opposite their normal positions shown in FIG. 8D.

The power reset mechanism is shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings and is a somewhat modified form of the mechanism shown and described in the US. Pat. No.

3,187,945 to George W. Wright et al., issued June 8, 1965.

Referring to FIG. 5, the reset motor 73 is connected by gearing 174 to drive camshaft 27 and the control lever 19 is connected to operate cam 170. In this figure, the parts occupy their initial normal positions in which the cam follower 180 is not engaged by latch pawl 182 and the switch operating lever, to which the pawl is pivoted, rests against its stop 184A. The lever 19 is in its off" position.

When the customer moves lever 19 to the position of FIG. 6, cam is rotated and acts through lever 172 to close switch 71-217 and establishes CIRCUIT F, as just described, causing shaft 27 and cam 176 to rotate from its FIG. 5 toward its FIG. 6 position. As such rotation occurs, follower 180 moves counterclockwise relative to 182 and 184 to the FIG. 6 position. Since in the movement of cam 170, it withdrew from supporting contact with arm 186 of the latch pawl, this pawl engages the-ear 180A of the follower when the latter reaches the FIG. 6 position. Thus as the cam 176 continues its rotation toward the FIG. 7 position, the follower 180, which is now rotated clockwise by the rise of this cam, will produce a similar rotation of switch lever 184 which will shift the movable contacts A, B, & C to their FIG. 7 position and the opening of switch 69, A breaks the reset motor circuit.

At the end of the dispensing operation, the return of the control lever to its initial position (FIG. 6) causes cam 170 to rotate the pawl I82 clockwise and thereby to disengage the ear 180A and the switch lever 184, being this freed from follower 180, returns to its stop, thereby returning the contacts A, B, and C to the initial positions.

Should the lever 19 be returned to its initial position at a time when the resetting of the computer registers by shaft 27 is not completed, the D shaped cam 190 is positioned to hold lever 172 in a position to keep switch 71-217 closed until resetting is completed. Switch 69, A will, of course, have been reclosed by the return of lever 19. It is understood that the necessary springs are provided for urging the levers in the proper directions, but have been omitted to simplify the views.

READY LAMPCIRCUIT G (FIGS. 8A & 8D)

CIRCUIT G through the ready lamp runs from the hot" AC line 127, branch 128, contacts A2, A of K-2, line 131, lamp 67 and branch 138 to the neutral AC line 129. A line 95 may extend from line 131 serving the ready lamp of the console (FIG. A) to another ready lamp 67A at the console, the other side of which is connected by line 225 to the AC neutral of the dispenser. This lamp serves to indicate to the customer that the dispenser is ready for operation, since the reset control means has now been conditioned to permit such operation by extension of Circuit F as described.

When resetting of the computer is completed, after closure of switch 71 by the customer, the reset motor shifts the movable contacts A, B, and C to open A, 69 and to close contacts A, 75, B, 79, and C, 77 respectively.

This action breaks the Circuit F through the reset motor 73 and connects one of the hot lines of the 200 v. main to contacts 75 and 79. This operation activates additional circuits which will now be described.

PUMP MOTOR-CIRCUIT H (FIG. 8D)

CIRCUIT H extends from one hot side of the AC main at the dispenser through wire 219, contacts A, 75, wire 221, pump motor 15, wire 223, switch C, 77, wire 225 to either the AC neutral in case the motor is a 1 10 v. unit, or to the other hot AC wire if it is a 220 v. motor.

ENERGIZATION OF RELAY K-3-CIRCUIT I (FIGS. 8A, B, & D)

CIRCUIT I. Since an amount has been preset on one or more of the predeterminer decades 39, 41, 43, one or more g CIRCUITS I are closed through the coil of relay K-3. The numerals enclosed in parenthesis below indicate the paralleled portions of the I CIRCUITS, which extend through the individual decades.

All of the circuits start from a hot" wire of the AC main which serves the dispenser (FIG. 8D), through wire 219, switch B, 79, wire 227, contacts B, B3 of switch 89 (FIG. 8A), wires 241 (243, N terminal of decade 39, rotary contactor 160, any one of contacts 1 to 9, wire 245, (FIG. 88)), and/or (247, N terminal of decade 41, contactor 162, contacts I to 9, wire 249) and/or (251, N terminal of decade 43, 164, contacts I to 9, wire 253), all of which parallel circuits are connected by wire 255 through the coil of relay l(3 to branch 142 of the AC neutral main 129 of the console.

The relay opens its contacts B, B3 to break holding Circuit E of relay K2, and restores it to its initial condition.

It also breaks its contacts A, A3 are also opened to break Circuit B through the coil of relay I(-1, and restores it to initial condition. This renders the Ready Switch 65 ineffective.

Circuits A are broken by the opening of contacts D, D3 of K3 so that no further presetting of the predeterminer decades can occur, Contacts D, D2 are made simultaneously.

Contacts C, C2 are closed to prepare for establishing of valve Circuits J and K below.

Contacts D, D2 are closed to energize the primary pulsing Circuit L, and associated counting circuits.

SLOW FLOW VALVE-CIRCUIT.I (FIGS. 8A & D)

CIRCUIT J extends from the hot" AC main, which supplies the dispenser, via wire 219, contacts 79, B, wire, 227 to branch 229, the solenoid 231 of slow flow valve 85, wire 233 (FIG. 8A), contacts C, C2 of relay I(-3, emergency switch 87, through branch 136 to the AC neutral 129. This circuit opens the slow flow valve.

PILOT AND MAIN CONTROL VALVES-CIRCUIT K (FIGS. 8A & D)

CIRCUIT 1( extends substantially parallel with Circuit 1, from hot" AC wire 219, contact B, 79, wire 227 to branch 235, solenoid 237 of pilot valve 83, wire 239, normally closed contacts A, A3 of relay 1(-4, wires 2311, 233, contacts C, C2 of relay I(3, emergency switch 37 and branch 136 to neutral AC 129. The pilot valve opens and thereby conditions the main, hydraulic control valve 238 in the dispensing line to open when pump 3 is operating and the nozzle valve 21 is open. Delivery occurs through the slow flow, pilot and hydraulic valves simultaneously until the last 9 cents worth remains to be delivered. This structure will be explained in detail below.

PRIMARY PULSING-CIRCUIT L (FIGS. 8A & D)

CIRCUIT L produces the primary pulses which fire a transistor to produce amplified pulses in the stepping circuits. CIRCUIT L extends from the 24 v. DC main 119 through contacts D, D of relay I(-3 (energized by Circuit I), wire 259 to the collector 261) of an NPN transistor Q1. A branch 259' connects wire 259 to pulsing switch 257 which is driven by the cents wheel of the computer cost counter 13, then by wire 261 through resistor R-7, to the base of the transistor.

The pulsing switch is preferably a reed switch, having a magnet which is operated by a magnet driven by a shaft of the computer cost register, and is timed therewith so that the switch is closed near the middle of each cent registered and is opened quickly substantially when the full cent is registered.

TRANSACTION COUNTER-UNITS (CENTS) DECADE STEPPING-CIRCUIT M (FIGS. 8A, B & C)

Each time transistor 0-1 becomes conductive by closure of the pulsing switch 257, a CIRCUIT M is energized from the 24 v. DC main 119, D, D2, of K-3, 259, collector 260 and emitter 264 of 0-1, wire 263, contacts C, C1 of relay K-1, wire 265,

diode D-7, terminal R of transaction counter decade 53, wire 185, stepping coils 184, wire 183, terminal T, resistor R-3, wires 181, 141, contacts B, B1 of relay I(l, branch 271, to the 24 v. DC negative 113.

The energization of CIRCUIT M and coils 184 cocks the spring of the stepping mechanism, and upon opening of the pulsing switch 257, the coils are deenergized and the spring moves rotating contactors 189 and 195 to their respective I contacts. The cessation of the next pulse steps them to their 2 contacts, and so on. The contactor 195 and the counter wheel of decade 53 (FIG. 1), bearing digits 0 through 9, rotate together to display the proper digit at the console for each step.

TRANSACTION COUNTER-TENS (DIMES) DECADE STEPPINGCIRCUIT N When the count on the units decade 53 reaches 9, CIRCUIT N, which is parallel to the part of Circuit M, which is contained in the units decade, is established, from diode D-7 of Circuit M through wires 185, 187, contactor 189, the 9 contact of decade 53, terminal S, wires 271, 177, diode D4 of decade 55, wire 169, stepping coils 1.68, wire 167, terminal T, resistor R-2, wire to 141.

Upon the next pulse the coils of both decades will be energized and upon cessation of the pulse, the decade 53 will step and indicate zero while decade 55 will step to indicate Each time the units decade reaches a count of 9, the subsequent pulse and its termination will also advance the tens decade.

TRANSACTION COUNTERHUNDREDS (DOLLARS) DECADE STEPPING-CIRCUIT O CIRCUIT O is parallel to Circuits M and N through decades 53 and 55 when in their 9 count positions and extends from diode D-4, 169, 171, 173, contact 9 of decade 55, wires 179, 159, diode D-2, terminal R, 151, coils 147, 145, T, R-1, 143 and 141. Thus as decades 53 and 55 step to zero, 57 will step to I.

When all three decades reach the nine count, no further stepping will occur since the 9 contact of decade 57 is connected through diode D-1 and wires 163 and 161 with contact D of K1 which is open and current cannot flow to the coils of any of the decades until they have been reset to zero.

CUMULATIVE COUNTER PULSlNG-CIRCUIT P (FIGS. 8A 8!. C)

The amplified pulsing circuit has a branch CIRCUIT P from a part of the pulsing Circuit M, through wire 277, diodes D-7, and D-15, the solenoid of the cumulative counter 59 to the 24 v. DC ground wire 113. This counter is thus actuated one step for each penny pulse passing through Circuit M. Mechanical transfer means cause the units order to advance the higher order wheels to accumulate the total of numerous dispensing transactions.

PREDETERMINING REGISTER DOWNCOUNT PULSING-UNITS DECADE CIRCUITQ (FlGS. 8A & B)

The pulsing Circuit M has a branch CIRCUIT O which supplies pulses to the predetermining register to decrease the count thereon as fuel is dispensed. CIRCUIT 0 extends from contact C of relay K-l, through wire 279, contacts A, A1 of switch 89, wire 283, Diode D-10, R terminal of predeterminer decade 39 (cents decade), wire 285, stepping coils 154, wire 289, terminal '1, resistor R45 to the 24 v. DC ground 113.

TRANSFER TO PREDErEiiiiiNER TENS DECADE- CIRCUIT R Successive pulses will follow this circuit Q and until the contactor 291 of this decade reaches its zero contact. When this occurs, the next pulse will not only energize coils 154, but will also energize the comparable coils 156 of the dimes or tens decade 41 by way of CIRCUIT R, which extends from wire 283 of Circuit Qthrough wire 290 and terminal P of decade 39, contactor 291, its zero contact, terminal S, wire 293, diode D-9 of decade 41, wire 295, the coils 156, wire 299, terminal T, resistor R- to the DC ground 113.

Since the coils 154 for contactor 291 are energized by the same pulse which energizes coils 156 via CIRCUIT R, the cessation of this pulse will actuate decade 39 to move contactor 291 to its 9 contact at the same time that the contactor 301 of decade 41 steps down one step. For example, if decades 41 and 39 had been preset to 5 and 3, respectively, (53 cents) contactor 291 would reach its zero contact at the end of the third pulse. Upon the cessation of the fourth pulse decade 41 would step to 4, and 39 would simultaneously step to 9, showing a remaining credit of 49 cents.

The down counting operation of decade 39 continues until both contactors 291 and 301 reach their zero contacts, whereupon the next down-count pulse will energize the coils of all three decades since the pulse will also be transmitted from decade 41 to decade 43 as follows:

CIRCUIT S from wire 293 from the zero contact of contactor 291, through wire 303, terminal P of decade 41, contactor 301, its zero contact, terminal S, wire 305, diode D8, wire 307, terminal R of decade 43, coils 158, terminal T, resistor R-4 to the negative DC 113. This results simultaneously in one down-step of this decade upon cessation of the pulse, and the movement of the contactors 301 and 291 of the two lower decades to their respective 9 contacts. The contactors 160, 162, and 164 are, of course, stepped down in time with the contactors 291, 301, and 311 as are the visual readout dials.

SLOW FLOW OPERATION (FIGS. 8A, B & D)

When the countdown operation proceeds to the point that the contactors 311 and 164 of decade 43 and 301 and 162 of 41 rest on their respective zero contacts, contact 291 being on its 9 contact, so the register 37 will read 009, the relay K-4 will be energized as follows:

CIRCUIT T which runs from the hot AC main serving the dispenser (Circuit F) through wire 219, contacts 798, wires 227, contacts B, B3 of switch 89, wires 241, 247, terminal N of decade 41 wire 315, contactor 162, its zero contact, terminal L, wire 317, terminal P of decade 43, contactor 311, its zero contact,.terminal S, wire 319 and coil of relay K-4 to branch 146 of the neutral AC 129.

This relay, being energized, opens contacts A, A3 of Circuit K, deenergizes the pilot valve coil 237 which closes the valve 83, and causes the main hydraulic valve 238 to close. The remaining passage for liquid to the nozzle 21 is through the slow flow valve 85. Since this is a restricted flow, the deliveryv will be at a reduced rate for the duration of the delivery of about 8 cents worth of liquid.

It will be recalled that the coil of relay K-3 was held energized by three Circuits I, each involving the coil and one of the downcount decades. The Circuit I for decade 39 passed through wire 243, terminal N, contactor 160, and anyone of its contacts, I through 9, to wires 245, 255 to the coil of K-3. The corresponding Circuits l for the other decades followed a similar pattern. Since in the phase of the cycle being discussed, the contactors 164 and 162 of the decades 43 and 41 rest on their zero contacts, which have no connection with the coil of K-3, it follows that the coil is held energized only through the l Circuit of decade 39, as its contactor 160 passes successively from its 9 through its 1 contacts, and that when contactor 160 reaches its zero contacts, the remaining Circuit I of the relay coil opens and its contacts C, C2 open to break Circuit .1 through the slow flow valve. All delivery of liquid,

therefore, ceases. The transaction counter decades 53, 55, and 57 now show theramount which has been delivered which is the amount originally preset on the predeterminer decades 39, 41, and 43, while the latter decades all read zero.

Since the nozzle 2] usually includes a check valve near the outlet from the nozzle valve so that the hose cannot be drained, and since the final portion of the delivery was made at slow flow, the amount delivered accurately represents the amount paid for.

TERMINATION OF TRANSACTION When the flow through the nozzle ceases, the customer will replace the nozzle on the hook 25. To accomplish this he must first return the lever 19 to its off position. This act moves the switch 71-217 to its original open position and, through an interponent mechanism in the power reset, it also restores the switch 69A, and opens 75, A; 77, C and 79, B to stop the pump motor, again break the solenoid valve circuits, which have already been broken by contacts C, C2 of K-3 upon its deenergization Opening of the switch 79, B also opens Circuits L and T, the latter deenergizes relay K-4, which is restored to its initial condition.

Since relay K-I was earlier de-energized by opening the Ready Switch" and K-2 by the energization of K3, which opened contacts B, B3 and since the Ready Lampdeenergizedc was deenergized with the normalization of K-Z, these circuits are all restored to initial condition.

The "Pump On" lamp, which was energized from the dispenser AC hot line, switch 79, B wire 227 through a resistor R-9, lamp'31, branch 138 of AC neutral 129, is deenergized when switch 79, B was opened incident to returning lever 19 to its initial position.

Thus, all of the components of the entire system are restored to their initial positions, and the system is ready for another transaction.

EMERGENCY STOP It was explained in connection with Circuits K and J for the pilot valve and slow flow valves respectively, that both include the emergency switch 87, which is normally closed.

Since the operator is in a position to visually supervise the dispensers, he can, at will, interrupt the delivery of fuel to the nozzle 21 by merely opening this switch and deenergizing both of these valves and the hydraulic control valve, which responds to the pilot valve. Thus, if the operator notices spillage due to the inability of the vehicle tank to accept the full amount of fuel ordered, or that the customer is smoking or is otherwise improperly conducting the delivery of the fuel, he can instantly suspend the delivery.

A public address system is usually provided so that the operator and customer can communicate with each other, and if the difficulty can be eliminated, the operator can enable the dispensing to continue by merely reclosing the emergency switch.

On the other hand, if the delivery cannot continue, as in the case the tank is full, the emergency switch is held open until the operator turns the control lever to its off position and hangs up the nozzle. This action together with the release of the emergency switch restores all of the components, except the cost of sale and predeterminer decades to their initial inactive conditions. The dispenser cost register 13 and the decades 53, 55, & 57 both show, within less than one cent, the cost of the unfinished transaction, so that adjustment can readily be made with the customer for the fuel which he did not receive.

SUMMARY OF AUTOMATIC PREDETERMINING CONTROL OPERATION The APC-type of transaction is started by the customer paying a sum of money to the operator. The operator may be a cashier in a store of some kind or of a filling station.

The first act of the operator is to preset the amount to be delivered on the predeterminer decades 39, 41 and 43 for the channel and corresponding dispenser which is to be used in the transaction and to advise the customer which dispenser is to be used. Thus, if the customer wants $1.50 worth of fuel, the operator actuates switches AIS, 47, and 49 to establish the rotary contacts 291, 160 of decade 39 on the zero contact, the numeral dial thereof will automatically show the zero digit. The and 1 digits will similarly be displayed on the decades 4! and 43 respectively when the switches 49 and 47 have been operated the required number of times. As explained in detail above, the presetting is accomplished by the respective Circuits A of the channel to be used.

Next, the operator closes the Ready Switch" 65 and holds it closed until the Cost Decades" S3, 55, 57 for the channel display the zero digits, whereupon the ready switch is reopened. v

The zeroizing of these decades follows from energization, by the closure of the Ready Switch," of CIRCUIT B which energizes relay l(1. CIRCUITS C are closed by the relay through the coils of the transaction counter dollar, dimes, and cents decades 57, 55, 53, if they are not already at zero. The resetting coils for these decades arc intermittently energized by halfwave current until their respective rotating contactors reach the zero positions, unless they already occupy such a position.

When all of the contactors I95, 2llll, and 207 of the cost decades are in the zero position, a CIRCUIT D is established through them, and the contacts A, A2 of the relay K-l, which has been held energized by the Ready Switch, to energize Relay I 2. This relay immediately establishes its own holding CIRCUIT B through normally closed contacts B, B3 of relay K-3. The Ready Switch will now be opened and relay K-l is deenergized. Contacts B2, B, on relay K-2 extend an AC neutral CIRCUIT F to the power reset motor 73, and to dispenser switch 7 l-2l7 which is controlled by the customer, so that now the further conditioning of the system is in the hands of the customer.

Relay l(-2 has also closed contacts A, A2 which establish CIRCUIT G through the Ready Lamp 67 to show the operator that the system is ready for further operation by the customer. If desired, a similar lamp 67-A may be provided at the dispenser to inform the customer that the pump is ready. However, this would require another wire (95) from contact A of relay [(-2 to the lamp 67-A and a wire connecting the other side of the lamp to the AC neutral.

The customer must remove nozzle Zll from support 25 and insert it in the tank as well as rotate the control lever 19 to its on" position, in which it blocks replacement of the nozzle on the hook with the nozzle tube inserted in the boot 23.

This operation of lever ll9 closes switch 71-217 which completes CIRCUIT F to energize the reset motor 73, the motor operates through its cycle. During its operation it causes the reset mechanism to close switches C, 77; B, 79, & A, 75 and to open A, 69 to deenergize the power reset motor. Actually, since the operation of the switches is accomplished by cams driven by the reset motor, it is possible to open the reset motor switch A, 69 shortly before the other switches are closed, since the inertia or coasting" of the motor will keep it moving long enough to perform the additional switching functrons.

Switches A, 75 and C, 77 close both legs of CIRCUIT H through the pump motor 115 to start the pump 3.

Switch B, 79 extend the hot AC line, serving the dispenser to CIRCUITS I, .I & K and to the Pump On" lamp 8].

Since an amount has been preset on at least one of the predeterminer decades, at least one CIRCUIT l which passes through the coil of relay l(-3 is closed by switch B, 79 Contacts C, C2 of l(-3 are common to CIRCUITS J and K as is the emergency switch 87. CIRCUIT I also passes through normally closed contacts A, A3 of a normally deenergized relay K-4. It is only when the amount preset or established by downcounting on the predeterminer decades 41 and 43 is zero that CIRCUIT T becomes active to energize relay l(-4 to open the normally closed contacts A, A3 and it will not be likely However, if it is ordered and preset on predeterminer 39, the

only effect will be that CIRCUIT K through the pilot valve will not be closed and the entire delivery will be made at slow flow.

Assuming that relay K-4 remains deenergized, both CIR- CUITS .I AND K will be energized upon closure of switch B, 79 and the slow flow and pilot valves will open. The main valve will open only when the nozzle valve is thereafter opened. Accordingly, when the customer opens the nozzle valve, fuel will be delivered through the nozzle into the vehicle tank.

' The pulsing CIRCUIT L was energized up to the pulsing switch 257 concurrently with the energization of relay K3 and closure of its contacts D, D2. This is a transistor control circuit which provides an output in response to the closure of the pulsing switch, which occurs near the middle of the delivery of each cents worth of fuel. The switch 257 is driven by the penny wheel drive mechanism of the computer cost counter 13, and is opened quickly substantially at the end of the delivery of each cents worth of fuel.

For each pulse in CIRCUIT L a corresponding amplified pulse is sent through the cents decade 53 of the transaction counter 51 via CIRCUIT M which is the emitter circuit through the transistor. Since this circuit includes the stepping coils I84, these are energized and the stepping mechanism is cocked by the pulse and upon cessation thereof, the rotary contactor 189 is stepped one increment toward its 9 contact. When enough pulses have been received to establish the contactor on its 9 contact, it closes CIRCUIT N to the stepping mechanism of the dimes decade 55 so that the cessation of the next subsequent pulse will move decade 53 to its zero position and will advance the decade 55 one step. The rotary contacts 195 and 201 of these decades are, of course, moved simultaneously with their comparable contactors, to similar positions as are the readout dials shown in FIG. 1.

With both decades 53 and 55 reach their 9 contacts CIR- CUIT N and CIRCUIT 0, connecting; the 9 contact of decade 55 with the stepping coil I47 of the dollar decade, are made so that the cessation of the next pulse willl zeroize decades 53 and 55 and step decade 57 up one step.

The count continues in this manner until the delivery and therefore circuit pulsing is stopped by the predeterminer. Each pulse is also transmitted through CIRCUIT P to the cents decade of the accumulating register 59 from which mechanical transfer means carry the count to the higher order decades.

The pulses of the emitter circuit are also sent through a branch CIRCUIT Q to the coils 154 of the predeterminer cents decade 39, which step the contactors 291, and readout dial 39 in a downcounting direction. When the contactor 291 thereof reaches its zero contact, it extends the pulsing circuit through CIRCUIT R, including coils 156 of the second or dimes decade. Contactor 3 01 is stepped down one step on the cessation of the next pulse while the contactor 291 is moved to contact 9. The stepping proceeds until both con tactors 291 and 301 reach their zero contacts, whereupon 291 transmits the next pulse through CIRCUIT R to the decade 41 and 301 further transmits it through CIRCUIT S to the coil 158 of decade 43. Since the pulse is also transmitted to the coils 156 and 154 of the two lower decades, the count on decade 43 is reduced by one digit and the count on the lower order decades moves to 9 upon cessation of the pulse.

When the dollar decade 43 has its contactor 311 on the zero contact and the dimes decade 41 has its contactor 162 on its zero contact, CIRCUIT T is established which energizes the coil of relay K-4. This breaks the pilot valve CIRCUIT K as previously explained, so that the pilot valve 83 closes.

Since contactor 291 of the decade 39 stands on contact 9, and since closure of the pilot valve 237 causes closure of the main hydraulic valve, the remaining delivery will be at the slow rate determined by the slow flow valve. Decade 39 will continue to count down and when contactor I60 reaches its zero contact, the last existing CIRCUIT I which holds the relay K-3 energized is broken, and the contacts thereof return to their normal condition which interrupts the CIRCUIT J through the slow flow valve coil 231 and terminates delivery.

As previously explained, when delivery ceases, the customer restores the nozzle to the boot and nozzle support. In order to do this, he must rotate the control lever 19 to its off position, which restores switches 71-217, A, 75; A, 69; B, 79; and C, 77 to their initial positions to restore the system to its normal inoperative condition.

The operation of the Emergency Switch and the operations related thereto have been explained above, and are believed not to require further discussion.

AUTOMATIC FILL CONTROL OPERATION As stated above, the AFC (Automatic Fill Control) operation of the system is based on post payment for the delivery of the fuel rather than on prepayment as in the APC operation. There is accordingly, no need for the predetermining decades since the operator merely conditions the dispenser at which the customer has parked, for operation by the customer. The customer operates the dispenser and dispenses the amount of fuel wanted, restores the control lever 19 to its ofF' position, hangs up the nozzle, and then comes to the operator to pay for the fuel. The value of the fuel dispensed is shown on the decades of the transaction counter 51 at the console, as well as on the cost register 13 of computer 9 of the dispenser.

In the circuitry of the combined apparatus shown in FIG. 8A, the switch 89 is a multiple pole, double throw switch. The setting for the APC operation has been described in detail above. This switch when thrown to the AFC position opens contacts A, A1; B, B3; and closes contacts B, B2 and C, C2.

CIRCUIT Q, the pulsing circuit to the stepping mechanisms of the predeterrniner decades, which are usually in their zero positions, is opened when contacts A, A1 are opened. There will, therefore, be no action of the predetenniner register during the dispensing. CIRCUITS I through the predeterminer decades are broken by the opening of contacts B, B3. As stated in the APC summary, one of the I CIRCUITS had to be closed by a preset decade in order to hold relay K-3 energized so that CIRCUITS .I AND K would be energized to open the pilot and slow-flow valves to permit flow of fuel to the nozzle. The relay was then deenergized and CIRCUIT J was finally broken by the cents decade coming to zero.

Since CIRCUITS J and K are required for AFC operation, the closure of contacts B, B2 establishes CIRCUIT U from the hot AC Line, serving the dispenser through wire 219, switch B, 79, wire 227, the contacts B, B2 of switch 89, wire 28], the coil of relay K 3 and branch 142 to the neutral AC line 129.

The contacts C, C2 of switch 89 were open and performed no function in its APC position, but in the AFC position contacts C, C2 close CIRCUIT V from the "hot" AC line 127 through branch 130, contacts C2, C, Fill-Up" lamp 93, branch 140 to AC neutral 129. Thus, the operator is provided with a signal on the console to indicate that the switch 89 is set for AFC operation.

SUMMARY OF AUTOMATIC FILL CONTROL OPERATION The overall AFC operation is basically the same as for the APC operation except for the presetting and down counting functions of the predeterminer decades, which are eliminated. With 89 set in AFC position:

As a first step, the operator closes the "Ready Switch 65, which zeroizes the cost counting decades 53, 55, 57 by means of CIRCUIT B which energizes relay K-I, which in turn energizes CIRCUIT C to operate the decade resetting mechanism in the manner detailed above.

The resetting of the contactors to zero energizes CIRCUIT D to energize relay K-2 which in turn sets up its own holding CIRCUIT E'through normally closed contacts of relay K-3. The Ready Switch" is now released.

Relay K-2 by way of contacts closed in CIRCUIT F, extends the neutral AC line through the power reset motor 73 to switch 7I-2I7.

Relay K-2 has also completed CIRCUIT G to light the Ready" lamp on the console, and 67A at the dispenser, ifit is provided.

When the customer has operated lever 19 to complete CIR- CUIT F, the motor 73 actuates the power resetting mechanism to zeroize the computer 9, to close the contacts C, 77; B, 79; and A, 75 and to open 69, A.

The power reset motor stops, CIRCUIT H is closed through the pump motor 15, CIRCUITS J and K through the valve solenoids 231 and 237, contacts A, A3 (for CIRCUIT K) of relay K-4, and contacts C, C2 of K-3 (for both CIRCUITS J and K) and the Emergency switch 87 are closed. The Pump On light 81 is energized by contacts B, 79. It should be remembered that K-3 was energized by CIRCUIT U upon switch 89 being thrown to the AFC position to substitute for the APC CIRCUITS I.

Thereafter, when the nozzle valve is opened, Pulsing switch 257 in the dispenser will make and break pulsing CIRCUIT L which was made ready by energization of K-3.

CIRCUIT M which is the emitter circuit through the stepping coils 184 of the transaction counter decade 53 and CIRCUIT P through the accumulating counter 59 will be energized in time with the pulses of CIRCUIT L, and CIRCUITS N and 0 will transfer pulses into the higher order decades 55 and 57 as such transfers are required.

Since no predetermined amount controls the delivery, the recording of the transaction on the decades of the console transaction counter 51 will continue so long as dispensing continues. Since the transaction counter decades have the same capacity as the cost register 13 of the computer, which is $9.99, there is little danger that the customer for this kind of service, will dispense in excess of this quantity of fuel. However, the operator is in a position to monitor the dispensing operation from his position at the console and when he foresees the possibility of an overrun," he may stop dispensing by opening the emergency switch, and warn the customer by means of the PA system.

In stations serving vehicles which would be likely to regularly require more than $9.99 worth of fuel, the computers 9 would be of the 4-wheel" type, having a capacity of $99.99, and a decade like the present dimes decade would be inserted in the transaction counters and predetermining register of the console, between the dimes and dollar decades, as they are disclosed herein. The circuitry for such an added decade would be substantially a duplication of that for the dimes decade shown and described.

When the customer nears the end of the delivery, he will in all probability be dispensing at a slow rate by means of the nozzle valve in topping of his tank, thus there is no need for closing the pilot and hydraulic main valve. This mechanism is not in operation since it responds to the predeterminer apparatus which is disabled. Should the customer hold the noule wide open, the automatic shutoff mechanism of the nozzle will close the nozzle valve when the liquid rises far enough in the tank to cover the tip of the nozzle tube. Again, the operator is able to stop delivery by opening the Emergency switch when he observes spillage occurring at the tank.

The customer in restoring the nozzle to its support 25 with the tip in the boot 23, must first move control lever 19 to its off" position. This restores switches 71-217; A, 75; A 69; B, 79; and C, 77 to their initial positions. The operator may then restore the switch 89 to its initial position, and the apparatus will be in its usual inoperative state, ready for another APC transaction.

NORMAL OPERATION OF DISPENSER It was mentioned at the outset that the system may be set so that the dispenser may be operated in a normal, manual manner without either the APC or AFC apparatus being functional.

This is accomplished by closing a double pole, single throw Changeover" switch 91. The fixed contact A2 is connected by a wire I34 to the AC neutral line 129. The movable A contact is connected directly with wire 2115 of CIRCUIT F at a point between the reset motor 73 and the B contact of relay [(-2, so that this relay need not be energized to complete the CIRCUIT F. Thus, the power reset motor will be started by simply moving the control lever I9 to its on" position, without the operation of any of the other controls.

It is also necessary that at least the pilot valve 83 and hydraulic main valve 23% be open when the nozzle valve is opened so that fluid may flow from the meter to the nozzle. The slow flow valve 231 need not be open. Since CIRCUIT K controls the pilot valve, and since this circuit passes through contacts A, A3 of relay l(4l, C, C2 of relay K-3, (which are normally open) and the Emergency" switch 87, to AC neutral 129, a paralleled or bypass line must be and is established directly from Wire 2339 of CIRCUIT K at a point between the pilot valve solenoid 237 and the A contact of relay K-d by wire 250, B 8L B2 of switch 91 and ll to the movable contact of the normally closed Emergency Switch" 87, and line 136 to AC neutral 1129.

Thus, with the switch 9t closed, the dispenser may be operated by removing the nozzle and turning lever 19 On." This closes switch 71 and closes CIRCUIT F directly to ground to start the reset motor 73. The reset mechanism cycles and resets the computer 9 after which it closes switches C, 77; and A, 75 which complete the motor CIRCUIT G. Since switch B, 79 is also closed, it extends the hot" AC line to the grounded CIRCUIT K to open the pilot valve.

When the nozzle valve is opened, the open pilot valve enables the main valve to open hydraulically in its normal manner, and delivery may be made as in any usual dispenser. At the end of delivery, the lever 19 is restored to its of position, opening switch 71, and restoring the other reset operated switches to their initial positions, and the nozzle may be hung up to complete the operation.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modifications of form, size, arrangement of parts and detail of operation, but rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser,

a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump, having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said rnotor pump, meter, and nozzle, normally closed valve means in said line, means operable to open said valve means, a computer driven by the meter, said computer including a resettable register, means for resetting said register to zero,

b. reset control means having normal and activated conditions in which it prevents and permits operation of said resetting means, respectively, a control lever manually movable to on" and ofi positions, dispensing control means having normal and dispensing conditions, means responsive to the reset control means, in its activated condition and said lever, in its on position, for causing said resetting means to reset said register to zero and to establish said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, pulse generating means, including pulse control means operable in time with said register, for generating a pulse for each digital, incremental amount accumulated by said register,

c. said control apparatus comprising a transaction counter for registering like digital incremental amounts, said counter including stepping means responsive to said pulses for advancing the count of the transaction counter,

d. a presettable predetermined register including stepping means connected for actuation by said pulses for registering like digital decremental amounts to decrease the count preset thereon,

. said register and counter each including indicators to display the count thereon, manually actuablc first means for actuating the stepping means of said prcdetermining register to preset a value thereon, said register including means actuable by said stepping means for establishing and maintaining a circuit leg from one side ofa power source, through the coil of a first relay, to the dispensing control means, when a value IS preset,

g. manually actuable second means for causing the repeated actuation of the stepping means of the transaction counter to zeroize it, said counter including means for interrupting said stepping when the counter is reset to zero, said counter also including switching means which, in said zero condition of said counter, activates said reset control means to permit operation of said computer register resetting means,

. said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, serving to close the circuits of said relay coil and of said motor pump, and to condition said valve opening means for operation,

. means responsive to the energization of said relay coil for causing operation of the valve opening means so that liquid may be dispensed, and for activating said pulse generating means, so that liquid dispensed by opening the nonle valve will be registered on said transaction counter and predetermining register.

2. The system defined by claim ll wherein said manually actuable first means includes means operable by said first relay, when it is energized, to disable said first means, to prevent presetting of said predetermining register during the course of the transaction.

3. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said dispensing control means is returned to its normal condition by movement of said control lever to its off position and said reset control means includes means operable upon energization of said first relay, to deactivate said reset control means, to prevent restarting delivery once it has been stopped by moving said lever to its oft position, without resetting the transaction counter.

4. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a normally closed solenoid valve and wherein a valve circuit is provided to energize the solenoid to open the valve, said circuit including a normally closed, manually operable emergency .switch, said switch when open serving to cause closure of the valve to interrupt the dispensing of liquid, without changing any other conditions established in the system, so that dispensing may proceed to the intended con' clusion when the switch is rcclosed, and the valve is reopened thereby.

5. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a servo mechanism which comprises a main valve, having a large passage connected in the delivery line, a normally closed valve for the passage, an hydraulic cylinder for opening said valve, a normally closed, solenoid opened pilot valve having a small passage connecting said cylinder with the delivery line downstream of said main valve, a normally closed, solenoid opened slow flow valve having a small passage connected to bypass the main valve, circuit means for energizing said solenoids including a normally closed, manually operable emergency switch which, when it is opened, deenergizes both valve solenoids to close the pilot and slow flow valves, said pilot valve closure serving to cause closure of the main valve, thereby terminating all flow in the dispensing line.

6. The system defined in claim I wherein said means for resetting the computer register includes a resetting motor, means operable by said motor, when it is energized, for resetting said register, and means responsive to movement of said dispensing control means toward its dispensing condition for deenergizes said motor.

7. The system defined by claim 6 wherein the reset control means comprises a circuit which also includes the resetting motor and a switch connected for operation by said control lever so as to close and open as said lever is moved to its on" and off positions respectively, said switch when closed, serving to complete the circuit through the resetting motor when the reset control means is in its activated condition.

8. The system defined in claim 6 wherein the dispensing control means includes multiple pole, double throw switch means for completing the power circuits of the relay coil and the motor pump and for extending the power circuitry for the valve opening means when the dispensing control means is in its dispensing condition, and means operable by said resetting motor for moving said dispensing control means to its dispensing condition substantially at the completion of resetting of the computer register.

9. The system defined by claim 8 wherein said multiple pole switch includes contacts which are closed, and open when said dispensing control means is in its normal and dispensing conditions respectively, said contacts forming a part of the reset motor circuit so as to deenergizes the motor when the dispensing control means moves toward its dispensing condition.

10. The system defined by claim 9 which includes means operable by said control lever when it is moved to its off position for restoring said dispensing control means and multiple pole switch to said normal condition. I

11. The system defined by claim I which includes a manually operable conventional dispensing" switch having two pairs of normally open contacts, means including one pair of said contacts, when closed, for enabling the operation of said computer resetting means when the reset control means is in its normal condition, and means including the other pair of contacts, when closed, for enabling the operation of said valve opening means solely in response to the establishment of said dispensing control means in the dispensing condition.

12. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said predetermining register comprises a number of individual decades arranged in decimal order, each decade having a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for operating the decade in a count decreasing direction, one digit for each step,

a. said manually actuable first means including a normally open, manually closeable presetting switch for each decade,

b. means connecting each switch to apply a pulse of fully rectified current to the stepping mechanism of its associated decade, for each closure of the switch, whereby each decade may be individually actuated to preset the desired total amount of an anticipated transaction on the predetermining register.

13. The system defined in claim I wherein said transaction counter comprises a number of decades arranged in decimal order, each decade having a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for operating it in a count increasing direction, one digit for each step,

a. said manually actuable second means including a manually operable, normally open switch, and means controlled thereby and connected with all of said stepping mechanisms for applying half wave rectified current to said mechanisms,

b. said stepping interrupting means including a first switching means for each decade, connected for operation of the stepping mechanism thereof, for disconnecting such stepping mechanism from said current when the decade reaches its zero position. 7

14. The system defined by claim 13 wherein each transaction counter decade includes a second switching means, which is moved to zero position by said stepping mechanism simultaneously with said first switching means, and which closes a switch in said zero position,

a. said reset control means comprising a second relay having a coil and first and second sets of normally open contacts,

b. means for connecting all of said closed zero switches in series,

c. means responsive to the closure of all of said zero switches and of said manually operable switch for energizing said second relay coil to close both sets of contacts,

d. means connecting said first set of contacts to establish a holding circuit through said second relay coil and means including said second set of contacts, when closed, serving to permit operation of said computer register resetting means.

15. The system defined by claim I wherein said predetermining register comprises low, intermediate, and high order decades,

a. a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for each decade,

b. a first and a second switching means for each decade, said switching means each including a movable contact connected to be moved by said mechanism, and plurality of fixed contacts, including a zero contact, disposed for successive closure by said movable contact, upon successive steps thereof,

c. circuit means connecting said zero contacts of the low and intermediate order first switching means to actuate, respectively, the stepping mechanism of the next higher order decade to transfer the count, and

d. means, connected in circuit with the zero contact of the first switching means and in series with the zero contact of the second switching means of the high and intermediate order decades respectively, for causing said valve opening means to reduce the rate of liquid flow.

16. The system defined by claim 1 which includes a nonresettable cumulative counter, stepping means for actuating said counter in a count increasing direction, and means connecting said stepping means for actuation in accordance with said pulses.

17. The system defined by claim 15 wherein means, including the movable contact of the second switching means of any decade, when closed with any of its fixed contacts except the zero contact, are provided for maintaining the circuit leg to the coil of the first relay,

a. a multiple pole, two position switch, means including one of said poles, in a first position, for connecting one side of a power source to the second switching means of all of said decades, said pole, in a second position, disconnecting said second switching means, from said source,

b. means, including said pole in its second position, for connecting said relay coil to said source,

c. means, including a second pole of said switch, in its first position, for connecting the stepping mechanism of the first register decade for actuation by said pulse generating means and for interrupting the connection when the pole is in said second position,

d. said two-position switch, in its second position, serving thereby to disable said predetermining register and to enable energization of said first relay in response to the establishment of the dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, to thereby permit delivery of an indefinite amount ofliquid,

c. said transaction counter serving to register the amount of such delivery.

18. The system defined by claim 17 wherein said switch includes a third pole, a contact engageable by said third pole, a lamp disposed to light a fill-up" legend, and means connecting said contact, lamp and pole to complete a circuit therethrough when said switch is in its second position.

19. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser,

a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump, having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said motor pump, meter, and nozzle, normally closed, power operable valve means in said dispensing line, a computer driven by said meter, said computer including a resettable register having high, an analog low, and intermediate order decades and transfer means connecting each decade with the next higher order decade, means for resetting said computer register,

Claims (41)

1. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser, a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump, having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said motor pump, meter, and nozzle, normally closed valve means in said line, means operable to open said valve means, a computer driven by the meter, said computer including a resettable register, means for resetting said register to zero, b. reset control means having normal and activated conditions in which it prevents and permits operation of said resetting means, respectively, a control lever manually movable to ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' positions, dispensing control means having normal and dispensing conditions, means responsive to the reset control means, in its activated condition and said lever, in its ''''on'''' position, for causing said resetting means to reset said register to zero and to establish said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, pulse generating means, including pulse control means operable in time with said register, for generating a pulse for each digital, incremental amount accumulated by said register, c. said control apparatus comprising a transaction counter for registering like digital incremental amounts, said counter including stepping means responsive to said pulses for advancing the count of the transaction counter, d. a presettable predetermined register including stepping means connected for actuation by said pulses for registering like digital decremental amounts to decrease the count preset thereon, e. said register and counter each including indicators to display the count thereon, f. manually actuable first means for actuating the stepping means of said predetermining register to preset a value thereon, said register including means actuable by said stepping means for establishing and maintaining a circuit leg from one side of a power source, through the coil of a first relay, to the dispensing control means, when a value is preset, g. manually actuable second means for causing the repeated actuation of the stepping means of the transaction counter to zeroize it, said counter including means for interrupting said stepping when the counter is reset to zero, said counter also including switching means which, in said zero condition of said counter, activates said reset control means to permit operation of said computer register resetting means, h. said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, serving to close the circuits of said relay coil and of said motor pump, and to condition said valve opening means for operation, i. means responsive to the energization of said relay coil for causing operation of the valve opening means so that liquid may be dispensed, and for activating said pulse generating means, so that liquid dispensed by opening the nozzle valve will be registered on said transaction counter and predetermining register.

2. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said manually actuable first means includes means operable by said first relay, when it is energized, to disable said first means, to prevent presetting of said predetermining register during the course of the transaction.

3. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said dispensing control means is returned to its normal condition by movement of said control lever to its ''''off'''' positioN and said reset control means includes means operable upon energization of said first relay, to deactivate said reset control means, to prevent restarting delivery once it has been stopped by moving said lever to its ''''off'''' position, without resetting the transaction counter.

4. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a normally closed solenoid valve and wherein a valve circuit is provided to energize the solenoid to open the valve, said circuit including a normally closed, manually operable emergency switch, said switch when open serving to cause closure of the valve to interrupt the dispensing of liquid, without changing any other conditions established in the system, so that dispensing may proceed to the intended conclusion when the switch is reclosed, and the valve is reopened thereby.

5. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a servo mechanism which comprises a main valve, having a large passage connected in the delivery line, a normally closed valve for the passage, an hydraulic cylinder for opening said valve, a normally closed, solenoid opened pilot valve having a small passage connecting said cylinder with the delivery line downstream of said main valve, a normally closed, solenoid opened slow flow valve having a small passage connected to bypass the main valve, circuit means for energizing said solenoids including a normally closed, manually operable emergency switch which, when it is opened, deenergizes both valve solenoids to close the pilot and slow flow valves, said pilot valve closure serving to cause closure of the main valve, thereby terminating all flow in the dispensing line.

6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said means for resetting the computer register includes a resetting motor, means operable by said motor, when it is energized, for resetting said register, and means responsive to movement of said dispensing control means toward its dispensing condition for deenergizes said motor.

7. The system defined by claim 6 wherein the reset control means comprises a circuit which also includes the resetting motor and a switch connected for operation by said control lever so as to close and open as said lever is moved to its ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' positions respectively, said switch when closed, serving to complete the circuit through the resetting motor when the reset control means is in its activated condition.

8. The system defined in claim 6 wherein the dispensing control means includes multiple pole, double throw switch means for completing the power circuits of the relay coil and the motor pump and for extending the power circuitry for the valve opening means when the dispensing control means is in its dispensing condition, and means operable by said resetting motor for moving said dispensing control means to its dispensing condition substantially at the completion of resetting of the computer register.

9. The system defined by claim 8 wherein said multiple pole switch includes contacts which are closed, and open when said dispensing control means is in its normal and dispensing conditions respectively, said contacts forming a part of the reset motor circuit so as to deenergizes the motor when the dispensing control means moves toward its dispensing condition.

10. The system defined by claim 9 which includes means operable by said control lever when it is moved to its ''''off'''' position for restoring said dispensing control means and multiple pole switch to said normal condition.

11. The system defined by claim 1 which includes a manually operable ''''conventional dispensing'''' switch having two pairs of normally open contacts, means including one pair of said contacts, when closed, for enabling the operation of said computer resetting means when the reset control means is in its normal condition, and means including the other pair of contacts, when closed, for enabling the operation of said valve opening means solely in response to the establishment of said diSpensing control means in the dispensing condition.

12. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said predetermining register comprises a number of individual decades arranged in decimal order, each decade having a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for operating the decade in a count decreasing direction, one digit for each step, a. said manually actuable first means including a normally open, manually closeable presetting switch for each decade, b. means connecting each switch to apply a pulse of fully rectified current to the stepping mechanism of its associated decade, for each closure of the switch, whereby each decade may be individually actuated to preset the desired total amount of an anticipated transaction on the predetermining register.

13. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said transaction counter comprises a number of decades arranged in decimal order, each decade having a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for operating it in a count increasing direction, one digit for each step, a. said manually actuable second means including a manually operable, normally open switch, and means controlled thereby and connected with all of said stepping mechanisms for applying half wave rectified current to said mechanisms, b. said stepping interrupting means including a first switching means for each decade, connected for operation of the stepping mechanism thereof, for disconnecting such stepping mechanism from said current when the decade reaches its zero position.

14. The system defined by claim 13 wherein each transaction counter decade includes a second switching means, which is moved to zero position by said stepping mechanism simultaneously with said first switching means, and which closes a switch in said zero position, a. said reset control means comprising a second relay having a coil and first and second sets of normally open contacts, b. means for connecting all of said closed zero switches in series, c. means responsive to the closure of all of said zero switches and of said manually operable switch for energizing said second relay coil to close both sets of contacts, d. means connecting said first set of contacts to establish a holding circuit through said second relay coil and means including said second set of contacts, when closed, serving to permit operation of said computer register resetting means.

15. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said predetermining register comprises low, intermediate, and high order decades, a. a pulse responsive stepping mechanism for each decade, b. a first and a second switching means for each decade, said switching means each including a movable contact connected to be moved by said mechanism, and plurality of fixed contacts, including a zero contact, disposed for successive closure by said movable contact, upon successive steps thereof, c. circuit means connecting said zero contacts of the low and intermediate order first switching means to actuate, respectively, the stepping mechanism of the next higher order decade to transfer the count, and d. means, connected in circuit with the zero contact of the first switching means and in series with the zero contact of the second switching means of the high and intermediate order decades respectively, for causing said valve opening means to reduce the rate of liquid flow.

16. The system defined by claim 1 which includes a nonresettable cumulative counter, stepping means for actuating said counter in a count increasing direction, and means connecting said stepping means for actuation in accordance with said pulses.

17. The system defined by claim 15 wherein means, including the movable contact of the second switching means of any decade, when closed with any of its fixed contacts except the zero contact, are provided for maintaining the circuit leg to the coil of the first relay, a. a multiple pole, two position switch, means including one of said poles, in a first position, for connecting one side of a power source to the second switching means of all of said decades, said pole, in a second position, disconnecting said second switching means, from said source, b. means, including said pole in its second position, for connecting said relay coil to said source, c. means, including a second pole of said switch, in its first position, for connecting the stepping mechanism of the first register decade for actuation by said pulse generating means and for interrupting the connection when the pole is in said second position, d. said two-position switch, in its second position, serving thereby to disable said predetermining register and to enable energization of said first relay in response to the establishment of the dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, to thereby permit delivery of an indefinite amount of liquid, e. said transaction counter serving to register the amount of such delivery.

18. The system defined by claim 17 wherein said switch includes a third pole, a contact engageable by said third pole, a lamp disposed to light a ''''fill-up'''' legend, and means connecting said contact, lamp and pole to complete a circuit therethrough when said switch is in its second position.

19. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser, a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump, having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said motor pump, meter, and nozzle, normally closed, power operable valve means in said dispensing line, a computer driven by said meter, said computer including a resettable register having high, an analog low, and intermediate order decades and transfer means connecting each decade with the next higher order decade, means for resetting said computer register, b. reset control means having first and second conditions in which it prevents and permits operation of said resetting means, respectively, a control lever manually movable to ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' positions, dispensing control means, having normal and dispensing conditions, a pulsing switch connected to be driven by said computer register so as to close and open in accordance with the registration of each successive digital, incremental amount by said computer register, c. said control apparatus having a presettable predetermining register comprising high, low, and intermediate order decades, each decade having a pulse actuable stepping mechanism adapted to step said decade one digital decrement for each pulse applied to said mechanism, d. each diode of both of said registers including a visual indicator for displaying the value of the count existing on such decade, e. manually actuable first means for each decade of the predetermining register for actuating the stepping mechanism thereof to preset thereon, the amount of liquid to be delivered, f. each decade of said predetermining register including a first switch having a plurality of fixed contacts, representing values from zero through 9, arranged in order of their respective values and a contactor connected for movement by the associated stepping mechanism into closing engagement successively with the fixed contacts, g. means connecting the zero contact of each lower order decade first switch with the stepping mechanism of the next higher order decade for transferring counts from one decade to the next higher order decade, h. each decade including a second switch having the same number of fixed contacts, arranged in the same order of values, as those of the associated first switch, and having a movable contactor, i. means connecting said first and second contactors for simultaneous movement by the stepping mechanism of the decade, into engagement with their respective fixed contacts of equivalent value, in a count decreasing direction, j. a relay having an actuating coil, k. means for connecting all of the fixed contacts, except the Zero contacts, of the second switches of all of the decades, in a circuit leg which extends from one side of a power source through the relay coil, in parallel through any fixed contacts of said second switches which are engaged by their respective contactors and to the dispensing control means, said circuit leg being opened only when all of the second switch contactors of all of said predetermining decades engage their respective zero contacts, l. said relay having first, normally open, contacts which are closed by energization of said relay to establish a partial circuit from one side of a power source, through the valve means to said dispensing control means, and having second, normally open, contacts for similarly establishing a partial circuit from one side of a power source to said pulsing switch, m. means responsive to the closing of a manually operable switch for establishing the reset control means in its second condition, to render said resetting means operable, upon movement of said control lever to its ''''on'''' position, to reset said computer register to zero and to move said dispensing control means to its dispensing condition, n. said dispensing control means, in its dispensing condition, serving to start the motor pump and, with said predetermining register preset, to complete the circuit through the first relay coil, to close the first and second, normally open relay contacts, which complete the valve opening circuit to permit dispensing, and condition the pulsing circuit for operation by the pulsing switch, respectively, o. means for transmitting pulses generated by said pulsing circuit to the lowest order decade of the predetermining decade, p. the zeroizing of said second switches of said decades upon delivery of the predetermined amount of liquid, serving to deenergize the circuit for the relay coil, and thereby to open said first and second relay contacts, to deenergize the valve opening means and the pulsing circuit, and q. means operable in response to the return of said control lever to its ''''off'''' position to restore said dispensing control means to its normal position to stop the motor pump.

20. The system defined by claim 19 wherein said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition prevents operation of said resetting means.

21. The system defined by claim 19 wherein said pulsing switch is connected in the base circuit of an NPN transistor, the emitter circuit of which is connected to actuate the stepping mechanisms of the predetermining decades.

22. The system defined by claim 21, wherein said decade stepping mechanisms include a solenoid, a ratchet mechanism operable in a cocking stroke by said solenoid and means for operating it in a counting stroke upon deenergization of said solenoid.

23. The system defined by claim 22 wherein said pulsing switch is driven in timed relation with respect to the lowest order decade of said computing register so as to close at a time prior to the arrival of the decade at each full digit position of the decade and to be opened at each such full digit position, to insure accurate correlation of the computer and predetermining registers.

24. The system defined by claim 19 wherein said resetting means includes an electric motor connected to reset the computer register and means driven by said motor to move said dispensing control means to its dispensing position substantially upon completion of register resetting.

25. The system defined by claim 19 wherein said dispensing control means comprises a double throw switch having a number of poles movable to each of two different positions to engage different ones of a number of fixed contacts, and wherein said resetting means includes means for actuating said pole to said positions.

26. The system defined by claim 24 wherein said dispensing control means comprises a double throw multiple pole switch which, in said normal condition of the dispensing control means, has a closed switch connected in said reset mOtor circuit and open switches for said valve opening and motor pump circuits, all of said switches being reversed when said dispensing control means occupies its dispensing condition.

27. The system defined by claim 19 wherein each pulse represents a 1 cent value of the liquid dispensed.

28. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser, a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said motor pump, meter and nozzle, normally closed, power operable valve means in said dispensing line, a computer driven by said meter, said computer including a resettable register, having high, an analog low, and intermediate order decades and transfer means connecting each lower order decade with the next higher order decade, means for resetting said computer register, b. reset control means having normal and activated conditions in which it prevents and permits operation of said resetting means respectively, a control lever manually movable to ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' positions, dispensing control means having normal and dispensing conditions, a pulsing switch connected to be driven by said computer register, so as to close and open in accordance with the registration of each successive digital incremental amount by said computer register, c. said control apparatus having a presettable predetermining register comprising high, low, and intermediate order decades, each decade having a pulse actuable stepping mechanism adapted to step said decade one digital decrement for each pulse supplied to said mechanism, d. said control apparatus also having a transaction counter having high, low, and intermediate order decades, each having pulse actuable stepping mechanism adapted to step the decade one digital increment for each pulse received by such decade, e. each decade of said register and counter having a visual indicator for displaying the value of the count existing on said decade, f. each of said predetermining register and counter decades, including a first switch having fixed contacts, representing values of zero through nine, arranged in order of their respective values, and a contactor mounted for movement by the associated stepping mechanism into closing engagement successively with the individual fixed contacts, g. each of said predetermining register and transaction counter decades having a second switch comprising successively arranged value contacts and a contactor driven by the stepping mechanism of the decade, h. manually actuable first means for each predetermining decade for actuating the stepping mechanism of the decade to preset a value on the first and second switches of the decades, i. means for resetting the transaction decades to zero position, comprising manually controllable means for applying a pulsating direct current simultaneously through the stepping mechanism, the contactors and fixed contacts having values one through nine of the first switch of each transaction counter decade, said current being interrupted and resetting of each decade being terminated when the contactor reaches the zero contact, j. means responsive to the zeroizing of said second switches of said transaction counter decades for establishing said reset control means in its activated condition, k. means responsive to the presetting of any said predetermining register decade second switches to an amount other than zero for conditioning the coil of a first relay for energization upon movement of said dispensing control means to dispensing position, l. means responsive to the movement of the control lever in its ''''on'''' position when said reset control means is in said activated condition, for causing said resetting means to reset the computer register to zero, and to establish said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, thereby energizing said relay coil and Said motor pump, m. normally deenergized pulsing means, including said pulsing switch, n. means responsive to the energizing of said relay coil for energizing said valve opening means and said pulsing means, o. means for transmitting pulses generated by said pulsing switch to the stepping mechanisms of the lowest orders of said predetermining register and transaction counter decades, to respectively decrease and increase the count thereon, one digit for each pulse, when dispensing occurs, p. said second switches of said predetermining register decades, serving to break said relay coil circuit when all of the contactors of second switch decades reach their zero contacts, thereby to deenergize said valve opening means to terminate dispensing, and to deenergize said pulsing circuit, q. said control lever, when returned to its ''''off'''' position, serving to deenergize deenergize pump motor and to restore said dispensing control means to its normal position.

29. The system defined by claim 28 wherein said power operable valve means includes a main valve mechanism, having a normally closed first solenoid valve, a normally closed solenoid slow flow valve, and circuit means for said solenoids controlled by said first relay, a. a second relay having normally closed contacts connected in the circuit of the first valve''s solenoid, b. means responsive to the positioning of the contactor of the first switch of the highest order and of the second switch of the intermediate order decades of the predetermining register on their zero value fixed contacts, for energizing said second relay to deenergize said first solenoid valve of said main valve mechanism, c. the movement of the contactor to the zero contact of the second switch of the lowest order predetermining decade serving to open the circuit of the first relay to cause deenergization of the slow flow valve solenoid to stop all flow.

30. The system defined by claim 29 wherein said main valve means includes an hydraulically operable main valve connected to be conditioned for opening and having means for causing its closing in response to the respective opening and closing of said first solenoid valve.

31. The system defined by claim 28 which includes means responsive to the energization of said first relay for disabling the manually actuable first means to prevent presetting of said predetermining register prior to restoration of said system to its initial condition.

32. The system claimed by claim 28 wherein said dispensing control means includes a limit switch which is opened and closed as said dispensing control means is established in its dispensing and normal conditions respectively, to interrupt the operation of said resetting means substantially at the end of the computer resetting operation, and means operable by the movement of said control lever to its ''''off'''' position for establishing the dispensing control means in its normal condition.

33. The system defined by claim 32 wherein said dispensing control means includes a second switch disposed to close and open as said limit switch opens and closes, respectively, said second switch forming a part of the coil circuit of the first relay so as to deenergize it and thereby prevent restarting a delivery, which has been stopped by turning the control lever to its off position prior to the completion of a predetermined delivery, merely by returning the control lever to its ''''on'''' position.

34. The system defined by claim 32 wherein said resetting means includes a motor connected to zeroize said computing register and connected to establish said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition after the register has been reset.

35. The system defined by claim 34 wherein said reset control means comprises the circuit for said resetting motor which includes a switch which is closed in response to the zeroizing of the second switches of said transaction counter, said limit switch and a switch which is opened and cLosed by the control lever in its ''''off'''' and ''''on'''' positions, respectively, said switches being arranged in series so as to energize said motor only when all of said switches are closed.

36. The system defined by claim 28 which includes a manually settable, double pole, conventional operation dispensing switch, means connecting one pole of said switch in parallel with the switch which is responsive to the zeroizing of the transaction counter, and a second pole connected parallel with the means responsive to the energization of said first relay for energizing the valve opening means, said switch, when closed, serving to enable control lever switch to start said resetting means and, upon completion of resetting, to establish said dispensing control means in its active condition to energize the valve opening means, to stop said resetting motor and to start said pump motor, thereby permitting dispensing under the sole control of said control lever and nozzle valve.

37. The system defined by claim 35 which includes a multiple pole, manually settable fill control switch having first, predetermining and second, fill positions, in said first position one pole of said switch forms the part of down count pulse transmitting means of said predetermining register, another pole of said switch forms a part of relay coil energizing circuit which includes the second switch of a predetermining register decade, said switch in its fill position having said poles open and having a third pole closed to establish a circuit leg to said relay coil in parallel with the decade second switch and said second pole, whereby said relay will be energized upon movement of said dispensing control means to its dispensing position.

38. The system defined by claim 28 which includes a nonresettable cumulative pulse responsive counter and means connecting said cumulative counter with the means for transmitting pulses generated by said pulsing switch for simultaneously registering such pulses.

39. A liquid dispensing system comprising a dispenser, and a control apparatus disposed remotely from said dispenser, a. said dispenser comprising a motor pump having a normally open power circuit, a meter, a valved nozzle, a dispensing line connecting said motor pump, meter and nozzle, normally closed valve means in said line, means operable to open said valve means, a computer driven by the meter, said computer including a resettable register, means for resetting said register to zero, b. reset control means having normal and activated conditions in which it prevents and permits operation of said resetting means, respectively, a control lever manually movable to ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' positions, dispensing control means having normal and dispensing conditions, means responsive to the reset control means, in its activated condition, and said lever, in its ''''on'''' position, for causing said resetting means to reset said register to zero and to establish said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition, pulse generating means, including pulse control means operable in time with said register, for generating a pulse for each digital, incremental amount accumulated by said register, c. said control apparatus comprising a transaction counter for registering like digital incremental amounts, said counter including stepping means connected to said pulse generating means and responsive to pulses for advancing the count of the transaction counter, said counter including indicators for displaying the count thereon, d. manually actuable means for zeroizing said transaction counter and for then establishing said reset control means in its activated condition, to permit operation of said computer resetting means, e. said dispensing control means, in its dispensing condition, including means to close said motor pump circuit, to cause said operable means to open said valve means and to activate said pulse generating means, so that liquid will be dispensed upon opening of said nozzlE valve and such liquid will be registered on the transaction counter.

40. The system defined by claim 39 which includes a predetermining register having presettable counting means, pulse responsive stepping means for moving said counting means toward zero condition, and means for connecting said stepping means for operation by said pulse generating means, a. means for connecting said counting means between said dispensing control means and said valve operating means, including means conditioned by said dispensing control means in its dispensing condition and means conditioned by said counting means in its preset condition for enabling said valve operating means to open said valve means when both of said means are conditioned.

41. The structure defined by claim 40 wherein at least said connecting means for said counting means is selectively settable to either of two positions and includes means operative in one position to interconnect said counting means between said dispensing control and valve operating means and means operable in its other position for connecting said dispensing control and valve operating means.

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