WO2011123938A1

WO2011123938A1 - Tank identification delivery interlock system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2011123938A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000369
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen A. Belyea
Original assignee: Base Engineering Inc.
Priority date: 2010-04-07
Filing date: 2011-04-07
Publication date: 2011-10-13

Abstract

A method of delivering fuel includes reading a tank identification code from a customer fuel tank with a handheld controller, wirelessly transmitting the tank identification code to a receiver/controller unit, comparing the tank identification code with a customer database, wirelessly transmitting a delivery authorization signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller, actuating a start delivery button on the handheld controller to wirelessly transmit a start delivery signal to the receiver/controller unit, and energizing a delivery control valve to deliver fuel to the customer fuel tank.

Description

TANK IDENTIFICATION DELIVERY INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND

METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to the delivery of fuel to a customer fuel tank. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for identifying a customer fuel tank prior to authorizing delivery of fuel to the tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are many applications for the transportation of liquids by a ground vehicle for delivery to a storage location. The design and construction of such vehicles, and of the liquid delivery systems on those vehicles, vary depending upon the type of liquid being transported and delivered. In many cases, rules and regulations, both state and federal, such as United States Department of Transportation regulations, apply to the vehicles and to the delivery of liquids therefrom.

[0003] Volatile and flammable liquids, such as liquefied petroleum gases (LP gas or LPG), require very specialized equipment and careful handling. Liquefied petroleum gases, such as butane and propane, must be maintained under pressure at ambient temperatures to keep them in a liquid state. These liquids are extremely volatile and will boil unless maintained under pressure. For example, propane boils at -44° F, and butane boils at +31 ° F. That is, butane and propane exist only in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and most ambient temperatures. In order to keep liquefied petroleum gases in a pressurized, liquid state, they must be stored in pressure vessels capable of withstanding internal pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.

[0004] Delivery trucks for transporting and delivering liquefied petroleum gases must therefore have a pressurized tank or vessel thereon to hold the LP gas in a liquid state, and when the LP gas is delivered, it must be transferred into a similar pressurized storage tank or vessel. All of the interconnecting equipment and piping must also be designed to withstand these high internal pressures.

[0005] LP gas delivery trucks are well known in the art, and are frequently used to deliver LP gas to storage vessels, particularly in rural areas. LP gases are flammable, and thus useful as fuels, and typically delivery trucks are used to deliver the LP gas to residential storage tanks and also to larger commercial storage vessels from which the LP gas may be further distributed. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, LP gases may be useful for commercial and residential heating, motor fuels, and other applications such as heating, cooling and cooking on recreational vehicles.

[0006] In a typical LP gas delivery cycle, the operator of the fuel delivery truck parks the truck at some distance spaced from the storage vessel or tank to be filled. It may be possible to park the fuel delivery truck immediately adjacent to the storage tank, but in most cases, this is not possible. Regardless of the distance, however, the general procedure for filling the storage tank is the same.

[0007] After parking the fuel delivery truck, the operator chocks the wheels so that unintended movement of the truck is prevented, after which the actual delivery cycle may be carried out. The fuel delivery truck typically includes a flow meter, and the operator inserts a ticket into the meter which records the transaction so that the customer can be billed the appropriate amount for the volume of liquid delivered to the customer's storage tank. The operator then takes a delivery hose attached to the fuel delivery truck and extends the hose from the truck to the storage tank. A hose valve is disposed on the end of the hose along with a coupling. The coupling is attached to a mating fitting on the tank, and the hose valve is opened. The operator then returns to the fuel delivery truck. [0008] Back at the truck, the operator actuates control levers to open an internal flow valve on the truck which allows fluid communication between the delivery tank and a liquid transferring means, such as a pump. The operator then engages a power take-off, which is connected to a shaft of the pump.

[0009] The operator then returns to the storage tank and observes the liquid fuel level on a liquid level gauge at the tank. Just before the fluid level reaches the maximum allowable amount, the operator again returns to the truck from the storage tank and stops the pump. This procedure includes disengaging the power take-off and closing the internal flow valve in the delivery tank.

[0010] The operator again returns to the storage tank, closes the hose valve, and disconnects the hose from the storage tank. The hose is then rewound onto its reel. At this point, the fuel delivery truck can be driven to another location for filling another storage tank.

[0011 ] As appreciated by those skilled in the art, it may be possible to associate unique identification numbers or codes with the fuel storage tanks to allow the operator to track the delivery of gas for purposes of billing and to verify that the delivery is being made to the proper tank. However, there is presently no automated system and method to capture identification data associated with a fuel storage tank, transmit the identification data to a fuel delivery truck, and automatically engage the fuel delivery process only if certain parameters and conditions are met in order to prevent incorrect or unauthorized deliveries.

[0012] For example, fraudulent customer data entry by a fuel delivery truck operator can result in product being dispensed to one customer and invoiced to another. Thus, there is a need for an improved delivery system that eliminates this possibility by ensuring that the customer invoiced is the customer who received the fuel. [0013] In addition, occasionally a fuel delivery truck operator may accidentally open the wrong truck valve and deliver the wrong type of fuel to a customer. This type of error can be extremely dangerous and expensive depending on the severity of the mix-up, such as inadvertently delivering gasoline to a furnace oil customer. Thus, there is also a need for an improved fuel delivery system that eliminates this possibility by interlocking the product selector valves of the fuel delivery truck to the product information obtained from identification data associated with a fuel storage tank.

[0014] Another situation in which the wrong fuel is delivered to a customer involves the delivery of heating oil. Heating oil is regularly pumped into an outside filler neck, which is connected to a basement mounted tank. If the outside filler neck has been disconnected from the customer-owned basement mounted tank because the customer owned tank has been removed for renovations without advising the oil company, several hundred gallons may be pumped before the operator realizes there is a problem. The resulting damage to the home and environmental cleanup costs may exceed several hundred thousand dollars.

[0015] Fuel distribution companies also have great difficulty tracking the whereabouts of their portable tank asset bases. These non-permanent tanks are delivered to customers and filled as required as long as the customer purchases fuel from the distributor. Tanks are frequently exchanged due to expiration of certification dates, customer moves, or the placement of competitor tanks in service. Thus, there is a need for an improved fuel delivery system that allows a fuel distribution company to track an asset base by recording the tank identification data each time fuel is delivered to the tank. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention addresses the foregoing problems by providing a method of delivering fuel that includes the steps of reading a tank identification code from a customer fuel tank with a handheld controller, wirelessly transmitting the tank identification code to a receiver/controller unit, comparing the tank identification code with a customer database, wirelessly transmitting a delivery authorization signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller, actuating a start delivery button on the handheld controller to wirelessly transmit a start delivery signal to the receiver/controller unit, and energizing a delivery control valve to deliver fuel to the customer fuel tank.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a tank identification system is provided that includes a wireless handheld controller operable to read a tank ID from a tank identification tag on a fuel tank, a receiver/controller unit operable to receive a signal from the wireless handheld controller indicative of the tank ID, a customer database including a list of authorized customers, wherein the receiver/controller unit exports the tank ID to the customer database to determine whether the tank ID matches an entry in the list of authorized customers, and a delivery control valve that is energized to dispense fuel to the fuel tank when the tank ID matches an entry in the list of authorized customers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a fuel delivery truck with a tank identification system in accordance with the present invention incorporated therein.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the main components of the exemplary tank identification system of FIG. 1 . [0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for a receiver/controller unit in accordance with the present invention.

[0021 ] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for a handheld controller in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for a daughter board layout in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary process of delivering fuel to a customer fuel tank in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Generally, the present invention is a fuel tank identification delivery interlock system and method that may be used for preventing fuel from being delivered to the wrong customer, preventing the wrong type of fuel from being delivered to a customer, and preventing fuel from being fraudulently removed from a delivery truck. The tank identification system generally includes a handheld device that is capable of reading and transmitting a customer tank ID code wirelessly to a fuel delivery truck. The wireless handheld controller is preferably designed for use in explosive fuel vapor environments as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and may transmit signals over a long distance in excess of one thousand feet to the fuel delivery truck. This allows the delivery truck operator to capture the tank ID, transmit the tank ID, and begin the fuel delivery process all from the customer's tank location.

[0025] The tank identification system of the present invention may operate as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system. Generally speaking, radio-frequency identification systems include interrogators (or readers) and tags (or labels). RFID tags typically comprise at least two components, including (i) an integrated circuit for storing/processing information and modulating/demodulating a radio-frequency signal, and (ii) an^" antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. Further, RFID tags typically fall into one of three categories, including active RFID tags, passive RFID tags, and battery assisted RFID tags. Active RFID tags contain a battery and are operable to transmit signals autonomously. Passive RFID tags do not contain a battery and therefore require an external source for signal transmission. Battery assisted passive RFID tags require an external source to "wake-up" but have a higher forward link capability providing greater range.

[0026] When the tank identification system of the present invention is combined with existing radio remote controls for fuel delivery trucks, the operator may have complete control of the delivery functions of the truck all in one compact, handheld unit.

[0027] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a fuel delivery truck 10 with a tank identification system 1 1 in accordance with the present invention incorporated therein, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the main components of the tank identification system 1 1 of FIG. 1 . The fuel delivery truck 10 as described herein is designed for transporting and delivering volatile liquids such as liquefied petroleum gases and the like. However, the fuel delivery truck 10 and the tank identification system 1 1 may be adapted for the delivery of other volatile and non-volatile liquids without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the fuel delivery truck 10 includes a rolling chassis 12 supported on front wheels 14 and rear drive wheels 16 with a cab 18 at the forward end of the chassis 12. Liquid is carried on the fuel delivery truck 10 in a delivery tank 20 mounted on the chassis 12. In volatile liquid applications, the delivery tank 20 is a vessel in which the liquid can be stored. More particularly, if the fuel is a pressurized gas such as LPG or Butane, then the vessel will be pressurized. However, if the fuel is a "refined fuel" such as gasoline or heating oil, then the vessel will not be pressurized. The delivery tank 20 may include a plurality of gauges, relief valves, piping, and other components in communication therewith including, but not limited to, a delivery control valve 22 in fluid flow communication with the tank 20 and a delivery hose 24 operably coupled to and extending from the control valve 22. The delivery control valve 22 is fitted to the dispensing system of the fuel delivery truck 10 and is capable of responding to command outputs from a receiver/controller unit. Although not shown, the fuel delivery truck 10 may further include a hose reel for maintaining the delivery hose 24 when not in use. The delivery hose 24 preferably includes a hose nozzle 26 that is structured to be operably coupled to a customer tank 28.

[0029] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the fuel delivery truck 10 may be structured to simultaneously store and deliver a plurality of different fuels. In order to accommodate the various fuels, the tank 20 may be partitioned off into separate chambers. Alternatively, a plurality of separate tanks may be used instead of one large tank such as tank 20. When a plurality of different fuels are stored on the fuel delivery truck 10, a corresponding plurality of delivery control valves 22 may be used to dispense the fuels.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main components of the tank identification system 1 1 include a handheld controller 30, a tank identification tag 32 attached to the customer tank 28 (or other suitable and accessible location), a truck mounted receiver/controller unit 34, a customer database 36, and a truck mounted antenna 38 for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the handheld controller 30. As shown, the handheld controller 30 is an "untethered" radio-frequency remote control type device, such as an RFID interrogator/reader, that is operable to capture or read a tank ID from the tank identification tag 32, such as an RFID tag/label. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the handheld controller may be tethered or untethered. In addition, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the tank ID may be read or captured in any suitable manner, such as upon actuation of an "obtain tank ID" button 31 . The handheld controller 30 is then operable to automatically transmit a signal with the tank ID to the truck mounted receiver/controller unit 34, which may be located several hundred or even in excess of one thousand feet away.

[0031 ] The receiver/controller unit 34 is operable to cross-check the tank ID with information stored within the customer database 36 to confirm whether that tank ID is associated with a valid customer. Upon cross^¬ checking the tank ID with the customer database 36, the customer database 36 sends an acknowledgment back to the receiver/controller unit 34 that the tank ID is associated with a customer who is scheduled to receive a delivery and the delivery is "authorized," or alternatively that the tank ID is associated with a customer who is not scheduled to receive a delivery and the delivery is therefore "not authorized." The receiver/controller unit 34 then transmits a signal to the handheld controller 30 to advise the operator whether the delivery is "authorized" or "not authorized." This signal may be converted to an appropriate message that is displayed on a display 30 of the handheld controller 30.

[0032] If the delivery is authorized, the operator is able to actuate a "start delivery" button 40 on the handheld controller 30, which in turn transmits a "start delivery" signal back to the truck mounted receiver/controller unit 34. The receiver/controller unit 34 then transmits a signal to the delivery control valve 22 to energize the valve, which opens the valve and allows fuel to be delivered through the delivery hose 24 to the customer fuel tank 28. Alternatively, the handheld controller 30 may transmit the signal directly to the delivery control valve 22. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the handheld controller 30 may also include a "stop delivery" button 42 that may be actuated for early termination of the fuel delivery process. If no radio signal is received by the delivery control valve 22, the valve will not be energized to the open position. This prevents fuel from being accidentally or unintentionally delivered to a customer fuel tank that is not authorized to receive fuel.

[0033] Any time after delivery authorization, the tank ID may also be exported from the receiver/controller unit 34 and recorded on a delivery ticket and/or into the delivery record for that day.

[0034] After an authorized delivery is completed, the tank identification system 1 1 may automatically reset after a predetermined period of time, such as after about three minutes, or alternatively as soon as the fuel delivery truck 10 is moved.

[0035] A means to bypass the automated tank identification system 1 1 when necessary may also be provided in accordance with the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment this feature may be available only to authorized personnel within the fuel delivery company, and the tank identification system 1 1 may be designed to "red-flag" the delivery and time-stamp the delivery as an exception within the delivery record.

[0036] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in addition to providing a list of valid customers, the customer database 36 may also set forth restrictions on the type of fuel that the customers are authorized to receive. Thus, if the tank ID code read from the tank identification tag 32 corresponds with a customer who is authorized to receive a specific type of fuel product, then the receiver/controller unit 34 may be operable to energize only the delivery control valve that corresponds with that specific fuel product. This prevents the wrong type of fuel from being delivered to a customer.

[0037] Additionally, if an attempt is made to enter customer account information into the delivery record but a tank ID corresponding to that customer is not received by the receiver/controller 34, then the delivery will not be permitted. This prevents the fraudulent entry of valid customer information in an effort to deliver fuel to an unauthorized receiving tank. [0038] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, fuel is described herein as being delivered from a fuel delivery truck 10 merely for purposes of example and not limitation. Thus, in alternative embodiments fuel my be delivered from a fuel delivery trailer or other fuel dispensing system, whether mobile or immobile, that is capable of being equipped with a radio-frequency receiver/controller unit, customer database software, and a fuel delivery control valve. Further, the customer fuel tank 28 with the tank identification tag 32 affixed thereto may be any fuel storage tank, piece of machinery, or vehicle that requires fueling.

[0039J In one exemplary alternative embodiment, the customer fuel tank may be a portable tank asset base. As discussed above, these non- permanent tanks are typically delivered to customers and filled as required as long as the customer continues to purchase fuel from the distributor. However, tanks are frequently exchanged due to expiration of certification dates, customer moves, or the placement of competitor tanks in service. Thus, the tank identification system 1 1 of the present invention may be used by a fuel distribution company to track an asset base by recording the tank ID number each time fuel is delivered to the tank. Since each tank ID corresponds with a known customer location, the fuel distribution company can download the delivery information from the fuel delivery truck and run a report on all tank locations. Tank ID's that do not correspond with their known customer location may then be flagged as a "non-authorized fill situation" pending an authorized override.

[0040] Based upon the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the handheld controller 30 of the present invention may be operable to perform numerous functions including, but not limited to: reading/collecting a tank ID affixed to a tank identification tag on a fuel storage tank, piece of machinery, or vehicle to be fueled; transmitting the tank ID to a receiver/controller over a distance of several hundred feet; receiving a delivery approval signal from the receiver/controller unit over a distance of several hundred feet; and transmitting a commence delivery signal over a distance of several hundred feet back to the receiver/controller unit or directly to a delivery control valve located on the fuel delivery truck.

[0041] Further, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the receiver/controller unit 34 of the present invention may be operable to perform numerous functions including, but not limited to: receiving a tank ID radio signal from the handheld controller; exporting the tank ID to an electronic customer database of the fuel delivery truck for cross-checking against valid scheduled deliveries; receiving a valid customer acknowledgment from the customer database and transmitting a delivery enabled signal to the handheld controller several hundred feet away; receiving a commence fuel delivery signal from the handheld controller; energizing the fuel delivery control valve upon receipt of a commence delivery signal from the handheld controller; and exporting the tank ID to the permanent delivery record associated with the fuel delivery truck.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for the receiver/controller unit 34 in accordance with the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for the handheld controller 30 in accordance with the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one exemplary RFID circuit design for a daughter board layout in accordance with the present invention.

[0045] Now that one exemplary embodiment of a tank identification system and its general operation has been described, further details regarding the process of using the tank identification system to deliver fuel to a customer will be described.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary process 100 of delivering fuel to a customer fuel tank in accordance with the present invention. Beginning with step 102, an operator uses the handheld controller 30 to obtain the tank ID code from the tank identification tag 32 associated with the customer fuel tank 28. The process 00 continues at step 104 wherein the system determines whether the tank ID from the tank identification tag 32 was properly acquired and ensures that the data is not corrupted. If the system determines that the tank ID from the tank identification tag 32 was not properly acquired or that the data is corrupted, then the process 1 00 enters a loop 105 wherein an "ID ERROR-RETRY" message is shown on the handheld controller 30 in step 106, and step 102 is once again repeated. Alternatively, if the system determines that the tank ID from the tank identification tag 32 was properly acquired and that the data is not corrupted, then the process 100 continues at step 108 where an "ID READ" message is shown on the handheld controller 30.

[0047] Next, in step 1 10, the handheld controller 30 sends a signal to the receiver/controller unit 34 with the tank ID encoded therein. Then, the receiver/controller unit 34 exports the tank ID to the customer database 36 for verification in step 1 12. More particularly, the system determines whether the tank ID is associated with an authorized customer in step 1 14. If the tank ID is not associated with an authorized customer, then the process 100 enters bypass 1 1 5 wherein the receiver/controller unit 34 sends an "UNAUTHORIZED" signal to the handheld controller 30 in step 1 16. As a result, the receiver/controller unit 34 prevents any fuel delivery until the problem is corrected as indicated in step 1 18. If the customer was indicated as unauthorized through an error or oversight, then the correction may involve updating the customer database 36 and reinitiating the process 100.

[0048] If the tank ID is associated with an authorized customer, then the process 1 00 continues at step 120 wherein the receiver/controller unit 34 sends an "AUTHORIZED" message to the handheld controller 30 in step 120. Upon sending the "AUTHORIZED" message to the handheld controller 30, the receiver/controller unit 34 enables its delivery functions in step 122. Thereafter, the operator may proceed with the delivery as previously described, such as by actuating an appropriate button on the handheld controller 30.

[0049] Although several exemplary steps were described with reference to the tank identification and fuel delivery process, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the order and number of steps may be modified without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. Thus, the exemplary steps were provided merely for purposes of example and not limitation.

[0050] As will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the process previously described may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to as a "circuit," "module," or "system." Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer usable program code embodied in the medium.

[0051] The process comprising the method of the present invention has been described with reference to a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart diagram, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart diagram block or blocks. [0052] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to tunction in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0053] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart diagram block or blocks.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of delivering fuel comprising:

providing a hand held controller;

reading a tank identification code from a customer fuel tank with said handheld controller;

providing a receiver/controller unit;

transmitting the tank identification code to the receiver/controller unit;

providing a customer database;

comparing the tank identification code with information stored in the customer database related to said customer fuel tank; and transmitting a signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting a signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller comprises transmitting a delivery authorization signal.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising actuating a start delivery button on the handheld controller to transmit a start delivery signal to the receiver/controller unit.

4. The method of delivering fuel of claim 3 further comprising providing a delivery tank containing fuel, said delivery tank including a dispensing system fitted with a delivery control valve.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said delivery control valve is capable of responding to the start delivery signal from said receiver/controller unit.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising energizing the delivery control valve to open to deliver fuel to the customer fuel tank upon receipt of said start delivery signal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the tank identification code to a receiver/controller unit is wireless.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein transmitting a delivery authorization signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller is wireless.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting a signal from the receiver/controller unit to the handheld controller is a not authorized signal.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising disabling and/or locking said receive/controller until an authorized signal is transmitted.

1 1 . The method of claim 6 further comprising exporting the tank identification number from the receiver/controller to be recorded on a delivery ticket and/or into a delivery record for said delivery.

1 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing restrictions within said customer database regarding the type of fuel that the customer is authorized to receive, a means to bypass said tank identification system.

13. A tank identification system comprising:

a controller unit operable to read a tank identification code from a tank identification tag on a customer fuel tank; a receiver/controller unit operable to receive a signal from the controller unit indicative of the tank identification code;

a customer database including information related to the tank identification code, wherein the receiver/controller unit exports the tank identification code to the customer database to determine whether the tank identification code matches information in the customer database; and a delivery tank containing fuel, the delivery tank energizable to dispense fuel to the fuel tank when the tank identification code matches information in the customer database.

14. The tank identification system of claim 13 wherein the controller unit is a hand held wireless device.

15. The tank identification system of claim 13 wherein the receiver/controller unit is positioned on a fuel delivery truck.

16. The tank identification system of claim 13 wherein the delivery fuel tank includes a dispensing system fitted with a delivery control valve.

17. The tank identification system of claim 16 wherein the delivery control valve includes an open and closed position.

1 8. The tank identification system of claim 1 7 wherein the delivery control valve is in the open positioa if the tank identification code matches information in the customer database upon.