Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser

Abstract

An Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser has been disclosed. In one implementation a pump is used to purge a hydrostatic sensing tube of liquid prior to measurement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising a hydrostatic tube having a first end and a second end wherein said first end is in liquid communication with a liquid and said second end is in gaseous communication with a pressure sensor and a gaseous pump. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an additive pump having an input and an output, said additive pump input in communication with an additive tank, and said additive pump output in communication with a vessel containing said liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an entity selected from the group consisting of a mounting plate having a SAE 5-Bolt pattern wherein said hydrostatic tube said first end is distal to said SAE 5-Bolt pattern, and a NPT fitting wherein said hydrostatic tube said first end is distal to said NPT fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said gaseous pump has a check valve on its output. 
     
     
         5 . A method comprising pumping air into a hydrostatic sensing tube for a predetermined time to purge said hydrostatic tube of a liquid, and measuring pressure in said hydrostatic sensing tube after said predetermined time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: transforming said measured pressure into an indicator of a liquid level;
 comparing said liquid level to a predetermined liquid level; 
 transforming said comparison into one of several control states; and 
 communicating said control state to an additive pump. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said one of several control states is transformed by said additive pump into dispensing an additive into said liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said dispensing is selected at a time consisting of during a refueling event, and after a refueling event. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein after said refueling event information regarding said dispensing said additive into said liquid is reported wirelessly. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising sensing via a GPS unit when said vessel is in motion above a predetermined rate and when said vessel is in motion above said predetermined rate performing said dispensing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said pumping air into said hydrostatic sensing tube is at an air pressure greater than a hydrostatic pressure of said liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said indicator of said liquid level is transformed into a volume said transformation based in part on one or more dimensions of a tank holding said liquid, and wherein said volume determines said dispensing said additive into said liquid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising sensing via a GPS unit a location for said refueling event and reporting said location wirelessly. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more tanks, said one or more tanks each having a hydrostatic measuring port and an additive port;   one or more additive pumps said one or more additive pumps coupled to said additive port and to one or more additive tanks; and   one or more gaseous pumps said one or more gaseous pumps coupled to said hydrostatic port.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising one or more check valves, said one or more check valves coupled between said one or more gaseous pumps and said hydrostatic port. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said one or more additive tanks have a hydrostatic measuring port and do not have an additive port. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said one or more additive pumps are controlled by one or more first connections to a control module, and said one or more gaseous pumps are controlled by one or more seconds connection to a control module. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising one or more differential pressure sensors one side of which is coupled to said one or more hydrostatic measuring port. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said other side or said one or more differential pressure sensors is coupled to a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said other side or said one or more differential pressure sensors is coupled to an entity consisting of atmospheric pressure, a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks, and atmospheric pressure and a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks.