US 11,840,442 B2
Systems and methods for autonomous fueling of a vehicle
Thomas R. Stumpf, Chapel Hill, NC (US)
Assigned to FUELIE SYSTEMS, INC., Lewes, DE (US)
Filed by Fuelie Systems, Inc., Lewes, DE (US)
Filed on Oct. 16, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/654,615.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/747,695, filed on Oct. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0122998 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. B67D 7/04 (2010.01); H01Q 1/32 (2006.01); G05D 7/06 (2006.01); G05B 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC B67D 7/0401 (2013.01) [G05B 15/02 (2013.01); G05D 7/0676 (2013.01); H01Q 1/3208 (2013.01); B67D 2007/0417 (2013.01); B67D 2007/0442 (2013.01); B67D 2007/0444 (2013.01); B67D 2007/0474 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of autonomously dispensing fuel to a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a fuel door assembly that is configured to be attached to the vehicle, the fuel door assembly comprising:
a body sized to extend across a fuel inlet of the vehicle with the body comprising
an opening that is aligned with the fuel inlet;
a door movably connected to the body; and
lights mounted on the body and positioned at a variety of points around the door;
receiving a wireless request for fuel from a user;
determining that the user has a valid account;
determining that the vehicle ignition is off;
in response to determining that the vehicle ignition is off, extending a fuel arm outward from a dispenser body, sensing the lights that are positioned around the door, aligning the fuel arm with the door based on the lights, and inserting a nozzle on the fuel arm through the opening in the body into the fuel inlet on the vehicle;
activating a pump and dispensing the fuel from a tank located in the dispenser body to the vehicle while the vehicle ignition is off;
deactivating the pump after the fuel is moved through the fuel arm and into the vehicle; and
retracting the arm towards the dispenser body and removing the nozzle from the fuel inlet of the vehicle.