Method for dispensing fuel

Abstract

An improved aboveground system for storing a combustible fluid such as gasoline includes a storage tank that is constructed and arranged to store a combustible fluid such as gasoline and an outer tank to provide secondary containment. An interstitial space is defined between the outer tank and the storage tank. A pipe for communicating with the storage tank extends through the wall of the storage tank, into the interstitial space and through the interstitial space for a distance so as to extend substantially parallel to at least one of the walls of the outer tank and the storage tank, and then through the wall of the outer tank, whereby fluid may be supplied to or withdrawn from the storage tank. Advantageously, access structure is provided for gaining access through the wall of the outer tank to the portion of the pipe that extends through the interstitial space for a distance so as to extend substantially parallel to at least one of the walls of the outer tank and the storage tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of facilitating self-service fueling, comprising steps of: 
 (a) positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground self-service fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank and an attached dispensing pump of the type that is configure to allow an individual to fill a vehicle;    (b) loading fuel into the aboveground storage tank; and    (c) permitting a person to refuel a vehicle with fuel that is drawn from the aboveground storage tank by using the dispensing pump.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed without installing any underground facilities.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank and an attached dispensing pump that includes a commercial credit card reader, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to use the commercial credit card reader in a transaction that is related to refueling the vehicle.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump and an attached canopy for protecting a user during a fueling transaction, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to refuel a vehicle while standing beneath the canopy.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed from a remote service facility.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed telephonically.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump, a conduit for holding fuel that is being transported between the dispensing pump and the storage tank, secondary containment for both the aboveground storage tank and the conduit, and spill containment.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises using a lifting device to position the aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank and an attached dispensing pump in the desired location.  
     
     
         10 . A method of retailing fuel, comprising steps of: 
 (a) positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump and structure for supporting the storage tank and dispensing pump together as a unit on an underlying surface;    (b) loading fuel into the aboveground storage tank;    (c) permitting a customer to refuel a vehicle with fuel that is drawn from the aboveground storage tank by using the dispensing pump;    (d) determining whether the desired location is still the preferred location for the module; and    (e) if it is not the preferred location, re-positioning the aboveground fueling module to a different location.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (e) comprises using a lifting device to position the module to the different location.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (a) is performed without installing any underground facilities.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank and an attached dispensing pump that includes a commercial credit card reader, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to use the commercial credit card reader in a transaction that is related to refueling the vehicle.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump and an attached canopy for protecting a user during a fueling transaction, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to refuel a vehicle while standing beneath the canopy.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising a step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed from a remote service facility.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed telephonically.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump, a conduit for holding fuel that is being transported between the dispensing pump and the storage tank, and secondary containment for both the aboveground storage tank and the conduit, whereby the module will be as safe a possible for fueling transactions.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (c) is performed without an attendant being present.  
     
     
         20 . A method of retailing fuel, comprising steps of: 
 (a) positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump and structure for supporting the storage tank and dispensing pump together as a unit on an underlying surface, step (a) being performed so that the dispensing pump is accessible to a vehicle operator;    (b) loading fuel into the aboveground storage tank; and    (c) permitting a customer to conduct a refueling transaction that comprises refueling a vehicle with fuel that is drawn from the aboveground storage tank by using the dispensing pump; and    (d) recording the transaction.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (a) comprises using a lifting device.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (a) is performed without installing any underground facilities.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank and an attached dispensing pump that includes a commercial credit card reader, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to use the commercial credit card reader in a transaction that is related to refueling the vehicle.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump and an attached canopy for protecting a user during a fueling transaction, and wherein step (c) is performed by permitting a person to refuel a vehicle while standing beneath the canopy.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 20 , further comprising a step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed from a remote service facility.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of communicating with the person from a position that is remote from the aboveground retail fueling module is performed telephonically.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein step (a) is performed by positioning at a desired dispensing location an aboveground retail fueling module that includes at least one aboveground storage tank, an attached dispensing pump, a conduit for holding fuel that is being transported between the dispensing pump and the storage tank, and secondary containment for both the aboveground storage tank and the conduit, whereby the module will be as safe a possible for fueling transactions.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein step (c) is performed without an attendant being present.