RFID Fuel Management
There are traditionally two types of fueling applications to which RFID Tags and RFID Readers are applied; unattended stationary fuel dispensing (like a gas station) and mobile fuel dispensing (fleet refueling from a tanker truck). With stationary dispensing, LF 125 KHz Tags are mounted around or near a vehicle’s fuel receptacle as shown in photos “Tag mounted to side” and “Donut Tag.” An RFID Reader is mounted on the fuel delivery nozzle as shown in the photo “Donut Reader.” Fuel will not be dispensed if an authorized RFID Tag is not present to the Reader during the entire process.
An alternative is to issue employees RFID badges which are then presented to an RFID Reader located on or in the fuel pump in combination with video to ensure only company vehicles are being refueled. Another alternative is to use a long range passive 915 MHz UHF Tag with see-through, self-destruct RFID Label Tags mounted on a headlight or windshield. Printed RFID Label Tags can also be mounted to the inside of a windshield or a PVC Rear View Mirror Hang Tag for temporary issuances.
Mobile Fuel Dispensing
With mobile fuel dispensing, companies choose to hire a service that brings the fuel to them, which is much less expensive and less risky than sending 100 trucks out each night to refuel at traditional gas stations. This service consists of a tanker truck carrying differing grades of fuel, see photo “Fuel All 2.” An RFID Tag is mounted near the tank receptacle, however, read with a Bluetooth or WiFi RFID Handheld Reader interfacing with onboard logics in order to ascertain the fleet fuel management systems which vehicle is being refueled and the quantity of fuel dispensed.
The RFID Tags are very durable and inert to fuel exposure as well as punishing hits due to being potted in an ABS housing. Tags are capable of being mounted on metal, are ATEX, IS, and IP69 compliant, rated to operate at temperatures from -50°C to +85°C (-50°F to +185°F).