US 2003/0192429 A1 · FUEL STORAGE AND DISPENSING SYSTEM

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A fuel storage and dispensing system is provided that is effective in reducing the emission of harmful volatile organic compounds. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel storage and dispensing system is provided comprising at least one storage tank, an air exhaust port, at least one fuel dispenser, a fuel dispensing nozzle, a rigid, fuel dispensing spout, a boot, a pressure relief chamber, a filter system, and at least one pump. The rigid, fuel dispensing spout further defines a non-coaxial fuel tube. The boot is configured to maintain a sufficient level of vacuum within the fuel storage and dispensing system. The boot is further configured to prevent fresh air from entering the fuel dispensing nozzle. The present invention also includes additional embodiments including a pressure relief chamber that is effective in compensating for high temperature pressure build-up in a vapor assist hose, a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout assembly, a vapor recovery boot assembly, and a Venturi shut-off assembly for a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims66

Dependent claims

A fuel storage and dispensing system comprising:

at least one storage tank including at least one fluid vent port and at least one pollutant return port;
an air exhaust port;
at least one fuel dispenser, at least one fuel delivery port, and at least one vapor return port, wherein said fuel delivery port and said vapor return port are configured to couple said storage tank to said fuel dispenser, and wherein said fuel dispenser further comprises
a vapor assist hose defining a fuel dispensing passage and a vapor recovery passage, wherein said vapor assist hose extends from a fuel input end to a fuel dispensing end,
a meter configured to provide an indication of an amount of fuel dispensed through said vapor assist hose, and
a dispenser coupling configured to place said fuel dispensing passage in communication with said fuel delivery port, and said vapor recovery passage in communication with said vapor return port;
a fuel dispensing nozzle defining a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, wherein
said hose attachment end is coupled with said fuel dispensing end of said vapor assist hose,
said spout attachment end further defines a vapor return opening, and
said vapor recovery passage of said vapor assist hose is in communication with said vapor return opening;
a rigid, fuel dispensing spout coupled to said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle, wherein
said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose is in communication with said rigid, fuel dispensing spout, and
said rigid, fuel dispensing spout further defines a non-coaxial fuel tube;
a boot defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein
said proximal end is coupled to said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle and said distal end is configured for communication with a surface proximate a fuel tank inlet pipe of a vehicle during fueling,
said boot is positioned surrounding said rigid, fuel dispensing spout and defines an annular passage,
said annular passage is configured for receiving fuel vapor displaced from said fuel inlet pipe of said vehicle during fueling and,
said annular passage is in communication with said vapor return opening in said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle;
a pressure relief chamber in communication with said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose, wherein said pressure relief chamber comprises a bleed hole and a fluid volume sufficient to enable fuel traveling within said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose to create a pressure relief vacuum within said chamber and, wherein said pressure relief vacuum has a magnitude sufficient to compensate for high temperature pressure build-up in said vapor assist hose;
a filter system comprising a filter input port coupled to said fluid vent port;
and
at least one pump configured to cause fluid to pass through said filter input port, wherein said storage tank, said filter system, and said pump are configured such that said storage tank and additional portions of said fuel storage and dispensing system operate below atmospheric pressure.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description9,677 words

Detailed description9,677 words

#This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/354,703, filed February 6, 2002 for DRIPLESS NOZZLE AND BOOT ASSEMBLY FOR VACUUM-INDUCED VAPOR RECOVERY, and is related to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/963,107, filed September 24, 2001 for DIAGNOSTIC FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM, which is related to U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 09/440,520, filed November 15, 2000 for FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM WITH VENT FILTER ASSEMBLY (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,996) and 09/036,119, filed March 6, 1998 for FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM WITH VENT FILTER ASSEMBLY (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,002). This application is also related to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/796,108, filed February 28, 2001 for VAPOR RECOVERY LINE DIAGNOSTICS (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,789).

#The present invention relates generally to a fuel storage and dispensing system and, more particularly, to a system which employs a storage tank, a fuel dispenser, a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout, a boot, a pressure relief chamber, a filter system, and a pump to reduce the discharge of pollutants from underground fuel storage tanks, as well as the emission of hydrocarbon vapors above ground during fueling. The system is arranged to discharge pollutant free air through an air exhaust port when the pressure within the system reaches a predetermined level. Air to be discharged is separated from fuel vapor within the filter system prior to its discharge.

#In addition to the capture of pollutants that are vented from underground fuel storage tanks, the petroleum industry has increasingly made provisions for recovering fuel vapors that are displaced from a vehicle fuel tank as fuel is discharged therein. Generally, there are two types of systems designed for vapor recovery pressure balance recovery systems and vacuum-induced vapor recovery systems.

Fuel storage and dispensing system

Life of this patent

Fuel storage and dispensing system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims66

Description9,677 words

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description9,677 words

Drawings