Vapor control in a fuel dispensing nozzle
OwnerJames W. Healyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are various improvements in the vapor handling arrangements of a conventional fuel dispensing nozzle. In particular, there is shown a vapor shut-off valve that can override a vapor pressure regulator valve to seal the vapor conduit when fuel is not being dispensed; a magnetic sealing arrangement for preventing escape of vapor at the mouth of the vehicle fuel tank; and a relief valving arrangement to protect both the nozzle and the vehicle tank against excessive pressure conditions.
Claims36
In a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a fuel conduit leading to a spout insertable into a fuel tank, a manually operable fuel valve in said fuel conduit, a vapor conduit for transporting vapor displaced from said tank to a remote vapor handling system, and a vapor shut-off valve in said vapor conduit, the improvement wherein said vapor shut-off valve comprises
- a first diaphragm having a first surface facing said vapor conduit and a second surface facing a chamber within the nozzle, said first diaphragm causing said vapor conduit to be blocked in a first position of said first diaphragm and not to be blocked in a second position of said first diaphragm, and
- biasing means urging said first diaphragm to said first position;
- said nozzle further including valve opening means for urging said first diaphragm toward said second position only when fuel is flowing past said fuel valve.
In a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a fuel conduit leading to a spout insertable into a fuel tank having a mouth formed from a magnetically susceptible material, a flexible enclosure spaced apart from and encircling said spout at the end thereof adjacent said nozzle body and terminating in an end plate disposed to engage said fuel tank mouth when said spout is inserted into said tank, said flexible enclosure comprising an attachement portion for securing it to said nozzle, said end plate comprising a magnetic material, thereby enabling positive contact of said end plate with said tank mouth to prevent the escape to the ambient of vapors from said tank, the improvement wherein said shroud comprises a member secured to said attachment portion and to said end plate and having a length along said spout such that said member is taut when said end plate engages said fuel tank mouth.
In a fuel dispensing nozzle comprising a body having a fuel conduit leading to a spout insertable into a fuel tank, and a vapor conduit for transporting vapor displaced from said fuel tank to a remote vapor handling system, said vapor conduit defined in part by a flexible enclosure encircling a portion of said spout adjacent said body, the improvement wherein a pressure relief valve is provided in said flexible enclosure for altering the pressure in said vapor conduit when it deviates by more than a predetermind amount from the ambient pressure exterior of said flexible enclosure, said pressure relief valve comprising an opening in a wall of said flexible enclosure, a pair of flexible flaps in face-to-face contact with each other when the pressure within said vapor conduit deviates from said ambient pressure by no more than said predetermined amount, and flap biasing panels urging said flaps together and being sealed around the edges of said opening.
A shroud for use with a fuel dispensing apparatus comprising a nozzle for dispensing liquid fuel through a spout connected to a nozzle body and insertable into a fuel tank and a vapor conduit system for conveying vapor from said fuel tank to a vapor handling system, the shroud comprising
- an attachment portion for securing the shroud to said nozzle,
- an enclosure portion spaced apart from and encircling said spout adjacent said nozzle body, the region between said enclosure portion and said spout forming a vapor passage,
- an opening in said shroud for connecting said vapor passage to said vapor conduit system,
- an end plate secured to said enclosure portion and constructed to form a sealing enagement with the periphery of the mouth of said fuel tank when said spout is inserted into said fuel tank, and
- a pressure relief valve in said enclosure portion for altering the pressure in said vapor passage when it deviates by more than a predetermined amount from the ambient pressure exterior of said shroud, said pressure relief valve comprising an opening in a wall of said enclosure portion, a pair of flexible flaps in face-to-face contact with each other when the pressure within said vapor conduit diviates from said ambient pressure by no more than said predetermined amount, and flap biasing panels urging said flaps together and being sealed around the edges of said opening.
A valve system for use in a fuel dispensing nozzle a body including a fuel conduit and a fuel valve and a vapor conduit, the valve system comprising
- a rigid body member abutting said nozzle body and having internal passage means defining a portion of said vapor conduit, body member also defining a peripheral surface around a portion of said passage means,
- a hollow cap member overlying said body member, a first flexible diaphragm clamped around its periphery between said cap and body members, said hollow cap member defining a chamber adjacent a first surface of said first diaphragm and said vapor means of said body member being adjacent the second surface of said first diaphragm, said first diaphragm movable between a first position in which it causes blockage of said passage means at said peripheral surface and a second position.
- biasing means urging said diaphragm toward said first position, and
- valve opening means for urging said first diaphragm toward said second position only when fuel is flowing past said fuel valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.