US 5,099,870 A · Emergency shut-off valves

Abstract

An emergency valve shuts off the flow of fuel in the event a fuel dispenser is struck with sufficient force to rupture the fuel conduit means therefor. The valve comprises a lower housing connected to a source of pressurized fuel and an upper housing connected to conduit means which extend to a dispensing nozzle. The upper housing has a groove which defines the plane of a weakened portion. When the impacted with a relatively high lateral force, the portion of the upper housing, above the groove, will separate, or break away. A normally open, main control, is mounted in the lower housing. A check valve is mounted in the upper housing. When the separable portion of the upper housing breaks away, both the flapper valve and the check valve automatically close to minimize spillage of fuel. A bleed valve is provided to relieve pressure in the fuel conduit means to which the separable portion of the upper housing is connected, in the event a fire occurs upon its breaking away. Three embodiments illustrate alternate check valve constructions. The upper housing and check valve comprises a replacement unit which can be mounted on existing lower housing to provide the benefits of the present invention or to replace an upper housing when an accident occurs.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An emergency valve adapted for installation at the base of a fuel dispensing unit with its lower end connected to a source of pressurized fuel and its upper end connected to conduit means extending, through the dispensing unit to a dispensing nozzle,

said emergency valve comprising
a lower housing adapted to be rigidly mounted and to which the pressurized fuel source is to be connected,
an upper housing mounted on the lower housing and adapted to be connected to the conduit means extending to the dispensing nozzle,
said upper housing having a weakened portion defining a plane on which the upper portion thereof will separate when subjected to a predetermined lateral loading,
a main control valve mounted in the lower housing,
means for latching the main control valve in an open position, said latching means being connected to the upper portion of the upper housing and releasing the main control valve for closure upon separation of the upper portion of the upper housing,
characterized by
means, operative in response to separation of the upper portion of said upper housing from the lower portion thereof, for retaining fuel in the dispensing unit conduit means.

5 more elements

A replacement valve unit for an emergency valve adapted for installation at the base of a fuel dispensing unit with its lower end connected to a source of pressurized fuel and its upper end connected to conduit means extending through the dispensing unit to a dispensing nozzle, said replacement unit being adapted for mounting on an existing unit comprising

a lower housing adapted to be rigidly mounted and to which a source of pressurized fuel is to be connected,
a main control valve mounted in the lower housing, and
linkage means connected to the main control valve,
said replacement unit comprising
an upper housing adapted to be mounted on the lower housing and adapted to be connected conduit means extending therefrom to a dispensing nozzle,
said upper housing having a weakened portion defining a plane on which the upper portion thereof will separate when subjected to a predetermined lateral loading,
linkage means mounted on the upper housing, and adapted to be connected to the linkage means of the first housing to yieldingly maintain the main control valve open, said linkage means releasing the control valve for closure upon separation of said upper portion,
said replacement unit being characterized by
means, operative in response to separation of the upper portion of said upper housing from the lower portion thereof, for retaining fuel in the dispensing unit conduit means.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Emergency shut-off valves

Life of this patent

Emergency shut-off valves

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25