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US 5,516,119 AGranted
Vapor containment and recirculation device
AssigneeEnvironmental Seals & Services, Inc.
InventorsFred Trackwell, Joe King
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention involves an apparatus for vapor containment and recirculation for use in fluid systems, including pumps and valves. More specifically, this invention provides a closed loop recirculation system for ensuring that vapor does not escape from fluid systems. The invention comprises a vapor containment gland comprising a vapor channel; a suction manifold attached to the vapor containment gland and comprising a suction channel, a fluid injection channel, and a suction nozzle bore; a suction nozzle insertable in said suction nozzle bore and comprising a flow channel in fluid communication with said fluid injection channel and said suction channel; and a fluid injection recirculation line attachable to said suction nozzle.
Claims26
A vapor containment device for use in fluid systems, comprising:
- (a) a vapor containment gland comprising a front face, a rear face, a vapor inlet, a vapor outlet, and an arced vapor channel connecting said vapor inlet and vapor outlet such that fluid must flow along an arced or circular path in order to travel from said vapor inlet to said vapor outlet;
- (b) a suction manifold attached to said vapor containment gland and comprising a suction channel in fluid communication with said vapor outlet, a fluid injection channel comprising a first end attachable to a fluid container and a second end intersecting said suction channel, and a suction nozzle bore in alignment with said suction channel, said bore extending to the outer periphery of said manifold;
- (c) a suction nozzle comprising a suction end, a discharge end, and a flow channel extending longitudinally through said suction nozzle, said nozzle being adjustably insertable in said bore to extend into the intersection of said suction channel and said fluid injection channel, such that said flow channel is in fluid communication with said suction channel and said fluid injection channel said suction nozzle being capable of producing a suction on the combination of fluids entering from said fluid injection channel and said suction channel regardless of the liquid/gas content of each fluid;
- and
- (d) a fluid injection recirculation line comprising a first end attached to the discharge end of said suction nozzle and a second end attached to the first end of said fluid injection channel.
2 more elements
A vapor containment and emission recovery system, comprising:
- (a) a vapor containment gland comprising a front face, a rear face, a vapor inlet, a vapor outlet, and a vapor channel extending in an arced configuration in said front face and connecting said vapor inlet and vapor outlet;
- (b) a suction manifold attached to said vapor containment gland and comprising a suction channel in fluid communication with said vapor outlet, a fluid injection channel having a first end attachable to a fluid container and a second end intersecting said suction channel, and a suction nozzle bore in alignment with said suction channel, said bore extending to the outer periphery of said manifold;
- (c) a pressurized fluid delivery system comprising a container of pressurized fluid connected to a discharge line comprising a valve, said discharge line being connected to said fluid injection channel such that said valve can be opened and closed to control the flow of pressurized fluid from said container into said fluid injection channel;
- (d) a suction nozzle comprising a suction end, a discharge end, and a flow channel extending longitudinally through said suction nozzle, said nozzle being adjustably insertable in said bore to extend into the intersection of said suction channel and said fluid injection channel, such that said flow channel is in fluid communication with said suction channel and said fluid injection channel;
- (e) a fluid injection recirculation line having a first end attached to the discharge end of said suction nozzle and a second end attached to said fluid injection channel;
- (f) a liquid collection tank installed in said fluid injection recirculation line and capable of collecting liquid that may flow through said recirculation line;
- (g) a filter installed in said fluid injection recirculation line downstream from said liquid collection tank;
- and
- (h) an exhaust gas collection tank installed in said fluid injection recirculation line downstream from said filter.
6 more elements
A vapor containment device for use in preventing vapor leakage from pump assemblies comprising:
- (a) a vapor containment gland comprising a front face, a rear face, a central bore extending from said front face to said rear face, a vapor inlet, a vapor outlet, a vapor channel extending in an arced configuration in said front face, around said bore and connecting said vapor inlet and vapor outlet, a circular groove in said front face, surrounding said arced configuration, and a raised circular ridge in said front face, surrounding said groove;
- (b) a cylindrical pump shaft extending through said central bore;
- (c) a circular sealing member mounted on said shaft and positioned such that it is in contact with the rear face of said vapor containment gland;
- (d) a suction manifold attached to said vapor containment gland and comprising a suction channel in fluid communication with said vapor outlet, a fluid injection channel having a first end attachable to a fluid container and a second end intersecting said suction channel, and a suction nozzle bore in alignment with said suction channel, said bore extending to the outer periphery of said manifold;
- (e) a suction nozzle comprising a suction end, a discharge end, and a flow channel extending longitudinally through said suction nozzle, said nozzle being adjustably insertable in said bore to extend into the intersection of said suction channel and said fluid injection channel, such that said flow channel is in fluid communication with said suction channel and said fluid injection channel;
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- (f) a vapor containment gland recirculation line having a first end attached to the discharge end of such suction nozzle and a second end attached to said vapor inlet.
4 more elements
A vapor containment device and valve assembly for use in preventing vapor leakage from valve assemblies comprising:
- (a) at least one in-line valve assembly comprising a valve installed in a line suitable for transporting fluid flow;
- (b) a vapor containment gland enclosing said valve, said gland comprising a central bore extending longitudinally through said gland, such that said line extends through said central bore and said valve is centrally located within said vapor containment gland, said gland further comprising a vapor inlet, a vapor outlet, a vapor channel extending around said valve and connecting said vapor inlet and vapor outlet;
- (c) a suction manifold attached to said vapor containment gland and comprising a suction channel in fluid communication with said vapor outlet, a fluid injection channel having a first end attachable to a fluid container and a second end intersecting said suction channel, and a suction nozzle bore in alignment with said suction channel, said bore extending to the outer periphery of said manifold;
- and
- (d) a suction nozzle comprising a suction end, a discharge end, and a flow channel extending longitudinally through said suction nozzle, said nozzle being adjustably insertable in said bore to extend into the intersection of said suction channel and said fluid injection channel, such that said flow channel is in fluid communication with said suction channel and said fluid injection channel.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.