Coaxial hose assembly for vapor assist fuel dispensing system
AssigneeGilbarco Inc.
InventorRodger P. Grantham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Coaxial inner and outer flexible hoses connect with corresponding concentric tubular coupling members and define an inner vapor return passage and a surrounding annular fuel supply passage. The hoses and coupling members extend between a vapor recovery fuel dispensing pump and a vapor assist fuel dispensing nozzle. The tubular inner coupling member is formed in two threadably connected tubular sections which define an annular valve seat surrounding the vapor return passage. A poppet-type check valve member is supported within the vapor return passage down stream of the valve seat for axial movement from a normally open and unrestricting retracted position to a closed position engaging the valve seat in response to pressurized fuel entering the vapor return passage.
Claims37
A coaxial hose assembly for connecting a vapor return fuel dispensing nozzle to a vapor return fuel dispensing pump, comprising an elongated flexible inner hose having opposite end portions and defining a vapor return passage for directing vapor from the nozzle to the pump, an elongated outer flexible hose surrounding said inner hose and having corresponding opposite end portions, said inner and outer hoses defining therebetween a longitudinally extending annular fuel passage for directing a liquid fuel supply from the pump to the nozzle, a tubular inner coupling member for connecting one of said end portions of said inner hose to the nozzle and forming an extension of said vapor return passage, a tubular outer coupling member surrounding said inner coupling member for connecting a corresponding said end portion of said outer hose to the nozzle, said tubular inner and outer coupling members defining therebetween a fuel passage connected to form an extension of said fuel passage defined between said hoses, said inner coupling member including means forming an annular valve seat surrounding said vapor return passage, a check valve member positioned within said inner coupling downstream of said valve seat with respect to the vapor flow, means supporting said check valve member for axial movement between a closed position engaging said valve seat and an open position spaced downstream from said valve seat, said check valve member being normally in said open position in response to suction within said vapor return passage to provide for the return flow of vapor, and said check valve member being in said closed position in response to higher pressure liquid fuel entering said vapor return passage within said inner hose to prevent the discharge of fuel outwardly through said vapor return passage and the nozzle.
A coaxial hose assembly for connecting a vapor return fuel dispensing nozzle to a vapor return fuel dispensing pump, comprising an elongated flexible inner hose having opposite end portions, an elongated outer flexible hose surrounding said inner hose and having corresponding opposite end portions, said inner and outer hoses defining a fuel passage for directing a liquid fuel supply from the pump to the nozzle and a vapor return passage for directing vapor from the nozzle to the pump, a tubular inner coupling member for connecting one of said end portions of said inner hose to the nozzle and a tubular outer coupling member surrounding said inner coupling member for connecting a corresponding said end portion of said outer hose to the nozzle, said tubular inner and outer coupling members defining a fuel passage and a vapor return passage forming extensions of said fuel and vapor return passages within said hoses, means forming an annular valve seat surrounding said vapor return passage, a check valve member positioned within said vapor return passage downstream of said valve seat with respect to the vapor flow, means supporting said check valve member for axial movement between a closed position engaging said valve seat and an open position spaced downstream from said valve seat, said check valve member being normally in said open position in response to suction within said vapor return passage to provide for the return flow of vapor, and said check valve member being in said closed position in response to higher pressure liquid fuel entering said vapor return passage to prevent the discharge of fuel outwardly through said vapor return passage and the nozzle.
A coaxial hose assembly for connecting a vapor return fuel dispensing nozzle to a vapor return fuel dispensing pump, comprising an elongated flexible inner hose having opposite end portions and defining a vapor return passage for directing vapor from the nozzle to the pump, an elongated outer flexible hose surrounding said inner hose and having corresponding opposite end portions, said inner and outer hoses defining therebetween a longitudinally extending annular fuel passage for directing a liquid fuel supply from the pump to the nozzle, a tubular inner coupling member for connecting one of said end portions of said inner hose to the nozzle and forming an extension of said vapor return passage, a tubular outer coupling member surrounding said inner coupling member for connecting a corresponding said end portion of said outer hose to the nozzle, said tubular inner and outer coupling members defining therebetween a fuel passage connected to form an extension of said fuel passage defined between said hoses, said inner coupling member including a first tubular section forming an annular valve seat surrounding said vapor return passage, a second tubular section connected to said first tubular section, a check valve member positioned within said second tubular section downstream of said valve seat with respect to the vapor flow, said first tubular section supporting said check valve member for axial movement between a closed position engaging said valve seat and an open position spaced downstream from said valve seat, said check valve member being normally in said open position in response to suction within said vapor return passage to provide for the return flow of vapor, and said check valve member being in said closed position in response to higher pressure liquid fuel entering said vapor return passage within said inner hose to prevent the discharge of fuel outwardly through said vapor return passage and the nozzle.
An assembly comprising:
- a vapor return passage;
- a fuel passage, coaxial with the vapor return passage, for directing liquid through the fuel passage;
- and
- a valve mechanism disposed within the vapor return passage having an open position and a closed position, the valve mechanism being normally in the open position in response to suction within the vapor return passage causing a return flow of vapor through the vapor return passage, and being in the closed position in response to liquid fuel which leaks into the vapor return passage downstream of the valve mechanism, with reference to the return flow of vapor through the vapor return passage, and contacts a portion of the valve mechanism whereby leakage of fuel from the vapor return passage is prevented.
A valve assembly for preventing leaking of liquid fuel from a fuel supply passage of a coaxial hose assembly into and along a vapor return passage of the coaxial hose assembly and out of a dispensing nozzle connected to the coaxial hose assembly while the valve assembly is mounted in line with the vapor return passage and the coaxial hose assembly and the dispensing nozzle are assembled as a unit, the valve assembly comprising:
- a tubular housing having a passage extending from one end to another end thereof;
- and
- means, disposed in the tubular housing, for permitting vapor to flow in a first direction through the passage and in response to the leaking fuel blocking the flow of liquid fuel leaking into the passage in a second direction of fuel flow through the coaxial hose assembly with the second direction being opposite the first direction.
A method for preventing leakage of liquid fuel, from a vapor return passage within a coaxial hose assembly having a fuel dispensing passage coaxial with the vapor return passage, in a direction opposite to a direction of vapor flow comprising:
- positioning a valve mechanism within the vapor return passage, the valve mechanism having a normally open position in response to suction within the vapor return passage to provide for a return flow of vapor through the vapor return passage and having a closed position in response to the leakage of liquid fuel from the vapor return passage downstream from the valve mechanism with reference to a direction of the return flow of vapor within the vapor return passage and contact of the leakage of liquid fuel with a portion of the valve mechanism to prevent discharge of the leakage of the liquid fuel from the vapor return passage;
- and
- preventing leakage of fuel by a portion of the valve mechanism moving to the closed position in response to liquid fuel flowing from downstream in the vapor return passage into contact with the portion of the valve mechanism.
A valve assembly for preventing leaking of liquid fuel from a fuel supply passage of a coaxial hose assembly into and along a vapor return passage of the coaxial hose assembly and out of a dispensing nozzle connected to the coaxial hose assembly while the valve assembly is mounted in line with the vapor return passage and the coaxial hose assembly and the dispensing nozzle are assembled as a unit, the valve assembly comprising:
- a tubular housing having a passage extending from one end to another end thereof;
- and
- a moveable element, disposed in the tubular housing, for permitting vapor to flow in a first direction through the passage and which moves in response to the leaking fuel to block the flow of liquid fuel leaking into the passage in a second direction of fuel flow through the coaxial hose assembly with the second direction being opposite the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.