Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.

Dover Corporation

Opw Fueling Components, LLC

Other

James E Kesterman

David R Pendleton

Kristopher A Kane

Matthew Ryan Lauber

Timothy M Garrison

Jack A McMath

Paul R Wilder

Harold M Schubert

David K Larson

Frank G Lamping

Peter E Manger

Chester W Wood

Paul B Anderson

Charles A Sunderhaus

Mark D Dalhart

Joshua R Kornau

Tod W Miller

Robert P Clary

Michael T McCann

Eugene E Schneider

Eric J Butterfield

Brandon P Grote

Matthew R Lauber

A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is configured to flow. The nozzle includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and a secondary fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The secondary fluid valve includes a secondary valve body and a secondary valve seat, the secondary valve body being movable between a closed position, wherein the secondary valve body sealingly engages the secondary valve seat, and an open position wherein the secondary valve body is spaced away from the secondary valve seat. The nozzle further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the main and secondary fluid valves. The actuator and main and secondary fluid valves are configured such that initial actuation of the actuator opens only the secondary fluid valve and not the main fluid valve. The secondary fluid valve is configured to provide an orifice, that is spaced away from the secondary valve seat and through which fluid is flowable, and the size of the orifice varies with respect to the position of the secondary fluid valve.

Fuel dispensing nozzle

A relief vent including a vent body having an opening configured to be in communication with the internal volume of a tank. The relief vent further includes a movable portion that is movable relative to the vent body. The movable portion or the vent body includes a base and a sealing member coupled thereto. At least part of the sealing member is elastically deformed to press at least a portion the sealing member against the base. The portion of the sealing member pressed against the base is positioned to sealingly engage the other one of the movable portion or the vent body.

Vent with improved seal

A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path which is configured to receive fluid therein and a vapor path which is configured to receive vapor therein. The nozzle further includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control a flow of fluid therethrough, the main fluid valve including a main fluid valve spring configured to bias the main fluid valve to one of its open or closed positions. The nozzle further has a main vapor valve positioned in the vapor path to control a flow of vapor therethrough. The main vapor valve includes a main vapor valve spring configured to bias the main vapor valve to one of its open or closed positions. At least part of the main fluid valve spring or the main vapor valve spring is positioned within the other one.

A spill containment apparatus includes a container adapted to be coupled to an end of a riser pipe of a storage tank and having a proximal end and a distal end. A tubular socket is formed in the container adjacent its distal end for receiving the riser pipe therein. The socket includes a securing mechanism for securing the container to the riser pipe, wherein the securing mechanism is spaced proximally of the distal end of the container to define the socket. The socket is configured to allow the riser pipe to support and balance the container during coupling of the container to the riser pipe.

Spill containment apparatus for storage tanks

An emergency shutoff valve includes a fluid conduit having a frangible area defined therein, a valve member operatively coupled to said conduit upstream of the frangible area, an expansible chamber having the frangible area defined therein, a movable member defining at least a portion of the expansible chamber, and a linkage operatively coupled to the movable member and the valve member for shutting the valve upon movement of the movable member in response to leakage of fluid through the frangible area. A method of shutting off fuel includes defining an expansible chamber about a frangible area in the conduit, moving a member defining a portion of the expansible chamber in response to leaking fuel, and shutting off a fuel valve in response to moving the movable member.

Emergency shutoff valve for use in a fuel dispensing system

An emergency shutoff valve is provided that includes a housing defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween. The valve includes a valve element disposed within the housing and releasably latched in an open position by a latching mechanism. An expansible member defines at least a portion of a sealed expansible chamber that is sealed at locations downstream and upstream of a weakened portion of the housing. The valve includes an access port in fluid communication with the chamber. The access port may be used to test the integrity of the expansible member. An expandable material may also be disposed in the chamber and used to shut off the valve on the occasion the housing is compromised to an extent wherein fuel can flow into the expansible chamber.

An emergency shutoff valve is provided that includes a housing defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween. The valve includes a valve element disposed within the housing and releasably latched in an open position by a latching mechanism. An expansible member defines at least a portion of a sealed expansible chamber that is sealed at locations downstream and upstream of a weakened portion of the housing. The emergency shutoff valve defines a failure mode wherein the structural integrity of the housing is compromised to an extent wherein fuel can flow into the expansible chamber when a predetermined load is applied to a portion of the housing, wherein the expansible member is operable for uncoupling the latching mechanism so that the valve element moves from the open position to the closed position.

Systems and methods are provided wherein a tube insert is at least partially disposed within the end portion of a tube. An alignment fixture can be used to assist in forming an aperture through the wall of the tube at a predetermined location that is aligned with at least one cavity in the outer surface of a tube insert.

Systems adapted to cooperate with an aperture forming tool and methods

A drop tube segment is adapted for use with a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment includes a conduit with an end portion and a sidewall including a sidewall portion at least partially defining an interior housing area. The drop tube segment further includes a valve assembly comprising a valve member attached to the end portion of the conduit, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected to the valve member. The valve assembly further includes a driver member at least partially disposed in the interior housing area. An adjustment of the float may rotate the driver member to engage the linkage device to facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the end portion of the conduit. The valve assembly further includes a structure adapted to inhibit, such as prevent, fluid from leaking into the interior housing area.

Drop tube segments adapted for use with a liquid reservoir

Drop tube segments are provided. Each drop tube segment may be attached to another drop tube segment of a drop tube assembly. The drop tube segments include a wall with a fastener receiving structure that is devoid of any opening extending between inner and outer surfaces of the wall. Methods of making a drop tube assembly are also provided. The methods include the step of inserting a second end portion of a first conduit over a first end portion of a second conduit while edges of an aperture extend radially outwardly away from an outer surface of a first wall of the first conduit.

Drop tube segments adapted for use with a liquid reservoir and methods

An apparatus for measuring a fluid level includes a housing with a level indicator adapted to display a measured fluid level. A float is associated with the level indicator and an elongated flexible member is provided with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the float. The apparatus further includes a spool adapted to store at least a portion of the elongated flexible member, wherein the second end of the elongated flexible member is attached to the spool. A biasing member is adapted to urge the spool to automatically uptake portions of the elongated flexible member as the float travels towards the housing and adapted to allow the elongated flexible member to unwind from the spool as the float travels away from the housing. Additional apparatus include a housing with a level indicator having first and second level indicating gears and a first indexing device adapted to prevent its movement away from one of the indexing gears. The apparatus and a float guide member may be installed on a tank.

Apparatus for measuring a fluid level and methods

A drop tube segment includes a conduit with a first end portion and a second end portion. The drop tube segment further comprises a valve assembly with a valve member associated with the first end portion, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the first end portion of the conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment further includes a fastening section located at the second end portion of the conduit for fluid tight fastening with an end portion of another drop tube segment. The fastening section comprises a sealing surface and a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of another drop tube segment. The drop tube segment still further includes a sealing member that engages the sealing surface of the fastening section and is adapted to engage a sealing surface of another drop tube segment.

Drop tube inserts and apparatus adapted for use with a riser pipe of a liquid reservoir are provided. Apparatus include a drop tube insert at least partially disposed within an end portion of a drop tube. The drop tube insert includes a wall with inner and outer surfaces wherein the wall of the drop tube insert is devoid of any opening extending between its inner and outer surfaces.

Drop tube inserts and apparatus adapted for use with a riser pipe

Drop tube assemblies are provided and adapted for use with a liquid reservoir. One exemplary drop tube assembly includes a first conduit, a second conduit and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve member, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to a first end portion of the second conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube assembly further includes an adjustable stop member engaging the second conduit and adapted to engage the linkage device to limit a movement of the linkage device.

Drop tube assemblies adapted for use with a liquid reservoir

A self-aligning coupling for mating a pair of corresponding flanged fittings, generally for pipe couplings. The self-aligning coupling includes a first arm, a second arm, and a rotational assist mechanism adapted to mechanically synchronize the closing of the first and second arms relative to the flanged fittings to be connected. The rotational assist mechanism is further adapted to provide motion between the first arm and the second arm to receive and secure the flanged fittings in axial alignment.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

James E Kesterman