Dover Corporation

Paul B Anderson

Chester W Wood

Mark D Dalhart

David R Pendleton

Donald L Leininger

Glenn E Moore

David A Damico

Lawrence R Blasch

Lawerence L Blasch

Paul H Siegel

James E Kesterman

Charles A Sunderhaus

David K Larson

A vacuum assisted, vapor recovery fuel nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a spout mounted thereon. The spout comprises an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and passage means in the body provide a fuel passage. The inner and outer tubes define a vapor return passage in the spout. The inner end of the outer tube is provided with a radial flange, which is clamped, by a breakaway nut, on the nozzle body to mount the spout thereon. The nozzle is provided with an automatic shut off mechanism, which includes a venturi valve for generating a negative pressure. In the absence of an overfill condition, this negative pressure is vented to atmosphere through a vent tube disposed in the vapor return passage. A normally closed vapor return valve, mounted on the nozzle body, is opened in response to the nozzle's flow control valve, so that vapors will be drawn into the entrance of the vapor return passage at the outer end of the spout. The spout is formed by telescoping the inner tube into a ferrule and the ferrule into the outer tube to provide a reenforced outer end for the spout. The nozzle body is compositely formed by a body member, a vapor cap and housing means for a main valve trip mechanism. The coaxial hose is attached to the hand grip of the nozzle at a downward angle. An optional, vestigial shroud is provided to prevent escape of vapors during delivery of fuel.

Vapor recovery fuel nozzles

A fuel nozzle has a modular construction wherein valve, venturi and spout modules are mounted in a bore formed in a nozzle body. The main fuel valve is controlled, independently of fuel pressurization, in response to a mechanical signal input, acting through a servo valve. The mechanical signal input is provide by a finger displaced trigger, acting through a pivotal lever arm and latching means that form part of the automatic shut off means for preventing overfill of a fuel tank. The venturi module has a venturi passage for generating a vacuum employed in the automatic shut off mechanism. The venturi module includes a bypass passage that enables sufficient vacuum force to be generated at both high and low flow rates. The spout module comprise an extruded spout (including a venturi vent passage) and a pair of mechanical adapter shells that are mechanical locked onto the spout and mechanically locked to the nozzle body, to secure the several modules in assembled relation.

Dispensing nozzles

A vacuum assisted, vapor recovery fuel nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a spout mounted thereon. The spout comprises an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and a passage in the body provide a fuel passage. The inner and outer tubes define a vapor return passage in the spout. The inner end of the outer tube is provided with a radial flange, which is clamped, by a breakaway nut, on the nozzle body to mount the spout thereon. The nozzle is provided with an automatic shut off mechanism, which includes a venturi valve for generating a negative pressure. In the absence of an overfill condition, this negative pressure is vented to atmosphere through a vent tube disposed in the vapor return passage. A normally closed vapor return valve, mounted on the nozzle body, is opened in response to the nozzle's flow control valve, so that vapors will be drawn into the entrance of the vapor return passage at the outer end of the spout. The spout is formed by telescoping the inner tube into a ferrule and the ferrule into the outer tube to provide a reenforced outer end for the spout. The nozzle body is compositely formed by a body member, a vapor cap and a housing for a main valve trip mechanism. The coaxial hose is attached to the hand grip of the nozzle at a downward angle. An optional, vestigial shroud is provided to prevent escape of vapors during delivery of fuel.

An emergency valve is provided to shut 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, flapper valve is mounted in the lower housing. A poppet 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. In one embodiment the check valve yieldingly engages a seat formed in the upper end of the upper housing, immediately above the notch and is opened by fuel flow pressure. In another embodiment the check valve is normally held open by a post projecting upwardly from a bridge mounted beneath the groove. In a third embodiment, the poppet valve is also held in an open position by a similar post and is engageable with a seat formed in the upper staff ace of the upper housing. 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.

Emergency shut-off valves

A breakaway unit which is adapted to be mounted in series flow relation with a fuel nozzle. The breakaway unit comprises a flex section which assures an axial transmission of forces to a valve section which is separated when a vehicle drives away from a dispensing unit with the nozzle lodged in its fuel tank. The valve section comprises inlet and outlet couplers and means for releasable locking the couplers in an assembled relation. These means comprise fingers which are flexed outwardly when a separating force exceeds a predetermined value. Garter springs embrace the fingers to accurately control at which the couplers will separate. The fingers engage angularly spaced lugs which permit the fingers to be telescoped therebetween and then rotated to a locking position to facilitate reassembly of the couplers with a minimum of effort. Alternate embodiments of the invention disclose other forms of spring means for accurately controlling the force at which the couplers will separate. Also disclosed are alternate constructions which minimize the effort required for reassembly.

Fuel hose breakaway unit

An emergency valve is provided to shut 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, flapper valve is mounted in the lower housing. A poppet 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. In one embodiment the check valve yieldingly engages a seat formed in the upper end of the upper housing, immediately above the notch and is opened by fuel flow pressure. In another embodiment the check valve is normally held open by a post projecting upwardly from a bridge mounted beneath the groove. In a third embodiment, the poppet valve is also held in an open position by a similar post and is engageable with a seat formed in the upper surface of the upper housing. 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.

A containment device for minimizing soil contamination in filling underground storage tanks, comprises a bucket member, a bottom member and a bellows connection between the bottom member and a riser pipe extension. These elements comprise an upwardly open spillage container. A lower bellows connects the bottom member and the riser pipe extension, comprising a lower chamber. The containment device is mounted on the riser pipe of an underground tank by threading the lower end of the riser pipe extension thereon. A valve controlled passage, through the bottom member, permits spilled fuel to be drained from the spillage container into the lower chamber and then through openings in the riser pipe extension into the storage tank. The bottom member is releasably secured to the bucket member and the bellows are releasably clamped to the riser pipe extension, to permit these items to be removed from the bucket member for repair and replacement. In an alternate embodiment there is no lower chamber and the upper bellows is releasable clamped directly to a storage tank riser pipe. In another embodiment the upper and lower bellows are formed as portions of an elastomeric separating member. In order to control the installed orientation of the bucket, adjustable mechanism is provided for establishing a desired position of the upper end of the bucket member relative to the riser pipe extension. Also described is a bayonet connection between the bucket member and a mounting rim; a dam arrangement from preventing ground water from entering the spillage container; and wire anchors for insuring a firm connection between the containment device rim and a concrete apron which overlies the storage tank.

Spill containment devices

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.

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Paul B Anderson