Emco Wheaton Gmbh

Emco Wheaton Dtm, Inc.

Robert D Roberts

Allen M Bower

Eric J Butterfield

Joseph M Federowicz

A dry disconnect coupling is provided for connecting one fluid conduit to another to form a continuous, essentially fluid-tight path. The coupling includes an adapter and a coupler which, when coupled together, define a flow passageway therethrough. The adapter includes a hollow, generally cylindrical adapter body, adapter valve means and improved means for releasing the adapter from the coupler. The coupler includes a hollow, generally cylindrical coupler body, coupler valve means, improved connecting means for providing a rigid, fluid-tight connection between the adapter and the coupler, an annular connecting sleeve, sleeve override means, an annular nosepiece, nosepiece override means, improved sealing means for sealing the coupling and a cam assembly for cooperating with the sleeve override means, the nosepiece override means and the coupler valve means. The connecting means prevents fluid in the flow path from leaking during a fluid transfer operation even if a side load is applied to the coupling or if the mechanical components of the coupling are worn. The sealing means prevents fluid residue from accumulating on the periphery and the faces of the poppet valves of the adapter and the coupler as the flow path is established so that the loss at disconnect is minimized. The releasing means permits the adapter and the coupler to be easily and readily disconnected after a fluid transfer operation.

Dry disconnect coupling

A dry disconnect coupling connects the transfer hose from a fuel oil storage tank and the fill pipe of a tanker truck to form a continuous flow path between the storage tank and the tanker truck. The coupling includes an adapter, a coupler, and means for returning fuel residue to the flow path or to an external reservoir. The adapter is attached to the fill pipe of the tanker truck on one end and to the coupler on the other end. The free end of the coupler is attached to the transfer hose from the storage tank. The adapter and the coupler each define a flow passageway therethrough which is sealed by a poppet valve having an end face. The fuel returning means includes a reservoir for collecting fuel residue that accumulates on the end faces of the adapter and the coupler during transfer operations. In a preferred embodiment, the returning means includes a venturi vacuum for suctioning the fuel residue out of the reservoir and into the flow passageway defined by the coupler. In another preferred embodiment, the returning means includes aspirating and pumping means for suctioning the fuel residue out of the reservoir into a holding chamber, and then pumping the fuel residue out of the holding chamber into the flow passageway defined by the coupler.

Dry disconnect coupling including means for returning fluid residue to

A flow valve for mating with a fluid coupling of the type comprising a cylindrical body and a plurality of circumferentially spaced latches. The flow valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve housing and an annular flange adjacent one end of the valve housing. The flange is mounted to the valve housing such that the flange is rotatable to facilitate repositioning of the flange to distribute wear on the flange caused by the circumferentially spaced latches of the fluid coupling. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is symmetric and the flange and the valve housing each comprise a predetermined pattern of holes for receiving fasteners for mounting the flange to the valve housing. After a period of use, the fasteners can be removed and the flange repositioned, or reversed, to distribute wear to other locations on the flange.

Flow valve having rotatable annular flange

Fuel dispensing nozzle

A vapor recovery nozzle is disclosed in which the main body of the nozzle has the vapor passage located above the fluid passage, so that the fluid valve is separated from the top of the nozzle by the vapor passage. Thus the valve may only be removed through the bottom of the nozzle by removing the trigger mechanism and removing the vacuum tripping mechanism which is also connected to the trigger mechanism. Removal of the tripping mechanism is also made easily determinable by the use of a soft aluminum seal over the top opening of the trigger mechanism. The tripping mechanism is responsive to displacement of the vapor recovery shroud to prevent dispensing fuel unless the nozzle is in the fill tank. Other improvements to prior art vapor recovery nozzles include an improved trigger mechanism having a camming surface to engage the stem of the main valve.

Vapor recovery nozzle

A vapor valve is useful in a vapor recovery nozzle of the type used to dispense fuel to motor vehicles. In response to the stopping of liquid through the valve, the valve stops the flow of vapor through an adjacent passage. The valve operates using coupled permanent magnet actuators.

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Cary, NC, United States of America

Robert D Roberts