Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle has a body with a spout, which together define a passageway for flow of fuel from a hose connected to a fuel dispenser, through the spout, and into a vehicle fuel tank fill pipe. A boot surrounding the spout defines an outer rim that engages a surface surrounding the fill pipe. A valve within the nozzle body starts and stops flow of fuel through the passageway. An anti-spitting lockout assembly resists opening of the valve, but a linkage mechanism triggers release of the lockout assembly when the boot rim engages the surface surrounding the fill pipe, signaling insertion of the spout into the fill pipe, to permit actuation of valve.

Abstract: A passive pressure control method and system for controlling pressure in the ullage vapor space of a volatile liquid fuel underground storage tank (“UST”) temporarily, during periods of increasing ullage vapor space pressure, allows vapor to flow into an auxiliary vapor space of variable volume, defined at least in part by a resilient wall member, thereby to reduce the volume of vapor otherwise released to the environment.

Abstract: A method for controlling pressure in the vapor or ullage space of an underground storage tank of volatile liquid fuel includes treatment or conditioning of gaseous flow of vapor and air and/or air into the ullage space in a manner to increase the fuel vapor concentration of the gaseous flow toward saturation. A system for controlling pressure in the vapor or ullage space of an underground storage tank of volatile liquid fuel is also described.

Abstract: A vacuum assist vapor recovery system, e.g., in or for a fuel dispensing system, having a coaxial hose with an outer fuel conduit for delivery of fuel and an inner vapor conduit for recovery of vapor, includes an indicator assembly for providing indication of vapor flow reduction in the inner vapor conduit, e.g., due to restriction of flow cross-section in the inner vapor conduit or failure of a vacuum pump or other vacuum control device. The indicator assembly includes a detector element in communication with the inner vapor conduit for detection of vapor flow within the inner vapor conduit and an indicator element of vapor flow for indication of vapor flow within the inner vapor conduit detected by the detector element.

Abstract: A vacuum assist vapor recovery system for a fuel dispensing system having a coaxial hose with an outer fuel conduit for delivery of fuel and an inner vapor conduit for recovery of vapor, and such a fuel dispensing system includes an indicator assembly for providing indication of vapor flow reduction in the inner vapor conduit. The indicator assembly has a detector element in communication with the inner vapor conduit for detection of vapor flow within the inner vapor conduit and an indicator element of vapor flow for indication of vapor flow and vapor flow reduction within the inner vapor conduit detected by the detector element. The detector element includes a Venturi device disposed in communication with the inner vapor conduit, a diaphragm responsive to the pressure between the Venturi throat and the upstream inner vapor passageway, and a magnet associated with, i.e., reflecting the movement of, the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method for monitoring vapor-to-liquid flow rate in a fuel dispensing system with a vacuum assisted vapor recovery system having a coaxial hose with an outer fuel conduit for delivery of fuel and an inner vapor conduit for recovery of vapor includes the steps of: determining vapor flow rate in the inner vapor conduit; issuing a signal indicative of the vapor flow rate; determining liquid fuel flow rate in the outer fuel conduit; issuing a signal indicative of the liquid fuel flow rate; comparing the signal indicative of the vapor flow rate and the signal indicative of the liquid fuel flow rate; and, when vapor-to-liquid flow rate is outside a predetermined range, issuing a signal. A vacuum assist vapor recovery system, and a fuel dispensing system equipped with such a vapor recovery system are also described.

Abstract: A coaxial hose, dual plane, swivel breakaway assembly for use in combination with a fuel dispenser apparatus is disposed between a hose attached to a fuel dispenser unit and a nozzle. The swivel breakaway assembly 30 has body portions with a first, assembled condition and a second condition in which the body portions are separated. A fuel valve located in the dispenser-end body portion permits flow of fuel when the body portions are assembled and resists flow upon separation. An element securing the body portions together releases engagement upon application of tension force above a predetermined maximum level to the hose and nozzle across the swivel breakaway assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the hose is coaxial, and a vapor valve is also disposed within the swivel breakaway assembly.

Abstract: A pressure-sensing switch assembly has an electrical region and a gasoline vapor system pressure region separated by a vapor and liquid impermeable wall, without sealing or flexible membrane devices. An electrical reed switch is adjustably mounted on a flexure arm at one side of the wall and a magnet is mounted to a pivoting carrier at an opposite side of the wall. The magnet moves in response to vapor pressure in the gasoline vapor system pressure region acting on a diaphragm. The magnetic field acts through the wall to open or close the reed switch at predetermined vacuum or pressure differential conditions.

Abstract: A method for monitoring vapor-to-liquid flow rate in a fuel dispensing system with a vacuum assisted vapor recovery system having a coaxial hose with an outer fuel conduit for delivery of fuel and an inner vapor conduit for recovery of vapor includes the steps of: determining vapor flow rate in the inner vapor conduit; issuing a signal indicative of the vapor flow rate; determining liquid fuel flow rate in the outer fuel conduit; issuing a signal indicative of the liquid fuel flow rate; comparing the signal indicative of the vapor flow rate and the signal indicative of the liquid fuel flow rate; and, when vapor-to-liquid flow rate is outside a predetermined range, issuing a signal. A vacuum assist vapor recovery system, and a fuel dispensing system equipped with such a vapor recovery system are also described.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle for delivering fuel into a fuel tank by way of a fill pipe accommodates onboard refueling vapor recovery equipped vehicles by provision of vacuum and pressure relief for the vapor recovery conduit disposed in communication with the vapor conduit through an external surface of the fuel dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system monitoring system includes a vacuum monitor and a vent sensor. The vacuum monitor has a signal relay in communication with a vacuum system served by a vacuum source to generate a first signal upon actuation of the vacuum source for recovery of displaced fuel vapor and a second signal when a minimum vacuum level is achieved; a timer measuring elapsed time between first and second signal; a comparator comparing elapsed time with a predetermined standard; and an error display actuated when the predetermined number of instances of elapsed time is exceeded.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle for delivering fuel into a fuel tank by way of a fill pipe accommodates onboard refueling vapor recovery equipped vehicles by provision of a vacuum relief valve in communication with the vapor recovery conduit.

Abstract: Fuel dispensing nozzles, and vapor flow control assemblies useful with such nozzles, are constructed to maximize the possibility of collecting all of the hydrocarbon vapors displaced from the vehicle tank and upward through the fill pipe towards the atmospheric opening during filling of the tank with fuel. In one embodiment, the nozzle is provided with a boot of transparent polymeric material to facilitate positioning and enhanced recovery of fuel vapors displaced from the vehicle tank during delivery of fuel.

Abstract: Fuel dispensing nozzles, and vapor flow control assemblies useful with such nozzles, are constructed to maximize the possibility of collecting all of the hydrocarbon vapors displaced from the vehicle tank and upward through the fillpipe towards the atmospheric opening during filling of the tank with fuel.

Abstract: An auxiliary vapor recovery device is described for use with a fuel dispenser for delivery of fuel from tanks into a vehicle and a recovery apparatus for return of hydrocarbon vapor/air mixture displaced by fuel delivery to ullage spaces of the storage tanks interconnect by a piping manifold. The auxiliary vapor recovery device includes a vacuum pump and a canister containing a substance for removal of molecules of hydrocarbon from a vapor/air mixture. The device also has a system of conduits, including between the vacuum pump and ullage space piping system for flow to and from the ullage space, to the canister, between the vacuum pump and canister, and from the canister for release of air.

Abstract: A breakaway assembly for use in combination with a fuel dispenser apparatus is disposed between a segment of the hose attached to a fuel dispenser unit and a second segment of the hose terminating in a nozzle. The breakaway assembly has body portions with a first, assembled condition and a second condition in which the body portions are separated. A fuel valve located in each of the body portion permits flow of fuel when the body parts are assembled and prevents flow upon separation. An element securing the body portions together releases engagement upon application of tension force to the hose, across the breakaway assembly, above a maximum level. In a preferred embodiment, the hose is coaxial and a vapor valve is also disposed within the breakaway assembly.

Abstract: A liquid jet gas pump is connected to a vapor return line for a plurality of liquid dispensing nozzles. The jet pump has a multi-jet orifice plate and a single diffuser tube is coaxially aligned with the orifices in the plate, all of the jets entering the single diffuser tube.

Abstract: A pre-pay fuel system having a fuel nozzle with automatic cutoff provisions when a full tank exists or unwanted tank pressure conditions are detected is also provided with a low fuel pressure controlled cutoff. The fuel pressure cutoff allows rapid response to permit fuel flow when high pressure exists in the nozzle and provides a nozzle flow cutoff after a predetermined time delay when low fuel pressure exists in the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved fuel dispensing nozzle of significantly reduced size and weight has a single diaphragm that provides the vapor regulating function as well as providing the excess pressure and excess vacuum shut-off functions. Improved shut-off function is obtained by ensuring that chamber pressure is the same as that at the spout tip disposed in the vehicle fuel tank fill pipe. The improved fuel dispensing nozzle design also reduces the amount of accidental fuel spillage which may occur when refueling is concluded.