Abstract: A dispensing system (20) for drawing fuel from a storage tank (22) to a nozzle (44). The system includes an above-tank suction pump (26) which draws fuel from the tank. The fuel is discharged from the suction pump into a vertically aligned air separator (38) so as to produce a fuel stream that is substantially free of air. The fuel stream is discharged from the air separator to a flow meter (30) and the nozzle through a fuel shutoff valve (46). The open/closed state of the fuel shutoff valve is controlled by a control actuator (48) based on the differential processor across the air separator. Should this differential pressure drop below a given level, the fuel shutoff valve is closed to prevent the system from inadvertently supply a fuel stream with an unacceptably high air content. Gaseous fluid removed by the air separator is supplied to an air eliminator (40). The fuel components of this fluid stream are removed in the air eliminator and returned to the suction pump.

Abstract: A liquid fuel dispenser having a vapor recovery pump mounted within the dispenser on a wall to protect the vapor recovery pump from weather damage and intentional or accidental mischief. The vapor recovery pump having a bulkhead attached thereto with a vapor recovery passage and a fuel supplying passage being positioned thereon. Both passages extending from an outlet in the bulkhead to their respective pump or motor chambers in said vapor recovery pump. The outlet being in fluid communication with a coaxial fuel hose. The bulkhead having a standoff section, in which the outlet is positioned, being substantially axially aligned with an outlet of the motor chamber. The standoff section mounts on the wall of the dispenser. A coupling boss is positioned on the standoff section for abutting the wall.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system (20) with integrated monitoring unit (28). The system includes one or more tanks (22, 24, 26) into which captured vapor is returned. A pressure sensor (52) is mounted into each tank not in fluid communication with the other tanks. The signals produced by the pressure sensors are forwarded to a control module (54). In the event the measured pressure drops below a selected level the control module actuates an alarm (56). The control module also disables the dispenser (31, 32) generating the liquid that is being vaporized.

Abstract: A motor/pump unit for pumping vapor in response to a flow of liquid, and particularly useful in systems for dispensing fuel to a vehicle wherein vapor given off by the fuel is to be returned from the filling port of the vehicle back to the fuel dispensing apparatus to avoid atmospheric contamination. One inventive embodiment, with available conventional fuel dispenser pressure and flow rate, allows abnormally small motor and pump chambers and motor/pump rotor assembly size and abnormally high rotor assembly rotation rate and abnormally quick rotor assembly acceleration to operating speed with sufficient vapor pumping capability. The resulting abnormally small motor/pump enables same to be easily adapted to a variety of existing dispensing pump and hose configurations. Under another embodiment, structure is provided for maximizing fuel flow rate and minimizing pressure drop across the motor/pump unit while providing adequate vapor pumping rate.

Abstract: A target trap for multiple disk targets having a base, an elevational arm, a lower target throwing arm rotatably mounted to a shaft on the elevational arm, and a power device to rotate the lower target throwing arm. An upper target throwing arm is hingedly mounted by its trailing edge to the trailing edge of the lower arm and a linkage device varies the separation between the leading edges of the upper and lower arms causing targets to be thrown at varying speeds and angles.