Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle easily and readily convertible between two modes which meet the regulations and operational requirements of the United States and European countries, the nozzle including a body member having a fuel passageway therethrough, a main valve in the fuel passageway to control the flow of fuel through the passageway, the main valve being removably mounted in the fuel passageway and reversible when the nozzle is to be converted into a different mode, and a valve actuating mechanism for opening the main valve in one direction when the main valve is in one attitude and in the opposite direction when the valve is in its reversed attitude.

Abstract: An overfill prevention device for storage tanks includes an elongate tubular housing having a liquid flow passageway. A normally open main valve and a normally closed vapor retaining bleed valve are associated with the fluid passageway. Closure of the main valve interrupts the primary flow of liquid through the passageway and closure of the bleed valve prevents any further liquid from entering the tank and also prevents the escape of vapors from the tank. Operation of the main valve is controlled in significant part by a valve latch assembly which is carried by the housing and a relatch assembly which is carried by the main valve. The relatch assembly ensures operative engagement of the main valve with the valve latch assembly upon movement of the main valve from the intermediate position to the open position. Operation of the main valve and vapor retaining bleed valve is also controlled indirectly by a plurality of floats which are maintained in a float chamber extending adjacent the liquid passageway.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle is disclosed and includes a main body portion containing a fuel passageway and a main valve controlling the flow of fuel through the fuel passageway. A lever extends from the body portion which is operable by the hand of a user holding the nozzle to open the main valve to allow fuel flow through the nozzle and a lever guard is attached to the body and extends around and under the lever. A hold-open clip is pivotally mounted to the lever guard. The lever includes notches which are positioned relative to the hold-open clip so that when the hold-open clip is rotated by the user into its operative position it may engage a notch in the lever and hold the lever in a position where the main valve is opened to allow fuel flow without requiring the user to continue to hold the lever. A removable lockout member is attached to the lever to prevent operation in the automatic hold-open mode by preventing engagement of the hold-open clip with a notch in the lever.

Abstract: A multi-compartment spout for a fuel dispensing nozzle includes a cylindrical, longitudinally extending outer wall, and at least one interior, longitudinally extending dividing wall. The dividing wall defines a fuel passageway within the spout which communicates with a fuel passageway in the body of the nozzle for dispensing fuel into the fuel tank of a vehicle, and a vapor recovery passageway within the spout which communicates with a vapor recovery passageway in the body of the nozzle for returning fuel vapor to an underground tank and thereby preventing the vapor from escaping into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the spout includes another interior longitudinally extending dividing wall which defines a shut-off passageway within the spout which communicates with a venturi-vacuum chamber in the nozzle for automatically shutting off the flow of fuel through the nozzle when the vehicle fuel tank is full.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle with controlled vapor recovery including a fuel passageway, a main fuel valve in the fuel passageway, a vapor recovery passageway, a main vapor valve in the vapor recovery passageway, a manually operable trigger mechanism for controlling the main fuel valve to control the flow of fuel through the fuel passageway and for opening the main vapor valve, an auxiliary vapor valve in the vapor recovery passageway for controlling the rate of flow of vapor through the vapor recovery passageway when the main vapor valve is open, a fuel flow sensing permanent magnet in the fuel passageway and moveable responsive to the rate of fuel flow, and a follower magnet connected to the auxiliary vapor valve and magnetically coupled to the fuel flow sensing magnet for opening the auxiliary vapor valve an amount correlated to the rate of fuel flow to control the rate and thus the volume of vapor recovered in direct correlation to the rate and thus the volume of fuel dispensed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing and vapor recovery nozzle includes a body portion having a fuel passageway therethrough, a main valve in the fuel passageway for controlling the flow of fuel therethrough, a manually operable valve actuating lever for opening the main valve, a pivot member mounting the lever for pivotal movement, an elongate pivot mounting member carrying the pivot member and mounted for sliding longitudinal movement, a venturi responsive to fuel flow through the fuel passageway for creating a vacuum, a shut-off passageway from the venturi to the spout adapted to be closed when the fuel tank is filled, a locking device normally locking the pivot mounting member against longitudinal movement so that the pivot member is stationary and the lever is operable to open the main valve, a vacuum responsive device for rendering the locking device inoperable upon the shut-off passageway becoming blocked, a vapor recovery passageway in the body portion extending longitudinally therethrough, a vapor recovery passageway i

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a housing having a hollow main body portion and a handle portion with a hand-grip spaced from the main body portion, an elongate nozzle body mounted in the main body portion of the housing and having a fuel passageway extending longitudinally therethrough in a generally straight line devoid of any abrupt changes in direction, a main valve for controlling the flow of fuel through the nozzle, a manually operable valve actuator, a spout having three integrally formed passageways comprising a fuel passageway, a vapor recovery passageway and a shut-off, venturi-vacuum passageway, a vapor recovery passageway through the main body and handle portions of the housing, a venturi-vacuum device for shutting off the flow of fuel through the nozzle when the vehicle fuel tank is full, an attitude responsive device for deactivating the main valve when the nozzle is not in the proper attitude for insertion of the spout into the fill opening of the vehicle fuel tank and an attitude responsive

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle is disclosed and includes a housing having a hollow main body portion and a handle portion with a hand-grip spaced from the main body portion, an elongate nozzle body mounted in the main body portion of the housing and having a fuel passageway extending longitudinally therethrough in a generally straight line devoid of any abrupt changes in direction, main valve means disposed in the fuel passageway for controlling the flow of fuel through the nozzle, manually operable valve actuating means, a spout for insertion into the fill opening of a vehicle fuel tank and having three integrally formed passageways therethrough comprising a fuel passageway, a vapor recovery passageway and a shut-off, venturi-vacuum passageway, a vapor recovery passageway through the main body and handle portions of the housing, a venturi-vacuum means for shutting off the flow of fuel through the nozzle when the vehicle fuel tank is full, attitude responsive means for preventing the opening of the main valve when

Abstract: A coupler of the dry break type includes male coupling member having an axial bore and a valve for opening and closing the bore therein, and female coupling member having an axial bore with a valve for opening and closing the bore therein and latching members for locking the male coupling member and female coupling means in coupled relation when the valves are open and for unlocking the same when the valves are closed, the latching members comprising a plurality of latching members which lock the male coupling member in coupled relation with the female coupling member and a latching sleeve which engages the latching members when the valves are open to hold the same in latched position.

Abstract: A float chamber located in generally parallel, laterally spaced relationship to the main liquid flow passageway contains superimposed floats that move along a substantially linear path of travel. The floats cooperate with other control components to effect closure of a main valve assembly when the liquid level adjacent the mechanism reaches a preselected first elevation, and to close a bleed valve assembly when the liquid level reaches a second, higher elevation. The main valve assembly includes a movable plate valve that is spring biased toward an open position and that is biased toward a closed position by the force of liquid adjacent thereto and upstream therefrom. A latch and associated catch prevent movement of the valve plate to its closed position until such time as the liquid level reaches the first elevation.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle for refueling vehicles is disclosed. The nozzle provides a poppet valve for manually controlling the flow rate through the nozzle and an automatic flow control regulator for limiting the maximum flow rate through the nozzle to a predetermined maximum flow rate. The illustrated embodiment provides the automatic flow regulator in an existing passage within the nozzle body downstream from the poppet valve. Therefore, the regulator can be retrofitted into existing nozzles without separate fasteners or the like. The regulator includes a polymeric sleeve having lateral ports and a piston slidable in the sleeve providing an orifice around the operating rod of the poppet valve. A spring normally maintains the piston in its full open position. When flow rates approach the maximum desired predetermined flow rate, a pressure drop occurs through the orifice, producing a force overcoming the spring and causing the piston to move down and partially cover the ports in the sleeve.

Abstract: A combination breakaway and swivel coupling for vehicle fueling systems is disclosed. The coupling includes a body having a swivel connection at one end and a breakaway connection at the other end. The swivel is directly connected to a vehicle fueling nozzle and the breakaway coupling is connected to the supply hose of the fueling system. The swivel coupling is a ball-and-socket type coupling which permits the nozzle to be moved in all directions with respect to the supply hose for convenient positioning of the nozzle in the vehicle during fueling and hanging of the nozzle on the pump when the unit is not is use. The breakaway coupling automatically separates in the event that the vehicle drives away without removing the nozzle and prevents damage to the hose and the pump structure. Automatic shutoff valves close when the breakaway coupling releases to prevent pollution or hazardous spills of fuel. One embodiment utilizes a frangible connection which fractures and releases when breakaway occurs.

Abstract: A containment manhole is formed of an upper rim and a bottom sump portion connected by an expansion joint permitting radial and axial movement of the sump portion relative to the rim. The sump portion has an integrally formed drain for the drainage of spilled product in the manhole directly into the riser. The rim also has an upstanding flange and the lid of the manhole extends over the flange with a wide, downwardly sloped skirt directing water off the lid to the outer perimeter.

Abstract: An automatic overfill prevention system for gravity filling of an underground liquid storage tank from a tank truck fill line provides a venturi in the fill line creating a partial vacuum which is vented from the liquid storage tank through a vent line until the liquid in the storage tank rises to a predetermined level to submerge one end of the vent line and trigger a latching means to close the fill line. The assembly also includes a containment manhole to hold any inadvertent spillage occurring during the filling process.

Abstract: A containment manhole is formed of an upper rim and a bottom sump portion connected by an expansion joint permitting radial and axial movement of the sump portion relative to the rim. The sump portion has an integrally formed drain for the drainage of spilled product in the manhole directly into the riser. The rim also has an upstanding flange and the lid of the manhole extends over the flange with a wide, downwardly sloped skirt directing water off the lid to the outer perimeter.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the spatial position of a reference point relative to a predetermined origin, the reference point being located on an articulated marine loading arm having a plurality of pivotally interconnected fluid conduits forming pivot angles at the interconnections of the conduits, includes segments subtended by the pivot angles and means are provided for sensing lengths of the segments as the loading arm articulates. The sensing means generate electrical signals proportional to the segment lengths and a computer receives the electrical signals and calculates the position of the reference point therefrom based on the known geometry of the loading arm.