Abstract: A fuel delivery system and method for controlling a fuel delivery system includes a fuel control device including a valve and an electronic sensor assembly integrated to the fuel control device and is arranged to detect an operational positioning of the valve, to generate a record of the real-time activation of the valve, and to compare records of real-time activation against a schedule of fuel deliveries to detect unauthorized fuel access.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from each other, a first chamber defining the inlet, a second chamber defining the outlet, and a valve seat disposed between the first and second chambers, wherein fluid communicates between the first and second chambers. A valve head is disposed in the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an open position spaced from the valve seat and a closed position engaged with the valve seat. A valve stem is coupled to the valve head for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve stem is coupled to the valve head and rotatably and reciprocally movable for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. A retainer plate is coupled to the valve head and a valve seal is disposed between the valve head and the retainer plate. The valve head includes an integrally formed rivet that secures the retainer plate to the valve head, thereby retaining the valve seal to the valve head.

Abstract: A fluid connector having a longitudinal axis and selective open and closed conditions, includes an elongate conduit member extending along the longitudinal axis, an annular collar disposed about and having axial movement relative to the conduit member between the connector open and closed conditions, and a plurality of split nut members circumferentially distributed about the conduit member and having axial movement relative to the collar between the connector open and closed conditions. The plurality of split nut members and the collar are jointly rotatably about the longitudinal axis, and each split nut member has a distal end defining a threaded nut segment. The split nut member distal ends in the connector closed condition are constrained by the collar against radially separating movement relative to the longitudinal axis and cooperatively define a nut configured to threadedly engage a mating fluid fitting.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the lower housing portion defining an annular recess and the upper housing portion having a bottom surface, an annular protrusion extending from the bottom surface, a diaphragm disposed between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, the diaphragm including an outer lip having a first thickness, a flexible connecting section connected to the outer lip and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and an annular inner section connected to the flexible connecting section, the outer lip having a bottom surface disposed in the annular recess and a top surface, and the protrusion being pressed into the top surface so that the outer lip seals between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed between the first and second chambers. A valve head is disposed in the housing and is moveable relative to the housing between an open position spaced from the valve seat and a closed position engaged with the valve seat. The valve head defines a bore therethrough along an axis. A valve stem is coupled to the valve head for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve stem is disposed in the bore and is moveable relative to the valve head from a sealed position preventing fluid communication through the bore to an unsealed position allowing fluid communication through the bore for relieving pressure differences between the first chamber and the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. An intermediate member is separate from and coupled to the valve seat and the valve head in the bore.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed therebetween. A valve head disposed in the housing and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve head defines a bore extending along an axis from the first chamber to the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. A valve stem is disposed in the bore and is coupled to the valve head in the bore for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve assembly allows for selective fluid communication between the first and second chambers to alleviate pressure differences between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the valve stem moves in the bore between a sealed position and an unsealed position. In another embodiment, a check valve is disposed in the bore.

Abstract: A gas convenience outlet is provided for connecting an outdoor grill or other outdoor gas fired appliance to a home gas supply or other fixed position source of fuel gas, such as natural gas or liquid petroleum gas. The outlet includes a case having an open interior and an openable cover with a manifold mounted in the interior. The manifold has an inlet operatively connected with the supply of fuel gas and has one or more outlets. A primary manual shutoff valve located in the interior of the case is operatively connected with the manifold outlet. The outlet includes an outlet connector extending outside the case. The connector has a standardized fitting that releasably couples in gas tight engagement with one or more gas fired appliances by means of standardized appliance connectors, without the need for adaptors and without a loss of performance due to restriction of the gas supply.

Abstract: A fluid connector having a longitudinal axis and selective open and closed conditions, includes an elongate conduit member extending along the longitudinal axis, an annular collar disposed about and having axial movement relative to the conduit member between the connector open and closed conditions, and a plurality of split nut members circumferentially distributed about the conduit member and having axial movement relative to the collar between the connector open and closed conditions. The plurality of split nut members and the collar are jointly rotatably about the longitudinal axis, and each split nut member has a distal end defining a threaded nut segment. The split nut member distal ends in the connector closed condition are constrained by the collar against radially separating movement relative to the longitudinal axis and cooperatively define a nut configured to threadedly engage a mating fluid fitting.

Abstract: A fluid connector having a longitudinal axis and selective open and closed conditions, the connector only in its closed condition adapted to threadedly engage a mating fluid fitting. The fluid connector includes an elongate conduit member extending along the longitudinal axis, an annular collar disposed about and having axial movement relative to the conduit member between the connector open and closed conditions, and a plurality of split nut members circumferentially distributed about the conduit member and having axial movement relative to the collar between the connector open and closed conditions. The plurality of split nut members and the collar are jointly rotatably about the longitudinal axis, and each split nut member has a distal end defining a threaded nut segment.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the lower housing portion defining an annular recess and the upper housing portion having a bottom surface, an annular protrusion extending from the bottom surface, a diaphragm disposed between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, the diaphragm including an outer lip having a first thickness, a flexible connecting section connected to the outer lip and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and an annular inner section connected to the flexible connecting section, the outer lip having a bottom surface disposed in the annular recess and a top surface, and the protrusion being pressed into the top surface so that the outer lip seals between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed therebetween. A valve head disposed in the housing and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve head defines a bore extending along an axis from the first chamber to the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. A valve stem is disposed in the bore and is coupled to the valve head in the bore for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve assembly allows for selective fluid communication between the first and second chambers to alleviate pressure differences between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the valve stem moves in the bore between a sealed position and an unsealed position. In another embodiment, a check valve is disposed in the bore.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed therebetween. A valve head disposed in the housing and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve head defines a bore extending along an axis from the first chamber to the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. A valve stem is disposed in the bore and is coupled to the valve head in the bore for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve assembly allows for selective fluid communication between the first and second chambers to alleviate pressure differences between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the valve stem moves in the bore between a sealed position and an unsealed position. In another embodiment, a check valve is disposed in the bore.

Abstract: A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a storage tank includes a coupler component supported by the vehicle for receiving a connection from a delivery line. A cap is attachable to an end of the coupler component for preventing connection of the delivery line when the cap is attached. A proximity sensor is disposed outside of the coupler component and senses whether the cap is attached without making contact with the cap. A switch is in electrically connected to the sensor and disables at least one drive element of the vehicle, e.g., the transmission, when the cap is not attached to the coupler component.

Abstract: A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a substance in a storage tank includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving a nozzle in fluidic connection to the storage tank when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable the at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.

Abstract: A gas convenience outlet is provided for connecting an outdoor grill or other outdoor gas fired appliance to a home gas supply or other fixed position source of fuel gas, such as natural gas or liquid petroleum gas. The outlet includes a case having an open interior and an openable cover with a manifold mounted in the interior. The manifold has an inlet operatively connected with the supply of fuel gas and has one or more outlets. A primary manual shutoff valve located in the interior of the case is operatively connected with the manifold outlet. The outlet includes an outlet connector extending outside the case. The connector has a standardized fitting that releasably couples in gas tight engagement with one or more gas fired appliances by means of standardized appliance connectors, without the need for adaptors and without a loss of performance due to restriction of the gas supply.

Abstract: A self-cleaning bleeder valve comprises an annular housing that is mounted in an opening in a pressure vessel, and a valve member that screws into the housing for movement toward and away from an orifice opening in the housing. The valve member includes a gasket seal and orifice drill at an inner end of the valve member. The orifice is positioned such that when the valve member is screwed into the annular housing, the drill extends through the orifice, automatically cleaning the orifice while restricting the rate of gas flow out of the orifice to the space between the drill and the orifice.

Abstract: An improved fuel line connector for connecting a fuel line connection valve to a fuel cylinder outlet valve includes an improved, replaceable tip seal mounted on the tip or nose of the connector valve. The tip seal provides an additional, effective face seal between the connector body and the cylinder outlet valve. The tip seal, being on the fuel line connector, can be maintained and replaced by the party using the vehicle or filling the fuel cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid connector having a longitudinal axis and selective open and closed conditions, the connector only in its closed condition adapted to threadedly engage a mating fluid fitting. The fluid connector includes an elongate conduit member extending along the longitudinal axis, an annular collar disposed about and having axial movement relative to the conduit member between the connector open and closed conditions, and a plurality of split nut members circumferentially distributed about the conduit member and having axial movement relative to the collar between the connector open and closed conditions. The plurality of split nut members and the collar are jointly rotatably about the longitudinal axis, and each split nut member has a distal end defining a threaded nut segment.

Abstract: A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a substance in a storage tank includes a holster defining a cavity for receiving a nozzle in fluidic connection to the storage tank when not in use. The holster includes a main body and a bracket. The bracket is affixable to the vehicle and engagable with the main body at a plurality of positions along the main body. The system further includes a sensor for sensing whether the nozzle is received in the holster. The sensor is also in communication with at least one drive element of the vehicle to disable the at least one drive element when the nozzle is not received within the holster.

Abstract: A system for disabling a vehicle carrying a storage tank includes a coupler component supported by the vehicle for receiving a connection from a delivery line. A cap is attachable to an end of the coupler component for preventing connection of the delivery line when the cap is attached. A proximity sensor is disposed outside of the coupler component and senses whether the cap is attached without making contact with the cap. A switch is in electrically connected to the sensor and disables at least one drive element of the vehicle, e.g., the transmission, when the cap is not attached to the coupler component.