Patents by Inventor Robert W. Guertin

Robert W. Guertin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5655576
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle, employed in minimizing atmospheric pollution by fuel vapors is described. The nozzle comprises a bellows which is compressed against the fill pipe of a vehicle fuel tank during discharge of fuel therein. The bellows surrounds a nozzle spout to define a vapor return flow path which extends through a nozzle body. The body of the nozzle is compositely formed by a body member and a vapor path cap which compositely define the vapor return flow passage. Flow of fuel is controlled by a control valve which may be opened, or maintained opened, by an operating lever only when a trip mechanism stem is latched in an operative position. A mechanical interlock prevents latching of the trip mechanism stem unless the bellows is compressed in sealing engagement with a fill pipe. When the bellows is so compressed, the trip stem is latched. If the level of fuel in the fill pipe covers the end of the spout, vacuum actuated means unlatch the trip mechanism stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Leininger, Robert W. Guertin, Bruce P. Baker
  • Patent number: 5615706
    Abstract: A coaxial breakaway coupling and a coaxial hose connect a fuel dispensing pump to a coaxial fuel dispensing nozzle, and the coupling includes first and second tubular valve bodies releasably coupled together by an annular canted coil spring. Each valve body supports therein an axially movable tubular valve member for defining an inner vapor return passage and an outer fuel supply passage, and a vapor return check valve member is supported for axial movement within the vapor return passage upstream of an annular valve seat. All of the valve members are spring biased towards closed positions and move to open positions when the valve bodies are coupled together. When the valve bodies are uncoupled or separate in response to an axial breakaway force, the valve members close, and suction from a vacuum pump connected to the vapor return passage pulls the check valve member towards it closed position against the valve seat. In a modification, the breakaway coupling is integrated with a 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Catlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 5433247
    Abstract: A coaxial breakaway coupling and a coaxial hose connect a fuel dispensing pump to a coaxial fuel dispensing nozzle, and the coupling includes first and second tubular valve bodies releasably coupled together by an annular canted coil spring. Each valve body supports therein an axially movable tubular valve member for defining an inner vapor return passage and an outer fuel supply passage, and a vapor return check valve member is supported for axial movement within the vapor return passage upstream of an annular valve seat. All of the valve members are spring biased towards closed positions and move to open positions when the valve bodies are coupled together. When the valve bodies are uncoupled or separate in response to an axial breakaway force, the valve members close, and suction from a vacuum pump connected to the vapor return passage pulls the check valve member towards it closed position against the valve seat. In a modification, the breakaway coupling is integrated with a 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Catlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 5421382
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle employed in minimizing atmospheric pollution by fuel vapors is described. The nozzle comprises a bellows which is compressed against the fill pipe of a vehicle during discharge of fuel therein. The bellows surrounds a nozzle spout to define a vapor return flow path which extends through a nozzle body. The body of the nozzle is compositely formed by a body member and a vapor path cap which compositely define the vapor return flow passage. Flow of fuel is controlled by a valve which may be opened by an operating lever only when a trip stem is latched in an operative position. A mechanical interlock prevents latching of the trip stem unless the bellows is compressed. When the bellows is so compressed, the trip stem is latched. If the level of fuel in the fill pipe covers the end of the spout, vacuum actuated means unlatch the trip mechanism stem. If the pressure in the vapor return flow path rises to a level indicating a blockage in return flow, time trip stem is also unlatched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Leininger, Robert W. Guertin, Bruce P. Baker
  • Patent number: 5121777
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle, employed in minimizing atmospheric pollution by fuel vapors is described. The nozzle comprises a bellows which is compressed against the fill pipe of a vehicle fuel tank during discharge of fuel therein. The bellows surrounds a nozzle spout to define a vapor return flow path which extends through a nozzle body. The body of the nozzle is compositely formed by a body member and a vapor path cap which compositely define the vapor return flow passage. Flow of fuel is controlled by a control valve which may be opened, or maintained opened, by an operating lever only when a trip mechanism stem is latched in an operative position. A mechanical interlock prevents latching of the trip mechanism stem unless the bellows is compressed in sealing engagement with a fill pipe. When the bellows is so compressed, the trip stem is latched. If the level of fuel in the fill pipe covers the end of the spout, vacuum actuated means unlatch the trip mechanism stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Leininger, Robert W. Guertin, Bruce P. Baker
  • Patent number: 4971121
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle construction, bellows-like tube therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the construction comprising a valve body having a dispensing spout extending therefrom, and a flexible bellows-like tube of polymeric material telescopically disposed on the spout and having opposed ends one of which is secured to the valve body and the other of which carries a face seal for engaging an annular lip of fill pipe of a fluid storage tank to seal around an opening in the fill pipe when the spout is inserted therein, the spout having an abutment for interlocking with an abutment of the fill pipe that is adjacent the opening thereof when the spout has been inserted into the opening a certain amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 4497350
    Abstract: Flow through a vapor recovery nozzle is stopped when the liquid in a tank being filled reaches a predetermined level to cause a first diaphragm, which forms a wall of a first chamber, to move a latch release mechanism against the force of a single spring. Flow through the nozzle also is stopped when pressure in the tank being filled exceeds a predetermined pressure through movement of a second diaphragm, which is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first diaphragm and forms a wall of a second chamber connected by two separate passages to a vapor return passage communicating the tank with vapor recovery equipment, to cause movement of the latch release mechanism in the same direction and against the force of the same spring. The first diaphragm is prevented from moving in response to the pressure in the tank increasing. The exterior of each of the first and second diaphragms is exposed to ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 4245681
    Abstract: Liquid flow through an automatic shut-off nozzle is automatically stopped when the presence of liquid at a predetermined location in the vapor return means is sensed by an independent sensor arrangement. The automatic shut-off nozzle also stops flow in response to the tank being filled to a predetermined level with liquid or the pressure in the tank exceeding a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 4196759
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle has an annular member of a relatively soft material at one end of a bellows, which is disposed in spaced relation to the spout of the nozzle to form an annular vapor return passage therebetween, to engage the fill pipe to form a seal therewith when the spout is disposed therein so that the vapors flow from the tank to the annular vapor return pasage of the nozzle. The soft seal member is removably fastened to the end of the bellows for easy replacement. The spout has a pair of latch rings thereon spaced from each other with each having a retaining lug to enable the spout to be retained within any type of fill pipe since one of the lugs on one of the latch rings is always capable of being retained by the lip of the fill pipe opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1980
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. McMath, Robert W. Guertin, Chester W. Wood
  • Patent number: 4139031
    Abstract: An automatic shut-off nozzle has a venturi effect, which causes automatic shut off of the liquid flow through the nozzle body by causing a main poppet valve to be closed when the tank is filled, created by two aligned passages of different diameters in either the resiliently biased bleeder poppet valve, which opens in response to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the nozzle body, or the seat ring for the bleeder poppet valve. The smaller diameter passage has the liquid enter its inlet with the liquid exiting through the outlet of the larger diameter passage with the larger diameter passage also communicating with the vacuum chamber in which the vacuum is increased by the venturi when the tank is filled to cause automatic closing of the main poppet valve in the nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Chester W. Wood, Robert W. Guertin
  • Patent number: 4125139
    Abstract: Liquid flow through an automatic shut-off nozzle is automatically stopped when liquid is present at a predetermined location in the vapor return means. The automatic shut-off nozzle also stops flow in response to the tank being filled to a predetermined level with liquid or the pressure in the tank exceeding a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Guertin, Chester W. Wood