Abstract: A dripless means for a fuel dispensing nozzle begins with a nozzle for dispensing fuel into automobile tanks. Regulations limit drainage of the spout to within ten seconds, met by the present invention that prevents fuel drops from exiting the spout. First, the spout retains fuel drops behind a dam made of a series of fins upon the interior of the spout. Second, the present invention has a bushing with a weir that works in combination with the damming. Third, the nozzle has a vent tube within the spout where a plug constricts its diameter to limit the fuel drawn into the vent tube. With proper use, the present invention retains fuel drops in the spout to meet the regulations.

Abstract: A sonde cleaning brush is disclosed that has a plurality of bristles extending from the brush surface. The bristles have a stiffener attached to the bristles causing the stiffness of the bristles to increase along the length of the brush while preserving the flexibility of the bristles perpendicular to the brush length. There may be one or more stiffeners attached to the brush bristles.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel dispensing nozzle which provides for sustained shut off of a nozzle when its spout is not inserted into the fill pipe of a fuel tank. When the spout inserts within the fill pipe its bellows or splashguard is forced rearwardly, for urging an interconnecting rod to move rearwardly, against the bias of a spring, to force a pivotal link to disengage from the automatic shut-off diaphragm, to allow it to function normally. But when the nozzle is removed from the fuel tank, the pivotal link contacts against the diaphragm structure, of the automatic shut-off, and prevents the nozzle from dispensing or delivering any fuel from the dispenser.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum vent utilizing a column of liquid to open and close the vent at predetermined pressure and vacuum levels. A column of liquid is constrained in connection with internal and external passages coupled between a pair of expansion chambers. The external passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined positive pressure level at which the valve will open, while the internal passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined negative pressure level at which the valve will open. At either the predetermined positive or negative pressure level, the valve opens when sufficient liquid has exited either the external or internal passage to permit the flow of a restrained gas past the liquid column.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum vent utilizing a column of liquid to open and close the vent at predetermined pressure and vacuum levels. A column of liquid is constrained in connection with internal and external passages coupled between a pair of expansion chambers. The external passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined positive pressure level at which the valve will open, while the internal passage is sized to hold a level of liquid corresponding to a predetermined negative pressure level at which the valve will open. At either the predetermined positive or negative pressure level, the valve opens when sufficient liquid has exited either the external or internal passage to permit the flow of a restrained gas past the liquid column.

Abstract: A choke for reducing spray of fuel exiting a fuel dispensing system nozzle spout having an annular frame positioned within the spout adjacent the output opening. The choke has a concentric hub connected to the frame by three, relatively narrow struts positioned equidistant around the hub. The hub has a solid, cylindrical fore section tubular aft section. A duct extends from the tubular aft section, through one strut and the frame, to the sensing port. Fuel flowing through the spout toward the output opening, it is slowed and divided into three streams by the choke, flows along the hub fore section and converges, compressed and linearly aligned, at the output opening of the spout to reduce spraying of fuel at the output opening of the spout and avoid unwanted shut-off.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle incorporating a double poppet valve assembly enables a user to more controllably and accurately dispense fuel through the nozzle. The double poppet valve assembly has a larger outer poppet and a smaller inner poppet, such that the user can open both poppets together or merely open the smaller inner poppet alone. The outer poppet enables a high rate of fuel to flow through the nozzle when the outer poppet is opened. The inner poppet, located within the body of the outer poppet, allows a reduced rate of fuel to flow through the nozzle when the inner poppet is opened but the outer poppet is closed, enabling the user to dispense more precise amounts of fuel.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle incorporating a double poppet valve assembly enables a user to more controllably and accurately dispense fuel through the nozzle. The double poppet valve assembly has a larger outer poppet and a smaller inner poppet, such that the user can open both poppets together or merely open the smaller inner poppet alone. The outer poppet enables a high rate of fuel to flow through the nozzle when the outer poppet is opened. The inner poppet, located within the body of the outer poppet, allows a reduced rate of fuel to flow through the nozzle when the inner poppet is opened but the outer poppet is closed, enabling the user to dispense more precise amounts of fuel.

Abstract: A choke for reducing spray of fuel exiting a fuel dispensing system nozzle spout having an annular frame positioned within the spout adjacent the output opening. The choke has a concentric hub connected to the frame by three, relatively narrow struts positioned equidistant around the hub. The hub has a solid, cylindrical fore section tubular aft section. A duct extends from the tubular aft section, through one strut and the frame, to the sensing port. Fuel flowing through the spout toward the output opening, it is slowed and divided into three streams by the choke, flows along the hub fore section and converges, compressed and linearly aligned, at the output opening of the spout to reduce spraying of fuel at the output opening of the spout and avoid unwanted shut-off.

Abstract: A ball bearing swivel connectable between the output end of a fuel dispensing hose and the input end of a fuel dispensing nozzle to allow multi-plane rotation of the nozzle The swivel includes three segments, a nozzle fitting, a midsection, and a hose fitting. The end segments are joined to the midsection by ball bearing races which allow each segment to rotate 360° relative to the adjacent segment. The ball bearing races are positioned between a first and second O-ring seal to prevent dust or dirt accumulation and fuel leakage. The ball bearing races allow rotation of the swivel under increased fluid pressure conditions.

Abstract: An elliptical expansion plug for plugging elliptical openings. The elliptical expansion plug has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface sized to allow hand-fitting within an elliptical hole to be plugged. The size of the elliptical expansion plug is such that the elliptical expansion plug generally matches the shape of the elliptical opening to be plugged, and further sized to provide a continuous seal between the outer edge of the elliptical expansion plug and the inner surface of the elliptical opening to be plugged after installation of the elliptical expansion plug. When the convex outer surface is eliminated by deforming the elliptical expansion plug with tools such as a hammer and punch until the convex outer surface is flat, the outer edge of the elliptical expansion plug comes into continuous contact with, and provides a continuous seal against, the inside circumference of the elliptical opening to be plugged.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a composition and method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is provided. The composition comprises an aqueous mixture of a hydrated polysaccharide, preferably a galactomannan gum, the hydrated polysaccharide having a plurality of bonding sites; a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated polysaccharide at the bonding sites at the conditions of the subterranean formation with a polyvalent metal ion to form a polyvalent metal crosslink, thereby increasing the viscosity of the hydrated polysaccharide; and a controlled solubility compound for releasing a chelating agent for controllably breaking the polyvalent metal crosslink and bonding with the polyvalent metal ion released by breaking the crosslink, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the hydrated polysaccharide.

Abstract: A fluid that is useful in stimulation operations, and in particular, in hydraulic fracturing treatments, comprises a carrier fluid; a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer; a cross-linking agent that does not cause substantial cross-linking of the polymer at temperatures less than about 105° F. and a pH of about 10 or greater; and an organic amine stabilizing agent that has a first pKa or a pH in water of at least about 9.5. One group of such amines has the formula H2N—(R1NH)n—H where R1 is C1-C4 alkyl and n is from 1-6. In one embodiment, the cross-linking agent is an organic zirconate, such as bis(hydroxyethyl)glycine zirconate. The organic zirconate is effective to cross-link the polymer when the composition is at a temperature of at least about 105° F., and a pH of about 10 or higher, preferably a pH in the range of about 10.5-12.

Abstract: A vapor recovery breakaway hose coupling for use in conjunction with a vapor recovery nozzle and for application within a fuel line, that prevents untimely decoupling, that incorporates a secondary seal that is located between the fuel and vapor passages to maintain clean o-ring sealing and sliding surfaces by preventing fuel and/or contaminates from contracting the primary fuel to vapor o-ring when the valve is in a non-emergency situation, an interference bump is incorporated which imparts a shock to the fuel check valve during separation and unbalanced check valve springs that maintains a static seal to reduce o-ring fretting, and primary fuel to vapor o-ring relocation.

Abstract: A pressure/vacuum vent of the present invention is mountable to the vent pipe of a storage tank. The vent includes a valve housing having a wall defining a chamber which is in fluid communication with said storage tank. It includes a first valve responsive to an over-pressure condition of a first pressure, a second valve responsive to an over-pressure condition at a second pressure; and a third valve responsive to an under-pressure condition. The first and second pressures are different so that one valve will open at a small pressure and the other will open at a larger pressure. The first valve is a poppet valve, and the second and third valves are diaphragm valves. The valve housing is contained in a vent housing. The vent housing includes a floor through with a bottom stem of the valve housing extends and which has drain holes. A cover is mounted to a top portion of the valve housing to cover the vent housing. The cover is spaced from a top of the vent housing.

Abstract: A vacuum assist nozzle with a vapor recovery system is provided with an automatic vapor return shut-off mechanism to turn off or disable the nozzle's vapor recovery system when the nozzle is placed in the fill pipe of a vehicle having an on-board vapor recovery system. The nozzle includes a diaphragm valve placed in the nozzle's vapor flow path. The diaphragm nozzle control chamber is placed in communication with the vapor flow path. A vent tube, which forms the vapor flow path in the spout, includes a tip valve at the end thereof. The tip valve is magnetically operated, and is responsive to the presence of a magnetic field in the vehicle's fill neck, to enable or disable the vapor recovery system of the nozzle.

Abstract: A spout gland is provided for a vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle assembly having a nozzle body and a nozzle spout assembly. The nozzle body includes a body fuel flow path having an inlet and an outlet and a body vapor recovery path, and a venturi valve in the body fuel flow path. The spout assembly is connected to the body and defines a spout fuel flow path and a spout vapor recovery path in communication with the respective flow paths in the nozzle body. The spout assembly includes a spout tube defining the spout fuel flow path, the spout gland, and a vapor guard. The spout gland has a diameter, in part, that is larger than the diameter of said spout tube to define a generally forwardly opening annular channel around the spout tube. The gland has at least one opening in a wall thereof to place the channel in communication with an area external of said spout gland and the body vapor flow path.

Abstract: A fluid extraction hose strider connector coupling assembly for use in a fuel nozzle associated with a coaxial vapor recovery hose. The coaxial hose is operatively connected to the spider connector assembly. The spider connector assembly contains a spider connector and an hose connector mounted in the handle of the fuel nozzle. The spider connector has a fluid flow path formed therethrough terminating in a nipple. A first small bore tubing extends from the nipple into the vapor recovery hose to a point where condensed vapors undesirably pool. The spider connector is rotatably connected to the hose connector while maintaining a fluid pathway between the spider connector and hose connector. The hose connector has a fluid pathway formed therethrough terminating in a nipple. A second small bore tubing extends from the nipple to a venturi in the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle has a body in which a fuel passage is formed, a spout attached to the body, a poppet valve contained within the nozzle body, for controlling the flow of fuel through the nozzle; a hand operated lever actuates the poppet valve, and the nozzle includes an automatic shut-off mechanism to provide shut-off of the nozzle, when the fuel tank is filled. The automatic shut-off mechanism includes a plunger, a latch pin disposed for vertical movement therein, with the latch pin being embraced by a diaphragm support, of the automatic shut-off mechanism, to provide a lost motion gap which allows the diaphragm to slightly shift, during initiation and dispensing of fuel, and prevent premature shut-off; the latch pin includes an annular upwardly extending collar, that is capable of connecting with a surrounding shoulder formed of the diaphragm support.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for dispensing fuel from a source to a container includes a body defining a fuel flow path and a vapor recovery path. The nozzle includes a venturi valve in the fuel flow path which defines a venturi port and a diaphragm valve positioned in the vapor recover path, The diaphragm valve has a control section having a control port which is in fluid communication with the venturi. The diaphragm valve is normally spring biased closed. When gas flows through the venturi and over the venturi port, it creates a vacuum in the diaphragm control section sufficiently strong to open the diaphragm valve so that recovered vapors may be returned to a source of fuel, or other collection area, such as an underground storage fuel tank.