Abstract: An automatic fuel shutoff system for preventing fuel flow into a tank being filled when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a predetermined level. This system stops fuel flow when the passage of light from a light transmitter to a light receiver is blocked by the presence of fuel in a detector gap formed near the outlet of a fuel-dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A system for the thermal dissociation of gaseous matter into its component parts using solar energy and a molecular beam skimmer.

Abstract: A vapor-recovery system in which a coaxial vapor-recovery fuel dispensing nozzle cooperates with portions of the vehicle fuel receiving and storage system to prevent the escape of vapors into the atmosphere during refueling. The fuel-dispensing nozzle comprises a rigid, tubular vapor-recovery member coaxially arranged around the nozzle discharge spout to define a vapor-recovery passageway therebetween. A seal means is located inwardly of the fuel tank fillpipe opening to sealingly engage the vapor-recovery member when the nozzle discharge spout is operatively inserted into the fillpipe so that substantially all refueling emissions will flow into the vapor-recovery passageway of the vapor-recovery member.

Abstract: A valve means for a fuel dispensing nozzle located in the nozzle discharge spout at the outlet end thereof for sealing the outlet end to prevent the flow of fuel and fuel vapors out of the discharge spout when the nozzle flow control valve is closed. The valve means is responsive to the operation of the flow control valve so that when the flow control valve is closed, the valve means is closed and so that when the flow control valve is operated to flow fuel through the discharge spout, the valve means is open. To this purpose, actuating means responsive to the operation of the flow control valve are provided to establish fluid communication between the valve means and the flow passage upstream of the flow control valve and, alternately, between the valve means and the flow passage in the discharge spout. In one embodiment, the valve means located in the discharge spout at the outlet end thereof is a pinch valve, and in another embodiment, the valve means is a wafer valve.

Abstract: A valve means for a fuel dispensing nozzle located in the nozzle discharge spout at the outlet end thereof for sealing the outlet end to prevent the flow of fuel and fuel vapors out of the discharge spout when the nozzle vapor-seal valve is closed. The valve means is responsive to the operation of the vapor-seal valve so that when the vapor-seal valve is closed when the nozzle is not in use, the valve means is closed and so that when the vapor-seal valve is open when the discharge spout is operatively inserted into a fill pipe of a fuel tank, the valve means is open. To this purpose, means are provided to establish communication between the valve means and the flow passage upstream of the nozzle flow control valve and between the valve means and the flow passage in the discharge spout. In one embodiment, the valve means located in the discharge spout at the outlet end thereof is a pinch valve, and in another embodiment, the valve means is a wafer valve.

Abstract: A discharge spout tip for a fuel-dispensing nozzle wherein the outlet end of the tip has a cross-sectional area approximately equal to that of the discharge spout inwardly of the tip and wherein the tip has a downwardly sloping, upper surface for deflecting fuel flowing through the outlet end of the tip in a generally downward direction at an effective angle of deflection from the center line of the discharge spout so that the fuel flow is directed away from the upper surface of the fill pipe in order to prevent the formation of a liquid barrier in the fill pipe. By reducing or eliminating the liquid barrier in the fill pipe, the likelihood of occurrence of a spitback or spill is reduced. The fuel-deflecting surface of the tip may be formed by positioning a wedge-shaped projection on the upper surface of the tip, and alternately, the upper surface of the tip itself may slope downwardly from a point on said discharge spout to form a fuel-deflecting surface.