Abstract: A method of high sensitivity for measuring leakage of liquid from a storage tank which comprises introducing a sensor into the liquid in the tank, the sensor being coupled to means for sensing displacement of mass, measuring the displacement over a known period of time and calculating the leakage rate. The sensor is designed to compensate for evaporative losses and temperature changes.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring leakage from a liquid containing tank comprises a main body portion suspended from a balance arm or other mass displacement detector and has a liquid holding portion in the main body. The cross-sectional area of the liquid holding portion is essentially equal to the cross-sectional area of the main body portion in contact with the liquid in the tank. This arrangement enables evaporation losses to be compensated.

Abstract: In combination, a subterranean liquid storage tank, a pump suction pipe mounted therein and extending substantially vertically from the top of the tank toward the bottom thereof, and a disc member positioned below and in vertical alignment with the lower end of said pipe, the member having a pedestal which rests at the bottom of the storage tank, both the disc and said pedestal being flexible and compressible to a size enabling insertion into and withdrawal from the tank by way of the pipe. Preferably the disc and its supporting member will be made of a flexible foam.

Abstract: A system for dispensing gasoline and having an option which, if selected by the customer, automatically dispenses an additive with the gasoline and computes the price of the additive into the sale.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing nozzle having a system for receiving vapors displaced from a motor vehicle gasoline tank being filled, and an interlock system for both preventing the dispensing of gasoline and closing the vapor receiving system until the discharge spout is properly inserted into the motor vehicle fillpipe. The interlock system includes a first valve mounted in the vapor receiving system outside the discharge spout. This first valve is opened when the nozzle is properly inserted into the fillpipe, and is interconnected with the automatic shut-off system of the nozzle so that dispensing of gasoline is permitted only when the nozzle is properly inserted into the fillpipe. The interlock system also includes a second valve which closes the vapor receiving system, thereby preventing vapors from escaping, until the nozzle is properly inserted in the fillpipe.

Abstract: An improved vapor receiving system for a gasoline dispensing nozzle having a stronger magnetic sealing section and a more flexible and durable bellows construction. The magnetic sealing section has a magnetic ring backed by a second ring attracted to the magnet which acts as a pole piece to increase the magnetic attractions toward the fillpipe during the filling and vapor receiving process. The magnetic sealing section cover and bellows section are made from a thin, flexible reinforcement mesh impregnated with natural or synthetic elastomer such as vinyl.

Abstract: A control system for a gasoline dispensing nozzle which includes a locking system for placing the nozzle in an inoperative mode once the nozzle automatically shuts off. Resetting of the locking system is then required before operation of the nozzle can again be commenced. The locking system includes a biased member which maintains the automatic shut-off system in its disabling mode once it disables the nozzle. This locking system is designed primarily for use on a dispensing nozzle with a vapor receiving system and is used to discourage an operator of the nozzle from overfilling a gasoline tank, which results in increasing the risk of spilling gasoline or forcing gasoline back through the vapor return line. An alternative embodiment using magnetic locking means is also provided.An actuator for the resetting operation is also provided for limiting the number of times the locking system can be reset during each filling operation.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for use when filling containers with hydrocarbons or other liquids is disclosed. A fiber optic bundle is arranged to form a flow path for a light beam in such a manner that the flow path is interrupted when the liquid level reaches a predetermined part of the flow path. The fiber optic bundle can be arranged to sense the liquid level when it approaches and reaches a predetermined height and can be connected to a loading control system in order to automatically control the filling of a tank.

Abstract: An interlock system for a fuel dispensing nozzle which prevents its operation until the nozzle is properly inserted into the fillpipe of a vehicle. The interlock system includes an actuation system which responds to the nozzle resting on the fillpipe opening at a predetermined point along the discharge spout of the nozzle and a valve located at the outlet of the vent tube from the automatic shut-off system. The interlock system is biased in such a manner that the valve remains closed at all times unless the nozzle is resting in the fillpipe in the proper manner. In this manner the valve causes the automatic shut-off system to disable the nozzle when it is not properly inserted in the fillpipe and permits the automatic shut-off system to act in its normal fashion when properly inserted, so that the nozzle is shut off when the liquid level in the fillpipe reaches the end of the discharge spout.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle assembly having a system for receiving the vapors displaced from a motor vehicle gasoline tank when it is being filled, an interlock system for preventing the dispensing of gasoline until the vapor receiving bellows is in contact with the fillpipe of the vehicle gasoline tank, and an attitude control valve system to prevent vapors from the underground storage tanks from being displaced back into the atmosphere through the vapor receiving system. The control valve design permits automatic closing of the valve when the nozzle is moved into a vertical position and opening when moved into a horizontal position.

Abstract: A valve system for the vapor receiving system of a gasoline dispensing nozzle which acts to prevent the flow of liquid gasoline into the vapor return line in the event that the automatic shut-off system of the nozzle fails to turn the nozzle off. The valve system has a valve seat located at the point where the vapor return line connects to the vapor receiving system and a floating member suspended below the valve seat in such a manner that when the vapor receiving chamber fills with gasoline, the floating member covers the valve seat so that no gasoline flows back through the vapor return line. A shield can also be provided to prevent closure of the floating member by the normal flow of vapors.

Abstract: An adapter in the form of a sleeve which is permanently mounted inside the gasoline tank fillpipe of an automobile provides reaction points which maintain the spout of a gasoline dispensing nozzle with its axis approximately collinear with the fillpipe axis, when the spout is inserted into the gasoline tank for dispensing. The adapter insert (sleeve) has therein a sealing member which covers the air duct of the conventional automatic dispensing nozzle, thus preventing operation of the nozzle when the nozzle spout is inserted to less than a certain extent into the sleeve.

Abstract: A dispenser/diffuser member for filling storage containers for fluids, which is positioned between the inner end of the fill-pipe and the interior of the container to cause dispersion of the fluid flowing into the container from the fillpipe during a filling operation. The disperser member has therein a multiplicity of tortuous fluid passages, and may be used in a subterranean storage container, or in a mobile storage and transportation container (tank truck).

Abstract: An interlock system for use on a conventional gasoline dispensing nozzle with an automatic shut-off system is disclosed. The interlock system includes a valve mounted in the discharge spout and connected to the vent tube so that when the valve is in its open position, the vent tube is open to the inside of the discharge spout. The valve actuation system is designed so that when the nozzle is not properly inserted into the vehicle fillpipe, the valve obtains an open position so that in the event dispensing of gasoline is attempted, the vacuum created in the vent tube by the venturi in the automatic shut-off system causes gasoline which flows down the discharge spout to be drawn into the vent tube, thereby causing the automatic shut-off system to disable the nozzle. The valve actuation system is also designed to act in response to the weight of the nozzle resting on the fillpipe and to provide the latching capability for the nozzle.

Abstract: A control system for a gasoline dispensing nozzle which includes a locking system for placing the nozzle in an inoperative mode once the nozzle automatically shuts off. Resetting of the locking system is then required before operation of the nozzle can again be commenced. The locking system includes a biased member which maintains the automatic shut-off system in its disabling mode once it disables the nozzle. This locking system is designed primarily for use on a dispensing nozzle with a vapor receiving system and is used to discourage an operator of the nozzle from overfilling a gasoline tank, which results in increasing the risk of spilling gasoline or forcing gasoline back through the vapor return line. An alternative embodiment using magnetic locking means is also provided.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle assembly having a system for receiving the vapors displaced from a motor vehicle gasoline tank when it is being filled, an interlock system for preventing the dispensing of gasoline until the vapor receiving bellows is in contact with the fillpipe of the vehicle gasoline tank, and an attitude control valve system to prevent vapors from the underground storage tanks from being displaced back into the atmosphere through the vapor receiving system. The interlock system includes a valve connected in the vent line running from the end of the discharge spout to the automatic shut-off system in the nozzle housing, said valve being interconnected with the vapor receiving system so that it is closed when the vapor receiving system is not in contact with a fillpipe, causing the automatic shut-off system to prevent dispensing of gasoline.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle assembly having a system for receiving the vapors displaced from a motor vehicle gasoline tank when it is being filled and an interlock system located in conjunction with the latching collar on the discharge spout of the nozzle, for preventing the dispensing of gasoline until the discharge spout is inserted into the vehicle fillpipe. The interlock system includes a valve mounted in the discharge spout in such a manner that it is actuated by the weight of the nozzle resting upon the fillpipe inlet. The valve is interconnected with the automatic shut-off system of the nozzle so that when the valve is in its open position, signifying that the nozzle is properly inserted in the fillpipe, dispensing of gasoline is permitted.

Abstract: A system for automatically releasing the pressure built up inside a tank when the liquid level falls below a predetermined level. This system is particularly applicable for use on a hydrocarbon tank truck which receives the vapors from the underground tank being filled, so that the pressure built up during filling can be released into the atmosphere through a filter in order to minimize the hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere when the connections to the underground tank are uncoupled. The system includes a pressure relief line connected to a float valve located inside a tank compartment on one end and to a filter on the other end. The filter can be made out of an adsorbant material which permits it to be cleaned and used over again.

Abstract: A dispensing nozzle assembly having a system for receiving the vapors displaced from a motor vehicle gasoline tank when it is being filled and an interlock system located in conjunction with the latching collar on the discharge spout of the nozzle, for preventing the dispensing of gasoline until the discharge spout is inserted into the vehicle fillpipe. The interlock system includes a valve mounted in the discharge spout in such a manner that it is actuated by the weight of the nozzle resting upon the fillpipe inlet. The valve is interconnected with the automatic shut-off system of the nozzle so that when the valve is in its open position, signifying that the nozzle is properly inserted in the fillpipe, dispensing of gasoline is permitted.

Abstract: A method of high sensitivity for measuring leakage of liquid from a storage tank which comprises introducing a sensor into the liquid in the tank, the sensor being coupled to means for sensing displacement of mass, measuring the displacement over a known period of time and calculating the leakage rate. The sensor is designed to compensate for evaporative losses and temperature changes.