Air Displacement Trip Means Patents (Class 141/225)
  • Patent number: 11745999
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 11603309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling valve for dispensing a fluid, comprising an inlet opening for connecting to a fluid supply line, an outlet end (12) which lies opposite the inlet opening, a main valve for controlling the flow of the fluid through the filling valve, and a leakage protection valve (13) which is arranged downstream of the main valve, comprising a valve seat (14) and a valve body (15, 16) which can be moved into a closed position in an upstream direction. According to the invention, the valve body (15, 16) has a first sub-body (15) and a second sub-body (16) which is designed to be movable relative to the first sub-body, wherein a first fluid path (17) can be released by a movement of the first sub-body (15) in a downstream direction relative to the valve seat (14), and a second fluid path (18) can be released by a movement of the second sub-body (16) in a downstream direction relative to the first sub-body (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ELAFLEX HIBY GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lasse Schulz-Hildebrandt, Sebastian Viets
  • Patent number: 11247894
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system automatically selects one out of several available fuels for a vehicle having a specialized fuel filler neck. A dispenser pump assembly includes a pump base, a hose assembly and a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle spout and a cylindrical collar member slidably mounted on the nozzle spout. A sensor on the nozzle assembly generates a signal, based on a position of the collar when the spout is fully inserted into a fuel filler neck of the vehicle. The signal is transmitted via wires, wireless signal, fiber-optic cables or other medium. An electronic controller in the pump base selects an appropriate fuel, based on the signal received from the sensor. If the available fuels include percentages of ethanol or other additives, a precision blending system ensures that the correct amount of additive is provided. Methods of selecting a fuel using the system hereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Dean A. Drake
  • Patent number: 10273137
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a spout and fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The nozzle includes an actuator configured to detect when the spout is sufficiently inserted into a fluid receptacle, and a shut-off device configured to selectively terminate or prevent fluid dispensing operations through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes an interlock operatively coupling the actuator to the shut-off device. The interlock includes a slider that is operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivotable arm that is operatively coupled to the shut-off device, and the slider is slidable along the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, John M. Gray, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 9242849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling nozzle for dispensing a liquid into a tank of a motor vehicle, having a main valve (5). It is provided according to the invention that a safety valve (7) is arranged downstream of the main valve (5), which safety valve can be moved from a closed position into an open position by means of an opening movement directed in an upstream direction, and that a safety device (11) is provided which has an operative connection to the safety valve (7) and which is designed to detect the insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank provided for the corresponding liquid and which effects a movement of the safety valve from the closed position into the open position when an insertion of the filling nozzle into a tank provided for the corresponding liquid is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Elaflex Hiby Tanktechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Kunter, Ulrich Meyer
  • Patent number: 8550129
    Abstract: A vapor-recovery-activated auto-shutoff nozzle comprises a manually operable trigger that permits selective operation of a normally closed valve between a valve-closed configuration and a valve-open configuration. Linkage arms connect the trigger and the valve, and are re-configurable between an enabled configuration and a disabled configuration. In the enabled configuration, the trigger and the valve are operatively connected such that the rest position of the trigger corresponds to the valve being closed, and the in-use position of the manually operable trigger corresponds to the valve being open. In the disabled configuration, the manually operable trigger is precluded from controlling the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fuel Transfer Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Bonner
  • Patent number: 6698471
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a fuel supply passage in which a main control valve is operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an automatic shut-off mechanism. A protective guard member encloses the lever, and a trigger member is pivotally connected to the lever for manual movement to engage a stop supported by the guard member. A torsion wire coil spring includes a plurality of helical turns surrounding the pivot pin for the trigger member and has one projecting end portion engaging the lever and an opposite end portion biasing the trigger member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Catlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Carmack
  • Patent number: 6684921
    Abstract: A liquid supply nozzle having automatic shut-down and alarming function will stop feeding a liquid when a diaphragm is damaged with alarming the damage. The liquid supply nozzle can contain a press member under the diaphragm which pushes up the diaphragm and maintains an entire stoppage function to work even when the diaphragm is broken. The damage of the diaphragm can be visually inspected through a cap which is made of a substantially transparent material and visually or sonically perceived through an additionally provided alarm unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Tatsuno Corporation
    Inventor: Hiyoshi Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 5992479
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle with both a Venturi shut-off mechanism and an electronic pressure switch shut-off mechanism. The increased reliability can be obtained at minimal increased cost if the two pressure-activated mechanisms are combined in a single housing so that each sensing port in effect becomes the reference pressure for the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: W. Dwain Simpson
  • Patent number: 5645115
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle has a modular construction wherein valve, venturi and spout modules are mounted in a bore formed in a nozzle body. The main fuel valve is controlled, independently of fuel pressurization, in response to a mechanical signal input, acting through a servo valve. The mechanical signal input is provide by a finger displaced trigger, acting through a pivotal lever arm and latching means that form part of the automatic shut off means for preventing overfill of a fuel tank. The venturi module has a venturi passage for generating a vacuum employed in the automatic shut off mechanism. The venturi module includes a bypass passage that enables sufficient vacuum force to be generated at both high and low flow rates. The spout module comprise an extruded spout (including a venturi vent passage) and a pair of mechanical adapter shells that are mechanical locked onto the spout and mechanically locked to the nozzle body, to secure the several modules in assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Kesterman, Paul B. Anderson, Chester W. Wood, Mark D. Dalhart, David K. Larson
  • Patent number: 5174346
    Abstract: An improved fuel dispensing nozzle of significantly reduced size and weight has a single diaphragm that provides the vapor regulating function as well as providing the excess pressure and excess vacuum shut-off functions. Improved shut-off function is obtained by ensuring that chamber pressure is the same as that at the spout tip disposed in the vehicle fuel tank fill pipe. The improved fuel dispensing nozzle design also reduces the amount of accidental fuel spillage which may occur when refueling is concluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Healy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 4913200
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle (10) with a pump pressure responsive automatic shut-off mechanism. The nozzle (10) comprises a body (12) with an internal passageway (13) therethrough defining an inlet port (14) for being connected to a dispensing pump and an outlet port (16). A main valve (18) is mounted in the body (12) for selectively opening and closing the passageway (13) to the flow of liquid, and a latch mechanism (29) is provided for selectively closing, and prohibiting the opening of, the main valve (18). The nozzle (10) further comprises automatic shut-off mechanism for releasing the latch mechanism so as to close, and prohibit the opening of, the main valve when supply pressure from the dispensing pump falls below a preselected value. Such automatic shut-off mechanism includes an actuator member ( b 43) operatively associated with the latch mechanism (29) and movably responsive to fluid pressure within the passageway between the inlet port (14) and the outlet port (16) reaching a preselected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Richards Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter M. Carow
  • Patent number: 4773797
    Abstract: A device for loading containers that are open or can be vented, containers for fine particulate materials, said device being part of a pneumatic conveyance system, in particular such a system using dense layer transportation, where the said device comprises essentially a tube-shaped casing, a lifting element, a closing element and a lifting rod which connects the lifting and closing elements and enables the distance between these elements to be varied. The combined weight of the part of the lifting element, that can be moved in the axial direction (A), the closing element and the lifting rod is greater than the elastic force of the lifting element but is smaller than the product of the difference between areas (F.sub.H) and (F.sub.M) and the positive pressure in the supply line acting on the lifting element. The distance (h) of the closing element from the lower edge of the casing is smaller than the stroke of the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter Merz
  • Patent number: 4559982
    Abstract: A pressure actuated poppet valve for a fuel dispensing nozzle is disclosed having a piston therein movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the piston holds a plurality of coupling or latching balls in coupling engagement with an axially movable stem so that upon a user pulling the actuator handle or lever of the dispensing nozzle, the poppet valve is opened for the dispensing of fuel. When the dispenser goes off such that there is no fuel pressure in the hose upstream from the nozzle, a spring within the poppet valve pushes the piston from its first to its second position, thus permitting the coupling balls to move clear of the stem, allowing the poppet valve to close, and preventing opening of the poppet valve upon the subsequent actuating of the nozzle handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Husky Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur C. Fink, Jr.
  • 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: 4441533
    Abstract: An automatic fuel dispensing system including an automatic dispensing nozzle similar to dispensing nozzles which open manually to dispense liquids and shut-off automatically when tanks such as locomotive fuel tanks near the point of being filled, or for closing an automatic shut-off valve when the dispensing valve is a substantial distance from the tank being filled. The automatic dispensing system is provided with an atmospheric pressure balanced diaphragm and an internal vacuum conduit where the diaphragm operates the shut-off valve when reduced air pressure from the vacuum conduit interrupts the pressure balance of the diaphragm. The tank to be filled is provided with an air conduit connected to the internal vacuum conduit of the automatic dispensing nozzle to operate the cut-off of the nozzle to a point adjacent the outer opening of the tank fill pipe when fuel enters the air conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventors: George H. Snyder, George H. Snyder, III, Joseph M. Nusbaumer
  • Patent number: 4360127
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying fluid of predetermined quantity comprises a supplying passage for supplying fluid, an opening and closing valve provided within the supplying passage, mechanism for opening the opening and closing valve, locking mechanism for locking the opening and closing valve in an open state, negative pressure generating mechanism for generating negative pressure upon supply of the fluid outside through the supplying passage, lock releasing mechanism for releasing the lock of the locking mechanism by the introduction of the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generating mechanism atmosphere introducing mechanism for introducing atmosphere into the lock releasing mechanism to neutralize the negative pressure, solenoid valve for interrupting the atmosphere introduction by the atmosphere introducing mechanism, measuring device for measuring the flow rate of the fluid supplied through the supplying passage, and control signal transmitting device for transmitting and supplying the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignees: Tokico Ltd., Tokico Yuki Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Maruyama, Hiromitsu Kobayashi, Masakazu Mitsuhashi, Hiromichi Takeuchi, Yoshiki Futamura, Naohito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4343337
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle having an aspirator valve which closes an aspirator line when there is a high negative or positive pressure in the fuel tank being filled, the closing of the aspirator line decreasing pressure in a chamber so that a shaft is released whereby the nozzle automatically shuts off. The nozzle also has a poppet valve controlled with the fuel valve of the nozzle, which poppet valve seals a vapor return line through the nozzle when the fuel valve is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • 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: 4141393
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle for a closed system holding a volatile fuel. The nozzle is adapted to sealably engage the filler pipe of a fuel tank to avoid passage of fumes to the atmosphere during a fuel transfer operation. The nozzle will automatically discontinue fuel flow in response to a reduction in flow rate within the closed system, which would otherwise cause recycling of fuel through the nozzle and back to its source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4139032
    Abstract: In an automatic shut-off nozzle, the vacuum chamber, which has its vacuum increased when flow through the nozzle is to be stopped in response to a predetermined condition such as the tank being filled to a predetermined level, for example, has the reduction in the vacuum therein controlled so that the automatic shut-off mechanism cannot be returned to its latching position by the attendant for a predetermined period of time after having been activated. A check valve allows removal of air from the chamber to increase the vacuum in response to the predetermined condition while preventing flow of air into the chamber. The flow of air into the chamber to reduce the vacuum therein must be through metering means so that a predetermined period of time must elapse until the vacuum in the chamber has been reduced by the air flow through the metering means to enable the shut-off mechanism to be latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Taylor, Donald A. Lasater, Steven R. Ebbesmeyer
  • Patent number: 4040455
    Abstract: In a liquid loading system for the gravity loading of a liquid storage tank from a tank truck the present invention provides an improved mechanism for interrupting the flow of liquid when the level of liquid in a tank rises above a predetermined level. The structure includes a valve in the fill line which is moveable between an open position and closed position. A pressure responsive latch means is provided for releasably locking the valve in the open position. A vent passage communicates between the pressure responsive latch means and a predetermined level below the upper end of the underground storage tank. A vacuum passage communicates between the vent passage and a vacuum source in the fill line. The flow of liquid through the liquid fill line generates the vacuum in the fill line in the area of the vacuum passage. Until the level of liquid in the underground tank rises above the end of the vent passage, atmosphere from within the tank is drawn into the vacuum passage from the vent passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Emco Limited
    Inventors: Leonard W. Swain, Allen M. Bower
  • Patent number: 4027708
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Suntech, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Hansel
  • Patent number: 4003415
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle has a bellows secured to its body and disposed in spaced surrounding relation to its spout to form vapor return means therebetween. Sealing means, which can be integral with the bellows or separate therefrom, is disposed in surrounding relation to the spout so as to be movable relative thereto. The spout has a retainer thereon between the free end of the spout and the sealing means. The retainer has a curved surface, which is preferably spherical, on its end for engagement with a sealing surface of the sealing eans to form a seal therebetween to seal the vapor return means formed between the bellows and the spout from the atmosphere when the spout is not disposed in a fill pipe of a vehicle tank to be filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Lasater
  • Patent number: 3982571
    Abstract: In a dispenser nozzle having, a main body portion, a filling tube projecting from one end of said main body portion, and a liquid flow passage extending through said main body and said filling tube, the filling tube being adapted to be located within the open end of a neck of a fuel storage tank of a vehicle or the like, a control valve mechanism for controlling the flow of liquid through said liquid flow passage, said mechanism including a valve operating mechanism and latching means for releasably engaging said valve operating mechanism to render said valve operating mechanism operative when engaged by said latching mechanism and inoperative when released by said latching mechanism, the improvement of sensor means mounted on said nozzle and disposed adjacent said filling tube, said sensor means communicating with said latch means to release said latch means with respect to said valve operating mechanism to render said valve operating mechanism inoperative when said filling tube is now disposed in a predeter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Fenton, Leonard W. Swain
  • Patent number: 3957093
    Abstract: A filling device for delivering liquid to a container, such as a storage battery, with valve actuating means for automatically cutting off liquid flow when the liquid level reaches the level of the discharge nozzle and which is operated by having a vacuum formed within the discharge nozzle wherein the liquid inlet passage to the valve is restricted to substantially reduce the rate of liquid flow from a liquid supply line into the valve chamber and the discharge nozzle is provided with a narrow liquid outlet passage formed around the end of a vacuum line connected with said valve actuating means with the size of the inlet and outlet passages being coordinated so that liquid flow is cut off only when the liquid in the container being filled reaches the level of the lower end of said discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Inventor: Joel A. Stoner