Filling With Exhausting The Receiver Patents (Class 141/59)
  • Patent number: 6932123
    Abstract: This drop tube loading arm assembly is adaptable for loading asphalt into tank trailers at marketing terminals. The telescoping drop tube employs guides made of polymers such as fluorocarbon polymers and aluminum. The guides are located in the annular space between the tubes in combination with increased radial clearance between the tubes or sleeves and in combination with protection for the overfill probe. With the addition of vapor control systems and overfill protection probes, the telescoping drop loading spouts are less susceptible to cold weather sticking problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroluem LLC
    Inventors: Jon Craig, Mike Malec, Mike Harmon, Jeff Pulter
  • Patent number: 6929036
    Abstract: Replacing fluid in a sealed system interconnected by fluid conduction tubes with a lower port of a spent fluid container and a lower port of a new fluid container. A fluid pump is interconnected by the fluid conductors in such manner as to suck air from an upper port of the spent fluid container, thereby urging spent fluid from the system into the spent fluid container, and simultaneously forcing air into an upper port of the new fluid container thereby urging new fluid into the system to replace the spent fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Adam Awad
  • Patent number: 6929038
    Abstract: A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 6929037
    Abstract: A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 6923221
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser with a booted nozzle for vapor recovery is modified to include check valves in a vapor return path. The check valves selectively allow atmospheric air into the vapor return path to alleviate nuisance shut offs at the nozzle when ORVR vehicle is being fueled. The check valves may be included anywhere in the vapor return path between the nozzle and the vapor recovery vacuum assist pump. The fuel dispenser may further include a pressure sensor in the vapor return line so that the fuel dispenser can determine if the vehicle is an ORVR vehicle or not. If the fuel dispenser determines that an ORVR vehicle is present, the fuel dispenser may modify the operation of the vapor recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Riffle
  • Patent number: 6918416
    Abstract: In a fuel tank installation including a fuel tank with an expansion volume, a filler neck connected to the fuel tank for refueling, a fill vent line for venting the fuel tank during refueling and an operating vent line for venting the expansion volume of the tank, electrically operable valve means for blocking the operating vent line are arranged in a penetration area of the fuel tank where the operating vent line extends through the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Aschoff, Jurgen Kraus, Wolfgang Liebhart
  • Patent number: 6916392
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of producing and servicing insulating glass units. Methods are provided for reducing the pressure differential on an IG unit, for changing the interior pressure within an IG unit, and for changing the gaseous interior composition within an IG. These methods can be practiced by forming a hole through at least one of the panes of an IG unit, and flowing gas through the hole. One method includes forming a hole through one of the panes of an IG unit, flowing gas through the hole, and sealing the hole with an optically clear sealant (e.g., a transparent resin). A number of methods for producing IG units are also provided. Further, several kits are provided for servicing IG units. There is also provided a method for detecting leaks in an IG unit by flowing an opaque gas into the unit and observing the unit to detect leaks of the opaque gas therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Cardinal IG Company
    Inventors: Paul Trpkovski, Bernard J. Herron
  • Patent number: 6904944
    Abstract: A fuel filling device is provided with a fuel supply adjusting section which adjusts the amount of fuel supplied, a fuel feed line which feeds fuel from a fuel supply adjusting section to a vehicle W, a nozzle removably coupled to vehicle W that supplies fuel from fuel feed line to vehicle W, and a discharge device that discharges fuel present within fuel feed line to the outside to prevent deterioration of packings used in the device in the case of filling a fuel at high pressure, while also facilitate the operation of a filling nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignees: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd., Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Satou, Naoyuki Takano, Yoshikazu Shirane, Kunihiko Gotou, Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6904943
    Abstract: A vent system associated with a vapor outlet is coupled to a container (e.g., a fuel tank). The vent system can be used for onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) for vehicles. The vent system includes a first elongated member (e.g., a vent tube), a rotating device, and a second elongated member (e.g., a breather tube) that is coupled between the rotating device and a buoyant device. The buoyant device interacts with materials (e.g., fuel) input into the fuel tank to actuate rotation of the rotating device. Once a predetermined amount of fuel has been input into the fuel tank, the buoyant device rotates the rotating device a predetermined amount, which stops venting of fuel vapor through the vent system. The fuel level continues to increase up the filler pipe until an automatic shut off mechanism of the device controlling fuel input stops fuel flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Scott Dennis
  • Patent number: 6899147
    Abstract: A filler material packing system for packing a granular or fragmental filler material in a bag-shaped hollow surface material includes a suction-type packing container, and means for delivering the filler material. The packing container has an inner space. At least a part of the surface material is air-permeable, and the surface material is positioned in the inner space. The packing container has a suction port and an entry port that are connected to the inner space. The filler material is delivered to the inside of the surface material positioned in the inner space of the packing container by the filler material delivering means. The filler material delivering means includes a cylindrical stirring container having a lid, a sidewall and a bottom wall. The stirring container has a stirring vane positioned on the bottom wall. Air vent holes and an outlet port are provided in an upper part of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Namba Press Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taro Ogawa, Yasumasa Senoo, Yasuyuki Toda, Mitsuo Katayama
  • Patent number: 6899149
    Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing volatile liquids such as hydrocarbon fuel for vehicles into a tank having a filler neck also collects the vapors to reduce atmospheric pollution. A fuel delivery hose includes a hand-held fuel valve and nozzle for insertion in the opening of the tank. A means delivers fuel under pressure to the fuel delivery hose, and another means provides electrical pulses corresponding to the volumetric flow of liquid through the fuel delivery hose when the fuel valve is open. A vapor recovery hose includes a vapor intake connected to the hand-held nozzle for insertion in the opening of the tank without sealing with the tank, and a motor driven vapor pump produces a volumetric flow through the vapor recovery hose corresponding to a signal applied to the motor. A processing means produces the signal applied to the motor in response to the electrical pulses to produce a volumetric flow of vapor slightly greater than the volumetric flow of fuel to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Hal C. Hartsell, Jr., Kenneth L. Pope
  • Patent number: 6896012
    Abstract: Within the scope of the method for oil filling for transmissions, particularly for automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, by way of a filling device attached to an oil overflow orifice on the transmission, as a first step a first oil filling is effected with a basic amount, when the basic amount is filled up, a suction of excess oil is carried out during a simultaneous continuous subsequent dosing. Then follows a final oil adjustment by single subsequent dosing of a specific amount of oil while the suction is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Malte Wilhelm, Jürgen Schulz, Christoph Kirst
  • Patent number: 6896011
    Abstract: A device and a process are used for filling a column with a filler material. The column is provided on two ends with a fill opening or with an intake opening. The column is held by a holding device. Using the holding device the column can be inserted in a tank in which the filler material is located. The column is connected via a connecting line to a negative pressure source. By producing a negative pressure in the interior of the column the filler material can be sucked homogeneously into the interior of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Büchi Labortechnik AG
    Inventor: Angelo Talamona
  • Patent number: 6889732
    Abstract: A vapor recovery spout for a portable fuel container. The spout includes an inner sleeve attached to the container to provide a fuel flow passage through the spout. The passage has an outlet port for fuel to flow through into a tank. A sliding sleeve is mounted on the inner sleeve for sliding axial movement from an outwardly extended position to a retracted position. A radially extending annular seal is mounted on the sliding sleeve for sealing the fuel tank opening when the spout is inserted. Vapor recovery passages are provided between the inner sleeve and the sliding sleeve for displaced vapor to flow from the tank to the container. The sliding sleeve closes the fuel passage and the vapor recovery passageways when in its extended position and opens the fuel passage and the vapor recovery passageways when in its retracted position. A spring urges the sliding sleeve to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Clifford Harry Allen
  • Patent number: 6889728
    Abstract: A high-speed bulk filling tank truck is provided, which permits reduction of the filling time. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck delivers a liquefied gas in a truck tank to a bulk storage tank, and recovers a gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank into the truck tank, thereby filling the bulk storage tank with the liquefied gas. The high-speed bulk filling tank truck includes a liquid feed pump, provided on a liquid line through which the liquefied gas flows, for feeding the liquefied gas in the truck tank to the bulk storage tank, and a gas compressor, provided on the gas line through which a gas-phase gas flows, for compressing the gas-phase gas in the bulk storage tank and delivering the same into the truck tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Koagas Nihon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Kamikozuru
  • Patent number: 6886606
    Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in conjunction with a servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a rigid manifold body with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Few, Michael Schwindaman
  • Patent number: 6880585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6880586
    Abstract: A fuel filler assembly collar comprising: a first semicircular shaped structure having a first pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, each of the terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, a chamber duct in the top edge of the first semicircular structure, and an outer circumferential side separating the top edge and the bottom edge, and an elbow-shaped tubular structure connected to a fuel vapor vent tube; and a second semicircular shaped structure having a second pair of terminal ends which lie in a common vertical plane, the two terminal ends including at least two locking means, a top edge forming an upper semicircular rim, a bottom edge forming a lower semicircular rim, the top edge and the bottom edge lying in spaced apart horizontal planes with respect to each other, and one or mor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dayco Products, LLC
    Inventors: Allen G. Crowley, David D. Chen, Mingchi Michael Tsai
  • Patent number: 6877531
    Abstract: A servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a manifold with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Patent number: 6868876
    Abstract: A device for the sacking of bulk material having a product container for receiving bulk material, a filling funnel, and a dust filter. A separator, which is connected to the filling funnel via a connection line, is arranged upstream to the dust filter. Furthermore, the separator for the extracted bulk material is connected to the product container for returning extracted bulk material thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Ludger Nobbe
  • Patent number: 6866299
    Abstract: A slurpie hose connection, for attachment between the coaxial hose and the back end of a fuel dispensing nozzle, including two parts, a connector part that fits within the back end of the nozzle, a hose part that secures with the leading edge of the hose, such that when these two parts are brought together, and pushed into sealed engagement, a nut is fastened within the back end of the nozzle, to tightly and snuggly secure the hose connection together, available for prompt usage. A slurpie tube may fasten to tube fittings and extend forwardly in the nozzle, as known, and extend to the bottom of the coaxial hose, to act as a slurpie to remove any accumulated or condensed fuel, from this location, and to prevent its blockage of the return of vapors to the dispenser and for underground storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Husky Corporation, a Missouri Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon R. Coates
  • Patent number: 6866071
    Abstract: A Dustless Stacker hood for suppressing dust generated during the stockpiling of materials such as coal. The Dustless Stacker hood receives coal from overhead chute; the received coal falls through Dustless Stacker hood to the top of a stockpile, and the Dustless Stacker hood confines dust inside Dustless Stacker hood. The dust-laden air swirls within the Dustless Stacker hood through a recirculation pipe and back to the overhead chute to enhance an agglomeration process which causes the dust particles stick together and fall to the top of stockpile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Air Control Science, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6863096
    Abstract: An apparatus for packing a container with powder of the present invention includes a suction pipe. The suction pipe includes an air separating portion implemented by a plurality of layers that are sieve nets or filters each having a particular mesh size. The air separating portion can therefore suck air contained in the powder over its entire periphery, enhancing dense, accurate packing of the container with the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirosato Amano
  • Patent number: 6863095
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel control system is provided which includes a canister, and a fill-up control valve disposed in a vent line that communicates a fuel tank with the canister for controlling fill-up of the fuel tank. The fill-up control valve includes a casing, a float disposed in a space formed in the casing such that the float is movable up or down in the space, and a valve body provided in an upper portion of the float. In the evaporative fuel control system, the fill-up control valve is located outside and above the fuel tank, and a head difference is provided between a full level of the fuel tank and the fill-up control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Osaki, Takehiro Nagase
  • Patent number: 6857454
    Abstract: A fuel tank and a canister are connected to each other by a first evaporated-fuel passage and a second evaporated-fuel passage, and a valve chamber of a float valve separate from the fuel tank is disposed at an intermediate portion of the first evaporated-fuel passage. Thus, there is no limitation in the positional relationship between a filled-up liquid surface in the fuel tank and a valve seat of the float valve. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the vertical dimension of the float valve. Moreover, since the valve chamber is provided separately from the fuel tank, it is unnecessary to define an opening for mounting the valve chamber to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taiki Yanase, Tsuyoshi Chou, Hisayuki Goma
  • Patent number: 6854492
    Abstract: An electrically operated valve is connected in the vapor recirculation line from a float operated vent valve, or a direct vapor recirculation line from the tank top to the upper end of the tank filler tube. The electrically operated valve is actuated by an electronic controller (ECU) which receives a fuel level signal either from the float operated level sender or from a thermistor located in the tank adjacent the top wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 6854491
    Abstract: A low liquid retention fuel nozzle that is mainly comprised of a nozzle body and a spout attached to the nozzle body. A fuel supply travels down the nozzle body and through the spout and into a container. Typically, after the flow of fuel is stopped within a nozzle, fuel drips from the spout and resides on its surfaces. Nozzle spouts are typically made from aluminum which is easily wet-out by fuels which facilitates the creation of drips and residual fuel. The present invention is directed towards a spout with one or more surfaces that have a low surface energy. The low surface energy promotes drops to form. The resulting drops are likely to fall into the container to be filled prior to the user removing the spout from the container. The result is less contaminating fuel drops on the ground and less environmentally polluting fuel vapors reaching the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: KnuBox Technologies
    Inventors: Paul A. Knight, Walt D. Takisaki
  • Patent number: 6851628
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided including with a nozzle body having an inlet for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing liquid, and a liquid passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The nozzle includes a valve assembly adapted to selectively control the flow of liquid through the liquid passage. The nozzle further includes a latch stem including a latch groove and a pivot and a lever pivotally attached to the latch stem adjacent the pivot, wherein the latch stem may be selectively locked with respect to the nozzle body to provide an operable pivot to facilitate actuation of the valve assembly by the lever, and wherein the latch stem may be selectively unlocked with respect to the nozzle body to release the pivot to hinder actuation of the valve assembly by the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Harold M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 6851458
    Abstract: An on board refueling vapor recovery system includes a first fuel vapor passage for connecting a fuel tank with a canister, a second fuel vapor passage for connecting an inlet portion of a fuel filler pipe with the fuel vapor passage (a tank main body) and a check valve in the second fuel vapor passage. The check valve is integrated with a first quick connector of a resin hose (a resin tube) which constitutes the second fuel vapor passage. Therefore, the number of man hours required for assembling the on board refueling vapor recovery system can be reduced. In addition, the space required for installing any of the on board refueling vapor recovery system can also be reduced. Furthermore, the amount of released fuel evaporative emissions or fuel evaporative emissions can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeaki Nakajima, Tadahisa Nakamura, Takeshi Honda, Kiyofumi Shida, Hiroto Inoue
  • Patent number: 6848480
    Abstract: A method for filling a dual fluid cartridge assembly which automatically bleeds air from the cartridge to filling and without extra steps or a vacuum as in known filling methods. In particular, the process relates to providing a dual fluid cartridge assembly which includes vents that bleed air from the cartridges initially and automatically closes the vents as the piston seal moves away from the vent. By utilizing such a self-bleeding cartridge assembly, the cartridge can be filled by a fluid dispenser without the need for shims, a vacuum or bleed plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: TAH Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Brennan
  • Patent number: 6848481
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for removing hazardous liquid from a wet line of a cargo tanker truck. The system includes a sight glass module positioned at the outboard end of the wet line. The sight glass module includes a vent, a drain, and an optical sensor. When the optical sensor senses liquid in the module, a control system operates to pump the liquid from the drain into the cargo tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: EBW, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Bay, Scott Bradley Schugars
  • Patent number: 6843284
    Abstract: A sandbox filler crook comprising a feed pipe in which a granular material is transported by compressed air, which pipe presents successively an upstream portion for holding by an operator, a curved intermediate portion, and a downstream portion for insertion into a feed orifice of the sandbox, the upstream and downstream portions being rectilinear and substantially vertical during filling, wherein said downstream portion of the pipe includes at least one side orifice for air exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: NEU International
    Inventor: Jack Morin
  • Patent number: 6840292
    Abstract: A system and method for removing, compressing, and storing excess air and vapors from a fuel dispensing facility fuel storage containment system during periods of over-pressurization without venting or processing the excess air and vapors. The stored air and vapors are subsequently returned back to the containment system during periods of under-pressurization that typically occur diurnally during periods of high fueling activity. The system may be used to compliment an ORVR compatible dispensing system that typically encounters over-pressurization problems when low or no refueling activity is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Hart, Kent Reid, Kevin Hughes
  • Patent number: 6834686
    Abstract: A tank pressure management system includes a vapor condensing system in fluid communication with a storage tank and an accumulator vessel in fluid communication with the vapor condensing system and a storage tank. The accumulator vessel includes an air/vapor conduit and a liquid conduit connected to a storage tank. A method of managing air/vapor pressure of a storage tank includes the steps of monitoring the pressure in a storage tank, removing air/vapor from a storage tank, separating liquid from the air/vapor, returning all remaining air/vapor to a storage tank and returning the liquid to a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, John P. Nesbit
  • Patent number: 6835223
    Abstract: A fuel storage and dispensing system reduces the emission of harmful volatile organic compounds. The system includes at least one storage tank, an air exhaust port, at least one fuel dispenser, a fuel dispensing nozzle, a rigid, fuel dispensing spout, a boot, a pressure relief chamber, a filter system, and at least one pump. The rigid, fuel dispensing spout further defines a non-coaxial fuel tube. The boot is configured to maintain a sufficient level of vacuum within the fuel storage and dispensing system. The boot is further configured to prevent fresh air from entering the fuel dispensing nozzle. The system may further include a pressure relief chamber that is effective in compensating for high temperature pressure build up in a vapor assist hose, a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout assembly, a vapor recovery boot assembly, and a Venturi shut-off assembly for a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Walker, Rodger P. Grantham, Ken Allen
  • Patent number: 6836732
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ensuring effective and efficient vehicle vapor recovery performance, storage tank system integrity relative to both vapor and liquid containment and for reducing the probability that inaccurate information causes companies to undertake unnecessary, expensive and wasteful loss investigations at gasoline dispensing facilities. A fuel storage and delivery system is transformed from an “open system” communicating directly with the environment to a “closed system” which ensures capture, containment and accurate accounting of both hydrocarbon vapors and liquid phase product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Arid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tedmund P. Tiberi
  • Publication number: 20040250870
    Abstract: A filler material packing system for packing a granular or fragmental filler material in a bag-shaped hollow surface material includes a suction-type packing container, and means for delivering the filler material. The packing container has an inner space. At least a part of the surface material is air-permeable, and the surface material is positioned in the inner space. The packing container has a suction port and an entry port that are connected to the inner space. The filler material is delivered to the inside of the surface material positioned in the inner space of the packing container by the filler material delivering means. The filler material delivering means includes a cylindrical stirring container having a lid, a sidewall and a bottom wall. The stirring container has a stirring vane positioned on the bottom wall. Air vent holes and an outlet port are provided in an upper part of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Taro Ogawa, Yasumasa Senoo, Yasuyuki Toda, Mitsuo Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040250871
    Abstract: A fueling facility and method for dispensing liquid natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG) or both on-demand. The fueling facility may include a source of LNG, such as cryogenic storage vessel. A low volume high pressure pump is coupled to the source of LNG to produce a stream of pressurized LNG. The stream of pressurized LNG may be selectively directed through an LNG flow path or to a CNG flow path which includes a vaporizer configured to produce CNG from the pressurized LNG. A portion of the CNG may be drawn from the CNG flow path and introduced into the CNG flow path to control the temperature of LNG flowing therethrough. Similarly, a portion of the LNG may be drawn from the LNG flow path and introduced into the CNG flow path to control the temperature of CNG flowing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis A. Bingham, Michael L. Clark, Bruce M. Wilding, Gary L. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20040250872
    Abstract: A sandbox filler crook comprising a feed pipe in which a granular material is transported by compressed air, which pipe presents successively an upstream portion for holding by an operator, a curved intermediate portion, and a downstream portion for insertion into a feed orifice of the sandbox, the upstream and downstream portions being rectilinear and substantially vertical during filling, wherein said downstream portion of the pipe includes at least one side orifice for air exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: NEU INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Jack Morin
  • Patent number: 6830082
    Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus with new and used fluid tanks for exchanging fluid with a serviceable vehicular subsystem having a fluid reservoir includes a control system with dielectric sensing capabilities to monitor the fluid level within the tanks and, based upon such fluid levels or relative changes thereto, regulate the flow of fluid between the vehicular subsystem and the tanks through selective operation of a fluid flow rate control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery P. Few
  • Patent number: 6830080
    Abstract: A turbine flow meter used as a vapor flow meter in a vapor recovery-equipped fuel dispenser. The turbine flow meter measures the vapor recovered by the fuel dispenser during a fueling operation that is returned back to the underground storage tank. The turbine flow meter measurements may be ignored when fuel is no longer flowing through the fuel dispenser since the turbine rotors in the turbine flow meter may continue to rotate even after vapor is no longer being recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 6830083
    Abstract: A hydraulic flushing system includes an indicia reader adapted to read indicia on a hydraulic fluid container and a data processor coupled to the indicia reader to determine if the indicia has been utilized before in the hydraulic flushing system. The hydraulic flushing system may include a pump to pump hydraulic fluid from the container. The data processor may prevent operation of the pump if the indicia has been utilized before in the hydraulic flushing system or if the indicia does not indicate a proper grade of hydraulic fluid for a type of vehicle being serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Environmental Brake Services
    Inventors: Peter C. Hollub, Joseph D. Lentini
  • Patent number: 6810922
    Abstract: A fueling and associated vapor recovery system maintains the same, or lower, vacuum level in the vapor hose during ORVR vehicle refueling as that seen during a non-ORVR refueling. A valve assembly is made as either a part of the end of the vapor recovery hose assembly, a separate unit that is placed between the hose assembly and the nozzle, or incorporated directly into the nozzle. The valve assembly includes a diaphragm biased to one position by a spring to which is attached a sliding valve member. The force of the spring on the diaphragm is sufficient to keep the valve member in the original position when refueling non-ORVR vehicles so that the vapor hose is unobstructed and an air bleed hole is closed. When refueling an ORVR vehicle, the elevated vacuum level moves the diaphragm and valve member to a second position which blocks off the vapor hose from the vacuum pump and opens up the vapor hose to the air bleed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodger P. Grantham
  • Publication number: 20040211482
    Abstract: Gravity fill line vent fitting includes a body member having a water fill opening and vent opening adapted to be connected to the elevated ends of a water fill line and surrounding air vent line, respectively, of a potable water storage tank. An inner tubular extension and surrounding hose fitting may be connected to the inner/bottom side of the body member for use in attaching the water fill line and air vent line, respectively, to the body member. An outer tubular extension and surrounding service fitting may be connected to the outer side of the body member. A cap is insertable over the service fitting for sealing off both the water fill opening and vent opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Brooker
  • Patent number: 6805173
    Abstract: A passive pressure control method and system for controlling pressure in the ullage vapor space of a volatile liquid fuel underground storage tank (“UST”) temporarily, during periods of increasing ullage vapor space pressure, allows vapor to flow into an auxiliary vapor space of variable volume, defined at least in part by a resilient wall member, thereby to reduce the volume of vapor otherwise released to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Healy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Healy
  • Patent number: 6805159
    Abstract: A fuel refilling assembly for transferring fuel from a nozzle to a fuel tank of a motor vehicle. The fuel refilling assembly includes a fuel filler neck extending out from the fuel tank. The fuel filler neck has a tank end disposed adjacent the fuel tank and a distal end. A housing is fixedly secured to the distal end of the fuel filler neck. The housing defines an opening for receiving the nozzle therethrough. A flapper door is pivotally secured to the housing and is movable between a closed position for preventing access from the housing to the fuel filler neck, and an open position for allowing the nozzle to transfer fuel to the fuel tank via the fuel filler neck. A dampener mechanism abuts the flapper door. The dampener mechanism dampens the movement of the flapper door as the flapper door moves from the open position to the closed position upon the removal of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael A. Beaulne, Ronald G. Stark
  • Patent number: 6802345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20040194847
    Abstract: A manifold assembly for use in conjunction with a servicing apparatus for exchanging fluid between a serviceable automobile component and new and used fluid tanks and including a rigid manifold body with a fluid circuit defining a plurality of pathways connecting a plurality of ports whereby fluid is directed through the fluid circuit and ports by selectively operating first and second valves and circulated using a common pump to exchange fluid, recirculate fluid, and drain both the used and new fluid tanks as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Publication number: 20040187956
    Abstract: A vent system associated with a vapor outlet is coupled to a container (e.g., a fuel tank). The vent system can be used for onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) for vehicles. The vent system includes a first elongated member (e.g., a vent tube), a rotating device, and a second elongated member (e.g., a breather tube) that is coupled between the rotating device and a buoyant device. The buoyant device interacts with materials (e.g., fuel) input into the fuel tank to actuate rotation of the rotating device. Once a predetermined amount of fuel has been input into the fuel tank, the buoyant device rotates the rotating device a predetermined amount, which stops venting of fuel vapor through the vent system. The fuel level continues to increase up the filler pipe until an automatic shut off mechanism of the device controlling fuel input stops fuel flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Scott Dennis
  • Patent number: 6796339
    Abstract: A hydraulic system servicing apparatus includes an old fluid holding vessel and a new fluid supply vessel with a selector valve which draws fluid from the holding vessel during flushing operations and draws fluid from the supply vessel during fluid replacement and bleeding operations. A pump moves the fluid through the selector valve and supplies it to a flow reversing valve which has a master cylinder line and a plurality of bleeder valve lines for connection to the hydraulic system. A shutoff valve is provided in each bleeder valve lines for directing fluid through the different branches of the hydraulic system. To flush the system, the flow reversing valve is cycled to circulate the fluid from the old fluid holding vessel in opposite directions and return it to the old fluid holding vessel. To replace the fluid and bleed the system, the fluid selector valve directs new fluid through the flow reversing valve into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jon A. Petty