Nozzle apparatus and engagement method
First Claim
1. In a nozzle device of below-ground apparatus for fueling a stationary vehicle on the ground above such apparatus by engagement of the nozzle with a bottom inlet on an exposed vehicle tank bottom, the improvement comprising:
- a vertically-movable frame;
an upwardly-facing nozzle member carried by the frame, said nozzle member being horizontally movable with respect to the frame in any direction in a horizontal plane; and
positioning means to position the nozzle member on the frame by such horizontal movment with respect to the frame to bring the nozzle member into vertical alignment with said inlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved nozzle apparatus and method for automatic engagement with a bottom inlet. The apparatus is characterized by a frame and an upwardly-facing nozzle member carried by the frame and horizontally movable thereon into a position of vertical alignment with the inlet. In preferred embodiments, a blower creates an air ride for the nozzle member facilitating its positioning on the frame, and another blower creates a vacuum to hold the nozzle member in proper position for engagement with the inlet. The nozzle member is preferably conical in shape.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a nozzle device of below-ground apparatus for fueling a stationary vehicle on the ground above such apparatus by engagement of the nozzle with a bottom inlet on an exposed vehicle tank bottom, the improvement comprising:
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a vertically-movable frame; an upwardly-facing nozzle member carried by the frame, said nozzle member being horizontally movable with respect to the frame in any direction in a horizontal plane; and positioning means to position the nozzle member on the frame by such horizontal movment with respect to the frame to bring the nozzle member into vertical alignment with said inlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a method for automatically engaging a nozzle member, of below-ground apparatus for fueling a stationary vehicle on the ground above such apparatus, with an inlet on an exposed vehicle tank bottom, the improvement comprising:
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supporting a nozzle member on a vertically-movable frame, said frame having a horizontal upper support surface, said nozzle member being horizontally movable in any direction on the upper support surface and including an upright outlet member and a base element with a horizontal lower surface adjacent to the upper support surface; positioning the nozzle member on the frame by such horizontal movement on the upper support surface to bring the nozzle member into vertical alignment with said inlet; and thereafter lifting the frame until the nozzle member engages the inlet, thereby allowing fueling to proceed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification