Vapor passage fuel blockage removal

• US 4,749,009 A
• Filed: 10/23/1987
• Issued: 06/07/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tokheim Holding B.V. (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tokheim Sas (Cognetas LLP)
• Inventors: Faeth, Warren P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/113,372
• Time in Patent Office: 228 Days
• Field of Search: 141/192-229, 141/285-310, 141/37-66, 141/392, 141/382-386
• US Class Current: 141/45
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0488 Means for preventing the formation of condensation on, or for removing condensation from, vapour recovery lines

Abstract

A device for mounting in a fuel dispensing hose that has a flexible inner tube defining the fuel conduit, and a tubular outer sleeve that defines with the inner tube an annular vapor return passage. The device includes a venturi section adapted for serial connection with the inner tube within the outer sleeve. The section comprises a cylindrical block that connects at each end with an end of the inner tube and defines a venturi forming part of the fuel conduit. The block also has an aspirator means that defines at least two radial ports communicating between the venturi throat and the annular vapor passage. Each radial port has a check valve to block fuel flow from the fuel conduit to the vapor passage.

Claims

1. In a liquid dispensing hose for distributing liquid fuel from a pump to a valved nozzle adapted to be inserted into the fill pipe of a vehicle fuel tank, said hose having an inner tube defining a fuel conduit and a tubular outer sleeve that defines with said inner tube an annular passage for recovering fuel vapors from said fuel tank, the improvement comprising:

a venturi section adapted for serial connection with said inner tube within said outer sleeve and comprising a cylindrical block having connecting means at each end for connection to end portions of said inner tube and defining a venturi having a throat which forms a part of said fuel conduit;

aspirator means defining at least two radial ports in said venturi section for communicating between said venturi throat and said annular vapor passage; and

a check valve means associated with each said radial port for blocking fuel flow from said fuel conduit to said annular passage, said check valve means respectively having inlet openings directed radially outwardly of said venturi section and facing said tubular outer sleeve, whereby liquid fuel collected in said annular passage adjacent said venturi section is drawn through said aspirator means due to suction produced in said venturi throat.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said radial ports extend through said block at uniformly spaced locations in a transverse plane that intersects said block at approximately the throat of said venturi.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of radial ports comprises three said radial ports.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said check valve means comprises an umbrella valve.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of filters respectively located upstream of each said check valve means.