Fuel dispensing nozzle improvement

• US 5,127,451 A
• Filed: 12/26/1991
• Issued: 07/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Husky Corporation
• Original Assignee: Husky Corporation
• Inventors: Fink, Arthur C. Jr., Mitchell, Thomas O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US07/813,504
• Time in Patent Office: 194 Days
• Field of Search: 141/206-229, 141/198, 141/392, 141/285, 141/295, 141/290-292, 141/296, 141/301, 141/302, 141/304, 141/305, 141/59
• US Class Current: 141/206
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2007/545 Additional means for preventing dispensing of liquid by incorrect sealing engagement with the tank opening of the vapour recovering means, e.g. bellows, shrouds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/48 by making use of air suction through an opening closed by the rising liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/54 with means for preventing escape of liquid or vapour or for recovering escaped liquid or vapour B67D7/44 takes precedence

Abstract

A fuel dispensing nozzle (10) has a body (12) in which a fuel passage is formed. A spout assembly (18) is attachable to the body in fluid communication therewith for fuel to flow from the body through the spout and into a tank (T). A valve (20) is interposed in the passage and controls fuel flow through the body. A flexible bellows (80) fits over the spout with the outer end (72) thereof sealingly engaging an inlet (I) of the tank to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. A control apparatus is responsive to movement of the bellows when the spout is inserted into the tank to open the valve, and to removal of the spout from the tank to close the valve. An apparatus (176) is responsive to the vapor pressure within the tank to effect closing of the valve when an overpressure condition occurs thereby to prevent vapor from escaping into the atmosphere. The apparatus includes first and second pivotally connected levers (132, 136) one of which moves in response to movement of the bellows and the other of which moves in response to the vapor pressure reaching a predetermined level indicative of the tank being substantially full to close the valve and prevent vapors from escaping.

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle tank comprising a body in which is formed a fuel passage, said nozzle body having a forwardly disposed housing portion, a spout attachable to the housing portion and in fluid communication therewith for fuel to flow from the body through the housing portion and into and through the spout and for delivery into a tank, a valve interposed in the body passage for controlling fuel flow through the body, a flexible bellows fitting over the spout and with the outer end thereof sealingly engaging an inlet of the tank to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere, the other end of said bellows mounting onto the housing portion of the nozzle body, select means controlling the operation of the valve to control fuel flow through the nozzle and to attain closure of the valve and shut-off of the dispensing of fuel, said means being responsive to the build up of fuel pressure during fuel dispensing, the level of the fuel being dispensed into the tank reaching a full level, and the excessive build up of vapor pressure during the dispensing of fuel, the front end of said bellows having an outer end seal provided thereon, for initial sealing engagement with the fuel tank inlet during initial deposit of the nozzle spout therein, a vapor valve seal provided mounted upon the forwardly disposed housing portion of the nozzle body, a first spring means mounted upon the housing portion and normally urging said vapor valve seal into closure, to prevent the escape of vapors once captured within the nozzle, a precompressed spring means provided mounted upon the housing portion and disposed, at one end, for biasing against the vapor valve seal, the opposite end of said precompressed spring means having a seat provided thereon, and a retaining cable extending the length of said precompressed spring means and fixing it into compression, whereby upon insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle into the vehicle tank inlet, the precompressed spring means initially forces the vapor valve seal into opening, before the precompressed spring means allows further insertion of the nozzle spout into the tank inlet for fuel dispensing.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said spring seat, when the nozzle is not in use, being loosely disposed from the outer end seal of the bellows means, but that upon insertion of the fuel dispensing nozzle into the vehicle tank inlet, said spring seat engages the outer end seal of the bellows after the latter has sealed against the vehicle tank inlet.

3. The invention of claim 2 and wherein said first spring means being of lesser strength than the precompressed spring means.