Vapor passage fuel blockage removal

• US 5,129,433 A
• Filed: 05/23/1991
• Issued: 07/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dresser Incorporated (Nagano Keiki Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tokheim Sas (Cognetas LLP)
• Inventors: Faeth, Warren P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/704,332
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 141/44-46, 141/59, 141/302
• 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 hose assembly for dispensing fuel to a nozzle which is adapted to be inserted into the fill pipe of a vehicle fuel tank, said hose assembly comprising an inner tube means having opposed outer ends and defining a fuel conduit and a tubular outer sleeve means having opposed outer ends which defines with said inner tube means an annular passage for recovering fuel vapors from said fuel tank, the improvement wherein said inner tube means comprises two inner tube sections having flexible portions and having adjacent ends, said inner tube sections respectively having passages therethrough and leading from said adjacent ends thereof toward said opposed outer ends of said inner tube means, said inner tube means also comprising a venturi means disposed intermediate said inner tube sections within said outer sleeve means and including passage means therein respectively connected to said passages of said inner tube sections, said venturi means having a plurality of inlet means each having a check valve disposed therein which communicates with said annular vapor passage so that liquid fuel collected in said annular vapor passage is adapted to be drawn through said plurality of inlet means due to suction adapted to be produced in said venturi means upon the flow of fuel through said inner tube means.

2. A hose assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hose assembly is adapted to form a looped low portion when said hose assembly is interconnected to a dispenser pump and is dispensing fuel into a fuel tank and wherein said venturi means is located in said inner tube means so as to be disposed in said looped low portion when said hose assembly is dispensing said fuel.

3. In a method of making a hose assembly for dispensing fuel to a nozzle which is adapted to be inserted into the fill pipe of a vehicle fuel tank, said hose assembly comprising an inner tube means having opposed outer ends and defining a fuel conduit and a tubular outer sleeve means having opposed outer ends which defines with said inner tube means an annular passage for recovering fuel vapors from said fuel tank, the improvement method comprising the steps of:

forming said inner tube means so as to comprise two inner tube sections having flexible portions and having adjacent ends;

disposing said inner tube sections so as to respectively have passages therethrough leading from said adjacent ends thereof toward said opposed outer ends of said inner tube means;

forming said inner tube means to also comprise a venturi means disposed intermediate said inner tube sections within said outer sleeve means and including passage means therein respectively connected to said passages of said inner tube sections; and

forming said venturi means so as to have a plurality of inlet means each having a check valve disposed therein which communicates with said annular vapor passage so that liquid fuel collected in said annular vapor passage is adapted to be drawn through said plurality of inlet means due to suction adapted to be produced in said venturi means upon the flow of fuel through said inner tube means.

4. A method of making a hose assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hose assembly is adapted to form a looped low portion when said hose assembly is interconnected to a dispenser pump and is dispensing fuel into a fuel tank and including the step of forming said inner hose means so that said venturi means is adapted to be disposed in said looped low portion when said hose assembly is dispensing said fuel.