Fuel and vapor flow signaling process

• US 5,244,017 A
• Filed: 03/12/1991
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amoco Corporation (BP PLC)
• Original Assignee: Amoco Corporation (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Koch, Wolfgang H., Hartman, Harry B., Strock, Dennis J., Lambert, Terrance L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US07/667,811
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 141/44-46, 141/59, 141/206-210, 141/217, 141/218, 141/225-228, 141/301, 141/302-304, 141/102, 141/103, 141/104, 141/99, 141/1, 141/4, 141/5, 141/7, 141/8, 141/98 , 141/392, 141/94-96, 141/83, 116/273, 116/274, 116/276, 116/DIG. 7, 116/264, 137/234.6, 137/559, 222/2
• US Class Current: 141/5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0478 constructional features or components vapour recovery nozzles B67D7/54
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/46 when liquid in container to be filled reaches a predetermined level
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/52 and provided with additional flow-controlling valve means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/56 Arrangements of flow-indicators, e.g. transparent compartments, windows, rotary vanes indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of movement G01P13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/07 Fluid actuated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8359 Inspection means

Abstract

A vapor recovery process signals to customers the presence of flow of gasoline or other liquid fuel and the return flow of vapors. In the preferred process, a customer'"'"'s tank is fueled with a vapor recovery nozzle. Vapors emitted during fueling are collected by the nozzle and passed to a vapor return hose and then into a storage tank. A vapor flow indicator on the nozzle signals flow of vapors passing through the nozzle. A separate fuel flow indicator in the nozzle signals fueling, i.e., passing a fuel through the nozzle into the customer'"'"'s tank.

Claims

1. A vapor recovery process, comprising the steps of:

fueling a tank by dispensing liquid volatilizable hydrocarbon fuel into said tank with a vapor recover nozzle;

emitting volatilized hydrocarbon vapors from said tank during fueling;

collecting a substantial amount of said vapors with said nozzle during fueling;

passing said collected vapors from said nozzle through a vapor return hose to a storage tank;

vapor signaling from said nozzle by signaling said passing of said collected vapors through said nozzle and vapor return hose to said storage tank with a viewable mechanical vapor flow indicator on said nozzle; and

fuel signaling from said nozzle by signaling said fueling with a viewable fuel flow indicator in said nozzle spaced separately and away from said vapor flow indicator.

2. The vapor recovery process of claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:

collecting the aforesaid substantial amount of the said vapors during fueling in a vapor return passageway between inner and outer spouts of the aforesaid nozzle;

sensing the presence of said fuel with a liquid sensing tube in said vapor return passageway of said nozzle between said inner and outer spouts to detect when said customer'"'"'s tank is filled; and

automatically shutting off said fueling when said liquid sensing tube detects that said customer'"'"'s tank is filled.

3. A vapor recovery process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said signaling of said passing of said vapors includes turbulently moving and displaying an array of balls positioned in a vapor flow path of said vapors in said nozzle.