Fuel dispenser
First Claim
1. A fuel dispensing nozzle comprising:
- a) a vapor recovery conduit effective to provide communication between a vapor space of a fuel tank to be refuelled and a system to remove vapors displaced by fuel added to the tank;
b) a fuel supply conduit;
c) a sealing means effective to mate in a sealing relationship with a fuel tank inlet and separate the vapor space and surrounding atmosphere other than through the system to remove vapors;
d) an optical liquid sensor within the vapor recovery conduit that is effective to generate a control signal when liquid is detected within the vapor recovery conduit; and
e) a means to disenable fuel flow when a control signal is generated by the optical liquid sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel dispensing nozzle is provided, the fuel dispenser comprising: a) a vapor recovery conduit effective to provide communication between a vapor space of a fuel tank to be refuelled and a system to remove vapors displaced by fuel added to the tank; b) a fuel supply conduit; c) a sealing device effective to mate in a sealing relationship with a fuel tank inlet; d) an optical liquid sensor within the vapor recovery conduit that is effective to generate a control signal when liquid is detected within the vapor recovery conduit; and e) a device to disenable fuel flow when a control signal is generated by the optical liquid sensor. Also, the fuel dispenser comprises a sealing device that comprises a device to determine if a sealing relationship exists between the fuel dispenser and the fuel tank inlet.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A fuel dispensing nozzle comprising:
-
a) a vapor recovery conduit effective to provide communication between a vapor space of a fuel tank to be refuelled and a system to remove vapors displaced by fuel added to the tank; b) a fuel supply conduit; c) a sealing means effective to mate in a sealing relationship with a fuel tank inlet and separate the vapor space and surrounding atmosphere other than through the system to remove vapors; d) an optical liquid sensor within the vapor recovery conduit that is effective to generate a control signal when liquid is detected within the vapor recovery conduit; and e) a means to disenable fuel flow when a control signal is generated by the optical liquid sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method to refill a fuel tank using a refuelling system having a vapor recovery system, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a fuel dispenser, the fuel dispenser comprising a vapor recovery conduit effective to provide communication between a vapor space of a fuel tank to be refuelled and a system to remove vapors displaced by fuel added to the tank, a fuel supply conduit, a sealing means effective to mate in a sealing relationship with a fuel tank inlet and separate the vapor space and surrounding atmosphere other than through the system to remove vapors, an optical liquid sensor within the vapor recovery conduit that is effective to generate a control signal when liquid is detected within the vapor recovery conduit, and a means to disenable fuel flow when a control signal is generated by the optical liquid sensor; mating the sealing means to a fuel tank inlet; passing fuel through the fuel supply conduit into the fuel tank; removing vapors from the tank through the vapor recovery conduit at a volumetric rate that is about equal to the rate fuel is passed through the fuel supply conduit; and discontinuing fuel flow when liquid is detected by the optical liquid sensor.
-
Specification