Automatic shut-off valve arrangement

• US 5,813,432 A
• Filed: 11/04/1994
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Fleet Fueling Corporation
• Original Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Fleet Fueling Corporation
• Inventors: Elsdon, Stanley Robert, Fairles, Gordon Elford, Cornford, Arthur S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US08/334,205
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 137/412, 137/413, 137/434, 137/430, 137/442, 137/443, 137/444, 137/415, 141/198
• US Class Current: 137/413
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/0403 Anti-siphoning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0445 using hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/367 the float acting pneumatically on a shut-off valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7371 Fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7378 From tank

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic shut-off valve arrangement for use in fluid transfer systems. In particular, the valve arrangement or assembly may be mounted in a fluid tank or other type of fluid containment zone to automatically shut off flow from a source, when the desired volume of fill is reached. The assembly is for use in automatic or semi-automatic fluid handling systems which include specialized nozzles and coupling systems which eliminate spillage in the process of connection and disconnection of the nozzle and the tank inlet. An automatic shut-off valve arrangement for use in fluid transfer operations which comprises an inlet and an outlet, means for securing the arrangement to a fluid container such that incoming fluid passes through the arrangement when entering the container, the inlet being opened and closed in response to application of external mechanical opening means and/or incoming fluid pressure, and the outlet being normally closed but opened in response to fluid flow through the arrangement to the container, level sensor flow control means, actuated in response to fluid in the tank reaching a predetermined level, and connected to a bleed passage provided with flow restricting means, and arranged to be in communication with incoming fluid and with operating means of a main valve located in a main valve chamber such that fluid back pressure from the level sensor flow control means acts upon the operating means of the main valve to close the main valve and the main chamber such that fluid is no longer delivered to the fluid container and the valve assembly is shut off.

Claims

1. An automatic shut-off valve for use in fluid transfer operations, comprising:

a valve body having an inlet end and an outlet end;

mounting means for mounting said valve body to an opening of a fluid container so that fluid entering the container must pass through said valve body;

first valve means for permitting fluid to enter said inlet end of said valve body;

main valve means, downstream of said first valve means within said valve body, for precluding fluid flow through said valve body when closed, said main valve means comprising;

a piston;

a volume chamber, expansion of which will extend said piston to close said main valve means;

a metering tube for metering fluid from a location upstream of said main valve means to a location that is downstream of said main valve means;

a bleed tube, positioned about said metering tube, defining in part a bleed passage, said metering tube and said bleed tube further defining a passage therebetween that is in communication with said volume chamber; and

level sensor flow control means for restricting flow through said bleed passage, whereby back pressure will develop within said bleed tube, and fluid will build up in said bleed tube and be introduced into said volume chamber through said passage that is defined between said metering tube and said bleed tube, thereby closing said main valve means.

2. A shut-off valve according to claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining a reasonably constant pressure differential between an interior of said valve body and the container.

3. A shut-off valve according to claim 2, wherein said means for maintaining a reasonably constant pressure differential between an interior of said valve body and the container comprises an outlet poppet valve that is slidingly engaged about said bleed tube.

4. A shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein said level sensor flow control means is positioned externally of said valve body.

5. A shut-off valve according to claim 1, wherein the level sensor flow control means is connected to said valve body in a flexible manner so that its position is not dictated by the position of the valve body.

6. A valve arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the level sensor flow control means is selected from the group comprising pneumatic, mechanical, optical, electrical, electronic, magnetic means and equivalent means.

7. A valve arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the level sensor flow control means is a float actuated valve.