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Fuel storage and dispensing system

  • US 6,835,223 B2
  • Filed: 12/31/2002
  • Issued: 12/28/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A fuel storage and dispensing system comprising:

  • at least one storage tank including at least one fluid vent port and at least one pollutant return port;

    an air exhaust port;

    at least one fuel dispenser, at least one fuel delivery port, and at least one vapor return port, wherein said fuel delivery port and said vapor return port are configured to couple said storage tank to said fuel dispenser, and wherein said fuel dispenser further comprises a vapor assist hose defining a fuel dispensing passage and a vapor recovery passage, wherein said vapor assist hose extends from a fuel input end to a fuel dispensing end, a meter configured to provide an indication of an amount of fuel dispensed through said vapor assist hose, and a dispenser coupling configured to place said fuel dispensing passage in communication with said fuel delivery port, and said vapor recovery passage in communication with said vapor return port;

    a fuel dispensing nozzle defining a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, wherein said hose attachment end is coupled with said fuel dispensing end of said vapor assist hose, said spout attachment end further defines a vapor return opening, and said vapor recovery passage of said vapor assist hose is in communication with said vapor return opening;

    a rigid, fuel dispensing spout coupled to said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle, wherein said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose is in communication with said rigid, fuel dispensing spout, and said rigid, fuel dispensing spout further defines a non-axial fuel tube;

    a boot defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is coupled to said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle and said distal end is configured for communication with a surface proximate a fuel tank inlet pipe of a vehicle during fueling, said boot is positioned surrounding said rigid, fuel dispensing spout and defines an annular passage, said annular passage is configured for receiving fuel vapor displaced from said fuel inlet pipe of said vehicle during fueling and, said annular passage is in communication with said vapor return opening in said spout attachment end of said fuel dispensing nozzle;

    a pressure relief chamber in communication with said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose, wherein said pressure relief chamber comprises a bleed hole and a fluid volume sufficient to enable fuel traveling within said fuel dispensing passage of said vapor assist hose to create a pressure relief vacuum within said chamber and, wherein said pressure relief vacuum has a magnitude sufficient to compensate for high temperature pressure build-up in said vapor assist hose;

    a filter system comprising a filter input port coupled to said fluid vent port; and

    at least one pump configured to cause fluid to pass through said filter input port, wherein said storage tank, said filter system, and said pump are configured such that said storage tank and additional portions of said fuel storage and dispensing system operate below atmospheric pressure.

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