Refueling apparatus

• US 8,430,117 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Mitrovich
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Mitrovich
• Inventors: Mitrovich, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US12/767,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20110259473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 137/398, 137/409, 137/412, 137/413, 137/415, 141/198, 141/303, 251/33, 251/41, 251/43
• US Class Current: 137/413
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/365 using floats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3099 Float responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7371 Fluid pressure

Abstract

A combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems.

Claims

1. A refueling system for a vehicle, said refueling system comprising:

a fuel tank, said fuel tank having a side wall, said fuel tank having an internally threaded port through said side wall, said port having an inside diameter of three-quarters of an inch or less;

a fluid flow control valve configured for connection with a fuel source, said fluid flow control valve connecting to a bleed line;

said bleed line interconnecting said fluid flow control valve and a float control module;

said float control module connecting to said bleed line, said float control module having an open position where bleed fluid may flow from said bleed line through said float control module and into said fuel tank, said float control module having a closed position where bleed fluid is prevented from flowing through said float control module, said open and closed positions controlled by the raising and lowering of a float portion, said float control module comprising;

an externally threaded portion having threading configured for threading into the port'"'"'s internal threads, said externally threaded portion comprising a housing configured for rotatably receiving a drum of a central assembly therein, said central assembly comprising said drum rotatably received in said housing, an inlet port, an upper inlet bore defined through said central assembly, said upper inlet bore extending from said inlet port to an outlet port, and said outlet port, said outlet port fluidly connecting to a valve assembly, said valve assembly having a diameter smaller than said port inside diameter, said valve assembly for interrupting the flow of said bleed fluid through said float control module, and a float portion having a diameter smaller than said port inside diameter, thereby enabling said valve assembly and said float portion to be inserted through said port and into said fuel tank;

wherein in said open position the flow of the bleed fluid through the bleed line is prevented, triggering the control valve to close, thereby preventing a flow of fuel from said fuel source from flowing through said fluid flow control valve into said fuel tank; and

wherein in said closed position the flow of the bleed fluid through the bleed line is permitted, thereby triggering the control valve to open and permitting a flow of fuel from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve and into said fuel tank.

2. The refueling system of claim 1, further comprising a rotation lock for preventing the rotation of said central assembly within said housing.

3. A refueling system for a vehicle having a fuel tank, said fuel tank having a side wall having an internally threaded port defined therein, said refueling system comprising:

a fluid flow control valve for controlling the flow of fuel from a fuel source into said fuel tank, said fluid flow control valve connecting to a bleed line;

said bleed line interconnecting said fluid flow control valve and a float control module; and

said float control module connecting to said bleed line, said float control module comprising;

a head, wherein said head comprises;

an externally threaded portion having threading configured for threading into said port'"'"'s internal threads, and a housing, wherein said housing is configured for rotatably receiving a drum of a central assembly therein;

said central assembly comprising;

said drum rotatably received in said housing, an inlet port, an upper inlet bore defined through said central assembly, said upper inlet bore extending from said inlet port to an outlet port, said upper inlet bore having threading configured for receiving a threaded extension first end, and said outlet port;

said extension comprising;

a tubular member having threaded ends, namely said first end and a second end, said tubular member defining a center inlet bore there-through, said first end configured for insertion through said outlet port and into threaded engagement with said upper inlet bore, said second end configured for insertion into a receiver and into threaded engagement with a lower inlet bore;

a body comprising;

an upper portion, said upper portion defining said receiver, a lower portion connecting to said upper portion, said lower portion comprising an outlet, said outlet fluidly connected to said fuel tank, a lower inlet bore extending through said body from said receiver to said outlet, a valve, wherein said valve comprises an open position where bleed fluid may flow from said bleed line through said float control module and into said fuel tank, said valve having a closed position where bleed fluid is prevented from flowing through said float control module, said open and closed positions controlled by the raising and lowering of a float portion;

said float portion comprising a float; and

a rotation lock for preventing the rotation of said central assembly within said head.

4. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein said drum defines a channel, said channel containing an o-ring for sealing engagement with said housing.

5. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein said central assembly comprises a connector inserted through said inlet port and threaded into said upper inlet bore, said connector connecting to said bleed line.

6. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein said valve comprises a cylinder portion within said lower inlet bore, said cylinder sized for receiving a piston, said piston having a base portion configured for sealing engagement with a seat adjacent said outlet, said piston biased in the closed position via a spring, said piston having a boss extending through said outlet, and said boss configured for manipulation by a cam member of a float portion'"'"'s arm.

7. The refueling system of claim 6, wherein said float portion comprising a float arm, said float arm comprising said cam member, said float attaching to said float arm;

and a pivot pin pivotally connecting said float portion to said lower portion, wherein rotation of said float portion at said pivot pin causing said cam member to variably contact said boss of said piston, opening and closing said valve.

8. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein said rotation lock comprises a top plate, wherein said top plate is configured for engaging said central assembly, and at least one bolt, wherein said bolt is configured for fixing said top plate in engagement with said central assembly.

9. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein when said valve is open, fuel can flow from said fluid flow control valve through said bleed line through said float control module and into said fuel tank, and the fluid flow control valve to open, thereby permitting a flow of fuel from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve and into said fuel tank.

10. The refueling system of claim 9, wherein when said valve is closed, the flow of fuel through said bleed line stops, causing the fluid flow control valve to close, thereby preventing fuel from flowing from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve into said fuel tank.

11. The refueling system of claim 3, wherein said port has an inside diameter of three-quarters of an inch or less and that said float portion, said extension, and said body have a diameter smaller than said port inside diameter, thereby enabling said float portion, said extension and said body to be inserted through said port and into said fuel tank.

12. The refueling system of claim 3, further comprising a bleed flow interrupter located inline of said bleed line, said bleed flow interrupter able to interrupt said bleed flow thereby allowing an operator to test said fluid flow control valve, wherein when said bleed flow is interrupted the flow of fuel through said bleed line stops, causing the fluid flow control valve to close, thereby preventing fuel from flowing from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve into said fuel tank.

13. A refueling system for a vehicle having a fuel tank, said fuel tank having a side wall having an internally threaded port defined therein, said refueling system comprising:

a fluid flow control valve for controlling the flow of fuel from a fuel source into said fuel tank, said fluid flow control valve connecting to a bleed line;

said bleed line interconnecting said fluid flow control valve and a float control module; and

said float control module connecting to said bleed line, said float control module comprising;

a head, wherein said head comprises;

an externally threaded portion having threading configured for threading into said port'"'"'s internal threads, and a housing, said housing configured for rotatably receiving a drum of a central assembly therein;

said central assembly, said central assembly comprising;

a drum rotatably received in said housing, an inlet port, an upper inlet bore defined through said central assembly, said upper inlet bore extending from said inlet port to an outlet port, said upper inlet bore having threading configured for receiving a threaded extension first end, and said outlet port;

said extension, said extension comprising;

a tubular member having threaded ends, namely said first end and a second end, said tubular member defining a center inlet bore there-through, said first end configured for insertion through said outlet port and into threaded engagement with said upper inlet bore, said second end configured for insertion into a receiver and into threaded engagement with a lower inlet bore;

a body comprising;

an upper portion, said upper portion defining said receiver, a lower portion connecting to said upper portion, said lower portion comprising an outlet, said outlet fluidly connected to said fuel tank, a lower inlet bore extending through said body from said receiver to said outlet, a valve, wherein said valve comprises a cylinder portion within said lower inlet bore, said cylinder sized for receiving a piston, wherein said piston comprises a base portion configured for sealing engagement with a seat adjacent said outlet, said piston biased in the closed position via spring, said piston having a boss extending through said outlet, said boss configured for manipulation by a cam member of a float portion'"'"'s arm, said valve having an open position where bleed fluid may flow from said bleed line through said float control module and into said fuel tank, said valve having a closed position where bleed fluid is prevented from flowing through said float control module, said open and closed positions controlled by the raising and lowering of a float portion;

said float portion comprising a float arm, a float and a pivot pin, said float arm comprising said cam member, said float attaching to said float arm, and said pivot pin pivotally connecting said float portion to said lower portion, wherein rotation of said float portion at said pivot pin causing said cam member to variably contact said boss of said piston, opening and closing said valve; and

a rotation lock for preventing the rotation of said central assembly within said head, said rotation lock comprising a top plate and at least one bolt, said top plate configured for engaging said central assembly, said bolt configured for fixing said top plate in engagement with said central assembly.

14. The refueling system of claim 13, wherein said drum defines a channel, said channel containing an O-ring for sealing engagement with said housing.

15. The refueling system of claim 13, wherein said central assembly comprises a connector inserted through said inlet port and threaded into said upper inlet bore, said connector connecting to said bleed line.

16. The refueling system of claim 13, wherein said port has an inside diameter of three-quarters of an inch or less and that said float portion, said extension, and said body have a diameter smaller than said port inside diameter, thereby enabling said float portion, said extension and said body to be inserted through said port and into said fuel tank.

17. The refueling system of claim 13, wherein when said valve is open, fuel can flow from said fluid flow control valve through said bleed line through said float control module and into said fuel tank, and the fluid flow control valve to open, thereby permitting a flow of fuel from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve and into said fuel tank;

and wherein when said valve is closed, the flow of fuel through said bleed line stops, causing the fluid flow control valve to close, thereby preventing fuel from flowing from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve into said fuel tank.

18. The refueling system of claim 13, further comprising a bleed flow interrupter located inline of said bleed line, said bleed flow interrupter able to interrupt said bleed flow thereby allowing an operator to test said fluid flow control valve, wherein when said bleed flow is interrupted the flow of fuel through said bleed line stops, causing the fluid flow control valve to close, thereby preventing fuel from flowing from said fuel source through said fluid flow control valve into said fuel tank.