Vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle

• US 8,539,991 B1
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Veeder Root LLC (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Imler, David L., Carmack, Cameron D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US12/807,888
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 141/59, 141/206, 141/285, 141/301, 141/302, 141/392, 141/DIG.1, 141/219
• US Class Current: 141/206
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/48 by making use of air suction through an opening closed by the rising liquid

Abstract

A vacuum-assist fuel dispensing nozzle has a body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage each having a control valve operated simultaneously by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an axially movable tubular member retained by a diaphragm actuated clutch. A fuel dispensing spout extends from the body and a fuel responsive poppet valve, and the spout encloses an air bleed passage which actuates the clutch. The housing supports a vapor flow responsive valve within the vapor passage and includes a ferrous valve member or disc movable within retainers between a closed position contacting an annular seat to block the flow of vapor and an open position permitting a free flow of vapor through the vapor passage. A circular magnet is supported by the retainers and magnetically attracts the valve disc to the closed position in response to no flow of vapor through the vapor passage.

Claims

1. A vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle comprising

a nozzle body defining a fluid supply passage and a valve for controlling the supply of fuel through said fuel supply passage,

a hand actuated lever pivotally supported adjacent said body and connected to operate said fuel control valve,

said body defining a vapor return passage and a vapor flow responsive control valve within said vapor return passage,

said vapor flow responsive control valve including a first magnetic valve member movable between a closed position blocking the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage and an open position permitting the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage,

a second magnetic valve member supported by said nozzle body and magnetically forcing said first magnetic valve member to said closed position, and

a magnetic force between said first magnetic valve member and said second magnetic valve member effective to move said first magnetic valve member to said closed position in response to no flow of vapor through said vapor return passage.

2. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said first magnetic valve member comprises a magnetically attractable ferrous disc supported for movement within said vapor return passage between said open position and said closed position contacting an annular seat member, and said second magnetic valve member comprises a permanent magnet spaced from said disc.

3. A nozzle as defined in claim 2 wherein said disc is generally circular and substantially flat, and said permanent magnet is generally circular and substantially flat.

4. A nozzle as defined in claim 2 and including retainer members spaced circumferentially around said disc, said annular seat member and said magnet and supporting said disc, said seat member and said magnet within a bore in said nozzle body.

5. A nozzle as defined in claim 1 wherein said second magnetic valve member is supported by said nozzle body upstream of said first magnetic valve member with respect to the flow of vapor within said vapor return passage and magnetically pulls said first magnetic valve member to said closed position.

6. A vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle comprising

a nozzle body defining a fluid supply passage and a valve for controlling the supply of fuel through said fuel supply passage,

a hand actuated lever pivotally supported adjacent said body and connected to operate said fuel control valve,

said body defining a vapor return passage and a vapor flow responsive control valve within said vapor return passage,

said vapor flow responsive control valve including a ferrous disc member movable between a closed position contacting an annular seat member and blocking the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage and an open position spaced from said seat member and permitting the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage,

a permanent magnet supported by said nozzle body and magnetically forcing said disc member to said closed position, and

a magnetic force between said disc member and said magnet effective to move said disc member to said closed position in response to no flow of vapor through said vapor return passage.

7. A nozzle as defined in claim 6 and including retainer members spaced circumferentially around said disc, said annular seat member and said magnet and supporting said disc, said seat member and said magnet within a bore in said nozzle body.

8. A nozzle as defined in claim 6 wherein said disc member and said seat member are generally circular and substantially flat, and said permanent magnet is generally circular and substantially flat.

9. A nozzle as defined in claim 6 wherein said magnet is supported by said nozzle body upstream of said disc member with respect to the flow of vapor within said vapor return passage and magnetically pulls said disc member to said closed position.

10. A vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle comprising

a nozzle body defining a fluid supply passage and a valve for controlling the supply of fuel through said fuel supply passage,

said body defining a vapor return passage and a vapor control valve within said vapor return passage,

a hand actuated lever pivotally supported adjacent said body and connected to operate said fuel control valve and said vapor control valve,

a vapor flow responsive control valve within said vapor return passage and including a first magnetic valve member movable between a closed position contacting a valve seat member to block the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage and an open position permitting the flow of vapor through said vapor return passage,

a second magnetic valve member supported by said nozzle body and magnetically attracting said first magnetic valve member to said closed position, and

a magnetic force between said first magnetic valve member and said second magnetic valve member effective to move said first magnetic valve member to said closed position in response to no flow of vapor through said vapor return passage.

11. A nozzle as defined in claim 10 wherein said first magnetic valve member comprises a magnetically attractable ferrous disc supported for movement within said vapor return passage between said open position and said closed position contacting an annular said valve seat member, and said second magnetic valve member comprises a permanent magnet spaced from said disc upstream of the vapor flow within said vapor return passage.

12. A nozzle as defined in claim 11 wherein said disc and said valve seat member are generally circular and substantially flat, and said permanent magnet is generally circular and substantially flat.

13. A nozzle as defined in claim 12 and including retainer members spaced circumferentially around said disc, said annular seat member and said magnet and supporting said disc, said seat member and said magnet within a bore in said nozzle body.