Fluid Dispensing Unit Having a Circulation System and a Method for Circulating a Fluid in a Fluid Dispensing Unit
First Claim
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1. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
- a housing having a circulation system configured to circulate a fluid in a first direction from a pump through a hose to a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of the hose, and in a second direction in which the fluid flows from the nozzle back to the pump, wherein the fluid only flows in the second direction when it is detected that the fuel dispenser is not used to refill a fluid and a sensor in the housing senses that a temperature of the fluid is below a predefined level.
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Abstract
A dispensing unit having a circulation system for circulating a fluid in the dispensing unit is provided. The circulation system comprises, a circulation circuit, and a mechanism configured to circulate the fluid in the circulation circuit. By circulating the fluid, the fluid is counteracted from crystallizing. A method for circulating a fluid in a dispensing unit is also provided.
1 Citation
20 Claims
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1. A fuel dispenser, comprising:
a housing having a circulation system configured to circulate a fluid in a first direction from a pump through a hose to a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of the hose, and in a second direction in which the fluid flows from the nozzle back to the pump, wherein the fluid only flows in the second direction when it is detected that the fuel dispenser is not used to refill a fluid and a sensor in the housing senses that a temperature of the fluid is below a predefined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fuel dispenser configured to detect leaks, comprising:
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a circulation system with a pump that directs fluid from a reservoir through a hose to a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of the hose, and from the nozzle through a return pathway back to the pump; a flow meter in fluid communication with the return pathway; and a control unit coupled to the pump and the flow meter, the control unit being configured to compare a fluid flow measured by the pump to a fluid flow measured by a flow meter to detect the presence of a leak. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13, 14)
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11. A hose and nozzle assembly for use with a fuel dispenser, comprising:
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an elongate tube having first and second pathways extending therethrough between first and second ends thereof, the first end of the elongate tube being configured to couple to a pump for receiving fluid from a fluid reservoir; a nozzle coupled to the second end of the elongate tube and configured to deliver fluid to a vehicle; and a valve having an open state in which fluid flowing through the first pathway can flow through and exit the nozzle to be delivered to a vehicle, and a closed state in which fluid flowing through the first pathway is prevented from exiting the nozzle; wherein, in response to the valve moving to the closed state, the fluid is directed through the second pathway to flow back toward the first end of the elongate tube.
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15. A method for dispensing fuel, comprising:
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activating a fuel dispenser unit to cause a pump to deliver fluid from a reservoir through a hose and to a nozzle coupled to a terminal end of the hose such that fluid can flow from the nozzle into a vehicle; wherein, in response to the nozzle being seated in a nozzle boot of the fuel dispensing unit, fluid flowing through the hose to the nozzle is directed through a return fluid pathway such that fluid flows from the nozzle back to the pump and thereby circulates within the fuel dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification