Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Background of the Invention. This invention relates
generally to improved gasoline dispensing nozzles. More par-
ticularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to
an improved vapor recovery nozzle of the automatic shutoff type.
Due to the volatility of fuels, such as gasoline, con-
siderable vapors are generated during the filling of fuel tanks and
the like. ~or the most part, and particularly with respect to the
filling of automotive fuel tanks, such vapors have been permitted
to escape into the atmosphere. As the vapors escape from the tank,
they mix with air and upon reaching a specified concentration can ;
form an extremely explosive mixture. The escape of such vapors has
become of great concern, not only because of the sa~ety haæard,
but more recently because of the concern about p~ution o~ the
atmosphere. ;
It has been proposed to prevent the escape of such vapors
into the atmosphere by a use of a nozzle that forms a seal with
the filler neck of the fuel tank and has appropriate passageways
provided therein for extracting the vapors from the tank as they
are generated. U. S. Patent No. 3,521,679 issued to E. L. Copony
on July 28, 1970 describes one such dispensing nozzle. Another
dispensing nozzle that has provisions for the removal of such ;
vapors is described in U. S. Patent No. 3,823,752 issued to
Donald A. Lasater et al on July 16, 1974. Both of the above nozzles
appear to provide apparatus adequate for the recovery of such
vapors. However, it is noted that in most instances, the nozzles
must be held, manually, in the filler neck during the filling
operation and neither provide any means for preventing the escape
of vapors from the vapor recovery system once the delivery has
, stopped.
A further problem with prior art nozzles is that an
effective seal with the tan~ has not been attained. The difficulty
of forming an effective, gas-tight seal results primarily from
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the wide variety of sizes and configurations of filler necks as
well as from the cosmetic treatment given the refueling area of
vehicles by the vehicle manufacturers.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved
vapor recovery nozzle of the automatic shu~off type.
It is another object of this invention to provide an
improved vapor recovery nozzle that is positively retained in the
~iller neck during operation.
A further ob~ect of the invention is to provide an
improved vapor recovery nozzle that includes a sealed vapor passage-
way from the tank to the vapor recovery system.
Summary of the Invenkion. This invention provides an
improved gasoline dispenslng nozzle of the automat~c shuto~ type
for use in connection with vapor recovery systems. The nozY,:le
lncludes a body contalnlng a ~low control valve, lnduction means
for causing gas flow through the nozzle, a trlgger for activating
the flow control valve and pressure responsive latch means operable
in con~unction with the induction means to release the flow con-
trol valve regardless of the trigger position. The nozzle also
includes an elongate hollow spout, a conduit extending sub-
stantially through the interior of the spout for connection with
the induction means and valve means for opening and closing the
conduit. A hollow member for connecting the spout in fluid com-
munication with the body has an enlarged portion forming a portion
of a vapor passageway with the spout and has a port extending
therethrough providing fluid communication between the vapor
passageway and the vapor recovery system. A hollow piston
loosely encircles the spout and forms a portion of the vapor ;
passageway therewith. The piston has a first end portion "
slidingly and sealingly received in the hollow member and has a ~ `
second end portion. An articulated seal assembly is located on
and movable with the second end o~ the piston in sealing
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relationship therewith. The articulated seal assembly forms an-
other portion of the vapor passageway and has a seal member thereon
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arranged to sealingly engage the projecting surface on the fuel
tank whereby the vapor passageway provides communication between
the tank and the vapor recovery system. The piston also carries
valve operating means that operates the valve to open the conduit ;
when the piston is moved into the hollow member permitting operation
o~ the nozzle.
Brief Description of the Drawing. Figures lA and lB
taken together comprise a vertical cross-sectional view of a nozzle
constructed in accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 is a view partially in elevation and partlally
cross section taken generally along the line 2-2 o~ ~igure lA.
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectlonal view of' the nozæle
o~ Figures lA and lB, but showlng th0 varlous components thereo~
in another operating position.
Detailed Descrlption of the Preferred Embodiment. Re-
~erring to the drawing and to Figures lA, lB and 2 ln particular,
shown therein and generally designated by the re~erence character
10 is a vapor recovery nozzle constructed in accordance with the
invention. The nozzle 10 includes a nozzle body assembly 12, a
spout assembly 14, and a handle assembly 16.
The nozzle body assembly 12 has been fully described in
U. S. Patent No. 3,638,689 issued to Hans Eric Ecklund on Febru-
ary 1, 1972. For this reason, the body assembly 12 ~ill not be
descrlbed in great detail but only to the extent necessary to the
understanding o~ the vapor recovery aspects o~ the nozzle 10. `
The nozzle body assembly 12 is hollow and includes a ;~
spring loaded main valve assembly 17 disposed in a ~low passageway
through the valve. The main valve assembly 17 is normally close~
and is moved to the open positlon by pulllng upwardly on a trigger
18 which displaces a valve actuating mechanism 20 rearwardly
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forcing the main valve assembly 17 off its seat.
As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the actuating
mechanism 20 includes a diaphragm controlled latch 22. A dia- -
phragm 24 of the latch 22 is displaced inwardly of the nozzle body
assembly 12 by a spring 26. With the latch 22 in this position,
movement of the trigger 18 displaces the main valve 16 off its seat.
However, an ~nduction system that includes a conduit 28 located in
spout 30, a passageway 32 ~ormed ln the body assembly 12, and a
passageway 34 that extends from the diaphragm 24 to the throat of
the valve seat in main valve assembly 16. `~
Briefly, and so long as the induction system is unob-
structed, gasoline flowing through the nozzle body assembly 12 in-
duces ga~ to flow through the conduit 28, the passageway 32 and the
passageway 34 so that there is no net pressure e~ect on the d:la-
phragm 24. However, upon ob~truct:Lon of the conduik 2~, a nega- ;
tive pressure is created on the diaphragm 24 displacing the latch
22 out of the valve actuating mechanism 20 and releasing the main
valve 16 so that it can reseat shutting off flow through the
nozzle 10.
20 ` In addition to the conduit 28 and the spout 30, the spout
assembly 14 also includes a hollow member 36 having a relatively `
small end 38 that is screwed into the nozzle body assembly 12 and
a relatively large end portion 40 that is sized to slidingly receive
a piston 42. It will be noted that the interior o~ the hollow `; ;
member 36 is threaded to receive one end of the spout 30 and to ~`~
retain the spout 30 in concentricity with the large end portion 40
thereof.
A port 44 extends through the side wall of the hollow
member 36 providing fluid communication between the interior `
thereo~ and a vapor recovery conduit 46 that ~orms a portion o~
the handle assembly 16. ;
As previously mentioned, the conduit 28 ~orms a portion
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of the induction system and~ as can be clearly seen in ~igure lA, :
the upper end of the conduit 28 is connected with a portion of the
nozzle body 12. It will be noted in ~igure lB that the end of the ::
conduit 28 extends through the side wall of the spout 30 near the -
discharge end of the spout 30 for purposes which will be described
hereinafter. Intermediate the ends of the conduit 28, the conduit
is provided with an annular valve seat 48 that is arranged to seal-
in~ly en~a~e one end o~ a valve member 50 that is movably located
in the conduit 28.
The valve member 50 is movable toward and away from the :~
seat 48 to open and close the conduit 28. The valve member 50 may
be constructed from, or at least lncludes, a ferromagnetic portion
having North and South magnetic poles located as shown in Figure lB.
The piston 42 is hollow and enc~rcles the spout 30. The
interlor of a small end 52 on the piston ll2 ls provl~ed w:Lth key~
ways to receive ~eys 54 mounted on the exter:Lor Or the spout 30 to
retain the piston 42 in a predetermined alignment with the spout
30. The piston 42 fits within the large end portion 40 of the
hollow member 36 and is slideable therein. To prevent the escape .
of vapors from within the hollow member 36 and the piston 42, the `
piston 42 carries a seal 56 that slidingly and sealingly engages
the interior of the hollow member 36.
The end of the piston 42 carrying the seal 56 has an
enlarged bore 58 to permit the flow of vapors between the spout 30 .
and the piston 42. On the same end of the piston 42, there is
located an annular seal 60 that, in its closed position, abuts a
vapor passageway valve member 62 that is mounted on the spout 30.
The purpose o~ the vapor passageway valve which includes the seal
60 and the valve member 62 is to prevent the escape of vapors out-
wardly from the nozzle 10 when the valve member 62 i8 in sealing
engagement with the seal 60.
A compression spring 63 is located within the hollow
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member 36 and engages the piston 42 to bias the piston 42 rela-
tively outwardly of the hollow member 36. The engagement between
the valve member 62 and seal 60 also functions to limit the out-
ward movement of the piston 42 in the hollow member 36.
The piston 42 is also provided with a ferromagnetic mem-
ber 64 located adjacent the bore 58 thereof. The ferromagnetic
member 64 is disposed in ~uxtaposition with the valve member 50
located in the conduit 28. It will be noted, however, that the
North and South magnetic poles of the member 64 are oppositely ori-
ented with respect to those in the valve member 50. The purpose of .
the keyways in the piston 42 and the keys 5ll on the conduit 28 is
to retain the ferromagnetic member 6l~ ad~acent the valve member 50.
With the poles oriented as shown, it will be appreciated that the ~.
repelling force developed by adJacent, llke poles shown ln :~:L~l:re
lB will cause the valve member 50 to sealingly enga~e the seat l~8
in the conduit 28, thereby preventing the flow of fluid therethrough. :
An articulated seal member 66 is movably connected to
the small end 52 of the piston 42 by a pin 68. A seal 70 located
in the small end of the seal member 66 forms a flexible, vapor- ~.
20 tight seal with the exterior of the small end 52 of the piston 42.
A large seal 72 located on the opposite end ofthe seal member 66
is provided to sealingly engage a surface 74 located on a filler
neck 76 of the fuel tank as shown in ~igure 3. As illustrated,
a garter spring 77 located within the seal 70 aids in maintaining
the fl.uid-tight sealing relationship between the seal 70 and
piston 42.
A stop screw 78 or other similar abutment member is
mounted on the spout 30. The stop screw 78, as can be seen in
~igure 3, is provided to engage an inner surface 80 on the filler
neck 76 to securely retain the nozzle 10 in the filler neck 76.
In addition to the conduit 46, the handle assembly 16
includes a guard 82 that is arranged to protect the trigger . ~ :
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mechanism 18 and also carry a second conduit 84 that is in fluid
communication with the conduit 46 and thus with the vapor recovery
passageway that extends through the nozzle 10. The opposite end
of the conduit 84 will be connected with a vapor recovery system
(not shown) that is provided to remove the vapors being generated
during the filling of the tank with fuel.
OPeration of the Preferred Embodiment. In operation, the
nozzle 10 is connected via the threads at one end of the nozzle
body 12 to a fuel supply (not shown) and the conduit 84 will be
connected into a vapor recovery system (not shown). The fuel sup-
ply will be provided with a pump (not shown) that will deliver
liquid fuel to the nozzle 10 under pressure. ;
The nozzle 10 is removed ~rom the fuel d:Lspenser and the
spout 30 ~nserted in the ~iller neck 76 o:~ a tank to be ~llled as
illustrated ln ~igure 3. ~orce is applled to the nozzle 10,
placing the seal 72 in sealing engagement with the surface 74 on
the filler neck 76, displacing the piston 42 into the hollow body
36 and compressing the spring 63. The stop screw 78 passes through
the opening in the filler neck 76 and is brought into engagement
with the surface 80 thereon locking the nozzle 10 into the filler
neck 76, relieving the operator from the necessity of holding the --
nozzle during the filling operation. It should be noted that the
seal 72 is very little larger than the size of the filler neck 76,
thus providing for the desired sealing engagement regardless of the
cosmetic treatment of the vehicle surrounding the filler neck.
Simultaneously, the seal 60, which is carried by the
piston 42, is displaced inwardly and away ~rom the vapor passage-
way valve member 62 thereby opening the vapor passageway extending ~;
through the nozzle to the flow of vapor. It can be appreciated
that vapor leaving the filler neck 76 passes through khe opening
therein, through the piston 42, past the vapor passageway valve
member 62 and seal 60, and into the interior of the hollow body
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member 36. The vapors then pass outwardly through the port 44
in the hollow member 36 into the conduits 46 and 84 and into the
vapor recovery system.
Displacement of the piston 42 into the hollow member 36
also moves the ferromagnetic member 64 until the North magnetic pole
thereon is disposed adjacent the North magnetic pole on the valve
member 50 which is located in the conduit 28. When the North poles
align, the opposing ~orce generated thereby displaces the valve
member 50 away from the seat 48 in the conduit 28 opening the
conduit 28 to flow.
The person operating the nozzle 10 then grips the trigger
18 which moves the valve actuating mechanism 20 rearwardly, that ;
is, to the right as seen ln ~igure lA, opening the ma:ln valve 17
to the ~low o~ ~uel. As ~uel rlows through the nozzl~ b~dy 12 and
outwardly through the spout 30 lnto the kank, a slight negatlve
pressure is generated in the induction system moving gas through
the passageways 31l, 32 and through the conduit 28. So long as the
conduit 28 remains open, this slight pressure reduction is not
sufficient to displace the diaphragm 24 and latch mechanism 22 out
of the valve actuating mechanism 20 and, thus, the nozzle will ~-
continue to remain open to provide fuel flow into the tank.
As previously mentioned, vapors generated in the tank
flow upwardly through the filler neck 76 through the sealed vapor
passageway system provided in the piston 42 and hollow member 36 ;
25. and outwardly into the vapor recovery system through the conduits
46 and 48.
As the tank fills, the liquid ~uel will eventually reach
the lower end of the conduit 28 blocking the conduit 28 against
further gas flow. When this occurs, the negative pressure in the
induction system is considerably increased and reaches the point
at which the diaphragm 24 is pulled relatively downwardly (see
Figure 2) displacing the latch mechanism 22 out of the valve
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actuating mechanism 20. The valve actuating mechanism 20 can then ~-~
collapse permitting the spring-loaded main valve 17 to close de-
spite the fact that the trigger mechanism 18 may still be in a ;
position wherein the valve 17 would normally be open.
It will be apparent from the foregoing, that so long as
the conduit 28 remains blocked, any ef`fort to deliver additional
~uel lnto khe tank wlll be ~rultless slnce the maln valve 17 can-
not be moved off o~ its seat.
After the tank has been filled, a slight force is exerted
on the nozzle 10 moving the stop screw 78 free of the ~iller neck
76. The nozYle 10 can then be removed from the flller neck 76. As
this occurs, the spring 63 displaces the piston l~2 relatlvely out-
wardly of the hollow member 36 untll the seal 60 engage~ the vapor
passageway valve member 62. Upon closure o~ the vapor passageway
valve, any vapors contalned ln the vapor recovery system lncludlng
the conduits L~6 and 48 will be trapped therein.
Slmultaneously, the ferromagnetlc member 64 has moved
wlth the piston 42 untll the South magnetic pole thereon is a- ;
ligned with the South magnetic pole in the valve member 50. With
the poles aligned in this manner, the valve member 50 is driven
against the seat 48 blocking the conduit 28 and preventing further
delivery of fuel through the nozzle 10 until the nozzle 10 is
inserted in a tank wherein the fuel level is sufficiently low to
clear the conduit 28.
From the foregoing detailed description of the invention,
it wlll be appreclated that the vapor recovery nozzle 10 provldes: ;
a means of posltlvely forming a seal with the flller neck 76; a
sealed vapor recovery passageway extendlng through the nozzle;
means for entrapplng the vapors recovered ln the system; and, a ;
posltive means for latchlng the vapor recovery nozzle 10 lnto the
filler neck of the tank to be filled.
It wlll also be understood that the detailed description
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of the preferred embodiment is presented by way o~ example only
and that many changes and modifications can be made thereto with-
out departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
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