Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
FLOW VALVE WITH COMPONENTS WHICH PREVENT INTERCHANGEABILITY
BACKGROUND - FIELD
This application relates to a flow valve having a flange for joining an
adjacent coupling valve or pipe section to form a continuous fluid conduit and
specifically to a flow valve having a replaceable flange which is used for
connecting
one fluid conduit to another to form a continuous flow path where the flange
has
components which prevent interchangeability.
BACKGROUND ¨ PRIOR ART
In U.S. Patent No. 5,407,175 a flow valve with a replaceable flange is
disclosed. The replaceable flange, also called a nose ring, provides a bearing
surface at the end of the flow valve for joining an adjacent coupling valve or
pipe
section to form a continuous fluid coupling. The replaceable flange can be
removed
and repositioned to distribute wear or replaced when the flange is worn. The
replaceable flange disclosed does not include components which prevent
interchangeability or features which permit easy removal or repositioning
without
tools.
In Canadian Patent No. 2800795 a quick disconnect coupling with
protrusions and recesses shaped and arranged to allow mating of the male and
female halves of the coupling is disclosed. The coupling can only be assembled
when the protrusions on one half matches the recesses on the other half of the
coupling. The system of couplings disclosed relies on a separate camlock
adapter
coupling to transition from a standard API valve to a configured end on the
coupling
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2
with protrusions or recesses. This coupling is called a tag adapter since it
is used to
tag the API valve with a fuel specific coupling after the fuel is loaded into
the tanker.
This system of couplings does not disclose how to pre-tag the API valve for a
particular fuel so that only that fuel can be loaded and subsequently unloaded
from
the API valve.
Flow valves with fixed or replaceable flanges are used in many
applications and industries such as loading tankers at fuel terminals and
unloading
fuel from tankers into underground storage tanks at gas stations. A typical
tanker will
carry a combination of diesel fuel, various grades of gasoline and ethanol
based
fuels. Each flow valve, also called an API valve in the fuel delivery
industry, is fixed
to the tanker and communicates with its associated storage compartment on the
tanker. The API valve is used to bottom load fuel at the terminal with a
mating
bottom loading coupler. When unloading fuel a camlock style drop adapter is
attached to the flow valve which permits connecting the required camlock hose
assemblies and drop elbows to the service station storage tank top seal
adapter.
The flow valves, bottom loading couplers and drop adapters are the same size
and
design regardless of the fuel being loaded or unloaded and this can result in
cross
contamination or accidental mixing of fuels in both the tanker or more
commonly in
the storage tank at the gas station. For instance it is all too easy to load a
tanker
compartment with diesel and accidently unload this compartment into the
regular
gasoline storage tank at the gas station since all the coupling connections
are
identical regardless of the type of fuel. Even with procedures, color coding
and
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3
labeling systems in place these fuel mixes or crossovers, as the industry
refers to
them, are all too common and costly to rectify. Diesel and gasoline mixes that
end
up in customer vehicles can result in expensive engine repairs and a serious
loss of
reputation in the marketplace for the oil company. Mixes can also result in
motorist
and boaters becoming stranded with engine failure which can be a serious
safety
issue and a potential liability concern for oil companies.
Standard API valves with or without replaceable flanges are not
designed to prevent crossovers. Thus an API valve that uses replaceable
flanges
uniquely configured for each type of fuel to be loaded, carried and unloaded
not only
eliminates the potential for crossovers but also provides an important tagging
function to clearly identify the fuel to be loaded into a particular tanker
compartment,
the fuel that is being carried in a particular tanker compartment and the fuel
to be
subsequently be unloaded from the particular tanker compartment at the service
station. Prior to loading a tanker compartment a fuel specific replaceable
flange or
tagging ring for say diesel is installed on the appropriate API valve body.
The
tagging flange has a unique configuration of recesses or protrusions that are
specific
to the fuel to be loaded. With say a diesel tagging flange in place on the API
valve
only the API bottom loading coupler configured with matching protrusions or
recesses for diesel will fit with the diesel tagging flange installed on the
API valve.
This creates a physical barrier that prevents an API bottom load coupler
configured
for any other type of fuel from mating with this API valve. Other tanker
compartments
are similarly tagged and loaded with the appropriate fuel. It is common for a
tanker
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4
to carry three or more different fuels in a single load so it is critical to
clearly identify
the type of fuel carried in each compartment of the tanker. After loading all
the
compartments the tagging rings are left in place on the API valves and the API
valves are capped for transport with standard camlock dust caps.
At the service station the driver will remove the camlock dust caps and
install fuel specific drop adapters uniquely configured for each fuel with
protrusions
or recesses that will only match the corresponding tagged API valves. In
Canadian
Patent No. 2800795 a camlock style coupling with fuel specific tagging
features is
disclosed that can be used on the remaining camlock, hose assemblies, drop
elbows
and underground tank top seal fittings to provide a complete physical
crossover
prevention and tagging system for loading tankers at the terminal to unloading
tankers at the service station.
Therefore an API valve with a fuel specific replaceable flange provides
the missing feature that will prevent fuel crossovers by physically and
visually
tagging the API valve with the specific fuel to be loaded and unloaded. This
and
other advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing
description and accompanying drawings.
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a flow valve for mating with
a female coupling comprising:
a generally annular flange member having components for mounting
5 said annular flange member;
a generally cylindrical flow valve body having opposed ends, one of the
opposed ends of said flow valve body defining a leading end having cooperating
components to facilitate mounting said annular flange member;
a flow valve member comprising said annular flange member mounted
to said flow valve body member.
a female coupling defining an opening into which a leading end of said
flow valve member can be inserted so that the flow valve is moved
longitudinally of
an axis of the female coupling member into the opening to a locking position;
the flow valve member and female coupling member defining a duct
passing therethrough for communication of a fluid therebetween;
a locking arrangement for locking the flow valve member in the female
coupling member at the locking position;
wherein the locking arrangement includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced locking members within a respective inside opening of
the
female coupling member for movement radially inwardly of the axis of the
female
coupling member into locking engagement with a portion of said annular flange
member;
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6
cooperating components provided on an inside surface of said female
coupling member and on an outside surface of said annular flange member;
said cooperating components comprising at least one protrusion
provided on either an inside surface of the female coupling member or on an
outside
surface of the annular flange member;
said cooperating components comprising at least one recess provided
on either an inside surface of the female coupling member or on an outside
surface
of the annular flange member;
said cooperating components defined by said at least one recess and
said at least one protrusion being cooperatively shaped and arranged to allow
insertion of the flow valve member into the female coupling member to the
locking
position when said at least one recess and said at least one protrusion match;
Preferably there is provided a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of
recesses at a predetermined spacing therebetween and wherein insertion of the
flow
valve member into the female coupling member to the locking position is
allowed
only when said predetermined spacing matches. However a single protrusion and
associated recess can be used where they are set at a predetermined angle
around
the coupling and/or have a predetermined dimension and height.
Preferably there are provided elements identifying the location of the
protrusions and recesses when the flow valve and the female coupling member
are
connected and when they are separated so as to ensure alignment when relative
movement is undertaken. That is the user can see the location of the elements
to
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7
ensure that they are aligned as the user tries to insert the components or to
separate.
That is for example the rotational and axial alignment for assembly and
disassembly of the female coupling member can be made evident by way of the
protrusions and recesses themselves and/or by the inclusion of additional
alignment
marks on the female coupling member and/or on the flow valve member.
The annular flange member is shaped for engagement with the locking
arrangement of the female coupling member and the protrusions and recesses are
located to prevent movement of the flow valve to the locking arrangement
unless
aligned. This allows that the female coupling member and the flow valve member
can be rotated relative to each other after assembly. That is the recess and
the
protrusion do not cooperate with the locking arrangement to hold the
components
connected but act as a restriction to allow the locking arrangement to engage
only
when the recess and protrusion match.
Preferably the protrusions are located on the female coupling member
and align with the space behind the annular flange member when the flow valve
is
moved to the locking position.
In particular the present invention is particularly designed for use with
both;
a camlock drop adapter of the type in which the locking arrangement
includes a plurality of hand operated cam members each having a lever within a
respective side opening of the female coupling member and a cam portion
passing
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8
through one of said side openings and engaging a portion of the flow valve
annular
flange member and each being pivotally connected to the female coupling member
for outward movement of the levers away from the female coupling member to
disengage the cam portions from the said portion of the flow valve annular
flange
member;
a bottom loading coupler of the type in which the locking arrangement
includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking latches on the inside
end of
the body which are actuated simultaneously by a separate hand lever for
movement
of the locking latches to engage or disengage the flow valve annular flange
member.
Preferably the matched protrusions and recesses are shaped and
located so that they are not interchangeable with a coupling configured with a
different configuration of protrusions and recesses.
Preferably the recess is formed by machining, casting, molding or other
methods in the annular flange member of the coupling.
Preferably the protrusion is formed by a cast feature, a machined
fastener, pressed in pin, molded or cast insert or by any other means or
processes
in the female coupling member.
Preferably the system allows for backwards compatibility with industry
standard couplings. This can be achieved by the fact that one of the female
coupling member and the flow valve annular flange member which carries the
recesses can be used in an industry standard female coupling having no
protrusions.
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9
Preferably the flow valve with annular flange member and the female
coupling member both have a circular cross-section. This allows rotation as
mentioned above.
However the female coupling member and the flow valve member can
have a common unique cross sectional shape different from circular. For
example
the cross-sectional shape can be square with rounded corners.
Preferably the cooperating component on the outside surface of the
annular flange member is located at the leading end of the flow valve.
Preferably the annular flange member provides a visual and physical
tagging function to identify the fuel to be loaded, carried and unloaded.
Preferably the annular flange member can be repositioned or reversed
to distribute wear.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a
method of delivering a plurality of different fluids comprising:
providing for each fluid a respective delivery duct;
providing in each delivery duct a flow valve as defined above;
and arranging said at least one protrusion and said at least one recess
of a first one delivery duct to have a different configuration from that of a
second one
of the delivery ducts to prevent interchangeability of the first and second
delivery
ducts.
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric exploded view showing a flow valve body with
5 a
replaceable flange containing interlock recesses configured for a specific
fuel. A
bayonet style mounting with spring plungers to hold the replaceable flange in
place
is illustrated.
Figure 2A and 2B is an isometric and end view of the flow valve body
with the replaceable flange rotated and aligned in preparation for engaging
the
10
bayonet positioning blocks on the replaceable flange with the bayonet groove
in the
flow valve body.
Figure 3A and 3B is an isometric and end view of the flow valve body
and replaceable flange with the matching bayonet elements fully engaged
axially but
prior to rotation of the replaceable flange to the locking position.
Figure 4A and 4B is an isometric and end view of the flow valve body
and replaceable flange with the matching bayonet elements fully engaged and
rotated to the locking position where the spring plungers hold the replaceable
flange
in position thereby completing the assembly of the flow valve.
Figure 5 is an end view of the flow valve with the replaceable flange
fully installed and rotated to the locking position where the spring plungers
hold the
replaceable flange in position.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of Figure 5.
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11
Figure 7 is a cross sectional end view of Figure '6 through the
centerline of the spring plungers.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of Figure 7 through a plane aligned
with two of the spring plungers.
Figure 9A and 9B shows an end and side view of the replaceable
flange with the interlock recesses spaced X degrees apart. X = 10 degrees for
the
Premium fuel configuration.
Figure 10A and 10B shows an end and side view of the replaceable
flange with the interlock recesses spaced Y degrees apart. Y = 20 degrees for
the
Diesel fuel configuration.
Figure 11A and 11B shows an end and side view of the replaceable
flange with the interlock recesses spaced Z degrees apart. Z = 30 degrees for
the
Regular fuel configuration.
Figure 12 shows an isometric view of a tanker configured with multiple
load/unload API flow valves.
Figure 13 shows an isometric view of a tanker configured with multiple
load only API flow valves and separate unloading valves below.
Figure 12A shows an enlarged view of Figure 12 showing multiple
load/unload API valves with replaceable flanges configured for various types
of fuel.
Figure 13A shows an enlarged view of Figure 13 showing multiple load
only API valves with replaceable flanges configured for various types of fuel
and
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12
separate unloading valves configured for the same fuels using tag adapter
camlocks.
Figure 14 shows an isometric exploded view of a tanker load/unload
API valve configured with a fuel specific replaceable flange and a bottom
loading
coupler configured to mate with the fuel specific replaceable flange.
Figure 15 shows an isometric exploded view of a tanker load/unload
API valve configured with a fuel specific replaceable flange and all the
interconnecting and configured hose and fittings required to unload fuel
through the
configured top seal male adapter mounted on the underground fuel storage tank.
Figure 16 shows an isometric exploded view of a tanker load only API
valve configured with a fuel specific replaceable flange and a bottom loading
coupler
configured to mate with the fuel specific replaceable flange. This figure also
shows
the isometric exploded view of the tanker unloading valve configured with a
fuel
specific, tag adapter camlock coupling and all the interconnecting and
configured
hose and fittings required to unload fuel through the configured top seal male
adapter mounted on the underground fuel storage tank.
Figure 17 is an isometric exploded view showing another embodiment
of a flow valve body with a replaceable flange containing interlock recesses
configured for a specific fuel. A slide-on mounting with a key and slot
feature for
alignment and spring loaded latches to hold the replaceable flange in place is
illustrated.
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13
DRAWINGS ¨ Reference Numerals
50 API Valve or Flow Valve (load/unload) ¨1 60 Replaceable Flange or Nose Ring
or
with unloading handle. ! Tagging Ring or Annular Flange
Member
51 API Valve or Flow Valve (load only) ¨ 61 Interlock Recess
without unloading handle.
52 Unloading Handle 62 Positioning Block
53 Bayonet Groove 62A Lead-in Angled Ramps
1 53A Annular Groove Opening r 62B Inner Angled Ramps
! 53B Annular Groove 63 Label (e.g. Fuel Type)
I 53C Annular Groove End -r 64 Inner Annular Surface
54 Mounting Hole
55 Spring Plunger Assembly 70 Fuel Flow into tanker compartment
56 Body 71 Fuel Flow out of tanker
compartment
57 Spring
I 58 Ball 80 Bottom Loading Coupler
59 Flow Valve Body 81 Protrusion (Bottom Load Coupler)
1 59A Flow Valve Body Front Face or
I Leading End of Flow Valve Body or Leading
I End of Assembled Flow Valve
90 Unloading Valve
91 Unloading Valve Elbow
.1
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14
-=======--- ------ ==-=-======---i
I 100 Camlock Tag Adapter 160 Top Seal Adapter
---- --
101 Interlock Recess 161 Interlock Recess
102 Alignment Recess
200 Tanker with Load/Unload API Valves
= = =
201 Tanker with Load Only API Valves
110 Drop Adapter
=-1
111 Interlock Recess
1-112 Interlock Protrusion
113 Alignment Protrusion
114 Alignment Recess
= =
1
120 Female Hose Coupler
121 Interlock Protrusion
130 Hose
140 Male Hose Adapter
141 Interlock Recess
150 Drop Elbow
151 Interlock Protrusion
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1 300 API Valve or Flow Valve (load/unload) I
¨ with unloading handle.
,=
1 301 Flow Valve Body
T"
I 302 Key
303 Spring Latch Assembly
1 304 Flow Valve Body Front Face or I
I Leading End of Flow Valve Body or Leading I
1 End of Assembled Flow Valve
1 310 Replaceable Flange or Nose Ring or
Tagging Ring or Annular Flange Member
1 311 Interlock Recess
312 Annular Groove
, 313 Inner Annular Surface
F314 Slot
L_.
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16
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Figures 1-16 show one embodiment of a flow valve assembly 50 and
51 used to bottom load fuel into tankers and, in the case of flow valve 50, to
also
unload fuel from tankers into service station storage tanks. The replaceable
flange or
nose ring 60 includes one or more positioning blocks 62 which align and engage
with bayonet grooves 53 and spring plungers 55 in flow valve body 59 to
provide for
quick assembly and disassembly of the replaceable flange 60. The replaceable
flange 60 also includes interlock recesses 61 with an angular spacing specific
to a
particular fuel so that once assembled to the flow valve body 59 the flow
valve
assembly 50 will only mate with a configured bottom load coupler 80 and drop
adapter 110 having a matching interlock protrusions 81 and 112 respectively as
shown in Figures 14 and 15. The replaceable flange 60 together with its fuel
specific
interlock recesses 61 also provides a visual and physical tagging function to
prevent
loading the wrong fuel in the tanker and unloading the wrong fuel at the
service
station. These and other advantages will become apparent from a consideration
of
the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the flow valve 50 which includes a
body portion 59 that contains the mechanics and sealing systems of the flow
valve.
Flow valves in use today include flanges that are integral to the housing 59
or
flanges that are fixed to the housing using fasteners or other means that
allow
periodic replacement or repositioning in order to distribute wear on the
flange faces.
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17
The body portion 59 is cast and/or machined without a flange. In place
of the flange a bayonet groove 53 is milled or cast directly into the housing
59. The
bayonet groove 53 includes a partial annular opening 53A communicating with
the
front face of the valve body 59A and is sized to accept axial movement of the
positioning block 62 located on the inner annular surface 64 of the
replaceable
flange 60.
The bayonet groove 53 includes an additional annular groove portion
536 that communicates with annular groove opening 53A and is sized to allow
rotation of the replaceable flange 60 when positioning block 62 is aligned
with
annular groove 53B.
Annular groove portion 53B includes mounting hole 54 to accept the
installation of spring plunger assembly 55 comprised of body 56, spring 57 and
ball
58. The spring plunger 55 communicates with one of the lead-in angled ramp
portions 62A of the positioning block 62 as the replaceable flange 60 is
rotated
towards the blind end of the bayonet annular groove 53C. At the end of this
rotation
the ball 58 of the spring plunger 55 comes to rest between the inner angled
ramp
portions 62B thereby positively locating the replaceable flange 60 in its
installed
position.
Figure 2A and Figure 2B shows the replaceable flange 60 rotated and
aligned in preparation for axial assembly onto the valve body 59.
Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows the replaceable flange 60 axially
installed on the valve body 59 prior to initiating rotation of the replaceable
flange 60.
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18
Figure 4A and Figure 4B shows the replaceable flange rotated into its
final installed position. To remove the replaceable flange 60 simply reverse
the steps
above.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of Figure 4B with three section views,
Figures 6-8, derived from this view. These views all show the replaceable
flange in
its final installed position with the spring plungers 55 engaging their
respective
positioning blocks 62 on inner ramps portions 62B.
Figures 9A through 11B show an example of three unique angular
configurations (X, Y & Z respectively) of the interlock recesses 61 located on
the
replaceable flange 60. The angular recess patterns (X, Y and Z) are repeated
top
and bottom (180 degrees apart) to provide a balanced feel when assembling or
attaching the bottom load coupler 80 or drop adapter 110. Figures 9A and 9B
represents Premium fuel with X = 10 degrees, Figures 10A and 10B represents
Diesel fuel with Y = 20 degrees and Figures 11A and 11B represents Regular
fuel
with Z = 30degrees. A bottom load coupler 80 or drop adapter 110 configured
with
protrusions configured to match these recess configurations can only mate with
each
other when the protrusions and recesses match. For example a "Z" or Regular
fuel
configured bottom load coupler and drop adapter will only fit a flow valve
with the
same "Z" or Regular fuel configured replaceable flange. An X configured bottom
load coupler and drop adapter will not mate with Y or Z configured flow valves
and
so on.
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19
= The positioning blocks 62 located on the replaceable flange 60 have
the same angular location and spacing W regardless of the particular angular
configuration of the interlock recesses X, Y & Z. Figures 9A though 11 B show
four
positioning blocks 62 equally spaced or 90 degrees apart on each replaceable
flange 60 so that each replaceable flange configuration X, Y or Z is
interchangeable
on the common flow valve body 59. The flow valve body 59 always has the same
angular spacing and configuration W of the bayonet groove 53 regardless of the
fuel
to be loaded or unloaded. In this way the replaceable flange 60 with its
particular
configuration of interlock recesses 61 provides both a tagging function to
clearly
identify the fuel to be loaded and subsequently unloaded and a physical
crossover
prevention function by physically keying the bottom load coupler 80 and drop
adapter 110 to the replaceable flange 60.
The positioning blocks 62 are shown as an integrally cast and/or
machined feature of the tagging ring 60 however the positioning blocks 62 can
also
be a separate cast, molded, stamped or machined body that is fastened, pinned,
bonded, welded or glued to the inner annular surface 64 of the tagging ring
60.
The industry currently relies on labeling procedures and color coding
systems to help prevent incorrect connections between the tanker 200 or 201
and
the underground storage tank at the service station. The labelling system
typically
takes the form of metal tags hung on a hook next to the API valve to remind
the
driver of the type of fuel contained in the tanker compartment communicating
with
this valve. Even with procedures and systems in place it is not uncommon for
mixes
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
or crossovers to occur. A premium gasoline and regular gasoline crossover will
result in a costly downgrade of the premium fuel along with the time and
expense to
pump the downgrade into the regular grade storage tank. A diesel and gasoline
mix
is far more serious and expensive to rectify since the fuel is no longer
useable as
5
either gasoline or diesel and must be pumped out of the storage tank and
disposed
of. Diesel and gasoline crossovers that end up in vehicles can cause severe
damage
to fuel systems and engines and lead to expensive repairs along with a loss of
reputation in the marketplace for the oil company that can result in further
lost
revenue. Mixes can also result in motorist and boaters becoming stranded with
10
engine failure which can be a serious safety issue and a potential liability
concern for
oil companies.
Figure 12 shows a tanker 200 configured with API valves 50 used to
load and unload fuel. API valves 50 include an unloading handle 52 used to
unload
fuel.
15
Figure 13 shows a tanker 201 configured with API valves 51 used to
only load fuel. A handle is not used on flow valve 51 since a separate
unloading
valve 90 and drop elbow 91 is provided for this purpose.
Figure 12A shows an enlarged exploded view of Figure 12 showing
multiple load/unload API valves 50 with replaceable flanges 60 configured for
20
various types of fuel. A replaceable flange 60 must be installed on the valve
body 59
to complete the flow valve assembly 50 before any fuel can be loaded into the
tanker. The replaceable flange 60 remains in place on the flow valve at all
times and
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21
until all fuel is unloaded and the tanker returns to the terminal for another
load of
fuel. Only when the tanker is empty and at the terminal will the replaceable
flanges
60 be removed and replaced with replaceable flanges configured for different
fuels.
Of course if the tanker compartments will be filled with the same fuels as on
the last
run then there is no need to remove the replaceable flanges since the flow
valves
are already configured correctly.
Because the replaceable flanges or tagging rings 60 can be rotated 90
or 180 degrees or reversed the life expectancy of the replaceable flange is
greatly
extended and since the replaceable flange is replaceable the life of the valve
body is
also greatly extended. This greatly extends the life of the load/unload flow
valves 50
on tanker configuration 200. This tanker configuration is a less expensive
setup than
the separate loading and unloading valves 51 shown on tanker configuration
201.
Therefore in addition to the benefits of crossover protection and the extended
life of
flow valve assembly 50 there is also the benefit of standardizing on the lower
cost
tanker configuration 200. Tanker configuration 200 is also a simpler solution
for
tagging and crossover protection since only one flow valve assembly is used
with a
single set of tagging rings. The additional tagging adapter camlocks 100 used
on
trailer configuration 201 are not required.
Figure 13A shows an enlarged exploded view of Figure 13 showing
multiple load only API valves 51 with replaceable flanges 60 configured for
various
types of fuel with interlock recesses 61X, 61Y and 61Z plus separate unloading
valves 90 configured for the same fuels using tag adapter cam locks 100 with
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22
interlock recesses 101X, 101Y and 101Z connected to elbows 91. The tag adapter
camlocks 100 also show alignment recesses 102X, 102Y and 102Z which are
provided as a visual reference to indicate the location or rotational
orientation of the
interlock recesses 101X, 101Y and 101Z respectively when the female hose
coupler
120 is installed and covers the recesses 101. A replaceable flange 60 must be
installed on the valve body 59 to complete the flow valve assembly 51 before
any
fuel can be loaded into the tanker. The replaceable flange 60 and tag adapter
camlocks 100 remain in place on the flow valve 51 and unloading valve elbows
91 at
all times and until all fuel is unloaded and the tanker returns to the
terminal for
another load of fuel. Only when the tanker is empty and at the terminal will
the
replaceable flanges 60 and tag adapter camlocks 100 be removed and replaced
with
replaceable flanges and tag adapter camlocks configured for different fuels.
Of
course if the tanker compartments will be filled with the same fuels as on the
last run
then there is no need to remove the replaceable flanges 60 or tag adapter
camlocks
100 since the flow valves are already configured correctly.
Although not shown, the unloading valves 90 or unloading valve
elbows 91 could also be modified to use the replaceable flange method of fuel
tagging.
Figure 14 shows a close up exploded view of one load/unload API
valve 50, as used on tanker 200, configured for Diesel fuel with a Diesel
tagging ring
60. Prior to loading fuel into the tanker compartment a replaceable flange 60,
configured for Diesel with interlock recesses 61Y, is installed and preferably
locked
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
23
on the flow valve body 59. The bottom loading couplers 80 on the terminal
loading
arms (not shown) are all preconfigured with protrusion configurations 81
unique to
each type of fuel stored at the terminal. Only the bottom load coupler 80
preconfigured for Diesel with interlock protrusions 81Y will mate with the
flow valve
50 configured with a Diesel tagging ring 60. This creates a physical barrier
that
prevents a bottom loading coupler configured for any other type of fuel from
mating
with this Diesel tagged flow valve 50. Other tanker compartment flow valves
are
similarly tagged and loaded with the appropriate fuel. The flow of fuel into
the tanker
compartment (not shown) is identified by arrow 70. The replaceable flanges or
tagging rings are left in place on the flow valves and can be capped for
transport
with standard camlock dust caps (not shown).
At the service station the driver will only have pre-configured drop
adapters 110, drop elbows 150 and hose assemblies 120,130,140 for each type of
fuel to be unloaded. Drop adapters 110, drop elbows 150 and hose assemblies
for
Regular, Premium, Diesel and other fuels are not interchangeable with each
other.
As shown in Figure 15 only the Diesel configured hose fitting 120 (on hose
130) with
interlock protrusions 121Y will fit on the Diesel configured drop adapter 110
with
interlock recesses 111Y and only the Diesel configured drop elbow 150 with
interlock protrusions 151Y will fit between the Diesel hose fitting 140 (on
hose 130)
with interlock recesses 141Y and the top seal connection 160 on the
underground
storage tank with interlock recesses 161Y. The flow of fuel from the tanker
compartment (not shown) is identified by arrow 71. Drop adapter 110 with its
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interlock protrusions 112Y also shows the location of the alignment
protrusions 113Y
on the outside surface of the drop adapter to visually aid in the rotational
alignment
of the drop adapter for assembly and disassembly from the replaceable flange
60.
Figure 16 shows a close up exploded view of one load only flow valve
51 as used on tanker 201 configured for Diesel fuel with a Diesel tagging ring
60.
Prior to loading fuel into the tanker compartment a replaceable flange 60
configured
for Diesel with interlock recesses 61Y is installed on the flow valve body 59.
The
separate load and unloading configuration shown on tanker 201 requires the
additional camlock tag adapter 100 with interlock recesses 101Y for unloading.
Both
tags (tagging ring 60 and tag adapter 100) are installed and preferably locked
to the
flow valve body 59 and unloading valve elbow 91 respectively. The bottom
loading
couplers 80 on the terminal loading arms (not shown) are all preconfigured
with
protrusion configurations 81 unique to each type of fuel stored at the
terminal. Only
the bottom load coupler 80, configured for Diesel with interlock protrusions
81Y, will
mate with the flow valve 51 configured with a Diesel tagging ring 60. This
creates a
physical barrier that prevents a bottom loading coupler configured for any
other type
of fuel from mating with this Diesel tagged flow valve 51. Other tanker
compartment
flow valves are similarly tagged and loaded with the appropriate fuel. The
flow of fuel
into the tanker compartment (not shown) is identified by arrow 70. The
replaceable
flanges or tagging rings are left in place on the flow valves and can be
capped for
transport with standard camlock dust caps (not shown).
CA 02844193 2014-02-24
At the service station the driver will only have pre-configured drop
elbows 150 and hose assemblies 120, 130, 140 for each type of fuel to be
unloaded.
Drop elbows 150 and hose assemblies for Regular, Premium, Diesel and other
fuels
are not interchangeable with each other. As shown in Figure 16 only the Diesel
5 configured hose fitting 120 (on hose 130) with protrusions 121Y will fit
on the Diesel
configured camlock tag adapter 100 with recesses 101Y and only a Diesel
configured drop elbow 150 will fit between the Diesel hose fitting 140 (on
hose 130)
with recesses 141Y and the Diesel top seal connection 160 on the underground
storage tank with recesses 161Y. The flow of fuel from the tanker compartment
(not
10 shown) is identified by arrow 71.
The X, Y, Z recess and protrusion configurations and any other
required configurations for other fuels would be standardized industry wide.
With a
standard in place the first step would be to replace gas station tank top seal
adapters 160 with top seal adapters configured with recesses particular to the
fuel to
15 be stored in that tank. Since the system is backwards compatible with
standard
camlock fittings there will be no interruption in fuel delivery service if
tankers are still
operating without configured adapters, hose assemblies and drop elbows.
Tankers
typically carry multiple sets of hoses and fittings, one set for each fuel
delivered.
Therefore the quantity of hose and fittings can be the same only now they are
20 configured for a particular fuel. There is also no appreciable change in
procedures
for loading and unloading fuel except that there is now positive feedback when
a
connection is attempted between say a Diesel and Premium configured fitting.
Since
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adapters, hose assemblies and drop elbows configured for different fuels are
not
compatible with each other and will not physically fit together the potential
for
crossovers is prevented.
Figure 17 shows an exploded view of an additional embodiment of a
flow valve 300 which includes a flow valve body portion 301 that contains the
mechanics and sealing systems of the flow valve and a replaceable flange 310.
The body portion 301 is cast and/or machined without a flange. In
place of the flange an annular mounting surface 305 is machined into the flow
valve
body 301. The annular mounting surface 305 includes openings for spring load
latches 303 protruding from surface 305. The latches are sized to accept axial
movement of the inner annular surface 313 of the replaceable flange 310 by
retracting during axial assembly of replaceable flange 310 onto the flow valve
body
surface 305. When the inner face 315 of the replaceable flange 310 contacts
the
annular surface 306 of flow valve body 301 the spring loaded latches 303 are
released by spring force and engage slot 312 in the replaceable flange 310
thereby
locking the ring in place on the valve body 301.
The valve body 301 can also include a key 302 that communicates with
a slot 314 in the replaceable flange 310 to ensure the preferred orientation
of the
recesses 311 is maintained.
The embodiments described are not meant to limit the scope of the
invention. Many other methods and configurations of attaching and locking a
replaceable flange to the flow valve body are possible within the scope of the
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invention. Similarly, there are also many other configurations and shapes of
the
protrusions and recesses that are possible within the scope of the invention.
