BUSE DE REMPLISSAGE HAUTE PRESSION

HIGH PRESSURE FILLING NOZZLE

Abrégé français

L'invention concerne une buse (1) pour fluides conçue pour distribuer des fluides haute pression, qui comporte un manchon externe, une entrée (3) conçue pour l'admission d'un fluide haute pression et une sortie (4) conçue pour la décharge de fluide haute pression, un tuyau interne en communication fluidique avec ladite entrée et ladite sortie, une soupape sollicitée de manière à fermer le passage de façon à empêcher l'écoulement du fluide dans le tuyau interne, un piston (6), et une pluralité de mâchoires (5) de connexion susceptibles de se déplacer radialement et positionnées sur le pourtour de la sortie (4). Les mâchoires de connexion (5) ont de premières extrémités couplées audit piston (6) et de secondes extrémités conçues pour être couplées à une entrée d'un contenant pour fluide. En position d'accouplement, la pression exercée par le fluide provoque un déplacement axial, par rapport au manchon externe, des mâchoires de connexion (5), du piston (6) et du tuyau interne et provoque par conséquent l'ouverture de la soupape qui autorise alors l'écoulement du fluide haute pression dans la buse.

Abrégé anglais

A fluid nozzle (1) for dispensing high pressure fluids includes an outer
sleeve, a nozzle inlet (3) for receiving a high pressure fluid and a nozzle
outlet (4) for discharging the high pressure fluid, an inner pipe in fluid
communication with the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, a valve biased to
close the fluid flow passage through the inner pipe, a piston (6), and a
plurality of radially movable connecting jaws (5) positioned about the
periphery of the outlet (4). The connecting jaws (5) have first ends engaging
the piston (6) and second ends for engaging an inlet of a fluid receptacle
(2). In the connected position, the pressure exerted by the fluid causes the
connecting jaws (5), the piston (6), and the inner pipe to move axially
relative to the outer sleeve and in turn causes the valve to open, permitting
passage of the high pressure fluid through the nozzle.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A fluid dispensing nozzle, comprising:
an outer sleeve, a nozzle inlet for receiving a high pressure fluid and a
nozzle outlet for discharging the high pressure fluid;
an inner pipe in fluid communication with the nozzle inlet and the
nozzle outlet;
a valve biased to close the fluid flow passage through the inner pipe;
a piston; and
a plurality of radially movable connecting jaws positioned about the
periphery of the outlet, the connecting jaws having first ends engaging the
piston and second ends for engaging an inlet of a receptacle in which fluid
is to be dispensed,
wherein the connecting jaws, the piston and the inner pipe, are axially
movable relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the piston is actuated by
the pressure exerted by the high pressure fluid to open the valve and
permit passage of high pressure fluid through the nozzle.
2. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the valve is
arranged in an inlet cavity.
3. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the
connecting jaws extend axially beyond the nozzle outlet and are radially
movable inwardly to securely attach and seal the nozzle outlet with a
receptacle inlet.
4. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 3, further comprising at
least one control ring arranged adjacent the connecting jaws and axially
movable relative thereto, wherein axial movement of the control ring allows
radial movement of the connecting jaws.
6

5. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the piston is
arranged in a piston cavity, and wherein the piston cavity is capable of being
in fluid communication with a fluid inlet cavity.
6. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the valve is
biased to close the fluid flow passage through the inner pipe by the pressure
of a high pressure fluid in the inlet cavity, and further wherein when the
piston
cavity is in fluid communication with the inlet cavity, the high pressure
fluid
acting on an area of the piston results in a force which is greater than the
combined forces which act to bias the valve closed.
7. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a
nozzle housing juxtaposed to the outer sleeve for preventing movement of the
sleeve relative to the nozzle housing, wherein the nozzle housing has at least
one bore therein for receiving at least one pin, whereby said at least one pin
projects axially from an end of the outer sleeve, said at least one pin having
at
least one channel which is in fluid communication with a piston cavity.
8. The fluid dispensing nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the housing
is axially movable with respect to the outer sleeve to position the pin
channel
in fluid communication with the inlet cavity.
7

Description

CA 02297079 2000-10-23
HIGH PRESSURE FILLING NOZZLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention
This invention relates to a high pressure filling nozzle. In particular, the
invention relates to a nozzle which provides a sealed connection to an inlet
of
a receptacle for filling the receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a nozzle which
can quickly, easily, and safely create a sealed connection to an inlet of a
receptacle for filling the receptacle with the high pressure fluid.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fluid
dispensing nozzle, comprises:
an outer sleeve, a nozzle inlet for receiving a high pressure fluid and a
nozzle outlet for discharging the high pressure fluid;
an inner pipe in fluid communication with the nozzle inlet and the
nozzle outlet;
a valve biased to close the fluid flow passage through the inner pipe;
a piston; and
a plurality of radially movable connecting jaws positioned about the
periphery of the outlet, the connecting jaws having first ends engaging the
piston and second ends for engaging an inlet of a receptacle in which fluid
is to be dispensed,
wherein the connecting jaws, the piston and the inner pipe, are axially
movable relative to the outer sleeve, and wherein the piston is actuated by
the
pressure exerted by the high pressure fluid to open the valve and permit
passage of high pressure fluid through the nozzle.
1

CA 02297079 2000-10-23
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the
preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention in a disengaged position;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment in a
partially engaged position;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment connected
to a receptacle;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment connected
to a receptacle;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment connected
to a receptacle in a valve open position;
1a

CA 02297079 2000-O1-20
WO 99/61835 PCTlUS99/11323
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment connected to a
receptacle
commencing disengagement;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment in a disengaged
position;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment in the engaged
position
s without a receptacle;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment perpendicular to
the cross-
sectional views of Figs. 1-8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE pRFFFRRF MBODIM NT
to According to the present invention, there is provided a fluid nozzle for
dispensing high
presstu~e fluids comprising an outer sleeve, a nozzle inlet for receiving a
high pressure fluid and
a nozzle outlet for discharging the high pressure fluid, an inner pipe in
fluid communication with
the nozzle inlet and the nozzle outlet, a valve biased to close the fluid flow
passage through the
inner pipe, a.piston, and a plurality of radially movable connecting jaws
positioned about the
15 periphery of the outlet. The connecting jaws have first ends engaging the
piston and second ends
for engaging an inlet of a fluid receptacle. In the connected position, the
pressure exerted by the
fluid causes the connecting jaws, the piston, and the inner pipe to move
axially relative to the
outer sleeve and in turn causes the valve to open, permitting passage of the
high pressure fluid
through the nozzle.
2o In accordance with another feature of the invention, the valve of is
arranged in an inlet
cavity.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the connecting jaws extend
in an axial
direction beyond the nozzle outlet and are radially movable inwardly to
securely attach and seal
2

CA 02297079 2000-O1-20
WO 99/61835 PCT/US99/11323
the nozzle outlet with a receptacle inlet. Further, a control ring is arranged
adjacent the
connecting jaws and is axially movable relative thereto. The axial movement of
the control ring
allows radial movement of the connecting jaws.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the piston is arranged in
a piston
s cavity. This cavity is capable of being in fluid communication with the
inlet cavity. Further, the
valve is biased to close the fluid flow passage through the inner pipe by the
pressure of a high
pressure fluid in the inlet cavity. The area of the piston cavity on which the
high pressure fluid
acts is'larger than the area on which high pressure fluid acts to bias the
valve closed.
Further features of the invention are found in providing a nozzle housing
having a bore
1 o therein, a pin connected to the outer sleeve and received in the bore, and
a channel in the pin
which is in fluid communication with the piston cavity. The housing is axially
movable with
respect to the outer sleeve in order to position the pin channel in fluid
communication with the
inlet cavity.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the
same elements
15 throughout the views, Fig. 1 shows a filling nozzle 1 in the disconnected
position, and a
corresponding receptacle inlet 2 sealably connected to any suitable receptacle
(not shown), such
as, for example, a fuel tank of a gaseous fuel vehicle. The filling nozzle is
connected to a supply
of high pressure fluid (not shown). The nozzle has a nozzle inlet 3 for the
high pressure fluid and
an outlet 4, which seals against the inlet 2 of the receptacle to fill the
receptacle. A plurality of
2o connecting jaws 5 are connected to a piston 6. The jaws are positioned
around the periphery of
the outlet 4 and are radially movable. High pressure fluid occupies the inlet
cavity 7.
As shown in Fig. 2, the filling nozzle is connected to the receptacle inlet 2
by pressing the
receptacle inlet against the control ring 11 and sliding a retaining ring 12
projecting axially from
3

CA 02297079 2000-10-23
the outlet end of the outer sleeve 10 toward the receptacle.
As shown in Fig. 3, the receptacle inlet 2 pushes against the control ring
11, compressing the control ring against the control spring 20. The movement
of
the outer sleeve toward the receptacle causes the retaining ring 12 to push
the
jaws 5 radially inward to securely attach and seal the nozzle to the
receptacle
inlet. A seal 21 provides a gas-tight connection between the nozzle outlet 4
and
receptacle inlet.
Fig. 4 shows the outer sleeve 10 abutting the nozzle housing 30. The
sleeve is prevented from moving any relative to the housing. A first pin 31
and
second pin 32 project axially from the end of the outer sleeve. The first and
second pins are received in a corresponding first bore 33 and second bore 34,
respectively. A first groove 35 is defined in the first pin 31. In the
connected
position shown in Fig. 4, the first groove is in fluid communication with a
radial
channel 36 which in turn is in fluid communication with the inlet cavity 7.
The first
groove 35 permits the high pressure fluid to communicate with a first drilling
37
(only the entry point is shown). The drilling is in fluid communication with a
piston
cavity 38. Accordingly, the high pressure fluid travels through the first
drilling 37
to occupy the piston cavity 38.
The high pressure fluid acting on an area of the piston results in a force
which is greater than the combined forces of the high pressure acting on the
4

CA 02297079 2000-10-23
valve 39, the valve spring 40, and the piston spring 41. Accordingly, the
force
generated by the high pressure fluid in the piston cavity moves the piston 6,
jaws
5, and main pipe 43 to the right toward the nozzle inlet 3 relative to the
remainder
of the nozzle. This in turn causes the valve 39 to open and the high pressure
fluid
to travel through the main pipe 43 to the receptacle inlet 2, as shown in Fig.
5.
After the filling of the receptacle is complete, the nozzle can be
disengaged by sliding the sleeve 10 away from the receptacle inlet 2, as shown
in Fig. 6. The equilization of the pressure
4a

CA 02297079 2000-O1-20
WO 99/61835 PCT/US99/11323
between the inlet cavity 7 and the piston cavity 38 permits easy disengagement
of the nozzle. The
sliding of the sleeve acts to withdraw the first pin 31 and second pin 32 from
the first bore 33 and
second bore 34, respectively. A second groove 60 defined in second pin 32. The
second groove
is brought into fluid communication with a second drilling 61 (only exit point
shown) in fluid
s communication with the piston cavity 38. The high pressure fluid from piston
cavity 38 vents
through the second drilling 61 and second groove 60 out to atmosphere through
a vent channel
90 (shown in Fig. 9). The high pressure fluid in the inlet cavity 7 causes the
valve 39 to close by
reversing the movement of the parts described in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 (identical to Fig. 1 ) shows the nozzle disengaged from the receptacle
inlet 2. The
1 o sliding of the sleeve 10 away from the receptacle causes the retaining
ring 12 to release to release
the jaws 5. The nozzle can be then be withdrawn from the receptacle inlet.
Fig. 8 shows a safety feature of the nozzle 1 in the event that a user
attempts to dispense
the high pressure fluid without coupling the nozzle to the receptacle inlet 2.
In this position, the
high pressure fluid fills the piston cavity 38, as described above. Although
the piston 42 and the
t s' jaws 5 move relative to the rest of the nozzle, as described above, the
main pipe 43 does not move
because the jaws are not secured to the receptacle inlet 2. Accordingly, the
valve cannot be open
to permit flow of the high pressure fluid through the nozzle.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred
embodiment by
way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those
knowledgeable
in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the
invention as described and
claimed, whether or not expressly described.

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