Fluid handling – Systems – Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2001-02-27
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
C137S614050, C137S068140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192934
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to breakaway coupling for use with gasoline dispensing equipment.
Emergency breakaway valves came about due to equipment damage that occurred when a customer drove off with the gasoline dispensing nozzle in his tank. The original breakaway couplings were fairly simple in design. However, eventually, vapor recovery was mandated, and emergency breakaway couplings compatible with various vapor recovery systems were needed.
Vapor recovery systems incorporate the use of two hoses or flow paths: one for fuel delivery and the other for vapor return; either as side-by-side flow paths or in coax configurations. Thus, emergency breakaway valves were developed to be used with these different systems and hoses. The emergency breakaway valves that were developed for use with coax vapor hoses require that fuel and vapor paths be separated. The valve is constructed such that the vapor path is contained by the inner hose and the fuel path is defined by the outer hose. When this emergency breakaway valve separates, the fuel valve moves relative to the vapor passage cylinder during closing. In current instances contaminants would build up on or behind the primary fuel to vapor o-ring, which could potentially create a wedging action and cause the valve to close slowly or prevent closure of the check valves. Either of these conditions allows excess fuel to spill and create a potential hazard.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a coax style emergency breakaway valve in a breakaway coupling, and more specifically concerns the redesign of fuel to vapor path sealing and the fuel valve mechanism. A secondary fuel to vapor seal prevents fuel contaminates from contacting the primary fuel to vapor o-ring to inhibit the build-up of contaminates behind the primary o-ring. As noted above, the build-up of contaminates behind the primary O-ring is a main factor in causing slow or failure of closure on the fuel valve. The valve mechanism is designed to provide a closure force, in addition to the valve springs, to the main fuel valve to initiate valve closure during separation. This additional force comes from the initial force that separates the hose coupling. The unbalanced valve springs assure the fuel to vapor O-ring remains static which eliminates seal fretting. The primary fuel to vapor O-ring relocation is such that the volume between it and the secondary seal is minimized to significantly reduce the amount of contaminates and during relative movement this O-ring moves away from the contaminates to eliminate the wedging action seen in previous designs.
The principal object of this invention is to provide for a greater seal in the various valves during separation of the identified coupling through preventing of the buildup of contaminates in proximity of the various seals provided within the same.
Another object of this invention provides for a supplemental force that provides greater sealing of the breakaway coupling during separation.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a breakaway hose coupling that is designed to prevent untimely decoupling during usage.
Another object of this invention is to provide for supplemental seals that locate between fuel and vapor passages to maintain the cleanliness of its sealing and prevent the buildup of contaminates within the system.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5365973 (1994-11-01), Fink, Jr. et al.
patent: 5570719 (1996-11-01), Richards et al.
patent: 5615706 (1997-04-01), Guertin
patent: 5699822 (1997-12-01), Bodhaine
Coates, III Gordon R.
Fink, Jr. Arthur C.
Mitchell Thomas O.
Denk Paul M.
Husky Corporation
Lee Kevin
LandOfFree
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