Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – Automatic control of flow cutoff or diversion – Level or overflow responsive
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-05
2001-11-06
Maust, Timothy L. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
Automatic control of flow cutoff or diversion
Level or overflow responsive
C141S31100A, C141S198000, C141S285000, C141S301000, C141S302000, C141S308000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311742
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a fluid dispensing nozzle which is connectable to a fluid reservoir for filling a tank with fluid, which fluid dispensing nozzle is provided with a through-flow channel for the fluid which debouches into a spout and with a trigger for operating at least one valve in the through-flow channel for opening and/or closing the through-flow channel,
wherein the spout is provided with an output end for delivering fluid, which fluid dispensing nozzle further comprises:
an end valve which is movable between an open position, in which the end valve opens a through-flow opening for the fluid in the spout, and a closed position in which the end valve closes the spout; and
a venturi for co-action with level detection means for detecting the fluid level in the tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such a fluid dispensing nozzle is known in the form of a nozzle for filling with fuel. In the known nozzle the venturi is placed high in the spout close to the connection between the spout and the body of the nozzle. The end valve is situated close to the output end of the spout. The known nozzle has the drawback that due to air being drawn in by the venturi a mixture of air and fuel is present in the spout. This results in the following problems. Firstly, the volume of the fluid present between the end valve and the main valve, which is situated in the body of the nozzle, is not guaranteed, which is contrary to the requirements imposed by the weights and measures inspection. Furthermore, the air can expand under the influence of particular ambient conditions in the spout, whereby pressure is exerted on different components of the nozzle, which can result in leakage of for instance valves or seals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has for its object to provide a fluid dispensing nozzle of the type referred to in the preamble which obviates these drawbacks.
For this purpose the fluid dispensing nozzle according to the invention has the feature that the end valve and the venturi are substantially arranged in the half of the spout provided with the output end. In the fluid dispensing nozzle according to the invention the position of the end valve moreover ensures that the fluid dispensing nozzle does not drip after use. The invention also has the advantage that by placing a combined end valve/venturi the total drop in pressure over the fluid dispensing nozzle remains as limited as possible, since there is now only one constriction for the fluid as a result of the combined end valve/venturi instead of two constrictions resulting from a separate end valve and venturi.
In a first preferred embodiment the end valve and the venturi are arranged close to the output end of the spout. The form of the end valve is preferably such that, in co-action with the seat thereof and/or with the inner wall of the spout located close by, the end valve forms the venturi.
In a further preferred embodiment the end valve is movable counter to the action of spring means from the closed to the open position in the direction of the output end, wherein the spring means have an at least partially degressive spring characteristic. The use of degressive spring means achieves that a good operation of the venturi is also ensured when small amounts of fluid are delivered. This moreover achieves that when the fluid delivery stops the end valve is pulled with force into its closed position by the spring means, whereby a good sealing is obtained.
In an alternative preferred embodiment the spout is provided with a separate channel for the fluid which runs along the end valve and forms part of the venturi. The venturi channel is preferably formed at least partially by a recess in the outer wall of the end valve. In a further preferred embodiment the venturi channel is formed at least partially by a pipe-like part fixed to the end valve. All the above stated measures contribute towards a smooth fluid flow which is distributed evenly over the through-flow channel. The fluid therefore flows in a predominantly straight jet out of the fluid dispensing nozzle.
In another preferred embodiment a closing body is received in the venturi channel. Undesirable leakage of fluid out of the venturi channel is hereby prevented. Biasing means are preferably provided in the venturi channel for biasing the closing body in the direction opposed to the fluid flow. The biasing means are more preferably adapted such that during operation of the fluid dispensing nozzle the venturi channel opens sooner than the through-flow opening of the spout closed by the end valve. This preferred embodiment achieves that the venturi channel opens only at a certain pressure. This pressure can be adjusted using the bias such that a full tank can be detected in good time, i.e. before the end valve opens.
In a further preferred embodiment the venturi channel widens in the direction of the output end. The venturi channel is preferably at least partially cone-shaped. The section of the venturi channel is more preferably at least partially banana-shaped. Experiments show that these forms of venturi channel contribute to the smooth flow of the fluid. With such a venturi channel the limited space in the spout is moreover utilized economically. This advantage is enhanced still further in combination with the following preferred embodiment in which the center line through the end valve rod lies in one or more positions of the end valve at an angle &agr;>0 to the center line through the spout.
In another preferred embodiment the fluid dispensing nozzle comprises level detection means for detecting the fluid level in the tank, which level detection means comprise a level detection channel which runs substantially parallel to the through-flow channel, wherein a closing body is received in the level detection channel for closing the level detection channel when fluid is detected. The closing body is preferably adapted to be carried along by fluid flow to an upstream position in which the closing body substantially closes the level detection channel. The closing body is more preferably ball-shaped. The level detection means detect in known manner suction of fluid into the level detection channel. In the described embodiment the sucked-in fluid will carry the closing body to a position where it closes a part of the level detection channel located upstream. The sucking-in of gas alone is insufficient for this purpose. The closure results in an abrupt pressure difference which can be detected in simple manner and sets the switch-off mechanism of the nozzle into operation in reliable manner.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3994323 (1976-11-01), Takahata et al.
patent: 4214614 (1980-07-01), Pyle
patent: 4809753 (1989-03-01), Fink, Jr.
patent: 4984612 (1991-01-01), de la Haye
patent: 5603364 (1997-02-01), Kerssies
patent: 1072902 (1958-03-01), None
patent: 8616765 (1986-06-01), None
patent: 0337871 (1989-11-01), None
Giesen Leonardus Henricus Wilhelmus
Nusen Andreas Jacobus Louis
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Maust Timothy L.
OPW Fueling Components Europe B.V.
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