Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With signal – indicator – recorder – inspection means or exhibitor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2001-07-03
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With signal, indicator, recorder, inspection means or exhibitor
C141S059000, C141S206000, C141S392000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253803
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an automated fueling nozzle adapted for transferring fuel from a fuel storage tank to a vehicle fuel storage tank wherein the fueling nozzle has a release means for automatically releasing a main valve responsive to a vacuum sensing means disposed remote from an end of the fueling nozzle and wherein the fueling nozzle has adjusting means thereon for use in the fueling inlet conduit of fuel storage tanks having differing lengths of fueling inlet conduits.
2. Prior Art Statement
It is known to provide an automatic dispensing nozzle for transferring fuel from a fuel storage tank to a vehicle fuel storage tank wherein the fueling nozzle comprises a hollow body having an inlet port, an outlet spout at one end of the body, a main valve in the body for controlling flow of fuel from the inlet port to the spout, means for manually operating the main valve, a pressure actuated valve within the body adjacent the outlet spout, the pressure actuated valve having opposed surfaces between a tappet and a seat for providing a Venturi means for creating a vacuum and a release means for automatically releasing the main valve responsive to a vacuum sensing means controlling the vacuum. For instance, see the U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,600 issued on Apr. 16, 1963 to Arthur F. Briede or the U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,415 to Boudot, et al.
it is also known to provide a device for extracting fumes from liquid fuel containers through an air line disposed in the fuel supply line. For instance, see the U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,928 issued on Jan. 16, 1962 to Robert Jay Brandt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, the prior art nozzles have not been used for filling water borne vessel storage tanks having an extended inlet conduit associated with the storage tank of the vessel as the reflux of fuel into the inlet conduit to shut off the nozzle results in spillage from the open end of the inlet conduit or a detached vent stand pipe. Fishing vessels used for extended travel away from a port where petroleum based products used by the vessel are readily available commonly have multiple fuel, lubricating oil and crude fuel oil storage tanks spaced around the vessel hull accessible through an elongated fueling inlet conduit disposed through the deck plating. Rapid filing of each of these tanks is essential to an effective fishing operation, hence high filling rates from the onshore storage tanks is widely utilized. Each of the vessel storage tanks also have a separate venting stand pipe associated with the tank disposed through the deck plating an it is typical practice to place the filling nozzle or hose into the fueling inlet conduit, open the filling valve and determine a full condition of the tank by observing spillage from the venting stand pipe. Upon completion of the filling action, it is also common to spray wash the spillage overboard through a gunwale port. Such practice results in fuel, lubricating oil or crude fuel oil cascading downward from the gunwale ports along the sides of the vessel and into the port water. Fuel waste, environmental damage in the port and fishing habitat have been destroyed. Fuel waste and port damage are quite obvious but vessels carrying a portion of the spilled fuel oil clinging to the sides of the vessel to the fishing habitat where the action of the vessel in sea water results in removal of the fuel, lubricating oil or crude fuel has caused the loss of fisheries. Environmentalists are calling for solutions to the problem and fishers have recognized the need for cleaning up the fueling operation.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an automated fueling nozzle adapted for transferring fuel from a fuel storage tank to a vehicle fuel storage tank, the vehicle fuel tank having an inlet conduit associated therewith, the fueling nozzle comprising a hollow body having an inlet port, an outlet spout at one end of the body, a main valve in the body for controlling flow of fuel from the inlet port to the spout, means for manually operating the main valve, a pressure actuated valve within the body adjacent the outlet spout, the pressure actuated valve having opposed surfaces between a tappet and a seat for providing a Venturi means of creating a vacuum and a release means for automatically releasing the main valve responsive to a vacuum sensing means controlling the vacuum, the improvement wherein the vacuum sensing means is disposed outboard of a discharge end of the outlet spout.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an automated fueling nozzle having the vacuum sensing means disposed outboard of a discharge end of the outlet spout and disposed within the fuel stream being discharged from the discharge end of an outlet spout of the fueling nozzle.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle wherein the vacuum sensing means is disposed outboard of a discharge end of the outlet spout and disposed substantially contiguous with an uppermost fueling level of the vehicle storage tank.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle wherein the vacuum sensing means is disposed outboard of a discharge end of the outlet spout and disposed at a distance from the discharge end of the outlet spout at least equal to the length of the inlet conduit of the fuel tank less the length of the outlet spout.
A further object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle wherein the vacuum sensing means is disposed outboard of a discharge end of the outlet spout at an open end of an elongated tube, the elongated tube depending from the hollow body wherein the elongated tube is independent of the outlet spout.
Still a further object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle wherein the end of the elongated tube depending from the hollow body of the fueling nozzle has means for directing the fuel stream away from the end of the elongated tube.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle having an elongated tube depending from the hollow body of the fueling nozzle wherein means for directing the fuel stream comprises a cone shaped member affixed to the end of the elongated tube, the cone shaped member directing the fuel stream away from the vacuum sensing means.
Yet still a further object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle having an elongated tube depending from the hollow body of the fueling nozzle wherein means for directing the fuel stream comprises a cone shaped member affixed to the end of the elongated tube, the cone shaped member directing the fuel stream away from the vacuum sensing means, wherein the vacuum sensing means is recessed within an elongated member depending from the cone shaped member.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an automated fueling nozzle having an elongated tube depending from the hollow body of the fueling nozzle wherein the elongated tube comprises a flexible tube.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that another object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle having an elongated tube depending from the hollow body of the fueling nozzle wherein the elongated tube comprises a flexible tube having the cone shaped member at the terminal end thereof disposes the vacuum sensing means substantially centrally within the fuel stream and wherein the cone shaped member has the smaller base thereof affixed contiguous with the end of the tube.
A notable object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle wherein the cone shaped member has the smaller base thereof affixed to the end of the tube and the larger open end of the cone shaped member disposed remote from the end of the tube.
A significant object of this invention is to provide an automated fueling nozzle adapted for transferring fuel from a fuel storage tank to a vehicle fuel storage tank, the vehicle fuel tank having an inlet conduit associated therewith, the fueling nozzle comprising a hollow body having an inlet port
Nusbaumer Joseph M.
Woods Ronald
Douglas Steven O.
Marsh Richard L.
LandOfFree
Fueling nozzle, vacuum sensing means and components therefor... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fueling nozzle, vacuum sensing means and components therefor..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fueling nozzle, vacuum sensing means and components therefor... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2555546