Pipe joints or couplings – Swivel – Pipe in socket type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2001-04-17
Arola, Dave W. (Department: 3627)
Pipe joints or couplings
Swivel
Pipe in socket type
C285S279000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217083
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to improvements in known swivel fittings for use with riser lines used for transferring petroleum products to underground product storage tanks of the type found at gasoline service stations. The fitting permits a fuel hose to be removably attached to the riser line while permitting rotation of the hose during the transfer of product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gasoline service stations typically include a number of underground storage tanks for storing fuel products. A conduit known as a riser line generally extends from the top of each tank to a manhole at the driveway surface of the service station. A drop tube may be concentrically disposed within the riser line, flush with the riser line at the surface but extending beyond the riser line and into the underground storage tank. By removing the manhole cover and a cap from the top of the riser, a hose can be connected to the riser line to fill the product tank with petroleum products delivered by tanker trucks. The hose is generally connected to the riser line using a connector known as a top seal delivery nozzle. Such nozzles allow the hose to be quickly connected and disconnected from the riser line at a fill adapter located on the top of the riser line to simplify product transfer. These fill adapters are typically threaded to the riser line which is in turn threaded into a collar on the top of its respective product tank. When the underground storage tank is not being filled, a removable cap is used to seal the fill adapter both to prevent contaminants from entering the product tank and to prevent hydrocarbon vapors from escaping from the tank.
One problem with the use of conventional top seal delivery nozzles is that while no twisting is required to fasten the nozzle to the fill adapter, during the transfer of product, especially at the end of the product transfer when the hose is lifted and drained of any remaining product, some twisting of the nozzle occurs. Such twisting of the hose can cause twisting of the fill adapter, loosening it from the riser line. To prevent such loosening of the fill adapter from the riser line, fill adapters are often equipped with set screws which lock them to the riser line. While such a practice prevents the fill adapter from loosening from the riser, it can cause twisting of the entire riser. This can sometimes cause the riser to loosen from the tank collar. The loosening of any of the fittings or connectors on the riser line is to be avoided as it can lead to product or vapor leakage, or product contamination.
At least one known swivel fitting has been developed for fill adapters to permit rotation of the nozzle with respect to the riser line without causing any loosening of either the connection between the fill adapter and riser line, or the riser line and underground storage tank. One such fitting is sold by OPW Fueling Components of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,951.
The '951 patent discloses a two-piece swivel adapter which uses a flexible, electrically conductive rod to rotatably couple the two pieces of the adapter. However, the rotation achieved by this swivel adapter can be rough. Thus there exists a need for an improved swivel fitting which provides smooth and even rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved swivel fitting is disclosed which permits a typical top seal delivery nozzle to freely and smoothly rotate with respect to the riser line associated with an underground product storage tank. This simplifies the transfer of product from the tanker truck to the product tank by permitting some twisting of the transfer hose. Such twisting is permitted without causing any loosening of the fittings associated with the riser line as can be experienced when rigid connections are used.
A rotatable swivel fitting is provided in combination with an inlet conduit for an underground liquid storage tank. The rotatable swivel fitting is connected on one end to the inlet conduit for the tank. The opposite end of the swivel fitting is connected to a supply hose for supplying liquid to the underground storage tank. The fitting includes an adapter sleeve that has an inlet, an outlet and a first internal flow passage extending therebetween. The outlet of the adapter sleeve is fixedly secured to the inlet conduit so as to bring the first internal flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet conduit. The fitting also has a swivel sleeve with an inlet and an outlet. The swivel sleeve has a second internal flow passage extending between its inlet and outlet. The second inlet is adapted to be in selective fluid communication with a hose for supplying liquid to the storage tank. The outlet of the swivel sleeve is rotatably interconnected to the inlet of adapter sleeve and the second internal flow passage is in fluid communication with the first internal flow passage.
The adapter sleeve has an external surface of revolution about a first axis with an external annular groove. A swivel sleeve is rotationally movable with respect to the adapter sleeve. The swivel sleeve has an internal surface of revolution about a second axis that is coincident with the first axis. The internal surface of revolution of the swivel sleeve has a diameter that is slightly greater than the diameter of the external surface of revolution of the adapter sleeve, with the external surface of the adapter sleeve being at least partially fitted within the internal surface of the swivel sleeve. The swivel sleeve has a internal annular groove that is in axial alignment with an external annular groove of the adapter sleeve, forming a channel.
A plurality of ball bearings are located within this channel, partially located in both the external and internal annular grooves of the respective sleeves. The bearings allow relative rotation between the adapter and swivel sleeves, while preventing axial motion between the two sleeves. The bearings provide a free, smooth rotation between the adapter and swivel sleeves.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 456756 (1891-07-01), Bastian
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patent: 2745682 (1956-05-01), Chevallier
patent: 3148922 (1964-09-01), Roessler
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patent: 3484853 (1969-12-01), Nishi
patent: 3900221 (1975-08-01), Fouts
patent: 4120520 (1978-10-01), Ahlstone
patent: 4260183 (1981-04-01), Krupp
patent: 4749192 (1988-06-01), Howeth
patent: 5433247 (1995-07-01), Guertin
patent: 5607189 (1997-03-01), Howeth
patent: 5664951 (1997-09-01), Clary et al.
Arola Dave W.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
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