US3805857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vaporizable fuel transfer system and seal therefor
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-17
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1992-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A fuel dispensing nozzle and system adapted to be manually actuated for transferring a vaporizable fuel from a source thereof, into the tank of a motor vehicle, boat, airplane, or the like. To avoid a discharge of fuel vapors into the atmosphere during the transfer operation, an expandable bladder or seal member is carried on the fuel dispensing nozzle to form a controllably regulated seal with the tank. The bladder or seal member is actuated by means of a valve communicated with an inflating medium and cooperative with a fuel flow control valve. Thus, an operator can sequentially form the desired seal with a fuel tank, and thereafter commence fuel flow into the tank. Subsequently, he will discontinue said fuel flow, then collapse the seal, all without discharge of fuel vapors from the tank into the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 E Johnson
- 👤 R Wetmiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:11
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/44; B67D7/50; B67D7/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A nozzle having a flow passage therein including a discharge tube communicated through said flow passage with a source of vaporized fuel for conducting fuel into a tank therefor, the latter including a filler spout adapted to removably receive said discharge tube of said nozzle, first valve means in said flow passage having an actuating lever operably positioned to regulate fuel flow through said first valve means and to said discharge tube, an inflatable seal element adjustable between inflated and deflated conditions, said element being carried on said discharge tube and adapted to slidably register within said filler spout when said seal element is in the deflated condition, second valve means communicating said inflatable seal element with a source of an inflating medium, said second valve means being operably connected to said actuating lever to regulate the flow of said inflating medium through said second valve means, whereby to regulate the condition of said inflatable seal element, said second valve means including a single movable element being adjustable to regulate the flow of inflating medium through said second valve means, said movable element being operably connected to said first valve means actuating lever to maintain continuous engagement with the latter through all positions of said lever.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A nozzle having a flow passage therein including a discharge tube communicated through said flow passage with a source of vaporized fuel for conducting fuel into a tank therefor, the latter including a filler spout adapted to removably receive said discharge tube of said nozzle, first valve means in said flow passage having an actuating lever operably positioned to regulate fuel flow through said first valve means and to said discharge tube, an inflatable seal element adjustable between inflated and deflated conditions, said element being carried on said discharge tube and adapted to slidably register within said filler spout when said seal element is in the deflated condition, second valve means communicating said inflatable seal element with a source of an inflating medium, said second valve means being operably connected to said actuating lever to regulate the flow of said inflating medium through said second valve means, whereby to regulate the condition of said inflatable seal element, said second valve means including a single movable element being adjustable to regulate the flow of inflating medium through said second valve means, said movable element being operably connected to said first valve means actuating lever to maintain continuous engagement with the latter through all positions of said lever.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, including automatic fuel shut off means carried on said nozzle and adaptable to engage one end of said actuating lever, said elongated actuating lever being pivotally connected at one end to said nozzle, and having a remote other end, said valve means being operably connected to said actuating lever at a point intermediate said respective pivoted and remote ends thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A dispensing nozzle for transferring a vaporizable liquid from a source thereof, to a tank therefor having filler opening, said nozzle including; a discharge tube adapted to register in said tank filler opening whereby to conduct a stream of said liquid into said tank, means within said discharge tube and extending through said nozzle for receiving a stream of air and vapors from said liquid as the latter is introduced to said tank, an inflatable seal element carried on said discharge tube being expandable to engage contiguous walls of said filler opening and form an annular seal wIth the latter, conduit means communicating said inflatable seal element with said discharge tube, and valve means having a common elongated actuating lever being operable to regulate flow of an inflating medium to and from said inflatable seal element to pass liquid into said tank, and to permit passage of air and vaporized fumes from said tank into said dispensing nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
A dispensing nozzle for transferring a vaporizable liquid from a source thereof, to a tank therefor having filler opening, said nozzle including; a discharge tube adapted to register in said tank filler opening whereby to conduct a stream of said liquid into said tank, means within said discharge tube and extending through said nozzle for receiving a stream of air and vapors from said liquid as the latter is introduced to said tank, an inflatable seal element carried on said discharge tube being expandable to engage contiguous walls of said filler opening and form an annular seal wIth the latter, conduit means communicating said inflatable seal element with said discharge tube, and valve means having a common elongated actuating lever being operable to regulate flow of an inflating medium to and from said inflatable seal element to pass liquid into said tank, and to permit passage of air and vaporized fumes from said tank into said dispensing nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said valve means is operable to sequentially inflate said seal means to engage said filler opening, and to thereafter commence flow of liquid into said tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said valve means includes a first valve communicating said discharge tube with a source of said liquid, second valve means communicating said inflatable seal with a source of pressurized gas, and actuating means operably connected to said respective first and second valves to actuate the valves and regulate flow therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2908299A
Cited
US3581782A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |