Liquid Dispensing Nozzle

Abstract

A fuel dispensing nozzle has a sealing member slidably supported on a spout of the nozzle to seal a tank in which the spout is disposed. The nozzle has an arrangement to recover the vapors from the tank being filled. When the vapor pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined pressure, fuel flow to the tank is stopped. The fuel flow also is stopped when the liquid in the tank exceeds a predetermined level.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 68,154, filed Aug. 31, 1970, now abandoned.

Description

When filling a vehicle tank with gasoline through a dispensing nozzle, vapors from the gasoline within the tank escape therefrom through the opening in which the spout of the nozzle is inserted. This escape of the vapors into the atmospere pollutes the air. While the vapor volume from filling a single vehicle is relatively small, the large number of vehicles receiving gasoline at service stations results in a substantial quantity of gasoline vapors escaping into the atmosphere. Thus, pollution of the atmosphere can be decreased if the vapors resulting from filling of vehicle tanks with gasoline can be eliminated.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems by providing a dispensing nozzle for supplying gasoline to a vehicle tank in which vapor from the gasoline supplied to the tank being filled cannot escape into the atmosphere. Accordingly, there is reduced pollution of the atmosphere from the gasoline supplied to a vehicle tank when the nozzle of the present invention is employed.

The present invention also enables recovery of the vapors from the gasoline supplied to the vehicle tank. Thus, by utilizing suitable vapor recovery equipment in conjunction with the nozzle, the vapor may be condensed to a liquid form to again be utilized whereby an economic gain can be obtained. This economic gain can be utilized to offset some of the cost of the vapor recovery equipment so that the pollution problem is substantially reduced without any significant additional cost to the service station operator.

By sealing the vehicle tank to insure that the vapors of the gasoline being supplied thereto do not escape into the atmosphere, it is necessary that the pressure within the tank not exceed a safe value. While the vapor recovery system of the nozzle normally prevents the pressure within the tank from exceeding the safe value, the possibility exists that there could be a blockage in the vapor passages so that pressure in the tank could exceed the safe value. If the safe value should be exceeded, than rupture of the vehicle tank could occur.

The present invention satisfactorily solves this problem by automatically stopping the flow of the gasoline through the spout to the vehicle tank when the pressure within the vehicle tank exceeds a predetermined pressure. The present invention employs a mechanism movable in response to the increase in pressure within the tank to close the valve regulating gasoline flow into the interior of the body of the nozzle.

An object of this invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle for supplying a liquid to a sealed tank in which the nozzle includes means to remove the vapors of the liquid from the tank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle for supplying a liquid to a tank in which the tank is sealed when the spout of the nozzle is disposed within the tank.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upon a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the drawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of a portion of the nozzle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the remainder of the nozzle of FIG. 1 and showing its spout entering the filler pipe of a vehicle tank.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the remainder of the nozzle of FIG. 1 and similar to FIG. 2 but showing the spout fully inserted within the filler pipe of the vehicle tank and the opening in the filler pipe for the spout sealed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 1 when the spout of the nozzle is in the position of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 1 when the spout of the nozzle is in the position of FIG. 2 and taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the nozzle of FIG. 1, similar to FIG. 5, but showing positions of the elements when the spout is in the position of FIG. 3 with the view being 90.degree. to FIG. 4 and taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the plunger that is slidably supported within the spout adapter.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 and taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the nozzle of the present invention and showing a check valve used therewith.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of a portion of a nozzle, similar to FIG. 1, but using a different spout connection to the body of the nozzle.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the nozzle of FIG. 10 and showing the spout disposed within the filler pipe at an angle to the axis of the filler pipe of the tank.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a nozzle body 10 having an inlet 11 to which a hose is connected to supply a liquid such as gasoline, for example, to the interior of the body 10. The body 10 has an outlet 12 with which a spout 14 communicates to receive liquid from the interior of the body 10. The spout 14 is adapted to be inserted within an opening 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in a filler pipe 16 of a vehicle tank such as an automobile fuel tank, for example.

The body 10 has a first valve 17 supported therein for controlling the flow of liquid from the inlet 11 to the interior of the body 10. A second valve 18 is supported within the body 10 for controlling the flow of liquid from the interior of the body 10 to the spout 14. Both of the valves 17 and 18 must be open for the liquid to flow through the spout 14.

A spring 19 continuously urges the valve 17 to its closed position. A cap 20, which is threaded in an opening in the wall of the body 10, acts against one end of the spring 19 to retain the spring 19.

A stem 21 is connected to the first valve 17 and has its lower portion extending exteriorly of the body. The valve stem 21, which is slidably disposed within the body 10, is moved by a manually operated lever or handle 22.

Liquid cannot flow from the body 10 to the exterior thereof through the passage in the body 10 for the stem 21 due to a packing 23, which is disposed in surrounding relation to the stem 21. A gland 24 is disposed above the packing 23 and has a spring 25 acting thereon. A retainer 26 acts against the spring 25 and retains the packing 23 in a position to prevent any leakage of liquid from the body 10 through the passage for the stem 21.

A spout adapter 27 is connected to the outlet 12 of the body 10. The spout adapter 27, which has the spout 14 slidably supported thereby, is fixed to the body 10 by a screw 28.

The spout 14 is slidably supported by the spout adapter 27 by being secured to one end of a plunger 29, which extends into the spout adapter 27. The spout 14 is connected to the plunger 29 by a collar 30, which connects adjacent threaded ends of the spout 14 and the plunger 29 to each other to form a unitary assembly.

The plunger 29 is continuously urged away from the body 10 by a spring 31, which surrounds a portion of the plunger 29 and is disposed within a recess 32 in the spout adapter 27. The outer surface of the plunger 29 has a retaining ring 33 secured thereto and against which one end of the spring 31 bears. The other end of the spring 31 abuts against a shoulder 34, which defines a wall of the recess 32, in the spout adapter 27.

Outward movement of the plunger 29 by the spring 31 is limited by engagement of the retaining ring 33 with a cap 35, which is secured by a screw 36 to the spout adapter 27. Thus, the spout 14 and the plunger 29 are disposed in the position shown in FIG. 1 whenever the spout 14 is not disposed within a tank and held therein by a force exerted on the body 10.

In the position of FIG. 1, the second valve 18 closes the outlet 12 to prevent liquid from flowing from the interior of the body 10 if the first valve 17 is open so that liquid can enter the interior of the body 10 from the inlet 11. The second valve 18 is secured to the plunger 29 for movement therewith.

The plunger 29 has a pair of tubes 37 and 38 fixed thereto. A plug 39 closes one end of the tube 37 and is secured thereto by any suitable means such as being press fitted, for example. One end of the tube 38 is closed by a plug 40, which is secured thereto by any suitable means such as a press fit, for example. The second valve 18 is secured to the plugs 39 and 40 by screws 41 and 42, respectively.

Accordingly, when the plunger 29 is in the position of FIGS. 1 and 5, the second valve 18 has a disc 43 contacting the end of the spout adapter 27 to close the outlet 12. The disc 43 may be formed of any material, which will form a seal with the end of the spout adapter 27 when in the position of FIGS. 1 and 5. For example, the disc 43 may be formed of rubber.

The second valve 18, which includes a holder 44 for the disc 43 and bonded thereto, is moved to its open position only when the force of the spring 31 is overcome. This can occur only after the spout 14 is disposed within the filler pipe 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

However, the liquid flow through the spout 14 to the vehicle tank does not occur by opening only the second valve 18. It also requires the first valve 17 to be opened by manually moving the lever or handle 22.

When the spout 14 is disposed within the opening 15 in the filler pipe 16, a sealing member 45 (see FIG. 2), which is slidably supported on the spout 14, engages the end of the filler pipe 16. When the sealing member 45, which is formed of any suitable sealing material such as rubber, for example, abuts against the end of the filler pipe 16, a spring 46, which surrounds the spout 14 and has one end acting against the sealing member 45 and its other end acting against a collar 47 fixed on the spout 14, is compressed as force is exerted on the body 10.

Thus, as the spout 14 advances into the filler pipe 16, the movement of the spout 14 is eventually stopped due to the spring 46 being incapable of any further compression. At this time, the force on the body 10 causes the spring 31 to be compressed whereby the body 10 moves relatively to the plunger 29 so that the end of the spout adapter 27 moves away from the second valve 18.

This arrangement results in the second valve 18 returning to its closed position as soon as the body 10 ceases to have a force exerted thereon. It is not necessary for there to be any withdrawal of the spout 14 from the filler pipe 16 for the second valve 18 to close. However, if the spout 14 should cease to be supported within the filler pipe 16, there would not be a sufficient reactive force on the spout 14 to permit the second valve 18 to remain in its open position.

Since the tubes 37 and 38 with the plugs 39 and 40 constitute only a small portion of the total cross sectional area of the plunger 29, there is a substantial area through which the liquid can flow. This is shown in FIG. 7.

When the sealing member 45 is disposed in the position shown in FIG. 2, it seals an opening 48 in the wall of the spout 14 with which one end of a vapor recovery tube 49, which is disposed within the spout 14, communicates. The sealing member 45 seals the opening 48 by engaging the wall of the spout 14 and an inclined outer surface of a stop 50, which is fixed to the spout 14 in surrounding relation thereto. The stop 50 limits the movement of the sealing member 45 by the spring 46 as shown in FIG. 2.

When the sealing member 45 is in the position of FIG. 3 wherein the spout 14 is disposed within the filler pipe 16 so as to fill the vehicle tank, the opening 48 communicates with the interior of the filler pipe 16 to receive the vapors from the tank. Thus, the vapors flow into the vapor recovery tube 49.

By forming the inner surface of the sealing member 45 with inclined surfaces, it is not necessary that the spout 14 be centered or axially aligned in the filler pipe 16 for the sealing member 45 to seal the filler pipe 16 and the spout 14. Furthermore, the inclined surface of the stop 50 enables a seal to occur with the sealing member 45 and properly centers the sealing member 45 on the spout 14 when the spout 14 is withdrawn from the filler pipe 16 to the extent shown in FIG. 2, for example.

The upper end of the vapor recovery tube 49 is disposed within the tube 38. The tube 49 is secured to the tube 38 by any suitable means such as being press fitted in the tube 38, for example.

The spout adapter 27 has a radial passage 51 formed therein and communicating with the upper end of the vapor recovery tube 49. The radial passage 51 is connected with an annular chamber 52, which is formed between the spout adapter 27 and the body 10. Thus, the vapors may flow from the vapor recovery tube 49 through the radial passage 51 to the annular chamber 52.

The body 10 has a guard 53 connected thereto by pins 54 and 54a. One end of a passage 55 in the guard 53 communicates with the annular chamber 52 to receive the vapors from the tank being filled while its other end communicates through a lateral passage 56 (see FIG. 8) with a vertical passage 57 in the guard 53. The vertical passage 57 may be connected through a hose or other suitable conduit means to vapor recovery equipment whereby the vapors from the tank, which is being filled, may be returned to the vapor recovery equipment in which the vapors may be condensed for further use.

The annular chamber 52 also communicates through a passage 58 in the body 10 with a chamber 59, which is formed between diaphragms 60 and 61. The diaphragm 61 is secured to the body 10 by screws.

A diaphragm 62 is disposed in spaced relation to the diaphragm 60 by a spacer 62a. A cap 62b cooperates with the diaphragm 62 to form a chamber 63 therebetween.

Because of the spacer 62a, the chamber 63 is separated from the chamber 59. Furthermore, the exterior side of each of the diaphragms 60 and 62 is exposed to atmospheric pressure through an opening 63a in the wall of the spacer 62a. Thus, atmospheric pressure acts on the exterior side of the diaphragms 60 and 62, which form walls of the chambers 59 and 63, respectively.

The chamber 63 communicates with a vacuum tube 64, which is supported within the spout 14, only when there has been relative movement between the body 10 and the plunger 29 after the spout 14 is fully inserted within the filler pipe 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The vacuum tube 64 has its lower end communicating with an opening 65 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in the wall of the spout 14. The upper end of the vacuum tube 64 is connected to the tube 37 by suitable means such as being press fitted, for example.

The chamber 63 communicates through a passage 66 in the cap 62b, a passage 66' in the spacer 62a, and a passage 67 in the body 10 with an annular chamber 68, which is formed between the body 10 and the spout adapter 27. The annular chamber 68 communicates with a radical passage 69 in the spout adapter 27. The inner end of the radial passage 69 is blocked by the plunger 29 when the nozzle is in the position of FIGS. 1 and 2.

However, when there is relative movement between the body 10 and the spout adapter 27, an opening 70 in the wall of the plunger 29 is aligned with the radial passage 69, as shown in FIG. 4, whereby the chamber 63 communicates with the vacuum tube 64. Accordingly, the chamber 63 communicates with the vacuum tube 64 only when the second valve 18 is moved to its open position.

The chamber 63 also communicates through a passage 71 in the cap 62b, a passage 71' in the spacer 62a, and a passage 72 in the body 10 with an annular chamber 73 in the body 10. A seat ring 74 is supported in the body 10 and closes the annular chamber 73 except for radial passages 75 in the seat ring 74.

A poppet valve 76 is slidably mounted on the stem 21 and is continuously urged into engagement with the seat ring 74 by a spring 77, which surrounds the stem 21 and has its lower end engaging the retainer 26. Thus, only the pressure of the liquid flowing from the inlet 11 and past the valve 17 can overcome the spring 77 and move the poppet valve 76 to an open position.

As the liquid flows between the poppet valve 76 and the seat ring 74, a venturi effect is created in the radial passage 75 in the seat ring 74. Due to the communication with the chamber 63 and with the vacuum tube 64 when the opening 70 is aligned with the radial passage 69, the venturi effect created by the flow of fluid between the inner surface of the seat ring 74 and the outer surface of the poppet valve 76 draws air through the vacuum tube 64 to create a vacuum.

The vacuum in the chamber 63 is controlled by the position of the poppet valve 76 relative to the seat ring 74. As the flow to the interior of the body 10 increases due to the first valve 17 being opened further, the poppet valve 76 is moved further to maintain the desired vacuum within the chamber 63.

As soon as the opening 65 in the wall of the spout 14 is blocked by the liquid in the tank reaching a predetermined level, the chamber 63 has its pressure reduced due to the air therein being drawn therefrom because of the venturi effect in the passage 75 whereby the diaphragm 62 moves upwardly. Because of a connection between the diaphragms 60 and 62, the diaphragm 60 moves upwardly with the diaphragm 62 so that upward movement of the diaphragm 62 results in the first valve 17 being closed.

The diaphragm 60 has a latch retaining pin 78 secured thereto for movement therewith and disposed between three balls 79, which are positioned within passages in a latch plunger 80. When the retaining pin 78 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the balls 79 prevent downward movement of the latch plunger 80, which is slidably mounted within the body 10.

When the retaining pin 78 is moved upwardly due to the reduction of the pressure within the chamber 63 because the liquid in the tank reaches the predetermined level, the retaining pin 78 is moved upwardly therewith. The upward movement of the retaining pin 78 disposes a tapered portion of the retaining pin 78 between the balls 79 whereby the balls 79 may move inwardly to allow the latch plunger 80 to be moved downwardly against the force of its spring 81. The correlation between the tapered portion of the pin 78 and the latch plunger 80 is more specifically shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,582,195 to Duerr.

The lower end of the latch plunger 80 is pivotally connected to one end of the lever 22 by a pin 82. Thus, when the latch plunger 80 moves downwardly, the valve stem 21 is moved downwardly because of the force of the spring 19 whereby the first valve 17 closes. Accordingly, when the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level that blocks the opening 65, pressure in the chamber 63 is reduced to move the diaphragms 60 and 62 upwardly whereby the valve 17 moves to its closed position.

The previously mentioned connection between the diaphragm 60 and the diaphragm 62 includes a vacuum pin 83, which is secured to the diaphragm 62 by a screw 84. The vacuum pin 83 has an enlarged flange 85, which is slidably disposed within a hollow upstanding portion 86 of a pressure plate 87. The pressure plate 87 is secured to the diaphragm 60 by a screw 88, which also secures the diaphragm 61 and the latch retaining pin 78 to the diaphragm 60.

A spring 89 is disposed within the hollow upstanding portion 86 of the pressure plate 87 and acts against the lower surface of the flange 85 of the vacuum pin 83. A retaining ring 90 is supported by the upstanding portion 86 of the pressure plate 87 and engages the upper surface of the enlarged flange 85 of the vacuum pin 83 to limit movement thereof by the spring 89.

Because of the resiliency of the spring 89, any downward movement of the diaphragm 62 has insignificant effect on moving the diaphragm 60. However, when the diaphragm 62 moves upwardly, the upper surface of the flange 85 of the vacuum pin 83 engages the retaining ring 90 and lifts the diaphragm 60 upwardly with the diaphragm 62. Thus, the connection between the diaphragms 60 and 62 becomes rigid when the diaphragm 62 moves upwardly but is flexible when the diaphragm 62 moves downwardly. Thus, only movement of the diaphragm 62 in its upward direction will cause significant movement of the latch retaining pin 78.

As previously mentioned, the chamber 59 communicates with the vapor recovery annular chamber 52. The diaphragm 61, which also is secured to the retaining pin 78, seals one side of the chamber 59 from the atmosphere while the diaphragm 60 seals the other side.

Accordingly, as long as the vapor from the tank can escape through the passage 55, the pressure in the chamber 59 does not exceed a predetermined pressure, which is sufficiently low so that the tank being filled will not rupture. However, if vapor could not escape through the passage 55 such as when the passage 55 might be blocked, for example, then the vapor pressure within the tank could rapidly increase to a pressure that could cause rupture of the tank. Accordingly, when the vapor pressure in the tank exceeds the predetermined value, the chamber 59 causes upward movement of the diaphragm 60.

Because of the flexible connection between the diaphragms 60 and 62, the diaphragm 60 can move upwardly irrespective of the position of the diaphragm 62. Since the chamber 63 also is subject to the vapor pressure from the tank, the increased pressure in the tank moves the diaphragm 62 downwardly. However, because of the flexible connection between the diaphragms 60 and 62, the vapor pressure in the chamber 63 has insignificant effect on the movement of the diaphragm 60 in an upward direction. Without the flexible connection, the latch retaining pin 78 could not be moved upwardly because the upward movement of the diaphragm 60 would be opposed by the downward movement of the diaphragm 62 due to the same vapor pressure.

Accordingly, when the vapor pressure in the tank exceeds the predetermined value, the upward movement of the diaphragm 60 moves the first valve 17 to its closed position. This movement is in the same manner as described when the liquid in the tank reaches the predetermined level except that the movement of the diaphragm 60 is due to the increased vapor pressure in the chamber 59 and not due to a decreased pressure in the chamber 63 causing the diaphragm 62 to move upwardly. However, the description of the manner in which the diaphragm 60 causes the first valve 17 to be moved to its closed position is the same as described for when the liquid in the tank reaches the predetermined level.

The vapor pressure at which the diaphragm 60 is moved upwardly is determined by the diameter of a flange 91 on the lower end of the pressure plate 87. The flange 91 bears against the upper surface of the diaphragm 60. If the diameter of the pressure plate flange 91 is increased, the diaphragm 60 moves upwardly in response to a lower pressure. If the diameter of the pressure plate flange 91 is reduced, a larger vapor pressure is required before the diaphragm 60 moves upwardly to stop flow to the tank.

An increase in the diameter of the pressure plate flange 91 causes an increased effective area, which is the area effective in moving the center of the diaphragm 60 in response to the vapor pressure. Since the force required to move the latch retaining pin 78, which is connected to the center of the diaphragm 60, the necessary distance to release the balls 79 is constant and is equal to the product of the pressure differential across the diaphragm 60 and the effective area, an increase in the effective area reduces the pressure differential required to move the diaphragm 60 upwardly to release the balls 79. Since the ambient pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm 60 is constant, the decrease in required pressure differential results in a reduction in the vapor pressure necessary on the lower side of the diaphragm 60 to move the diaphragm 60 upwardly. If the diameter of the pressure plate flange 91 is reduced so that the effective area is decreased, then the vapor pressure must be increased to obtain the constant force.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the spout 14 is inserted within the opening 15 in the filler pipe 16 until the spring 46 is compressed to the position shown in FIG. 3. At this time, further movement of the spout 14 into the tank is prevented. Thus, additional force on the nozzle body 10 moves the body 10 relative to the plunger 29 so that the end of the spout adapter 27 ceases to contact the disc 43 of the second valve 18. As a result, the second valve 18 no longer blocks flow from the interior of the body 10 to the spout 14 as shown in FIG. 6.

To have flow through the spout 14 to the tank, it also is necessary for the lever 22 to be actuated. This results in the first valve 17 being moved to an open position to allow liquid flow from the inlet 11 to the interior of the body 10.

Flow will continue until the handle 22 is released by the user if the tank does not become filled prior thereto or the pressure in the tank does not exceed the predetermined value. If the lever 22 is retained in a position to hold the first valve 17 open until the tank is filled, then the first valve 17 will be moved automatically to its closed position due to the diaphragm 60 moving upwardly because of the blocking of the opening 65. Likewise, if the vapor should be unable to escape through the passage 55, this will cause automatic closing of the first valve 17 irrespective of the level of the liquid in the tank.

If the user should cease to exert a sufficient force on the nozzle body 10 at any time, there will be relative movement between the plunger 29 and the body 10 to move the second valve 18 to its closed position. Thus, any release of the pressure on the nozzle body 10 tending to cause the spout 14 to not be retained in the filler pipe 16 and for the sealing member 45 to no longer seal the tank 16 automatically stops flow from the interior of the body 10 to the spout 14. When the second valve 18 closes, the chamber 63 no longer communicates with the vacuum tube 64 because of the position of the radial passage 70 in the plunger 29.

The passage 71' has a check valve 93 mounted therein. The check valve 93 prevents the build-up of pressure in the chamber 63 from the liquid flowing into the interior of the body 10 when the first valve 17 is opened while the second valve 18 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the check valve 93 includes a ball 94 supported within a body 95, which is mounted in an enlarged portion of the passages 71'. When the valves 17 and 18 are both open, the ball 94 is in the position shown in FIG. 9 whereby air can flow through openings 96 in the body 95 from the passage 71 to the passage 71'.

However, if the second valve 18 is closed while the first valve 17 is open, the pressure from the passage 72 moves the ball 94 to the phantom line position of FIG. 9 where the ball 94 bears against an O-ring 97, thereby preventing rupture of diaphragm 62. The O-ring 97 is retained between the upper end of the body 95 and a washer 98.

While the vapor recovery arrangement of the present invention and the automatic cut off the liquid flow to the tank when the vapor pressure exceeds a predetermined value have been shown and described as used in a nozzle in which there is a separate valve that is only opened when a predetermined force has been exerted on the nozzle body, the separate valve is the invention of Robert L. Murrany and is described in the copending patent application of Robert L. Murray for "Shut-Off Valve For Liquid Dispensing Nozzle," Ser. No. 68,153, filed Aug. 31, 1970, and assigned to the same assignee as the assignee of the present application. Therefore, it should be understood that the valve 18 is not a requisite for the vapor recovery system of the present invention.

One suitable example of another arrangement for use with the vapor recovery system of the present invention to automatically cut off the flow of the liquid to the tank when the vapor pressure exceeds a predetermined value is the configuration shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the spout 100 is fixed in one end of a spout adapter 101, which is secured to the body 10 by a screw 102.

The spout adapter 101 has a pair of tubes 103 and 104, which are formed integral therewith and have substantially the same configuration as the tubes 37 and 38 in the plunger 29 (see FIG. 7). A plug 105 closes one end of the tube 103 and is secured thereto by any suitable means such as being press fitted, for example. One end of the tube 104 is closed by a plug 106, which is secured thereto by any suitable means such as a press fit, for example.

The tube 103 has one end communicating with the vacuum tube 64, which is disposed within the spout 100 in the same manner as it is disposed within the spout 14, and its other end connected through a radial passage 107 in the spout adapter 101 with an annular chamber 108, which is formed between the body 10 and the spout adapter 101. The annular chamber 108 communicates with the chamber 63, FIG. 1, in the same manner as does the annular chamber 68.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the chamber 63, FIG. 1, always communicates with the atmosphere through the vacuum tube 64. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the check valve 93 in this embodiment.

The tube 104 communicates at one end with the vapor recovery tube 49, which is disposed within the spout 100 in the same manner as the vapor recovery tube 49 is disposed within the spout 14. The other end of the tube 104 communicates through a radial passage 109 in the spout adapter 101 with an annular chamber 110, which is formed between the spout adapter 101 and the body 10. Thus, the vapors may flow from the vapor recovery tube 49 through the radial passage 109 to the annular chamber 110.

The annular chamber 110 communicates with the passage 55 in the guard 53 to allow the vapors to be returned to the vapor recovery system in the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 1. The annular chamber 110 also communicates through the passage 58 with the chamber 59 to produce movement of the diaphragm 60 in an upward direction if the vapor pressure in the tank exceeds the predetermined value due to inability of the vapors to escape through the passage 55.

The spout 100 has a collar 111 fixed thereto and serving as a stop for the sealing member 45. The collar 111 also functions to hold the spout 100 within the filler pipe 16 of the tank. This enables the service station attendant to leave the nozzle and perform other duties.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 10 is similar to that of FIG. 1. To begin flow, it is only necessary for the attendant to insert the spout 100 within the filler pipe 16 and to actuate the lever or handle 22 to open the valve 17. This enables flow to the tank to begin immediately.

The sealing member 45 seals against the tank. Thus, as long as the vapors are able to escape through the passage 55, there is no stopping of flow to the tank unless the liquid in the tank reaches the level at which the liquid blocks the opening 65. When this occurs, the diaphragm 62, FIG. 1, moves upwardly and causes the diaphragm 60 to move upwardly therewith through the connection therebetween whereby the valve 17 is closed. If the vapor pressure in the tank should exceed the predetermined value due to blockage of the passage 55, for example, then the diaphragm 60 moves upwardly to again close the valve 17.

Referring to FIG. 11, the spout 100 is shown disposed within the filler pipe 16 of the tank and not coaxially aligned therewith. Notwithstanding this, the sealing member 45 still seals against the tank because of the configuration of the sealing member 45.

The sealing member 45 is formed with a substantially cylindrical shaped lower portion 113 having an upstanding portion 114 and a back-up plate 45a to lend support to the member 45 and its configuration, inner surface 115 of the upper end of the upstanding portion 114 always contacts the outer surface of the spout 100 irrespective of the position of the axis of the spout 100 with respect to the center of the opening in the filler pipe 16. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, a continuous seal is provided by the upper portion 114 of the sealing member 45 with the spout 100 even though the spout 100 is disposed at an angle to the filler pipe 16.

Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the passage in the lower surface of the portion 113 of the sealing member 45 is smaller than the diameter of the opening in the filler pipe 16. This plus the fact that the bottom surface of the lower portion 113 of the sealing member 45 engages the adjacent surface of the filler pipe 16 due to the force of the spring 46 insures that the tank is sealed even though the spout 100 is not axially aligned with filler pipe 16.

Thus, the configuration of the sealing member 45 insures that the tank is sealed by the sealing member 45 even though the spout 100 is not axially aligned with the filler pipe 16. This arrangement allows the sealing member 45 to be mounted on the spout 100 so that it can both slide relative thereto and have relative angular movement with respect to the axis of the spout 100.

While the present invention has been shown and described as being used to fill a tank with gasoline, it should be understood that the diaphragm control means of the present invention may be readily employed in any environment in which two different conditions are to be employed to stop flow of liquid to a space by moving an actuating member.

An advantage of this invention is that it prevents the escape into the atmosphere of vapor from a liquid being supplied to a tank. Another advantage of this invention is that the vapor pressure in the tank which is being filled cannot exceed a predetermined value without automatically stopping flow of the liquid.

For purposes of exemplification, particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic shut-off nozzle comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in the body controlling flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet, manual operated means controlling the operation of the valve, a spout communicating with the outlet, said spout being insertable into a tank through an opening therein to allow the liquid to be dispensed therein, release means movable in one direction to release the manual operated means in response to either of two conditions existing in the tank and acting on the manual operated means to allow closing of the valve and stoppage of liquid flow, the conditions being build-up of vapor pressure to a predetermined vapor pressure and liquid reaching a predetermined level, a first means communicating with the tank and responsive to either of the conditions existing in the tank, the first means being connected to said release means to cause movement of the release means in the one direction in response to only one of the conditions existing in the tank, and a second means communicating with the tank and responsive only to the other of the conditions existing in the tank, the second means being connected to said release means to cause movement of the release means in the same direction in response to the other of the conditions existing in the tank.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a first diaphragm and said second means comprises a second diaphragm.

3. The nozzle according to claim 2 in which said first diaphragm forms a wall of a first chamber communicating with the tank and said second diaphragm forms a wall of a second chamber communicating with the tank.

4. The nozzle according to claim 3 in which the tank is a sealed tank being filled, said second diaphragm responding only to the predetermined vapor pressure in the tank, and said second means includes means cooperating with said second diaphragm to select the predetermined vapor pressure to which said second means responds.

5. The nozzle according to claim 3 in which mounting means for said second diaphragm includes means to connect said second diaphragm to the release means and mounting means for said first diaphragm includes means to connect said first diaphragm to said second means to move said second diaphragm in the direction in which said second diaphragm moves the release means in the one direction only when said first diaphragm responds to the one condition.

6. The nozzle according to claim 5 in which said connecting means between said first diaphragm and said second means comprises means to form a rigid connection when said first diaphragm moves in response to the one condition in the tank and means to render the rigid connection ineffective when said first diaphragm moves in response to the other condition in the tank.

7. The nozzle according to claim 5 in which said connecting means between said first diaphragm and said second means comprises a first member attached to said first diaphragm, a second member attached to said second diaphragm, resilient means to allow said first member to move relative to said second member when said first diaphragm moves in response to the other condition in the tank, and said first member and said second member having cooperating means to move said second member with said first member when said first diaphragm moves in response to the one condition in the tank.

8. The nozzle according to claim 7 in which said cooperating means of said first and second members and said resilient means cooperate together to allow said second diaphragm to move in response to the other condition in the tank.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8 in which said second member includes means to determine the predetermined pressure at which said second diaphragm moves the release means in the single direction.

10. The nozzle according to claim 1 wherein the spout has means thereon to seal the opening in the tank in which said spout is disposed to fill the tank, and means to remove vapors from the sealed tank.

11. The nozzle according to claim 10 in which said first means includes a first diaphragm movable in one direction in response to the liquid in the sealed tank reaching the predetermined level and in the opposite direction in response to the vapor pressure in the sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure, said second means includes a second diaphragm movable in the one direction in response to the vapor pressure in the sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure, means cooperating with said second diaphragm and said release means to move said release means to the position in which flow to said spout is stopped when said second diaphragm moves in the one direction in response to the vapor pressure exceeding the predetermined pressure, and means to connect said first diaphragm to said second diaphragm to cause movement of said second diaphragm with said first diaphragm only when said first diaphragm moves in the one direction to move said release means to the position in which flow to said spout is stopped when the liquid in the sealed tank reaches the predetermined level.

12. The nozzle according to claim 11 including a first chamber communicating with the sealed tank and having said first diaphragm form a wall thereof, means to create a flow of air from the sealed tank through said first chamber when said operated means is positioned to allow liquid flow from said inlet to said outlet until the liquid in the sealed tank reaches the predetermined level, said creating means also allowing the vapor pressure in the sealed tank to communicate with said first chamber, a second chamber communicating with the tank to cause the vapor pressure in the sealed tank to exist in said second chamber and having said second diaphragm form a wall thereof, said first diaphragm communicating with the atmosphere on its exterior side, and said second diaphragm communicating with the atmosphere on its exterior side.

13. The nozzle according to claim 12 in which said means connecting said first diaphragm to said second diaphragm includes a first member attached to said first diaphragm, a second member attached to said second diaphragm, and said first and second members having cooperating means to cause said second diaphragm to be moved by said first diaphragm only when said first diaphragm moves in the one direction and to allow said second diaphragm to move in the one direction when the vapor pressure in the sealed tank exceeds the predetermined value irrespective of the direction of movement of said first diaphragm.

14. The nozzle according to claim 10 in which said vapor removal means includes a tube disposed within said spout, said spout having an opening in its wall in communication with one end of said tube and disposed within the sealed tank when said spout is disposed therein, and means communicating with the other end of said tube to receive the vapors from the sealed tank.

15. The nozzle according to claim 14 in which said sealing means includes means to seal said opening in the wall of said spout when said spout is not disposed in a tank, said sealing means for said opening being supported on said spout.

16. The nozzle according to claim 15 in which said spout has means supported thereon to retain said spout within the opening in the tank irrespective of whether the nozzle is held and said supported means being disposed adjacent said opening in the wall of said spout but closer to the discharge end thereof.

17. The nozzle according to claim 16 including means continuously urging said sealing means for said opening in the wall of said spout to its sealing position and said supported means limiting the movement of said sealing means by said continuous urging means.

18. The nozzle according to claim 10 in which said sealing means includes a seal slidably mounted on the exterior of said spout and means to continuously urge said seal against the tank to seal the opening in the tank when said spout is disposed in the tank.

19. The nozzle according to claim 18 in which said spout has means supported thereon to retain said spout within the opening in the tank irrespective of whether the nozzle is held and said supported means limits the movement of said seal along said spout.

20. The nozzle according to claim 10 in which said sealing means is slidably supported on said spout.

21. The nozzle according to claim 10 in which said spout has means supported thereon to retain said spout within the opening in the tank irrespective of whether the nozzle is held.

22. The nozzle according to claim 18 in which said seal has an upper portion that continuously engages the exterior of said spout and a lower portion that surrounds the opening in the tank in sealing relation thereto irrespective of the axial disposition of said spout relative to the opening in the tank.

23. The nozzle according to claim 20 in which said sealing means includes a seal having an upper portion that continuously engages the exterior of said spout and a lower portion that surrounds the opening in the tank in sealing relation thereto irrespective of the axial disposition of said spout relative to the opening in the tank.

24. The nozzle according to claim 14 wherein the nozzle has a guard thereon, a conduit through the guard, the conduit communicating with the vapor receiving means at one end thereof, the conduit having another end communicating with a vapor recovery means.

25. The nozzle according to claim 21 wherein the supporting means comprises a collar fixedly mounted on the spout, the collar having a lip thereon engaging the opening in the tank and retaining the nozzle therein.

26. The nozzle according to claim 10 wherein the seal means comprises a ring of sealing material slidably mounted near the free end of the spout, the ring having an upstanding lip in the center portion, the lip having an inner surface engaging the spout, a collar fixedly mounted on the spout inwardly of the ring, a coil spring between the collar and the ring normally forcing the ring toward the free end of the spout, a second collar fixedly mounted on the spout outwardly of the ring and holding the ring on the spout.