EP1009711B1

EP1009711B1 - Main valve of a fuel dispensing nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP1009711B1
Application number: EP98941910A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Jacobus Louis Nijsen; Leonardus Henricus Wilhelmus Giesen
Original assignee: OPW Fueling Components Europe BV
Current assignee: OPW Fueling Components Europe BV
Priority date: 1997-09-01
Filing date: 1998-09-01
Publication date: 2002-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-01
Also published as: DK1009711T3; ATE217297T1; DE69805307D1; WO1999011565A1; NL1006900C2; EP1009711A1; DE69805307T2; AU9006698A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid dispensing nozzle (1) for fluid, comprising: a main valve (11) which is movable between an open situation, in which it opens a main through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the main through-flow opening; an auxiliary valve (12) which is movable relative to the main valve between an open situation, in which it opens an auxiliary through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the auxiliary through-flow opening; wherein a trigger (13) is adapted to move the auxiliary valve from the closed to the open situation counter to the action of first biasing means (14), such that when the trigger is operated the auxiliary valve is first carried from the closed to the open situation and the main valve is subsequently carried from the closed to the open situation, wherein second biasing means (15) are provided which are adapted to open the main valve when the auxiliary valve is open.

Description

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, which fluid dispensing nozzle comprises: a main valve which is movable between an open situation, in which it opens a main through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the main through-flow opening; an auxiliary valve which is movable relative to the main valve between an open situation, in which it opens an auxiliary through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the auxiliary through-flow opening; wherein the trigger is adapted to move the auxiliary valve from the closed to the open situation counter to the action of first biasing means; and second biasing means which act on the main valve, and which are adapted to open the main valve when the auxiliary valve is open; this such that when the trigger is operated the auxiliary valve is first carried from the closed to the open situation and the main valve is subsequently carried from the closed to the open situation.
Such a fluid dispensing nozzle is known in practice in the form of a nozzle for filling with fuel and is described in European patent application EP 0 489 448. American patent US 2,869,584 describes a similar nozzle. Both nozzles comprise second biasing means which are formed by a hydraulic chamber, wherein fluid is held under high pressure, which chamber is opened when the auxiliary valve is moved to the opened situation, and whereby subsequently the main valve is carried to the open situation. A drawback of these known nozzles is, that the hydraulic chamber causes them to be large and heavy, making them difficult and inconvenient to operate. Moreover these nozzles may make the fueling system vulnarable to hydraulic shocks.
In such nozzles the pressure of the fuel on the main valve is decreased by first opening the auxiliary valve which has a smaller surface. In view of the smaller surface of the auxiliary valve, it can be opened first by a user relatively easily. Opening of the main valve then requires less effort. In the known nozzles the surface of the auxiliary through-flow opening is such that a small pressure drop is created with the purpose of enabling filling with small quantities of fuel and of reducing the pressure on the main valve so that it could be opened more easily. A maximum of 10% of the total fuel flow herein flows through the auxiliary through-flow opening during operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable fluid dispensing nozzle of the type referred to in the preamble with an improved convenience of operation, and having a smaller weight and dimensions.
The fluid dispensing nozzle according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the second biasing means are spring means. The use of spring means makes the fuel dispensing nozzle smaller, cheaper, and easier to produce than the use of the hydraulic biasing means of the prior art, and also improves the convenience of use.
In a first preferred embodiment the second biasing means are adapted such that movement of the auxiliary valve from the closed to the open situation takes place counter to the action of the second biasing means. In advantageous manner the second biasing means are herein biased by opening of the auxiliary valve. When the fluid pressure on the closed main valve is sufficiently low, the second biasing means then open the main valve. A user need exert only a minimal actuating force for this purpose.
In a further preferred embodiment the ratio of the size of the auxiliary through-flow opening to the size of the main through-flow opening lies substantially in the range of 1:9 to 1:1 and is preferably 1:3. In this embodiment the auxiliary valve is relatively easy to open and, when the auxiliary valve is open, the fuel pressure on the main valve falls sufficiently for opening thereof by means of the second biasing means. By opening only the auxiliary valve, filling with only a small quantity of fluid can take place easily.
The auxiliary valve is preferably movable between the closed and open situation thereof when the main valve is open. The flow rate is maximal when both the main valve and the auxiliary valve are situated in the open positions.
In a further preferred embodiment the auxiliary valve and/or the main valve is movable in a direction substantially opposed to the flow direction of the fluid during operation of the fluid dispensing nozzle. In this preferred embodiment an excellent closure of the main through-flow opening and the auxiliary through-flow opening is achieved under the pressure of the fluid in the closed situation of the main valve respectively the auxiliary valve. The nozzle according to the invention thereby has excellent protection against leakage of fuel.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which
figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a modular nozzle according to the invention in a first embodiment;
figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the modular nozzle according to the invention in a second embodiment;
figure 3 shows the basic module of the nozzle in more detail with the opened auxiliary valve;
figure 4 shows the basic module with opened main valve;
figure 5 shows the basic module with opened auxiliary and main valve;
figure 6 shows a graph in which the required force to be exerted by a user is plotted schematically against the stroke of the valve rod;
figure 7 is a graph which shows schematically the fuel flow plotted against the stroke of the valve rod;
figure 8 is a detailed side cross-sectional view of the end valve of the nozzle according to the invention in the first, closed position;
figure 9 shows the end valve of figure 8 in top cross-sectional view;
figure 10 shows the end valve of figure 9 in the second, open position;
figure 11 shows the end valve in the third, open position; and
figure 12 shows the nozzle with hose connecting module.
Figure 1 shows as an example of a fluid dispensing nozzle according to the invention a cross-sectional view of a modular fuel nozzle in a first embodiment designated with 1. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the nozzle designated with 10.
Nozzle 1 comprises a basic module 2 on which one or more further modules can be releasably mounted. The set of further modules contains for instance a closing module 3, a passage module 7, a spout 5 and/or an adapter sleeve 9. In the case of nozzle 1 or 10 nut 4 can be unscrewed, whereafter closing module 3 or passage module 7 can be pushed as desired into the basic module.
In figure 2 nozzle 10 is provided with passage module 7. This latter connects vapour return channel 8 to the hose of the fuel pump (not shown) to which the nozzle is connected. Evaporated fuel can hereby be recovered during filling. Conversely, closing module 3 of figure 1 closes the vapour return channel. In nozzle 1 no vapour recovery is possible.
Spout 5 can likewise be mounted releasably onto basic module 2 by means of nut 6. A spout of suitable diameter can be added in simple manner to the basic module. Alternatively, spout 5 can be embodied with a narrower diameter so that it is suitable in particular for use with fuel tanks of vehicles running on unleaded petrol. By placing an adapter sleeve 9 on spout 5 this latter can be made suitable for fuel tanks of vehicles running on leaded petrol or diesel, or unsuitable for fuel tanks of vehicles running on unleaded petrol.
Nozzle 1 is suitable in the shown embodiment for filling with diesel. Nozzle 1 can also be used for filling with leaded petrol without applying vapour recovery. Nozzle 10 is suitable in the shown embodiment for filling with unleaded petrol.
The set of modules also comprises a display module (not shown) which is fixed for instance to the basic module, for displaying information such as advertising messages.
Figure 3 shows the basic module of the nozzle in more detail. Main valve 11 opens a main through-flow opening for the fuel. Received in main valve 11 is an auxiliary valve 12 which opens an auxiliary through-flow opening for the fuel. Auxiliary valve 12 is coupled to rod 16 which runs through the main valve and is movable therein. Rod 16 is coupled for movement to trigger 13. Rod 16 is provided with a stop 17 against which rest first biasing means 14 and second biasing means 15. Biasing means 14 and 15 are spring means. First biasing means 14 engage on the other side thereof on the seat 18 of main valve 11. Second biasing means 15 engage on the other side thereof on the main valve 11 itself.
The operation of the nozzle is as follows. By exerting a relatively small force on handle 13 the user opens auxiliary valve 12 through movement of rod 16. This opened situation of the auxiliary valve is shown in figure 3. During movement of rod 16 first and second biasing means 14 and 15 are biased. The quantity of fuel which flows through the auxiliary through-flow opening preferably lies in the range of 10 to 50% of the maximum fuel flow through the nozzle. The dimensions of the auxiliary through-flow opening and the main through-flow opening are more preferably such that approximately 25% of the maximum fuel flows through the auxiliary through-flow opening. When handle 13 is squeezed further inward by the user, the force exerted by the second biasing means 15 on main valve 11 becomes greater at a given moment than the force exerted by the fuel on the main valve. The main valve then opens automatically counter to the direction of flow. This opened situation of the main valve is shown in figure 4. By squeezing handle 13 still further inward, auxiliary valve 12 can be moved from its now closed position to its open position. This situation is shown in figure 5. The fuel flow rate is now maximal.
Figure 6 shows a graph in which line 19 schematically represents the force F which must be exerted by a user on the trigger plotted against the stroke S of rod 16. Figure 7 shows a graph in which line 20 schematically represents the fuel flow V plotted against the stroke of valve rod 16. The transition point in both graphs is caused by springing open of the main valve. It can be seen clearly that the force to be exerted remains within certain limits over the whole range of the stroke. At both a low fuel flow and at a high fuel flow the user can suffice with a relatively low actuating force. The convenience of operation of the nozzle according to the invention is thereby improved considerably relative to that of the known nozzle.
As already stated above, the nozzle according to the invention is adapted to suck up evaporated fuel during filling. Spout 5 is provided as standard for this purpose with suction apertures 43 for sucking in evaporated fuel. The operation of this vapour suction system can best be understood with reference to figures 2 and 3. These figures show that vapour return channel 8 can be closed using a ball-like closure body 30. Ball 30 is arranged in a claw 33 which is placed shiftably in the line of vapour return channel 8. Trigger 13 is coupled on one side thereof to lever 31 which in turn is coupled rotatably to claw member 33 via rotation point 34. Lever 31 consists of two arms 31A and 31B which are mutually connected at connecting point 35. Point 35 can function as a rotation point depending on the position of detection means in the form of membrane 32 and of spacer elements in the form of rollers or rods 36. Point 35 is placed displaceably in the line of rod 16. It is noted that lever arms 31A and 31B are shown in figure 1 but in fïgures 2-5 and 12 they are only shown schematically with broken lines.
The operation of the vapour suction system according to the invention is as follows. In figure 2 the nozzle 10 is ready for use and all movable parts are situated in the rest position. Ball 30 closes vapour return channel 8. Membrane 32 is also situated in the rest position. This is also the case for rollers 36. Rotation point 35 has no fixed position, so that when trigger 13 is squeezed lever 31 can rotate freely on rotation point 34. No shifting of claw member 33 herein takes place and ball 30 remains in the shown position, so that vapour return channel 8 remains closed.
As soon as the fuel pump is started, for instance because a user takes nozzle 10 out of the holder, membrane 37 and, as a result thereof membrane 32, moves from the rest position to the operating position under the influence of the fuel pressure. This operating position is shown in figure 3. This has the consequence that rollers 36 also move from the rest position to the operating position, wherein they lie against rod 16 and thereby support rotation point 35 on rod 16. By squeezing trigger 13 rotation point 34 will shift to the position shown in figure 3. Claw member 33 herein pulls ball 30 from its position, so that vapour return channel 8 is opened. The distance through which rotation point 34 can be shifted is adjusted using a stop (not shown). This adjustable stop determines the stroke of the trigger, and consequently the maximum fluid flow rate of the main valve.
By now exerting more force on trigger 13, rod 16 will then be moved via rotation point 35 to the right in figure 3, whereby auxiliary valve 12 and main valve 11 will be successively opened.
When the fuel pump is switched off and the pressure falls away, membrane 37 and, as a result thereof membrane 32, will return from the operating position to the rest position. This also applies for rollers 36. Rod 16 will consequently move to the left in figure 3, whereby the auxiliary valve and/or the main valve are closed. A reliable switch-off mechanism is thus realized.
Closure of the vapour return channel is moreover position-dependent. When the nozzle is hung in the holder of the pump, ball 30 will close the vapour return channel.
Figure 8 shows a detailed side cross-sectional view of the end valve of the nozzle according to the invention. Figure 9 shows the end valve of figure 8 in top cross-sectional view. End valve 21 takes a form such that, in co-action with the inner wall of spout 5 and seat 22 of the end valve, it forms part of a venturi. Underpressure is created by the venturi subject to the quantity of outflowing fuel. The venturi co-acts with the switch-off mechanism, this being elucidated hereinbelow. The shape of end valve 21 is substantially conical. This shape tapers approximately conically from the middle of the end valve to the outer ends thereof. End valve 21 is arranged movably on shaft 23. Spring means 24 are arranged in end valve 21. These spring means rest against a stop 25 which is fixed on shaft 23. As seen in the flow direction of the fuel, a baffle element 26 is situated at the rear which, in the closed situation of end valve 21, closes the opening 29 of the delivery end of spout 5. Body 26 reduces turbulence in the fuel flow as much as possible and, due to the shape thereof, supports opening of the end valve under the influence of the fluid flow.
In figures 8 and 9 the end valve 21 is shown in its closed situation. When during use fuel flows through the nozzle in 'the direction of the delivery end, end valve 21 moves counter to the action of spring means 24 toward opening 29 under the pressure of the fuel. End valve 21 is then situated in the position shown in figure 10. At a low fuel flow rate there will be a high through-flow speed in the narrow opening between seat 22 and end valve 21, which provides a good venturi action. Spring means 24 contribute here in that they have a degressive spring characteristic, at least when the end valve has a small stroke. The spring characteristic of spring means 24 is preferably progressive as the stroke of end valve 21 increases. Figure 11 shows the extreme position of end valve 21 in which it is fully opened at a maximum fuel flow rate. The use of controllable, degressive spring means achieves that, when small quantities of fluid are delivered, a good action of the venturi is also ensured through the narrow opening between seat 22 and end valve 21 (shown in figure 10).
The nozzle according to the invention is provided with level detection means for detecting the fuel level in the tank for filling. These level detection means comprise a level detection channel 27 which runs substantially parallel to the through-flow channel, and thereby to the wall of the spout. Level detection channel 27 is connected via membrane 32 and the above described switch-off mechanism to the venturi for sucking up a fluid from the tank of the vehicle during filling. When filling starts, the fluid consists predominantly of fuel vapour mixed with air. However, when this tank is full, fuel will be drawn into the level detection channel. This fuel carries ball-like closing body 28 along to a position in which this closing body closes the part of level detection channel 27 located further upstream. An abrupt pressure difference is herein effected in the level detection channel. Membrane 32 will hereby move from the operating position (figure 3) to the rest position (figure 2) and, in a manner corresponding with that described above, trigger the switch-off mechanism so that the auxiliary and/or main valve is closed. The level detection means of the nozzle according to the invention operate in reliable manner through use of the closing body. Undesired switch-off of the nozzle caused by fuel splashes entering the level detection channel is avoided in the nozzle according to the invention.
Figure 12 shows the modular nozzle 1 according to the invention provided with a hose connecting module 38. This latter is arranged on nozzle 1 instead of the nut 4 shown in figure 1. Hose connecting module 38 consists of an adapter 39, a nut 41 and sleeve 40. Adapter 39 is fixed on basic module 2. Nut 41 serves for connection of a hose 42 onto basic module 2 via adapter 39. Extending in adapter 39 and nut 41 is a sleeve 40 which is placed rotatably in adapter 39. Nut 41 is mounted fixedly on sleeve 40, for instance by means of a threaded connection.
Hose connecting module 38 provides a rotary coupling between nozzle 1 and hose 42 which prevents twisting of the hose. Twisting of the hose is undesirable because it results in loops in the hose when the nozzle hangs in the holder on the pump. In addition, lateral forces occur on a twisted hose during filling, which is inconvenient. The dimensions of nut 41 can of course be adapted to any type of hose. It will be apparent that in addition to the illustrated and described embodiment of a nozzle for fuel, many more other embodiments of the fluid dispensing nozzle can be realized according to the invention which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) which is connectable to a fluid reservoir for filling a tank with fluid, which fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) is provided with a through-flow channel for the fluid which debouches into a spout (5) and with a trigger (13) for operating at least one valve (12) in the through-flow channel for opening and/or closing the through-flow channel, which fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) comprises:

a main valve (11) which is movable between an open situation, in which it opens a main through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the main through-flow opening;

an auxiliary valve (12) which is movable relative to the main valve (11) between an open situation, in which it opens an auxiliary through-flow opening for the fluid, and a closed situation in which it substantially closes the auxiliary through-flow opening;

wherein the trigger (13) is adapted to move the auxiliary valve (12) from the closed to the open situation counter to the action of first biasing means (14); and
second biasing means (15) which act on the main valve (11), and which are adapted to open the main valve (11) when the auxiliary valve (12) is open;
this such that when the trigger (13) is operated the auxiliary valve (12) is first carried from the closed to the open situation and the main valve (11) is subsequently carried from the closed to the open situation;
characterized in that the second biasing means (15) are spring means.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second biasing means (15) are adapted such that movement of the auxiliary valve (12) from the closed to the open situation takes place counter to the action of the second biasing means (15).
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of the size of the auxiliary through-flow opening to the size of the main through-flow opening lies substantially in the range of 1:9 to 1:1 and is preferably 1:3.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the auxiliary valve (12) is movable between the closed and open situation thereof when the main valve (11) is open.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the auxiliary valve (12) and/or the main valve (11) is movable in a direction substantially opposed to the flow direction of the fluid during operation of the fluid dispensing nozzle.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the auxiliary valve (12) is coupled to a rod (16) which runs through the main valve (11) and is movable therein, which rod (16) is also coupled for movement to the trigger (13).
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rod (16) is provided with a stop (17) on which the second biasing means (15) engage on one side thereof.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second biasing means (15) engage on the other side thereof on the main valve (11).
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the first biasing means (14) engage on one side thereof on the stop (17).
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first biasing means (14) engage on the other side thereof on the seat of the main valve (11).
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the first biasing means (14) are spring means.
Fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid dispensing nozzle (1, 10) is a nozzle for filling a tank with fuel.