EP2574597B1 - Fuel nozzle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing valve for filling liquids in a reservoir according to the preamble of claim 1. The refueling of particular smaller aircraft takes place with so-called airfield refueling valves, by means of which fuel in frequently arranged on the top of the wings filling openings (overwing refueling) is delivered. The implementation of such overwing refueling is exhausting and requires a considerable amount of force, since on the one hand the nozzle with heavy filling hose in the required
Overwing position must be brought and on the other hand safety regulations forbid it to provide an airfield refueling valve with a catch, the operating lever and thus the valve in the open state
holds without application of a hand force. Thus, during the entire refueling operation, the dispensing valve must be held and the operating lever manually kept open.

The invention has for its object to provide a nozzle of the type mentioned, which facilitates the operator a refueling operation and thus is particularly suitable for use as an airfield refueling valve.

The object is achieved in that the valve actuation a continuous curve with continuous course in which, at the beginning of the Ventilöffnungshubes when applying the actuating lever with an actuating force, a different opening force is exerted on the main valve than when applying the actuating lever with the same actuating force in the course of the Ventilöffnungshubes.

First, some terms used in the invention are explained. The dispensing valve according to the invention is designed for filling liquids, in particular fuels or other operating fluids, in a storage container. The storage container may in particular be a fuel tank, for example the fuel tank of an aircraft or another vehicle. The main valve doses the liquid delivery. The operating lever (also called lever) is used to actuate the main valve. The main valve is biased to the closed position, in which it prevents the liquid discharge. The bias in the closed position is usually done by a spring force.

According to the invention it is provided that the valve actuation has a continuous characteristic with a continuous course. At the beginning of the Ventilöffnungshubes (and thus at the beginning of the actuation path of the actuating lever) causes the application of the actuating lever with a defined actuation force a different opening force on the main valve than when exerting the same actuating force in the course of Ventilöffnungshubes (and thus actuation path of the actuating lever). The opening force at the beginning the Ventilöffnungshubes be greater or smaller than in the course of the Ventilöffnungshubes.

The change in the opening force correlates with a changed path reduction. For a defined valve lift at the beginning of the valve opening operation, a longer or shorter actuating travel of the actuating lever is required than for the same valve lift in the further course or towards the end of the valve opening operation. The change in the opening force or the path reduction in the course of Ventilöffnungshubes happens to be infinitely, i. There are no jumps in the required opening force or Weguntersetzung.

The invention combines the apparent contradiction, on the one hand to avoid high actuation forces for the actuating lever and at the same time to allow a small lever travel at a dispensing valve. In a typical design of a dispensing valve, for example, the necessary to open the main valve lifting force at the beginning of the opening process to be highest, since at this time still no flow through the valve takes place and the full pressure difference between the inlet and discharge side of the valve on the Valve plate acts and this pushes in addition to the spring force in the closed position. According to the invention, the required actuation force on the actuating lever can be reduced by an intended greater reduction of lever travel in Ventilhubweg to overcome this initial resistance. After starting the valve opening, the pressure difference across the valve decreases due to the fluid flow and the necessary lifting forces for further opening of the main valve decrease. According to the invention can then be provided a lower reduction of lever travel to Ventilhubweg. The actuation force on the actuating lever can remain approximately the same, but the now changed reduction ratio reduces the lever travel until reaching the full open position of the main valve. For the complete valve opening thus a comparatively small lever travel is required, yet at the beginning of the opening operation due to the then stronger reduction only a comparatively low actuation force is required. This facilitates the handling of a corresponding valve, in particular when used as an airfield refueling valve in the overwing mode.

However, it is also possible according to the invention to configure the dispensing valve such that a large opening force is required at the beginning of the valve opening stroke, which decreases in the course of the valve opening stroke. As a result, a possibly desired initial resistance during opening of the valve is ensured, without this initial resistance also persists in the further course of Ventilöffnungshubes.

Preferably, actuating lever and valve actuation of the main valve (thus preferably the valve rod) are kinematically connected via a gear with variable in the course of the actuation path of the actuating lever translation. This translation is variable in that at the beginning of the opening stroke of the valve, a greater or lesser reduction of lever travel in the valve path than in the further course or towards the end of the opening stroke. Various embodiments of this transmission are conceivable. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission is a coupling gear which has a driving lever hinged on the driving lever, the first operating end is in operative connection with the valve rod of the main valve. The driving lever preferably has a second end, which is articulated on the first end of a reversing lever, the second end is in turn articulated to a stationary region of the dispensing valve. In the course of actuation of the actuating lever, the angular position of the driving lever changes in a manner explained in more detail in the embodiments and thus causes the operating end of the driving lever is pivoted in the opening direction of the valve rod. This pivoting movement of the driving lever by a rotation or pivoting about the pivot axis on the actuating lever causes the operating end of the driving lever additionally moves in the opening direction of the main valve and thus increases the actuation path of the valve and thus the effectively used valve. The coupling gear can be designed so that reduces the effective valve lift used.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the first actuating end of the entrainment lever essentially has a straight guide. The actuating lever usually pivots on actuation about an axis and thus performs a circular segment movement. The driving lever can pivot about its pivot axis on the actuating lever in opposite directions. The radii of the two counter-rotating arcs can be designed such that, as a result, the operating end of the driving lever in Substantially has a rectilinear movement in the direction of the opening stroke of the valve. This allows a particularly efficient, low-friction and low-wear opening of the main valve, since there is no or at most low frictional forces on the operative connection between the operating end of the driving lever and valve stem.

In another embodiment of the invention, the transmission may have a drag lever. This preferably has a point of articulation and preferably at the operating point remote from the articulation point. The rocker arm is preferably lifted by an actuating element of the actuating lever, wherein in the course of actuation of the actuating lever, this actuating element moves along the rocker arm in the direction of its pivot point or away from it and so by the changed leverage a certain way of the operating lever in the course of Opening operation causes a corresponding larger or smaller way of the operating end of the finger lever.

Aircraft refueling valves must generally have a grounding cable by means of which a ground connection to the aircraft is made before the refueling operation begins. Furthermore, a cap is usually provided for the protection of the discharge end when not in use. In an advantageous variant of the invention can be provided that the grounding cable has an automatic return. In particular, this may be a take-up reel that is pretensioned in the take-up position. In this way, after completing a refueling operation, the ground wire can be rolled up automatically and obstructs the rest Handling the dispensing valve is not. The protective cap can be connected according to the invention by means of a cord with the nozzle and for this string can also be provided an automatic return. Such automatic return has the further advantage that, for example, in an overwing refueling when inserting or removing the dispensing valve no cable or cord ends hang loosely on the nozzle, which can interfere with handling or may cause damage to the wing surface or their painting under certain circumstances.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve body has two diametrically opposite feeds, to which two inlet regions of the dispensing valve housing are connected. The liquid feed then does not take place from the end face of the valve body or valve housing opposite the discharge opening or the outlet pipe, but the liquid is supplied from the side, the feed direction is preferably approximately at right angles to the stroke direction of the valve stem. In the region of the outlet opening opposite the end face of the valve body, the actuating mechanism including the operating lever can be arranged. This structural design offers a number of advantages. On the one hand, the described "kinking" of the feed direction relative to the dispensing direction facilitates the handling of the dispensing valve, for example, in a typical overwing refueling situation. On the other hand, the relatively free arrangement of the actuating mechanism at the free end of the valve body allows handling and actuation from different directions, without being affected by the supply hose. again improves the handling and, for example, the overwing refueling by pivotally connected to the inlet of the valve body inlet areas. This is a fluid connection designed as a rotary joint. This pivotability facilitates handling again, since the angle between the usually quite heavy and often less flexible supply hose and the outlet pipe can be better adjusted and so refueling is facilitated. The pivotability can be limited by stops and include only a small angular range of, for example, 10 to 15 °. Alternatively, it is also possible to make a full turn-over of, for example, 180 °, if this is not hindered by the actuating mechanism at the front end of the valve body.

The inlet regions of the dispensing valve housing may preferably extend in the shape of a fork from the hose connection of the dispensing valve to the described inlets of the valve body. The liquid flow through the supply hose is divided in this way into two partial streams and fed to the valve body through the two diametrically opposed inlets. This facilitates higher volume flows through the nozzle. Such a design with large flow cross sections also reduces occurring pressure losses.

According to the invention, it can be provided that a connecting web, which is preferably designed as a liquid passage, is provided between the fork-shaped inlet regions. This increases the stability and strength of the construction and, according to the invention, can additionally have a sight glass which provides optical control of the Refueling process allows. The sight glass is then arranged protected inside the fork between the two inlet areas. Alternatively, the sight glass may be arranged in the valve body, preferably in the region which is protected by the fork-shaped inlet regions.

The dispensing valve preferably has a nominal diameter of at least 25, more preferably a nominal width range of 40 to 50. The stated values can be combined as desired to areas according to the invention. It is preferably provided for an output of at least 150 l / min, more preferably 200, 300 or 400 l / min. A preferred maximum output power is 800 l / min. The stated values can be combined as desired to areas according to the invention.

It can also be provided that the dispensing valve according to the invention has a quick-change tube (outlet pipe).

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Zapfventils;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht der Rückholautomatik für das Erdungskabel und die Schnur der Schutzkappe;

Fig. 3

ein erfindungsgemäßes Zapfventil in einer Schnittzeichnung;

Fig. 4

in einem Ausschnitt aus Figur 1 das Zapfventil im geschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 5

in einem Ausschnitt aus Figur 3 das Zapfventil im geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 6

ein Ausschnitt aus einer anderen Ausführungsform mit Schlepphebel im geschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 7

die Ausführungsform der Figur 6 im geöffneten Zustand.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

a view of a dispensing valve according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a view of the automatic return for the ground wire and the cord of the cap;

Fig. 3

an inventive nozzle in a sectional drawing;

Fig. 4

in a section FIG. 1 the nozzle in the closed state;

Fig. 5

in a section FIG. 3 the nozzle in the open state;

Fig. 6

a section of another embodiment with finger lever in the closed state;

Fig. 7

the embodiment of the FIG. 6 in the open state.

This in FIG. 1 illustrated dispensing valve according to the invention basically has a hose connection 1, fork-shaped aufspreizende inlet areas 2, a valve body 3, an actuating mechanism with a handle 4 and an actuating lever 5 and an outlet pipe 6. The outlet pipe 6 is, as in FIG. 3 to recognize, designed as a quick change tube. The valve body 3 has two diametrically opposite, formed as a swivel joint liquid passages at which takes place from the inlet regions 2, an inflow of liquid into the valve body 3. The inlet regions 2 are formed pivotable relative to the valve body 3 around these pivot joints 7.

At the end opposite the outlet end of the valve body 3 of the handle 4 and the actuating lever 5 is arranged. It can be seen that due to the illustrated design, these actuating elements can be gripped freely from all sides, since they are arranged above the hose connection 1.

Between the inlet regions 2, in the vicinity of the valve body 3, a connecting web 8 (designed as liquid-permeable connecting tube) arranged to increase the stability of the dispensing valve. Protected in the region enclosed by the inlet regions 2 of the valve body 3, a sight glass indicated at 9 is arranged, through which the refueling process can be monitored.

FIG. 2 shows details of a dispensing valve according to the invention with an automatic return. At the front end of the valve body 3 in the region of the approach of the handle 4, two take-up reels 10, 11 are arranged, which are biased by means not shown springs in the winding position. Of the coils 10, 11, a cord 12 with a protective cap 13 attached thereto for the outlet pipe 6 can be deducted. In the idle state of the dispensing valve, the protective cap 13 can protect the outlet end of the outlet pipe 6. If the protective cap 13 is removed in preparation for the refueling process, the cord 12 is wound onto the spool 10 and the protective cap 13 is pulled against the dispensing valve. It does not hang down and does not interfere with handling during the refueling process. On the coil 11, a ground wire 14 is wound, to which a ground terminal is connected. Again, in the idle state, the ground wire 14 is wound up and the ground terminal does not hang loose. Prior to the refueling operation, a required length of grounding cable 14 is withdrawn and a ground connection is made between the nozzle and, for example, the aircraft.

The main valve has, within the valve body 3, a valve disk which, in the closed state, seals against a valve seat 16 with a valve seal 15. In this closed position, the valve is through a valve spring 17 is held. By means of a valve rod 18, the valve can be moved against the force of the spring 17 in an open position. The valve rod 18 has in the direction away from the valve seat 16 end a transverse to its axis bore 19 through which engages the actuating end 20 of a 21 pivotally connected to the actuating lever 5 driving lever 22. The driving lever 22 is pivotally connected at 23 with a lever 24, the second end is in turn pivotally connected at 25 to a fixed part of the valve body and the handle.

Through the interaction of the actuating lever 5 (with its pivot axis 26), lever 24, driving lever 22 and valve rod 18, the initially described coupling gear with variable reduction, which causes the continuous characteristic according to the invention with a continuous course of the valve actuation. In the case shown, the characteristic is a progressive characteristic.

FIG. 4 shows the nozzle in the closed state. The valve seal 15 is liquid-tight against the valve seat 16. If you move the operating lever 5 from the in FIG. 4 shown rest position, describes the pivot axis 21 of the driving lever 22 a circular arc whose radius corresponds to the distance between the axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 and said pivot axis 21. At the same time, the distance between the axis 21 of the driving lever 22 and the axis 25 of the reversing lever 24 is reduced by the movement of the actuating lever 5, so that they experience a rotational movement about the axis 23 relative to one another. In this case, the driving lever 22 experiences relative to the actuating lever 5 a rotational movement about the The combination of the pivoting movements of the driving lever 22 about the axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 on the one hand and the opposite pivotal movement about the axis 21 on the other hand causes the operating end 20 of the driving lever 22 experiences a substantially rectilinear upward movement and due to the operative connection in the Bore 19, the valve rod 18 lifts against the force of the spring 17 and opens the valve. One recognizes in the FIGS. 4 and 5 in that the kinematics of the linkage gear are such that, as the movement of the actuating lever 5 progresses, the reduction ratio of the linkage 22 is continuously reduced, so that at the beginning of the movement of the actuating lever 5, a certain pivoting angle about the axis 26 is smaller Opening stroke of the valve causes the same pivot angle about the axis 26 in the further course of the opening. Correspondingly opposite is the power reduction.

It is also possible to design the nozzle in such a way that the reduction of the linkage increases continuously. Then also results opposite to the illustrated embodiment opposite course of the power reduction.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the invention, in which the coupling gear has a drag lever. The actuating lever 5 is here via a projection 27 in operative connection with a cam follower 28, which is articulated at 29 pivotally. The drag lever 28 is facing away from the pivot axis 29 end in operative connection with a bore in the valve rod 18 and can lift this.

As by comparing the FIGS. 6 and 7 to recognize, when moving the operating lever 5 whose projection 27 lifts the rocker arm 28 and thus opens the valve. In the course of this movement, the projection 27 slides along the bottom of the finger lever 28 and it decreases due to the relative arrangement of the pivot axis 26 of the actuating lever 5 on the one hand and the pivot axis 29 of the finger lever 28 on the other hand, the distance between the pivot axis 29 and the point of action of the projection 27th on the rocker arm 28. By this reduction in the distance, the lever length changed such that at the beginning of the actuation operation a defined change in angle of the finger lever 5 causes a smaller opening stroke of the valve as a pivotal movement of the actuating lever 5 by the same angle in the further progress of the opening movement. One thus again receives a coupling mechanism with variable reduction.

In FIG. 3 can still be seen that the actuating lever 5 has a stopping aid 30, which allows in three defined by detents 31 on the handle 4 open positions that the operating lever 5 is kept open with reduced manual force, as in EP 2 186 773 A1 is described.

Claims (14)

1. Filling nozzle for dispensing liquids into a tank, comprising a main valve and an actuation lever (5) designed for opening the main valve against a force that biases the main valve into the closed position, characterised in that the valve actuation mechanism has a continuous characteristic curve having a smooth course, in which a different opening force is exerted on the main valve when an actuation force is applied to the actuation lever at the start of a valve opening stroke than when the same actuation force is applied to the actuation lever during the further course of the valve opening stroke.
2. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuation lever (5) and the valve actuation mechanism of the main valve are kinematically connected by means of a linkage, the gear ratio of which varies during the course of the actuation path of the actuation lever (5).
3. Filling nozzle according to claim 2, characterised in that the linkage comprises a drive lever (22) which is linked to the actuation lever (5) and a first actuation end (20) of which is operatively connected to the valve rod (18) of the main valve.
4. Filling nozzle according to claim 3, characterised in that the drive lever (22) has a second end that is linked to the first end of a reversing lever (24), the second end of which is in turn linked to a fixed region of the filling nozzle.
5. Filling nozzle according to claim 4, characterised in that the first actuation end (20) of the drive lever (22) has a substantially linear guide.
6. Filling nozzle according to claim 2, characterised in that the linkage comprises a rocker arm (28) having a linking point and an actuation end arranged remotely from the linking point, the actuation end being operatively connected to the main valve.
7. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising an earthing cable (14) and/or a protective cap (13) for the discharge opening, said protective cap being connected to the filling nozzle by a cord (12), characterised in that said filling nozzle comprises an automatic retraction system for the earthing cable and/or the cord of the protective cap.
8. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that valve body (3), which comprises the main valve, has two diametrically opposed inlets (2) to which two inlet regions (7) of a filling nozzle housing are connected.
9. Filling nozzle according to claim 8, characterised in that the inlet regions (7) of the filling nozzle housing are pivotally connected to the inlets (2) of the valve body (3).
10. Filling nozzle according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterised in that the inlet regions (2) of the filling nozzle housing extend in a fork-shaped manner from a hose connection (1) of the filling nozzle to the inlets (7) of the valve body (3).
11. Filling nozzle according to claim 10, characterised in that a connecting bar (8), preferably in the form of a fluid passage, is provided between the fork-shaped inlet regions.
12. Filling nozzle according to claim 11, characterised in that a viewing window (9) is provided in either the valve body (3) or the connecting bar (8).
13. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said filling nozzle has a delivery output of at least 150 l/min, preferably of at least 200, 300 or 400 l/min, further preferably of at most 800 l/min.
14. Filling nozzle according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that said filling nozzle comprises a quick change pipe (6).

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