GB2447519A

GB2447519A - Fuel dispensing nozzle with lock to inhibit trigger mechanism and prevent misfuelling

Info

Publication number: GB2447519A
Application number: GB0712913A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Gall Thomson
Original assignee: BP Oil International Ltd
Current assignee: BP Oil International Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-09
Filing date: 2007-07-04
Publication date: 2008-09-17
Also published as: GB0712913D0

Abstract

A lock assembly 14 is suitable for incorporation in a fuel dispensing nozzle having a trigger mechanism operable to allow selective dispensing of fuel through the nozzle. A lock member 16 is mountable in a fuel dispensing nozzle 10 for movement between active and inactive positions relative to a trigger mechanism 12 of the nozzle 10. The lock member 16 is coupled to an actuator 24 to effect movement of the lock member 16. The actuator 24 comprises an actuator body (32, fig. 1b) moveably coupled to the fuel dispensing nozzle 10 so as to be moveable between a first position preventing the dispensing of fuel from the dispensing nozzle 10 and a second position allowing the dispensing of fuel from the dispensing nozzle 10. The actuator body (32, fig. 1b) is shaped to abut the filling neck of a petrol fuel tank following insertion of the dispensing nozzle 10 into the filling neck. If the neck is large in diameter (e.g. a diesel fuel tank) then the actuator (32, fig. 1b) will not be pressed inward and the lock member 16 will not be released, thus preventing the misfuelling of a diesel fuel tank with petrol.

Description

* 2447519

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO

FUEL DISPENSING NOZZLES

This invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a lock assembly for incorporation in a fuel dispensing nozzle, an actuator for incorporation in a fuel dispensing nozzle, and a fuel dispensing nozzle including such a lock assembly or such an actuator.

Vehicles having a diesel engine have a wide filling neck to the fuel tank, and io diesel fuel dispensing nozzles have a diameter of between approximately 25mm and 27mm.

In contrast, vehicles having a petrol engine include fuel tanks having a restriction in their filling necks of 22mm diameter, while petroi fuel dispensing nozzles have a diameter of approximately 20mm to 21mm.

It follows that attempting to introduce diesel fuel into a petrol tank using a diesel fuel dispensing nozzle is thwarted by the 22mm diameter filling neck since the diesel fuel dispensing nozzle is too wide to enter this aperture.

However, the aforementioned features do nothing to prevent the dispensing of petrol fuel via a petrol fuel dispensing nozzle into a diesel fuel tank. Running petrol fuel through a diesel engine is highly undesirable since it can lead to extensive damage of the engine components requiring costly repair and replacement To help overcome this problem there is a need for improvements in or relating to fuel dispensing nozzles.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lock assembly according to Claim 1.

I

Preferably the lock assembly includes further features as defined in dependent claims 2 to9.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an actuator accordingtoClaimlO.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fuel dispensing nozzle according to Claim 11.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a fuel dispensing nozzle according to Claim 12.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1(a) shows an elevational view from a first side of a portion of a lock assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 1(b) shows an front elevational view of another portion of the lock assembly shown in Figure 1(a); Figure 1(c) shows a cross-sectional view through line A-A of Figure 1(b); Figure 2(a) shows an elevational view from a first side of a portion of a lock assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 2(b) shows an front elevations! view of another portion of the lock assembly shown in Figure 2(a); and Figure 2(c) shows a cross-sectional view through line A-A of Figure 2(b).

A fuel dispensing nozzle 10 includes a trigger mechanism 12, and a lock assembly 14 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The lock assembly 14 includes a lock member 16 that is mounted adjacent to an inlet end 18 of a spout 20 of the fuel dispensing nozzle 10. The lock member 16 is moveable between an active position relative to the ttigger mechanism 12 towards which it is biased by a first spring 22, as shown in Figure 1(a), and an inactive position ielative to the trigger mechanism 12.

The lock member 16 is coupled to an actuator 24 via a flexible member 26 in the s form of cable 28. A bell crank 30 is coupled between the flexible member 26 and the actuator 24 to translate movement of the actuator 24 into movement of the flexible member 26.

The actuator 24 includes an actuator body 32 that defines an elongate member 34 in the form of a ramp 36. The elongate member 34 is shaped to abut a filling neck of a petrol fuel tank (not shown).

While in the active position the lock member 16 lies in the path of the trigger mechanism 12, as shown in Figure 1(a), to create a barrier between the trigger mechanism 12 and the spout 20. This barrier inhibits movement of the trigger mechanism and so a user cannot dispense fuel from the fuel dispensing nozzle.

When a user inserts the spout 20 into the filling neck of a petrol fuel tank the ramp 36 abuts the filling neck and depresses the actuator 24. This causes movement of the bell crank 30 which, in turn, retracts the cable 28 to pull the lock member 16 away from the active position towards an inactive position spaced from path of the trigger mechanism 12. This allows unrestricted movement of the trigger mechanism 12, and so a user is able to dispense fuel from the fuel dispensing nozzle 10.

A second fuel dispensing nozzle 50 includes a lock assembly 52 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The second lock assembly 52 shares some features with the first lock assembly 14 and these are designated using the same reference numerals.

The second lock assembly 52 includes a lock member 16 that is mounted towards an outlet end 44 of a spout 20 of the second fuel dispensing nozzle 50. The lock 3.

member 16 is moveable between an active position relative to a trigger mechanism 12 of the second fuel dispensing nozzle 50, as shown m Figure 2(a), towards which it is biased by a second spring (not shown), and an inactive position relative to a trigger mechanism 12. )

The second lock assembly 52 includes a flexible coupling 46 that is co-operable with the lock member 16 and the trigger mechanism 12. The flexible coupling 46 is biased into engagement with the trigger mechanism 12 by a third spring 48.

An actuator 24 abuts the lock member 16 to move it from the active position to an inactive position. The actuator 24 includes an actuator body 32 that defines an elongate member 34 in the form of a ramp 36. The elongate member 34 is shaped to abut a filling neck of a petrol fuel tank (not shown).

While in the active position the lock member 16 lies in the path of the flexible coupling 46, as shown in Figure 2(a). The flexible coupling 46 abuts the trigger mechanism 12 and inhibits movement of the trigger mechanism. As a result a user cannot dispense fuel from the fuel dispensing nozzle.

When a user inserts the spout 20 into the filling neck of a petrol fuel tank the ramp 36 abuts the filling neck and depresses the actuator 24. This causes movement of the lock member 16 from the active position towards an inactive position spaced from the path of the flexible coupling 46. This allows unrestricted movement of the flexible coupling 46 and, in turn, unrestricted movement of the trigger mechanism 12, thus allowing a user to dispense fuel from the fuel dispensing nozzle 10.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A lock assembly for incorporation in a fuel dispensing

nozzle having a trigger mechanism operable to allow selective dispensing of fuel through the nozzle, the lock assembly comprising a lock member mountable in a fuel dispensing nozzle for movement between active and inactive positions relative to a trigger mechansm of the nozzle to selectively inhibit operation of the trigger mechanism, the lock member being coupled to an actuator to effect movement of the lock member.

JO
2. A lock assembly according to Claim I wherein the lock member is biased towards an active position in which it inhibits operation of the trigger mechanism.
3. A lock assembly according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the actuator is includes an actuator body shaped to abut a filling neck of a petrol fuel tank in order to move the actuator and effect movement of the lock member from an active position to an inactive position.
4. A lock assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the actuator body defines an elongate member extendible along the length of a spout of a fuel dispensing nozzle.
5. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the lock member is mountable adjacent to an inlet end of a spout in a fuel dispensing nozzle.
6. A lock assembly according to Claim 5 wherein the lock member and the actuator are coupled to one another via a flexible member.
7. A lock assembly according to Claim 5 further including a bell crank interposed between the actuator and the flexible member, movement of the actuator being translated by the bell crank into movement of the flexible member to move the lock member from an active position to an inactive position.
8. A lock assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the lock member is mountable towards an outlet end of a spout in a fuel dispensing nozzle.
9. A lock assembly according to Claim 8 further including a flexible coupling cooperable with the lock member and the trigger mechanism of the fuel dispensing nozzle.
10. An actuator, for incorporation in a fuel dispensing nozzle, comprising an actuator body moveably couplable to the fuel dispensing nozzle so as to be moveable between a first position preventing the dispensing of fuel from the dispensing nozzle and a second position allowing the dispensing of fuel from the dispensing nozzle, the actuator body being shaped to abut the filling neck of a petrol fuel tank following insertion of the dispensing nozzle into the filling neck to* move the actuator from the first position to the second position.
11. A fuel dispensing nozzle including a lock assembly according to any of Claims I to 9.
12. A fuel dispensing nozzle including an actuator according to Claim 10.
13. A lock assembly generally as herein described with reference to andlor illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. An actuator generally as herein described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
15. A fuel dispensing nozzle generally as herein described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.