US2840272A - Fluid dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. W. BLACKBURN ET AL FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS INVENToRs C.W. BLACKBURN y H. D. MARESH @5p M ATTORNEYS June 24, 1958 Filed June 18, 1956 June 24, 1958 c. w. BLACKBURN ETAL 2,840,272

' FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 18, 1956 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42l I l l42 42I I I 142,

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6 Vr-m TV1-1 l 4e 46 I INVENToRs c. w. BLACKBURN 'BY H. D. MAREsH A T mRNEYS FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Charles W. Blackhum and Herbert D. Maresh, Bartlesville, Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware f Application June 1S, 1956, Serial No. 592,131

Claims. (c1. 222-76) This invention relates to fluid dispensing apparatus. In one aspect, this invention relates to lluid dispensing apparatus equipped with emergency shutdown means. In

another aspect, this invention relates to a service-,stations installation of fluid dispensing apparatus equipped with an emergency shutdown system. v j .A hazardin the operation of service stationsfdispensing i inflammable fluid is the danger of lire occurring following an accident to a dispensing pedestal. It is not uncommon for an automobile to collide with and jar or-knock over a dispensing pedestal. In such instances, dispensing conduits connecting the pedestal with the source of supply of the fluid being dispensed'may be broken, in whichr event, there is danger of gasoline or other inilammable huid being spilled.

ln service stations wherein a plurality of dispensing pedestals are supplied from a common source by means of a single remote pump, the dispensing control switches in each dispensing pedestal are usually connected in parallel with one another in the circuit supplyingcurrent to the motor driving said pump so that closure of any single switch will energize said pump motor. Thus huid can be dispensed from each Vpedestal independently of the others.y With such a system, it is possible forfluid to continue to be dispensed at the other pedestals after an `accident has occurred tov one pedestal, even though the pedestal involvedin the accident may have been equipped with means to stop the ilow of fluid thereto. The danger involved is obvious. This danger is increased in those instances where the dispensing line at the pedestal is equipped kwith an automatic valvednozzle whichautomatically shuts oft the flow of fluid when the customersA tank is filled. Where such equipment is used, it is common practice for the service station attendant to insert the nozzleinto theautomobile fuel tank and then proceed to service' otherpartsof the automobile. In the event of ari'faccidernt at Van .adjacent pedestal, the attendant might not be'fableto shutfo'lt'the ow of uid before a lire occurred,Y ffThe' increasing number of service stationy in-V stz'lll'ati'onsV utilizing such automatic equipment and remote pumping facilities has caused many municipalities to requirez theins'tallation ofv emergency shutdown equipment'to eliminate or mitigate thehazards thus described, .Our invention `provides fluid dispensing apparatus and/or alluiddispensing system having emergency `shutdown-means. Broadly speaking, our invention, comprises providingy an emergency switch -in each dispensing pedestal,whichA switch is adapted to open kwhen said pedestal is jarred or overturned,'thus opening the circuit supplying current to themotor'of the iluid supply pump and shutting down thedispensing operatiomr'ln a service station-where there are a pluralityof dispensing pedestals, 'the emergency switches kin the individual pedestals ,can'all beconnected'in series with ,one another. Thus,l it'is possible to stop or shut down all dispensing operations when an-accidentoc curs Vat any single-pedestal; f y; It is, arrl object of our inventionto provide ,a dispensing pensing control switches connected in parallel with one ICC pedestal equipped with an emergency shutdown'switch adapted to open the circuit supplying current lto the sup-i ply pump motor when said pedestal is jarred, overturned, or moved from its normal operating position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplebut elective control for a remote pump in a service sta-4 tion installation. Y Y

Still another object of this invention isto'provide a fluid dispensing system capable of dispensing a fluid, or diierent types of iluid, through a pluralityv of dispensing pedestals arranged in a group or groups, each saidpedestal having a dispensing control switch therein, said switches being connected in parallel with one another according to said group or groups, and wherein means comprising a plurality of emergency switches are` provided for dis,-4

continuing the tlow of iluid to oneofA saidpedestals, a group or groups of said pedestals, or yall-of4 said pedestals, under emergency conditions.

Other aspects, advantages and objects of thisinvention will be apparent to those skilled tin the art-upon reading the accompanying disclosure, claims` and drawings.

Thus according to the invention, there is provided uid dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination: at least Y one pump, said pump having an outlet; a motor connected to drive said pump; Va current source; a plurality of disanother; a plurality of emergency switches connected in series with one another; Vand circuit means connecting said motor to said current source through said plurality of dispensing control switches and said plurality ofreiner` I gency switches. Y

It is to be noted that the dispensing control switches are connected in parallel with one another and the Vemergency switches are connected in series with one another. Thus when the invention is applied to an instal lav tion having a plurality of dispensing means orpedestals,

each equipped with a ydispensing control switch andeach equipped with an emergency'switch, the dispensing operation can be carried outat any individual Vdispensing means or pedestal by virtue of said dispensing control switches being connected in parallel with one another. However',-

since all of said emergency switchesare connected in series with one another, an accidentat any indvidualdispensing means or pedestal will shut down the entire dispensing operation. Any number of dispensing means or pedestals can be connected into groupsdepending upon` the dilerent types of iluid being dispensed and the dis-k pensing control switches and emergency switchesof each,

group connected Vin parallel and in series, respectively,

with one another so that each group operates independ However, it is generally` ently of` the other groups. preferred that all the emergency switches of the different groups at an installation be connected in series with one fiuidvare dispensed through a` plurality of groups ofdis# pensing pedestals. The dispensingcontrol switches lof eachgr'oupare connected in parallel with one anotherfand the emergency switches of each groupV are connected in 4 series with one another. i Y. Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram similary toV that illustrated in Figure 2 except that all of the emergency Patented June 24, 1958 switches of all groups of pedestals are connected in series A withrone another.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic wiring to that shown in Figure 2. Q Y y Y FigurenS illustrates a schematic wiring-diagram similar to that shown in Figurer-3. i

A, -Like `reference numerals are employed todesignatelike.

elements in the several drawings.` The reference numer-v als given in @Figure `l for dispensingA pedestal lZ'Zapplytol like elements in dispensing pedestal 28 where 'the' refer-c diagram similar' A Ukvalved nozzle is lifted, said movable member 39 is forced upward by means of spring 41. Mercury tilt switch 42 (dispensing control switch) is attached to and rests upon said movable member 39 so that when the latter is forced upward the mercury 43 insaid switch is displaced to the other lend of its container and completes the circuit between electrical wires` 44 and 45. The combination of movable member 39,.spring 41, switch 42, mercury 43,

" and the ends of wires 44 and 45 which are inside the ence numerals have been 4omitted for thesake of clarity# Referring to Figure l,a storage tank 10 is shown con taining-liquid fuelll. Storage'tank 410 is buried in the earth 12V and `at least a portion of the earth is covered byA Ya concretefslab 13. TankU10 is provided with Va filling `line 14 having asuitablelling cap 1S located in a recess 16 of slab 13) Saidgrecess` can be closed Vfor convenience by` means *of trap door `17. Tank 10-can also be providedlwithavent line18 so as to vent vapors therefrom to the atmospheref'Said vent line is customarily located t ata distanc'cfrom ,theVA remainder ofthe installation and can be provided Awithja suitablerain cap `19.` In some in st'allationsysaid vent Vpipe'` 18 isgnot provided and tank 10 Operatsflunderthevapor pressure of the liquid stored therein. A suitable pump.A and motor assembly 20 is disposed within `saidy tank 10 and submerged in fluid 11. A conduit 21 `connects said pump and motorr20 with outlet 22 disposed Without said tanlc10. 4A suitable connecting terminal 23'is provided in recess 16 for the connection of Y lead wires froma current vsource (described hereinafter)V to said motor and pump assembly 20. Suitable conduitj or Regulator Company, Freeport, lll.V Said switch 46 comprises anlexplosion-proof housing havingthe actual switch means mounted therein, and an'actuator arm 47, having a-"roller-48 in the end thereof, extending from one side offsaid switch housing. Said roller 48 rests upon bolt 49 which is supported by bracket 5t) attached by means cable' means (not shown.) within conduit 21provide a connectiQn. between connecting terminal 23 and themotor of pump and motorassembly 20. Although the lead wires to connecting terminal 23 are shown extending through trapk door 17 for "purposes of'simplicity, it will be understood by those skilledin the art 'that said lead wires are usually placed in `a conduit which wouldV extendthrough slab 13 Vtwodispensing pedestalsare here shown, it will beunder# stood thatany number ofsaidpedestals can be employed, and further, that "said"pede'stals can be arranged' inany convenientm'annerin any convenient number of groups.A Said dispensing pedestalsfare -commonly referred `to by the public as gas pumps but they hare referred to herein as dispensing pedestals because ,the actual pumpis located remotely from" the dispensing pedestal.` Each of said pcdestals comprises a housingf2`9, and a meter 30 disposed within said housing in each dispensing `line and 26. The downstream portions 31 ,of said dispensing lines are customarily, made of.a suitable flexible materialand terminate in a valved dispensing nozzle 32 having a suitable trigger mechanism 33 therein for opening said valve. Said meters 30.*measure the amountof tluid passing through dispensing lines 25 and 26, and each meter is operatively connected by means of a connection 34 to au indicator 35. Said meter can be any suitable type of meter from, the prior art which will meet the requirements ofthe law in the particular jurisdiction involved and can be adapted to measurethe amount of` uid dispensed either by volume or by weight. Indicator 35 indicates the amount of uid passing through line 25 or line 26.and can-read inwterms of amount on one set of odometer-type discs 36, vand as to price onanoth'er set of odometer-type discs 37.` .While not necessary to the invention, it is commercially preferable to have means 38 to resetsaid odometer-type discs 36 and`37 with each purchase.

Valved nozzle `32 rests inthe'bifurcated `end of movablernember 39 which is pivoted'at 40 so that when'said of an anchor bolt to the wall of a recess in slab 13 over which housing'29 is mounted. Bolt 49 is adjustable with respect vto height above bracket 5G byV means of nut 51. Switch 46'is anormally open switch which is biased into closed position by arm'47- resting on bolt 49.

Circuit means are provided for connecting the motor of motor and pump assembly v20 through dispensing control switches 42 and emergency switches 46 with a cur- Vrent source 52. Tracing said circuit means from said current source 52 starting with wire 53, it will be noted that wire 53 connects with wires 44 leading to dispensing control switches 42 in each of dispensing pedestals 27 and 28. Wiresy 45 lead from said switches 42 in each of said pedestals 27 and 28 connect with wire 54 which in turn connects` with one terminal `ot' connecting terminal 23. The other terminal of said connecting terminal 23 is connected to wire 55 which is nconnected to one terminal of the emergency switch 46 in pedestal 27. Wire 56 is connected to the other'terminal of said switch 46 and leads to the emergency switch 46 in pedestal28. `Wire 57 from said last mentioned switch 46 connects with wire 58 which in turn isv connected to the other poleof ycurrent source 52.` Tracing said circuitas outlined, it is seen that the dispensing control switches 42 in said pedestals 27 and 2B are connected in parallel with one another whereas the emergency switches 46 in saidpedestals 27 and 28 are connected in series with one another. Y

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic wiring diagram suit-v able for use where two Vgrades of tluid'are to be dispensed from two different groups Vof dispensing pedestals.

Each of dispensing control switches 42 is a mercury tilt switch of the type described in connection with Figure l.

VEach of emergency switches 46 is' of the same type as described in connection with Figure 1. It will be understood that there is one dispensing control switch 42 and one emergency'switch 46 in Veach dispensing pedestal. Thus the wiring diagram illustrated in Figure 2 is for two groups of four dispensing pedestals each, each group being supplied from a separate storage tank by means of separate pump land motor assemblies 20 and 20' connected to a common current source 52 through switches 42and switches 46 of each group. Tracing the circuit similarly as in connection with Figure 1, it will be seen that the dispensingcontrol switches 42 in each group are connected in parallel with one another and that the emergency switchesV 46 in eachgroup` are connected in series with one another'. Thus `when the dispensing pedestals are connected as in Fi`gure'2, the two groups of pedestals operate independently. c Y

Referring to Figure 3, there areV illustrated two groups of `dispensing `pedestals connected 'in the same manner as pendently of the other group insofar as the dispensing control switches 42 are concerned, but all the groups are connected together through said emergency switches 46k which are connected in series with one another. There` fore an accident at any dispensing pedestal will shut down pumping operations for the entire installation.

Figures 4 and 5 are like Figures 2 and 3, respectively, except that relay means 60 `and master switch 61 are provided. It will be notedthat current in a 4branch of said circuit means flows through relay means 60 when all of the emergency switches 46 are closed and the solenoid of relay means 60 holds master switch 61 in closed position. Said master switch 61 is normally biased to an open position by means of spring 62. n

In the operationof the system illustrated in Figure 1, assume that an automobile is being serviced at dispensing pedestal 27 and thatnozzle 32 is delivering gasoline intov the fuel tank of said automobile.l Assume further that another automobile entering the service station strikes and knocks over dispensing pedestal 28. Since emergency switch 46 in dispensing pedestal 27 and emergency switch 46 in dispensing pedestal 23 .are connected in series with one another in the circuit means supplying Acurrent to the motor of motor and pump assembly4 20, emergencythereby 'opening' the switch means within the explosiomk proofv housing of said 'switch- 46. -Itwill be noted-that A direction.

mable fluid to be pumped through. the system and yout through any breaks which may have occurred in the dis'- pensing line, such as dispensing line, 25. The type of switchr46 here illustrated can'be manually reset-"by turning actuating arm 47 slightly in a counter rclockwise While a submerged pump and Vmotor assemblyt has been illustrated in tank 10, it will be understood by those gardless of whether itis av surface type or submerged type.

said ybolt 49i's attached t-obracket 50 whichl in turny is. l

attached to awall ofthe recess in concrete slab 13v andy beingv thusattached independently of the housing 29 of dispensing pedestalZS does not move when said housingv is moved.l s I v "lf the* dispensing pedestals of the service station in! stallation are connected in the manner illustrated injFigures 2 and i4, i. e., a plurality 4of independent groups, an accident at one of ysaid dispensing pedestals will shut down dispensing. yoperations at only the other dispensing pedestals of the same group. For this reason, the method of connecting the dispensing pedestals'illustrated in Figures l, 3,' and 5 is preferred .because an accident at .any dispensingy pedestal will open the emergency switch in said dispensing'pedestal and shut down operations at all of said dispensing pedestals.

While the invention has been illustrated as applied to service station installations dispensing two grades of fuel, it will be understood by those skilled :in the art that the invention is not so limited. Any number of dispensing pedestals suitably arranged in groups similarly .as described .above can be employed to dispense any number of different types of inflammable fuel.

The invention is also applicable to dispensing operations -other than service station installations.

Mercury tilt switch 42 is of the type well known to those skilled in the art. Said switch 42 usually comprises an electrically non-conducting curved chamber containing some mercury 43. Any suitable type of a mer- Various Vother modications Aand embodiments of theV invention will be .apparent to'those skilled in the art in View ofthe above disclosure vand the attached drawings..Y

Such modifications are invention. Y

We claim:

within the spirit and scope of the a motorconnected -to'drive said pump; a current source, a plurality of dispensing control switches, connected in parallel 'with' -one another; a plurality of emergency switches? connectedv in 'series with one another; .andv circuit means connecting 4said motor to said current source 30T throughsaid plurality of dispensing control switches and said plurality of'emergency switches so that -said motor is, disconnectedfrom said current source whenever anyr one of said emergency switches is opened# 2. Fluidvdispensing apparatus comprising,incombina-2 l tion: at least one pump, said pump having an outlet, a

motor connected to drive said pump; acurrent-s'ource; `a

plurality vof-dispensing conduits; `a plurality Y,of dispensing control switches connected in 'parallel'with Vonev another and'ada'pted to coact with said-dispensing conduits,l one switch foreach conduit, and energize said motor whena dispensing conduit is activated; a pluralitydii-emergency switches connected inseries with one anothe'rand adapted said motor is disconnected 4from said current source whenever-any one of said emergencyy switches is openedir' 3; A `iluid dispensing system comprising, in vcombinau tion: Ya pluralityv of dispensing' pedestals supplied withv uid fromva't least ,onewpump,' each of Vsaid pedestals com -H prising a housing and a dispensing conduit terminating in a valved dispensing nozzle; a motor connected to drive said pump; a current source; a dispensing control switch mounted within the. Vhousing of each said pedestal and adaptedto coact with the said dispensing nozzle and energize said motor when said Vnozzle is activated; an emergency switch attached to each said housing adapted to deenergize said motor when said housing is moved from its norma-l position; and circuit means connecting said motor to said current source through said dispensing Vcontrol switch and said emergency switch.

4. Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination: a plurality of pumps, each pump having an outlet;

Y a motor connected to drive each pump; a current source;

a plurality of dispensing conduits arranged in a plurality of groups, each group connected to the outlet of one of said pumps; a plurality of dispensing control switches, arranged in groups corresponding to said .groups of dispensing conduits, the switches in each group connected in parallel with one another, and adapted to coact with said dispensing conduits, one switch for each dispensing conduit, and to energize said motor when a dispensing conduit is activated; a plurality of emergency switches, arrange-d in groups i corresponding to said groups of dispensing conduits, the

switches in each group connected in series with one an- `7 other, one switch `for each ,dispensing.condjuit,v and adapted toA `deenergize e said motor underY emergency conditions;

and circuit meansconnecting each` motor of each group to said Ycurrent source through said plurality of Vdispensing ,control switches -for each `group and saidk plurality of said emergency switches .for each group sothat said motor otre'ach group isdisconnected lfrom said current ,source whenever any one of said4 emergency switches `for each group is opened. i Y

5,5 Fluid dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination: 1a plurality of pumps,reach pump having an outlet; a motor connected `to drive each pump;,a current source, a plurality of dispensing conduits arranged in -a plurality of groups, each group connected `to the `outlet of one of said` pumps; aplurality of dispensing control switches, arranged` in groups corresponding to said 'groups of dispensing conduits, the switches in jeach groupjconnected `in parallel with oneanother, and adapted to coact ,with said dispensing -conduitshone `switch for eachtdispensing conduit, and to energize said `motor when a dispensing `conduit is activated;a plurality of emergency switches, connected in lseries with Vone another, one switch for each dispensing conduit, and adapted ,to deenergize said motor` under emergency conditions; `and circuit means connecting each `motor 4of each group to` said current source through ysaid plurality of diSPmSing `Control switches for each group andsaid plurality of said emergency switches so that said motor is disconnected from saidrcurrent source wheneverl i switches opens. ,y j

7,7-Fluid` dispensing apparatus according to ,claimy 5v wherein .said emergency switches areu in` a branch of said circuit means having. relay means therein, said relay means being adapted to causefa normally openmaster switch insaid circ-uit means toopenwhen one of saidemergencyl switchesopens. f

1 8. A; service f station atiiadspensng instalation comprising, in combination: a plurality of pumps, each -pump Ahavinganoutlet;a motor connected to drive each pump;

a current sourceya plurality offY dispensing pedestals` arranged in a plurality of groups,` eachgroup connected -to the outlet ofV one of saidpumps, and each of said dispensing pedestals comprising a housing and a dispensing conduitv terminating in a valved dispensing nozzle; a dispensing control switch mounted ivithin the housing of eachV said pedestal andadapted to coact withthe said dispensing 8 nozzle and energize said motor when said nozzleis activated; an emergency switch attached to each said housing adapted to deenergi'ze lsaid motor when said housing is movedfrom itsnormal position; said dispensing control switches in'each groupl of said dispensing pedestals being connected in'par-allel with oneranother; said emergency switches in eachgroup of disepnsing pedestals being connected in series with one another; andrcircuit means connecting the pump motor 'foreach group of pedestals to said current source through the plurality of dispensing control switches for each said group of pedestals and the plurality of emergency switches for each said group of pedestals.-

9. A service-station uid dispensing installation comprising, in combination: a plurality of pumps, each pump having an outlet; amotor connected to drive each pump; a current source; a plurality of Idispensing pedestals arranged in a plurality of groups, each group connected to the outlet of oneof said pumps, and each of said dispensing pedestals comprising a housing and a dispensing conduit terminating in a valved dispensing nozzle; a dispensing control switch mounted within the housing of eachsaidA pedestal and adapted to coact with the said dispensing nozzleand energize said motor when said nozzle is activated; an emergency switch attached to each said housing adapted to 4deenergize said motor when said housing is y ofemergency switches.

moved from its normal position; said dispensing control switches in each group `of said dispensing pedestals being connected in` parallel with one another; said emergency switches in all of said dispensing pedestals being connected in series with one another; and circuit means connecting the pump motor for each `group of pedestals to said current source through the plurality of dispensing control switches for each said group of pedestals and said plurality M10. A service station dispensing pedestal'comprising, in combination: ahousing; adispensing conduit terminating in a valved` dispensing nozzle; a meter mounted within References rCited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,612,424 :Farr Dec. 2s, 1926 '1,618,006 1 Hauxhurst Feb. 15, 1927 2,712,885

Winship July l2, 1955

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