US3586073A

US3586073A - Automatic dispensing nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3586073A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene W Vest; Dean C Mcgahey
Original assignee: Texaco Inc
Current assignee: Texaco Inc
Priority date: 1968-10-29
Filing date: 1968-10-29
Publication date: 1971-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-22

Abstract

An automatic fuel tank filling nozzle which, in addition to a main valve which automatically closes in response to a suction set up by the rise of fluid about the end of the nozzle, comprises a rotary flow-regulating valve having two alternate rotational positions, one permitting full flow of fuel thru the nozzle and the other permitting only a restricted flow suitable for topping, the rotary valve being rotated into the next alternate position in response to each vacuum signal whereas the main control valve is responsive only to the signal which follows the end of the topping operation.

Description

full flow of um signal the signal -regulating valve having s t llllll Ess ' all United States Patent [72] Inventors 8/1960 Rittenhouse et al.

Eugene w. Vest 2,948,307 Wnpplngers Falls; 3,254,683 6/l966 Jennings et al. 2 A l N g gf g bow Primary Examiner-Laverne D. Geiger Oct 29 1969 Assistant Examiner-Edward J. Earls b patented jim'e 5 Attorneys'l'homas H. Whaley, Carl G. Ries and L. H. Phelps, [73] Assignee Texaco lne.

New York, N.Y.

[54] AUTOMATIC DISPENSING NOZZLE 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: An automatic fuel tank filling nozzle which, in

addition to a main valve which automatically closes in response to a suction set up by the rise of fluid about the end of the nozzle, comprises a rotary flow two alternate rotational positions, one permitting fuel thru the male and the other permitting only a restricted flow suitable for topping, the rotary valve being rotated in the next alternate position in response to each vacu whereas the main control valve is responsive only to which follows the end of the topping operation.

Mum X U3 3 5w HBM M 6 1 8 8 Bmmw 7"" mmoo m nflz m" mm6 m m mm mnm mmo mm A m .mflm, mmw R m I: m 4 n 5 "w 9 1 u I LM 5 C a m l] l. n 0 6 6 55 5 Ill 2 PATENTEUJuN2219n SHEET 3 [1F 3 AUTOMATIC DISPENSING NOZZLE The present invention relates to automatic fuel dispensing and more particularly to a nozzle which is automated to the extent of controlling both the filling and topping operations nonnally encountered in the filling of vehicle fuel tanks, followed by ultimate shutoff when topping is completed As explained in our copending US. application, Ser. No. 821,366, a typical tank filling operation requires a fuel flow sufficient to enable reasonably prompt service without blowback. Typically, however, as filling reaches, for example, within one or two gallons of completion, sudden constriction produces a characteristic back surge in the filler pipe, which, with a conventional dispensing nozzle, actuates means to shut off the main flow valve of the nozzle and thus terminate flow.

After this initial surge has subsided the tank will still ordinarily accept additional fuel at a lower feed rate. This step is referred to as "topping off," a practice which may be onerous to an employee and may entail spillage.

The present invention concerns a nozzle effective to conduct this series of operations automatically. It, in general, involves an improvement in the invention disclosed and covered by our US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 821,364, filed May 2, 2, 1969 wherein an automatic shutoff nozzle, having a main control valve, is also provided with a flow-regulating valve in the main conduit, which is controlled by the initial back surge of fuel in the filler pipe for actuation from normal open flow position to a flow-restricting position.

In the flow-restricting position the valve restricts or regulates the flow to a lesser, predetermined topping" rate at which back surge in the filler pipe does not occur.

Also the flow-regulating valve 50 simultaneously controls the surge-responsive mechanism that the initial surge of fuel in the filler pipe triggers actuation of the flow-regulating valve to the exclusion of the main control valve. When, however, the flow-regulating valve is in the second or topping position, the surge-responsive mechanism is so controlled that the ultimate or final rise of fuel in the filler pipe at the termination of the topping operation controls or triggers actuation of the main control valve to cut off all flow and finally terminate the operation.

Ordinarily the surge-responsive control is effected as the result of a suction normally induced, as is well known, by the flow of fuel but vented near the end of the nozzle. When, however, the vent is covered by a surge of fuel, the vacuum is no longer relieved and a suction surge or signal is sharply builtup.

Reference is made to our aforementioned US. Pat. application Ser. No. 821,364 for a detailed description of said development in its broad aspect, and such disclosure is accordingly made a part hereof.

The present invention involves a modification of the foregoing invention wherein said flow-regulating valve comprises a rotatable valve member disposed in the main fuel flow conduit and capable of being indexed alternately in a full flow and a low flow position. The successive disposition in the two respective flow positions is effected in response to the suction signal setup as above.

The valve rotor is provided with two separate channels, both of which preferably take a generally spiral of turbinelike path with reference to the axis of the rotor, and which are sharply different in fiow capacity. Thus, in the first, or full flow position, the large channel which exerts little or no restrictive efi'ect upon the fuel flow, is aligned with the outlet port.

In the second or low-flow position, the other channel, which is greatly restricted in section, is aligned with the outlet pot, thus limiting flow to a low rate, or dribble.

By virtue of the spiral arrangement of the channels the valve tends to be rotated toward the succeeding operative position by the flow of fuel therethrough so that upon release of the indexing mechanism it automatically moves toward the succeeding position.

One advantage of the present invention is that with the cessation of flow through the respective channel, the rotational influence ceases so that until the indexing mechanism comes into play there is a delay in the rotation of the valve and accordingly a cessation of flow for a period of time that may be predetermined and controlled.

Another advantage of the present invention, as previously intimated, is that the rotary valve also performs the separate function of so directing the vacuum impulse or signal as to direct it appropriately to control of the rotational flow regulating valve and/or the final main control valve, as the case may be.

Referring now to the figures of the attached drawing wherein the invention is illustrated in terms of one specific embodiment thereof:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the nozzle of the present invention located in operative position in a vehicle fuel tank,

FIG. 2 is a detailed vertical elevation with major parts broken away to expose the interior in vertical section,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view centrally through the How regulating valve portion of the nozzle,

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2,

FIGS. 7 8r 8 are diagrammatic representations of the indexing mechanism of the flow control valve illustrating the action thereof in aligning the valve in successive, alternate positions.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is based upon a modification of the form of automatic dispensing nozzle shown in US. Pat. No. 2,582,195, which patent is referred to for the detailed description of such parts thereof as are common to the present device.

It has, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferably cast housing 4 and a projecting spout 6 which may be placed into a vehicle fuel tank 3. The cast housing or body 4 has a normally closed main valve 5 therein, a valve lever 7 fulcrumed as at 8 and a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism 9. As is known, with liquid flowing through the nozzle, the diaphragm mechanism 9 is arranged to trip or release fulcrum 8 so that main valve 5 may be automatically closed when the discharge end of the nozzle is submerged in liquid.

Valve 5 is urged to its seat 13 by spring 10 and is provided with valve stem 14 which extends through a packing gland 15 so that its lower extremity can be engaged by hand lever 7 to lift valve 5 off its seat. Fulcrum 8 is supported by a yoke 16 fastened to the lower end of a lockout plunger 17 and normally held in fixed position by a locking mechanism comprising a plurality of balls 18. These are nested in radial openings in the plunger and held against an annular shoulder on the interior of sleeve 20 by a pin 24 fastened to the underside of diaphragm 9. The pin is provided with a tapered portion just below the balls so that when the pin is raised against spring 25 as by application of suction to the upper portion of diaphragm 9, the balls 18 will be released from the locking shoulder. When the valve 5 has been opened by action of the hand lever 7, the overriding force applied by the relatively heavy valve spring 10 will drive the fulcrum 8 downwardly until valve 5 is closed.

FIG. 1 shows a latch 22 pivoted as at 23 so that it can be en gaged with the extremity of lever 7 to hold the valve in open position (which latch 22 has been removed in FIG. 2 to more clearly show the details of the present invention).

Diaphragm 9 is actuated by suction normally induced by a venturi arrangement 26 just below main valve 5 and operated by the flow of liquid thru the main valve. I

The suction is normally relieved by vent 28 at the extremity of the nozzle 6, which communicates thru internal tube 30 with the venturi chamber 26. Therefore no significant suction can build up until vent or aperture 28 is covered by a surge of liquid. When this happens however, the suction or low pressure surge, if applied to the upper surface of diaphragm 9, will raise pin 24 to release the lockout fulcrum as described above.

Relatively light spring 32 urges the lockout plunger 117 back into normal position shown in FIG. 2 at all times when the valve 5 is closed and the relatively heavy main valve spring is, therefore, not in overriding position.

At this time also, diaphragm spring brings diaphragm 9 and accordingly the central pin 24, downwardly into the recess in the lockout plunger and between the balls 14 to force them out outwardly against the shoulder in the sleeve 20 to positively lock the fulcrum 8 in the position shown.

Referring now to the rotary, flow-regulating valve which is the main feature of the present invention, this, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is arranged in the right hand or inlet portion of casting 4. The valve receives the incoming fuel from hose 34 of Fig. 6 which enters coupling 35 on the rear portion of the handle 36. Therefore the incoming fuel passes thru inlet channel 35 in the handle into chamber 46. Valve rotor 42 comprises a cylindrical main body portion with a forward extremity 43 which is conical in shape.

As viewed in Fig. 3, the entering fuel from valve chamber passes thru slightly spirally arranged channel 44 formed in the surface of the valve rotor thru which the fuel is conducted to outlet channel or port 46. The outlet channel 46 leads to the upstream side of valve 5 previously described.

Channel 44, as shown more clearly in H6. 4, forms a conduit of relatively large dimension as contrasted with a second somewhat spirally arranged channel formed on the opposite side of said valve rotor and indicated by the reference numeral 48.

More specifically, the dimensions of the larger channel or conduit 44 areso selected as to accommodate a relatively large flow of fuel through the through without material restriction so that the fuel tank may be filled promptly and effectively. The dimensions of conduit 45, on the other hand, are specifically constricted to a suitable topping rate as, for example, 1-3 gallons per minute.

Moreover valve rotor is specifically constructed and arranged in a mating recess in the housing 4 so that it rotates freely about its axis. A layer of antifriction material, such as teflon, is preferably provided around its peripheral surface for this purpose.

Rotation is normally prevented by sleeve 52, integral with valve rotor 42, which extends coaxially from the rotor through packing gland 54 and into chamber 55. The sleeve 52 is internally recessed to freely receive the extremity of a control rod 56. Moreover bar 56 is provided with opposite radially extending pins 57, engageable within axial slots 59, in the end of shaft 52 so as to index the shaft in either of two predetermined rotational positions, namely and to with, a first position wherein the large conduit 44 is aligned with port 46 and the second position wherein the relatively restricted conduit 48 is aligned with port 46.

Rod or bar 56 slidably passes thru web 58 in casting 4, in which region the rod and the aperture in the web preferably have any convenient polygonal form as at 63 to resist rotation of the bar 56. Axial actuation of the rod 56 to permit disengagement of pins 57 from slots 59 is controlled by diaphragm 60 to which it is fastened as shown. Moreover the diaphragm, and accordingly the bar, is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by coil spring 61, at which time the radial pins 57 engage within the slots 59 of the sleeve or shaft 52, specifically shown in Fig. 7 in order to hold or index the rotor 42 in one of the two aforesaid rotational positions.

Diaphragm 60 and spring 61 are retained by cap 62 as shown, and an internal conduit 64 connects with the chamber inside of the cap to transmit the vacuum surge or so-called signal to actuate the diaphragm and shift the bar 56 to the right against spring 61, so as to withdraw pins 57 from the mating recesses 59.

Referring now to the dual control mechanism by which the valve 42 performs the additional function of coordinating the vacuum signal with the controlled fluid flow, it is to be noted that a conduit in the housing 4, indicated by the reference numeral 66 leads directly from the aforementioned venturi chamber 26 to the apex or extremity of the frustoconical portion 43 of valve rotor. There it is continuously aligned with internal axial passageway 67 in the nose of the rotor. This axial passageway 67 terminates in transverse or diametral passageway 68. Moreover the surface of the frustoconical portion 43 about the extremities of the diametral passageway 68 is provided with an annular recess or groove 69, so that regardless of the radial position at which the rotor 43 may find itself, the radial passageway 68 and accordingly passageways 67 and 66 back to the venturi mechanism are always in communication with the aforementioned passageway 64 in housing 4. Therefore the chamber 65, formed by cap 62 and the diaphragm 60 which, in turn, controls the indexing mechanism of the rotary valve 42, is at all times in communication with the source of vacuum. Accordingly whenever the rise of fluid about vent 25 sets up a vacuum surge or signal, the signal is instantly transferred to the diaphragm, and accordingly indexing rod 56 is shifted to the right as in Fig. 8 and therefore out of the indexing slots 59 in shaft or sleeve 52.

Since, at this time, main valve 5 is open, valve 42 will be rotated by the spiral or turbinelike flow of fuel through conduit 44, moving said rotor 42 about its axis until flow channel 44 is out of registry with outlet 46. Thereafter the flow ceases and the vacuum is released, whereupon spring 61 urges rod 56 back into the succeeding valve indexing or locating position. Due to the converging sides of the recess 59 in sleeve 52 the pins 57, as rod 56 is returned to the left by the action of spring 611, cause sleeve 52 and therefore rotary valve 42 to be rotated to the second position. More specifically the pins 57, as they move to the left, ride along the cam surface 75 of the recess to rotate the sleeve and accordingly the valve 42 into the secondary rotational position determined by the location of the pins 57 in the bottom of the recesses 59.

Referring now to the actuation of lockout plunger 17 controlling the main valve, this is effected by a vacuum signal which reaches the chamber above the diaphragm 9 via passageway 76. Passageway 70 is a continuation of passageway 71 as shown, which terminates in a port opening to the frustoconical surface of the rotor 43 at a point intermediate between the apex thereof and the end of passageway 68 as shown more clearly in FIG. 3.

Communication of the passageways in rotor 42 with the aforementioned port is effected by passageway or bore 72 which extends radially from the central passageway 67 to a point on the surface of the rotor, which, as indicated in FIG. 3, is so rotationally positioned so that it is only aligned with passageway 71 when the rotor is in its so-called secondary position, namely when the fuel is passing through the restricted conduit 45.

Therefore when the parts are as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the major or full flow passageway 44 in control, a vacuum signal transferred via passageway 66 goes via

passages

67 and 64 to control the rotational position of the flow control valve 42, but cannot and does not reach the main shutoff valve.

When however, the rotor is moved through so that restricted passageway 48 controls the flow of fuel, then the vacuum signal also passes by way of

passageways

66, 67, 72, 71 and 70 to actuate the diaphragm 9 and release fulcrum 8 to close main valve.

In operation, the operator lifts lever 7 about pivot 6 to lift valve stem and open valve 5, holding the valve in open position by engagement of the free end of the lever with pivoted latch shown in FIG. 1, as is conventional.

At this time the fuel from line 34 passes through coupling 35 and inlet channel 38 into rotary valve 42 which, at this time, is indexed in its normal full open or first position, that is to say, with the large channel 44 aligned with outlet port 46. Therefore the fuel flows at a substantial rate, for example, from 4 up to 10-12 gallons per minute through nozzle 6 into fuel tank 3.

The action of the venturi 26 is continually relieved via flow line 30 and vent 28, until the initial surge of fluid about the end of spout 6 covers vent 28 and transmits a surge of vacuum via

ducts

66, 68 and 64 into the chamber beyond diaphragm 60, drawing rod 56 to the right as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby retracting pins 57 from the index grooves 59in sleeve 52, and releasing valve rotor 42.

The spiral flow of the fluid through passageway 44 therefore rotates rotor 42 counterclockwise, as viewed in H6. 4 until the downstream extremity of duct 44 passes beyond port 46. At this point therefore flow through valve 5 ceases and with it the venturi effect at 26. The resulting loss of suction brings the chamber beyond diaphragm 60 back to atmospheric pressure so that spring 61 returns rod 56 to the left, the pins 57 engaging in the relatively wide mouths of the two index slots 59 to rotate the sleeve or shaft 52 precisely into the aforesaid second position wherein the smaller channel or duct 48 is now aligned with port 46.

Accordingly therefore the flow through the nozzle resumes at a lower or topping" rate as, for example in the range of up to about 2-4 gallons per minute.

Now therefore, when the fuel finally and for the second time rises about vent 28 at the end of the topping operation, a vacuum signal in chamber 26 is transmitted thru

passages

66, 67 and 72 to passageway 71 which is now in registry therewith.

This, in turn, carries the vacuum signal to the chamber above main diaphragm 9 via passageway 70 where, as previously explained, retraction of pin 24 releases locking balls 18 and drops the entire lockout fulcrum so as to permit valve 5 to close. Since this simultaneously releases the extremity of the lever 7 from engagement with latch 22, the system is shut off and, as previously pointed out, the lockout plunger 17 and the associated parts immediately return to original position.

Also since ducts 67 and 68 are always in communication with passageway 64, the same vacuum signal simultaneously actuates diaphragm 60 to retract rod 56 and pins 57 and 54, and thus permit the valve 42 to be rotated back into original full flow position.

Furthermore the functions taking place as the rotary valve shifts from its first to its second position provide time for the initial surge of fuel about the nozzle to subside so that restricted flow can then proceed with an open vent 28.

We claim: 1

1. In an automatic dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank and having a supply conduit for said liquid, terminating in a filler spout, a main control valve in said conduit, releasable means for holding said main valve in open position, vacuum responsive means acting through said holding means for closing said main valve and means responsive to a surge of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse; the improvement which comprises,

a rotary flow-regulating valve in said conduit, said flowregulating valve being rotationally movable between a first, full flow valve position wherein said fuel flow passes therethrough with relatively low restriction, and a second, partial flow position wherein said fuel flow is restricted to a predetermined relatively low filling rate,

indexing means responsive to a vacuum signal from said surge responsive means for successively locating and fixing said rotary valve in the aforesaid respective positions,

such that an initial vacuum impulse effects rotation of said valve from first position to said second position and wherein any subsequent vacuum impulse causes the valve to return to its first position and means for communicating said subsequent vacuum impulse with said vacuum responsive means to effect closure of said main valve, thus terminating the filling operation.

2. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said rotary flow-regulating valve conducts said fuel flow through passageways which run spirally to effect a turbine action such that upon release of said indexing means the valve is rotated by the residual flow of fluid toward the succeeding position.

3. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 2 wherein said indexing means comprises a member withdrawn in response to said vacuum signal to release said valve for rotation, said member, upon termination of said vacuum signal returning to align and rotationally fix said rotary valve in a succeeding rotational position.

4. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 3 wherein said indexing mechanism comprises cooperating pin and notch means provided with a cam surface adapted to align the rotary flow-regulating valve in said position.

5. In an automatic dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank, such nozzle having an internal supply conduit terminating in a filler spout, a main control valve in said conduit, releasable latching means for holding said main valve in open position, vacuum responsive means acting through said holding means for releasing said main valve, and means responsive to a rise of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse; the improvement which comprises a flow-regulating rotary valve disposed in said conduit, said rotary valve having separate fluid supply ducts therein, adapted to be aligned selectively in said supply conduit,

means positively indexing said rotary valve in a first rotational position wherein a relatively large fuel supply duct is aligned with said conduit,

said indexing means being adapted alternately thereafter to positively fix said rotary valve in a second operative position wherein a relatively restricted flow channel is aligned with said conduit,

means responsive to a first vacuum impulse for actuating said indexing means to cause the rotary valve to move to said second operative position, and

means efi'ective only when said rotary valve is in said second position to conduct any subsequent vacuum surge to said vacuum responsive release means for closing said main valve.

6. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 5 wherein said last named means comprises a vacuum impulse duct in said rotary valve in communication with said vacuum impulse creating means and a port associated with said valve and arranged in alignment with said duct only when said rotary valve is in said second position, said last named port communicating with said vacuum responsive means for closing said main valve.

Patent No. 3,5 73 Dated June 22, 1971 Inventor) Eugene W. Vest & Dean C. McGahey It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

['"In the specification: '1

Col. 1, line 23 change"2,2"to -2- Col. 1, line 61 change "of" second occurrence to -01" Col. 1, line 67 change "pot"'to -port-- Col. 3, 11 re 8, delete "out" 001. 3, line 32, change "through" (second occasion) to --nozzle-- Col. 3, line +8, change "with" to --wit- Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1 971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTISCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. In an automatic dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank and having a supply conduit for said liquid, terminating in a filler spout, a main control valve in said conduit, releasable means for holding said main valve in open position, vacuum responsive means acting through said holding means for closing said main valve and means responsive to a surge of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse; the improvement which comprises, a rotary flow-regulating valve in said conduit, said flowregulating valve being rotationally movable between a first, full flow valve position wherein said fuel flow passes therethrough with relatively low restriction, and a second, partial flow position wherein said fuel flow is restricted to a predetermined relatively low filling rate, indexing means responsive to a vacuum signal from said surge responsive means for successively locating and fixing said rotary valve in the aforesaid respective positions, such that an initial vacuum impulse effects rotation of said valve from first position to said second position and wherein any subsequent vacuum impulse causes the valve to return to its first position and means for communicating said subsequent vacuum impulse with said vacuum responsive means to effect closure of said main valve, thus terminating the filling operation.

5. In an automatic dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid fuel to the filler pipe of a fuel tank, such nozzle having an internal supply conduit terminating in a filler spout, a main control valve in said conduit, releasable latching means for holding said main valve in open position, vacuum responsive means acting through said holding means for releasing said main valve, and means responsive to a rise of fluid about said spout for creating a vacuum impulse; the improvement which comprises a flow-regulating rotary valve disposed in said conduit, said rotary valve having separate fluid supply ducts therein, adapted to be aligned selectively in said supply conduit, means positively indexing said rotary valve in a first rotational position wherein a relatively large fuel supply duct is aligned with said conduit, said indexing means being adapted alternately thereafter to positively fix said rotary valve in a second operative position wherein a relatively restricted flow channel is aligned with said conduit, means responsive to a first vacuum impulse for actuating said indexing means to cause the rotary valve to move to said second operative position, and means effective only when said rotary valve is in said second position to conduct any subsequent vacuum surge to said vacuum responsive release means for closing said main valve.