US3739945A - Mixing valve for fluid dispensing nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispensing nozzle has two pressurized fluids supplied thereto through two separate passages extending through a member, which is supported in a passage in the nozzle body whereby the pressureized fluids mix within the body passage. The supported member has a valve supported at its end having the outlets of the passages with the valve having a separate portion controlling each of the passages. When there is flow through only one of the passages in the supported member, the portion of the valve cooperating therewith is moved to an open position by the fluid flow and the fluid pressure exerts a pressure on the portion of the valve cooperating with other passage to seal close said valve portion to insure that there is no leakage from the body passage into the passage in the member not having pressurized fluid supplied thereto.

Description

United States Patent [191 Moore et al.

[ June 19, 1973 [75] Inventors: Glenn E. Moore; Robert W. Guertin,

both of Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: Dover Corporation, New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 143,825

[52] [1.8. CI 222/129, l37/5l2.4, 239/600 [5]] Int. Cl 867d 5/04 [58] Field of Search 129,145; l37/5l2.l5, 512.4; 239/4l6.4, 600

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky Att0rney-Kinney and Schenk [57] ABSTRACT A fluid dispensing nozzle has two pressurized fluids supplied thereto through two separate passages extending through a member, which is supported in a passage in the nozzle body whereby the pressureized fluids mix within the body passage. The supported member has a valve supported at its end having the outlets of the passages with the valve having a separate portion controlling each of the passages. When there is flow through only one of the passages in the supported member, the portion of the valve cooperating therewith is moved to an open position by the fluid flow and the fluid pressure exerts a pressure on the portion of the valve cooperating with other passage to seal close said valve portion 7 Claims, 6 Drawing; Figures I f I PAIENIED Jun: 9191a sumxnrz I'll,

INVENTORS ROBERT W. GUERTIN GLENN E. MOORE ATTORNEYS PMENTEDJUN x 91913 SHEET 2 0f 2' FIG. 5

FIG. 6

E W m" 117 TORI/HS MIXING VALVE FOR FLUID DISPENSING NOZZLE The blending or mixing of two different fluids such as gasoline and oil or gasolines having different octanes, for example, has previously been suggested. However, the mixing of the two fluids has been accomplished in such a manner that portions of one fluid can remain in an area in which it will be utilized when the other fluid is to be supplied.

The need now has arisen for gasolines to be available in which there is no lead as well as gasolines having lead. This is because the engines of many older automobiles require some lead in their gasolines while newer model automobiles have had their engines designed so that there is no lead required or desired. Further, catolytic converters to control air pollution require fuel which does not contain lead.

Accordingly, to enable service stations to be able to economically sell gasoline having lead of different amounts and gasoline not having lead, one way to accomplish this would be to dispense all gasolines from a single nozzle with two different types of gasolines being mixed or blended with one being non-leaded gasoline when leaded gasoline is required and to supply only the non-leaded gasoline when such is required. However, to accomplish this, it is necessary that there can be no contamination by the leaded gasoline when only nonleaded gasoline is to be supplied.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problem by providing a mixing arrangement in which there is no communication between the passage supplying leaded gasoline and the passage supplying the non-leaded gasoline when only one of the passages is supplying gasoline. Accordingly, there will be no significant contamination of the non-leaded gasoline in a fluid dispensing nozzle using the mixing arrangement of the present invention.

In addition to preventing communication between the passages supplying the two types of gasoline when only one of the passages is supplying gasoline, the present invention also reduces the amount of gasoline remaining in a dispensing nozzle after flow is stopped. That is, in the prior devices for mixing gasolines for use with a dispensing nozzle, mixing occurred exterior of the inlet to the nozzle whereby some mixed gasoline re mained in the nozzle body when flow was stopped. Furthermore, the nozzle body or housing had a significant volume within which gasoline remained when flow was stopped.

In the present invention, there is only a small portion of the entire volume within the nozzle body or housing in which gasoline remains when flow is stopped. While the remaining gasoline does flow through the outlet spout of the nozzle when flow starts, the volume is so small that it does not significantly affect the engine of the vehicle having the gasoline supplied thereto.

Accordingly, by reducing the volume in the nozzle body between the outlets of the passages supplying the two types of gasoline and the valves controlling the flow of the mixed gasoline through the dispensing nozzle, the present invention prevents any significant contamination even when a small quantity of gasoline is purchased. In the prior devices for mixing two types of gasolines, the volume between the outlets of the passages supplying the gasolines and the positions of the control valves would result in the remaining gasoline significantly contaminating the new gasoline if only a small quantity of gasoline were purchased.

An object of this invention is to provide a fluid dis pensing nozzle in which mixing or blending of different fluids occurs.

Another object of this invention is to provide an insert for a fluid dispensing nozzle to enable blending or mixing of different fluids within the nozzle.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upon a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the drawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fluid dispensing nozzle having the insert of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the: insert of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the insert of FIG. 2 at the outlet end thereof.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the inlet end of the insert of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 2 and taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 2 taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown an automatic fluid dispensing nozzle 10 comprising a housing or body 11. The housing or body 11 has an inlet passage 12 within which an insert 14 is disposed.

The insert 14 has its outlet end positioned within the passage 12 of the body or housing 11 while its inlet end is disposed exterior thereof. The insert 14 comprises a member 15 having threads 16 on its exterior surface adjacent the central portion of its length for cooperation with threads 17, which are formed on the inner surface of the wall of the passage 12 at the end thereof. Accordingly, the member 15 is releasably secured to the nozzle 10.

The member 15, which is preferably a casting of alu minum or zinc, has its inlet end 18 enlarged with respect to the remainder thereof, The inlet end 18 is formed with an enlarged recess 19 of circular cross section to receive one end of a hose 20. The hose 20 is threaded on its outlet end for cooperation with threads 21 on the inner wall of the enlarged inlet end 18 forming the recess 19. Accordingly, the hose 20 is releasably secured to the member 15.

The recess 19 communicates with a longitudinal pas sage 22 of semicircular cross section in the member 15 through an arcuate chamber 23 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). Accordingly, a pressurized fluid may be supplied from a pump (not shown) through the hose 20, the recess 19, and the arcuate chamber 23 to thepassage 22.

The communication between the outlet end of the passage 22 and the passage 12 in the nozzle housing or body 11 is controlled by a valve 24, which is supported by the member 15. The valve 24 includes a central portion 25 with an outer portion 26 of semicircular shape on one side of the central portion 25 and an outer portion 27 of semicircular shape on the other side'of the central portion 25. The valve 24 is secured to the mem' ber 15 by screws 28, which attach the central portion 25 to the end of a wall 29 of the member 15; the wall 29 separates the passage 22 in the member 15 from a longitudinal passage 30 of semicircular cross section.

The central portion 25 of the valve 24 is substantially thinner than the outer portions 26 and 27. The outer portion 26 and an adjacent portion of the central portion 25 cooperate to prevent communication between the passage 22 and the passage 12 unless pressurized fluid is flowing through the passage 22. Similarly, the outer portion 27 and an adjacent portion of the central portion 25 cooperate to prevent communication between the passage 30 and the passage 12 unless pressurized fluid is flowing through the passage 30.

By forming the valve 24 of a suitable resilient material and making the central portion 25 relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of each of the outer portions 26 and 27, there is a hinging effect so that the outer portion 26 and 27 can be urged open when pressurized fluid is flowing through their respective passages. One suitable example of the material of the valve 24 is low swell Buna-N rubber.

Thus, when pressurized fluid flows only through the passage 22, it has sufficient pressure to urge the valve 24 open and the fluid pressure against the outer portion 27 of the valve 24 aids in holding the outer portion 27 closed to prevent communication between the passages 12 and 30. In a similar manner, when pressurized fluid flows only through the passage 30, it has sufficient pressure to urge open valve 24 and the fluid pressure against the outer portion 26 of the valve 24 aids in holding the outer portion 26 closed to prevent communication between the passages 12 and 22.

The longitudinal passage 30 changes from a semicircular cross section at its outlet, which is controlled by the valve 24, to a circular cross section at its inlet to which a tube 31 having a passage of circular cross section is releasably connected. The tube 31 is threaded at one end for cooperation with threads in the passage in an annular support 32, which receives the tube 31.

The tube 31 extends beyond the enlarged end 18 of the member 15. A hose 33 is releasably connected to the tube 31 by being clamped thereto.

The hose 33 is connected to a source of a fluid, which is different from the fluid supplied through the hose 20. The fluid is supplied under pressure by a pump (not shown) through the hose 33, the tube 31, and the passage 30 to the passage 12.

With this arrangement, leaded gasoline could be supplied through the hose 33 and non-leaded gasoline supplied through the hose 20, for example. This would enable separate flow of the non-leaded gasoline to the nozzle without contamination by the leaded gasoline. Of course, the hoses and 33 could be connected to gasolines of different octanes, for example, rather than to a leaded gasoline and a non-leaded gasoline.

The flow of gasoline from the passage 12 to an outlet spout 34 of the nozzle 10 can occur only when a pivotally mounted lever or handle 35 is moved upwardly to lift a poppet valve 36 to an open position. When this occurs, the pressure of the gasoline moves a resiliently biased bleeder poppet valve 37 downwardly whereby the gasoline flows from the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34.

When the lever 35 is released, the poppet valve 36 is returned to its closed position to stop flow through the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34. Furthermore, if the vehicle tank, which is being filled, reaches a certain level at which it is substantially filled, the poppet valve 36 is automatically returned to its closed position since the lever has the position of its pivotal connection moved in a manner such as that shown and described in US. Pat. No. 2,582,195 to Duerr.

When the pivotal position of the lever 35 is changedin automatic shut-off or the lever 35 is released, the force of a compression spring 38, which is acting against the poppet valve 36, returns the poppet valve 36 to its closed position to stop flow through the nozzle body 11. The spring 38 has one end acting against the top of the poppet valve 36 and its other end engaging a flange 39 of a plug 40. A cap 41, which is threadedly connected to the nozzle body or housing 11, holds the plug 40 in the desired position in cooperation with the spring 38.

The plug 40 reduces the amount of fluid that is retained between the outlet end of the member 15 and the poppet valve 36 by filling part of the space between the valve 24 and the poppet valve 36. While it is desired for the plug 40 to be as long as possible so as to reduce the volume of fluid retained between the valve 24 and the poppet valve 36 when flow stops, the length of the plug 40 is determined by the amount of upward movement required by the poppet valve 36 to allow full flow through the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34. Thus, the plug 40 must not extend down so as to retard the upward movement of the poppet valve 36 by the lever 35 lifting a stem 42, which is secured to the poppet valve 36.

When the poppet valve 36 closes to stop flow, the bleeder poppet valve 37 also closes. This may result in a minute quantity of gasoline being trapped between the poppet valve 36 and the bleeder poppet valve 37. However, all fluid in the nozzle housing or body between the bleeder poppet valve 37 and the outlet of the spout 34 is drained from the nozzle body or housing 11 through the spout 34.

Therefore, the total quantity of gasoline remaining in the nozzle body or housing 11 to contaminate gasoline later supplied is very small. Thus, the plug 40 and the position of the insert 14 cooperate to significantly reduce the volume of gasoline remaining between the valve 24 and the poppet valve 36. This quantity plus any minute quantity between the valves 36 and 37 is significantly smaller than would occur where mixing occurs prior to the entrance of the inlet passage 12 as in the prior nozzles having mixing arrangements. Likewise, the prior nozzles, which had mixing arrangements, did not reduce the volume prior to the poppet valve 36 as the plug 40 does.

Furthermore, some of the prior nozzles had the bleeder poppet valve 37 located downstream and adjacent to the connection of the spout 34 to the nozzle body or housing 11. Thus, the prior nozzles had a much larger volume of gasoline remaining within the nozzle body when flow was stopped. This amount of remaining gasoline could significantly contaminate the next sup ply of gasoline when it was different than that previously supplied, particularly where the new quantity was small.

The position of the insert 14 with respect to the poppet valve 36 is such that either of the outer portions 26 and 27 of the valve 24 may be moved to engage the other when fluid is flowing through the passage with which the outer portion cooperates. The passage 12 has a larger diameter than the valve 24 to insure that either of the outer portions 26 and 27 of the valve 24 may hingedly move about the thin central portion 25.

Considering the operation of the present invention with gasoline pumped only through the hose 20, there is flow through only the passage 22 whereby the outer portion26 of the valve 24 moves to allow communication of the passage 22 with the passage 12. The pressure of the gasoline in the passage 22 moves the outer portion 26 to an open position while valve 27 remains closed since there is no gasoline flowing through the .passage 30.

When the lever 35 is raised upwardly, the poppet valve 36 is opened, and gasoline flows through the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34 by moving the bleeder poppet valve 37 to its open position. Flow can be either automatically stopped when the tank becomes filled or by releasing the lever 35.

Similarly, if gasoline is flowing only through the hose 33, then only the passage 30 communicates with the passage 12. The pressure of the gasoline in the passage 30 moves the outer portion 27 of the valve 24 open.

If gasoline is supplied through both of the hoses and 32 simultaneously, then there is communication of each of the passages 22 and 30 with the passage 12 whereby there is mixing of the two gasolines in the passage 12. When this occurs, the outer portions 26 and 27 abut against each other in substantially the plane of the dividing wall 29.

Accordingly, there can be flow through either the passage 22 or 30 or through both of the passages 22 and 30 simultaneously. When there is flow through only one of the passages 22 and 30, there is no contamination of the other of the passages 22 and 30 because of the valve 24.

An advantage of this invention is that it prevents contamination of one fluid by a different fluid when each can be supplied to a common chamber at a different time. Another advantage of this invention is that it provides positive sealing of one passage when a second passage has a pressurized fluid supplied thereto and both of the passages communicate with the same chamber.

For purposes of examplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An insert for use with a fluid dispensing nozzle to enable the nozzle to dispense two different fluids separately or together therefrom including a member having a first passage extending therethrough with one end of said first passage adapted to receive a first pressurized fluid and its other end adapted to direct the first pressurized fluid to a passage in the nozzle, a second passage extending therethrough with one end of said second passage adapted to receive a second pressurized fluid and its other end adapted to direct the second pressurized fluid to the passage in the nozzle, and a single valve member supported by said member at its outlet end to prevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passage unless the first pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough and between said second passage and the nozzle passage unless the second pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough.

2. The insert according to claim 1 in which said single valve member includes a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage, a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage, said first portion being movable by the flow of the first pressurized fluid through said first passage to aid said second portion in preventing communication between said second passage and the nozzle passage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only saidfirst passage, and said second portion being movable by the flow of the sec ond pressurized fluid through said second passage to aid said first portion in preventing communication be tween said first passage and the nozzle passage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only said second passage.

, 3. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said single valve has a central portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of said central portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of said central portion; said central portion being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outer portions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the first pressurized fluid; said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid; said first outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said first passage and said nozzle passage when there is flow only through said first passage, said flow aiding said second outer portion in preventing communication between said second passage and said nozzle passage and said second outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said second passage and said nozzle passage when there is flow only through said second passage said flow aiding said first outer portion in preventing communication between said first passage and said nozzle passage.

4. A fluid dispensing nozzle including a body having a passage therein, valve means to control flow through said passage, an insert member mounted in said body passage, said member having first and second passages extending therethrough, each of said passages being connected with a separate source of pressurized fluid, and a single valve secured to the outlet end of said insert member to engage the outlet ends of said first and second member passages, said valve preventing flow from one of said first and second passages to the other through said body passage when only one member pas sage has pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to said body passage.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and said body passage in the absence of the first pressurizedfluid in said first passage and a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and said body passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage.

6. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has a central portion, a first outer portion ad jacent one side of said central portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of said central portion; said central portion being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outer portions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and said body passage in the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage; said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and said body passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage; said first outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said first passage and said body passage when there is first pressurized fluid only through said first passagefsaid fluid pressure causing said second outer portion to seal and prevent communication between said body passage and said second passage and said second outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said second passage and said body passage when there is second pressurized fluid only through said second passage, said fluid pressure causing said first outer portion to sea] and prevent communication between said body passage and said first passage.

7. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a passage volume reducing plug disposed in said body passage between said member and said valve means wherein the volume in said body passage in which fluid remains when fluid flow stops is reduced by the volume of said passage volume reducing plug.

Claims (7)

1. An insert for use with a fluid dispensing nozzle to enable the nozzle to dispense two different fluids separately or together therefrom including a member having a first passage extending therethrough with one end of said first passage adapted to receive a first pressurized fluid and its other end adapted to direct the first pressurized fluid to a passage in the nozzle, a second passage extending therethrough with one end of said second passage adapted to receive a second pressurized fluid and its other end adapted to direct the second pressurized fluid to the passage in the nozzle, and a single valve member supported by said member at its outlet end to prevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passage unless the first pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough and between said second passage and the nozzle passage unless the second pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough.

2. The insert according to claim 1 in which said single valve member includes a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage, a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage, said first portion being movable by the flow of the first pressurized fluid through said first passage to aid said second portion in preventing communication between said second passage and the nozzle passage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only said first passage, and said second portion being movable by the flow of the second pressurized fluid through said second passage to aid said first portion in preventing communication between said first passage and the nozzle passage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only said second passage.

3. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said single valve has a central portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of said central portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of said central portion; said central portion being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outer portions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the first pressurized fluid; said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid; said first outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said first passage and said nozzle passage when there is flow only through said first passage, said flow aiding said second outer portion in preventing communication between said second passage and said nozzle passage and said second outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said seconD passage and said nozzle passage when there is flow only through said second passage said flow aiding said first outer portion in preventing communication between said first passage and said nozzle passage.

4. A fluid dispensing nozzle including a body having a passage therein, valve means to control flow through said passage, an insert member mounted in said body passage, said member having first and second passages extending therethrough, each of said passages being connected with a separate source of pressurized fluid, and a single valve secured to the outlet end of said insert member to engage the outlet ends of said first and second member passages, said valve preventing flow from one of said first and second passages to the other through said body passage when only one member passage has pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to said body passage.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and said body passage in the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage and a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and said body passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage.

6. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has a central portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of said central portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of said central portion; said central portion being relatively thin in comparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outer portions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage to prevent communication between said first passage and said body passage in the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage; said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to prevent communication between said second passage and said body passage in the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage; said first outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said first passage and said body passage when there is first pressurized fluid only through said first passage, said fluid pressure causing said second outer portion to seal and prevent communication between said body passage and said second passage and said second outer portion being actuated to provide communication between said second passage and said body passage when there is second pressurized fluid only through said second passage, said fluid pressure causing said first outer portion to seal and prevent communication between said body passage and said first passage.

7. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a passage volume reducing plug disposed in said body passage between said member and said valve means wherein the volume in said body passage in which fluid remains when fluid flow stops is reduced by the volume of said passage volume reducing plug.

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