US3759423A

US3759423A - Contamination-preventing nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3759423A
Application number: US00144495A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hansel
Original assignee: Sun Oil Co
Current assignee: Sunoco Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-18
Filing date: 1971-05-18
Publication date: 1973-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-18
Also published as: CA962240A

Abstract

In a dispensing nozzle used for dispensing solely one or the other of two liquid fuel components, and also for dispensing various blends of the two components, contamination of one component by the other, when dispensing solely said one component, is prevented by utilizing a manually-controllable shut-off valve for the other component, in the nozzle body. A detachable nozzle reducing extension, which must be used in order to dispense solely said one component into specially-equipped automobiles requiring this fuel, is held captive on the nozzle body, and cannot be removed for application to the nozzle spout unless the shut-off valve is first operated to its off position. Two separate fuel inlet passageways leading to the nozzle main shut-off valve are employed, one for each respective one of the two fuel components, and a separate spring-loaded check valve is utilized in each passageway, in close juxtaposition to the main nozzle valve.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Hansel Sept. 18, 1973 I CONTAMINATION-PREVENTING NOZZLE William B. Hansel, Media, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney-George L. Church, Donald R. Johnson, Wilmer E. McCorquodale and Frank A. Rechif [57 I ABSTRACT In a dispensing nozzle used for dispensing solely one or the other of two liquid fuel components, and also for dispensing various blends of the two components, contamination of one component by the other, when dispensing solely said one component, is prevented by utilizing a manually-controllable shut-off valve for the other component, in the nozzle body. A detachable nozzle reducing extension, which must be used in order to dispense solely said one component into speciallyequipped' automobiles requiring this fuel, is held captive on the nozzle body, and cannot be removed for application to the nozzle spout unless the shut-off valve is first operated to its off position. Two separate fuel inlet passageways leading to the nozzle main shut-off valve are employed, one for each respective one of the two fuel components, and a separate spring-loaded check valve is utilized in each passageway, in close juxtaposition to the main nozzle valve.

5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] SEP] 8 I975 SHEU 2 0f 3 1 CONTAMINATION-PREVENTING NOZZLE This invention relates to the prevention of contamination in a liquid fuel dispensing nozzle which is capable of dispensing, selectively, both a non-leaded or unleaded fuel and a highly-leaded fuel, as well as various blends of these two fuels.

At the present time, there is being used rather extensively a multi-grade fuel dispensing apparatus which can be adjusted to dispense, selectively, solely a hi gasoline (referring to a relatively high-octane liquid fuel component), solely a lo gasoline (referring to a relatively low-octane liquid fuel component), or a blend of these hi and lo gasoline components or constituents. An apparatus of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,880,908 arid also in US. Pat. No. 2,977,970, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application.

As disclosed in the 970 patent, two separate hoses (described in the patent as being in a concentric or hose-within-a-hose arrangement) are utilized to convey the fuels from the housing of the dispensing apparatus to a dispensing nozzle, where mixing of the two components takes place (assuming that a blend of the two has been called for). The dispensing nozzle used in such an apparatus may therefore be termed a blending-type nozzle.

Recently, in order to reduce the emission from the exhausts of automobile internal combustion engines of certain atmospheric pollutants such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, the use of a catalytic converter or catalytic muffler on the automobile ex haust has been proposed, and this proposal appears to be meeting with some favor. However, lead anti-knock compounds or octane improvers, commonly used as additives in gasoline, have a deleterious effect on the catalyst contained in the aforementioned catalytic converter or catalytic muffler, in that they poison" the catalyst and thereby markedly reduce its effective life. It is therefore essential that automobiles equipped with such catalytic devices (which may be thought of as specially-equipped automobiles) be fueled only with leadfree or substantially lead-free, which is to say unleaded or non-leaded, fuels. Any contamination with lead of 5 the fuel dispensed into these specially-equipped autolyst, and could subject the fuel distributor to lawsuits for such damage.

In order to prevent mistakes which would result in the dispensing Of leaded fuel into the fuel tanks of specially-equipped automobiles requiring a non-leaded fuel (special fuel), it is expected that the fillpipes for the fuel tanks of such automobiles will be equipped with special inserts which have the effect of reducing the diameter of such fillpipes so as to prevent the entry thereinto of the spouts of standard Size which are universally used on dispensing nozzles. Thus, unmodified, standard dispensing nozzles cannot be used to dispense fuel into the fuel tanks of these specially-equipped automobiles.

To satisfy the demand by owners of the aforementioned specially-equipped automobiles for a nonleaded fuel, in the multigrade fuel dispensing apparatus. Previously mentioned the 10 gasoline will be a non-leaded fuel, while the hi gasoline will be a highly leaded fuel. Thus, the customer desiring (requiring) a non-leaded fuel can obtain the same calling for the dispensing of the lo alone.

This means that the blending-type nozzle forming a part of the multi-grade dispensing apparatus must be capable of delivering solely a low-octane, non-leaded fuel (10 gasoline), as well as solely a high-octane, highly leaded fuel (hi" gasoline), without noticeable mixing, which is to say without any detectable contamination of the non-leaded fuel by the leaded fuel, and without excessive contamination of the leaded fuel by the non-leaded fuel.

An object of this invention is to provide, in a blending-type nozzle, means for positively preventing contamination of one liquid being dispensed by the other liquid.

Another object is to provide, in a nozzle for dispensing either non-leaded or leaded gasolines or blends of such gasolines, means for preventing contamination of the non-leaded gasoline by the leaded gasoline, when solely the former is being dispensed.

A further object is to provide, in :a blending-type nozzle, a positive shut-off of one blending component when solely the other is being dispensed.

A still further object is to provide: a simple and convenient means for modifying a standard dispensing nozzle in such a manner that it can be used to dispense fuel into the fuel tanks of specially-equipped automobiles.

An additional object is to provide a removable adapter means for a blending-type dispensing nozzle which will enable suchnozzle to be used for dispensing fuel into specially-equipped automobiles, as well as into conventional or non-special automobiles.

Still another object is to provide, in a blending-type nozzle to which is fed a non-leaded fuel component and a highly leaded fuel component, a positive shut-off of the highly-leaded component when solely the nonleaded component is being dispensed.

Yet another object is to provide a nozzle adapter which will enable a blending-type dispensing nozzle to be used for dispensing a non-leaded fuel into specially equipped automobiles, together with an arrangement for ensuring that, whenever the adapter is to be used, the highly-leaded fuel stream is shut off from the nozzle.

The objects of this invention are accomplished, briefly, in the following manner: A more or less conventional blending-type dispensing nozzle is modified to provide two entirely separate inlet passageways through the body of the nozzle to the main nozzle shutoff valve, one for the 10" or nonleaded gasoline and the other for the hi or highly-leaded gasoline. An individual spring-loaded check valve'is positioned in each of these passageways, in each case in close juxtaposition to the main nozzle shut-off valve. In the passageway for the hi" gasoline stream and ahead of the associated check valve, there is provided a manuallycontrollable shut-off valve. An adapter for the nozzle, in the form of a small-diameter removable extension for the nozzle spout sized to fit into the fillpipes of specially-equipped automobiles, is detachably mounted on the nozzle body, in a position to serve as an operating handle for the shut-off valve in the hi gasoling stream. A captive or holding means is provided for the adapter (nozzle reducing extension), which ensures that the adapter cannot be removed from the nozzle body, for use on the nozzle spout, unless and until the shut-off valve in the hi" gasoline stream is operated to its off position.

A detailed description of the invention follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation showing a dispensing nozzle according to this invention, the nozzle extension being illustrated in two different positions;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation of thhe nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating steps in the removal of the nozzle extension from the main nozzle body;

FIG. 3 is a partial view in lengthwise section of the nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevation of the nozzle, with parts broken away to show the internal construction;

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevation, taken at 90 to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view generally similar to FIG. 6, but with certain parts broken away, illustrating the nozzle extension in a different position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a spring-pressed lug member;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a nozzle reducing extension according to the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a hose adapter which may be used with the nozzle of the invention.

First referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the blending-type dispensing nozzle of the invention, denoted generally by numeral 1, is founded upon or based upon a known type of automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle, for example that disclosedin US. Pat. No. 2,582,195. Nozzle 1 comprises a main body 2 having a normally closed main valve (shut-off valve) 3 therein on the downstream side of which is an outlet passageway 4 communicating with a dispensing spout 5. By way of example, the CD. of the spout 5 may be fifteen-sixteenth inch. There is preferably a spring 6 mounted about the discharge tube or spout 5 in a conventional manner, to provide friction for holding the tube in the fillpipe of an automobile gasoline tank and also to assist in making electrical contact between the tank and the nozzle body. It may be noted,

at this point, that there is a single outlet passageway leading from the downstream side of valve 3 to the spout 5, although (as will be later described) there are two separate passageways leading to the upstream side of this valve.

The main body 2 of the nozzle is provided with an inlet passageway 7, as is conventional, which leads to a valve seat 8 on which main valve 3 is normally pressed or seated by a main spring 9. The passageway 7 forms a tubular portion on the body 2, which portion may serve as a handle. Spring 9 bears on the underside of a centrally-bored poppet cap 10 threaded to the valve body 2.

The nozzle main shut-off valve 3 is provided with an integral valve stem 11 which extends downwardly and outwardly of body 2 through a suitable packing gland. The lower end of the stem is disposed to be engaged by a pivotally-mounted hand lever 12 when the lever is actuated toward the tubular portion 7, to lift poppet valve 3 ofiits seat 8 against the force of spring 9. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the nozzle also preferably includes a conventional spring-pressed latch, for latching the hand lever 12 in any selected one of three valve-opening positions. A latch arrangement which can be used for this purpose is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,582,747.

The nozzle 1 is preferably provided with a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism (not shown, but detailed in the aforementioned 195 patent) which operates in response to the submerging of the discharge end of spout S in liquid to a predetermined depth, and more particularly in response to the submerging (in liquid) of an opening 13 (FIG. 10) which is provided through the side wall of spout 5 adjacent the outlet thereof. With any quantity of liquid flowing through the dispensing nozzle, the pressure responsive mechanism is arranged to trip or release the fulcrum of the lever 12 to a position wherein main valve 3 will automatically close, in response to the submerging of opening 13. This action is explained in detail in the l patent.

At its outer end, the inlet passageway 7 in the nozzle body 2 is flared outwardly and is provided with female pipe threads, which latter provide a means for coupling the outer end of a fuel-carrying hose 14 to the nozzle. The present invention is concerned with a multi-grade liquid fuel dispensing apparatus, of the type described in the 908 and 970 patents previously mentioned. Such apparatus calls for separately conveying (by means of separate conduits) two liquid fuel components (to which a lo" gasoline and a hi gasoline) from the housing of the dispensing apparatus to the dispensing nozzle. As governed by a blend control valve located in the apparatus housing, which in turn is responsive to grade selection mechanism in the housing, either of these two components may be dispensed separately through the nozzle 1, or the two components may be mixed or blended together at the nozzle in various predetermined proportions, for dispensing as a selected blend.

The hose 14 may be one hose of a twin-hose or sideby-side hose arrangement 15 which is utilized to convey the two liquid fuel components to the dispensing nozzle. Hose 14 carries the lo gasoline to nozzle 1, and the nozle end of this hose is suitably sealed into the outer end of inlet passageway 7. As mentioned hereinabove, it is contemplated fuel. The twin-hose arrangement 15 may be, for example, constructed as shown in FIG. 5 of my copending application, Ser. No. 63,827, now abandoned filed Aug. 14, 1970.

A spring-loaded check valve assembly or unit 16, which is a commercially-available unit, is mounted in passageway 7, with the poppet-type valve 17 of this unit as close as possible to shut-off valve 3, it being necessary only to providesufficient clearance for proper operation (movement) of valves 17 and 3. The poppet valve 17 of unit 16 seats against a valve seat 18 provided on one end of the housing 19 of the unit, and the outer cylindrical surface of housing 19 is sealed into passageway 7 by means of an O-ring 20 fitting within a circumferential groove in this housing. One end of a coiled compression spring 21 bears against a web member 22 fastened to the upstream end of housing 19, and the other end of this spring bears against a pin 23 secured to a rod which is integral with poppet 17; spring 21 thus biases the poppet 17 toward closed position. It may be here noted that all of elements 17-23 are parts of the unit or assembly 16.

The valve 17 operates as a check valve, permitting flow of liquid through passageway 7 only from right to left in FIG. 3 that is, only in the direction from the hose 14 toward the nozzle main valve 3. Any flow which might tend to take place in the opposite direction only presses the valve 17 more tightly against its seat 18. Since valve 17 is biased toward its closed position by spring 21, the force of this spring must be overcome before the valve can open. This spring exerts a force such that it can easily be overcome, to open the valve, by the pressure supplied by the dispensing pump to force lo gasoline through the hose 14 (when the lo portion of the blend control valve in the dispensing apparatus housing is not completely closed). However, valve 17 remains closed (held closed by its spring 21) when there is no pump pressure in hose 14 (when the lo portion of the blend control valve is completely closed).

Since the valve 17 is spring-loaded, it can serve also as an anti-drain valve, because it will remain closed when the dispensing apparatus 10 pump has been turned off. Thus, it will prevent liquid from draining out of the hose 14 when the pump is off, even though the main nozzlevalve 3 is opened or is leaky.

Cap 10 has therein a centrally-located bore 24 which is essentially coaxial with main valve 3, this bore providing a second inlet passageway leading to valve seat 8 and main valve 3. This second inlet passageway provides for the flow of the hi" gasoline component to the nozzle 1, and more particularly to the upstream side of main valve 3. This hi gasoline will be a high-octane, highly leaded fuel. The diameter of bore 24 is somewhat less than that of passageway 7.

A spring-loaded check valve assembly or unit 16',

I again a commercially-available unit which is similar in all respects to unit 16 except that it is somewhat smaller in diameter (so as to sealingly fit in bore 24), is

mounted in bore 24. Elements of unit 16' which are the same as those of unit 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, but carrying prime designations. The unit 16' is so located in bore 24 that the poppet 17' of this unit is as close as possible to shut-off valve 3, yet with sufficient clearance between the lower or downstream face of this poppet and valve3 to permit the latter to open fully, and to allow poppet 17' to operate properly.

An upstanding cylindrical boss 25 is sealingly secured (as by welding or brazing, for example) to the upper side of cap 10. A cylindrical member 26, whose central portion 27 (see FIG. 4) serves as a manuallycontrollable rotatable shut-off valve, extends diametrical through boss 25 and is rotatably mounted in an appropriate cylindrical bore provided in the boss. The valve portion 27 of member 26 has formed therein an L-shaped fluid channel 28 whose separate legs 29 and 30 open to the outer periphery of this valve 27. The boss 25 is formed with a diametrical fluid channel 31 and with an axial fluid channel 32, both of which open to the outer surface of the boss and also into the central portion of the bore in which member 26 is mounted. In the normal (vertically upright) position of the dispensing nozzle 1, illustrated in FIG. 3, channel 31 extends horizontally and channel 32 extends vertically. The channel 32 is coaxial with the bore 24 in cap 10, which bore also extends vertically in the normal position of the dispensing nozzle.

The nozzle end of the remaining hose 33 of the twinhose arrangement 15 is sealed into the outer end of boss channel 31, the sealing being effected by means of a metal tube 47 one end of which is fastened to hose 33 and the other end of which is sealed into channel 31. Hose 33 carries the hi gasoline to noule 1.

In FIG. 3, the valve 27 is shown. in its open or on position. In this position, leg 29 of channel 28 is aligned with boss channel 31, and leg 30 of channel 28 is aligned with boss channel 32 and with cap bore 24. Thus, in this position of valve 27, the hi gasoline carried by hose 33 is free to flow through boss channel 31, valve channel 28, and boss channel 32, into the cap bore 24 (wherein check valve unit 16' is mounted).

Valve 27 may be manually rotated (by an operating means, hereinafter described) counterclockwise from its FIG. 3 position to a closed or ofF' position, wherein leg 30 of channel 28 extends approximately horizontally (in the normal position of the dispensing nozzle) and leg 29 extends approximately vertically. In this off position of the valve, the inner (or upper) end of boss channel 32 is sealed off from boss channel 31, so that hi gasoline can no longer flow through boss channel 32 into cap bore 24.

The valve 17' operates as a check valve, permitting flow of liquid through cap bore 24 only vertically downwardly in FIG. 3 that is, only in the direction from the hose 33 toward the nozzle main valve 3 (assuming that valve 27 is open or on Any flow which might tend to take place in the opposite direction only presses the valve 17' more tightly against its seat. Since valve 17' is biased toward its closed position by spring 21', the force of this spring must be overcome before the valve can open. This spring exerts a force such that it can easily be overcome, to open the valve 17, by the pressure supplied by the dispensing; pump to force hi gasoline through the hose 33 (when the hi portion of the blend control valve in the dispensing apparatus housing is not completely closed, agaisnt assuming that valve 27 is open). However, valve 17' remains closed (held closed by its spring 21') when there is no pump pressure in hose 33 (when the hi portion of the blend control valve is completely closed),

Since the valve 17 is spring-loaded, it can serve also as an anti-drain valve, because it will remain closed when the dispensing apparatus hi pump has been turned off. Thus,it will prevent liquid from draining out of the hose 33 when the pump is off, even though the main nozzle valve3 is opened or is leaky.

By way of summary, it is pointed out that when solely lo gasoiing is being dispensed, the valve 17 is pushed open and valve 17' is held closed by its spring 21 (neglecting for the moment any effect of valve 27 on the operation); the 10 gasoline then flows from tube 14 through the passageway 7 and through the main nozzle valve 3 (assumed open) to the passageway 4 and dispensing spout 5. When solely hi gasoline is being dispensed, the valve 17 is held closed by its spring 21 and valve 17 is pushed open (assuming that valve 27 is then open); the hi" gasoline then flows from tube 33 through channel 31, channel 28, channel 32, and passageway 24-and through the main nozzle valve 3 (assumed open) to passageway 4 and dispensing spouts. When a blend of lo and hi gasolines is being dispensed, the valves 17 and 17 are both pushed open (again assuming valve 27 to be open), and the lo and hi" gasolines. flowing through their respective passageways 7 and 24, mix downstream of the valves 17 and 17', the mixture or blend then proceeding through the main nozzle valve 3 (assumed open) to passageway 4 and dispensing spout 5.

It is pointed out that the metal, spring-loaded check valves 17 and 17 (which operate to permit the flow of liquid only in the direction toward the nozzle shut-off valve, and even then only when there is a certain positive pump pressure behind or upstream of such valves) are located quite close to the main nozzle valve 3, as are also the respective sealing means 20 and 20'. This means that the effective residual capacity of the nozzle (which may be contaminated by hi gasoline prior to a dispensing operation calling for solely lo gasoline) is extremely small, and is reduced substantially below the original nozzle residual capacity. In fact, the contamination is so small as to be unmeasurable. Thus, an extremely efficient and effective anti-mixing valve arrangement is provided by the nozzle of this invention.

Comparative tests were run on different nozzles and measurements were made. First, using twin hoses as in the embodiment described but with two resilient flapper-type check valves both located in passageway 7, when dispensing solely lo gasoline after having previously dispensed solely hi gasoline, the contamination of hi" gasoline in lo gasoline averaged 63 cc. Using a dispensing nozzle according to the invention as heretofore described (i.e., poppet cap entry for hi gasoline with two metal, spring-loaded check valves), under the. same conditions of dispensing the contamination of hi gasoline in lo gasoline was not measurable Again, using twin hoses but with two resilient check valves both in passageway 7, when dispensing solely hi gasoline after having previously dispensed solely lo gasoline, the contamination of lo gasoline in hi" gasoline averaged 42 cc. Using a dispensing nozzle according to the invention, under the same conditions of dispensing the contamination of lo gasoline in hi gasoline was again not measurable.

Sealing means, for sealing the central valve portion 27 of member 26 within the boss bore wherein it rotates, comprises a pair of O-rings 34 and 35 on respective opposite sides of valve portion 27, these O-rings being located in respective circumferential grooves provided in member 26. Beyond O-ring 35, member 26 has a cylindrical end portion 36 (see FIG. 4) which extends laterally outwardly to one side of boss 25, and rigidly secured to this end portion 36 (so as to rotate therewith, about the axis of rotation 37) is a housing 38 of generally cruciform outer configuration. As will be understood from the previous description of valve 27, the axis of rotation 37 (of valve portion 27 and end portion 36 of member 26) extends horizontally, when the dispensing nozzle is held in its normal. vertically upright position (as depicted in FIGS. 1-3).

Housing 38 includes, centrally of its length and extending perpendicularly to axis 37, a deep cylindrical recess or socket 39 which is closed at one end and open at its opposite end; the elongated wall defining socket 39 forms two of the arms of the cruciform-shaped housing 38. The socket 39 has an ID. such as to slidably receive (and accommodate therein) the outer (smallerdiameter) or dispensing end 59 of an elongated tubular nozzle extension or spout extension denoted generally by numeral 40. By way of example, the dispensing end of extension 40 may have an CD. of thirteen-sixteenth inch. The nozzle extension 40 is adapted to be slidably inserted into, and removed from, the housing socket 39, via the open end of this socket (in the direction of the length of the extension). Under certain conditions, as will be described hereinafter, nozzle extension 40 is held captive in socket 39 so that it cannot be removed therefrom, but under other conditions it is released or unlocked from this socket so that it can be removed by sliding it outwardly in the lengthwise direction through the open socket end.

The nozzle extension 40 is elongated and of generally cylindrical outer configuration; when in socket 39 it extends for a substantial distance outwardly beyond the confines of housing 38, in a direction substantially parallel to the side of the nozzle body 2 (see FIG. 5), and may thus be used as a handle for rotating housing 38 (and also member 26, with its valve portion 27, secured to the housing) about axis 37. In this way, the nozzle extension 40 is used as a handle, for operating the manually-controllable shut-off valve 27 between its closed and open positions.

As previously described, a rotation of valve 27 through an angle of in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3, from the valve-open position illustrated in this figure) serves to operate the valve from its open to its closed position, while a rotation through 90 in the opposite direction (from its closed position) serves to operate the valve from its closed to its open position. For limiting the rotation of member 26 (and of valve 27) to 90, a circumferential groove 41, having a total circumferential length of 90 plus the diameter of the inner end of a set screw 42, is provided in the outer surface of valve body 27, and the inner end of this set screw (which is threadedly mounted in boss 25 and extends in a radial direction with respect thereto) rides in groove 41.

Detenting means are provided, for detenting valve 27 in either its open (on) or its closed (off) position. A spring-pressed pin 42, slidably mounted in a bore provided in boss 25 and biased inwardly by means of a spring 44, is adapted to snap into one or the other of two angularly-spaced depressions or dimples 45 or 46 formed in end portion 36 of member 26, depression 45 corresponding to the open position of valve 27 and depression 46 corresponding to the closed position thereof.

It has been previously explained how the nozzle extension or spout extension 40 is used as a valve handle,-

for manual operation of the valve 27 in the hi gasoline stream, and how, when so used, the nozzle extension-valve handle 40 is positioned in socket 39.

However, the nozzle extension may also be used as occasion demands, for dispensing liquid fuel into specially-equipped automobiles (i.e., automobiles equipped with catalytic emission control devices, and so requiring a non-leaded fuel); such automobiles will have special inserts in their fill pipes which prevent the entry thereinto of spouts of standard size, such as spout 5. The diameter of the outer end 59 of spout extension 40 is smaller than that of spout 5, and is such as to fit into the aforementioned special inserts. So, for dispensing liquid fuel (non-leaded gasoline) into speciallyequipped automobiles, the extension 40 can. be removed from socket 39 (by being withdrawn therefrom in the direction of its length, via the open socket end. as previously described) and fitted onto the dispensing or outer end of spout 5. This position of extension 40 is illustrated in phantom (dot-dash) lines in FIG. 1, and

also in FIG. 10. The details of such fitting will be de scribed hereinafter, in connection with FIG. 10.

The manual shut-off valve 27 in the hi or leaded gasoline stream is provided to positively prevent the dispensing of any leaded gasoline into the aforementioned specially-equipped automobiles. Therefore, this valve should be operated to its closed or off position before starting the dispensing of gasoline into these specially-equipped automobiles. As previously stated, the nozzle extension 40 must be used in order to dispense fuel into such automobiles, and in order to use it as a nozzle extension it must first be withdrawn or removed from socket 39. According to this invention, the extension 40 is locked in or held captive in socket 39 until the valve 27 is operated to its closed or off position, so that member 40 cannot be removed from socket 39, for use as a spout extension, unless valve 27 has first been operated to its off position.

A pair of oppositely-disposed locking lugs 48 are mounted respectively in the two other arms of the cruciform-shaped housing 38, each of these lugs being slidable within a respective slot provided in the housing, in a direction generally at 90 to the axis of the cylindrical socket 39. Lugs 48 are located approximately at the midpoint of the length of socket 39, and are adapted to extend into, or be withdrawn from, this socket. The two lugs 48 are identical, and each (see FIG. 9) has the general overall configuration of a square plate, with one arcuate side 49, a springreceiving cutout or notch 50 along the opposite side, and an integral pin 51 extending from one end face. The arcuate side 49 may be symmetrically bevelled in the thickness direction of the plate, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Each of the lugs 48 is slidably mounted edgewise in a respective housing slot, as previously mentioned, with the arcuate side 49 of each lug toward the socket 39 (the two lugs 48 being located diametrically opposite each other, with respect to the socket), and each lug is urged with considerable force toward the said socket by means of a respective lead leaf spring 52 which is positioned in the notch 50 of a corresponding lug 48, one side of each spring 52 bearing against the corresponding lug 48 and the other side of each spring bearing against a respective cover plate 53 each of which latter is rigidly secured to housing 38. The pin 51 of each lug 48 extends through a respective elongated slot 54 provided in the wall of housing 38 (in the housing wall toward boss 25; see FIG. 4), to a point outside the housing.

A continuous circumferential groove 55 is provided in the cylindrical wall of the tubular nozzle extension 40, in the smaller-diameter portion 59 thereof and at a location such that when this extension isfully inserted into socket 39 the arcuatesides 49 of the locking lugs 48 can enter groove 55 and lock extension member 40 in this socket. The lugs 48 are illustrated in their looking positions in FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably, the groove 55 has a cross-section which exactly matches that of the arcuate sides 49 of lugs 48.

A pair of integral, outwardly-extending camming members 56 are provided on fixed boss 25, these camming members being centered in a common vertical plane (when the nozzle is in its normahvertically upright position; see FIG. 8) and being diametrically opposite each other, with respect to the rotatable member 26. The camming members 56 are so constructed and arranged that, when housing 38 (along with member 26 and its valve portion 27 and its end portion 36) is rotated by handle-extension 40 through 90 (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8,. or in the direction from bottom to top in FIG. 6, considering rotation about a horizontal axis in FIG. 6) from the valve-open position represented in FIG. 4, each of the lug pins 51 will come into engagement with a respective one of the camming members 56 and will be cammed thereby in a direction radially outwardly with respect to the axis 37, as illustrated in FIG. 8; this will cause each of the locking lugs 48 to move radially outwardly with respect to the axis of socket 39, against the bias of its respective spring 52, to the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the arcuate sides 49 of the lugs 48 are be yond the socket 39 and are removed from the groove 55 of nozzle extension 40. Thus, nozzle extension 40 is locked in socket 39 (so that it cannot be removed therefrom) by lugs 48 when valve 27 is in its open or on" position, but upon manual rotation of this valve through 90, to the closed or off position, by means of the handle 40, the locking lugs 48 are withdrawn from their locking positions, so that nozzle extension 40 can thereafter be removed from socket 39 for use as a nozzle extension. Thus, the manually-controllable hi shut-off valve 27 must be operated to a closed or off position (by means of handle 40), before the nozzle extension 40 can be removed from socket 39 for use as a nozzle or spout extension. This ensures that the hi or leaded gasoline stream will be positively shut off from the spout of the dispensing nozzle whenever liquid fuel is being dispensed into the tanks of speciallyequipped automobiles (it will be remembered that the nozzle extension 40 must necessarily be used whenever dispensing gasoline into such specially-equipped auto mobiles, which have special inserts in their fillpipes). In connection with the foregoing, it will be appreciated that solely 1o gasoline can be dispensed into the fillpipes of older, conventional automobiles without using the nozzle extension 40 (since the fillpipes of such automobiles do not have special inserts and hence will accept the conventional, larger-diameter spout 5),

and hence without operating the hi shut-off valve 27 to its off position. However, under these conditions the addition of some hi, leaded gasoline to the stream being dispensed has no particularly adverse effect, since such conventional automobiles are not equipped with catalytic emission control devices.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the various movements (above described) involved in the use of the valve handle nozzle extension 40. In FIG. 2, the nozzle extension 40 is illustrated in phantom (dot-dash) lines (that represen tation wherein the extension axis is vertical) in its nonuse position, wherein it is stored on the nozzle. In this position, as described, it is locked or held captive in its socket 39. For use, valve handle 40 is rotated in the direction 57 (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) to thee solidline position illustrated. Upon rotation to this latter position, the hi or leaded-gasoline valve 27 is operated to otf, and the extension 40 is automatically unlocked from its socket 39, as previously described. Then, it can be removed by withdrawing it from its socket 39, in the direction 58 of its length, to the dotdash line'position (that representation wherein the extension axis is horizontal) illustrated. in FIG. 2. It is then free from the socket 39 and may be fitted onto the conventional nozzle spout.

in FIG. 1, the nozzle extension 40 is illustrated in phantom (dot-dash) lines in its operating position, wherein it is fitted onto the outer or dispensing;end of the conventional nozzle spout and is used for dispensing lo or non-leaded gasoline into the fuel tanks of specially-equpped automobiles. In FIG. 1, the solid-line position of element 40 is its non-use position, wherein it is stored on the nozzle.

Refer now to FIG. 10, which illustrates the nozzle or spout extension 40 in its operating or dispensing position, wherein it is installed on the outer or dispensing end of the conventional nozzle spout 5 (shown in dotdash lines). The tubular, generally cylindrical nozzle extension (perhaps more accuately, spout extension) 40 has at its outer end a portion 59 of smaller diameter, and at its inner end a portion 60 is of larger diameter, which latter portion is adapted to receive therein the outer end of spout 5.

The portion 60 of tubular extension 40 has mounted therein a pair of spaced gaskets 61 which are each adapted to form an airtight seal between the inner wall of the member 40 and the outer wall of spout 5, the combination of the two gaskets providing therebetween an annular space 62 which extends around the entire outer periphery of spout 5. One end of a somewhat S- shaped copper tube 63 of small diameter is sealed through the outer wall of extension portion 60, into communication with space 62. Th'ee annular space 62 is so arranged that, in the fully-inserted position of spout 5'into the extension 40, the side (vapor) openingg 13 in spout 5 also communicates with this space The tube 63 has a portion 63a forming a loop external to the nozzle extension 40, which portion extends from the space 62 (in the larger-diameter end 60 of the extension) to a location just beyond the shoulder formed at the junction of portions 59 and 60 of the nozzle extension. At this latter location, tube 63 is sealed through the wall of nozzle extension 40, and then continues by way of an internal loop portion 63b (inside the nozzle extension 40) too a location near the outer end of extension portion 59, at which latter point the other end of tube 63 is sealed through the wall of nozzle extension 40 to provide an opening 64 (located near the locking groove 55) which communicates with the exterior of the nozzle extension 40.

- It may be seen that the opening 64 communicates (via tube 63 and annular space 62) with the vapor opening 13 of the conventional spout 5 and thus in effect (whenever nozzle extension 40 is fitted onto the end of spout 5) extends the vapor opening 13 to the location 64. Therefore, when the nozzle extension 40 is being used, the pressure responsive diaphragm mecha- -nism (contained in the body of nozzle 1, and previously referred to) will trip or release the fulcrum of the lever 12 to a position wherein main valve 3 will automatically close, in response to the submerging of opening 64 in the nozzle extension 40. The arrangement is such that, when nozzle extension 40 is in use and is properly inserted into the fillpipe of a specially-equipped automobile, the vapor opening 64 communicates with the vapor space (above the liquid) in the automobile fuel tank. I

A loss-preventing means is provided for the nozzle extension 40, to prevent loss of such extension when the same is not either locked in the socket 39 (as in the non-use position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1), or

held frictionally on the end of spout 5 (as in the operating position illustrated in phantom in FIG. I). Such loss-preventing means comprises a length of bead chain 65 one end of which is attached to the exterior loop portion 630 of tube 63 (which forms a part of the nozzle extension 40) and the other end of which is attached to the main nozzle body 2, for example to one of the screws 66 which secure the diaphragm cap 67 in place on the nozzle body.

As disclosed in the aforementioned 908 and 970 patents, in a multi-grade fuel dispensing apparatus of the type to which this invention is applicable the lo and 7 hi gasoline streams are metered by separate meters,

and the outputs from these meters are fed to thee inputs of respective gear boxes (adjusted or set by means of a blend selector, manually operable) whose outputs drive a subtractive differential. The output of the differential, in turn, controls the two control valves (one for 10 gasoline and one for hi gasoline) through which the respective gasoline components are fed after leaving the meters; from the control valves, the separate components flow through hoses l4 and 33 to the nozzle hereinabove described. The two valves just referred to have been referred to previously hereinabove as a blend control valve."

In operation, the output of the differential referred to controls the relative positions of the hi" and lo control valves (in the dispensing apparatus housing) in such a way that, with particular settings of the lo gear box and hi gear box, ifthe lo and hi meters indicate a proper ratio of deliveries of 10" and hi gasolines, the output of the differential is zero and does not affect the settings of the control valves; on the other hand, if this correspondence does not exist, an output from the differential adjusts these control valves to control the composition of the desired blend. More specifically, as one control valve opens the other control valve closes, the relative positions of the' valves controlling the proportioning of the components. The settings of the gear boxes determine the relative flows which would be required to maintain at zero the output of the differential to hold the control valves in fixed relative position; if the rate of flow of lo gasoline relative to hi" gasoline exceeds the predetermined ratio, the differential output is of such a direction as to move the lo control valve toward closed position and the hi control valve toward open position.

As previously stated, the delivery of hi" or leaded fuel is previously prevented when the nozzle extension 40 is used. This result comes about even when the operator inadvertently fails to set the blend selector to deliver solely lo gasoline when using the'nozzle extension for specially-equipped automobiles. For example, say the operator sets the blend selector for a blend of lo and hi gasolines, then removes the spout extension 40 and fits it or installs it on spout 5. The nozzle extension 40 can now be inserted into the no-lead automobile (specially-equipped automobile), but when the nozzle main valve 3 is opened to leaded fuel can flow, because the hi" shut-off valve 27 must be closed in order to remove the nozzle extension 40 from its socket.

Since the gear boxes were set for a certain proportion of hi gasoline relative to lo gasoline, but no hi gasoline is flowing through its meter (due to hi shutoff valve 27 being closed), the differential output moves the hi control valve toward open position and the control valve toward closed position, and this continues (because no hi" gasoline at all can flow, evenn though the hi control valve is opened wide) until the lo control-valve is completely closed. At this time, flow out of the dispensing nozzle is completely cut off, since the 10" control valve is closed completely and the hi shut-off valve 27 is closed.

Thus, under these conditions (nozzle extension 40 being used and blend selector set to some stop other than that for solely lo gasoline), no leaded or hi fuel canflow into the specially-equipped automobile; some non-leaded or 10 fuel will flow until the flow of this liquid is automatically cut 011' by the action of the differential, above described.

In a multi-grade fuel dispensing apparatus of the type to which this invention is particularly applicable (disclosed in the aforementioned 908 and 970 patents, for patents, for example), a dual filter, mounted on the housing of the dispensing apparatus, is ordinarily coupled to the hi and 10 control valve outlets, as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,295,685. As disclosed in this latter patent, a concentric hose arrangement (hosewithin-ahose) is ordinarily used between the output couplings of the dual filter and a dispensing nozzle. The two tubes of such a concentric hoseare connected respectively tame two oiitpu t couplings of the dual filter, with the inner or central tube being connected to the hi output coupling of the filter and the outer or surrounding tube being connected to the lo" output coupling of the filter. FIG. 11 illustrates an adapter which may be used with the nozzle of the present invention, for coupling a concentric hose arrangement to the present nozzle (which calls for separate, side-by-side couplings to the nozzle body).

Referring now to FIG. 11, a concentric hose arrange ment 68 includes an inner hose or tube 69 and an outer hose or tube 70, the outer hose, as is usual, being provided with a coupling member 71 carrying male threads. The adapter, denoted generally by numeral 72, includes a threaded nipple having female threads on one end for threadedly receiving the coupling member 71 and having on its other end male threads which threadedly engage the threads provided on the nozzle body 2, at inlet passageway (nozzle handle) 7. In this way, the lo gasoline component carried by the outer hose 70 from the I dispensing apparatus housing (more particularly, from the lo output coupling of the dual filter) is supplied to the nozzle inlet passageway 7.

Within the tubular body of the adapter 72, a short piece of tubing 73 is connected at its outer end to the end of the inner hose 69 (at a location concentric with the female threads of the nipple 72, at the hose end of such nipple), the inner end of tubing 73 being sealed into a side port or aperture 74 in the body of adapter 72. The tubing 73 forms an elbow, as illustrated in FIG. 1 1. One end of an cell member 75 is sealed into the side port 74 (so as to communicate with tubing 73), and the other end of cell 75 is sealed to the outer end of a piece of flexible hose 76, which is analagous to the metal tube 47 of FIGS. 1-10. The inner end (not shown) of the hose 76 is sealed into the boss channel 31 of boss 25, as is the metal tube 47 in the previous figures. The hi38 gasoline component carried by the inner hose 69 from the dispensing apparatus housing (more particularly, from the hi" output coupling of thhe dual filter) is thus supplied by way of tubing 73, ell member 75, and hose 76 to the boss channel 31 of the dispensing nozzle described hereinabove.

Comparative tests were also run on difierent nozzles when using the concentric or hose-in-hose" arrangement described in connection with FIG. 11.

Again, using concentric hoses but with two resilient check valves both in passageway 7, when dispensing solely hi gasoline after having previously dispensed solely lo gasoline, the contamination of lo gasoline in hi" gasoline averaged cc. Using the same type of hose arrangement but feeding a dispensing nozzle according to the invention, under the same conditions of dispensing the contamination of lo gasoline in hi gasoline was only 40 cc.

The invention claimed is:

l. A nozzle adapted to dispense through one end thereof selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, aseparate check valve sealed into each of said passageways, adjacent the inner end of the respective passageway and in close juxtaposition to said main shut-off valve, each of said check valves controlling the entire liquid flow through its respective passageway and each being arranged to permit liquid flow only toward said one side of said main shut-off valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, ahead of the check valve therein, and a tubular nozzle extension adapted to be coupled to the dispensing end of said nozzle, said extension being constructed and arranged to serve also as a handle for operating said manuallyoperated shut-off valve.

2. A nozzle adapted to dispense selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually'operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a separate check valve sealed into each of said passageways, adjacent the inner end of the respective passageway and in close juxtaposition to said main shut-off valve, each of said check valves controlling the entire liquid flow through its respective passageway and each being arranged to permit liquid flow only toward said one side of said main shut-off valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, ahead of the check valve therein, and a manually, operable nozzle extension associated with said body for efiecting control of said manually-controllable shut-off valve, said extension being removably coupled to said manuallycontrollable shut-off valve.

inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, and a tubular nozzle extension adapted to be removably coupled to the dispensing and of said nozzle, said extension being constructed and arranged to serve when not coupled to the dispensing end of the nozzle as a handle for operating said manually-controllable shut-off valve.

5. A nozzle adapted to dispense through one end thereof selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side or of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a manually-controllable shut-0K valve in one of said passageways, a manually operable nozzle extension for efiecting control of said manuallycontrollable shut-off valve, said extension being removably coupled to said manually-controllable shut-ofi' valve and being adapted, when uncoupled from said manually-controllable shut-ofl' valve, to be coupled to the dispensing end of said nozzle, and locking means for preventing uncoupling of said extension from said manually-controllable shut-off valve unless said lastmentioned valve has first been operated by said extension to its off position.

Claims

1. A nozzle adapted to dispense through one end thereof selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a separate check valve sealed into each of said passageways, adjacent the inner end of the respective passageway and in close juxtaposition to said main shut-off valve, each of said check valves controlling the entire liquid flow through its respective passageway and each being arranged to permit liquid flow only toward said one side of said main shut-off valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, ahead of the check valve therein, and a tubular nozzle extension adapted to be coupled to the dispensing end of said nozzle, said extension being constructed and arranged to serve also as a handle for operating said manually-operated shut-off valve.

2. A nozzle adapted to dispense selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a separate check valve sealed into each of said passageways, adjacent the inner end of the respective passageway and in close juxtaposition to said main shut-off valve, each of said check valves controlling the entire liquid flow through its respective passageway and each being arranged to permit liquid flow only toward said one side of said main shut-off valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, ahead of the check valve therein, and a manually, operable nozzle extension associated with said body for effecting control of said manually-controllable shut-off valve, said extension being removably coupled to said manually-controllable shut-off valve.

3. Nozzle of claim 2, including also locking means for preventing uncoupling of said extension from said manually-controllable shut-off valve unless said last-mentioned valve has first been operated by said extension to its off position.

4. A nozzle adapted to dispense through one end thereof selectEd blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, and a tubular nozzle extension adapted to be removably coupled to the dispensing end of said nozzle, said extension being constructed and arranged to serve when not coupled to the dispensing end of the nozzle as a handle for operating said manually-controllable shut-off valve.

5. A nozzle adapted to dispense through one end thereof selected blends of two liquids or either liquid alone, comprising a body, a manually-operable main shut-off valve mounted in said body, a first inlet passageway in said body leading at its inner end to one side of said valve, means providing in said body a second inlet passageway leading at its inner end to said one side of said valve, a manually-controllable shut-off valve in one of said passageways, a manually operable nozzle extension for effecting control of said manually-controllable shut-off valve, said extension being removably coupled to said manually-controllable shut-off valve and being adapted, when uncoupled from said manually-controllable shut-off valve, to be coupled to the dispensing end of said nozzle, and locking means for preventing uncoupling of said extension from said manually-controllable shut-off valve unless said last-mentioned valve has first been operated by said extension to its off position.