WO2015103341A1

WO2015103341A1 - Pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve assembly for bottom-fill tanks

Info

Publication number: WO2015103341A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/072903
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Charles Cooley
Original assignee: Robert Charles Cooley
Priority date: 2013-12-30
Filing date: 2014-12-30
Publication date: 2015-07-09

Abstract

A flow control valve assembly is designed for installation in a 2-inch rigid pipe coupling that is in a fuel flow path to a fuel tank, and provides for the external routing of a fuel bleed line to a flow control unit mounted at the top of the fuel tank. The flow control valve assembly employs a tubular valve plug guide that also conveys bleed fuel to a pressure chamber responsible for fuel shutoff that is positioned behind that valve plug.

Description

PRESSURELESS INLINE FUEL SHUTOFF

VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR BOTTOM-FILL TANKS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to valve assemblies and, more particularly, to flow control valve assemblies that are used to protect primarily fuel tanks from being overfilled with fuel. However, it is likely that such flow control valve assemblies may be used to protect types of containers, other than fuel tanks, from being overfilled with other kinds of fluids.

Description of the Prior Art

For many years, diesel-powered heavy equipment has been equipped with fast-fill systems that enable rapid filing of large capacity fuel tanks. Existing fast-fill fuel systems rely on an air vent that prevents air from escaping the fuel tank when the required level of fuel has been attained. This causes pressure in the fuel tank to increase to a level that automatically shuts-off the flow of fuel at a fuel supply nozzle.

A major concern of this system is that when the fuel level activates the shut-off for the fuel supply nozzle, the shut-off can be overridden and fuel can continue to be forced into the fuel tank above the normal level. The high internal pressures generated by overfilling can cause the fuel tank to rupture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,31 1 ,723 has addressed this problem by devising a flow control valve assembly that prevents the build up of pressure within the fuel tank during and after filing. The flow control valve assembly also prevents the supply fuel nozzle from being overridden thus preventing the possibility of overfilling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,31 1 ,723 is hereby incorporated by reference.

The control valve assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 6,311 ,723 uses a float valve to determine when the level of fuel in the fuel tank has reached a desired level. When the desired level of fuel has been attained, the float valve is used to block the flow of fuel through a bleed pipe to stop the flow of fuel through a control valve. An open breather is provided within the fuel tank to allow gas to escape from the fuel tank during filling to prevent the fuel tank rupturing.

A problem associated with prior-art flow control valves used in bottom-filled fuel tanks is that the float valve assembly is located within the tank near the top thereof, while the flow control valve is located near the bottom of the tank near where the fuel nozzle couples to the receiver. In order for the float assembly to control the flow control valve, a small-diameter bleed line must be used to coupled the flow control valve assembly to the float valve assembly. The bleed line can be routed either within the tank or outside the tank, depending on the design of the flow control valve and float valve units.

Nearly all flow control valve assemblies are designed to use either an internal or an external bleed line, but not both. In addition, there is frequently a need to install a flow control valve assembly within a two-inch-diameter rigid pipe. Thus, what is needed is a flow control valve assembly that can be configured for use with either an external or an internal bleed line.

In addition, a flow control valve assembly that is sufficiently compact that it can be installed within a two-inch diameter rigid pipe is also needed. In addition to being compact, such a flow control valve assembly must also provide streamlined fuel flow through the valve so that filling times will not be unduly lengthened, be. fully-integrated flow control assembly that mounts at the top of the fuel tank.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flow control valve assembly which have been designed primarily for use in fuel tanks used for heavy equipment having diesel internal combustion engines. Thus, the invention will be described in this context of such use. Nevertheless, it is not unlikely that such flow control valve assemblies will find use for other applications where there is a need to protect types of containers, other than fuel tanks, from being overfilled with other kinds of fluids.

The flow control valve assembly is designed for installation in a 2-inch rigid pipe coupling that is in a fuel flow path to a fuel tank, and provides for the external routing of a fuel bleed line to a flow control unit mounted at the top of the fuel tank. The flow control valve assembly has a hollow main body which incorporates a female socket at the entrance end thereof, in which can be installed a fuel receiver or a pipe that can be coupled to a fuel receiver; an external pipe thread at the exit end thereof, which can be threadably installed in a two-inch pipe coupling that is in the fuel flow path to a fuel tank; an externally-threaded male portion at the exit end of the main body; and a stepped cylindrical aperture at a right angle to the fuel flow through the main body that remains outside the fuel tank. The stepped right-angle cylindrical aperture is threaded to receive a flow-through fitting that is installable on the outer periphery of the main body. The flow-through fitting is couplable to a float valve assembly positioned at the top of a fuel tank with a hollow external bleed line that is routed external to the fuel tank. A generally cylindrical hollow tube having a closed first end and a stepped, open second end i s installed within the stepped cylindrical aperture, with the closed end entering the aperture first and fitting into an internal socket in the main body that is diametrically opposed to the right-angle aperture. The cylindrical hollow tube has a pair of concentric apertures on opposite sides of the tube near the closed end. The axis of the concentric apertures passes through the axis of the hollow tube and is transverse thereto. A smaller of the two concentric apertures faces the entrance end of the assembly, and acts to limit the flow of incoming fluid into the bleed line circuit. The larger of the two concentric apertures acts as a retainer for a first end of a tubular valve plug guide that is positioned concentric with the axis. The second embodiment flow control valve assembly also has a flow-through spindle having an internally-threaded annular base that threadably engages the externally-threaded male portion at the exit end of the main body. The exit end of the spindle that is opposite the base is eq uipped with an internally threaded socket that threadably engages a pressure chamber/guide support unit. The pressure chamber/guide support unit has a pressure cham ber that faces the entrance end of the flow control valve assembly and a socket within the pressure chamber that supports a second end of the tubular valve plug guide. A valve plug, which has an aperture sized to freely slide over the tubular valve plug guide with minimum clearance, also slides over the pressure chamber/guide support unit. A coil biasing spring positioned within the pressure chamber applies a force against the valve plug, which causes the plug to slide to a normally closed position. A bleed aperture in the tubular valve plug guide that is transverse to the central axis of the tubular valve plug guide bleeds fuel from the bleed line circuit into the pressure chamber behind the valve plug. When pressurized fuel is entering the flow-control valve from an external source coupled to the female socket at the entrance end of main body, there is insufficient force against the valve plug to close the flow-control valve as long as the float valve assembly at the top of the fuel tank is allowing fuel from either an external or internal bleed line to spill into the fuel tank. However, as soon as the tank is full, the float valve assembly cuts off the flow of fuel through the bleed line into the fuel tank, thereby increasing fluid pressure in the pressure chamber behind the valve plug. This increased fuel pressure within the chamber, coupled with the force provided by the biasing spring, is sufficient to close the valve plug, which seals against a seat in the spindle. This cuts off flow fuel entering the main body from the external source. When the external fuel nozzle detects an increase in pressure, it shuts off. Thus, the increased shut-off pressure is generated within the flow-control valve assembly and not in the entire fuel tank, thereby protecting the tank, itself, from over pressurization by incoming fuel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in a closed configuration, said shutoff valve intended for installation in a 2-inch rigid pipe, and having provision for external routing of a line to a flow control unit mounted at the top of a fuel tank;

Figure 2 is an alternative isometric view of the second embodiment

pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in a closed configuration;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in a closed configuration;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in a closed configuration;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in a closed configuration, taken through section plane 5 - 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in an open configuration;

Figure 7 is an alternative isometric view of the second embodiment

pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in an open configuration;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in an open configuration;

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in an open configuration; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment pressureless inline fuel shutoff valve in an open configuration, taken through section plane 10 - 10 of Figure 9.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures. Figures 1 through 10 depict a flow control valve assembly 100 designed for installation in a 2-inch rigid pipe coupling that is in a fuel flow path to a fuel tank. The flow control valve assembly 100 provides for the routing of a fuel bleed line outside the fuel tank to a flow control unit mounted at the top of the fuel tank. Figures 1-5 show the flow-control valve assembly 100 in a closed configuration, whereas Figures 6-10 show the flow-control valve assembly 100 in an open configuration.

Referring now to Figures 1-10, the control valve assembly 100 has a hollow main body 101 which incorporates a female socket 102 at the entrance end thereof, in which can be installed a fuel receiver or a pipe that can be coupled to a fuel receiver; an external pipe thread 103 near the exit end thereof, which can be threadably installed in a two-inch pipe coupling that is in the fuel flow path to a fuel tank; an externally-threaded male portion 104 at the extreme exit end of the main body 101 ; and a stepped cylindrical aperture 105 at a right angle to the fuel flow through the main body 101 just ahead of the external pipe thread 103 that remains outside the fuel tank. The stepped right-angle cylindrical aperture 105 is threaded to receive a flow-through connector 106 that is installable on the outer periphery of the main body 101 . The flow-through connector 106 is couplable to a float valve assembly positioned at the top of a fuel tank with a hollow external bleed line (not shown) that is routed external to the fuel tank. A generally cylindrical hollow tube 107 having a closed first end 108 and a stepped, open second end 109 is installed within the stepped cylindrical aperture 105, with the closed end 108 entering the aperture first and fitting into an internal socket 109 in the main body that is diametrically opposed to the right-angle aperture 105. The cylindrical hollow tube 107 has a pair of concentric apertures 108L and 108S on opposite sides of the tube 107 near the center thereof. The axis of the concentric apertures 108L and 108S passes through the axis of the hollow tube and is transverse thereto. The smaller of the two concentric apertures 108S faces the entrance end of the assembly 100, and acts to limit the flow of incoming fluid into the bleed line circuit. The larger of the two concentric apertures 108L acts as a retainer for a first end 109 of a tubular valve plug guide 1 10 that is positioned concentric with the axis of of the two concentric apertures 108L and 108S. The second embodiment flow control valve assembly also has a flow-through spindle 1 1 1 having an internally-threaded annular base 1 12 that threadably engages the externally-threaded male portion 104 at the exit end of the main body. The exit end of the spindle 1 1 1 that is opposite the base is eq uipped with an internally threaded socket 1 13 that threadably engages a pressure chamber/guide support unit 114. The pressure chamber/guide support unit 1 14 has a pressure chamber 1 15 that faces the entrance end of the flow control valve assembly 100 and a socket 1 16 within the pressure chamber 1 15 that supports a second end 1 17 of the tubular valve plug guide 1 10. A valve plug 1 18, which has an aperture 1 19 sized to freely slide over the tubular valve plug guide 1 10 with minimum clearance, also freely slides over the pressure chamber/guide support unit 114 with minimum clearance to minimize leakage. A coil biasing spring 120 positioned within the pressure chamber 1 15 applies a force against the valve plug 1 18, which causes the plug 1 18 to slide to a normally closed position against a valve seat 121 in the main body 101 . A bleed aperture 122 in the tubular valve plug guide 1 10 that is transverse to the central axis of the tubular valve plug guide bleeds fuel from the bleed line circuit into the pressure cham ber 115 behind the valve plug 1 18. When pressurized fuel is entering the flow-control valve from an external source coupled to the female socket 102 at the entrance end of main body 101 , there is insufficient force against the valve plug 1 18 to close the flow-control valve as long as the float valve assembly at the top of the fuel tank is allowing fuel from either an external or internal bleed line to spill into the fuel tank. However, as soon as the tank is full, the float valve assembly cuts off the flow of fuel through the bleed line into the fuel tank, thereby increasing fluid pressure in the pressure chamber 1 15 behind the valve plug 1 18. This increased fuel pressure within the chamber 1 15, coupled with the force provided by the biasing spring 120, is sufficient to close the valve plug 1 18, which seals against the valve 121 seat in the main body 101 . This cuts off flow fuel entering the main body 101 from the external source. When the external fuel nozzle detects an increase in pressure, it shuts off. Thus, the increased shut-off pressure is generated within the flow-control valve assembly 100 and not in the entire fuel tank, thereby protecting the tank, itself, from over pressurization by incoming fuel.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it will be obvious to artisans in the art that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A flow control valve assembly comprising:

a hollow main body, with a central axis, the hollow main body having a female socket at an entrance end thereof, which can be coupled to a fuel receiver, a male external pipe thread near an exit end of the hollow main body, which can be coupled to a fuel flow path to a fuel tank, an externally-threaded spindle receiver that located at the exit end of the main body, and that is stepped down from the external pipe thread, and an internally-threaded stepped cylindrical aperture orthogonal to a direction of fuel flow through the main body, the stepped cylindrical aperture being threaded to receive a flow-through bleed line fitting installable from the outer periphery of the main body, the hollow main body also having an internal socket that is diametrically opposed to the stepped cylindrical aperture;

a generally cylindrical hollow tube having a closed first end and a stepped, an open second end installed within the stepped cylindrical aperture, with the closed end entering the aperture first and fitting into the internal socket in the main body that is diametrically opposed to the stepped cylindrical aperture, the cylindrical hollow tube having a pair of concentric apertures on opposite sides of the tube near the closed end, with the axes of the concentric apertures and the central axis of the main body being coincident, the axes of the concentric apertures passing through an axis of the hollow tube, a smaller of the two concentric apertures acting as a flow limiter to restrict a flow of incoming fluid into the generally hollow tube, and a larger of the two concentric apertures acting as a retainer socket, the generally cylindrical hollow tube being secured within the stepped cylindrical aperture by the flow-through bleed line fitting;

a flow-through spindle having an internally-threaded annular base that threadably engages the externally-threaded spindle receiver, the flow-through spindle also having an internally-threaded socket at the exit end thereof and a valve plug seat;

a valve plug guide support unit that threadably engages the internally- threaded socket at the exit end of the flow-through spindle, the valve plug guide also having a cylindrical projection having a first pressure chamber cup that faces the entrance end of the main body;

a tubular valve plug guide having a central axis coincident with both the central axis of the hollow main body and the axes of the pair of concentric apertures, the tubular valve plug guide being secured between the valve plug guide support unit and the retainer socket of the generally cylindrical hollow tube, the tubular valve plug guide having at least one bleed aperture;

a valve plug, which has a central aperture sized to freely slide over the tubular valve plug guide with minimum clearance, the valve plug also having a second pressure chamber cup that slides over the cylindrical projection of the valve plug guide support unit, such that the first and second pressure chamber cups form a pressure chamber around the tubular valve plug guide and around said at least one bleed aperture; and

a coil biasing spring, positioned within the pressure chamber, that applies a force against the valve plug, which causes the plug to slide to a normally closed position against the valve plug seat of the flow-through spindle;

wherein when pressurized fuel is entering the flow-control valve from an external source coupled to the female socket at the entrance end of main body, the coil biasing spring has insufficient force to close the flow-control valve as long as fuel is allowed to escape through the flow-through bleed line fitting, but as soon as fuel is no long allowed to escape through the flow-through bleed line fitting, fluid pressure in the pressure chamber behind the valve plug is increased, thereby allowing an increased fuel pressure within the pressure chamber, coupled with the force provided by the biasing spring, to close the valve plug, which seals against a seat in the spindle, thereby providing increased back pressure that can provide a fuel shut off signal to a fuel nozzle coupled to the flow control valve assembly.

2. A flow control valve assembly for bottom filled fuel tanks, the flow control valve assembly comprising:

a hollow main body having a fuel entrance end couplable to a fuel nozzle, and and exit end couplable to a bottom entrance of a fuel tank, said hollow main body having a central axis;

a flow-through spindle also having fuel entrance and exit ends, with the fuel entrance end thereof secured to the fuel exit end of the hollow main body, the flow- through spindle having a valve plug seat;

a valve plug guide support unit that is secured to the exit end of the flow- through spindle, the valve plug guide support unit also having a cylindrical projection with a first pressure chamber cup that faces the entrance end of the main body; a tubular valve plug guide having a central axis coincident with the central axis of the hollow main body, the tubular valve plug guide being secured to the valve plug guide support unit within the first pressure chamber cup, and extending toward the hollow main body;

a valve plug, which has a central aperture sized to slide freely over the tubular valve plug guide with minimum clearance, the valve plug also having a second pressure chamber cup that slides over the cylindrical projection of the valve plug guide support unit, such that the first and second pressure chamber cups form a pressure chamber around the tubular valve plug guide and around said at least one bleed aperture;

a coil biasing spring, positioned within the pressure chamber, that applies a force against the valve plug, which causes the plug to slide to a normally closed position against the valve plug seat of the flow-through spindle; and

a fuel bleed circuit that enables a small portion of incoming fuel to be diverted to the fuel tank via a route other than through the bottom entrance when the tank is not full, but allowed to pressurize the pressure chamber through the tubular valve plug guide when the tank is full, thereby allowing an increased fuel pressure within the pressure chamber, coupled with the force provided by the biasing spring, to close the valve plug, which seals against the valve plug seat in the spindle, and thereby providing an increase in fuel back pressure that can be sensed as a fuel shut off signal by a fuel nozzle that is coupled to the flow-control valve assembly.