US3672180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-02-19
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1988-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A fuel recovery apparatus including a service station storage tank and a fuel transfer line for connection with a truck tank. Condenser means is provided for receiving vapor expelled from the storage tank during filling thereof and the condensed fuel is returned to the storage tank in liquid form. A vapor return conduit may be provided for cycling the expelled vapor back to the ullage in the truck tank during emptying thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin R Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:08
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/0476; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/22; B65D90/30; B67D7/0478; B67D7/049; F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/12; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/01; F17C2205/0123; F17C2205/013; F17C2205/0134; F17C2205/0146; F17C2205/03; F17C2205/0302; F17C2205/0323; F17C2205/0326; F17C2205/0329; F17C2205/0332; F17C2205/0335; F17C2205/0352; F17C2205/0364; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0107; F17C2223/0123; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/01; F17C2227/0128; F17C2227/0135; F17C2227/0157; F17C2227/03; F17C2227/0337; F17C2227/0341; F17C2227/0344; F17C2227/0346; F17C2250/00; F17C2250/03; F17C2250/036; F17C2250/04; F17C2250/0404; F17C2250/043; F17C2250/06; F17C2250/0605; F17C2250/061; F17C2250/0621; F17C2265/00; F17C2265/03; F17C2265/032; F17C2265/033; F17C2265/034; F17C2265/037; F17C2265/06; F17C2265/063; F17C2265/065; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0134; F17C2270/0139; F17C2270/0165; F17C2270/0168; F17C2270/0171
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus comprising: a first fuel tank; a fuel transfer line for connecting a second fuel tank with said first tank to prevent loss of fuel vapor during transfer of fuel to said first tank; condenser means for condensing fuel vapor; a vapor conduit for connecting the upper portion of said first tank with the inlet to said condenser means; a liquid line connecting the condenser means outlet with said first tank; sensing means for sensing the production of fuel vapor in said first tank and responsive to the production of a predetermined amount thereof to produce a signal; and control means connected with said sensing means and said condenser and responsive to said signal to operate said condenser whereby the vapor expelled from said first tank during filling thereof may be condensed by said condenser and returned to said first tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus comprising: a first fuel tank; a fuel transfer line for connecting a second fuel tank with said first tank to prevent loss of fuel vapor during transfer of fuel to said first tank; condenser means for condensing fuel vapor; a vapor conduit for connecting the upper portion of said first tank with the inlet to said condenser means; a liquid line connecting the condenser means outlet with said first tank; sensing means for sensing the production of fuel vapor in said first tank and responsive to the production of a predetermined amount thereof to produce a signal; and control means connected with said sensing means and said condenser and responsive to said signal to operate said condenser whereby the vapor expelled from said first tank during filling thereof may be condensed by said condenser and returned to said first tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: a surge tank interposed between said tank and condenser means and including volume control means for applying a substantially constant pressure to the vapor received therein; and pressure control means responsive to a predetermined pressure for admitting flow from said surge tank to said condenser means at said predetermined pressure whereby vapor received therein from said first tank during filling thereof may be stored in said surge tank for subsequent return to said first tank when drainage thereof creates ullage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said condenser means includes a first stage compressor connected with said first tank for compressing said vapor to a selected pressure, a first stage refrigeration unit connected with said first stage compressor for cooling said vapor to a selected temperature, a separator connected with said first stage refrigeration unit for separating the liquid fuel from the vapor, a second stage compressor connected with the vApor outlet of said separator for compressing said vapor to a relatively high pressure, and a second stage refrigeration unit connected with said second stage compressor for cooling said vapor to a relatively low temperature to precipitate liquid fuel therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: a vapor line for connecting the upper portion of said first tank with the upper portion of said second tank whereby vapor being expelled from said first tank during filling thereof may be returned to the ullage of said second tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 1 that includes: means interposed between said storage tank and condenser for saturating the vapor being expelled from said storage tank below the ignition point thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said volume control means includes a moveable member forming one wall of said surge tank and pressure responsive means for positioning said moveable wall to maintain said substantially constant pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 3 that includes: a refrigeration system for cooling said first and second stage coolers, said system including a refrigerant condenser; and means for exhausting the vapor from said second stage chiller in heat exchange relationship with said refrigerant condenser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus comprising: a first fuel tank; a fuel transfer line for connecting a second fuel tank with said first tank to prevent loss of fuel vapor during transfer of fuel to said first tank; condenser means for condensing fuel vapor; a vapor conduit for connecting the upper portion of said first tank with the inlet to said condenser means; a liquid line connecting the condenser means outlet with said first tank; a surge tank in said vapor circuit; control means responsive to a predetermined pressure in said surge tank for admitting flow from said surge tank to said condenser means at said predetermined pressure whereby vapor received therein from said first tank during filling thereof may be stored in said surge tank for subsequent return to said first tank when drainage thereof creates ullage and when said predetermined pressure is reached said condenser means will be actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus comprising: a first fuel tank; a fuel transfer line for connecting a second fuel tank with said first tank to prevent loss of fuel vapor during transfer of fuel to said first tank; condenser means for condensing fuel vapor; a vapor conduit for connecting the upper portion of said first tank with the inlet to said condenser means; a liquid line connecting the condenser means outlet with said first tank; a surge tank in said vapor circuit; control means responsive to a predetermined pressure in said surge tank for admitting flow from said surge tank to said condenser means at said predetermined pressure whereby vapor received therein from said first tank during filling thereof may be stored in said surge tank for subsequent return to said first tank when drainage thereof creates ullage and when said predetermined pressure is reached said condenser means will be actuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Fuel vapor recovery apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said surge tank includes a movable wall for being moved by pressure build up in said surge tank to increase the volume of said surge tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |