Liquid transfer apparatus with pressure-sensitive automatic shut-off nozzle

Claim 2

In an apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising a receptacle fitting in the fill port of the tank, a nozzle to releasably engage the receptacle fitting, said nozzle being in connection with a source of fluid under relatively high pressure, means to raise the pressure of the interior of the tank abruptly to substantially the pressure of the source in response to the rise of the volume of liquid in the tank to a predetermined magnitude, means to sense the abrupt rise in pressure in the tank, and a shut-off valve responsive to the sensing means to cut flow through the nozzle.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means to raise the pressure in the tank includes a vent opening in the tank, and float-operated valve means to close the vent opening.

Claim 4

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2wherein the float-operated valve means includes a cage adjacent saidopening, and a buoyant valve member in the cage to float upwardly to close the vent opening.

Claim 5

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 further including a body of higher specific gravity than the fluid positioned in the cage at a normal position below the buoyant valve member to serve as a weight to urge the buoyant valve member to closed position in the event that the tank is turned over.

Claim 6

Apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising a liquid supply nozzle, a receptacle fitting in the fill port opening into the tank, a self-closing shut-off valve in the nozzle for controlling nozzle flow, a latch for holding the shut-off valve in open position; a normally closed valve in the flow path of the nozzle; releasable coupling means adapted to join the nozzle and the receptacle fitting for liquid interchange therebetween; a second normally closed valve adapted to open and close said receptacle fitting; valve opening means on the receptacle fitting adapted to open the normally closed valve of a coupled nozzle; valve opening means on the nozzle adapted to open the normally closed valve of the coupled receptacle fitting; a tank vent including a vent opening; means responsive to liquid level for closing the vent opening to increase tank pressure; and fluid-actuated pressure sensing means on the nozzle responsive to increased tank pressure for releasing the shut-off valve latch.

Claim 7

Apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising a liquid supply nozzle, a receptacle fitting in the fill port opening into the tank, a self-closing shut-off valve in the nozzle for controlling nozzle flow, a latch for holding the shut-off valve in open position; a normally closed valve in the flow path of the nozzle; releasable coupling means adapted to join the nozzle and the receptacle fitting for liquid interchange therebetween; a second normally closed valve adapted to open and close said receptacle fitting; valve opening means on the receptacle fitting adapted to open the normally closed valve of a coupled nozzle; valve opening means on the nozzle adapted to open the normally closed valve of the coupled receptacle fitting; a tank vent including a vent opening; means responsive to liquid level for closing the vent opening to increase tank pressure; and fluid-actuated pressure sensing means on the nozzle responsive to increased tank pressure for releasing the shut-off valve latch.

Claim 8

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the liquid level responsive means comprises float-operated valve means.

Claim 9

Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the float-operated valve means includes a cage adjacent said opening, a buoyant valve member in the cage to float upwardly to close the vent opening.

Claim 10

Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the float-operated valve means includes a body of higher specific gravity than the fluid positioned in the cage at a normal position below the valve member to serve as a weight to urge the buoyant valve member to closed position in the event that the tank is turned over.

Claim 11

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the fluid-actuated pressure sensing means to release the latch includes a chamber with a movable wall, said movable wall being operatively connected to said latch; and means to bias the wall to contract the chamber whereby a rise in pressure within the chamber displaces the wall to overcome the bias and release the latch.

Claim 12

ApparatuS in accordance with claim 9 wherein said movable wall comprises a piston.

Claim 13

Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said movable wall comprises a diaphragm.

Claim 14

Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising manually operable means to release the latch.

Claim 15

Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the manually operable means to release the latch comprises an exteriorly extending button operatively connected to said movable wall.

Claim 16

Apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising a liquid supply nozzle, a receptacle fitting in the fill port opening into the tank, releasable coupling means adapted to join the nozzle and the receptacle fitting for liquid interchange therebetween, valve means including a self-closing shut-off valve in the nozzle for controlling flow through said nozzle and said receptacle fitting, a latch for holding the shut-off valve in open position, a tank vent including a vent opening, means responsive to liquid level for closing the vent opening to increase tank pressure; and fluid-actuated pressure sensing means on the nozzle responsive to increased tank pressure for releasing the shut-off valve latch.

Claim 17

Apparatus for filling a tank with liquid wherein the tank has a fill port, the combination comprising a liquid supply nozzle, a receptacle fitting in the fill port opening into the tank, releasable coupling means adapted to join the nozzle and the receptacle fitting for liquid interchange therebetween, valve means including a self-closing shut-off valve in the nozzle for controlling flow through said nozzle and said receptacle fitting, a latch for holding the shut-off valve in open position, a tank vent including a vent opening, means responsive to liquid level for closing the vent opening to increase tank pressure; and fluid-actuated pressure sensing means on the nozzle responsive to increased tank pressure for releasing the shut-off valve latch.