Abstract A hydrocarbon vapor collecting system is disclosed having an attachment for a gasoline pump nozzle which includes a hood that is adapted to loosely fit over the mouth of an automobile tank filler tube as the nozzle is inserted therethrough. The hood is connected to a vapor hose which, in turn, communicates with a vapor absorbing device. A fan communicates with the vapor hose to create a suction at the mouth of the hood to concurrently draw in air from the atmosphere along with the hydrocarbon vapors from the tank as the nozzle is filling the tank with gasoline. A closed end tubular support having an open end for receiving the end of the pump nozzle extending through the hood is also provided. The cross section of the open end of the support is shaped and dimensioned to sealingly engage the interior of the hood to enable the hood to be sealed from the atmosphere while the pump is supported on the tubular support during non-use. The system is also adaptable to the large storage tanks utilized by the service stations, whereby the hood of the vapor collecting apparatus is adapted for connection to the filling hatch of the tank with the fuel truck filler nozzle extending therethrough. In other embodiments the hood is attached to a vent pipe located adjacent the tank or remotely therefrom. The vapor hose utilized in these systems can be adapted for connection to a vapor absorbing device located at the service station or on the fuel tank truck. In all of the embodiments the fan is provided to create a suction through the vapor hose to draw all of the hydrocarbon vapors displaced by the gasoline tank and prevent any leakage of the vapors into the atmosphere.
A gas vapor collecting system for collecting, from the gasoline tank of an automobile, gaseous vapors through a vapor hood and hose, said gasoline tank having a filler pipe and said system comprising: a truncated hood comprising an elongated hollow body having a front open end and a closed back end, said closed back end having a first aperture means extending therethrough receiving the nozzle of any conventional hand-held gasoline pump in a vapor-tight seal attaching the hood to the nozzle and enabling the front open end of the nozzle to extend through the hood and out the front open end thereof; said back closed end also having a second aperture means extending therethrough for connection to a vapor hose; said truncated hood characterized in that the elongated hollow body comprising said hood includes a non-circular recessed interior surface means non-sealably engaging the rim of the gasoline filler pipe, said non-circular recessed interior surface of said hood extending forwardly beyond said rim and providing an air passageway between the outside of the filler pipe and the wall of the hood; means including the interior surface of said hood defining a rim rest support holding the hood in place on said filler pipe with the air passageway continually leading to said second aperture; and a vapor hose extending at one end through said second aperture formed at the back closed end of said hood for communicating with a vacuum pump creating a suction therein to draw in the gas vapors from the automobile gasoline tank and atmospheric air through the air passageways formed by said hood.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A gas vapor collecting system for collecting, from the gasoline tank of an automobile, gaseous vapors through a vapor hood and hose, said gasoline tank having a filler pipe and said system comprising: a truncated hood comprising an elongated hollow body having a front open end and a closed back end, said closed back end having a first aperture means extending therethrough receiving the nozzle of any conventional hand-held gasoline pump in a vapor-tight seal attaching the hood to the nozzle and enabling the front open end of the nozzle to extend through the hood and out the front open end thereof; said back closed end also having a second aperture means extending therethrough for connection to a vapor hose; said truncated hood characterized in that the elongated hollow body comprising said hood includes a non-circular recessed interior surface means non-sealably engaging the rim of the gasoline filler pipe, said non-circular recessed interior surface of said hood extending forwardly beyond said rim and providing an air passageway between the outside of the filler pipe and the wall of the hood; means including the interior surface of said hood defining a rim rest support holding the hood in place on said filler pipe with the air passageway continually leading to said second aperture; and a vapor hose extending at one end through said second aperture formed at the back closed end of said hood for communicating with a vacuum pump creating a suction therein to draw in the gas vapors from the automobile gasoline tank and atmospheric air through the air passageways formed by said hood.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for sealingly supporting said nozzle and truncated hood during non-use to enable the hood to be sealed from the atmosphere while the pump nozzle is supported on the support means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a closed tubular support having an open end for receiving the end of the pump nozzle extending through said hood, the cross section of the open end of said support being shaped and dimensioned to sealingly engage the interior of said hood to enable the hood to be sealed from the atmosphere while the pump nozzle is supported on the tubular support during non-use.