US3791422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Service station gasoline vapor recovery system
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-11
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-11-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to apparatus and method to avoid pollution of the atmosphere due to the passage of gasoline fumes into the latter. The system functions in conjunction with a service station which in its operation transfers gasoline from a storage tank to a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes means to collect fumes from the vehicle tank simultaneous with the injection of liquid fuel to the latter. Thereafter the fumes are vaporized and separated from the air such that only the latter is passed to the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wetmiller
- 👤 E Johnson
- 👤 H Vermillion
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/0476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a system for dispensing a volatile fuel wherein the fuel in the liquid state is transferred from a storage reservoir to a fuel tank holding liquid fuel as well as a mixture of air and fuel vapors, and including; a fuel dispensing nozzle having a spout that is removably engageable with said fuel tank to form a closed system therewith, first conduit means communicating said fuel dispensing nozzle with said fuel storage reservoir, a liquefaction chamber including passage means defined therein having inlet and outlet ports respectively and a cooling element disposed within said passage means intermediate said inlet and outlet ports, for contacting incoming air-fuel mixture for liquefying the fuel and separating air from said mixture, a second conduit means opening into said nozzle spout to receive said mixture of air and fuel vapors forced from said tank as liquid fuel is introduced to the latter during a tank filling operation, said second conduit means being communicated with said passage means in said liquefaction chamber, whereby to contact said air and fuel vapor mixture with said cooling element to liquefy the fuel and separate air therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a system for dispensing a volatile fuel wherein the fuel in the liquid state is transferred from a storage reservoir to a fuel tank holding liquid fuel as well as a mixture of air and fuel vapors, and including; a fuel dispensing nozzle having a spout that is removably engageable with said fuel tank to form a closed system therewith, first conduit means communicating said fuel dispensing nozzle with said fuel storage reservoir, a liquefaction chamber including passage means defined therein having inlet and outlet ports respectively and a cooling element disposed within said passage means intermediate said inlet and outlet ports, for contacting incoming air-fuel mixture for liquefying the fuel and separating air from said mixture, a second conduit means opening into said nozzle spout to receive said mixture of air and fuel vapors forced from said tank as liquid fuel is introduced to the latter during a tank filling operation, said second conduit means being communicated with said passage means in said liquefaction chamber, whereby to contact said air and fuel vapor mixture with said cooling element to liquefy the fuel and separate air therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, where at least a portion of said second conduit means is disposed in heat exchange relationship with said first conduit means for effecting heat exchange of the liquid fuel, and said air-fuel vaporous mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a system as defined in claim 2, wherein said portion of said second conduit means is disposed internally of said first conduit means to effect said heat exchange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a system as defined in claim 2, wherein said portion of said second conduit means is supportably disposed internally of said first conduit means to define an annular passage between the respective first and second conduit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a system as defined in claim 1, including; valve means connected downstream of said liquefication chamber for regulating the flow of liquefied fuel from the latter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a system as defined in claim 5, wherein the downstream side of said valve means is communicated with said storage reservoir for passing liquid fuel to the latter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
Recovery method for avoiding pollution of the atmosphere by the passage of air-fuel mixture from a volatile liquid fuel during transfer thereof from the fuel storage reservoir to a fuel tank therefor, which includes the steps of; forming a removable seal connection between said fuel storage reservoir and said fuel tank, passing a stream of said volatile liquid fuel from said storage reservoir to said fuel tank simultaneously directing a vaporized flow of air-fuel mixture from said tank, and liquefying the fuel component of said vaporous mixture and separating said fuel component therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
Recovery method for avoiding pollution of the atmosphere by the passage of air-fuel mixture from a volatile liquid fuel during transfer thereof from the fuel storage reservoir to a fuel tank therefor, which includes the steps of; forming a removable seal connection between said fuel storage reservoir and said fuel tank, passing a stream of said volatile liquid fuel from said storage reservoir to said fuel tank simultaneously directing a vaporized flow of air-fuel mixture from said tank, and liquefying the fuel component of said vaporous mixture and separating said fuel component therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the method as defined in claim 7, including the step of initially cooling said air-fuel mixture with liquid fuel prior to the liquefication thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
In the method as defined in claim 7, including the step of; contacting said mixture of air and fuel vapors with said stream of volatile liquid fuel subsequent to displacement of a mixture from said fuel tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the method as defined in claim 9, including the step of; further refrigerating said air-fuel mixture subsequent to the initial cooling thereof to a temperature less than the liquefication temperature of said fuel component over said mixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the method as defined in claim 9, wherein said air and fuel vapor mixture and said liquid fuel are passed in countercurrent heat exchange relationship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3369371A
Cited
US3664093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |