Patent US3881894A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3881894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vapor emission control system and method
Assignee: Elscint Ltd
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Filing: 1972-10-05
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1992-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A vapor emission control system for gasoline stations and the like recovers escaping gases or vapors at the connection between the filling hose nozzle and the end of the filler neck of an automobile gas tank by creating an annular inrushing atmospheric air curtain at the open end of the filler neck which sweeps escaping vapors into a vapor return line and delivers the same for disposal. The disposal may involve either burning of the vapors, or the vapors may be returned to and taken up in gasoline for use in subsequent automobile refueling. The vapors may be taken up by the gasoline by first separating them from any atmospheric air with which they have been mixed and then passing them through microscopic passageways of the labyrinth immersed in liquid gasoline.
Inventors
- 👤 George R Onufer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:33
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/0476; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0407; B01D53/0446; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/54; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/402; B01D2259/45; B01D2259/4516; B01D2259/4525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
THE METHOD OF RECOVERING FUEL VAPORS EMANATING FROM REFUELING OF A THANK WITH VOLATILE LIQUID FUEL AND RETURNING THEM TO STORED LIQUID FUEL FOF SUBSEQUENT REFUELING USE, COMPRISING: ENTRAINING THE VAPORS IN AN ATMOSPHERIC AIR STREAM AS THEY ARE GENERATED DURING REFUELING OF THE TANK, COLLECTING THE VAPOR-ENTRAINED AIR STREAM,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
THE METHOD OF RECOVERING FUEL VAPORS EMANATING FROM REFUELING OF A THANK WITH VOLATILE LIQUID FUEL AND RETURNING THEM TO STORED LIQUID FUEL FOF SUBSEQUENT REFUELING USE, COMPRISING: ENTRAINING THE VAPORS IN AN ATMOSPHERIC AIR STREAM AS THEY ARE GENERATED DURING REFUELING OF THE TANK, COLLECTING THE VAPOR-ENTRAINED AIR STREAM,
Claim 3
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of recovering fuel vapors emanating from refueling of a tank with a volatile liquid fuel, comprising: entraining the vapors in an atmospheric air stream as they are generated during refueling of the tank, collecting the vapor-entrained air stream, separating the vapors from the atmospheric air stream, and passing the vapors through a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel to dissolve them therein without volatilizing said stored fuel.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of recovering fuel vapors emanating from refueling of a tank with a volatile liquid fuel, comprising: entraining the vapors in an atmospheric air stream as they are generated during refueling of the tank, collecting the vapor-entrained air stream, separating the vapors from the atmospheric air stream, and passing the vapors through a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel to dissolve them therein without volatilizing said stored fuel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vapor recovery system for refueling stations comprising, in combination: a storage tank for liquid fuel, refueling means for delivering liquid fuel from the storage tank to a tank to be refueled, collection means for collecting fuel vapors generated during refueling of a tank by said refueling means, separating means connected to said collecting means for separating fuel vapors from a mixture of such vapors and air, means for venting the storage tank to the atmosphere, dissolving means connected to said separating means and to said storage tank for dissolving vapors and returning them to the storage tank, said dissolving meaNs comprised of a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel, and means connecting the upper part of said tank above liquid fuel therein with said separating means for delivering fuel vapors and air from the storage tank to the separator means upon a predetermined increase in pressure in the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vapor recovery system for refueling stations comprising, in combination: a storage tank for liquid fuel, refueling means for delivering liquid fuel from the storage tank to a tank to be refueled, collection means for collecting fuel vapors generated during refueling of a tank by said refueling means, separating means connected to said collecting means for separating fuel vapors from a mixture of such vapors and air, means for venting the storage tank to the atmosphere, dissolving means connected to said separating means and to said storage tank for dissolving vapors and returning them to the storage tank, said dissolving meaNs comprised of a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel, and means connecting the upper part of said tank above liquid fuel therein with said separating means for delivering fuel vapors and air from the storage tank to the separator means upon a predetermined increase in pressure in the tank.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of recovering fuel vapors emanating from refueling of a tank with a volatile liquid fuel, comprising: collecting the vapors as they are generated during refueling of the tank, separating the vapors from atmospheric air with which they may be mixed, and passing the vapors through a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel to dissolve substantially all of them therein and without increasing the volatilization of the stored liquid fuel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of recovering fuel vapors emanating from refueling of a tank with a volatile liquid fuel, comprising: collecting the vapors as they are generated during refueling of the tank, separating the vapors from atmospheric air with which they may be mixed, and passing the vapors through a labyrinth of microscopic passageways immersed in the liquid fuel to dissolve substantially all of them therein and without increasing the volatilization of the stored liquid fuel.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |