US3899009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-01
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor for use with a conventional fuel nozzle of the type including a spout receivable in the neck of a fuel tank and having an anchoring device thereon for anchoring such nozzle in the neck to adapt such nozzle for returning vapor from such fuel tank to a vapor collection area. The adaptor includes a boot telescoped over the spout and secured on its rear extremity to the nozzle. The boot is formed with an outlet which is connected with one end of a vapor return conduit leading to a fuel storage tank. Mounted on the free end of the boot is a releasable seal which is abuttable against the inlet to the fuel tank neck for sealing therewith. A vapor return valve is provided for permitting flow of vapor from the boot and through the vapor return conduit to the vapor collection area and for selectively preventing vapor escape from the collection area and through the conduit. Consequently, the boot may be mounted on a conventional fuel nozzle with the conduit being connected to a vapor storage area, and when a fuel tank is to be filled the sealing means may be abutted against the fuel tank neck opening and any vapor expelled from the fuel tank and out the neck during filling of the fuel tank will be directed through the vapor return conduit to the storage tank to thereby prevent escape to the atmosphere and consequent pollution. In another embodiment a blower includes in the vapor return conduit creates a slight negative pressure in the vehicle fuel tank to prevent any vapor loss out of the fuel tank vent or from leakage at the fuel nozzle connection to the fuel tank inlet. A pressure control valve in a recycle conduit connecting the blower discharge and suction conduits maintains a preselected pressure in the inlet conduit to the blower. On the output side of the blower, a float operated valve is provided in the vapor return conduit, at or near its connection to each fuel storage tank for selectively permitting the passage of vapors while preventing the passage of liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 John C Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:39
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/42; B67D7/54; B67D2007/545; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S141/00; Y10S141/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A vapor return system for collecting vapors associated with a filling operation comprising: a fuel delivery system including a holding tank, fuel pumping means connected at one end thereof to said holding tank for pumping liquid from said holding tank, and nozzle means connected to the other end of said pumping means adapted for connecting with the inlet of a mobile storage apparatus; boot means disposed around said nozzle means for sealably abutting said storage apparatus and containing the vapors therein, said boot means including an eccentrically annular magnet, an eccentrically annular ferromagnetic ring attached contiguously to one side of said annular magnet having an opening greater than the opening in said annular magnet, the respective openings in said magnet and ring cooperating to receive the free end of said boot, and a resilient sealing cover attached to the other side of said magnet; vapor return means connected between said boot means and said holding tank for conducting vapors from said boot means to said tank; independently powered vapor pumping means included in said vapor return means for providing suction in said vapor return means at said boot means; and a liquid seal connected between the suction side of said vapor pumping means and said holding tank for providing means for conduction of condensed vapors to said tank while maintaining a pressure differential thereacross substantially corresponding to the pressure differential across said vapor pumping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A vapor return system for collecting vapors associated with a filling operation comprising: a fuel delivery system including a holding tank, fuel pumping means connected at one end thereof to said holding tank for pumping liquid from said holding tank, and nozzle means connected to the other end of said pumping means adapted for connecting with the inlet of a mobile storage apparatus; boot means disposed around said nozzle means for sealably abutting said storage apparatus and containing the vapors therein, said boot means including an eccentrically annular magnet, an eccentrically annular ferromagnetic ring attached contiguously to one side of said annular magnet having an opening greater than the opening in said annular magnet, the respective openings in said magnet and ring cooperating to receive the free end of said boot, and a resilient sealing cover attached to the other side of said magnet; vapor return means connected between said boot means and said holding tank for conducting vapors from said boot means to said tank; independently powered vapor pumping means included in said vapor return means for providing suction in said vapor return means at said boot means; and a liquid seal connected between the suction side of said vapor pumping means and said holding tank for providing means for conduction of condensed vapors to said tank while maintaining a pressure differential thereacross substantially corresponding to the pressure differential across said vapor pumping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return system according to claim 1, further comprising: said vapor pumping means including control means comprising a control valve, and response means responsive to the level of suction in said vapor return means proximate said boot means for controlLing the opening of said control valve to provide a predetermined level of suction thereat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return system according to claim 2, wherein said control means further including: a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to the suction pressure of said pumping means; and A control rod operatively connected between said diaphragm and said control valve for controlling said control valve to produce a predetermined pressure at the suction end of said pumping means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return system according to claim 1 wherein: said vapor return means further including a vapor control valve interposed between said boot and said vapor return means having a flexible sleeve convoluted to telescope along the central axis thereof connected at the outer edge thereof to said vapor return means, and a valve stem conformed to mate with the inside surface of said sleeve connected to the inner edge thereof and extending through said sleeve, a first poppet valve attached to one end of said valve stem and a second poppet valve disposed in said nozzle means for controlling liquid flow therethrough operatively connected to said valve stem for urging said first poppet valve open upon opening of said second poppet valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
273 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor for use on a conventional fuel nozzle fof the type including a spout receivable in the inlet to the neck of a fuel tank and having an anchoring device thereon for anchoring the nozzle to said neck, said adaptor comprising: boot means loosely telescoped over said spout and having one end engageable therewith, said boot being formed with a vapor outlet; fastening means for fastening said one end to said spout; releasable sealing means carried by the free end of said boot for abutting said inlet opening to restrain said boot against entering said neck and for sealing with said opening to prevent the escape of fuel vapors, said releasable sealing means including magnetic means formed in the shape of an eccentrically annular magnet, an eccentrically annular ferromagnetic ring attached contiguously to one side of said annular magnet having an opening greater than the opening in said annular magnet, the respective openings in said magnet and ring cooperating to receive the free end of said boot, and a resilient sealing cover attached to the other side of said magnet for urging said sealing means into sealing engagement with said inlet opening; vapor return conduit means for connection on one end with said vapor outlet and on its opposite end with a vapor collection area; vapor control valve means operatively connected to said spout for allowing flow from said boot to said vapor return conduit means concurrent with the delivery of liquid through said spout; and pumping means included in said vapor return means for withdrawing said vapors from said boot means at a predetermined level of suction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
273 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor for use on a conventional fuel nozzle fof the type including a spout receivable in the inlet to the neck of a fuel tank and having an anchoring device thereon for anchoring the nozzle to said neck, said adaptor comprising: boot means loosely telescoped over said spout and having one end engageable therewith, said boot being formed with a vapor outlet; fastening means for fastening said one end to said spout; releasable sealing means carried by the free end of said boot for abutting said inlet opening to restrain said boot against entering said neck and for sealing with said opening to prevent the escape of fuel vapors, said releasable sealing means including magnetic means formed in the shape of an eccentrically annular magnet, an eccentrically annular ferromagnetic ring attached contiguously to one side of said annular magnet having an opening greater than the opening in said annular magnet, the respective openings in said magnet and ring cooperating to receive the free end of said boot, and a resilient sealing cover attached to the other side of said magnet for urging said sealing means into sealing engagement with said inlet opening; vapor return conduit means for connection on one end with said vapor outlet and on its opposite end with a vapor collection area; vapor control valve means operatively connected to said spout for allowing flow from said boot to said vapor return conduit means concurrent with the delivery of liquid through said spout; and pumping means included in said vapor return means for withdrawing said vapors from said boot means at a predetermined level of suction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor as set forth in claim 5 wherein said adaptor is adapted for use with a fuel tank including a ferromagnetic neck, and wherein: said urging means includes magnetic means mounted adjacent said sealing means for attaching to said neck to urge said sealing means into sealing engagement therewith; and a helical spring disposed within said boot means along the inner surfaces thereof interspaced between said magnetic means and said spout.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor as set forth in claim 6 that includes: means operative in response to flow in said nozzle to open said vapor control valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor as set forth in claim 7 that includes: form retaining means in said boot for supporting said boot against collapse, said form retaining means including a spring disposed in a helix along the interior surfaces of said boot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor according to claim 5 wherein: said annular magnet comprises a ceramic magnet, including said eccentriC opening conformed to define a tapered conical surface converging on the other side thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fuel nozzle vapor return adaptor according to claim 5 wherein: said vapor return conduit means including a vacuum valve disposed proximate said vapor outlet for rendering said conduit means conductive upon sensing a predetermined vacuum therein.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |