Vapour recovery systems of liquid fuel storage

Claim 2

In a system for loading a liquid fuel storage tank having a vapour recovery line opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a vapour recovery line of a vapour recovery system and a filling line opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a filling line of a tank truck, the improvement comprising coupler means interposed between said vapour recovery line of said storage tank and vapour recovery line of said vapour recovery system, said coupler means including a coupler mechanism which is movable between an operative coupling position and an inopertive release position only when the coupler is engaged by a vapour recovery line of said vapour recovery system, and handle means projecting from said coupler mechanism for moving said coupler mechanism between said operative and inoperative positions, said handle means having an extent adapted to project into the path of said filling line at a break in said line when said coupler means is in a closed position so as to prevent the filling of said tank when said vapour recovery lines are uncoupled and said handle being remote from said break in said filling line when said coupler means is in said operative position thereby permitting said tank to be filled by way of said filling tube.

Claim 3

System for loading liquid fuel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupler means is incorporated in a coaxial liquid-vapour fitting transportable with a tank truck, said storage tank having coaxial filling tube and vapour recovery line opening outwardly therefrom.

Claim 4

In a liquid fuel storage tank having a vapour recovery tube opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a vapour recovery system and a filling tube opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a filling line of tank truck, the filling tube having a filling end and closure means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, said vapour recovery tube having an outward end, the improvements of a. a coupler valve mounted on said outward end of said vapour recovery tube, said coupler valve being of a type which can only be opened and closed when the coupler is coupled to a vapour line of a vapour recovery system, b. a valve handle means projecting from said coupler for moving said valve between an open position and a closed position, c. said valve handle means having an extent disposed closely adjacent said filling end when said valve is in a closed position so as to prevent connection of said filling line of a tank truck to said filling tube of said storage tank to prevent filling of said tank when said vapour tube is not in fluid communication with the vapour recovery system, said handle being remote from said filling end when said valve is in said open position thereby permitting said tank to be filled by way of said filling tube.

Claim 5

In a liquid fuel storage tank having a vapour recovery tube opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a vapour recovery system and a filling tube opening outwardly therefrom for connection to a filling line of tank truck, the filling tube having a filling end and closure means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, said vapour recovery tube having an outward end, the improvements of a. a coupler valve mounted on said outward end of said vapour recovery tube, said coupler valve being of a type which can only be opened and closed when the coupler is coupled to a vapour line of a vapour recovery system, b. a valve handle means projecting from said coupler for moving said valve between an open position and a closed position, c. said valve handle means having an extent disposed closely adjacent said filling end when said valve is in a closed position so as to prevent connection of said filling line of a tank truck to said filling tube of said storage tank to prevent filling of said tank when said vapour tube is not in fluid communication with the vapour recovery system, said handle being remote from said filling end when said valve is in said open position thereby permitting said tank to be filled by way of said filling tube.

Claim 6

A liquid fuel storage means comprising, a. a liquid fuel storage tank, b. a filling tube mounted on said tank and having a filling end disposed above said tank and a discharge end disposed inwardly of said tank, c. a releasable closure cap means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, d. a vapour tube having an input end opening into said tank and an output end disposed proximate the filling end of said filling tube, e. a coupler valve in fluid communication with the output end of said vapour tube, said coupler valve being of a type which can only be opened and closed when the coupler is coupled to a vapour line of a vapour recovery system, f. valve handle means projecting from the coupler for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, g. said valve handle means having an extent overlying said filling end of said filling tube when said valve is in a closed position so as to prevent filling of the tank when said vapour tube is not coupled to a vapour recovery system, said handle being remote from the filling end of said filling tube when said valve is in said open position.

Claim 7

A liquid fuel storage means comprising, a. a liquid fuel storage tank, b. a filling tube mounted on said tank and having a filling end disposed above said tank and a discharge end disposed inwardly of said tank, c. a releasable closure cap means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, d. a vapour tube having an input end opening into said tank and an output end disposed proximate the filling end of said filling tube, e. a coupler valve in fluid communication with the output end of said vapour tube, said coupler valve being of a type which can only be opened and closed when the coupler is coupled to a vapour line of a vapour recovery system, f. valve handle means projecting from the coupler for moving the valve between an open position and a closed position, g. said valve handle means having an extent overlying said filling end of said filling tube when said valve is in a closed position so as to prevent filling of the tank when said vapour tube is not coupled to a vapour recovery system, said handle being remote from the filling end of said filling tube when said valve is in said open position.

Claim 8

A liquid fuel storage means comprising, a. a liquid fuel storage tank, b. a filling tube mounted on said tank and having a filling end disposed above said tank and a discharge end disposed inwardly of said tank, c. a releasable closure cap means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, d. a vapour tube having an input end opening into said tank and an output end disposed proximate the filling end of said filling tube, e. a coupler member in fluid communication with the output end of said vapour tube, said coupler member including means for sealingly engaging a vapour recovery line of a vapour recovery system, f. handle means projecting from the coupler member and cooperating with said means for sealingly engaging a vapour recovery line to be movable from a first position to a second position only when said coupler member is coupled for sealing engagement with a vapour recovery line, g. in said first position said handle means having an extent disposed closely adjacent said filling end of said filling tube to prevent filling of said tank by way of said filling tube when said coupler member is not sealingly coupled to a vapour recovery line, said handle being remote from the filling end of said filling tube to permit filling of said tank when in said second position in which said coupler member is sealingly coupled to a vapour recovery line.

Claim 9

A liquid fuel storage means comprising, a. a liquid fuel storage tank, b. a filling tube mounted on said tank and having a filling end disposed above said tank and a discharge end disposed inwardly of said tank, c. a releasable closure cap means for closing the filling end of said filling tube, d. a vapour tube having an input end opening into said tank and an output end disposed proximate the filling end of said filling tube, e. a coupler member in fluid communication with the output end of said vapour tube, said coupler member including means for sealingly engaging a vapour recovery line of a vapour recovery system, f. handle means projecting from the coupler member and cooperating with said means for sealingly engaging a vapour recovery line to be movable from a first position to a second position only when said coupler member is coupled for sealing engagement with a vapour recovery line, g. in said first position said handle means having an extent disposed closely adjacent said filling end of said filling tube to prevent filling of said tank by way of said filling tube when said coupler member is not sealingly coupled to a vapour recovery line, said handle being remote from the filling end of said filling tube to permit filling of said tank when in said second position in which said coupler member is sealingly coupled to a vapour recovery line.

Claim 10

A nozzle for use in a system for loading liquid fuel storage tanks from tank trucks wherein the storage tank and tank truck each have a vapour recovery line opening outwardly therefrom, and a filling line opening outwardly therefrom, said nozzle comprising a. liquid conduit means having an input end directable to the liquid filling line of a tank truck and an output end connectible to a liquid filling line of a storage tank, b. vapour recovery conduit means having an input end and an output end, said output end being connectible to the vapour recovery line of a storage tank, c. coupler means at said input end of said vapour recovery conduit means movable between a first release position and a second sealing position only when coupled to a vapour recovery line of a tank truck, d. handle means projecting from said coupler means for moving said coupler means between said inoperative and said operative positions, said valve handle means having an extent adapted to project to a position closely adjacant said input end of said liquid conduit means when said coupler is in said first inoperative position to prevent fluid communication between the liquid fill line of said tank truck and said input end of said conduit means when said coupler means is in said first position, said handle being remote from said input end of said liquid conduit means when in said second position to permit connection of said liquid conduit means and said liquid fill line of said tank truck.

Claim 11

A nozzle for use in a system for loading liquid fuel storage tanks from tank trucks wherein the storage tank and tank truck each have a vapour recovery line opening outwardly therefrom, and a filling line opening outwardly therefrom, said nozzle comprising a. liquid conduit means having an input end directable to the liquid filling line of a tank truck and an output end connectible to a liquid filling line of a storage tank, b. vapour recovery conduit means having an input end and an output end, said output end being connectible to the vapour recovery line of a storage tank, c. coupler means at said input end of said vapour recovery conduit means movable between a first release position and a second sealing position only when coupled to a vapour recovery line of a tank truck, d. handle means projecting from said coupler means for moving said coupler means between said inoperative and said operative positions, said valve handle means having an extent adapted to project to a position closely adjacant said input end of said liquid conduit means when said coupler is in said first inoperative position to prevent fluid communication between the liquid fill line of said tank truck and said input end of said conduit means when said coupler means is in said first position, said handle being remote from said input end of said liquid conduit means when in said second position to permit connection of said liquid conduit means and said liquid fill line of said tank truck.