US4131142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety valve for fuel dispensers including vapor recovery systems
Assignee: AY McDonald Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1977-04-22
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Granted: 1978-12-26
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Expires: 1997-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A safety valve for use in fuel dispensing systems including a vapor recovery system and having a valve body, first and second inlets in the body, first and second outlets in the body, first and second, separate, fluid flow passages in the body and extending between respective ones of the first and second inlets and outlets, two valve seats in the body, one in each of the passages, a shaft extending through and rotatable in the body adjacent the valve seats, first and second clapper valves in the body, one in each passage, each clapper valve having a limited lost motion connection to the shaft to be rotatable therewith, with limited lost motion, between positions seated against and spaced from the associated valve seat, a pair of springs, one for each valve, biasing the associated valve towards its associated seat, and a holding device for holding the shaft in a position of rotation within the body wherein the valves are spaced from their associated seats, and for sensing an unsafe condition in the vicinity of the valve body for releasing the shaft so that the springs will cause the valves to close.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Barr
- 👤 John D. Eckel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:55
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/363; B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/04; B67D7/0476; B67D7/0478; B67D7/06; B67D7/32; B67D7/3218; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/1015; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1654; Y10T137/1797; Y10T137/1819; Y10T137/1834; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87153; Y10T137/87161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A safety valve for use in fuel dispensing systems including a vapor recovery system, said valve comprising: a valve body; first and second inlets in said body; first and second outlets in said body; first and second, separate, fluid flow passages in said body and extending between respective ones of said first and second inlets and outlets; two valve seats in said body, one in each of said passages; a shaft extending through and rotatable in said body adjacent said valve seats; first and second clapper valves in said body, one in each passage, each clapper valve having a limited lost motion connection to said shaft to be rotatable therewith, with limited lost motion, between positions seated against and spaced from the associated valve seat; a pair of means, one for each valve, biasing the associated valve towards its associated seat; and means for normally holding said shaft in a position of rotation within said body wherein said valves are spaced from their associated seats and for sensing an unsafe condition in the vicinity of the valve body for releasing said shaft so that said biasing means will cause said valves to close.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A safety valve for use in fuel dispensing systems including a vapor recovery system, said valve comprising: a valve body; first and second inlets in said body; first and second outlets in said body; first and second, separate, fluid flow passages in said body and extending between respective ones of said first and second inlets and outlets; two valve seats in said body, one in each of said passages; a shaft extending through and rotatable in said body adjacent said valve seats; first and second clapper valves in said body, one in each passage, each clapper valve having a limited lost motion connection to said shaft to be rotatable therewith, with limited lost motion, between positions seated against and spaced from the associated valve seat; a pair of means, one for each valve, biasing the associated valve towards its associated seat; and means for normally holding said shaft in a position of rotation within said body wherein said valves are spaced from their associated seats and for sensing an unsafe condition in the vicinity of the valve body for releasing said shaft so that said biasing means will cause said valves to close.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The safety valve of claim 1 wherein said holding and sensing means comprises a fusible link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The safety valve of claim 1 wherein said body includes an intentionally weakened portion adapted to rupture upon the application of a predetermined force to said body and said holding and sensing means comprises a latch interconnecting to said shaft and said body across said intentionally weakened portion from said shaft, and being displaceable from one of said shaft and said body upon rupture of said body to release said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The safety valve of claim 1 wherein said body includes an intentionally weakened portion adapted to rupture upon the application of a predetermined force to said body and said holding and sensing means comprises a latch interconnecting to said shaft and said body across said intentionally weakened portion from said shaft, and being displaceable from one of said shaft and said body upon rupture of said body to release said shaft, said latch further including a fusible link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The safety valve of claim 1 wherein said limited lost motion connections comprise pin and slot connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fuel dispensing system including a vapor recovery system including a safety valve for use in fuel dispensing systems including a vapor recovery system, said valve comprising: a valve body; first and second inlets in said body; first and second outlets in said body; first and second, separate fluid flow passages in said body and extending between respective ones of said first and second inlets and outlets; two valve seats in said body, one in each of said passages; a shaft extending through and rotatable in said body adjacent said valve seats; first and second clapper valves in said body, one in each pssage, each clapper valve having a limited lost motion connection to said shaft to be rotatable therewith, with limited lost motion, between positions seated against and spaced from the associated valve seat; a pair of means, one for each valve, biasing the associated valve towards its associated seat; means for normally holding said shaft in a position of rotation within said body wherein said valves are spaced from their associated seats and for sensing an unsafe condition in the vicinity of the valve body for releasing said shaft so that said biasing means will cause valves to close; and further including a fuel dispenser connected to said first outlet; a fuel supply connected to said first inlet; a vapor collector on said fuel dispenser and connected to said second inlet; and vapor recovery means connected to said second outlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fuel dispensing system including a vapor recovery system including a safety valve for use in fuel dispensing systems including a vapor recovery system, said valve comprising: a valve body; first and second inlets in said body; first and second outlets in said body; first and second, separate fluid flow passages in said body and extending between respective ones of said first and second inlets and outlets; two valve seats in said body, one in each of said passages; a shaft extending through and rotatable in said body adjacent said valve seats; first and second clapper valves in said body, one in each pssage, each clapper valve having a limited lost motion connection to said shaft to be rotatable therewith, with limited lost motion, between positions seated against and spaced from the associated valve seat; a pair of means, one for each valve, biasing the associated valve towards its associated seat; means for normally holding said shaft in a position of rotation within said body wherein said valves are spaced from their associated seats and for sensing an unsafe condition in the vicinity of the valve body for releasing said shaft so that said biasing means will cause valves to close; and further including a fuel dispenser connected to said first outlet; a fuel supply connected to said first inlet; a vapor collector on said fuel dispenser and connected to said second inlet; and vapor recovery means connected to said second outlet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |