Fire safety protection structure and protection method for oil gun

Abstract

The invention discloses a fire safety protection structure and method for an oil gun, the protection structure comprises the oil gun, a heated lock catch device and a heated expansion device, the heated lock catch device and the heated expansion device are arranged on an oil outlet pipe of the oil gun, and the heated lock catch device comprises two sets of lock catches which are symmetrically arranged; each lock catch comprises an elastic metal sheet, a rotating shaft, a torsion spring and a hot melting fixing point, the end, close to the oil tank opening, of the metal sheet is installed on the oil outlet pipe through the rotating shaft and the torsion spring, and the tail end, away from the oil tank opening, of the metal sheet is fixed to the oil outlet pipe through the hot melting fixing point. The heating expansion device comprises an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring which is nested on the outer side wall of the oil outlet pipe and is filled with a material which can be severely expanded or foamed after being heated. The oil gun is simple in structure and reasonable in design, breaks through the limitation that an existing oil gun is not safely designed aiming at a fire disaster of an oil tank opening, can effectively prevent the oil gun in filling from being pulled out when the fire breaks out, effectively eradicates expansion of the accident range, and improves safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil and gas safety technology of Sinopec, specifically to a fire safety protection structure and method for a refueling nozzle. Background Technology

[0002] Gas stations, as places for storing and selling hazardous chemicals, pose a high fire risk due to the high volatility of gasoline and the flammable and explosive nature of the vapors released.

[0003] Gas station fires typically occur during the refueling process, primarily caused by static electricity from the human body. This is especially true at self-service gas stations, where customers refuel themselves. In dry winter conditions, customers are more susceptible to static electricity ignition when touching the fuel nozzle, as they may not be wearing dedicated anti-static protective clothing.

[0004] According to a report by the U.S. Petroleum Institute (PEI), 176 reports of electrostatic discharge (ESD) fires at gas stations were received between 1992 and 2010; in addition, the U.S. National Gasoline Administration (NHTSA) received another 34 reports of ESD fires. Since these two agencies' incident databases rely on voluntary reporting, the actual number of ESD fires occurring during refueling is likely far higher than the statistics suggest.

[0005] Of the 176 electrostatic ignition incidents reported by PEI, 87 occurred when the driver returned to the vehicle during refueling and touched the fuel nozzle again after refueling; 39 occurred before refueling; 32 occurred in neither of these situations; and the remaining cases could not be determined due to insufficient details in the reports. Furthermore, according to ASTB statistics, adding gasoline to portable fuel cans is also a significant cause of electrostatic ignition incidents.

[0006] On November 12, 2007, a customer in Texas, USA, ignited a gas pump nozzle while refueling due to static electricity. After the fire started, the customer pulled the nozzle out in an attempt to extinguish it, causing his clothes to catch fire. In addition, a similar static electricity fire occurred at a gas station in China. After the fire started, employees reacted quickly by pulling the nozzle out of the filler neck, resulting in burning gasoline spraying rapidly over a distance of 10 meters, causing a large-scale fire in other facilities at the gas station.

[0007] Under normal circumstances, following the correct emergency plan, if a static electricity fire occurs at the fuel filler neck, the first step should be to shut off the fuel pump. Then, cover the fuel filler neck with a fire blanket or clothing to cut off oxygen, which will quickly extinguish the fire. Recklessly pulling out the fuel nozzle while the vehicle is on fire can easily ignite the entire vehicle, creating an uncontrollable and dangerous situation.

[0008] The above accident cases clearly demonstrate the necessity of establishing a safe and intelligent emergency system for static electricity-induced fires at fuel filler necks. This is to prevent customers or operators from hastily pulling out the burning fuel nozzle in a panic during routine refueling, which could cause the burning nozzle to spray gasoline onto the vehicle or other equipment and personnel in the gas station, leading to even more serious accidents. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a fire safety protection structure and method for fuel nozzles.

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle, comprising a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are disposed on the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of locking devices arranged symmetrically. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal sheet, a rotating shaft, a torsion spring, and a heat-fused fixing point. The rotating shaft is installed on the outer wall of the outlet pipe. The end of the metal sheet near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft, and its end away from the fuel tank opening is fixed to the outer wall of the outlet pipe using a heat-fused fixing point. The torsion spring is installed between the metal sheet and the outlet pipe, with one end abutting against the inner side of the metal sheet and the other end abutting against the outlet pipe near the rotating shaft. The heat-sensitive expansion device includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring nested on the outer wall of the outlet pipe. The interior of the rubber ring is filled with a material that can expand or foam dramatically when heated.

[0011] The further optimized technical solution is that during normal refueling, the oil outlet pipe of the refueling nozzle is placed inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, and the heat-locking device and the heat-expanding device are located inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container. Both are attached to the oil outlet pipe and can be inserted into or removed from the vehicle's fuel tank opening along with the oil outlet pipe.

[0012] Another optimized technical solution is that, during normal refueling, the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe is placed inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, the heat-activated locking device is located inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, and the heat-activated expansion device is located outside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container opening.

[0013] Furthermore, the hot-melt fixing point in the heat-receiving locking device is made of a low-melting-point hot-melt metal, which is a bismuth-based metal alloy with a melting point of 70°C.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat-sealed locking device uses plastic clips for the heat-melting fixing points, and the plastic clips are made of a material with heat-shrink properties.

[0015] Furthermore, the rubber ring in the heated expansion device is filled with one or more of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate.

[0016] Furthermore, the rubber ring in the heated expansion device is filled with an intumescent flame retardant.

[0017] This invention also provides a fire safety protection method for fuel nozzles, mainly applied to the aforementioned fire safety protection structure for fuel nozzles. During normal refueling, both the heat-activated locking device and the heat-activated expansion device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. The heat-activated locking device is inserted into the fuel tank opening of the vehicle along with the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. When a fire occurs at the fuel tank opening due to static electricity during refueling, the heat-fused fixing point in the heat-activated locking device breaks, and the metal sheet, under the action of a torsion spring, changes from its initial attached state to a spring-loaded unfolded state, locking the inside of the fuel tank opening. Simultaneously, the heat-activated expansion device is inserted into the fuel tank opening of the vehicle along with the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. The filling material inside its rubber ring expands due to heat, promoting the rubber ring to bulge and block the gap between the outlet pipe and the fuel tank opening.

[0018] Alternatively, the thermal expansion device is located on the outside of the fuel tank opening. The filling material inside its rubber ring expands when heated, and works with the metal sheet to seal the fuel tank opening.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention has a simple structure and reasonable design, and breaks through the limitation that the existing fuel nozzles generally do not have safety designs for fuel tank opening fires. It mainly uses the heat-locking device and heat-expansion device on the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe to prevent operators or customers from mistakenly pulling out the fuel nozzle in the process of refueling due to static electricity fire during the refueling process, thus effectively preventing the expansion of the accident scope; at the same time, it can isolate the air at the fuel tank opening, which can play a role in preventing the spread of fire and automatically extinguishing the fire, thereby improving the safety of the refueling process. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Diagram showing the unfolded state of the structure used in the invention.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Diagram showing the unfolded state of the structure used in the invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Oil outlet pipe, 2. Shaft, 3. Metal sheet, 4. Hot melt fixing point, 5. Rubber ring, 6. Torsion spring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are only used to facilitate the description of the structural relationships of the components in this invention and do not specifically mean that any component in this invention must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, or be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0027] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0029] Example 1,

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, they can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0031] The thermal expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 and located in the upper middle part of the oil outlet pipe 1. The interior of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. The filling material is ammonium bicarbonate.

[0032] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal strip 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal strip 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended and open state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5 to block the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, isolating it from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0033] Example 2,

[0034] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, the heat-sensitive locking device can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. It includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0035] The thermal expansion device is not inserted into the oil tank opening along with the oil outlet pipe 1 during normal refueling. Instead, it remains outside the oil tank opening or container opening. It includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, near the upper end of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is ammonium bicarbonate.

[0036] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This, combined with the metal plate 3, uses opposing forces to pull the rubber ring to block the outer end of the fuel tank opening, isolating the interior from the outside air and preventing the spread of flames, thus automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0037] Example 3,

[0038] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, they can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 rests against... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0039] The thermal expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 and located in the upper middle part of the oil outlet pipe 1. The interior of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is ammonium carbonate.

[0040] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal strip 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal strip 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended and open state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5 to block the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, isolating it from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0041] Example 4,

[0042] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, the heat-sensitive locking device can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. It includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 rests against... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0043] The thermal expansion device is located outside the oil tank opening or container opening during normal refueling. It includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, near the upper end of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is ammonium carbonate.

[0044] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This, combined with the metal plate 3, uses opposing forces to pull the rubber ring to block the outer end of the fuel tank opening, isolating the interior from the outside air and preventing the spread of flames, thus automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0045] Example 5,

[0046] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, they can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 is positioned near the fuel tank opening. The end is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, and its end away from the oil tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 by a heat-fusion fixing point 4. The heat-fusion fixing point 4 is a plastic clip made of a material with heat-shrink properties, such as polyethylene or polyolefin, which become a mesh structure after radiation or chemical action. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 abuts against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end abuts against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, so that the metal plate 3 maintains an energy storage state.

[0047] The thermal expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 and located in the upper middle part of the oil outlet pipe 1. The interior of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. The filling material is ammonium bicarbonate.

[0048] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device quickly fails under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended and open state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from rashly pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic during a fire, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5 to block the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, isolating it from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0049] Example 6,

[0050] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, the heat-sensitive locking device can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. It includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 is positioned near the fuel tank opening. The end is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, and its end away from the oil tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 by a heat-fusion fixing point 4. The heat-fusion fixing point 4 is a plastic clip made of a material with heat-shrink properties, such as polyethylene or polyolefin, which become a mesh structure after radiation or chemical action. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 abuts against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end abuts against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, so that the metal plate 3 maintains an energy storage state.

[0051] The thermal expansion device is not inserted into the oil tank opening along with the oil outlet pipe 1 during normal refueling. Instead, it remains outside the oil tank opening or container opening. It includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, near the upper end of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is ammonium bicarbonate.

[0052] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to the fire, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This, combined with the metal plate 3, uses opposing forces to pull the rubber ring to cover and block the outer end of the fuel tank opening, isolating it from the outside air and preventing the spread of flames, thus automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0053] Example 7,

[0054] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, they can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0055] The heated expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 and located in the upper middle part of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is an intumescent flame retardant, which is generally composed of three parts: an acid source (dehydrating agent), a carbon source (charring agent), and a gas source (foaming agent).

[0056] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal strip 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal strip 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended and open state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5 to block the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, isolating it from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0057] Example 8,

[0058] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, the heat-sensitive locking device can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. It includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3... The end near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, while the end away from the fuel tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 using a hot-melt fixing point 4. The hot-melt fixing point 4 is made of hot-melt metal, which can be a low-melting-point metal alloy, mainly bismuth, with a melting point of about 70°C. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 rests against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end rests against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, thereby keeping the metal plate 3 in an energy storage state.

[0059] The thermal expansion device does not insert into the tank opening along with the oil outlet pipe 1 during normal refueling, but remains outside the tank opening or container opening. It includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, near the upper end of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is an intumescent flame retardant, which is generally composed of three parts: an acid source (dehydrating agent), a carbon source (charring agent), and a gas source (foaming agent).

[0060] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This, combined with the metal plate 3, uses opposing forces to pull the rubber ring to block the outer end of the fuel tank opening, isolating the interior from the outside air and preventing the spread of flames, thus automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0061] Example 9,

[0062] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, they can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. The heat-sensitive locking device includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 is positioned near the fuel tank opening. The end is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, and its end away from the oil tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 by a heat-fusion fixing point 4. The heat-fusion fixing point 4 is a plastic clip made of a material with heat-shrink properties, such as polyethylene or polyolefin, which become a mesh structure after radiation or chemical action. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 abuts against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end abuts against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, so that the metal plate 3 maintains an energy storage state.

[0063] The heated expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 and located in the upper middle part of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is an intumescent flame retardant, which is generally composed of three parts: an acid source (dehydrating agent), a carbon source (charring agent), and a gas source (foaming agent).

[0064] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device quickly fails under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended and open state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from rashly pulling out the fuel nozzle due to panic during a fire, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5 to block the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, isolating it from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0065] Example 10,

[0066] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-sensitive locking device, and a heat-sensitive expansion device. Both the heat-sensitive locking device and the heat-sensitive expansion device are installed on the fuel outlet pipe 1 of the fuel nozzle. During normal refueling, the heat-sensitive locking device can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the fuel outlet pipe 1. It includes two sets of symmetrically arranged locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal plate 3, a miniature rotating shaft 2, a torsion spring 6, and a heat-fused fixing point 4. The rotating shaft 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe 1 by welding. The metal plate 3 is positioned near the fuel tank opening. The end is fitted onto the rotating shaft 2, and its end away from the oil tank opening is welded and fixed to the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1 by a heat-fusion fixing point 4. The heat-fusion fixing point 4 is a plastic clip made of a material with heat-shrink properties, such as polyethylene or polyolefin, which become a mesh structure after radiation or chemical action. The torsion spring 6 is installed between the metal plate 3 and the oil outlet pipe 1, close to the inner side of the miniature rotating shaft 2. One end of the torsion spring 6 abuts against the inner side of the metal plate 3, and the other end abuts against the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, so that the metal plate 3 maintains an energy storage state.

[0067] The thermal expansion device does not insert into the tank opening along with the oil outlet pipe 1 during normal refueling, but remains outside the tank opening or container opening. It includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which is nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe 1, near the upper end of the oil outlet pipe 1. The inside of the rubber ring 5 is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is an intumescent flame retardant, which is generally composed of three parts: an acid source (dehydrating agent), a carbon source (charring agent), and a gas source (foaming agent).

[0068] During normal refueling, both the aforementioned heat-activated locking device and heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1. In the event of a fire at the fuel tank opening, the heat-fused fixing point 4 in the heat-activated locking device melts rapidly under the heat of the flame, releasing the front end of the metal plate 3. Under the action of the torsion spring 6, the metal plate 3 changes from its original attached state to the outlet pipe 1 to a normally extended state, forming a latch that locks the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 inside the fuel tank opening, preventing it from being easily pulled out. This effectively prevents operators from hastily pulling out the fuel nozzle due to the fire, thus preventing further escalation of the accident. Simultaneously, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the heat-expanding device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This, combined with the metal plate 3, uses opposing forces to pull the rubber ring to cover and block the outer end of the fuel tank opening, isolating it from the outside air and preventing the spread of flames, thus automatically extinguishing the fire.

[0069] Example 11,

[0070] A fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle may also include only the fuel nozzle and a thermal expansion device. The thermal expansion device is installed in the middle region of the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe 1 and can be fully inserted into the fuel tank or container opening along with the outlet pipe 1 during normal refueling. The thermal expansion device includes an annular fire-resistant hollow rubber ring 5, which has a certain fire resistance and is nested on the outer wall of the outlet pipe 1. Its interior is filled with a material that can generate violent gas expansion or foaming when heated. This filling material is ammonium bicarbonate.

[0071] During normal refueling, the aforementioned thermal expansion device is attached to the fuel nozzle outlet pipe 1. When a fire occurs at the fuel tank opening, the filling material inside the rubber ring 5 of the thermal expansion device decomposes under the heat of the flame, rapidly expanding around the outlet pipe 1 and increasing the volume of the rubber ring 5. This completely blocks the internal gap between the fuel tank opening and the outlet pipe 1, while simultaneously locking the fuel nozzle, preventing it from being suddenly pulled out and thus preventing the fire from escalating further. The expanded rubber ring 5 isolates the inside of the fuel tank from the outside air, preventing fuel vapors from spreading and igniting, and automatically extinguishing the fire by blocking the spread of flames.

[0072] This invention is applied in the gas station sector. Currently, there are approximately 100,000 gas stations in China. Assuming each gas station has 8 fuel nozzles, about 800,000 fuel nozzles nationwide pose similar safety hazards. This invention can upgrade or replace existing products in the future, preventing the escalation of electrostatic fires at gas stations under abnormal conditions, thereby bringing significant economic and social benefits.

[0073] Of course, the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples given above. Any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle, characterized in that: The device includes a fuel nozzle, a heat-activated locking device, and a heat-activated expansion device. Both the heat-activated locking device and the heat-activated expansion device are mounted on the fuel outlet pipe of the fuel nozzle. The heat-activated locking device comprises two symmetrically arranged sets of locking devices. Each set of locking devices includes a spring-loaded metal sheet, a rotating shaft, a torsion spring, and a heat-fused fixing point. The rotating shaft is mounted on the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe. One end of the metal sheet near the fuel tank opening is fitted onto the rotating shaft, and the other end is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel outlet pipe using a heat-fused fixing point. The torsion spring is installed between the metal sheet and the fuel outlet pipe, near the rotating shaft, with one end abutting against the inner side of the metal sheet and the other end abutting against the fuel outlet pipe. The thermal expansion device includes an annular refractory hollow rubber ring nested on the outer wall of the oil outlet pipe, and the inside of the rubber ring is filled with a material that can expand or foam violently when heated.

2. The fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: During normal refueling, the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe is placed inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container. The heat-locking device and the heat-expanding device are located inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, both of which are attached to the outlet pipe and can be inserted into or removed from the vehicle's fuel tank opening along with the outlet pipe.

3. The fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: During normal refueling, the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe is placed inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, the heat-activated locking device is located inside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container, and the heat-activated expansion device is located outside the vehicle's fuel tank opening or container opening.

4. A fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The heat-resistant locking device uses a low-melting-point hot-melt metal for the hot-melt fixing point. This hot-melt metal is a bismuth-based metal alloy with a melting point of 70°C.

5. A fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The heat-sealed locking device uses plastic clips for the hot-melt fixing points, and the plastic clips are made of a material with heat-shrink properties.

6. A fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The rubber ring in the heated expansion device is filled with one or more of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbonate.

7. A fire safety protection structure for a refueling nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The rubber ring in the heated expansion device is filled with an expanding flame retardant.

8. A fire safety protection method for a fuel nozzle, employing the fire safety protection structure for a fuel nozzle as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: During normal refueling, both the heat-locking device and the heat-expanding device are attached to the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. The heat-locking device is inserted into the fuel tank opening along with the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe. If a fire occurs at the fuel tank opening due to static electricity during refueling, the heat-fused fixing point in the heat-locking device breaks. Under the action of the torsion spring, the metal plate changes from its initial attached state to a spring-loaded unfolded state, locking the inside of the fuel tank opening. Simultaneously, the heat-expanding device, inserted into the fuel tank opening along with the fuel nozzle's outlet pipe, has its rubber ring's internal filling material expand due to heat, promoting the rubber ring to bulge and block the gap between the outlet pipe and the fuel tank opening. Alternatively, the heat-expanding device can be located on the outside of the fuel tank opening, and its rubber ring's internal filling material expands due to heat, cooperating with the metal plate to complete the sealing of the fuel tank opening.

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