Automatic Shut-Off Nozzle with Tip Valve and Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic shut-off nozzles for liquid delivery systems face issues with spillage due to overflowing, dripping, and user error, especially in portable fuel transfer systems, where vapor recovery mechanisms are not effective and the design includes numerous moving parts, leading to high costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A novel automatic shut-off nozzle design featuring a liquid delivery conduit with a flow control valve integrated into the spout, a liquid recovery conduit, and a liquid sensor that automatically shuts off the flow when the destination container is full, minimizing spillage by controlling both delivery and recovery flows and reducing the risk of user error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional automatic shut-off nozzles are used, then liquid delivery is automated, but spillage occurs due to overflow and dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is extracted from the nozzle body and relocated to the spout tip. This removes the source of spillage (the valve and its surrounding mechanism) from the problematic location, allowing the spout to be shortened and sealed at the tip where the valve now resides, eliminating overflow and dripping issues
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary component that detects liquid presence at the spout tip and triggers the valve closure. This intermediary sensing mechanism provides reliable detection to prevent both overflow and dripping, enabling precise automatic shut-off without the harmful effects of traditional nozzle designs
2Device complexity
If the valve is placed in the nozzle body, then the nozzle structure is compact, but the spout becomes long and allows drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is extracted from the nozzle body and repositioned at the spout tip. This extraction allows the spout to be truncated to a minimal length, eliminating the drainage problem while the valve controls flow at the exact point where liquid exits, preventing both overflow and drainage
Solution Approach 2:
The valve control mechanism is moved from the longitudinal dimension (inside the nozzle body) to the terminal dimension (at the spout tip). This dimensional relocation enables precise flow control at the exit point, eliminating the need for a long spout and preventing drainage while maintaining structural simplicity
3Loss of time
If the auto shutoff mechanism is delayed, then the valve closes later, but liquid overflows the fill pipe
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor provides real-time feedback by detecting liquid presence at the spout tip. This feedback mechanism eliminates shutoff delay by immediately detecting when the liquid reaches the fill pipe level and triggering instantaneous valve closure, preventing overflow while maintaining efficient liquid transfer
4Productivity
If vapor recovery mechanisms are added, then liquid recovery is improved, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery and vapor recovery functions are merged into a single integrated nozzle structure. The same spout and valve mechanism control both liquid outflow and vapor/liquid recovery inflow, eliminating the need for separate complex vapor recovery systems while maintaining effective liquid recovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a liquid delivery device and a vapor recovery device. The valve controls both dispensing and recovery flows, and the spout serves both functions, simplifying the overall system while improving productivity through integrated operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The nozzle effectively prevents overflow and dripping, reduces spillage, and minimizes user error while being cost-effective and suitable for portable fuel transfer systems, ensuring efficient liquid delivery and recovery with a simplified design.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid sensor is disposed within the sensor retaining portion of the liquid-recovery conduit, and has a rest state and an actuated state whereat the liquid sensor reconfigures the valve control mechanism from the operating configuration to the non-operating configuration. The liquid sensor is responsive to a threshold condition of liquid in the sensor retaining portion of the liquid recovery conduit
Implementation Method 2
A valve has a first movable valve portion disposed in the liquid delivery conduit and is movable between a valve closed position whereat liquid is precluded from being dispensed from the liquid-dispensing outlet of the liquid delivery conduit and a valve open position whereat liquid is permitted to be dispensed
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic shut-off nozzle comprises a liquid delivery conduit and a liquid recovery conduit. A valve has a first movable valve portion movable between a valve closed position whereat liquid is precluded from being dispensed from the liquid-dispensing outlet of the liquid delivery conduit and a valve open position whereat liquid is permitted to be dispensed from the liquid-dispensing outlet of the liquid delivery conduit. A manually operable valve control mechanism is reconfigurable between an operating configuration whereat force can be transmitted from the valve control mechanism to the valve to thereby move the first movable valve portion to the valve open position, and a non-operating configuration whereat force cannot be transmitted from the valve control mechanism to the valve. A liquid sensor has a rest state and an actuated state whereat the liquid sensor reconfigures the manually operable valve control mechanism from the operating configuration to the non-operating configuration.