Vapor Recovery Nozzle Socket Assembly Tilting Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzles with collapsible corrugated rubber bellows often fail to maintain a uniform pressure seal and increase resistance to vapor flow due to the bellows' design, which can lead to inefficient vapor transfer from the vehicle fuel tank back into the underground tank.
Innovation Solution
A balanced-type vapor recovery fuel dispensing nozzle featuring a swivel knuckle or socket assembly with rigid annular socket members and part-spherical surfaces that allow universal tilting movement, minimizing resistance and ensuring a uniform pressure seal through smooth inner surfaces and a resilient annular vapor seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a collapsible corrugated rubber bellows is used to surround the fuel supply spout, then the nozzle can be actuated by compression, but the bellows produces resistance to vapor flow and does not produce a uniform pressure seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the collapsible corrugated rubber bellows from the system and replaces it with a rigid socket assembly. This extraction eliminates the harmful vapor flow resistance and non-uniform sealing while preserving the compression actuation function through a different mechanical mechanism involving a ball-clutch and cam-operated valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sealing mechanism from flexible corrugated rubber to rigid smooth-walled socket members. This parameter change eliminates vapor flow resistance while the resilient annular vapor seal provides uniform pressure distribution. The compression actuation is achieved through a different mechanism (ball-clutch and cam) rather than bellows collapse.
2Reliability
If a resilient vapor seal is used to engage the fuel fill pipe, then a pressure seal can be formed, but the seal may not be uniform around the fill pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a smooth rigid surface in the socket members where the vapor seal contacts, ensuring uniform pressure distribution. The resilient annular vapor seal is specifically designed with this smooth contact surface to eliminate non-uniform sealing, while other parts of the socket assembly remain rigid for structural support.
3Extent of automation
If a collapsible bellows is used in the nozzle assembly, then the nozzle can compress to actuate valves, but the bellows creates resistance to vapor flow into the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bellows component entirely and replaces it with a rigid socket assembly that uses a ball-clutch mechanism for automatic valve actuation. This eliminates the vapor flow resistance caused by the bellows while maintaining the automatic compression-actuated valve operation through a different mechanical pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the bellows-based compression mechanism with a rigid socket assembly that uses a ball-clutch and cam mechanism. This mechanical substitution eliminates the harmful vapor flow resistance while preserving the automatic valve actuation function through a different mechanical system that responds to compression forces.
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 solution provides a full annular and uniform pressure seal while minimizing vapor flow resistance, ensuring efficient transfer of fuel vapors from the vehicle tank to the nozzle, thereby improving the vapor recovery process.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient annular vapor seal adapted to engage the fill tube
Implementation Method 2
The first and second socket members have mating and sliding part-spherical surfaces providing for universal tilting movement between the socket members
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispensing nozzle has a body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage each having a control valve operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an axially movable tubular member retained by a diaphragm actuated clutch. A fuel spout extends from the body and is surrounded by an annular plastic socket assembly to define therebetween a vapor return passage. The socket assembly includes a first socket member supporting an annular vapor seal for engaging a fuel tank fill tube. The first socket member is supported for universal free tilting movement by a second socket member supported by the body for axial movement. The second socket member supports a pin connected to a crank arm for blocking operation of the clutch, and an annular flexible cover surrounds the socket assembly to protect the socket members which provide unrestricted flow of fuel vapors.