Patent Grant
9969605
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.
Field
This disclosure relates to a high pressure filling nozzle for dispensing cryogenic gaseous fluids from a source to a filling receptacle, and, in particular, to a gun-style pressure-locking nozzle that separates the steps of connecting the source to the filling receptacle and initiating gas flow thereto, and a nozzle with a safety feature.
Description of the Related Art
Recent years have experienced a growing desire for natural gas-powered vehicles (NGV) and advances in the design and provision of such types of vehicles. Effective use of such types of vehicles, however, requires means to safely and reliably fuel and refill fuel tanks of such vehicles with compressed natural gas (CNG) such as Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). LNG is the primary fuel source for NGVs, and is stored and delivered at high pressures and cryogenic temperatures (below −150° C., −238° F. or 123 K), typically around −260° F. and at 250 psi.
Various standards for safely and reliably fueling and refilling fuel tanks include the standards for Type 2 and 3 nozzles as set forth in ANSI/CSA NGV1-2006 Standard for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Fueling Connection Devices. That standard addresses design profiles for such fueling connection devices, as well as the standardized forces associated with connection (or coupling) and disconnection (or uncoupling) of a nozzle from a receptacle at the low and high pressures encountered during fueling processes. Nozzles are available in the industry from Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio (http://www.parker.com), Macro Technologies (based out of RegO/Cryoflow Products) in Burlington, N.C. (http://macrotechnologies.com/LNG_Nozzle.htm), JC Carter LLC, of Costa Mesa, Calif. (http://www.jccarternozzles.com/images/pdf/NOZZLE_50_GPM.pdf), and ACD LLC of Santa Ana, Calif. (http://www.acdcom.com/engineered-solutions.html).
Despite more interest in NGVs and consequent advances in refilling nozzles therefor, there remains a need for an easier and more controllable refilling nozzle.
In one embodiment, the present application discloses a high pressure filling nozzle for one-handed dispensing of cryogenic gaseous fluids into a filling receptacle having a tubular extension and a spring-biased plug therein. The nozzle comprises a gun-style housing having a proximal handle through which passes a gas conduit terminating in a connector for a pressurized gas supply and a distal barrel portion angled with respect to the handle and aligned in a proximal-distal direction, the distal barrel portion terminating in an outlet end sized to receive the tubular extension of the filling receptacle. A valve assembly fixed with respect to the proximal handle is adapted to slide within and along the barrel portion, the valve assembly having a proximal end open to the gas conduit and an internal poppet at a distal end that is biased into a closed position by an internal spring. A locking trigger mounts to a pivot point so as to enable pivoting toward and away from the handle and is connected to the valve assembly and barrel portion in a manner such that squeezing the locking trigger displaces the valve assembly in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end. The locking trigger is adapted to be actuated by one hand by a person squeezing the trigger and the handle. A distal latch housing forms a part of the barrel portion and surrounds the valve assembly, the latch housing having a plurality of clamping jaws that engage and lock to the tubular extension of the filling receptacle when the valve assembly is displaced in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end. The valve assembly also contacts and displaces the spring-biased plug in the filling receptacle at the same time that the clamping jaws engage. A flow control trigger is adapted to displace the poppet in the valve assembly in a proximal direction against the force of the internal spring to enable a flow of cryogenic gas through the filling receptacle.
The locking trigger pivot point is desirably fixed with respect to the valve assembly such that the locking trigger moves with the valve assembly, and also may have an upper finger engaged with a cam slot fixed with respect to the barrel portion. The latch housing preferably includes a mechanism for each clamping jaw that coordinates movement of the valve assembly with movement of the clamping jaws. The mechanism features a pivoting latch member that extends inward to interfere with two shoulders on an exterior of the valve assembly that contact and displace the latch member in proximal and distal directions, wherein an outer end of the latch member rotatably connects to a link arm which is also rotatably journaled to an associated clamping jaw. There are preferably three clamping jaws and associated mechanisms within the latch housing.
The nozzle further may have a safety member on the handle that is actuated to hold the locking trigger pivoted toward the handle. The nozzle also may have a locking tab on the flow control trigger that is rotated into a position to lock the flow control trigger in a position that holds the poppet in the valve assembly in a proximal direction. Preferably, the flow control trigger pivots about a point fixed with respect to the handle and is smaller and located closer to the handle than the locking trigger.
The latch housing desirably defines the outlet end of the nozzle housing and is fixed with respect to a generally tubular cam housing that fits within an inner bore of the latch housing to together define the barrel portion of the gun-style housing. A throughbore of the cam housing preferably receives a tubular horizontal portion of the valve assembly that houses the poppet, the nozzle further including a tubular downwardly-angled gas conduit that extends through the handle and terminates in the connector. Finally, a tubular horizontal portion of the valve assembly preferably terminates in a distal nose that contacts and displaces the spring-biased plug in the filling receptacle when the valve assembly is displaced in a distal direction, the poppet being displaced with respect to the distal nose.
A second nozzle embodiment includes a high pressure filling nozzle for one-handed dispensing of cryogenic gaseous fluids into a filling receptacle having a tubular extension and a spring-biased plug therein. The nozzle exhibits a gun-style housing having a proximal handle through which passes a gas conduit terminating in a connector for a pressurized cryogenic gas supply angled with respect to a distal barrel portion aligned in a proximal-distal direction. The distal barrel portion terminates in an outlet end sized to receive the tubular extension of the filling receptacle and the handle and gas conduit being movable in the proximal-distal direction with respect to the barrel portion. A valve assembly is fixed with respect to the handle and is adapted to slide within and along the barrel portion. The valve assembly has a proximal end open to the gas conduit and an internal poppet at a distal end that is biased into a closed position by an internal spring. A locking trigger mounts to a pivot point so as to enable pivoting toward and away from the handle and is connected to the valve assembly and barrel portion in a manner such that squeezing the locking trigger displaces the valve assembly in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end. The locking trigger is adapted to be actuated by one hand by a person squeezing the trigger and the handle. Finally, a distal latch housing forming a part of the barrel portion and surrounding the valve assembly has a plurality of clamping jaws that engage and lock to the tubular extension of the filling receptacle when the valve assembly is displaced in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end. In use, displacement of the valve assembly in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end also opens both the spring-biased plug in the filling receptacle and the poppet in the valve assembly against the force of the internal spring to enable a flow of cryogenic gas through the filling receptacle.
The second nozzle locking trigger pivot point may be fixed with respect to the valve assembly such that the locking trigger moves with the valve assembly. Further, the locking trigger may have an upper finger pivotally connected to a linkage arm fixed with respect to the barrel portion.
The second nozzle latch housing desirably includes a mechanism for each clamping jaw that coordinates movement of the valve assembly with movement of the clamping jaws. The mechanism features a pivoting latch member that extends inward to interfere with a shoulder on an exterior of the valve assembly that contacts and displaces the latch member in a proximal direction to cause disengagement of an associated clamping jaw, wherein an outer end of the latch member rotatably connects to a link arm which is also rotatably journaled to an associated clamping jaw. There are preferably three clamping jaws and associated mechanisms within the latch housing, and the clamping jaws may each be spring biased into a position where they engage and lock to the tubular extension. Also, a second shoulder on the exterior of the valve assembly may contact and displace the latch members in a distal direction to cause engagement of the clamping jaws.
The second nozzle poppet extends to a distal end of a tubular horizontal portion of the valve assembly and terminates in a distal nose that extends distally from the valve assembly to directly contact the spring-biased plug in the filling receptacle when the valve assembly is displaced in a distal direction.
Throughout this description, elements appearing in figures are assigned three-digit reference designators, where the most significant digit is the figure number where the element is introduced and the two least significant digits are specific to the element. An element that is not described in conjunction with a figure may be presumed to have the same characteristics and function as a previously-described element having the same reference designator.
The present application discloses an improved compressed natural gas nozzle for transferring pressurized cryogenic natural gas from a source to a filling receptacle. It may be an underground or aboveground stationery storage tank, or a storage tank mounted on a vehicle, for example. Likewise, the filling receptacle may be a variety of machines and vehicles, and the present application should not be considered limited to a particular source or recipient of the gas. In one particular embodiment, the source is a stationery storage tank for Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) at a centralized filling terminal, and the recipient is a fleet vehicle such as a commuter bus that utilizes LNG for propulsion.
Conventional nozzles for compressed natural gas typically include tubular connector that mates with a slightly smaller tubular filling receptacle having an outwardly projecting flange. The larger nozzle fits around the smaller filling receptacle. The user pivots a pair of opposed handles on the nozzle toward the filling receptacle which simultaneously locks the nozzle onto the flange of the filling receptacle and opens a channel for pressurized gas to flow from the source through the nozzle and filling receptacle to the tank of the vehicle being filled. When the tank is filled, the two handles are retracted to simultaneously shut off the flow of gas and release the nozzle from the filling receptacle.
The present application discloses a compressed natural gas nozzle which incorporates separate levers or triggers for locking the nozzle to a filling receptacle and for initiating the flow of compressed gas. In this manner, the nozzle can be locked on to the filling receptacle without the possibility of gas escaping, and after a proper seal is established the flow of gas can be commenced. The gas flow can then be shut off without releasing the nozzle from the filling receptacle, and turned on again if necessary. By being able to first shut off the flow of gas, unlocking and removal of the nozzle from the filling receptacle is facilitated and there is little or no pressurized gas remaining between the two mating components that might cause an accident.
In the detailed description, the terms proximal and distal refer to opposite directions along an axis defined as a horizontal axis of the compressed natural gas nozzles of the present application. Of course, the nozzles are not always oriented in a horizontal direction, the term being used in a relative sense with reference to the drawings. The horizontal axis may also be termed a longitudinal axis. Further, forward or front is synonymous with distal and backward or rear with proximal.
The gun-style nozzle 120 has a size that can easily be manipulated by an adult, and a pair of triggers 130, 132 that provide actuating levers for the nozzle. More particularly, a larger first lever or trigger 130 is mounted for pivoting movement under a mid-portion of the barrel portion 124 and enables locking of the nozzle 120 to a filling receptacle, as will be described. A smaller second lever or trigger 132 also pivots under the barrel portion 124 and controls the flow of gas through the nozzle. The first trigger 130 may be termed a locking trigger, while the second trigger 132 is alternately termed a flow control trigger.
As seen in
With reference back to
Between
As will be clear to one of skill in the art, the interaction between the first trigger 130, fulcrum pin 192, barrel tab 194, cam pin 198, and angled slot 200 is just one example of a system for displacing the valve assembly 180 with respect to the filling receptacle 140, and may be replaced by various mechanical levers or even electric devices. Preferably, one end of the trigger 130 is mounted to a pivot point fixed with respect to the valve assembly 180 while another part is connected to the barrel portion 124 fixed with respect to the outlet end 126, or vice versa, in a manner such that squeezing the locking trigger displaces the valve assembly in a distal direction within the barrel portion and toward the outlet end. Further, the locking trigger 130 is adapted to be actuated by one hand by a person squeezing the trigger and the handle 122. Indeed, the pivoting spring-loaded toggle member 384 is shown in an exemplary embodiment, but could also be replaced with a radially movable member, a gear mechanism, a solenoid, etc., and the term “toggle member” refers to these alternatives and others within the skill in the art.
As seen in
Actuating the first lever or trigger 130 also opens the shutoff valve of the filling receptacle 140. As seen best in
The reverse operations enable shutoff of the compressed natural gas flow and detachment of the nozzle from the filling receptacle 140. Namely, the second lever or trigger 132 is first de-actuated by flipping the locking tab 226 down and permitting the spring 224 to return the poppet 184 to its sealed position. Then the safety hook 216 is released from the trigger 130, and the spring 164 within the filling receptacle 140 pushes its shutoff valve closed and in turn pushes the valve assembly 180 rearward. In the process, the front shoulder 208b contacts and rotate the latch members 210 in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction which disengages the clamping jaws 150 from the annular recess 152 and out of the way of the flange 144. The nozzle 120 can then be removed from the filling receptacle 140.
The gun-style nozzle 250 is similar in many respects to the earlier-described gun-style nozzle 120, and includes a distal outlet end 260 that engages and locks the nozzle to the filling receptacle 254, which can be the same as the filling receptacle 140 shown above. The nozzle 250 has a gun-style with a handle 262 angled down and rearward from the back end of a horizontal barrel portion 264 that terminates at the outlet end 260. A connector 266 at the bottom of the handle 262 permits attachment of a compressed natural gas line or hose. In this regard, the gas flows up through the handle 262 and forward through the barrel portion 264 to the outlet end 260.
With specific reference to
When the trigger 252 is squeezed, it pivots about the fulcrum pin 272 as indicated and an upper finger 284 moves upward and rotates a linkage arm 286 as indicated by arrow 288. The linkage arm 286 pivotally rotates about a pin (not numbered) fixed with respect to the cam housing 280, and the rotational path of the left end thereof displaces the upper finger 284 to the left. Since the upper finger 284 is generally horizontally aligned with the fulcrum pin 272, the fulcrum pin 272 and the barrel tab 274 are also displaced to the left. This pulls the entire connected system of the horizontal barrel portion 264 and internal valve assembly 276 to the left, as indicated by the arrows 290.
The nozzle 250 automatically locks onto the filling receptacle 254 when the trigger 252 is squeezed. This occurs through inward pivotal movement of a plurality of clamping jaws 292 such that a pawl end of each enters an annular recess 294 in a tubular extension of the filling receptacle 254 and interferes with an annular flange 296. There are preferably three such jaws 292 that prevent separation of the nozzle 250 and filling receptacle 254. In a preferred embodiment, the three jaws 292 are all spring-biased to rotate into the locked condition via springs (not shown).
Once locked into place, a plug member 298 having a one or more O-ring seals (not numbered) that contact an internal narrowing in the filling receptacle 254 is opened against the force of coil spring 300 to permit flow of compressed gas through the receptacle. At the same time, a poppet 302 in a tubular horizontal portion of the valve assembly 276 is displaced to the right by the plug member 298 after it bottoms out against a hard stop within the filling receptacle 254. The poppet 302 is normally biased toward the left by a coil spring 304 such that its distal end seals the distal end of the valve assembly 276 and prevents the flow of gas. A distal nose of the poppet 302 extends distally from the valve assembly 276 to directly contact the plug member 298. Consequently, nearly simultaneously both valves within the filling receptacle 254 and internal valve assembly 276 are opened and the nozzle 250 is locked to the receptacle when the trigger 252 is squeezed. The two valves open fully upon this action, and there is no control over the amount of gas flow, unlike in the first embodiment.
Once the desired quantity of gas is delivered to the tank or whatever container is being filled, the user releases the trigger 252 as seen in
Finally,
The following Table lists a number of elements shown and labeled with corresponding numbers in
With reference to
The reader will notice in
From the partially retracted position of
The button 386, preferably red in color, on the top of the nozzle 350 provides a safety lockout release. When disengaging the nozzle 350 from the receptacle after filling, the two handles 352 are pulled towards the operator. The nozzle jaws 364 remain engaged while the nozzle de-pressurizes safely. To further retract the jaws 364 to remove the nozzle 350 from the fill receptacle 354 the red button 386 is pushed to release the lockout feature. The safety lockout button 386 prevents the nozzle from bursting off of the fill receptacle when disengaging or discontinuing filling. Of course, a button to displace the toggle member 384 out of the way may be replaced by a lever, a slider, even an electric switch, and the term “safety switch” shall be used to encompass these and other such actuators. Indeed, the pivoting spring-loaded toggle member 384 is shown in an exemplary embodiment, but could also be replaced with a radially movable member, a gear mechanism, a solenoid, etc., and the term “toggle member” refers to these alternatives and others within the skill in the art.
The following Table lists a number of elements shown and labeled with corresponding numbers in
Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.
As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/148,056, filed Apr. 15, 2015.
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| Entry |
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| Weh Technologies Inc., Type TK17 CNG: CNG Fueling Nozzle, Data Sheet, 6 pages, Feb. 2013. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170101304 A1 | Apr 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62148056 | Apr 2015 | US |
