The present invention relates to a coupling for a connecting a LNG nozzles to a LNG vehicle tank receptacle and their connection apparatus to a LNG vehicle tank for fueling.
There are common couplings for LNG transfer from a LNG station or mobile fueling vehicle to an LNG vehicle tank. Both rely on check valves which can halt flow in ideal situations, but which can fail if the pressure from the tank is too high on disconnect. If the vehicle tank has pressure that is too high compared to the delivery tank, the known coupling systems allow some venting. Both of the known couplings also rely on surface finish and form accuracy as well as high purity of the connecting surfaces in order to connect with small forces. Also, the nozzle may be used on numerous vehicles every day and the fine fit and finish required may slip leading to difficulties. This situation is exacerbated by the cold temperatures of the nozzle and receptacle, 260 degrees below C., which makes the metal brittle and subject to abrasion. All of the components of the connecting parts of the nozzle and receptacle are made of hardened stainless steel for maximum resistance to wear and damage. But that delays rather than prevents damage. Leaking connections, and loss of LNG vapors (methane) from an ill-fitting nozzle is both a safety and environmental issue.
The first common coupling is the “J. C. Carter type collet system” that locks over the coupling and its cone shape collet is pushed down over the receptacle and fastened with downward movement and pressure from a pair of locking double scissor handles. The pressure required, and potential loss from scrapings are both issues for long term reliability.
The other known coupling system is patented, under number U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477. This is the so-called “Kodiak system”, which includes a valved receptacle and a valved nozzle. Rollers in the outer collar of the receptacle are received in the helical channels along the nozzle. A notch or detent in each of the channels provides a vent fluid before the nozzle is fully disconnected from the receptacle. The nozzle has a rotating handle assembly to lock in the coupling.
For the remainder of this patent application, locking handles refer to the pull down handles of the nozzle design that lock the collets, rotating handles refer to the handle that rotates to lock the valved receptacle to the valved nozzle.
The current state of art would be satisfactory in most applications. But, however, LNG coupling devices pose challenges:
Other patents related to this invention are next listed: U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,614A filed on 1974 Oct. 22 in the name of Harry H. Hammond, Thomas D. Karcher; U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,870A filed on 1982 Sep. 7 in the name of Ojars Maldus; U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,155A filed on 1994 Jul. 4 in the name of Glen B Bryski, Martine E, Gordon, Patrick K. Griffin John J. Holzinger; U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477B2 filed on 2005 Sep. 20 in the name of Todd Lambert, Keith J. Anderson; U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,641B2 filed on 2006 Sep. 26 in the name of Joseph R. Marbon, Steven D. Erickson; U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,718B2 filed on 2008 Dec. 30 in the name of Todd Lambert, Shwan Davis Ellis, Mario Alejandro; US20060026969 filed on 2011 Jan. 13 in the name of Thomas Curtis, Brook Samuel, Douglas, Chambers; and US20110005639 in the name of Ervin Weh, Wolfgang Web.
In reference to cited patent U.S. Pat. No. 3,842,614, a coupling arrangement without collets that uses a ball type locking mechanism is described. Purpose of the ball type device is to leave openings between the balls for ice formation so ice can be easily broken without heating the coupling. Arrangement is obsolete but was one of the first LNG patents. Does not combine the two elements of the current invention with a separate coupling lock and collet locking mechanism.
In reference to cited U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,870, a quick disconnect female coupling with a lever operated valve is taught. The lever operates a cam inside the coupling which pulls the valve assembly of the female coupling and pusher a plunger into the valve of the male coupling. A reverse of current technology where the female coupling is the primary device. Does not combine the locking mechanisms of the current invention.
In reference to cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,155, the male and female ends both have poppets that combine with and outer seal on the male end sealing the connection. Again, not combining the couplet lock with a collet locking mechanism.
In reference to cited U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477, it has only the one connecting “Kodiak type” mechanism and not the collet type of connecting mechanism.
In reference to cited U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,641, a quick connect system with two connecting mechanism, but in this patent both are ring type connectors, neither is a collet type connector, is described. Furthermore, this patent is not for a cryogenic connector.
Concerning cited U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,718, this patent is for modifications in the sleeve prevent ice build. If allows the female coupler to have gas purging from the methane gas in the tank to prevent icing. While it has a double ring in the coupler itself, it does not act as a double fastening device, but rather to create a cavity for gas purging.
Concerning cited patent application US20060026969, it deals with an insulating boot on an LNG nozzle to prevent ice build-up. The boot is configured to go on a standard collet type connecting nozzle and it does provide for a second locking device such as in the device being searched for in this report.
Concerning cited patent application U.S.20110005639, it is a variation of the standard Parker Hannifin or J C Carter nozzle where the hand lever, this application uses one lever rather than two, is locked into position and needs to be released before opening. This system uses one collet type connecting device, and not the double connection device described herein.
As mentioned and discussed before, there are conventionally two different methods of locking an LNG nozzle into a LNG receptacle on a vehicle tank:
The present invention is defined in claim 1. It is characterized in that comprises a double connection system to provide additional safety to a LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism for being locked into a LNG receptacle on a vehicle tank.
More particularly, the present invention is to combine two different locking mechanisms: one the so-called “collet type” locking mechanism with the locking handles, and two the valved receptacle and valved nozzle approach with the rotating handle.
This may be accomplished by using a valved receptacle with similar features as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477B2 with the rotating handle small enough to fit underneath the locking handles when they are pushed down to lock the collets in place. The locking handles position when locked may need to be adjusted, so they do not touch the rotating handle in the final position.
Operation of this would call for the valved nozzle section to inserted into the valved receptacle with the two parts locked together with the rotating handle. Then the locking handles for the collet would be pushed down toward the vehicle tank and locked. There would therefore be two locking in place both for safety and to greatly minimize methane releases that would environmentally harmful.
The present invention is a much more safer fueling nozzle that screws into an existing receptacle with a quarter turn device, before opening the nozzle proper.
As mentioned before, the fueling nozzle comprises an “Ice Breaker” type nozzle, and also a quarter turn bayonet fitting to pull the nozzle against the receptacle before being open, thereby ensuring that the “Ice Breaker” type nozzle is tightly seated against the receptacle before it is opened.
That is to say, the safer fueling nozzle of the present invention comprises to different and subsequent operation steps (either in connecting and disconnecting steps):
Optionally, a protective element may be provided fitted close to the inner rear surface of the quarter turn bayonet, and is adapted to advantageously prevent the gases from reaching the face of the operator. This protective element comprises a portion which has a trunk cone-shape surface, which permits the cited functionality.
This invention has the principal advantage of providing a positive lock to engage the nozzle, and prevents the kickback commonly encountered when disengaging the nozzle.
As a result, the system provides greater safety against unwanted LNG discharges.
It is completely clear that the two improved features: “quarter turn bayonet” and “lever opening” have not been successfully combined in a nozzle previously, which provides the safety features of the combined nozzle.
The way do the different elements of the present invention interact with each other to make this invention is next explained: The “Ice Breaker” nozzle cannot engage—therefore not open—until the nozzle is properly seated. The degree of safety is enhanced to the point where less personal protective gear may be required for fueling.
Both main elements: “quarter turn bayonet” and “lever opening” can be manufactured preferably with aluminum or plastic or plastic fiber. Nevertheless, other material can be used, such us components for lighter weight, though life cycle testing would be appropriate.
On the other hand, the manual handles may be replaced by an equivalent actuator cylinder to open and close the nozzle.
In the attached figures:
As mentioned previously,
As described previously, a preferable embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism (10) of the invention is shown in
In those
The handles (11a, 11b) are connected to a central element (18) and the respective counterhandles (16) are connected to an upper element (17).
The central outer body (12) of the LNG Nozzle
Safety Locking Mechanism (10) has a cylindrical shape with several openings (22) preferably in a helicoidally direction. In the interior part an inner body (24) is disposed which is moved axially by means of the manual handles (11a, 11b) and also helped by an elastic element (23) in respect to the outer body (12) which remains unmoving, see
At the rear part said central outer body (12) ends forming a connecting part (15) which us adapted to connect a conventional hose (19).
At the opposite end of the central outer body (12) —in the front part—a quarter turn bayonet (13) is connected.
As it may be appreciated in the attached figures, an optional protective element (14) is provided fitted close to the inner rear surface of the quarter turn bayonet (13), which is adapted to prevent the gases from reaching the face of the operator in working position. This protective element comprises a portion which has a trunk cone-shape surface. It preferably has two different portions: a first trunk cone-shape portion and a second cylindrical portion, see
As it may be clearly seen especially in
As it may be seen in
Preferably, the crosswise slots comprise different directions: an first front transversal portion, another longitudinal portion, another crosswise portion, and a longitudinal blind end portion, see
In case that a protective element (14) is used, the second portion of the quarter turn bayonet (13) is connected to the protective element (14), see
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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16183947.7 | Aug 2016 | EP | regional |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62337894 | May 2016 | US |