Patent ID: 6363962
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B67D,F16K,G01M,Y10T

Abstract:
An actuator for actuating a crash valve located in a dispenser pan and operating in conjunction with a dispensing unit for dispensing gasoline at a service station, said actuator comprising in combination:a) a base for locating said actuator in the dispenser pan; b) a sleeve defining a hollow cylinder and extending upwardly from said base and including a slot in fluid communication with said cylinder and an annular end located at the upper end; c) a ball seated upon said annular end; d) a porous hydrophobic cartridge disposed within said cylinder, said cartridge becoming elongated in response to contact with a liquid hydrocarbon; e) a plunger translatable within said sleeve in response to elongation of said porous hydrophobic cartridge and having an end translatable past said annular end of said sleeve to dislodge said ball from said annular end; f) a trip arm pivotably attached to the crash valve for initiating closure of the crash valve upon pivotal movement of said trip arm; g) a lanyard interconnecting said ball with said trip arm; h) a float vertically responsive to any water present in the dispenser pan; i) a pivotable arm having one end attached to said float and the other end proximate said ball for dislodging said ball from said annular end upon a rise of said float when the water within the dispenser pan reaches a predetermined level; whereby, upon dislodgement of said ball, said ball will drop until restrained by said lanyard and the force of said ball on said lanyard will pivot said trip arm and the crash valve will close.