Abstract:
A quick-disconnect coupling such as a camlock includes a male plug and a female socket defining a duct for communication of a fluid with a locking arrangement for locking the male plug in the female socket. Protrusions are provided on an outside surface of the female socket or on an outside surface of the male plug and corresponding recesses are provided on an outside surface of the male plug or on an outside surface of a female socket with the recesses and protrusions beings cooperatively shaped and arranged to allow insertion of the male plug member into the female socket member to the locking position only when the recesses and protrusions match.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/119,217, filed Feb. 22, 2015 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    This application relates to coupling devices specifically to such coupling devices which are used with hose, pipe, valves, conduits, tanks, fittings and the like where the couplings have components which prevent interchangeability. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 2,518,026 a coupling is disclosed that is commonly called a camlock coupling today. This camlock coupling is in general use today across a wide variety of industries. It is used for making quick release, fluid tight connections between hose, pipe, valves, conduits, tanks, fittings and the like to facilitate the transport of liquids, solids and slurries. 
         [0006]    The delivery of fuel to gas stations is an example of an industry that makes extensive use of camlock style couplings for loading tanker trailers at fuel depots and unloading fuel from tanker trailers into storage tanks at gas stations. A typical tanker trailer will carry and unload a combination of diesel fuel, various grades of gasoline and ethanol based fuels. The camlock coupling used on the hose connections and related fittings is the same size and design regardless of the fuel being loaded or unloaded and this can result in cross contamination or accidental mixing of fuels in both the tanker trailer or more commonly in the storage tank at the gas station. For instance it is all too easy to connect a hose between the diesel compartment of the tanker trailer and the regular gasoline storage tank at the gas station since all the camlock coupling connections are identical. Even with procedures, color coding and dog tag systems in place these “crossovers” or “mixes”, as the industry refers to them, are all too common and costly to rectify. Diesel and gasoline mixes that end up in customer vehicles can result in expensive engine repairs and a serious loss of reputation in the marketplace for the oil company. Mixes can also result in motorist and boaters becoming stranded with engine failure which can be a serious safety issue and a potential liability concern for oil companies. 
         [0007]    Our Canadian Patent No. 2800795 discloses a complex and expensive camlock coupling that requires non-standard castings or direct machining and permanent modification of standard camlock couplings to form recesses and add protrusions to prevent interchangeability. 
         [0008]    Machining recesses in the male adapter permanently configures the adapter for that specific angular configuration or product and it cannot be returned to a standard or non-configured male adapter without rework far exceeding the value of a new male adapter. This does not allow any flexibility to reconfigure the adapter with a different configuration of recesses to suit another product. Machining recesses large enough to be effective will result in removing material on the leading seal face of the male adapter which will affect the seal between the male adapter and female coupler. If the recess is made shallow enough to avoid cutting through end seal face it will be so small that the coupling halves can easily bind or jam on each other when the equally small protrusions and recesses are misaligned. The recess also cuts through the curved annular groove where the cam portion of the camlock levers in the female coupler contact and push the male adapter to the sealing position. Recesses aligned with one or more camlock levers will reduce the contact area in the curved annular groove that the cam portion of the lever bears against. Concentrated clamping loads in these areas of reduced bearing area will lead to increased wear and deformation that will result in sealing failures. Machining permanent recesses in the male adapter means that rotation of the recesses around the male adapter to rotationally align the recesses prior to assembly with a female coupler with matching protrusions is not possible. 
         [0009]    Machining mounting holes for protrusions in the female coupler permanently configures the female coupler for that specific angular configuration or product and it cannot easily be returned to a standard or non-configured female coupler without repairs far exceeding the value of a new female coupler. This does not allow any flexibility to reconfigure female couplers with a different configuration of protrusions to suit another product. Machining fixed mounting holes for protrusions in the female coupler or having nonstandard castings designed to accept fixed protrusions means that rotation of the protrusions relative to the female coupler prior to assembly is not possible. 
         [0010]    Relative rotation of the male adapter and female coupler halves of the camlock coupling modified with recesses and protrusions can only take place after assembly of the coupling, but prior to activating the camlock levers, so there is no means of pre-aligning the protrusions or recesses prior to assembling the coupling. This makes hose connections to other hoses and fittings difficult if not impossible if the barbed hose end fittings are misaligned on a particular length of hose since the entire hose and it&#39;s end fittings must be rotated in order to align the protrusions and recesses prior to assembly. If one end of the hose is already clamped in place it will be difficult if not impossible to twist the hose to align the protrusions and recesses on the other end of the hose to make the next connection. This problem is further exasperated when two or more lengths of hose need to be connected together to make the required connections between the tanker trailer and the storage tank. Further, if the coupling halves are assembled with the protrusion and recesses rotated relative to each other so that they are not aligned they cannot be separated axially as the protrusions are trapped in the curved annular groove of the adapter so the coupling must rely on alignment marks to realign the protrusions and recesses before the coupling halves can be separated. 
         [0011]    Our U.S. application Ser. No. 14/187,306 discloses an API flow valve having a replaceable flange or nose ring with recesses. The API valve can only be assembled to a mating female coupler configured with protrusions that match the recesses in the replaceable flange. 
         [0012]    An API valve with an easily removable and replaceable nose ring is not as robust or solid as an API valve with a fixed, machined nose ring that is integral to the body of the API valve. An easily replaced nose ring will wear out more rapidly than a fixed nose ring after repeated use and this will lead to more frequent sealing problems. A fixed nose ring with no looseness or play is critical to achieving a proper seal between the API valve and the female coupler. A robust replaceable nose ring will be expensive to implement so moving the recesses from the nose ring to a location where it does not interfere with or compromise the standard sealing and clamping features when mating with a bottom loading head or drop adapter would be far better. With the recesses moved away from the nose ring the component carrying the recesses can be now be much simpler, lighter and less expensive in construction since it only needs to tag the API valve with the recess configuration (fuel) to be loaded and unloaded and no longer has to function as part of the sealing and clamping system. Moving the recesses away from the nose ring will result in a more robust design that the fuel delivery industry will accept. 
         [0013]    Another disadvantage of the replaceable nose ring is that the mating bottom loading head and drop adapter female couplers that connect to the API valve will require machined mounting holes for the protrusions for each specific angular configuration or product and these configured female couplers cannot be easily returned to a non-configured female coupler without repairs far exceeding the value of a new female coupler. This does not allow any flexibility to reconfigure female couplers with a different configuration of protrusions to suit another product. Machining fixed mounting holes for protrusions in the couplers or having nonstandard castings designed to accept fixed protrusions means that rotation of the protrusions around the female coupler prior to assembly is not possible. 
         [0014]    From the preceding discussion it is clear that the combination of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/187,306 and Canadian Patent No. 2800795 results in an expensive, cumbersome and inflexible coupling and system to tag, load and unload tanker trailers to prevent crossovers. The inherent problems will be a significant barrier to acceptance in the fuel delivery industry. A coupling that can be quickly, easily and cheaply configured for any configuration of the recesses and protrusions and just as easily be returned to a standard or non-configured coupling by simply removing these features will make for a far more flexible, cost effective and modular coupling. If the protrusions and recesses can be freely rotated independent of the coupling itself, both before and after assembly, assembly of the coupling halves will be easy. If the coupling can be separated axially without having to pre-align the protrusions and recesses this will save time and eliminate potential frustration. Thus a coupling that can be configured for a specific fuel that includes all the benefits noted above and that can be easily extended and adapted to all the couplings, fittings and valves that make up the entire system to load and unload tanker trailers, would eliminate the potential for crossovers without getting in the way of the operators using the system. This and other advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    According to the invention there is provided a quick-disconnect coupling comprising: 
         [0016]    a male plug member, 
         [0017]    a female socket member defining an opening into which a leading end of the male plug member can be inserted so that the male plug member is moved longitudinally of an axis of the female socket member into the opening to a locking position; 
         [0018]    the male plug member and female socket member defining a duct passing therethrough for communication of a fluid therebetween; 
         [0019]    a locking arrangement for locking the male plug member in the female socket member at the locking position; 
         [0020]    wherein the locking arrangement includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking members within a respective side opening of the female coupling member for movement radially inwardly of the axis of the female coupling member into locking engagement with a portion of the male plug member; 
         [0021]    each locking member being pivotally connected to the female socket member for radially outward movement to disengage said locking members from said locking engagement with said portion of the male plug member; 
         [0022]    cooperating components provided on an outside surface of said female socket member and on an outside surface of said male plug member 
         [0023]    said cooperating components comprising at least one protrusion provided on either the female socket member or on the male plug member; 
         [0024]    said cooperating components comprising at least one recess provided on either the female socket member or on the male plug member; 
         [0025]    said cooperating components defined by said at least one recess and said at least one protrusion being cooperatively shaped and arranged to allow insertion of the male plug member into the female socket member to the locking position when said at least one recess and said at least one protrusion match; 
         [0026]    said cooperating components defined by said at least one recess and said at least one protrusion being cooperatively shaped and arranged to prevent insertion of the male plug member into the female socket member to the locking position when said at least one recess and said at least one protrusion do not match or are not aligned. That is the user is prevented from activating the locking members when the protrusions and recesses do not match or are not aligned by virtue of the predetermined length of the protrusion which prevents axial assembly to the locking position. 
         [0027]    Preferably the cooperating components are provided on a leading end of said female socket member and on a trailing end of said male plug member. Wherein said trailing end is located a predetermined distance from the leading end of said male plug member to allow insertion of the male plug member into the female socket member to the locking position. 
         [0028]    Preferably there is provided a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses at a predetermined spacing therebetween and wherein insertion of the male plug member into the female socket member to the locking position is allowed only when said predetermined spacing matches. However a single protrusion and associated recess can be used where they are set at a predetermined angle around the coupling and/or have a predetermined dimension and height. 
         [0029]    Preferably the protrusions and recesses are visible when the male plug member and the female socket member are connected and when they are separated so as to ensure alignment when relative movement is undertaken. That is the user can see the location of the protrusions and recesses to ensure that they are aligned as the user tries to insert the components or to separate. 
         [0030]    That is for example the rotational and axial alignment for assembly and disassembly of the coupling can be made evident by way of the protrusions and recesses themselves. 
         [0031]    Preferably the male plug member has an external peripheral groove or flange for engagement with the locking arrangement of the female socket member and the protrusions and recesses are located to prevent movement of the groove or flange to the locking arrangement unless aligned. This allows that the female socket member and the male plug member can be rotated relative to each other before assembly. That is the recess and the protrusion do not cooperate with the locking arrangement, to hold the components connected but act as a restriction to allow the locking arrangement to engage only when the recess and protrusion match. 
         [0032]    Preferably the protrusions are located on the female socket member and the recesses are located on the male plug member. 
         [0033]    Preferably there is provided a sealing member for sealing between the male plug and the female socket in the locking position, the sealing member being located separate from the protrusions and the recesses so that they do not interfere with the action of the sealing member. 
         [0034]    Preferably the recess and protrusion are provided on separate body portions to facilitate mounting of said recesses and protrusions. 
         [0035]    Preferably the separate body portion on either the female socket member or male plug member can be rotated relative to said female socket member or said male plug member either before or after assembly. 
         [0036]    Preferably the male plug member and the female socket member both have a circular cross-section. This allows rotation of the separate body portions as mentioned above. 
         [0037]    Preferably an o-ring or other rotational restriction means is provided between the separate body portion and either of the female socket member or male plug member to act as a restriction to rotation to aid in retaining a preset rotational orientation of the separate body portion. 
         [0038]    Preferably the separate body portion is easily mounted to or removed from the coupling, valve or fitting to permit changing the configuration or to return the coupling, valve or fitting to a non-configured coupling, valve or fitting. 
         [0039]    That is the mounting of the separate body portions can be achieved by bonding, fastening with screws, bayonet mounting, use of an expandable and contractible ring, over center clamp ring or by any other method or device. 
         [0040]    Preferably the separate body portions provide protection of the male plug member and the female socket member by virtue of the larger diameter of the separate body portions that help prevents contact of the male plug member and female socket member with the ground or other surface. 
         [0041]    Preferably the separate body portion on the male plug member is further protected from contact with the ground or other surface by being completely contained within a larger separate body portion on the female socket member when assembled. 
         [0042]    Preferably the separate body portion includes a text label or other identification means for indicating the name of the product or fluid corresponding to the specific configuration of the recesses and protrusions. 
         [0043]    Preferably the separate body portion includes a lug for attachment of a protective cap with a lanyard. The protective cap is used to cover the leading end of the male plug member when it is not mated with a female socket member. 
         [0044]    Preferably the separate body portions mounted to the male plug member and the female socket member when assembled can be separated axially without having to align the protrusions and recesses to permit separation. 
         [0045]    Preferably the matched protrusions and recesses on the separate body portions are shaped and located so that they are not interchangeable with a coupling configured with a different configuration of protrusions and recesses. 
         [0046]    Preferably the separate body portions are made from any metal or plastic that can be formed by casting, compression molding, injection molding, machining, fused deposition modeling, selective laser sintering or any other process or combination of such processes. 
         [0047]    Preferably one separate body portion includes a sensor or switch to detect the presence of a mating separate body portion when the protrusions and recesses match. 
         [0048]    Preferably a female socket member or bottom loading head without a separate body portion or cooperating components includes one or more sensors or switches capable of detecting the presence of a specific configuration of a separate body portion that is attached to the male plug member or API valve. That is the switch or sensor can determine the specific configuration of the separate body portion when the female socket member and male plug member are engaged with each other so as to signal or notify the control system of the specific separate body portion so that the control system only allows the discharge of the product associated with the configuration of said separate body portion. 
         [0049]    Preferably the system allows for backwards compatibility with non-configured couplings. This can be achieved by the fact that either one of the standard female socket member or the male plug member which does not carry recesses or protrusions can be mated to a configured male plug member or configured female socket member having recesses or protrusions. 
         [0050]    In particular the present invention is particularly designed for use with; 
         [0051]    a camlock coupling of the type in which the locking arrangement includes a plurality of cam members each having a lever within a respective side opening of the female socket member and a cam portion passing through one of said side openings and engaging a portion of the male plug member and each being pivotally connected to the female socket member for outward movement of the levers away from the female socket member to disengage the cam portions from the said portion of the male plug member. Some examples of where such couplings are used include connections between two hoses, a hose and drop adapter, a hose and hose elbow, a hose and drop elbow, a drop elbow and top seal adapter; 
         [0052]    a camlock drop adapter of the type in which the locking arrangement includes a plurality cam members each having a lever within a respective side opening of the female socket member and a cam portion passing through one of said side openings to engage a portion of the API valve annular flange member and each being pivotally connected to the female socket member for outward movement of the levers away from the female socket member to disengage the cam portions from the API valve annular flange member; 
         [0053]    a bottom loading head of the type in which the locking arrangement includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking latches within a respective side opening of the female socket member which are actuated simultaneously by a separate hand lever for movement of the locking latches to engage or disengage the API valve annular flange member. 
         [0054]    According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of loading and unloading a plurality of different fluids comprising: 
         [0055]    providing for each fluid a respective delivery duct; 
         [0056]    providing in each delivery duct a configured coupling, valve or fitting as defined above; 
         [0057]    and arranging said at least one protrusion and said at least one recess of a first one delivery duct to have a different configuration from that of a second one of the delivery ducts to prevent interchangeability of the first and second delivery ducts at the couplings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0058]    Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0059]      FIG. 1  through  FIG. 10D  shows a camlock style hose coupling comprising a male adapter and female coupler configured with female tag ring portions and a male tag ring respectively. 
           [0060]      FIG. 1  is an isometric exploded view showing two female tag ring portions prior to assembly onto a male adapter and a male tag ring prior to assembly onto a female coupler. 
           [0061]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view showing two female tag ring portions assembled onto a male adapter and a male tag ring assembled onto a female coupler. The coupling halves are shown separated. 
           [0062]      FIG. 3A  is an inside end view of the separated coupling halves (see  FIG. 2  for view direction) showing the angular spacing “X” of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Diesel fuel. 
           [0063]      FIG. 3B  is an inside end view of the separated coupling halves (see  FIG. 2  for view direction) showing the angular spacing “Y” of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Regular fuel. 
           [0064]      FIG. 3C  is an inside end view of the separated coupling halves (see  FIG. 2  for view direction) showing the angular spacing “Z” of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Premium fuel. 
           [0065]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the coupling halves separated but aligned for assembly with the female tag ring portions and male tag ring configured with an angular spacing of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Diesel fuel. 
           [0066]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the coupling halves separated but aligned for assembly with the female tag ring portions and male tag ring configured with an angular spacing of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Regular fuel. 
           [0067]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the coupling halves separated but aligned for assembly with the female tag ring portions and male tag ring configured with an angular spacing of the interlock recesses and protrusions for Premium fuel. 
           [0068]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged isometric view of the coupling halves assembled with the camlock levers engaged showing the female tag ring and male tag ring interlocked with each other. 
           [0069]      FIG. 8  is an end view of  FIG. 7  viewed from the hose barb end of the male adapter. 
           [0070]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of one recess and one protrusion aligned and mated with each other. 
           [0071]      FIG. 10A  is a cross section view of the coupling halves prior to assembly with the recesses and protrusions aligned. 
           [0072]      FIG. 10B  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing assembly interference between the interlock recesses and protrusions when they are rotated out of alignment with each other thereby preventing actuation of the camlock levers. 
           [0073]      FIG. 10C  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing the interlock recesses and protrusions rotated back into alignment and partially engaged axially with each other. 
           [0074]      FIG. 10D  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing the interlock recesses and protrusions aligned and fully engaged so that the camlock levers can be actuated to complete the assembly. 
           [0075]      FIG. 11  through  FIG. 15  shows a male adapter configured with a rotatable female outer tag ring portion assembled onto a fixed inner ring portion. 
           [0076]      FIG. 11  is an isometric exploded view showing two fixed (non-rotating) inner ring portions prior to assembly onto a male adapter and two rotatable female outer tag ring portions prior to assembly onto the two fixed inner ring portions. 
           [0077]      FIG. 12  is a partial side view of the fixed inner ring portions and the rotatable female outer tag ring portions assembled onto the male adapter. 
           [0078]      FIG. 13  is a cross section view through the fixed inner ring portions and rotatable female outer tag ring portions assembled onto the male adapter. 
           [0079]      FIG. 14  is a cross section view through the fixed inner ring portion alignment pins and alignment holes. 
           [0080]      FIG. 15  is a cross section view through the female outer tag ring portion alignment pins and alignment holes. 
           [0081]      FIG. 16  through  FIG. 20  shows a male adapter configured with two rotatable female tag ring portions. 
           [0082]      FIG. 16  is an isometric exploded view showing two rotatable female tag ring portions prior to assembly onto the male adapter. 
           [0083]      FIG. 17  is a partial side view of the two rotatable female tag ring portions assembled onto the male adapter. 
           [0084]      FIG. 18  is a cross section view through the female tag ring portions assembled onto the male adapter. 
           [0085]      FIG. 19  is a cross section view through the female tag ring portions assembled onto the male adapter. 
           [0086]      FIG. 20  is a cross section view through the fastener joining the female tag ring portions onto the male adapter. 
           [0087]      FIG. 21  through  FIG. 23C  shows a camlock style hose coupling comprising a male adapter and female coupler configured with rotatable female tag ring portions with holes as the interlock recesses and a male tag ring with pins as the matching interlock protrusions. 
           [0088]      FIG. 21  shows the camlock hose coupling separated with two female tag ring portions assembled on the male adapter and the male tag ring assembled on the female coupler. 
           [0089]      FIG. 22  shows the camlock hose coupling mated together with the protrusion pins on the male tag ring aligned and engaged with the through hole interlock recesses on the female tag ring portions. 
           [0090]      FIG. 23A  shows the angular spacing X of the interlock recesses and protrusions for product X. 
           [0091]      FIG. 23B  shows the angular spacing Y of the interlock recesses and protrusions for product Y. 
           [0092]      FIG. 23C  shows the angular spacing Z of the interlock recesses and protrusions for product Z. 
           [0093]      FIG. 24  through  FIG. 27F  shows a camlock hose coupling comprising a typical industry standard male adapter and female coupler configured with two female tag ring portions having a reduced diameter and a male tag ring with overhanging interlock protrusions. 
           [0094]      FIG. 24  shows the camlock hose coupling separated with two female tag ring portions having a reduced diameter assembled on the male adapter and the male tag ring with overhanging protrusions assembled on the female coupler. 
           [0095]      FIG. 25  is an end view showing the interlock protrusions and interlock recesses aligned to permit assembly of the coupling. 
           [0096]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged detail view of one interlock protrusion and one interlock recess aligned to permit assembly of the coupling. 
           [0097]      FIG. 27A  is a cross section view of the coupling halves prior to assembly with the recesses and protrusions aligned. 
           [0098]      FIG. 27B  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing assembly interference between the interlock recesses and protrusions when they are rotated out of alignment with each other thereby preventing actuation of the camlock levers. 
           [0099]      FIG. 27C  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing the interlock recesses and protrusions rotated back into alignment and partially engaged axially with each other. 
           [0100]      FIG. 27D  is a cross section view of the coupling halves showing the interlock recesses and protrusions aligned and fully engaged so that the camlock levers can be actuated to complete the assembly. 
           [0101]      FIG. 27E  is an enlarged detail view showing the interlock recesses and protrusions aligned and partially engaged axially with each other. 
           [0102]      FIG. 27F  is an enlarged detail view showing the interlock recesses and protrusions aligned and fully engaged so that the camlock levers can be actuated to complete the assembly. 
           [0103]      FIG. 28  through  FIG. 31  shows an API valve configured with two fastened female tag ring portions with interlock recesses and a bottom loading head configured with a fastened male tag ring with interlock protrusions. 
           [0104]      FIG. 28  is an isometric exploded view showing two female tag ring portions prior to fastening onto an API valve and a male tag ring prior to fastening onto a bottom loading head. 
           [0105]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view showing two female tag ring portions fastened to an API valve and a male tag ring fastened to a bottom loading head prior to mating of the API valve with the bottom loading head. 
           [0106]      FIG. 30  is an end view of the API valve with the two female tag ring portions fastened in place on the API valve. 
           [0107]      FIG. 31  is a cross section view of the API valve showing the two female tag ring portions fastening in place on the API valve. 
           [0108]      FIG. 32  through  FIG. 34  shows an API valve configured with a female tag ring with a bayonet mounting. 
           [0109]      FIG. 32  is an isometric exploded view showing the bayonet female tag ring prior to assembly onto an API valve that is configured with cooperating spring plungers. 
           [0110]      FIG. 33A  is an isometric and end view showing the bayonet female tag ring rotated and aligned with the cooperating mounting surfaces on the API valve prior to axial assembly of the bayonet female tag ring. 
           [0111]      FIG. 33B  is an isometric and end view showing the bayonet female tag ring after axial assembly on to the API valve but prior to rotation of the bayonet female tag ring to its locked position. 
           [0112]      FIG. 33C  is an isometric and end view showing the bayonet female tag ring after final rotation of the bayonet female tag ring to its locked position. 
           [0113]      FIG. 34  is an enlarged cut away detail end view of the bayonet female tag ring in its final rotated and locked position showing the cooperating spring plungers holding the ring in its locked position. 
           [0114]      FIG. 35  through  FIG. 36C  shows an API valve configured with a female tag ring with an expandable diameter. 
           [0115]      FIG. 35  is an isometric exploded view showing the female tag with an expandable diameter prior to assembly onto an API valve that is configured with a cooperating mounting groove. 
           [0116]      FIG. 36A  is an isometric and end view showing the female tag with an expandable diameter aligned with the API valve prior to axial assembly of the female tag ring with expandable diameter. 
           [0117]      FIG. 36B  is an isometric and end view showing the female tag with an expandable diameter, with its diameter shown expanded, prior to axial assembly on to the cooperating mounting groove of the API Valve. 
           [0118]      FIG. 36C  is an isometric and end view showing the female tag with an expandable diameter with its diameter shown contracted after assembly of the female tag ring with expandable diameter on to the API valve and further showing that rotation of the female tag ring can be undertaken after assembly. 
           [0119]      FIG. 37  is an isometric view of a tanker trailer configured with combined loading and unloading API valves with transfer hoses and related fittings connecting the tanker trailer API valves to the top seal adapter on the underground fuel storage tanks. 
           [0120]      FIG. 38  is an isometric view of a tanker trailer configured with separate loading API valves and unloading valves with transfer hoses and related fittings connecting the tanker trailer unloading valves to the top seal adapter on the underground fuel storage tanks. 
           [0121]      FIG. 39  is an isometric exploded view of a single tanker trailer load/unload pipe configured with a loading and unloading API valve. A bottom loading head is shown connecting to the API valve for loading fuel into the tanker trailer. 
           [0122]      FIG. 40  is an isometric exploded view of a single tanker trailer load/unload pipe configured with a loading and unloading API valve. A transfer hose and related fittings are shown connecting the API valve to the top seal adapter on the underground fuel storage tank for unloading fuel. 
           [0123]      FIG. 41  is an isometric exploded view of a single tanker trailer load/unload wye pipe configured with a separate loading API valve and an unloading valve. A transfer hose and related fittings are shown connecting the unloading valve to the top seal adapter on the underground fuel storage tank for unloading fuel. A bottom loading head is shown connecting to the API valve for loading fuel into the tanker trailer at the fuel depot. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS - Reference Numerals 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   X Angular Spacing of Interlock Protrusions and Recesses (Diesel) 
                 
                 
                   Y Angular Spacing of Interlock Protrusions and Recesses (Regular) 
                 
                 
                   Z Angular Spacing of Interlock Protrusions and Recesses (Premium) 
                 
                 
                   60 Male Adapter or Male Plug Member 
                 
                 
                   61 Leading Circular Plug 
                 
                 
                   62 Trailing Circular Plug 
                 
                 
                   63 Curved Annular Groove 
                 
                 
                   64 Lug 
                 
                 
                   65 Embossed Lettering 
                 
                 
                   66 Hose Stop Flange 
                 
                 
                   67 Sealing Surface 
                 
                 
                   69 Outer Annular Curved Surface 
                 
                 
                   80 Female Coupler or Female Socket Member 
                 
                 
                   81 Circular Passage 
                 
                 
                   82 Annular End Surface 
                 
                 
                   83 Outer Circular Surface 
                 
                 
                   86 Lever or Locking Member 
                 
                 
                   87 Seal Ring 
                 
                 
                   88 Cam Lobe 
                 
                 
                   89 Pivot Pin 
                 
                 
                   100 Female Tag Ring Portion or Separate Female Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   101 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   102 Alignment Pin 
                 
                 
                   103 Alignment Hole 
                 
                 
                   104 Lug Recess 
                 
                 
                   105 Lettering Recess 
                 
                 
                   106 Inner Annular Curved Surface 
                 
                 
                   107 Radial Surface 
                 
                 
                   108 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   109 Label or Identification 
                 
                 
                   110 Chamfer 
                 
                 
                   111 Cylindrical Neck 
                 
                 
                   112 Trailing Surface 
                 
                 
                   113 Leading Surface 
                 
                 
                   114 Mating Surface 
                 
                 
                   120 Male Tag Ring or Separate Male Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   121 Interlock Protrusion or Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   122 Outer Annular Surface 
                 
                 
                   123 Inner Annular Surface 
                 
                 
                   124 Inner Circular Surface 
                 
                 
                   125 Cylindrical Inner Surface 
                 
                 
                   126 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   127 Radial Surface 
                 
                 
                   128 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   129 Label or Identification 
                 
                 
                   130 Chamfer 
                 
                 
                   150 Fixed Inner Ring Portion or Inner Stationary Ring 
                 
                 
                   151 Annular Groove 
                 
                 
                   152 Alignment Pin 
                 
                 
                   153 Alignment Hole 
                 
                 
                   154 Lug Recess 
                 
                 
                   155 Lettering Recess 
                 
                 
                   156 Inner Annular Curved Surface 
                 
                 
                   157 Mating Surface 
                 
                 
                   170 Rotatable Female Outer Tag Ring Portion or Separate Female 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   171 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   172 Alignment Pin 
                 
                 
                   173 Alignment Hole 
                 
                 
                   174 Inner Annular Rib 
                 
                 
                   184 Mating Surface 
                 
                 
                   200 Rotatable Female Tag Ring Portion or Separate Female 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   201 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   202 Counterbored Hole 
                 
                 
                   203 Threaded Hole 
                 
                 
                   204 Alignment Boss 
                 
                 
                   205 Alignment Counterbore 
                 
                 
                   206 Inner Annular Curved Surface 
                 
                 
                   207 Back Surface 
                 
                 
                   209 O-Ring or Rotational Restriction 
                 
                 
                   210 Fastener 
                 
                 
                   211 Cylindrical Neck 
                 
                 
                   212 O-Ring Groove 
                 
                 
                   214 Mating Surface 
                 
                 
                   220 Rotatable Female Tag Ring Portion with Holes or Separate Female 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   221 Interlock Recess Hole or Recess 
                 
                 
                   228 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   233 Leading Surface 
                 
                 
                   240 Male Tag Ring with Pins or Separate Male Body 
                 
                 
                   Portion 
                 
                 
                   241 Interlock Protrusion Pin or Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   248 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   252 Leading Surface 
                 
                 
                   260 Female Tag Ring Portion with Reduced Diameter or Smaller Separate 
                 
                 
                   Female Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   261 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   268 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   272 Trailing Surface 
                 
                 
                   273 Leading Surface 
                 
                 
                   280 Male Tag Ring with Overhanging Interlock Protrusion or Larger 
                 
                 
                   Separate Male Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   281 Interlock Protrusion or Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   283 Inside Surface of Interlock Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   285 Cylindrical Inner Surface of Interlock Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   286 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   300 API Valve with Threaded Holes (Loading Only) or Male Plug 
                 
                 
                   Member or Male Adapter 
                 
                 
                   301 Nose Ring 
                 
                 
                   304 Protruding Surface 
                 
                 
                   305 Threaded Hole 
                 
                 
                   306 Mounting Surface 
                 
                 
                   320 API Valve with Bayonet Grooves (Loading Only) or Male Plug 
                 
                 
                   Member or Male Adapter 
                 
                 
                   323 Bayonet Groove 
                 
                 
                   324 Mounting Hole 
                 
                 
                   325 Spring Plunger Assembly 
                 
                 
                   326 Cup 
                 
                 
                   327 Spring 
                 
                 
                   328 Ball 
                 
                 
                   340 API Valve with Annular Groove (Loading Only) or Male Plug 
                 
                 
                   Member or Male Adapter 
                 
                 
                   342 Annular Groove 
                 
                 
                   344 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   360 API Valve with Annular Groove and Handle (Loading and Unloading) 
                 
                 
                   or Male Plug Member or Male Adapter 
                 
                 
                   380 Bottom Loading Head or Female Socket Member or Female 
                 
                 
                   Coupler 
                 
                 
                   384 Outer Leading Surface 
                 
                 
                   385 Threaded Hole 
                 
                 
                   386 Outer Collar 
                 
                 
                   387 Inner Collar 
                 
                 
                   388 Latch or Locking Member 
                 
                 
                   400 Drop Adapter 
                 
                 
                   420 Hose 
                 
                 
                   440 Drop Elbow 
                 
                 
                   460 Top Seal Adapter 
                 
                 
                   480 Hose Elbow 
                 
                 
                   500 Unloading Valve 
                 
                 
                   520 Load/Unload Wye Pipe 
                 
                 
                   540 Load/Unload Pipe 
                 
                 
                   600 Tanker Trailer with Load/Unload API Valves 
                 
                 
                   601 Tanker Trailer with Load Only API Valves 
                 
                 
                   602 Fuel Flow into Tanker Trailer Compartment 
                 
                 
                   603 Fuel Flow out of Tanker Trailer Compartment 
                 
                 
                   700 Female Tag Ring Portion with Fasteners or Separate Female 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   701 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   702 Alignment Pin 
                 
                 
                   703 Alignment Hole 
                 
                 
                   704 Notch 
                 
                 
                   705 Fastener 
                 
                 
                   706 Sensor Contact or Magnet 
                 
                 
                   709 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   710 Front Surface 
                 
                 
                   720 Female Tag Ring with Bayonet Mount or Separate Female 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   721 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   722 Positioning Block 
                 
                 
                   722A Lead-in Angled Ramps 
                 
                 
                   722B Inner Angled Ramps 
                 
                 
                   723 Label or Identification 
                 
                 
                   724 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   728 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   740 Female Tag Ring with Expandable Diameter (API Valve) or Separate 
                 
                 
                   Female Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   741 Interlock Recess or Recess 
                 
                 
                   743 Label or Identification 
                 
                 
                   744 Inner Annular Rib 
                 
                 
                   745 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   746 Finger Saddle 
                 
                 
                   747 Finger Lever 
                 
                 
                   748 Outer Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   750 Female Tag Ring with Expandable Diameter (Hose 
                 
                 
                   Elbow) or Separate Female Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   780 Male Tag Ring with Fasteners or Separate Male 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   781 Interlock Protrusion or Protrusion 
                 
                 
                   783 Inner Cylindrical Surface 
                 
                 
                   785 Fastener 
                 
                 
                   786 Sensor 
                 
                 
                   787 Sensor Lead Wire 
                 
                 
                   790 Male Tag Ring without Fasteners or Separate Male 
                 
                 
                   Body Portion 
                 
                 
                   800 Lanyard 
                 
                 
                   801 Lanyard Fastener 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0124]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a commercially available,  4 ″ camlock coupling comprising a male adapter  60  and a mating female coupler  80 . Both the male adapter and female coupler are shown with hose barb ends but any means of connecting the coupling halves to any other device, conduit, fitting or valve for use may be provided. The basic form, fit and function of the coupling is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,518,026 but with the following improvements; 
         [0125]    One or more interlock recesses  101  in the female tag ring portions  100  interlock with one or more interlock protrusions  121  in the male tag ring  120 . 
         [0126]    Two female tag ring portions  100  each with an inner annular curved surface  106  with cutouts  104  and  105  are shaped and arranged to snuggly mount to male adapter  60  with an outer annular curved surface  69  with protruding lug  64  and embossed lettering  65 . The protruding lug  64  is provided on male adapters  60  to facilitate connection of a lanyard with a protective end cap attached to keep dust and dirt out of an otherwise open male adapter (lanyard and end cap not shown). The embossed lettering  65  indicates the part number of the male adapter. The female tag ring portions  100  each include an alignment pin  102  and an alignment hole  103  that are used to align and bond the two female tag ring portions by application of an adhesive to the pins  102 , holes  103  and mating surfaces  114  to form a single female tag ring. When two female tag ring portions are assembled together onto a male adapter so as to form a complete female tag ring it will simply be referred to as a female tag ring using the same reference number as the individual female tag ring portions. Should additional bonding strength be required adhesive can also be applied between the annular curved surfaces  106  and  69 . Due to the snug tight fit of the female tag ring portions  100  to the male adapter  60  and rotational interference between the lug  64  and lug recess  104  no relative rotation of the assembled female tag  100  is possible on the male adapter  60 . 
         [0127]    The male tag ring  120  has an inner annular surface  123  and inner circular surface  124  that is shaped and arranged to snuggly mount to female coupler  80  with an annular end surface  82  and outer circular surface  83 . Application of an adhesive between the annular surfaces  123  and  82  completes the assembly. Should additional bonding strength be required adhesive can also be applied between the circular surfaces  124  and  83 . 
         [0128]      FIG. 2  shows the completed assembly of the female tag ring portions  100  bonded to the male adapter  60  and the male tag ring  120  bonded to the female coupler  80  prior to axial assembly of the coupling halves indicated by the curved arrow. 
         [0129]    The male tag ring  120  and the female tag ring portions  100  can be cast and machined from the same aluminum as the female coupling  80  and male adapter  60  or they could be cast, formed or injection molded from any number of other metals or plastics or be made directly using rapid manufacturing methods such as fused deposition modeling or selective laser sintering. The final material selection and method of manufacture will be based on the volume of parts to be produced and performance requirements such as impact strength, wear resistance, antistatic properties, weight, ease of assembly and disassembly, visual appearance and handling characteristics. 
         [0130]      FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  show examples of three unique angular configurations, X, Y &amp; Z respectively, of the female tag ring  100  and male tag ring  120  that can only mate with each other. For example,  120 X male tag rings on female couplers only mate with  100 X female tag rings on male adapters. X angular configured fittings will not mate with fittings configured with Y or Z angular configurations. 
         [0131]    The angular separation of the two interlock recesses  101  and interlock protrusions  121  at the top of the tag rings as shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C  is repeated on the bottom of the tag rings to provide symmetry and a balanced feel when assembling the coupling. A virtually infinite number of symmetrical and asymmetrical angular arrangements of the interlock protrusions  121  and interlock recesses  101  are possible. The goal is to configure sets of mutually exclusive arrangements of the interlocking protrusions and interlock recesses so that only like configured coupling halves will fit with each other. 
         [0132]    Where required any female coupler, without a male tag ring can still mate with any female tag ring configured male adapter. Conversely any male adapter, without a female tag ring can still mate with any male tag ring configured female coupler. This allows for backward compatibility with non-configured camlock fittings used in the fuel delivery industry where desired or required such as for non-critical maintenance procedures such as flushing and cleaning tanker trailer storage compartments. 
         [0133]      FIGS. 4, 5 &amp; 6  show the male adapter  60  and female coupler  80  axially aligned for assembly with three different configurations of the male tag ring  120  and female tag ring  100  each in rotational alignment with each other to permit axial assembly of the coupling. Three angular configurations are shown representing three common fuels but many more configurations are possible using additional angular configurations. Asymmetrical patterns of the interlock recesses and protrusions can create even more configurations as needed for new fuels or products to be delivered. While the examples described here are specific to the fuel delivery industry it is understood that the angular configurations shown or any other angular configurations could be used in other industries to prevent cross contamination of products in those industries. 
         [0134]      FIG. 4  and  FIG. 3A  both show the X angular configuration of the interlock recesses  101 X and interlock protrusions  121 X which represents Diesel fuel. The Diesel fuel label  109 X is embossed on the female tag ring  100 X and the Diesel fuel label  129 X is embossed on the male tag ring  120 X to provide additional visual feedback on the compatibility of the coupling halves prior to assembly. Additional visual compatibility can be provided by using a unique color such as yellow for X configured tag rings. 
         [0135]      FIG. 5  and  FIG. 3B  both show the Y angular configuration of the interlock recesses  101 Y and interlock protrusions  121 Y which represents Regular fuel. The Regular fuel label  109 Y is embossed on the female tag ring  100 Y and the Regular fuel label  129 Y is embossed on the male tag ring  120 Y to provide additional visual feedback on the compatibility of the coupling halves prior to assembly. Additional visual compatibility can be provided by using a unique color such as red for Y configured tag rings. 
         [0136]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 3C  both show the Z angular configuration of the interlock recesses  101 Z and interlock protrusions  121 Z which represents Premium fuel. The Premium fuel label  109 Z is embossed on the female tag ring  100 Z and the Premium fuel label  129 Z is embossed on the male tag ring  120 Z to provide additional visual feedback on the compatibility of the coupling halves prior to assembly. Additional visual compatibility can be provided by using a unique color such as blue for Z configured tag rings. 
         [0137]      FIG. 9 , derived from  FIG. 7  and end view  FIG. 8 , shows a detailed view of one interlock protrusion  121  and one interlock recess  101  with the male and female tag rings mated with each other. It is understood that where the description of a feature is common to all configurations (X, Y or Z) it will be described without the configuration letter. For example interlock recess  101  refers to any angular configuration of the interlock recess  101 . Refer to  FIGS. 1, 8 and 9  which show the features described below. 
         [0138]    The outside cylindrical surface  128  of the male tag ring  120  is the same diameter as the outside cylindrical surface  108  of the female tag ring  100  to ensure easy visibility of the interlock protrusions  121  mated with the interlock recesses  101  from any angle. This also facilitates easy reading of the embossed labels  109  and  129  next to each other when the coupling is assembled as show in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0139]    Each outer cylindrical surface of the interlock recess  101  has an angular opening width defined by radial surfaces  107  and each interlock protrusion  121  has a similar but slightly smaller angular width defined by radial surface  127 . Each interlock protrusion has a cylindrical inner surface  125  which is slightly larger than the outer cylindrical surface of the interlock recess  101 . An installation clearance gap of approximately 1.0 mm between these surfaces has been found to provide sufficient clearance to ensure easy assembly of the coupling which allows for slight axial misalignment of the coupling halves during assembly due to installation clearance between the circular plug surfaces  61  and  62  of the male adapter  60  and the circular passage  81  in the female coupler  80 . This gap is clearly indicated by the visibility of the outer annular surface  122  around the interlock protrusion  121  of the male tag ring  120  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0140]    Additional features include chamfered edges  110  between the trailing surface  112  and outer cylindrical surface  108  on the female tag ring and chamfered edges  130  between the leading surface of the interlock protrusions  121  and the outer cylindrical surface  128  on the male tag ring. Chamfers  130  and  110  along with surfaces  121  and  112  are preferably flush and aligned with one another when the coupling is assembled as shown in  FIG. 7  to provide visual confirmation that the coupling is correctly assembled. 
         [0141]      FIG. 10A  though  FIG. 10D  shows a cross section of  FIG. 8  passing through one camlock lever  86  and one interlock protrusion  121  with the coupling in different stages of axial disassembly and assembly. 
         [0142]      FIG. 10A  shows the coupling halves prior to assembly with the interlock recesses  101  and interlock protrusions  121  in axial and rotational alignment with each other. The cam lobe  88  of camlock lever  86  rotates about pivot pin  89  and is shown in the closed position. The female tag ring has a cylindrical neck  111  that is flush with and the same diameter as the circular plug diameters  61  and  62  so as to permit the cylindrical neck  111  to fit inside the female coupling circular passage  81  and the inner cylindrical surface  126  of the male tag ring  120 . The inner annual curved surface  106  of the female tag ring  100  conforms to the shape of the outer annual curved surface  69  of the male adapter  60  to maximize the contact area between these two surfaces to ensure a rigid fit. 
         [0143]      FIG. 10B  shows the male adapter  60  with its female tag ring  100  partially engaged with the female coupler  80  and its male tag ring  120 . The male adapter  60  and female tag ring  100  are shown rotated out of alignment so that the interlock protrusions  121  and interlock recesses  101  are misaligned. This prevents further axial assembly of the coupling due to the leading surface  113  of the female tag  100  coming into contact with the interlock protrusion  121 . The camlock lever  86  is forced into the open position shown due to contact between the cam lobe  88  and the leading circular plug diameter  61 . With the lever  86  in the open position shown clamping the two coupling halves together is not possible. The open position of the lever  86  provides visual feedback that the coupling is not correctly assembled or that an incompatible combination of the male tag ring  120  and female tag ring  100  was attempted. 
         [0144]      FIG. 10C  shows the male adapter  60  with its female tag ring  100  partially engaged with the female coupler  80  and its male tag ring  120 . The male adapter  60  and female tag ring  100  are shown rotated back into alignment so that the interlock protrusions  121  and interlock recesses  101  are now axially aligned and partially engaged with each other. The camlock lever  86  is still forced into the open position shown due to contact between the cam lobe  88  and the leading circular plug diameter  61 . This allows partial engagement of the interlock recesses  101  with the interlock protrusions  121  while the camlock levers  86  remain open. This way the user can focus on engaging the interlock protrusions  121  with the interlock recesses  101  with the levers in the same position as when the male adapter  60  and female coupler  80  were initially engaged as shown in  FIG. 10B . 
         [0145]      FIG. 10D  shows the male adapter  60  with its female tag ring  100  fully engaged axially with the female coupler  80  and its male tag ring  120  so that the sealing surface  67  on the male adapter  60  is in contact with the seal ring  87  inside the female coupler  80 . The camlock levers  86  can now be rotated about their pivot pins  89  so that the cam lobe  88  pushes on a portion of the curved annular surface  63  to lock the coupling halves together and compress the seal ring  87  with the male adapter sealing surface  67  thereby completing the assembly of the hose coupling. 
         [0146]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0147]    Commercially available male adapters  60  with existing lugs and embossed lettering features can be configured with a fixed female tag ring  100  without modifying the male adapter in any way. 
         [0148]    Commercially available female couplers  80  can be configured with a fixed male tag ring  120  without modifying the female coupler in any way. 
         [0149]      FIG. 11  though  FIG. 15  shows an additional embodiment of the male adapter  60  with rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  mounted to fixed inner ring portions  150 . The rotatable female outer tag ring portion  170  includes recesses  171  that are identical to recesses  101  (see  FIG. 1 ) so that tag rings  170  and  100  can be used interchangeably with a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120 . 
         [0150]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of the fixed inner ring portions  150  prior to assembly to the male adapter  60 . Two fixed inner ring portions  150  each with an inner annular curved surface  156  with lug recess  154  and lettering recess  155  that are shaped and arranged to snuggly mount to male adapter  60  with an outer annular curved surface  69  with annular discontinuities defined by the protruding lug  64  and the embossed lettering  65  such that rotation of the fixed inner ring  150  relative to the male adapter  60  is not possible. The two fixed inner ring portions  150  are joined by bonding the alignment pins  152  in the alignment holes  153  so that mating surfaces  157  are brought into contact with each other. The outside diameter of the fixed inner ring  150  includes an annular groove  151  to retain and allow rotation of the rotatable female outer tag ring  170 . 
         [0151]      FIG. 11  also shows an exploded view of the rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  prior to assembly to the fixed inner ring  150 . The rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  are joined by bonding the alignment pins  172  in the alignment holes  173  so that mating surfaces  184  are brought into contact with each other. Two rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  each with an inner annular rib  174  is shaped and arranged to mount to the annular groove  151  in the fixed inner ring  150 . The rotatable female outer tag ring  170  carries the interlock recesses  171  for mating with a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0152]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the fixed inner ring  150  and the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  assembled to the male adapter  60  showing the mating surfaces  184  of the rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  in contact with each other. 
         [0153]      FIG. 13  is a cross section of the fixed inner ring  150  and the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  assembled to the male adapter  60  showing engagement of the alignment pins  152  &amp;  172  with their respective alignment holes  153  &amp;  173 . The fixed inner ring portions  150  are bonded together at the pins  152  and holes  153  and the mating surfaces  157 . If a stronger bond is desired the inner annular curved surface  156  can also be bonded to the outer annular curved surface  69  on the male adapter  60 . The rotatable female outer tag ring portions  170  are bonded together at the pins and holes  172  &amp;  173  respectively and at the mating surfaces  184 . 
         [0154]      FIG. 14  is a cross section through the lettering recesses  155  showing one alignment pin  152 . Also shown is engagement between the inner annular rib  174  and the annular groove  151  where relative rotation between these features is permitted so that the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  may freely rotate about the fixed inner ring  150 . 
         [0155]      FIG. 15  is a cross section through the lug  64  and lug recesses  154  showing one alignment pin  172 . 
         [0156]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0157]    Male adapters  60  with existing lugs and embossed lettering features can be configured with a female tag ring which allows rotation where such rotation would normally be prevented by such features. 
         [0158]    Once assembled the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  is free to rotate relative to the fixed inner ring  150  fixed to the male adapter  60 . This allows the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  to be rotated prior to axial assembly with a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120  (not shown, see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0159]    Relative rotation of the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  can also be undertaken after engagement of the interlock protrusions  121  and interlock recesses  171  by rotating either the male adapter  60  or female coupler  80  when partially or fully assembled to each other but before the camlock levers  86  are engaged. 
         [0160]    To reconfigure the male adapter  60  for different configuration of the recesses (i.e. for another fuel) only the rotatable female outer tag ring  170  needs to be replaced, the fixed inner ring  150  can be left in place permanently. 
         [0161]      FIG. 16  though  FIG. 20  shows a male adapter  60 A that is identical to male adapter  60  (see  FIG. 1 ) except that the lug  64  and embossed lettering  65  have been removed either in the casting process or machined off so as to provide a smooth uninterrupted outer annular curved surface  69 . The embossed lettering can be moved to an alternate location on the male adapter such as the hose side of the hose stop flange  66 . The lug (not shown) can also be moved to the hose stop flange or could be formed into the back surface  207  of the female tag ring portions  200 . The rotatable female tag ring portion  200  includes recesses  201  that are identical to recesses  101  (see  FIG. 1 ) so that female tag rings  200  and  100  can be used interchangeably with a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120 . The rotatable female tag ring portion  200  includes an inner annular curved surface  206  that is shaped and arranged to fit the outer annual curved surface  69  with approximately 0.15 mm of radial clearance between these surfaces so that the rotatable female tag ring can rotate freely around the male adapter  60 A on surface  69 . To ensure the tag ring  200  does not rotate too easily and to ensure it stays in its manually preset rotational orientation prior to assembly to a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120 , an o-ring  209  can be provided to create some light resistance to rotation. A nitrile or similar o-ring  209  provides resistance to rotation by being lightly squeezed between the base of the o-ring groove  212  and the cylindrical portion of the curved annular surface  69 . 
         [0162]    The rotatable female tag ring portions  200  also illustrate an alternate means to fasten the tag ring portions together using screws  210 . Both tag ring portions  200  are identical and each includes a counterbored hole  202  and a threaded hole  203  sized to suit the screws  210 . The two tag ring portions  200  are aligned for assembly onto male adapter  60 A as shown in  FIG. 16 . The counterbored hole  202  includes an alignment counterbore  205  that mates with an alignment boss  204  on the second tag ring portion  200  to assist with alignment of the two tag ring portions  200  prior to installation of the screws  210 . 
         [0163]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the rotatable female tag ring  200  assembled to the male adapter  60 A showing the mating surfaces  214  in contact with each other. 
         [0164]      FIG. 18  is a cross section of the rotatable female tag ring  200  assembled to the male adapter  60 A showing engagement of the alignment bosses  204  and alignment counterbores  205  with screws  210  installed to hold the rotatable female tag ring  200  together. 
         [0165]      FIG. 19  is a cross section showing the close fit and substantially matching profile between the inner and outer annular curved surfaces  206  and  69  with the o-ring  209  shown. 
         [0166]      FIG. 20  is a cross section through the screws  210  showing the cylindrical neck  211  with the same outside diameter as the circular plug diameters  61  and  62 . To permit assembly of a female coupler  80 , the cylindrical neck  211  can be smaller in diameter but must be no larger in diameter than the circular plug diameters  61  and  62 . 
         [0167]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0168]    The rotatable female tag ring  200  is free to rotate relative to the male adapter  60 A. This allows the rotatable female tag ring  200  to be manually rotated prior to axial assembly with a female coupler  80  configured with a male tag ring  120  (not shown, see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0169]    No separate fixed inner ring is required to permit rotation of the female tag ring. This permits rotation with fewer parts and assembly steps and will therefore be lower in cost. 
         [0170]    Relative rotation of the rotatable female tag ring  200  can also be undertaken after engagement of the interlock protrusions  121  and interlock recesses  201  by rotating either the male adapter  60 A or female coupler  80  when partially or fully assembled to each other but before the camlock levers  86  are engaged. 
         [0171]    Simple two piece tag ring that is easily assembled and disassembled with screws to permit easy configuration and reconfiguration of a male coupler. 
         [0172]    Light rotational resistance of the tag ring is provided by the o-ring to ensure the tag ring remains in place and does not rotate around the male adapter without a small manual twisting force being applied. 
         [0173]      FIG. 21  through  FIG. 23C  shows an additional embodiment that has a rotatable female tag ring with holes  220  having interlock recess holes  221  and a male tag ring with pins  240  having interlock protrusions pins  241 . The interlock protrusions  241  and recesses  221  are formed on the leading surfaces  252  and  233  of the male tag ring  240  and female tag ring  220  respectively. This means the interlock protrusions and recesses are separate from and contained within the outside diameter of the outer cylindrical surfaces  248  and  228  respectively. 
         [0174]      FIG. 23A  shows the X or Diesel fuel configuration of the interlock protrusions and recesses which is also shown by way of example in  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 . 
         [0175]      FIG. 23B  shows the Y or Regular fuel configuration of the interlock protrusions and recesses. 
         [0176]      FIG. 23C  shows the Z or Premium fuel configuration of the interlock protrusions and recesses. 
         [0177]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0178]    The outer cylindrical surfaces  248  and  228  of the tag rings protect the interlock protrusions and recesses from damage when hoses and other fittings configured with these tag rings are dragged or dropped on the ground. The outer cylindrical surfaces  248  and  228  will take the majority of the wear and damage thereby protecting the interlock protrusions  241  and interlock recesses  221 . 
         [0179]      FIG. 24  through  FIG. 27F  shows an embodiment that uses a female tag ring with reduced diameter  260  having interlock recesses  261  that is bonded to the male adapter  60  and a male tag ring  280  having overhanging interlock protrusions  281  that is bonded to a female coupler  80 . This tag ring configuration permits relative rotation of the coupling halves and protection of the female tag ring by the male tag ring after assembly. The female tag ring with reduced diameter fits inside of the male tag ring after assembly so that the female tag ring is protected from damage caused by dragging or dropping the assembled coupling. To achieve this, the overhanging interlock protrusions  281  must bypass the interlock recesses  261  after initial engagement of the interlock recesses  261  and protrusions  281  which is required for assembly to be undertaken. This allows relative rotation of the two coupling halves after complete axial assembly but prior to activating the camlock levers  86  since the interlock protrusions  281  are no longer restricted rotationally by the interlock recesses  261 . 
         [0180]      FIG. 26  shows a detailed view of one interlock protrusion  281  and one interlock recess  261  in axial and rotational alignment for assembly. It can be seen that the inner cylindrical surface  286  of the male tag ring  280  is a larger diameter that the outer cylindrical surface  268  of the female tag ring  260  and also that the inner cylindrical surface of the interlock protrusion  285  is a larger diameter than the cylindrical surface of the interlock recess  261  thereby allowing the female tag ring to slide inside of the male tag ring when the protrusions and recesses match. 
         [0181]      FIG. 27A  shows the coupling halves separated but in axial and rotational alignment ready for assembly. 
         [0182]      FIG. 27B  shows the coupling halves aligned axially but with the male adapter rotationally misaligned so that the leading surface  273  of the female tag ring  260  is in contact with the outer most surface of the interlock protrusion  281 . In this axial position the camlock lever  86  is forced into the open position shown by contact between the cam lobes  88  and the leading circular plug  61 . No further axial assembly is possible until matching sets of protrusions and recesses are brought into rotational alignment with each other. 
         [0183]      FIG. 27C  shows matching sets of protrusions and recesses after they have been brought into rotational alignment and are now partially engaged with each other. No relative rotation of the coupling halves is possible while the interlock protrusions and recesses are engaged with each other as shown.  FIG. 27E  shows an enlarged detail view of one interlock protrusion and recess engaged with each other. 
         [0184]      FIG. 27D  shows the assembled coupling with the camlock lever in the closed and locked position with the protrusions and recesses in alignment with each other.  FIG. 27F  shows an enlarged detail view of the protrusions and recesses in alignment. It can also be seen that the recess has bypassed the protrusion such that the trailing surface  272  of the female tag ring  260  has moved past the inside surface of the interlock protrusion  283  of the male tag ring  280 . Relative rotation of the coupling halves, if desired, is now possible by releasing or opening the camlock levers  86  since the interlock protrusions and recesses are no longer engaged with each other. 
         [0185]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0186]    Relative rotation of the coupling halves is possible after assembly but prior to engagement of the camlock levers when the male tag ring is bonded to the female coupler and the female tag ring bonded to the male adapter. This type of rotation after assembly can be used for drop elbows at service stations where it will be useful to rotate the drop elbow towards the tanker trailer to facilitate the required hose connections. 
         [0187]    The female tag ring with reduced diameter fits inside of the male tag ring after assembly so that the female tag ring is protected from damage caused by dragging or dropping the assembled coupling. 
         [0188]      FIG. 28  through  FIG. 31  shows an embodiment of a male tag ring with fasteners  780  mounted to a bottom loading head  380  and female tag ring portions with fasteners  700  mounted to an API valve with threaded holes  300 . 
         [0189]    The male tag ring  780  configured with interlock protrusions  781  is mounted with fasteners  785  to the leading surface  384  of the outer collar  386  which has been drilled and tapped with threaded holes  385 . The inner cylindrical surface  783  of the male tag ring is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the inner collar  387  to permit relative movement of the inner and outer collars required for the bottom loading head locking members  388  located in side openings of the inner collar  387  to latch on to the API valve nose ring  301 . 
         [0190]    The female tag ring portions  700  configured with recesses  701  are first assembled around the API valve in front of the mounting surface  306  but behind the nose ring  301  by engaging the alignment pins and holes  702  and  703  and then mounting the assembled female tag ring  700  with fasteners  705  to the mounting surface  306  which is drilled and tapped with mounting holes  305 . The female tag ring  700  must be split in two portions in this embodiment since the inner cylindrical surface  709  has a smaller diameter that the outside diameter of the nose ring  301 . The female tag ring  700  is notched  704  to fit around the protruding surfaces  304  so that the front surface  710  of the female tag ring  700  is flush with the protruding surfaces  304  of the API valve  300 . 
         [0191]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0192]    Semi-permanent and tamper resistant method of attaching the male and female tag rings using fasteners. 
         [0193]    Fixed rotational orientation of both the male tag ring  780  and female tag ring  700  that prevents rotation of the tag rings relative to the bottom loading head  380  and API valve  300  they are fastened to. Rotation of the tag rings is not required since the API valve is fixed to the tanker trailer in a specific orientation and the bottom loading head is attached to a loading arm that permits rotation of the bottom loading head and attached male tag ring so that the interlock protrusions  781  can be easily aligned with the interlock recesses  701 . 
         [0194]    Protection of the leading surface  384  of the bottom loading head  380  from bumps or contact with other equipment or the API valve  300  with female tag ring  700  fastened in place. 
         [0195]    Optional sensor  786  with sensor lead wire  787  is mounted on the male tag ring  780  to detect the presence of a contact or magnet  706  mounted on the female tag ring  700  so as to ensure both a mechanical and electrical interlock between the bottom loading head and the API valve before fuel can be dispensed through the assembly. That is the sensor will not permit fuel to be released unless the male tag ring and female tag rings are mated to each other. 
         [0196]      FIG. 32  through  FIG. 34  shows an embodiment of a female tag ring with bayonet mount  720  mounted to an API valve with bayonet grooves  320 . 
         [0197]    The female tag ring  720  is a single one piece ring with interlock recesses  721  located and recessed into the outer cylindrical surface  728 . The inner cylindrical surface  724  includes one or more bayonet positioning blocks  722  protruding radially inwards from the inner cylindrical surface  724 . 
         [0198]    The API valve  320  includes one or more concentric machined bayonet grooves  323  terminating with a mounting hole  324  shaped and arranged to accept spring plunger assembly  325  consisting of a cup  326 , spring  327  and ball  328 . 
         [0199]      FIG. 33A  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  720  in axial and rotational alignment with the API valve  320  prior to assembly of the tag ring such that each of the positioning blocks  722  are aligned for engagement with the start of each of the machined bayonet grooves  323 . 
         [0200]      FIG. 33B  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  720  axially installed on to the API valve  320  such that each of the positioning blocks  722  are in axial engagement with the start of each of the machined bayonet grooves  323  prior to rotation of the tag ring to its locked position. 
         [0201]      FIG. 33C  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  720  rotated the arc length of the bayonet groove towards the mounting hole  324  to complete the installation of the tag ring onto the API valve  320  such that each of the positioning blocks  722  inner angled ramps  722 B are now in engagement with the ball  328  of the spring plunger assembly  325 .  FIG. 34  is an enlarged break away section view showing the ball  328  resting between the inner angled ramps  722 B with the spring  327  providing the force on the ball  328  required to hold the tag ring in position as shown. 
         [0202]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0203]    A female tag ring that is easy to install and remove by hand that permits quick tagging of API valves prior to loading fuel. 
         [0204]    Multiple female tag rings for each fuel configuration are easily carried by the tanker trailer so that trailer compartments communicating with their associated API valves are easily configured for a particular fuel or reconfigured for another fuel by simply removing and installing a tag ring configured and labelled for the desired fuel to be loaded. 
         [0205]    Self-locking bayonet mounting holds the ring in position axially and rotationally when the spring plungers on the API valve are engaged. 
         [0206]    Tag ring is symmetrical front to back so that it can be installed with the label  723  facing in either direction so there is no user confusion on which direction to install the tag ring. 
         [0207]    Purposely alternating the installation of the tag ring helps distribute wear on the positioning blocks  722  by alternating initial engagement of the positioning block lead-in angled ramps  722 A with the spring plunger assemblies  325 . 
         [0208]      FIG. 35  through  FIG. 36C  shows an embodiment of a female tag ring with an expandable diameter  740  mounted to an API valve with an annular groove  340 . 
         [0209]    The female tag ring  740  is a single one piece flexible and expandable ring with interlock recesses  741  located and recessed into the outer cylindrical surface  748 . The inner cylindrical surface  745  includes an inner annual rib  744  protruding radially inwards from the inner cylindrical surface  745 . 
         [0210]    The API valve  340  includes an annual groove  342  machined into the outer cylindrical surface  344 . 
         [0211]      FIG. 36A  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  740  in axial and rotational alignment with the API valve  340  prior to assembly of the tag ring. 
         [0212]      FIG. 36B  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  740  with finger levers  747  squeezed together by applying a force on the finger saddles  746  with the thumb and index finger. Squeezing the finger levers  747  together expands the diameter of the tag ring  740  such that the inner annular rib  744  is larger than the outside diameter of the outer cylindrical surface  344  so that the tag ring  740  can be moved axially so that the inner annular rib  744  is positioned directly over the annual groove  342 . 
         [0213]      FIG. 36C  shows an isometric and end view of the female tag ring  740  with the inner annual rib  744  engaged with the annual groove  342  after releasing the finger levers  747 . The tag ring  740  is manufactured so that the inner cylindrical surface  745  has a slightly smaller diameter that the outer cylindrical surface  344  on the API valve  340 . This forces the inner cylindrical surface  745  to exert pressure on the outer cylindrical surface  344  to ensure a tight fit and to ensure enough frictional force is generated between surfaces  344  and  745  so that the tag ring stays fixed in the rotational orientation it was left in when the finger levers  747  are released. 
         [0214]    Advantages of this embodiment include; 
         [0215]    A female tag ring that is easy to install and remove by hand that permits quick tagging of API valves prior to loading fuel. 
         [0216]    The API valve only requires a very simple machined groove  342  to facilitate the mounting of the tag ring  740 . 
         [0217]    Multiple female tag rings for each fuel configuration are easily carried by the tanker trailer so that trailer compartments communicating with their associated API valves are easily configured for a particular fuel or reconfigured for another fuel by simply removing and installing a tag ring configured and labelled for the desired fuel to be loaded. 
         [0218]    The tag ring can be installed and reoriented in any desired rotational orientation on the API valve by applying light pressure on the finger saddles  746  with thumb and forefinger while simultaneously rotating the tag ring. 
         [0219]    Tag ring is symmetrical front to back so that it can be installed with the label  743  facing in either direction so there is no user confusion on which direction to install the tag ring. 
         [0220]      FIG. 37  is an isometric view of a tanker trailer  600  configured with combined loading and unloading API valves  360  with drop adapter  400 , transfer hose  420  and drop elbow  440  connecting the tanker trailer API valves  360  to the top seal adapter  460  on the underground fuel storage tanks to facilitate the discharge of fuel  603  from the tanker trailer to the underground fuel storage tank. 
         [0221]      FIG. 38  is an isometric view of a tanker trailer  601  configured with separate loading API valves  340  and unloading valves  500  with hose elbow  480 , transfer hose  420  and drop elbow  440  connecting the unloading valves  500  to the top seal adapter  460  on underground fuel storage tanks to facilitate the discharge of fuel  603  from the tanker trailer to the underground fuel storage tank. 
         [0222]    The tanker trailer  600  or  601  will be parked near to the underground fuel storage tanks that each terminate in a top seal adapter  460 . The tanker trailer  600  or  601  is divided into separate compartments that can each carry different fuels such as Diesel, Premium and Regular in a single delivery to a gas station. Similarly, a typical gas station has multiple underground fuel storage tanks that can receive any or all of these fuels from a single tanker trailer delivery. 
         [0223]    The industry currently relies on procedures, manual dog tagging and color coding systems to help prevent incorrect connections between the tanker trailer and the underground storage tanks. Even with these procedures and systems in place it is not uncommon for fuel mixes or crossovers to occur. A premium gasoline and regular gasoline crossover will result in a costly downgrade of the premium fuel along with the time and expense to pump the downgrade into the regular grade storage tank. A diesel and gasoline mix is far more serious and expensive to rectify since the fuel is no longer useable as either gasoline or diesel and must be pumped out of the storage tank and disposed of. Diesel and gasoline crossovers that end up in vehicles can cause severe damage to fuel systems and engines and lead to expensive repairs along with a loss of reputation in the marketplace for the oil company that can result in further lost revenue. Mixes can also result in motorist and boaters becoming stranded with engine failure which can be a serious safety issue and a potential liability concern for oil companies. 
         [0224]      FIG. 39  shows an isometric exploded view of a bottom loading head  380  used to load one tanker trailer  600  compartment through API valve  360  which communicates with said tanker trailer compartment (not shown) through load/unload pipe  540 . The loading of tanker trailers takes place at fuel depots or terminals where bulk storage of fuels is bottom loaded into tanker trailers for distribution to service stations as shown in  FIG. 37 . Prior to loading a tanker trailer compartment with Regular fuel the API valve  360  communicating with that compartment is tagged with a fuel specific female tag ring  740 Y representing Regular fuel. The Regular fuel loading arm (not shown) at the fuel terminal terminates in a bottom loading head  380  that is configured with a male tag ring  780 Y represent Regular fuel. The other bottom loading heads at the fuel terminal are permanently configured with male tag rings configured for the specific fuel to be dispensed such a Diesel  780 X and Premium  780 Z. The Diesel fuel  780 X or Premium fuel  780 Z male tag rings are not compatible and will not fit to the Regular fuel female tag ring  740 Y so once a tanker trailer compartment&#39;s API valve is tagged with a fuel specific female tag ring only that particular fuel may be loaded through that API valve  360 . 
         [0225]    After tagging all the tanker trailer API valves and loading the associated fuel into the tanker trailer compartments the tag rings on the API valves are left in place on the API valves until the tanker trailer returns from delivering its fuel at which time the tag rings can either be left in place if the tanker trailer compartment is to be reloaded with the same fuel in the same compartments or, one or more tag rings on empty compartments can be changed to a different fuel specific female tag ring so that the tanker trailer compartment can be loaded with that particular fuel. The direction of fuel flow from the loading arm, through the bottom loading head  380  and then through the API valve  360  communicating with the tanker trailer compartment is indicated by flow arrow  602 . 
         [0226]    To ensure that an API valve has been tagged for a particular fuel the API valve female tag rings can also include a magnetic or mechanical target that must be detected by a sensor or switch on the male tag ring attached to the bottom loading head before fuel is permitted to flow through the loading arm and bottom loading head into the tanker trailer compartment. The switch or sensor communicates with the loading arm control system to only allow discharge of Regular fuel when the interlock protrusions on the male tag ring  780 Y match the interlock recesses on the female tag ring  740 Y after assembly of the bottom loading head on to the API valve. 
         [0227]    A sensor or switch can also be used on bottom loading heads that discharge more than one fuel from a common loading arm by having a switch or sensor uniquely configured or mounted to detect the presence of a fuel specific female tag ring and only discharge the fuel represented by that female tag ring when it is installed on the API valve  360 . In this case the bottom loading head would not require a fuel specific male tag ring since the switch or sensor on the bottom loading head  380  representing Regular fuel and communicating with the female tag ring  740 Y would only permit discharge of Regular fuel through the loading arm. Similarly if female tag ring  740 X was installed on the API valve  360  it would only communicate with the switch or sensor on the bottom loading head representing Diesel and would only permit the release of Diesel fuel. 
         [0228]      FIG. 40  is an isometric exploded view of a single combined loading and unloading API valve  360  with drop adapter  400 , transfer hose  420  and drop elbow  440  connecting the tanker trailer API valves  360  to the top seal adapters  460  on the underground fuel storage tanks. 
         [0229]    The API valve  360  is normally tagged with the desired fuel specific female tag ring  740 Y prior to loading fuel into the tanker trailer and this tag is never removed and in fact can be locked to the API valve prior to loading fuel to prevent tampering or accidental removal after fuel is loaded. The female tag ring  740 Y is shown separated in this view to illustrate that tagging of the API valve can also be undertaken immediately after loading fuel into the tanker trailer if tagging is only desired or required for delivering fuel. In this case previously established fuel loading procedures would remain in effect and the tagging ring would be an added step in the loading of each tanker trailer compartment. 
         [0230]    It is important to note that the API valve tag ring  740 Y is the only tag ring that is removable in normal use since it determines and labels the fuel contained in the tanker trailer compartments. The bottom loading head  380  in  FIG. 39  along with the drop adapter  400 , hose  420 , drop elbow  440  and top seal adapter  460  in  FIG. 40  are all pre-configured with the male and female tag rings shown. The drop adapter  400  has male tag ring  790 Y on the female coupler end that interlocks with female tag ring  740 Y on API valve  360 . The drop adapter  400  also has female tag ring  200 Y on its discharge or male adapter end that interlocks with the male tag ring  120 Y on the female coupler  80  connected to the inlet or female coupler end of hose  420 . The discharge or male adapter end of the hose has a female tag ring  200 Y that interlocks with the male tag ring  120 Y on the inlet or female coupler end of the drop elbow  440 . The discharge or female coupler end of the drop elbow  440  has male tag ring  120 Y that interlocks with the female tag ring  200 Y on the male adapter end of the top seal adapter  460 . 
         [0231]    The tanker trailer carries drop adapters  400 , hoses  420  and drop elbows  440  preconfigured with tag rings as shown in  FIG. 40  specific for each fuel that the tanker trailer carries. That is if the tanker trailer delivers Diesel, Regular and Premium fuel it will carry at least one drop adapter, one hose assembly and one drop elbow configured for each of these fuels so that these are ready for use at the service station and so that only like configured fittings and hose are interchangeable with each other. 
         [0232]    The top seal adapters  460  at the service station are permanently tagged with fuel specific female tag rings  200  representing the fuel that is to be stored in the underground storage tank. The top seal adapter  460  with the female tag ring  200  installed is backwards compatible with drop elbows that do not have male tag rings  120  attached. This allows service stations to install fuel specific female tag rings on all their top seal adapters without disrupting deliveries from tanker trailers which have not been changed over to the tag ring system. This allows fuel transport companies to gradually roll out this change with no disruption to deliveries. 
         [0233]    The direction of fuel flow from the tanker trailer  600 , through the API valve  360 , drop adapter  400 , hose  420 , drop elbow  440  then through the top seal adapter  460  communicating with the underground storage tank is indicated by flow arrow  603 . 
         [0234]      FIG. 41  is an isometric exploded view of a tanker trailer  601  configured with separate loading API valves  340  and unloading valves  500 . The unloading valve  500  communicates with the top seal adapter  460  on the underground fuel storage tanks through hose elbow  480 , transfer hose  420  and drop elbow  440 . The loading API valve  340  communicates with the loading arm (not shown) at the fuel depot or terminal through the bottom loading head  380 . The bottom loading head  380  is permanently attached to the loading arm at the terminal and remains at the terminal at all times. The hose  420  and drop elbow  440  are carried on the tanker trailer and used to discharge fuel at the service station. The bottom loading head  380  would not normally be used together with the hose  420  and drop elbow  440  as shown since these are separate operations that happen in different locations. 
         [0235]    The main difference with tanker trailer configuration  601  as compared to tanker trailer configuration  600  is the separate loading and unloading valves that both need to be tagged with a removable fuel specific female tag ring. The API valve  340  is tagged with a fuel specific female tag ring  740 Y corresponding to Regular fuel and the hose elbow  480  is also tagged with a fuel specific female tag ring  750 Y corresponding to Regular fuel. It is important that the API valve  340  and hose elbow  480  that both communicate with the same compartment through loading/unloading wye pipe  520  on the tanker trailer both have tag rings configured for the same fuel as shown. To ensure there is no mix up, the tag rings for each type of fuel are paired together permanently with a lanyard  800  and lanyard fasteners  801  so that tag rings  740 Y and  750 Y are paired together to ensure a mix matched set of tag rings such as  740 Y and  750 X cannot be used together on a single loading/unload wye pipe  520 . The tanker trailer will carry multiple pairs of removable tag rings for each type of fuel so that more than one tanker trailer compartment can be tagged for the same fuel. 
         [0236]    The X, Y, Z interlock recess and interlock protrusion configurations and any other required configurations would be standardized industry wide for particular fuels. With a standard in place the first step would be to replace gas station tank top seal adapters with top seal adapters configured for a particular fuel with a female tag ring permanently installed. Since the system is backwards compatible with standard or non-configured camlock fittings there will be no interruption in fuel delivery service if tanker trailers are still operating without configured fittings and accessories. Tanker trailers typically carry multiple sets of hoses and fittings, one set for each fuel delivered. Therefore the quantity of hose and fittings carried by the tanker trailer is the same, only now they are configured for a particular fuel. There is no appreciable change in procedures for loading and unloading fuel except that there is now positive feedback in the form of the coupling not being able to mate together when a connection is attempted between say a Diesel configured female coupler and a Premium configured male adapter. Since a coupling with mismatched tag rings will not physically fit together the potential for fuel mixes or crossovers is prevented.