Poppet Valve Assembly With In-Line Sight Glass

A poppet valve assembly is provided for use on a fuel tanker truck which enables the truck's driver to determine whether fuel is present in the valve assembly. The valve assembly has a housing which has a sight glass secured therein. The sight glass is visible through cut-outs in the housing. If the driver observes liquid in the valve assembly, the driver may drain the valve assembly to avoid spilling the liquid prior to opening the poppet valve assembly. When the poppet valve assembly is opened, vapor flows through a flow channel in the poppet valve assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to poppet valve assemblies for controlling flow therethrough of vapors, such as gasoline vapors, from a gasoline tank truck to a loading rack facility or from an underground storage tank at a filling station into a tank truck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to fill one or more underground storage tanks at a gasoline service station, a cargo tank truck typically pulls into the service station and unloads the fuel from the truck into the underground storage tank or tanks. Such a cargo tank truck commonly has multiple fuel storage compartments, each compartment having a cover and a pipe located below the tank to which is connected a valve assembly. The valve assembly is commonly a poppet valve assembly which is opened and closed by the truck's driver via a handle extending upwardly from the valve assembly, such as the poppet valve assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,027. In order to unload fuel from one of the truck's fuel storage compartments into the underground storage tank, the truck driver or operator connects two hoses from the truck to elbows on the underground storage tank. One of the hoses is a vapor recovery hose which returns vapors to the truck from the underground storage tank. The other hose is connected at one end to one of the valve assemblies on the truck via an adaptor and at the other end to the underground storage tank. In order to cause fuel to flow through this hose to the underground storage tank, the truck driver simply opens the valve assembly.

In order to prevent the vapors in the underground storage tank from being pushed into the environment as they are displaced by the incoming fuel, a vapor return line is connected from the underground storage tank back to the cargo tank truck. This vapor return line is connected to the cargo tank truck typically at a poppet valve assembly. The poppet valve assembly on the cargo tank truck prevents gasoline vapors from escaping from the cargo tank truck until the vapor return line from the underground storage tank is connected. The vapor return line from the underground storage tank typically has a fitting with a probe on the end that pushes the poppet open in the poppet valve assembly.

It is common that the poppet valve assembly on the cargo tank truck contains some liquid from condensation or other means prior to the vapor return line from the underground storage tank being connected to the poppet valve assembly on the cargo tank truck. Since the poppet in the poppet valve assembly is opened by a probe in the fitting at the end of the vapor return line, there is a point at which the poppet is opened before the seal between the two fittings is engaged. As this happens, any liquid present in the poppet valve assembly will be released and may spill on the driver. Consequently, it is advantageous for the driver to know whether fluid is present in the poppet valve assembly.

One such method, shown inFIGS. 1 and 1A, involves securing a sight glass between the mounting flange of a discharge pipe of the truck and a poppet valve assembly. One disadvantage with using this type of in-line sight glass is that the sight glass is highly stressed by the bolts that attach it to the mounting flange of a discharge pipe of a truck. The result is that the sight glass has a short lifespan and must be replaced often. Due to the large size of such a sight glass, repair is costly and may remove the tanker truck from operation for a lengthy period of time.

Another method, shown inFIGS. 2 and 2A, involves securing a sight glass assembly between the mounting flange of a discharge pipe of the truck and a poppet valve assembly. This sight glass assembly uses a smaller sight glass than the one described in the above paragraph. This sight glass is contained within a metal brace. Therefore, the metal brace, as opposed to the sight glass, bears the stresses imposed by the mounting bolts. One disadvantage with using this type of in-line sight glass is that, from a distance, it may be difficult to view the interior of the poppet valve assembly. Therefore, it will be difficult to determine if fluid is present. Another disadvantage with using this type of in-line sight glass assembly is the high cost of the sight glass assembly due to its multiple components and required assembly.

Each of these methods requires securing an element or elements between the mounting flange of the discharge pipe on the truck and the mounting flange of a poppet valve assembly, thereby increasing the chance of leaks or spills while increasing the cost of assembly, i.e., more labor. Therefore, it has been one objective of the present invention to provide a poppet valve assembly having an in-line sight glass incorporated into the poppet valve assembly which enables one to determine whether fluid is present in the poppet valve assembly from a distance and, if so, the driver can take appropriate actions so as not to get splashed with the liquid while making a connection to the poppet valve assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention which accomplishes these and other objectives comprises a poppet valve assembly for use on a fuel tanker truck for loading vapors onto the truck, most commonly from an underground storage tank at a service station or unloading vapors from the truck to a collection facility.

The poppet valve assembly comprises a housing having a flow passage therethrough. The flow passage has a central axis. In one embodiment, the housing is a unitary housing, including a poppet support or finger extending inwardly from a housing wall.

The poppet valve assembly further comprises a poppet structure for controlling vapor flow through the flow passage. The poppet structure is movable between open and closed positions so that when an operator joins a coupler to the poppet valve assembly, the poppet structure moves axially, thereby opening the valve and enabling vapors to flow through the flow passage.

An in-line sight glass is mounted inside the housing. The sight glass, in one embodiment, comprises one piece of see-through material, such as acrylic or other plastic. The sight glass is preferably made of one piece of plastic, but may be made of multiple pieces. The sight glass is preferably made of acrylic, but may be made of any see-through material, such as glass. The sight glass is generally cylindrical and has an axis which is generally coaxial with the central axis of the flow passage. The sight glass has an opening which is in fluid communication with the flow passage. The sight glass is held inside the housing with a retainer and is visible from a distance due to cut-outs in the housing. The size and shape of the cut-outs in the housing enable a truck operator to determine from a distance: 1) whether fluid is present in the poppet valve assembly; and, 2) the color of the fluid in the poppet valve assembly, i.e., the type of fluid in the poppet valve assembly. Being able to quickly and easily determine these items may prevent the operator from accidently opening the poppet valve assembly and spilling fluid.

The size and shape/configuration of the in-line sight glass are such that it may be made at a relatively low cost. The poppet valve assembly enables a truck operator to determine whether fluid is present in the poppet valve assembly easily from a distance before closing the clamps on the coupler to open the valve. Thus, the poppet valve assembly of this invention helps prevent an operator from accidently discharging fluid onto the ground or himself/herself before opening the poppet valve assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, and particularlyFIG. 3, there is illustrated a fuel tanker truck10having a tank11with four compartments12a,12b,12c, and12dhaving respective covers14a,14b,14c, and14d. Although the compartments are illustrated by dashed lines, these dashed lines are for illustration purposes only. The truck may have any number of compartments in any location. Below the tank11are a plurality of pipes16a,16b,16c, and16din fluid communication with the compartments12a,12b,12c, and12d, respectively. Each of the pipes16a,16b,16c, and16dhas a poppet valve assembly20secured to a mounting flange at the end thereof, like the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,027 to control the flow of fuel.

A different poppet valve assembly30, the subject of the present invention, is secured to a mounting flange22located at the lower end of a vapor recovery pipe24to control the flow of fuel vapors or gases. As shown inFIG. 3, the vapor recovery pipe24extends to all the truck compartments. When the truck's fuel is unloaded from the truck's tank11into the underground storage tank128, vapors or gases in the underground storage tank128must exit the underground storage tank128. Such gasoline vapors pass through a vapor recovery hose32, through the poppet valve assembly30of the present invention, through the vapor recovery line24of the truck10and into the truck's tank compartments. The truck10filled with gases or vapors rather than fluid then is driven to a loading rack facility where the truck's tank11is filled with liquid fuel. When the truck's tank11is filled with liquid, vapors inside the truck are unloaded at a loading rack facility. The vapors inside the truck then pass in the opposite direction out of the truck's tank11, through the poppet valve assembly30and into a collection facility for proper disposal.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, poppet valve assembly30and, more particularly, a rear mounting flange36of the poppet valve assembly30is secured to the mounting flange22of the vapor recovery pipe24with nuts (not shown) and bolts26in a manner known in the art. The poppet valve assembly30is the subject of the present invention and is described in more detail below.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, a coupler28is secured to the end of a vapor recovery hose32which extends to underground storage tank128. The coupler28has a pair of cam arms34which function to help secure the coupler28to the poppet valve assembly30and maintain the coupler28and poppet valve assembly30together. The vapor recovery line or pipe24forms part of the truck10and is secured to poppet valve assembly30at its end. The poppet valve assembly30may be connected to/disconnected from the vapor recovery hose24using coupler28. The vapor recovery hose32extends to the underground storage tank128, as is conventional in the art. As best shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, coupler28has a probe92fixed therein which functions to open the poppet valve assembly30upon the coupler28being moved, as described below. Simple movement of the coupler28and a closing of the cam arms34opens the poppet valve assembly30allowing vapors to pass through the valve assembly without the need for a handle to open/close the poppet valve assembly30.

FIG. 1illustrates a prior art in-line sight glass2having a plurality of holes3therethrough adapted to receive threaded bolts4. As is conventional, a washer5and nut6are used to complete the connection of a prior art poppet valve assembly7to a discharge pipe8having a mounting flange9. Many known prior art poppet valve assemblies have mounting flanges for this purpose, such as the poppet valve assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,449. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 1A, when assembled, the bolts4pass through the holes3of the in-line sight glass2, holes13in a rear mounting flange15of prior art poppet valve assembly7and holes17through the mounting flange9of the discharge pipe8. As shown inFIG. 1A, bolts4are tightened with nuts6, thereby squeezing the in-line sight glass2between the rear mounting flange15of prior art poppet valve assembly7and the mounting flange9of the discharge pipe8. Stress caused by the connection between the prior art poppet valve assembly7and discharge pipe8give the in-line sight glass2a relatively short useful life and increase the frequency of repair/replacement of the in-line sight glass2.

FIGS. 2 and 2Aillustrate a prior art in-line sight glass assembly18comprising a metal brace19having a plurality of holes25therethrough, a plurality of threaded bolts4, a see-through sight glass27adapted to fit inside metal brace19, a pair of O-rings29, washers5and nuts6. The prior art in-line sight glass assembly18is used to connect a prior art poppet valve assembly7to a discharge pipe8having a mounting flange9. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 2A, when assembled, the bolts4pass through the holes25of the metal brace19, holes13in a rear mounting flange15of prior art poppet valve assembly7, and holes17through the mounting flange9of the discharge pipe8. As shown inFIG. 2A, bolts4are tightened with nuts6, thereby squeezing the prior art in-line sight glass assembly18between the rear mounting flange15of prior art poppet valve assembly7and the mounting flange9of the discharge pipe8. Although prior art in-line sight glass assembly18may reduce the frequency of repair/replacement of the in-line sight glass27as compared to the sight glass2shown inFIGS. 1 and 1A, prior art in-line sight glass assembly18is relatively expensive to manufacture, and the configuration of the metal brace19may not allow sufficient visibility of the fluid inside the sight glass27.

Use of either prior art sight glass2and prior art in-line sight glass assembly18requires an additional piece or pieces to be secured between a rear mounting flange15of a prior art poppet valve assembly7and a mounting flange9of a discharge pipe8. As shown inFIG. 5, the poppet valve assembly30of the present invention allows a straight connection between a rear mounting flange22of a vapor recovery pipe24on a truck10and a rear mounting flange36of poppet valve assembly30with no intermediate member therebetween. Advantages of poppet valve assembly30having an in-line sight glass are: 1) visibility of the fluid inside the poppet valve assembly30is greater than heretofore; 2) the amount of plastic used for the sight glass is reduced, reducing the cost of the poppet valve assembly; and, 3) the in-line sight glass of the poppet valve assembly has a longer useful life than prior art sight glasses because the in-line sight glass is not subject to compression stresses.

The poppet valve assembly30of the present invention is illustrated in detail inFIGS. 4A-4B. Referring toFIGS. 4A,4B and7, the poppet valve assembly30comprises a unitary housing40having an inside surface42and an outside surface44. The housing40is typically made via casting. As best shown inFIGS. 4A and 5, the housing40has a front flange38and a rear mounting flange36. Immediately to the rear of the front flange38of housing40is an annular groove84sized and adapted to receive cams86of cam arms34to secure the coupler28to the poppet valve assembly30, such that the poppet structure66described herein may be maintained in an open position, allowing vapors to flow through the poppet valve assembly30in either direction.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, the housing40has a generally planar mounting surface46having a plurality of threaded openings48therein adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) for securing an optional air interlock valve (not shown) to the poppet valve assembly30. The function of the optional air interlock valve is to lock the truck's brakes.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the rear mounting flange36of housing40has a plurality of spaced openings50therethrough to secure the poppet valve assembly30to the mounting flange22located at the lower end of vapor recovery pipe24of the truck10with fasteners26. SeeFIG. 5. As best illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, a rear portion95of the housing40has a plurality of cut-outs52between spaced vanes54.

As shown inFIGS. 6C,7and8, the housing40also has a threaded opening56defined inside a circular flange58located opposite the generally planar mounting surface46. As shown inFIG. 6C, threaded opening56is adapted to receive and retain a threaded plug60. When the driver wants to empty fluid from inside the poppet valve assembly30, the driver may remove the plug60from the opening56and drain the unwanted fluid.

As best shown inFIGS. 6C and 8, a poppet support or finger62is integral with the housing40. More particularly, the finger62extends radially inwardly from a housing wall64and is cast with the housing. As shown inFIG. 8, the poppet support or finger62has an opening65at the distal end thereof, which functions to support a portion (the stem70) of a poppet structure66. Alternatively, the poppet support may be a separate piece not integral with the housing such as a removable poppet support. One example of such a removable poppet support is a hub having multiple fingers or spokes extending outwardly from the hub. Although the opening65is illustrated as being circular, it may be any desired shape or size. As shown inFIG. 6C, a flow passage96is defined between the inner surface42of the housing40and the poppet structure66. Vapors flow through the flow passage96around the finger62. See arrows88ofFIG. 6C.FIG. 6Cshows the vapors flowing from the underground storage tank18, through the vapor recovery hose32and coupler28before passing through the poppet valve assembly30(from front to rear) and then into the vapor recovery line24of truck10during the process of unloading liquid from the tanker truck10into the underground storage tank128. However, during the process of filling the interior of tank11of truck10with fluid, the vapors may pass the other direction out the vapor recovery line24, through the poppet valve assembly30(from rear to front) and into a collection facility provided a coupler at the end of a hose at the collection facility is able to maintain the poppet valve assembly30in an open position.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 6C and 7, a poppet structure66having a generally disk-shaped front portion68, and a rear portion or stem70, is biased forwardly in a forward or closed position by a spring72, as is conventional in poppet valve assemblies. As best illustrated inFIG. 7, the rear portion70of the poppet structure66ends in a threaded portion97. A washer98and threaded nut99engaged with the threaded portion97are illustrated assembled inFIG. 6C. As best illustrated inFIG. 6C, the front portion68of poppet structure66comprises a cover74attached to a body76of the poppet structure66with a fastener78. The body74of the poppet structure66comprises the rear portion or stem70of the poppet structure66along with the front portion68other than the cover72. Between the cover72and the body74of the poppet structure66is a groove80in which resides an O-ring82, as shown inFIG. 6C. In the event the O-ring82needs to be replaced, an operator may remove the fastener78, then remove the cover74, allowing the O-ring82to be removed and replaced.

The poppet structure66is movable via movement of the coupler28at the end of the hose32between a first or forward closed position and a second or rear open position (the first or closed position being shown inFIG. 6Aand the second or open position being shown inFIG. 6C). When the poppet structure66is in its closed forward position shown inFIG. 6A, the O-ring82contacts the conical inner surface41of the front flange38of housing40, thereby preventing vapors from flowing through the flow passage96of poppet valve assembly30. SeeFIG. 6C. As shown inFIG. 6C, between the poppet structure66and the inner surface42of housing40is a flow passage96having a central axis A. When the poppet valve assembly30of the present invention is opened, i.e., the poppet structure66moved rearwardly to its open rear position, vapors flow through the flow passage96in the direction of arrows88from the front to the rear of the poppet valve assembly30(to the left inFIG. 6C).

As best shown inFIG. 6C, rear portion or stem70of the poppet structure66moves inside a guide or bearing90which extends through the opening65of the finger62. This guide or bearing90provides a stop against which the spring72may push in order to compress when the poppet structure66is pushed rearwardly by movement of the coupler28causing the probe92of the coupler28to contact and move rearwardly the front portion68of the poppet structure66in the direction of arrows94shown inFIG. 6B. As shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, in order to move the poppet structure66in a rearward direction against the bias of the spring72and open the poppet valve assembly30, the probe92and coupler28is moved rearwardly by the operator of the truck in the direction of arrows94. Movement of the coupler28in the direction of arrows94(rearwardly as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B) causes the probe92to push against the cover74of the poppet structure66and move the poppet structure66rearwardly, from a closed position shown inFIG. 6Ato an open position shown inFIG. 6C. After the poppet structure66is moved rearwardly a sufficient distance, vapors may flow through the flow passage96inside the housing40, out of the valve assembly30into the vapor recovery pipe24and ultimately into the truck's compartments.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, a single piece in-line sight glass100is secured inside the housing40and, more particularly, on the inside of a rear portion95of the housing40. The sight glass100is generally cylindrical, has an outer surface102which defines its outer diameter, an inner surface104which defines an inner diameter or opening106of the sight glass100. As shown inFIG. 7, the sight glass opening106has an axis A1, which is generally aligned or coaxial with the axis A of the flow channel96(seeFIG. 6C) when the poppet valve assembly30is assembled. When the poppet structure66is moved rearwardly (to the left inFIG. 5) by an operator moving the coupler28rearwardly in the direction of arrows94(to the left inFIG. 6B), vapors may pass through the opening106in sight glass100and through the flow channel96, which is in fluid communication with the sight glass opening106. As shown inFIG. 7, in-line sight glass100has a length L defined by generally parallel side surfaces108. Although one size sight glass100is shown, any other size of sight glass may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The sight glass100is preferably made of transparent plastic, such as acrylic which one may see-through, although it may be made of any transparent or see-through material. The sight glass100is visible at a distance through cut-outs52of the rear portion95of the housing40.

As shown inFIG. 7, the sight glass100is held in the rear portion95of the housing40with a retainer110. Although retainer110is preferably made of metal, it may be made of any suitable material. As shown inFIGS. 6C and 7, a pair of O-rings112surrounds sight glass100. Each O-ring112is located in a groove114in the rear portion95of the housing40. These O-rings112provide a snug fit of the sight glass100inside the rear portion95of the housing40.

Although I have described one preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not intend to be limited except by the scope of the following claims.