Abstract:
A manifold assembly includes a manifold block having a female inlet, at least one outlet, and a gas passageway between the female inlet and the at least one outlet. The manifold assembly further includes a check valve that is sealable against the female inlet and arranged at least partially within the gas passageway between the female inlet and the at least one outlet such that in the absence of pressurized gas within the female inlet, the check valve is sealed against the female inlet, and in response to the introduction of pressurized gas within the female inlet, the check valve recedes from the female inlet to fluidly connect the female inlet and the at least one outlet.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to manifold assemblies used to fuel multiple on-board vehicle fuel tanks. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Natural gas may be used as a fuel for certain vehicles. Unlike gasoline, natural gas is typically stored in several on-board tanks (as opposed to a single on-board tank). Each of these tanks needs to be filled when refueling. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A fuel delivery system includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold block having a female inlet configured to receive a male fueling nozzle and at least one outlet, and defining a gas passageway between the female inlet and the at least one outlet. The manifold assembly further includes a check valve configured to be sealable against the female inlet and arranged at least partially within the gas passageway between the female inlet and the at least one outlet such that in the absence of pressurized gas within the female inlet, the check valve is sealed against the female inlet, and in response to the introduction of pressurized gas within the female inlet, the check valve recedes from the female inlet to fluidly connect the female inlet and the at least one outlet. 
         [0004]    A manifold assembly includes a manifold block defining an inlet port, at least one outlet port, and a gas passageway between the inlet port and the at least one outlet port. The manifold assembly further includes an inlet having opposing ends and a check valve sealed against the one of the ends and configured to open from the inlet, in response to an increase in pressure within the inlet caused by pressurized gas entering the inlet, to fluidly connect the inlet and at least one outlet port. The one of the ends is disposed within the inlet port and the other of the ends is disposed outside of the manifold block and configured to receive a fueling nozzle. 
         [0005]    A manifold assembly includes a manifold block defining an inlet port, at least one outlet port, and a gas passageway between the inlet port and the at least one outlet port. The manifold assembly further includes a check valve arranged at least partially within the gas passageway and configured such that the check valve opens to fluidly connect the inlet port and at least one outlet port in response to pressurized gas entering from the inlet port, closes once the pressurized gas stops entering from the inlet port, and remains closed in response to pressurized gas entering the manifold block from the at least one outlet port. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a manifold assembly. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view, in cross-section, of the manifold block of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a front view, in cross-section, of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 5-7  are front views, in cross-section, of the valve assemblies of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8-10  are side views, in cross-section, of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 11-12  are top views, in cross-section, of the manifold assembly  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
         [0014]    As mentioned earlier, natural gas may be stored in several tanks on-board a vehicle. Such tanks are typically filled sequentially. That is, a first tank is filled followed by a second tank, then a third tank, etc. The process of refueling generates heat as temperature can increase with pressure: as the rate of change of pressure increases, the rate of change of temperature increases. The rate at which a tank is filled via conventional refueling procedures is therefore limited by the ability of the tank to dissipate the heat generated during the refueling procedures. Such limits can extend refueling times—frustrating drivers and increasing operation costs. 
         [0015]    Filling several tanks simultaneously can reduce refueling times relative to conventional techniques. Distributing gas among several tanks slows the rate of change of pressure increase (and therefore the rate of change of temperature increase) in any one tank. Filling station flow velocities can therefore be increased. Conventional on-board natural gas inlets, however, can restrict filling station flow velocities because valving, such as check valves, is located within the inlets. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a manifold assembly  10  includes a manifold block  12 , inlet valve assemblies  14 ,  16 ,  18 , outlet valve assemblies  20 ,  22 ,  24 , handle assemblies  26 ,  28 , and a check valve assembly  30 . The manifold block  12  includes inlet ports  32 ,  34 ,  36 , outlet ports  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and port  53 . The manifold block  12  also includes handle passageway  54  and post holes  56 ,  58 , handle passageway  60  and post holes  62 ,  64 , pressure gauge port  66 , and pressure sensor port  68 . In certain examples, the manifold block  12  is made from aluminum. As such, it can dissipate heat associated with compressed gas flowing therethrough—permitting faster flow rates relative to conventional filling apparatus. Other materials, however, may also be used. 
         [0017]    As the names suggest, pressure gauge port  66  may be outfitted with a gauge to monitor pressure within the manifold block  12  and pressure sensor port  68  may be outfitted with a sensor to monitor pressure within the manifold block  12 . 
         [0018]    The inlet valve assemblies  14 ,  16 ,  18  are associated with the inlet ports  32 ,  34 ,  36  respectively. The outlet valve assemblies  20 ,  22 ,  24  are associated with the outlet ports  38 ,  40 ,  42  respectively. The check valve assembly  30  is associated with the port  53 . Handle assemblies  26 ,  28  are associated with the handle passageways  54 ,  60 . 
         [0019]    With further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , any of the inlet ports  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be fluidly connected with any of the outlet ports  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  via a network of internal passageways, P, defined by the manifold block  12  provided that the valve assemblies  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  30  are properly activated as discussed in greater detail below. Moreover, the layout illustrated is but one example. Other passageway and inlet/outlet configurations are, of course, also contemplated. An alternative manifold assembly, for example, may have only a single inlet or a single outlet. 
         [0020]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the inlet valve assembly  14  includes an inlet  70  with a hat portion  71 , an O-ring  72 , a check valve assembly  74 , and a base  76  with a raised eyelet  77 . The check valve assembly  74  includes a head  78  with a crown  80  and nipple  82 , a disk  84 , an O-ring  86 , a stem  88  with a platform  90 , and a spring  92 . 
         [0021]    The inlet valve assembly  16  includes an inlet  94  with an O-ring  96  and a hat portion  98 , an O-ring  100 , a check valve assembly  102 , and a spacer  104 . The check valve assembly  102  includes a head  106  with a crown  108  and nipple  110 , a disk  112 , an O-ring  114 , a stem  116  with a flattened portion  118  and platform  120 , and a spring  122 . 
         [0022]    The inlet valve assembly  18  includes an O-ring  126  and a hat portion  128 , an O-ring  130 , a check valve assembly  132 , and a spacer  134 . The check valve assembly  132  includes a head  136  with a crown  138  and nipple  140 , a disk  142 , an O-ring  144 , a stem  146  with a flattened portion  148  and platform  150 , and a spring  152 . In other examples, the check valve assembly  132  (or any other check valve assembly described herein) may comprise a spring loaded ball or plate. Still other check valve assemblies are also contemplated. 
         [0023]    The outlet valve assembly  20  includes an outlet  154  with a hat portion  156 , an O-ring  158 , and a ball valve assembly  160  (shown in the open position). The ball valve assembly  160  includes a ball valve  162  with a keyway  164 , valve retainers  166 ,  168 , and O-rings  170 ,  172 . 
         [0024]    The outlet valve assembly  22  includes an outlet  174  with a hat portion  176 , an O-ring  180 , a check valve assembly  182 , and a base  184  with a raised eyelet  186 . The check valve assembly  182  includes a head  188  with a crown  190  and nipple  192 , a disk  194 , an O-ring  196 , a stem  198  with a platform  200 , and a spring  202 . 
         [0025]    The outlet valve assembly  24  includes an outlet  206  with a hat portion  208 , an O-ring  210 , and a ball valve assembly  212  (shown in the closed position). The ball valve assembly  212  includes a ball valve  214 , valve retainers  216 ,  218 , and O-rings  220 ,  222 . 
         [0026]    The handle assembly  26  includes a handle  224 , a guide  226 , a stem spacer  228 , a washer  230 , an O-ring  232 , a washer  234 , an O-ring  236 , and a stem  238  with a key  240 . Posts  242 ,  244 , which are received by post holes  56 ,  58  respectively, limit movement of the handle  224  between its open and closed position. 
         [0027]    The handle assembly  28  includes a handle  246 , a guide  248 , a stem spacer  250 , a washer  252 , an O-ring  254 , a washer  256 , an O-ring  258 , and a stem  260  with a key  262 . Posts  264 ,  266 , which are received by post holes  62 ,  64  respectively, limit movement of the handle  246  between its open and closed position. 
         [0028]    The check valve assembly  30  includes a plug  268  with a hat portion  269 , an O-ring  270 , a check valve assembly  272 , a base  274 , and an O-ring  276 . The check valve assembly  272  includes a head  278  with a crown  280  and nipple  282 , a disk  284 , an O-ring  286 , a stem  288  with a flattened portion  290  and platform  292 , and a spring  294 . In other examples, check valve assemblies associated with inlets may be arranged similar to that described with reference to check valve assembly  30 . That is, they may be mounted from a side of the manifold block  12  opposite that of the corresponding inlet with a plug similar to the plug  268  or the like. Other arrangements are also contemplated. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the inlet  70  is situated within the inlet port  32  with the hat portion  71  oriented away from the inlet port  32 . The inlet  70  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  72 . As apparent to those of ordinary skill, the inlet  70  does not house a check valve assembly (compared with, for example, the outlet valve assembly  22 , see  FIG. 10 ) and therefore defines an unobstructed chamber when the check valve assembly  74  is open. 
         [0030]    The base  76  is seated within the manifold block  12  with the eyelet  77  oriented toward the inlet port  32 . The stem  88  is positioned within the eyelet  77  so as to permit travel of the stem  88  therein as the check valve assembly  74  moves between open and closed positions. The platform  90  includes receiving portions for the nipple  82  and the O-ring  86 . The nipple  82  and disk  84  are mounted with the platform  90 . The O-ring  86  seals the connection between the disk  84  and platform  90 . The spring  92  is threaded over the stem  88  and positioned between the base  76  and the platform  90 . The spring  92  holds the check valve assembly  74  against the hat portion  71  to close the inlet  70 . Sufficient pressure within the inlet  70  (caused, for example, by gas from a male refueling nozzle) will cause the head  78  to move away from the hat portion  71  (compressing the spring  92 ) to open the inlet  70 . When the pressure subsides, the spring  92  (acting against the base  76  and platform  90 ) will return the check valve assembly  74  to its closed position. 
         [0031]    The outlet  154  is situated within the outlet port  38  with the hat portion  156  oriented away from the outlet port  38 . The outlet  154  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  158 . 
         [0032]    The valve retainers  166 ,  168  include hemispherical retainer portions  167 ,  169  respectively. The valve retainer  168  is seated within the manifold block  12  with the hemispherical retainer portion  169  oriented toward the outlet port  38 . The valve retainer  166  is seated against the hat portion  156  with the hemispherical retainer portion  167  oriented away from the outlet port  38 . The valve retainers  166 ,  168  are circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via O-rings  170 ,  172  respectively. The ball valve  162  (shown in the open position) is disposed between the hemispherical retainer portions  167 ,  169  and therefore able to rotate in place by action of the handle assembly  26  as discussed in more detail below. If the ball valve  162  were rotated  90  degrees clockwise, it would be in the closed position. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the plug  268  is situated within the port  53  with the hat portion  269  oriented away from the port  53 . The plug  268  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  270 . The plug  268  further defines a recessed portion  271  in axial registration with and configured to receive the stem  288 . 
         [0034]    The base  274  includes a cup portion  275  and is seated within the manifold block  12  with the cup portion  275  oriented toward the port  53 . The base  274  is sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  276 . 
         [0035]    The stem  288  is positioned within the recessed portion  271  so as to permit travel of the stem  288  therein as the check valve assembly  272  moves between open and closed positions. The platform  292  includes receiving portions for the nipple  282  and the O-ring  286 . The nipple  282  and disk  284  are mounted with the platform  292 . The O-ring  286  seals the connection between the disk  284  and platform  292 . The spring  294  is threaded over the stem  288  and positioned between the hat portion  269  and the platform  292 . The spring  294  holds the check valve assembly  272  against the cup portion  275  to close the base  274 . Sufficient pressure within the base  274  (caused, for example, by gas from one of the inlet ports  32 ,  36 ,  36 ) will cause the head  278  to move away from the cup portion  275  (compressing the spring  294  and pushing the stem  288  further into the recessed portion  271 ) to open the base  274 . The flattened portion  290  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the stem  288  permits gas trapped within the recessed portion  271  to escape as the stem  288  travels therein. When the pressure subsides, the spring  294  (acting against the hat portion  269  and platform  292 ) will return the check valve assembly  272  to its closed position. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the outlet  206  is situated within the outlet port  42  with the hat portion  208  oriented away from the outlet port  42 . The outlet  206  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  210 . 
         [0037]    The valve retainers  216 ,  218  include hemispherical retainer portions  217 ,  219  respectively. The valve retainer  216  is seated within the manifold block  12  with the hemispherical retainer portion  217  oriented toward the outlet port  42 . The valve retainer  216  is seated against the hat portion  208  with the hemispherical retainer portion  219  oriented away from the outlet port  42 . The valve retainers  216 ,  218  are circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via O-rings  220 ,  222  respectively. The ball valve  214  (shown in the closed position) is disposed between the hemispherical retainer portions  217 ,  219  and therefore able to rotate in place by action of the handle assembly  28  as discussed in more detail below. If the ball valve  214  were rotated 90 degrees for example, it would be in the open position. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , the inlet  94  is situated within the inlet port  34  with the hat portion  98  oriented away from the inlet port  34 . The inlet  94  includes the O-ring  96  at its tip to seal against any male fueling nozzle inserted therein and defines a passageway  97  therethrough. The inlet  94  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  100 . As apparent to those of ordinary skill, the inlet  94  does not house a check valve assembly. 
         [0039]    The manifold block  12  defines a recessed portion  101  in axial registration with the passageway  97  and configured to receive the stem  116 . The spacer  104  is seated within the recessed portion  101  to guide travel of the stem  116  therein as the check valve assembly  102  (see  FIG. 2 ) moves between open (as shown) and closed positions. 
         [0040]    The platform  120  includes receiving portions for the nipple  110  and the O-ring  114 . The nipple  110  and disk  112  are mounted with the platform  120 . The O-ring  114  seals the connection between the disk  112  and platform  120 . The spring  122  is threaded over the stem  116  and positioned between the spacer  104  and the platform  120 . The spring  122  holds the check valve assembly  102  against the hat portion  98  to close the inlet  94 . Sufficient pressure within the passageway  97  (caused, for example, by gas from a male fueling nozzle inserted therein) will cause the head  106  to move away (or recede) from the hat portion  98  (compressing the spring  122  and pushing the stem  116  further into the recessed portion  101 ) to open the inlet  94 . The flattened portion  118  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the stem  116  permits gas trapped within the recessed portion  101  to escape as the stem  116  travels therein. When the pressure subsides, the spring  122  (acting against the spacer  104  and platform  120 ) will return the check valve assembly  102  to its closed position. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , the inlet  124  is situated within the inlet port  36  with the hat portion  128  oriented away from the inlet port  36 . The inlet  124  includes the O-ring  126  at its tip to seal against any male fueling nozzle inserted therein and defines a passageway  127  therethrough. The inlet  124  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  130 . As apparent to those of ordinary skill, the inlet  124  does not house a check valve assembly. 
         [0042]    The manifold block  12  defines a recessed portion  125  in axial registration with the passageway  127  and configured to receive the stem  146 . The spacer  134  is seated within the recessed portion  125  to guide travel of the stem  146  therein as the check valve assembly  132  moves between open (as shown) and closed positions. 
         [0043]    The platform  150  includes receiving portions for the nipple  140  and the O-ring  144 . The nipple  140  and disk  142  are mounted with the platform  150 . The O-ring  144  seals the connection between the disk  142  and platform  150 . The spring  152  is threaded over the stem  146  and positioned between the spacer  134  and the platform  150 . The spring  152  holds the check valve assembly  132  against the hat portion  128  to close the inlet  124 . Sufficient pressure within the passageway  127  (caused, for example, by gas from a male fueling nozzle inserted therein) will cause the head  136  to move away from the hat portion  128  (compressing the spring  152  and pushing the stem  146  further into the recessed portion  125 ) to open the inlet  124 . The flattened portion  148  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the stem  146  permits gas trapped within the recessed portion  125  to escape as the stem  146  travels therein. When the pressure subsides, the spring  152  (acting against the spacer  134  and platform  150 ) will return the check valve assembly  132  to its closed position. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , the outlet  174  is situated within the outlet port  40  with a hat portion  176  oriented away from the outlet port  40 . The outlet  174  is circumferentially sealed with the manifold block  12  via the O-ring  180 . The base  184  is seated within the outlet  174  with the eyelet  186  oriented toward a tip of the outlet  174 . The stem  198  is positioned within the eyelet  186  so as to permit travel of the stem  198  therein as the check valve assembly  182  moves between open and closed positions. The platform  200  includes receiving portions for the nipple  192  and the O-ring  196 . The nipple  192  and disk  194  are mounted with the platform  200 . The O-ring  196  seals the connection between the disk  194  and platform  200 . The spring  202  is threaded over the stem  198  and positioned between the base  184  and the platform  200 . The spring  202  holds the check valve assembly  182  against the tip of the outlet  174  to close the outlet  174 . Sufficient force applied to the crown  190  will cause the head  188  to move away from the tip (compressing the spring  202 ) to open the outlet  174 . When the force subsides, the spring  202  (acting against the base  184  and platform  200 ) will return the check valve assembly  182  to its closed position. 
         [0045]    The guide  248 , stem spacer  250 , washer  252 , O-ring  254 , washer  256 , and O-ring  258  are threaded over the stem  260 . This assembly is positioned within the handle passageway  60  such that the key  262  interfaces with the key way  215 . The O-rings  254 ,  258  seal the stem  260  within the handle passageway  60 . The handle  246  is fitted to the guide  248 . Rotations of the handle  246  will thus be transmitted to the ball valve  214  via the stem  260 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , the guide  226 , stem spacer  228 , washer  230 , O-ring  232 , washer  234 , and O-ring  236  are threaded over the stem  238 . This assembly is positioned within the handle passageway  54  such that the key  240  mates with the key way  164 . The O-rings  232 ,  236  seal the stem  238  within the handle passageway  54 . The handle  224  is fitted to the guide  226 . Rotations of the handle  224  will thus be transmitted to the ball valve  162  via the stem  238 . 
         [0047]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.