Patent Publication Number: US-11034571-B2

Title: Test port for fuel dispenser

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application includes subject matter disclosed in and claims priority to prior filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/459,834, filed Aug. 14, 2014 and entitled TEST PORT FOR FUEL DISPENSER, incorporated herein by reference and describing inventions made by the present inventor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to test ports and, more particularly, to test ports for use with conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispensers. 
     2. Description of Related Prior Art 
     From time to time the pressurized line system found in conventional petroleum feeling sites, such as gasoline/diesel fuel pumps/dispensers. These fueling sites include a mechanical line leak detector that must be tested to ensure proper functioning. To test these detectors, access to the pressurized line system is necessary. Additionally, such access is required for general inspections and troubleshooting to determine the cause of a fault. 
     For safely reasons, every dispenser includes an impact/shear valve located slightly below grade beneath each fuel dispenser. The primary function of this valve is to stop the flow of pressurized fuel if the dispenser is struck, or dislodged due to accident or otherwise. Because these valves are commonly made of soft cast metal, any seam may split and any threads are easily stripped creasing a need to replace these valves. 
     It is not unusual for a technician to obtain fluid communication with the pressurized line system by removing a plug from the impact/shear valve and inserting therein a test probe. By removing such a plug to gain access to the threaded opening in the impact/shear valve, fuel will be discharged as a function of the line pressure. This creates an obvious mechanical hazard for the technician, a fire hazard for the immediate environment, evaporation of the fuel degrades the air quality and the spilled fuel potentially creates ground or ground water pollution. 
     To reduce the line pressure by removing the plug requires good judgment and patience. If the plug is turned too many times to vent the line pressure, the plug may be sufficiently dislodged to become a projectile and potentially injuring a technician or surrounding personnel or objects. While many pressurized line systems have a high bulk modulus (rapid change of pressure for a relatively small amount of fuel), a significant number of pressurized lines have flexible lines, many flexible connectors, trapped vapor, or any combination thereof which may require thirty minutes or more to safely bleed the line to allow safe access to the line system. To avoid the hazards of removing a plug from the impact/shear valve, some technicians have replaced the plug with a quick connect fitting. A hose is attached thereto to drain fuel discharged from the pressurized line system into a container. While this solution avoids an inadvertent spray of fuel, other issues are created. 
     In an attempt to protect the quick connect valve, a cover is often employed. Nevertheless, the opening of the impact/shear valve to mount the quick connect fitting was always dangerous. Secondarily, the integrity of a quick connect fitting may be damaged during an impact to the gasoline/diesel feel dispenser. With the integrity of the quick connect fitting compromised, their location provides an unfortunate flow path that defeated the purpose of the impact/shear valve supporting the damaged quick connect fitting. These damaged quick connect fittings have caused destruction of property and loss of life. Therefore, fire and safety personnel have precluded these quick connect fittings from being installed and often have required existing quick connect fittings to be removed. Thus, technicians have had to revert to removing a plug from the impact/shear valve to perform the required tests and the attendant safety hazards continue to exist. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus for locating a test port at a high line of entry in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser for vehicles to reduce pressure in the line. A test port is threadedly engaged with a mounting for a standard fuel filter and includes a threaded boss for supporting the filter therebeneath. A quick connect fitting is threadedly engaged with the mounting and in communication with the fuel attendant the filter. The quick connect fitting serves as a pressure relief for testing a conventional mechanical line leak detector and for the first time, enables the leak detector to be tested with most if not all the actual head pressure present in the line system. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to enhance the accuracy of field testing of a line leak detector. 
     Another object of the present invention is to reduce the likelihood of spilled fuel during testing of a fuel line in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser. 
     Another object of the present invention is to reduce the likelihood of spilled fuel during routine maintenance work including changing fuel filters in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a test port in a collar in threaded engagement with the mounting for a filter in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and provide threaded support for such filter. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a test port in a collar disposed intermediate the fuel line of a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and a filter for the fuel. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a ratchet operable fitting for threadedly engaging and disengaging a collar for a test probe with the mounting for a conventional filter in the fuel line of a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to manually stabilize a collar threadedly attached to a mounting in the feel line of a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser during threaded engagement/disengagement of a filter with the collar. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a test port for a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser at a location equal to the actual, or most of the actual head pressure generated by the static weight of the fuel. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates some of the structure within a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and particularly the location of a fluid filter supported from a collar embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the collar disposed intermediate a conventional filter mounting and a filter, along with a fuel discharge tube; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partial cross-section of the collar; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the collar taken along lines  4 - 4 , shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the components attendant the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the collar and a fitting for threadedly securing the collar in place; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the quick connect fitting with a cover secured to the collar; and 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate the male quick connect fitting serving as a test probe and the attachment of a female quick connect fitting supporting a drain hose. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a diagram of conventional petroleum fueling site as is commonly known in the art. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is a partial illustration of a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser. For purposes of clarity to describe the interaction of the present invention with the fuel flow through the dispenser, the interior of the dispenser is illustrated after removal of one or more front panels. Dispenser  10  includes a cabinet  12  secured to ground  14 , which is usually of cement. A plurality of one or more pipes  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  extend into the ground for communication with the fuel tank, whether above or below ground. Additionally, these pipes may perform other functions attendant the dispensing of fuel. Dispensing handle  24  is in fluid communication with a hose  26  to convey fuel from within dispenser  10  into the fuel tank of a vehicle or other depository. A second or more handles  28  connected to respective hoses  30  also convey fuel to a vehicle or other depository. Usually, each handle provides a different grade or type of fuel. The hoses are connected to a source of fuel within dispenser  10 . 
     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portion of dispenser  10  relevant to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Normally, a conduit  40  conveys fuel to be dispensed through a threaded coupling  42  into a conventional filter  44  and back into conduit  46  for ultimate discharge through one of the hoses ( 26 ,  30 ) and respective handles ( 24 ,  28 ). In the present invention, a collar  50  is in threaded engagement with threaded coupling  42 . The collar supports filter  44  through a threaded engagement. Thereby, the filter may be periodically changed by unthreading the filter from the collar and replaced by a new filter threaded engaged with the collar. A quick disconnect fitting  52  is in threaded engagement with a threaded passageway of collar  50  and in fluid communication with the fuel in the interior of the collar. Cavities  68  and threaded plugs  86  are further shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     During testing, tubing  54  is temporarily connected with quick disconnect fitting  52  to relieve the pressure of the fuel within conduit  40 . The fuel flowing through the tubing is discharged into a suitable container, such as cup  56 . For safety reasons, a clamp  58  or the like may be used to secure end  60  of the tubing to the cup to prevent spillage. Once the pressure within conduit  40  has been relieved, further outflow of fuel through tubing  54  will not occur. On completion of subsequent tests to be performed, the contents of cup  56  may be returned to the main fuel tank (not shown) or other depository. 
     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , details attendant collar  50  will be described. Coupling  42  includes a threaded hollow boss  62  of a conventional size and thread to threadedly engage with threads  64  in filter  44 . Collar  50  includes internal threads  66  for threadedly engaging hollow boss  62  to mount collar  50  onto coupling  42 . The collar includes a plurality of cavities, of which cavities  68  and  70  are shown. A rod  72  may be inserted into one of the cavities to assist in stabilizing the collar during threaded attachment and detachment of filter  44 . One or more seals  74  may be disposed intermediate the collar and coupling to ensure a leak-free engagement. Collar  50  includes a depending threaded hollow boss  76  for engagement with threads  64  in filter  44 . A plurality of vertical passageways  78  extend through collar  50 . These passageways are in fluid communication with a plurality of conventional inlets  80  disposed in filler  44 . A seal  82  may be employed about the rim of the filter to ensure a leak-free fit between the filter and the collar. 
     In operation, fuel flowing through conduit  40  enters coupling  42  and is distributed into vertical passageways  78 . The fuel then flows into filter  44  through inlets  80  and through the filter element within filter  44  to exit through hollow boss  76  and into hollow boss  62  of coupling  42 . Thereafter, the fuel is channeled into conduit  46  for ultimate dispensation through one of the hoses of the dispenser and through the respective handle. 
     As described above, collar  50  threadedly supports a filter for the fuel to be dispensed. The collar is threadedly secured to coupling  42 . Previously, only filters mating with coupling  42  could be used. The use of a collar, intermediate the coupling and the filter, permits use of a collar that is configured to threadedly engage a filter other than what would be required to mate with coupling  42 . Thereby, collar  50  can be reconfigured for use in the manner of an adapter to secure various fillers to the coupling. 
     Collar  50  includes a plurality of threaded passageways  84 . Each unused ones of these through the passageways is sealed by a threaded plug  84 . Quick disconnect fitting  52  includes a hollow threaded end  88  for threaded engagement with one of threaded passageways  84 . Thereby, the quick disconnect fitting is in fluid communication with the interior of collar  50  and the fluid therein. The quick disconnect filling will prevent fuel flow therethrough until it is engaged by the mating half of the quick disconnect fitting. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown an apparatus for firmly attaching collar  50  to coupling  42 . An installation tool  110  may include two or more pegs  112  extending therefrom. The installation tool includes a cavity  114  for receiving threaded hollow boss  76 . Pegs  112  mate with corresponding ones of passageways  78 . A socket  116  is disposed in the installation tool to permit use of a wrench to tightly secure collar  50  with coupling  42 . 
     It is noted that rod  72  engaging a corresponding one of cavity  68  in the collar may be used to threadedly engage the collar with coupling  42 . However, it is preferable to use installation tool  110  to secure the collar with the coupling. To ensure sealed engagement between filter  44  and collar  50 , the rod may be used to stabilize the collar while the filter is attached and detached through use of a conventional strap wrench. Thereby, even partial disengagement of the collar from the coupling is avoided by stabilizing the coupling with rod  72  during unthreading of the filter from the collar. The quick disconnect fitting and cylinder  96  serving as a cover with attached lanyard  102  are shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B  are simplified figures to further show the quick disconnect fitting and its function. In particular,  FIG. 7  illustrates cylinder  96  covering quick disconnect fitting  52  to protect it and to prevent contamination by dirt, etc.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show quick disconnect fitting  52  with the cover removed and prior to engagement with female fitting  90 . 
     For reference,  FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary plan of a common petroleum fueling site as would be understood by anyone having an ordinary skill in the art. Fueling site  1  includes multiple underground storage tanks  5  that are connected to fuel dispensers  10  (stationed on platform  3 ) via fuel lines  2 . Pumps in the tanks cause fuel to pass by line leak detectors, such as mechanical line leak detectors  7 , under pressure, along lines  2  to dispensers  10  for dispensation.