Abstract:
A poppet valve assembly is provided for use on a fuel tanker truck which enables the truck&#39;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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    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&#39;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&#39;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. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    One such method, shown in  FIGS. 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. 
         [0006]    Another method, shown in  FIGS. 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. 
         [0007]    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 
       [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    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. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a partially disassembled view of a prior art in-line sight glass located between an outer flange of a discharge pipe of a tanker truck and a prior art poppet valve assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a side elevational view of the prior art in-line sight glass of  FIG. 1  secured between the outer flange of the discharge pipe of a tanker truck and a prior art poppet valve assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partially disassembled view of a prior art in-line sight glass assembly located between an outer flange of a discharge pipe of a tanker truck and a prior art poppet valve assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view of the prior art in-line sight glass assembly of  FIG. 2  secured between the outer flange of the discharge pipe of a tanker truck and a prior art poppet valve assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fuel tanker truck unloading fuel into an underground storage tank at a service station; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of the poppet valve assembly of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a rear perspective view of the poppet valve assembly of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the poppet valve assembly of the present invention mounted on a vapor recovery pipe of a fuel tanker truck to which a coupler and hose are being connected; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the poppet valve assembly of  FIG. 4A  showing the poppet structure in a closed position so no vapors pass through the poppet valve assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is another cross-sectional view of the poppet valve assembly of  FIG. 6A  showing the probe of the coupler contacting the poppet structure, but not yet opening the poppet valve assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6C  is another cross-sectional view of the poppet valve assembly of  FIG. 6A  showing the poppet structure in an open position, vapors passing through the poppet valve assembly from an underground storage tank into the truck; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a partially disassembled view of the poppet valve assembly of  FIG. 4A ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the housing of the poppet valve assembly of  FIG. 4A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring to the figures, and particularly  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a fuel tanker truck  10  having a tank  11  with four compartments  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d  having respective covers  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c , and  14   d . 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 tank  11  are a plurality of pipes  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d  in fluid communication with the compartments  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d , respectively. Each of the pipes  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d  has a poppet valve assembly  20  secured 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. 
         [0028]    A different poppet valve assembly  30 , the subject of the present invention, is secured to a mounting flange  22  located at the lower end of a vapor recovery pipe  24  to control the flow of fuel vapors or gases. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the vapor recovery pipe  24  extends to all the truck compartments. When the truck&#39;s fuel is unloaded from the truck&#39;s tank  11  into the underground storage tank  128 , vapors or gases in the underground storage tank  128  must exit the underground storage tank  128 . Such gasoline vapors pass through a vapor recovery hose  32 , through the poppet valve assembly  30  of the present invention, through the vapor recovery line  24  of the truck  10  and into the truck&#39;s tank compartments. The truck  10  filled with gases or vapors rather than fluid then is driven to a loading rack facility where the truck&#39;s tank  11  is filled with liquid fuel. When the truck&#39;s tank  11  is 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&#39;s tank  11 , through the poppet valve assembly  30  and into a collection facility for proper disposal. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , poppet valve assembly  30  and, more particularly, a rear mounting flange  36  of the poppet valve assembly  30  is secured to the mounting flange  22  of the vapor recovery pipe  24  with nuts (not shown) and bolts  26  in a manner known in the art. The poppet valve assembly  30  is the subject of the present invention and is described in more detail below. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a coupler  28  is secured to the end of a vapor recovery hose  32  which extends to underground storage tank  128 . The coupler  28  has a pair of cam arms  34  which function to help secure the coupler  28  to the poppet valve assembly  30  and maintain the coupler  28  and poppet valve assembly  30  together. The vapor recovery line or pipe  24  forms part of the truck  10  and is secured to poppet valve assembly  30  at its end. The poppet valve assembly  30  may be connected to/disconnected from the vapor recovery hose  24  using coupler  28 . The vapor recovery hose  32  extends to the underground storage tank  128 , as is conventional in the art. As best shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , coupler  28  has a probe  92  fixed therein which functions to open the poppet valve assembly  30  upon the coupler  28  being moved, as described below. Simple movement of the coupler  28  and a closing of the cam arms  34  opens the poppet valve assembly  30  allowing vapors to pass through the valve assembly without the need for a handle to open/close the poppet valve assembly  30 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art in-line sight glass  2  having a plurality of holes  3  therethrough adapted to receive threaded bolts  4 . As is conventional, a washer  5  and nut  6  are used to complete the connection of a prior art poppet valve assembly  7  to a discharge pipe  8  having a mounting flange  9 . 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 in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , when assembled, the bolts  4  pass through the holes  3  of the in-line sight glass  2 , holes  13  in a rear mounting flange  15  of prior art poppet valve assembly  7  and holes  17  through the mounting flange  9  of the discharge pipe  8 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , bolts  4  are tightened with nuts  6 , thereby squeezing the in-line sight glass  2  between the rear mounting flange  15  of prior art poppet valve assembly  7  and the mounting flange  9  of the discharge pipe  8 . Stress caused by the connection between the prior art poppet valve assembly  7  and discharge pipe  8  give the in-line sight glass  2  a relatively short useful life and increase the frequency of repair/replacement of the in-line sight glass  2 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2 and 2A  illustrate a prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  comprising a metal brace  19  having a plurality of holes  25  therethrough, a plurality of threaded bolts  4 , a see-through sight glass  27  adapted to fit inside metal brace  19 , a pair of O-rings  29 , washers  5  and nuts  6 . The prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  is used to connect a prior art poppet valve assembly  7  to a discharge pipe  8  having a mounting flange  9 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , when assembled, the bolts  4  pass through the holes  25  of the metal brace  19 , holes  13  in a rear mounting flange  15  of prior art poppet valve assembly  7 , and holes  17  through the mounting flange  9  of the discharge pipe  8 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , bolts  4  are tightened with nuts  6 , thereby squeezing the prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  between the rear mounting flange  15  of prior art poppet valve assembly  7  and the mounting flange  9  of the discharge pipe  8 . Although prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  may reduce the frequency of repair/replacement of the in-line sight glass  27  as compared to the sight glass  2  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  is relatively expensive to manufacture, and the configuration of the metal brace  19  may not allow sufficient visibility of the fluid inside the sight glass  27 . 
         [0033]    Use of either prior art sight glass  2  and prior art in-line sight glass assembly  18  requires an additional piece or pieces to be secured between a rear mounting flange  15  of a prior art poppet valve assembly  7  and a mounting flange  9  of a discharge pipe  8 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the poppet valve assembly  30  of the present invention allows a straight connection between a rear mounting flange  22  of a vapor recovery pipe  24  on a truck  10  and a rear mounting flange  36  of poppet valve assembly  30  with no intermediate member therebetween. Advantages of poppet valve assembly  30  having an in-line sight glass are: 1) visibility of the fluid inside the poppet valve assembly  30  is 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. 
         [0034]    The poppet valve assembly  30  of the present invention is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 4A-4B . Referring to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  7 , the poppet valve assembly  30  comprises a unitary housing  40  having an inside surface  42  and an outside surface  44 . The housing  40  is typically made via casting. As best shown in  FIGS. 4A and 5 , the housing  40  has a front flange  38  and a rear mounting flange  36 . Immediately to the rear of the front flange  38  of housing  40  is an annular groove  84  sized and adapted to receive cams  86  of cam arms  34  to secure the coupler  28  to the poppet valve assembly  30 , such that the poppet structure  66  described herein may be maintained in an open position, allowing vapors to flow through the poppet valve assembly  30  in either direction. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the housing  40  has a generally planar mounting surface  46  having a plurality of threaded openings  48  therein adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) for securing an optional air interlock valve (not shown) to the poppet valve assembly  30 . The function of the optional air interlock valve is to lock the truck&#39;s brakes. 
         [0036]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the rear mounting flange  36  of housing  40  has a plurality of spaced openings  50  therethrough to secure the poppet valve assembly  30  to the mounting flange  22  located at the lower end of vapor recovery pipe  24  of the truck  10  with fasteners  26 . See  FIG. 5 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a rear portion  95  of the housing  40  has a plurality of cut-outs  52  between spaced vanes  54 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 6C ,  7  and  8 , the housing  40  also has a threaded opening  56  defined inside a circular flange  58  located opposite the generally planar mounting surface  46 . As shown in  FIG. 6C , threaded opening  56  is adapted to receive and retain a threaded plug  60 . When the driver wants to empty fluid from inside the poppet valve assembly  30 , the driver may remove the plug  60  from the opening  56  and drain the unwanted fluid. 
         [0038]    As best shown in  FIGS. 6C and 8 , a poppet support or finger  62  is integral with the housing  40 . More particularly, the finger  62  extends radially inwardly from a housing wall  64  and is cast with the housing. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the poppet support or finger  62  has an opening  65  at the distal end thereof, which functions to support a portion (the stem  70 ) of a poppet structure  66 . 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 opening  65  is illustrated as being circular, it may be any desired shape or size. As shown in  FIG. 6C , a flow passage  96  is defined between the inner surface  42  of the housing  40  and the poppet structure  66 . Vapors flow through the flow passage  96  around the finger  62 . See arrows  88  of  FIG. 6C .  FIG. 6C  shows the vapors flowing from the underground storage tank  18 , through the vapor recovery hose  32  and coupler  28  before passing through the poppet valve assembly  30  (from front to rear) and then into the vapor recovery line  24  of truck  10  during the process of unloading liquid from the tanker truck  10  into the underground storage tank  128 . However, during the process of filling the interior of tank  11  of truck  10  with fluid, the vapors may pass the other direction out the vapor recovery line  24 , through the poppet valve assembly  30  (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 assembly  30  in an open position. 
         [0039]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 6C and 7 , a poppet structure  66  having a generally disk-shaped front portion  68 , and a rear portion or stem  70 , is biased forwardly in a forward or closed position by a spring  72 , as is conventional in poppet valve assemblies. As best illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the rear portion  70  of the poppet structure  66  ends in a threaded portion  97 . A washer  98  and threaded nut  99  engaged with the threaded portion  97  are illustrated assembled in  FIG. 6C . As best illustrated in  FIG. 6C , the front portion  68  of poppet structure  66  comprises a cover  74  attached to a body  76  of the poppet structure  66  with a fastener  78 . The body  74  of the poppet structure  66  comprises the rear portion or stem  70  of the poppet structure  66  along with the front portion  68  other than the cover  72 . Between the cover  72  and the body  74  of the poppet structure  66  is a groove  80  in which resides an O-ring  82 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . In the event the O-ring  82  needs to be replaced, an operator may remove the fastener  78 , then remove the cover  74 , allowing the O-ring  82  to be removed and replaced. 
         [0040]    The poppet structure  66  is movable via movement of the coupler  28  at the end of the hose  32  between a first or forward closed position and a second or rear open position (the first or closed position being shown in  FIG. 6A  and the second or open position being shown in  FIG. 6C ). When the poppet structure  66  is in its closed forward position shown in  FIG. 6A , the O-ring  82  contacts the conical inner surface  41  of the front flange  38  of housing  40 , thereby preventing vapors from flowing through the flow passage  96  of poppet valve assembly  30 . See  FIG. 6C . As shown in  FIG. 6C , between the poppet structure  66  and the inner surface  42  of housing  40  is a flow passage  96  having a central axis A. When the poppet valve assembly  30  of the present invention is opened, i.e., the poppet structure  66  moved rearwardly to its open rear position, vapors flow through the flow passage  96  in the direction of arrows  88  from the front to the rear of the poppet valve assembly  30  (to the left in  FIG. 6C ). 
         [0041]    As best shown in  FIG. 6C , rear portion or stem  70  of the poppet structure  66  moves inside a guide or bearing  90  which extends through the opening  65  of the finger  62 . This guide or bearing  90  provides a stop against which the spring  72  may push in order to compress when the poppet structure  66  is pushed rearwardly by movement of the coupler  28  causing the probe  92  of the coupler  28  to contact and move rearwardly the front portion  68  of the poppet structure  66  in the direction of arrows  94  shown in  FIG. 6B . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , in order to move the poppet structure  66  in a rearward direction against the bias of the spring  72  and open the poppet valve assembly  30 , the probe  92  and coupler  28  is moved rearwardly by the operator of the truck in the direction of arrows  94 . Movement of the coupler  28  in the direction of arrows  94  (rearwardly as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) causes the probe  92  to push against the cover  74  of the poppet structure  66  and move the poppet structure  66  rearwardly, from a closed position shown in  FIG. 6A  to an open position shown in  FIG. 6C . After the poppet structure  66  is moved rearwardly a sufficient distance, vapors may flow through the flow passage  96  inside the housing  40 , out of the valve assembly  30  into the vapor recovery pipe  24  and ultimately into the truck&#39;s compartments. 
         [0042]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a single piece in-line sight glass  100  is secured inside the housing  40  and, more particularly, on the inside of a rear portion  95  of the housing  40 . The sight glass  100  is generally cylindrical, has an outer surface  102  which defines its outer diameter, an inner surface  104  which defines an inner diameter or opening  106  of the sight glass  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the sight glass opening  106  has an axis A 1 , which is generally aligned or coaxial with the axis A of the flow channel  96  (see  FIG. 6C ) when the poppet valve assembly  30  is assembled. When the poppet structure  66  is moved rearwardly (to the left in  FIG. 5 ) by an operator moving the coupler  28  rearwardly in the direction of arrows  94  (to the left in  FIG. 6B ), vapors may pass through the opening  106  in sight glass  100  and through the flow channel  96 , which is in fluid communication with the sight glass opening  106 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in-line sight glass  100  has a length L defined by generally parallel side surfaces  108 . Although one size sight glass  100  is shown, any other size of sight glass may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0043]    The sight glass  100  is 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 glass  100  is visible at a distance through cut-outs  52  of the rear portion  95  of the housing  40 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the sight glass  100  is held in the rear portion  95  of the housing  40  with a retainer  110 . Although retainer  110  is preferably made of metal, it may be made of any suitable material. As shown in  FIGS. 6C and 7 , a pair of O-rings  112  surrounds sight glass  100 . Each O-ring  112  is located in a groove  114  in the rear portion  95  of the housing  40 . These O-rings  112  provide a snug fit of the sight glass  100  inside the rear portion  95  of the housing  40 . 
         [0045]    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.