초록 ▼

A fuel storage and dispensing system is provided that is effective in reducing the emission of harmful volatile organic compounds. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel storage and dispensing system is provided comprising at least one storage tank, an air exhaust port,

A fuel storage and dispensing system is provided that is effective in reducing the emission of harmful volatile organic compounds. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel storage and dispensing system is provided comprising at least one storage tank, an air exhaust port, at least one fuel dispenser, a fuel dispensing nozzle, a rigid, fuel dispensing spout, a boot, a pressure relief chamber, a filter system, and at least one pump. The rigid, fuel dispensing spout further defines a non-coaxial fuel tube. The boot is configured to maintain a sufficient level of vacuum within the fuel storage and dispensing system. The boot is further configured to prevent fresh air from entering the fuel dispensing nozzle. The present invention also includes additional embodiments including a pressure relief chamber that is effective in compensating for high temperature pressure build-up in a vapor assist hose, a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout assembly, a vapor recovery boot assembly, and a Venturi shut-off assembly for a fuel dispensing nozzle and spout.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel dispensing nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle, said nozzle comprising: a spout and a body portion, said body portion comprising a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, said body portion including a fuel flow control mechanism for allowing or preventing

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel dispensing nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle, said nozzle comprising: a spout and a body portion, said body portion comprising a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, said body portion including a fuel flow control mechanism for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through said body portion and said spout to the vehicle, said spout having one end connected to said spout attachment end of said body portion and an opposite fuel dispensing end, a gutter disposed in said fuel dispensing end to make said spout substantially dripless, said gutter comprising a stepped cylindrical member, said stepped cylindrical member comprising: a disk-shaped base received within an inner periphery of said fuel dispensing end of said spout, said base including an opening extending therethrough, and said base engaging said inner periphery of said fuel dispensing end of said spout to limit fuel flow from said dispensing end of said spout to said opening, and a rigid drip catcher extending inwardly from said base into said fuel dispensing end of said spout, said drip catcher surrounding said opening with fuel passing through said drip catcher and said opening during fuel dispensing, said inner periphery of said spout, said base and said drip catcher forming a gutter collection area when said spout is held in a downward vertical orientation relative to a fuel tank inlet pipe so that fuel remaining in said spout after fueling the vehicle is caught in said gutter collection area. 2. The fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening and said drip catcher are generally circular. 3. The fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening is offset from the center of said base. 4. The fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening is positioned close to said inner periphery of said spout. 5. The gutter for a fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rigid drip catcher extends into said spout by a distance sufficient to catch substantially all fuel remaining in said spout after fuel dispensing has been completed. 6. The fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rigid drip catcher extends into said spout and beyond said base by a distance at least equal to the thickness of said base. 7. The fuel dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening is generally circular and said drip catcher is generally cylindrical. 8. A fuel dispensing nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle, said nozzle comprising: a spout and a body portion, said body portion having a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, said body portion having a fuel flow control mechanism for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through said body portion and said spout to the vehicle, said spout having one end connected to said spout attachment end of said body portion and an opposite fuel dispensing end, a gutter disposed in said fuel dispensing end to make said spout substantially dripless, said gutter comprising a stepped cylindrical member received within an inner wall of said fuel dispensing end of said spout, said stepped cylindrical member comprising: a disk-shaped base sized to fit within and engage said inner wall of said fuel dispensing end of said spout, a rigid cylindrical drip catcher stepped inward relative to said base and extending inwardly into said fuel dispensing end of said spout; and an opening formed through said base and said drip catcher allowing fuel to flow from said fuel dispensing end of said spout into the vehicle during fueling, wherein said inner wall of said spout, said base and said cylindrical drip catcher define a gutter collection area when said spout is held in a downward vertical orientation for collecting fuel remaining in said spout after the fuel flow control mechanism shuts off the flow of fuel though said body portion and said spout is removed from a fuel tank inlet pipe. 9. The gutter for a fuel dispensing spout as claimed in claim 8 wherein a centerline of said cylindrical drip catcher is offset from a centerline of said base. 10. The gutter for a fuel dispensing spout as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cylindrical drip catcher is positioned close to said inner wall of said fuel dispensing end of said spout. 11. The gutter for a fuel dispensing spout as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drip catcher extends into said spout by a distance sufficient to catch substantially all fuel remaining in said spout after fuel dispensing has been completed. 12. The gutter for a fuel dispensing spout as claimed in claim 11 wherein said drip catcher extends into said spout and beyond said base by a distance at least equal to the thickness of said base. 13. A method for making and using a fuel dispensing nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle, said nozzle comprising a spout and a body portion, said body portion having a hose attachment end and a spout attachment end, said body portion having a fuel flow control mechanism for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through said body portion and said spout to the vehicle, said spout having one end connected to said spout attachment end of said body portion and an opposite fuel dispensing end, said method comprising: inserting a gutter into said fuel dispensing end of said spout to make said spout substantially dripless, said gutter comprising a stepped cylindrical member received within an inner wall of said fuel dispensing end of said spout, said stepped cylindrical member comprising a disk-shaped base sized to fit within and engage said inner wall of said fuel dispensing end of said spout and a rigid cylindrical drip catcher stepped inward relative to said base and extending inwardly into said fuel dispensing end of said spout with an opening formed through said base and said drip catcher allowing fuel to flow from said fuel dispensing end of said spout into the vehicle during fueling, wherein said inner wall of said spout, said base and said cylindrical drip catcher define a gutter collection area when said spout is held in a downward vertical orientation for collecting fuel remaining in said spout after the fuel flow control mechanism shuts off the flow of fuel though said body portion and said spout, dispensing fuel from said fuel dispensing end of said spout through said opening through said drip catcher and said base; holding said spout at an angle within a fuel tank inlet pipe after fuel dispensing has been completed so that fuel collected in said gutter collection area, defined by said inner wall of said spout, said base and said drip catcher, can drain; and catching fuel remaining in said spout in said gutter collection area when said spout is held in a downward vertical orientation.