US3526256A - Pressure filler valves and vapor venting valves - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent Inventor James S. Jones P.(). Box 5323. Dallas, 'lexas 75222 Appl. No. 685,749 Filed Nov. 27. 1967 Patented Sept. 1, 1970 PRESSURE FILLER VALVES AND VAPOR VENTING VALVES 6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 141/207.

141/302 Int. Cl B67d 5/373 Field ol'Search 141/37, 46,

48, 99,198, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211,214, 215, 217, 218, 225, 226, 227, 228, 285, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 29ft, 295, 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 346350; 137 (lnquired), 512.]

156] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 674,849 5/1901 Wiser 141/302X 3,074,427 1/1963 Wheeler 137/5111 3.101.101 8/1963 Gearhart et a1 141/207 3,379,226 4/1968 Denney et a1 141/207 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Schley and Schley ABSTRACT: Pressure filler valves and vapor venting valves utilizing Bernoullis principle for distinguishing between the flow of gas and the flow of liquid to prevent the overfilling of liquefied vapor vessels such as ammonia and propane tanks with consequent hazard and injury to operating personnel due to the discharge of such gases in liquid form.

Patented Sept. 1, 1970 3,526,256

Sheet of 3 e 5e g5 5457 47 127 t i w fl K 2/ Fig.2 INVENTOR James S. Jones ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1, 1970 3,526,256

Fig. l3 INVENTOR James S. Jones ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1, 1970 3,526,256

mvmrog James S. Jones ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .In filling vessels or tanks for the storage, transportation or use of various liquefied gases, it is important that the vessels not be completely filled but left with a small vapor space in the upper portion thereof. Through accident, or due to the lack of knowledge of unskilled personnel, such vessels are frequently overfilled, resulting in the discharge of liquefied gas in liquid form through the vent lines of the vessel, and numerous instances of such mishaps have occurred, often resulting in severe injury, such as burning and blinding personnel who encounter the liquefied gases being discharged. This invention is directed to preventing such accidents.

, 1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention is pressure filler valves and vapor venting valves so constructed and arranged as to permit the most complete proper filling of a vessel for liquefied gases while eliminating the disadvantage of underfilling and the hazard of overfilling.

2. Description of the Prior Art No applicable prior art is known at the present time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is concerned primarily with pressure filler valves and vapor venting valves for use in conjunction with pressure storage and dispensing vessels for readily vaporizable liquids or volatile liquids such as liquefied ammonia, propane, butane and mixtures of propane and butane commonly employed for various purposes such as fuel sources, fertilizing material and the like.

1 There are currently in use large storage vessels, truck tanks, smaller, semi-portable storage vessels, and portable distribution vessels, all of the pressure type, and all employed for storing; transporting and dispensing of liquified gases such as ammonia, butane and propane. In the filling of these vessels, it is necessary to connect a flexible conductor, such as a hose. from the supply vessel to the vessel being filled, and also, usually, a similar conductor from the vessel being filled to the supply vessel in order to vent vapor from one to the other, whereby as the one vessel is filled with liquefied gas, vapor may be vented back to the supply vessel as it is displaced by the incoming liquefied gas. This requires the connection and disconnection of one or-more conductors to at least one of the vessels, and problems have been encountered in such connections, particularly in the accidental breaking of the connection during the venting process. It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved coupling which may be employed in either the filling line or the vapor venting line, which is readily attachable in any desired radial orientation and which is very difficult to disconnect accidentally but may readily and quickly be attached and detached when so desired.

In some instances the tank being filled is provided with a vent to the atmosphere rather than a vapor return conductor, and in substantially all cases, the tank is provided with a pressulfe relief valve or vapor relief valve which is usually psitioned closely adjacent the filling valve. In this type of vessel, a vapor. space should be maintained at all times to accommodateexpansion and contraction of the liquid therein due to pressure and temperature changes as well as to provide a propelling force to drive the liquid from the vessel as it is needed or required. It is sometimes difficult to determine when the vessel has been filled'to the desired or proper level with the liquefied gas, and there have been a number of instances in which vessels have been overfilled, causing liquefied gas rather than vapor to be discharged through the vaporr'elief valve or the vapor vent and resulting in severe injury to the person filling the tank. The gaseous vapors are hazardous enough, but the liquefied gas is even more dangerous, and in a number of instances operators have been badly burned or even blinded due to the accidental discharge of the liquefied gases. In other cases, where pumps have been utilized to transfer the liquefied gas, and the capacity of the pump exceeds the capacity of the vapor relief valve, the entire vapor relief valve or the entire valve arrangement has been blown from the tanks when the tank is overfilled. and an extremely hazardous and uncontrollable situation has resulted.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away, showing a pressure filling valve and a vapor venting valve constructed in accordance with this invention and positioned on a storage tank,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of the filler valve,

FIG. 3 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on the line 3- 3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on the line 4- 4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 ofFlG. 2, FIG. 8 is a vertical, sectional view of the vapor venting valve,

FIG. 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the linelIIIofFIG. 8,

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the pressure washer, and

FIG. I3 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 13-13 ofFlG. I2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS wardly from the exterior of the body 10' in axial alinement with the nipple II for reception of a wrench or other tool by which the filler valve may be tightened into position upon the pressure vessel.

Offset from the nipple 1!. body I0 carries on its upper side I an upstanding collar I7 having an axial bore 18, the body also having a depending boss 19 displaced laterally from the nipple II and having a bore 20 in axial alinement with the bore I8 of the collar 17. The bore 20 is counterbored at 21 at its lower end, the counterbore receiving a sealing disk 22 having recessed O-ring 23 in its periphery, the disk 22 being held in the counterbore 2I by a snap ring 24. A passage 25 communicates between the interior I3 of the body 10' and the upper portion of the counterbore 21, together with the bore 20, im mediately above the disk 22.

A cylindrical piston 26 is slidably received in the bore 20 above the sealing disk 22 and carries in its periphery an O-ring 27 having sealing engagement with the bore 20, an elongate operating stem 28 being suitably secured to the piston 26 and, extending upwardly therefrom along the axis of the bore 18.

The bore 20 is counterbored at 29 at its upper end, and

thereabove, a pair of spaced, inwardly-projecting annular,

flanges 30 confine an O-ring 31 which is in sealing engagement with the cylindrical depending skirt 32 of an inlet valve core assembly 33. A coiled compression spring 34 is confined between the piston 26 and the assembly 33 to urge the assembly constantly upwardly, the assembly being slidably mounted on the stem 28 and suitable sealing means 34 being provided therebetween.

A bevelled valve seat 35 is formed in the lower end of the bore 18, and a unique valve core 36, carried upon the upper end of the inlet valve assembly 33, is adapted to engage and disengage therewith. The valve core 36 includes an annular outwardly-extending flange 37 spaced above the skirt 32 and joined thereto by an intermediate collar 38 of reduced external diameter, the flange 37 having its upper portion reduced in diameter to form an upwardly facing shoulder 39 and further reduced above the shoulder 39 to form a neck 40, all being formed integrally of the skirt 32, and an axial bore 41 extending therethrough for receiving the stem 28 in snug sliding engagement. A retaining cap 42 is slidably received upon the neck 40, carrying a depending marginal flange 43 and having a chamfered periphery 44 complementary to the valve seat 35 and adapted to engage therewith. The flange 43 overlies the shoulder 39 and holds a sealing O-ring 45 thereon. A snap ring 46 on the upper end of the neck 40 permits sliding movement of the retaining cap 42 on said neck but limits upward movement thereon of the retaining cap.

Assuming tank pressure in the interior 13 of the body it will be noted that the piston 26 and stem 28 are movable vertically as a unit in the bores 18 and dependent upon the pressure conditions within the bore 20, and that the skirt 32 and valve core assembly 36 are also movable as a unit upon the stem 28, again dependent upon the pressure differentials existent within the interior 13 of the body 10' and the interior of the bore 20.

For controlling the pressure within the interior of the bore 20, a hollow housing 47 is suitably secured to one side of the body 10' and has a horizontal axial bore 48 defining a chamber 49. The outer end of the chamber 49 is closed by the end wall 50 of the housing 47. A vent passage 51 (FIG. 3) extends from the exterior of the housing 10' to a point alined with the axis of the bore 48 and opens into the bore through an orifice or restricted passage 52 substantially alined axially with the bore 48.

The outer surface 53 of the housing 10 surrounding the orifice 52 and enclosed within the chamber 49 is planar and extends radially from the orifice 52 at the right angles to the axis thereof. The wall 53 is overlain by a flat Bernoulli disk 54 having a flat, planar inner face 55 complementary to the wall or face 53 and having a notched periphery 56 in sliding engagement with the bore 48. The chamber 49 is connected to the bore 20 by small passages 57 and 58. A stem 59 carrying an external O-ring 60 projects outwardly from the disk 54, its outer end projecting through an enlarged axial opening 61 provided in the end wall 50, the outer end of the stem being reduced in diameter as shown at 62 to define an annular flow passage 63 between the walls of the stern and the opening 61. An enlarged operating handle or head 64 is secured on the outer extremity of the stem 59 exteriorly of the housing 47 whereby the Bernoulli disk 54 may be moved into close proximity with the orifice 52 or the disk withdrawn from such proximity. For venting pressure under the O-ring 60, small passages 65 extend from the inner face thereof to the exterior of the reduced portion 62 ofthe stem 59.

The back check valve 15, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, comprises a tubular ring 66 having an external annular flange 67 at its upper end received in the counterbore 14 in the lower end of the nipple 11. The lower end of the nipple 11 is chamfered to form a depending lip 68 which is crimped to stake the back check valve in position. The ring 66 is formed with diametrically opposed depending ears 69 between which a diametric rib 70 extends across the ring 66, a pair of flapper leaves 71 being pivotally mounted between the ears 69 on a pivot pin 72. Normally, the leaves 71 hang axially from the pin 72 beneath the rib 70, affording a maximum flow passage for fluid passing downwardly through the back check valve, the lower extremities of the leaves 71 being divergent as indicated at 73. When any fluid seeks to pass upwardly through the back check valve, the leaves 71 will be instantly forced apart and swung upwardly into snug sealing engagement with the lower edge of the ring 66, the lower face of the rib and the lower faces of bosses 74 provided at each end of the rib 70. In this manner, a very rapidly operating and effectively-sealing back check valve is provided while permitting maximum flow space when the valve is open.

An inlet fitting 75 is adapted to be connected to the upper end of the collar 17 and includes a substantially cylindrical housing 76 having a hollow interior 77 with a tubular hose fitting 78 extending laterally therefrom, the fitting 78 being adapted to have a filling hose 79 clamped thereon. A downwardly divergent valve seat 80 extends downwardly from the interior 77 of the housing 76, opening into a reduced axial bore 81 which, in turn, opens downwardly into an enlarged counterbore 82 forming at its upper end, with the bore 81, a downwardly facing annular shoulder 83. An opening 84, U- shaped in horizontal cross-section, is cut in the bottom of the housing 76, having its parallel legs opening through the righthand side wall thereof, as shown at 85 in FIG. 2. Between the opening 84 and the counterbore 82, the housing is further cut away to form a groove 86, U-shaped in horizontal crosssection, overlying the opening 84 and being complementary in shape thereto, but being of larger area so as to form together an opening and recess of generally T-shaped vertical crosssection, (FIG. 6). The collar 17 has an outwardly-extending annular flange 87 at its upper end, the upper face 88 of the flange 87 being rounded or arcuate, and the flange 87 being underlain by a circumferential recess 89 in the outer wall of the collar 17. When the fitting 75 is coupled or connected to the valve 10, the flange 87 is received in the groove 86, and the reduced neck at the upper end of the collar 17 formed by the recess 89 is received in the opening 84.

A rectangular yoke 90 has its legs pivotally connected at 91 to the housing 76 and straddling the lower end thereof, the web 92 of the yoke overlying the open ends of the opening 84 and the groove 86 with an operating handle 93 projecting therefrom. Obviously, the yoke 90 may be swung upwardly by the handle 93 to clear the opening 84 and the groove 86 so that the housing 76 may be slipped laterally over the flange 87, and the handle 93 then released, permitting the yoke to drop and lock the housing 76 on the housing 10'. For further anchoring together of the two housings, a circular recess 94 is cut in the bottom of the groove 86 and is complementary in shape and size to the flange 87 so as to receive said flange and securely lock the housing 76 against lateral movement upon the housing 10'.

The housings are effectively forced apart and thus locked together, and at the same time, a seal is established therebetween by a sealing ring 95 slidably received in the counterbore 82 and carrying in its lower surface an O-ring seal 96 for sealing with the rounded upper face 88 of the flange 87. A peripheral O-ring 97 seals between the ring 95 and the wall of the counterbore 82, the outer periphery of the ring 95 being cut away below the O-ring 97, and a snap retaining ring 98 carried in the wall of the counterbore 82 to prevent displacement of the ring 95 from said counterbore, but also permitting its limited axial movement therein. A bowed pressure ring 99 is carried in a circular recess 100 in the shoulder 83 to urge the sealing ring 95 constantly downwardly in the counterbore 82 and, thus, not only force the O-ring 96 into sealing engagement with the rounded face 88, but also move the housing 76 upwardly so that the lower face of the flange 87 enters into locking engagement with the recess 94.

The housing 76 has a counterbored passage I01 extending upwardly to the atmosphere from the interior 77 of the housing and receiving a sealing disk 102 having a sealing ring 103 in its periphery and being held in the passage 101 by a suitable snap ring 104. A venting chamber 105, open to the atmospherc, is provided in the upper end of the disk 102 and has a passage 106 extending downwardly through a cylindrical stem 107 depending from the disk. The passage 106 terminates short of the lower end of the stem 107 and opens into a radial .vent passage 108. A seal ring 109 is carried on the stem 107 below the passage 108.

A valve spool 110 is slidably received upon the stem 107 and carries upon its lower end a valve core 111 substantially identical to the valve core 36 and functioning in the same manner. The valve core has a restricted axial passage 112 in its lower end opening upwardly into a larger passage 113 in which the lower end of the stem 107 is slidable. The passage 113 is enlarged at 114 immediately above the lower extremity of the stem 107, the enlarged passage 114 overlying the sealing means 109 and the radial passage 108 when the valve core 111 isin a closed position, there being provided thereabove the usual seal 115 and coiled pressure ring means 116 tending constantly to move the valve core into a closed position. Since the lower end of the stem 107 does not have a sealing fit with the passage 113, it will be seen that the bore 18, when the valves 36 and 111 are closed, is vented through the passage 112, the passage 113 and around the stem 107 to the passage 114, thence to the port 108 and the passage 106 to the space 105 and atmosphere, whereby the existence of pressure in the bore 18 under these conditions is precluded.

In use, the filler valve is mounted in the upper wall of the usual storage vessel 117, as shown in FIG. 1, the nipple 11 being received in a conventional collar or other suitable mounting means 118 welded or otherwise secured in the wall of thevessel. A vapor venting valve 119, to be described hereinafter, is also mounted in a collar 120 in the upper end of the vessel 117, a flow conductor 121 extending between the valve 119 and the passage 51 of the inlet valve, as shown in FIG. 3.

.In the operation of the filler valve, and assuming a vapor under pressure to be present in the tank 117, the handle 64 may-be in its outward position, spacing the Bernoulli disk 54 from the orifice 52 and causing the O-ring 60 to engage in the bore so that tank pressure is existent in the chamber 49 and therefore in the bore 20 through the passages 57 and 58. Pressure will therefore be equalized across the piston 26, and both the spring 34 and the pressure in the chamber 13 will hold the valve 36 closed. Now, if the handle 64 and disk 54 are pressed inwardly, the chamber 49 and the bore 20 will be vented to atmosphere, and if the inlet fitting 75 is not connected, the piston 26 will be driven fully upwardly against the lower end of the skirt 32, thus locking the valve 36 closed so long as the fitting 7 5 is not connected.

lf, howe ver, the fitting 75 is connected by lifting the handle 9.3 and slipping the lower end of the fitting over the flange 87 and the handle 64 is pushed inwardly to vent the chamber 49 and the bore 20, the piston 26 will move upwardly only an amount sufficient for the upper end of the stem 28 to engage the lower end of the valve core 111, lifting the valve core and the valve spool 110 and opening the valve 111 while moving thepassage 114 upwardly above the O-ring 109 and terminating venting of the bore 18. Since the valve spool 110 can move upwardly only until it engages the under side of the disk 102 or thespring 116 is completely collapsed, the piston 26 will not havelmoved upwardly far enough to block the valve 36, and the latter will open under the pressure differential between the space 13 and the bore 20, permitting the entry of liquefied gas and delivery thereof through the nipple 11 into the tank 117.

As, the tank or vessel 117 fills, vapor will be vented therefrom through the conductor 121 to the passage 51 and thence to the orifice 52. The bottom 55 of the chamber 49 and the face 53 of the disk 54 being flat and coplanar, and of considerable area, the Bernoulli effect will come into existence so that the disk 54 will be held closely adjacent the face 53 so long as vapor is being vented through the orifice 52 for exhaust to the atmosphere through the opening 61, and the pressurejn the'chamber 49 and the bore 20 will remain at very nearly atmospheric level. This condition will continue until the liquid level in the vessel l17'reaches-the desired maximti rn point, at which time, as will be described more fully, liquid rather than vapor enters the conductor 12] and flows to the orifice 52.

As soon as liquid reaches the orifice 52, the Bernoulli effect is destroyed, driving the disk 54 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, and introducing the O-ring 60 into the opening 61 so that the chamber 49 and bore 20 are again pressurized, closing the valve 36 and driving the piston 26 downwardly. This withdraws the stem 28 from engagement with the valve core 111, permitting the upper valve to close and venting the bore 18 through the passages 112, 113, 114, 108 and 106. Pressure is thus confined above the upper valve 111 and below the lower valve 36 so that the fitting 75 may safely be released and removed from the housing 10'.

Of course, the vessel 117 may be overfilled by manually holding the disk 54 inwardly to keep the chamber 49 vented to atmosphere, but this is a procedure that must be undertaken only with caution and by skilled personnel.

With the structure described, the unintentional or accidental venting of liquefied gas to the atmosphere is effectively prevented both from the inlet conductor 79 as well as the vessel 117, together with the space defined within the bore 18. As a matter of fact, it is virtually impossible to disconnect the fitting 75 from the collar 17 so long as pressure is existent within the bore 18 for the reason that such pressure tends to hold the underside of the flange 87 in the recess 94 and preclude the lateral movement of the fitting 75 necessary for such disconnection.

It will be noted that the valves 36 and 111 operate in a rather novel fashion in both closing and opening, and both valves being substantially identical, this action will bedescribed in conjunction with the valve 36. As the valve 36 closes, the cap 42 first engages the seat 35, but the main body of the valve 33 continues to move upwardly, causing the flange 37 to distort the O-ring 45 securely against the valve seat and allowing the snap ring 46 to move upwardly from engagement with the cap 42 whereby the upward movement of the latter is limited only by its engagement with the valve seat.

In this manner, both a conventional O-ring seal as well as a pressure seal is obtained. In opening, the valve follows these steps in reverse sequence, the valve body 33 first moving downwardly to remove force from the O-ring 45, after which the snap ring 46 engages the cap 42 to force it downwardly.

tion in the collar 120. A wrench boss projects upwardly from the upper wall of the housing 122 in alinement with the collar 124. Offset from the boss 125 is a screw threaded neck 126 for reception of the conventional excess pressure relief valve 127. A tubular protrusion 128 (FIG. 10) extends horizontally inward from one side wall of the housing 125, overlying the collar 124 and having its bore 129 connected to the flow conductor 121 as well as to a dip tube 130 extending downwardly through the collars 120 and 124 into the vessel 117 to the desired maximum liquid level 132 of liquefied.

vapor in said vessel.

Offset laterally of the boss 125 from the neck 126, the body 122 is formed with an integral cylindrical extension 133 having an axial bore 134 communicating with the hollow interior 123 of the body and receiving in its upper end a cylindrical, O- ring seal connection -collar 135 having at its lower end a downwardly facing valve seat 136. A valve assembly 137 substantially identical to the valve core assemblies 36 and 111, is adapted to seat upwardly against the valve seat 136. The assembly 137 has 21 depending tubular stem [38 having its lower end extending through a sealing bushing 139 in the bottom of the extension 133 with its lower most portion received in a port 140 opening downwardly through the bottom of the extension. The axial bore 141 of the stem 138 is reduced to a restricted orifice 142 at the upper end of the core above the valve assembly 137 and surrounded by a sealing ring 143. A coiled spring 131, confined between the bushing 139 and valve assembly 137, constantly urges the valve assembly upwardly toward the valve seat 136.

At the upper end of the collar 135, there is provided an annular external flange and a coupling assembly identical to that described in conjunction with the filler valve and to which the same numbers have been applied, this coupling assembly being for the purpose of connecting the upper end of the collar 135 to a vapor venting assembly 144.

The vapor assembly 144 has a hollow interior 145 communicating with a laterally-extending neck 146 for connecting to a vapor hose 147. The assembly 144 has a central, depending cylinder 146, closed at its upper end by a disk 147 and having mounted above its upper extension a cam ring 148, capable oflimited rotation on the upper end of the assembly 144.

Intermediate its ends, the cylinder 146' has an annular internal groove 149 opening laterally into the interior 150 of a small cylindrical extension 151 adjoining the cylinder 146'. An upwardly facing valve seat 152 is provided in the bottom of the assembly 144, alined with the cylinder 146' for operation in conjunction with a valve core assembly 153 substantially identical to those previously described. Below the groove 149, the cylinder 146 has an O-ring flange 154 slidably receiving a collar 155 upstanding from and formed integrally with the valve core assembly 153, and functioning, when suitable pressure differentials are established, to move the valve core 153 upwardly from its seat.

A piston 156 is positioned in the cylinder 146 below the disk 147' a port 158 opening from the interior of 145 of the assembly 144 to the space between the disk 147 and the piston 156. A valve stem 159 extends downwardly from the piston 156 through the collar 155 and the valve assembly 153 into proximity with the upper end ofthe core 138 and is free to engage the sealing ring 143 to seal off the orifice 142. A coil spring 160 surrounds the stem 159 constantly urging the piston 156 upwardly and the valve core assembly 153 downwardly.

Within the bore 150 of the extension 151, a valve assembly 161 is vertically reciprocable, having its upper end 162 extending upwardly and externally of the vapor coupling 144 into proximity with the cam ring 148. A coil spring 163 normally urges the valve 161 closed, and the lower end of the stem of the valve 161 is fluted at 164, the fluted portion passing through a sealing ring 165 which normally seals the neck 146, together with the interior 145 of the coupling assembly 144 from atmosphere when the cam 148 is rotated to allow the stem of the valve 151 to move upwardly so that the latter valve is closed. Thus, when the vapor venting valve is not in operation, both of the main flow valves are closed and the pilot valve 161 is also closed. Further, the space between the valves 152 and 137 will he vented to atmosphere through the orifice 142.

Now. as the vapor coupling assembly 144 is connected to the vapor venting valve 119, there will be no pressure present except beneath the valve 137 which is held closed by the spring 131 and by any pressure existent in the vessel 117. The valve 153 is held closed by the spring 160 since pressure is equalized across the piston 156.

After the assembly 144 has been connected to the venting valve 119, and upon rotation of the cam ring 148, the stem of the valve 161 is pushed downwardly, opening valve 161 and shutting off bleeding of vapor through the flutes 164 to the interior 150 of the extension 151 and to the interior of the cylinder 146. Instead, both are vented to the atmosphere through valve 161. Vapor under pressure from the line 147 :and having filler and vapor vent openings, a fluid supply fitting and a pressure filler valve including:

will then pass through the passage 158 driving the piston 156 downwardly to close off the orifice 142 and force the valve 137 downwardly to an open position. Simultaneously, the vapor under pressure, due to the differences in area of the collar and the valve 153 will cause the valve to move upwardly and also open, thus admitting vapor under pressure to the interior of the vessel 117.

It will be noted that there must be vapor pressure in the vessel 117 to open the pressure filler valve 10, and upon the pressing inwardly of the handle 64 of the filler valve. opening of the main flow control valves will occur and filling of the vessel with liquid vapors will commence.

When the liquid level 132 reaches the lower end of the dip tube 130, the Bernoulli effect, previously described, will be lost, the chambers 49 and 20 will be pressurized and liquid filling will cease together with the simultaneous venting of the space between the two main valves of the tiller valve so that the filler hose may safely be disconnected from the filler valve. Rotation of the cam ring 148 will again close the valve 161 preventing any escape of vapor from the hose 147 and resulting at once in the closing of the valves 153 and 137. together with the reopening of the orifice 142 and venting of the space between the valves 153 and 137 so that the vapor venting conductor 147 together with the coupling assembly 144 may safely be disconnected from the vapor venting valve.

Thus, in both the pressure filler valve and the vapor venting valve, a piston is selectively pressurized to force one main flow valve open, seal off the vent from the space between the main flow valves and cause the second main flow valve to open because of exposure to a pressure differential. Upon termination of the filling operation, both main flow control valves of the pressure filler valve and the vapor venting valve automatically close at once, preventing the escape of vapors or liquid from the vessel 117 or from either the liquid supply conductor 79 or the vapor venting conductor 147. At the same time, the space between each pair of main flow control valves is immediately vented, and the filling and venting assemblies may be safely disconnected from their respective valves.

The filling and venting assemblies are readily and quickly connected to their respective valves in any desired rotational aspect, and no flow of vapor or liquid takes place until the cam ring 148 and handle 64 are manually actuated.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. in combination with a vessel containing liquefied gases a valve body mounted on the vessel and having a chamber communicating with the filler opening of said vessel;

an inlet passage in the valve body communicating with its chamber;

the fluid supply fitting having a passage adapted to communicate with the inlet passage of said body;

coupling means for detachably connecting said fitting to said body;

an inwardly facing valve seat between the chamber and inlet passage;

a cylinder opening into said chamber in opposed spaced relation to said valve seat;

valve means in said chamber between the cylinder and valve seat and coacting with said seat to control communication between said inlet passage and chamber;

the valve means having an inner end portion complementary to and slidable in the inner end ofsaid cylinder for sealing engagement therewith to prevent communication between said chamber and cylinder;

a valve stem slidably supporting said valve means thereon and projecting inwardly and outwardly therefrom so as to extend into said cylinder and inlet passage;

a piston secured to the inner end of the valve stem in slidable sealing engagement with said cylinder;

a spring confined between the piston and valve means for urging the same outwardly apart;

a port establishing communication between said chamber and cylinder outwardly of said piston whereby the fluid pressure in said chamber coacts with the spring to maintain said valve means in engagement with said valve seat;

vent means including a chamber in constant communication with said cylinder between said piston and valve means and having a restricted inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in opposed spaced relationship;

means establishing communication between the inlet vent orifice and the interior of said vessel at its desired liquid level so as to permit the flow of fluids from said vessel interior to the vent chamber;

a valve member in said vent chamber and having an inner portion for overlying said inlet orifice and an outer portion for controlling flow through the outlet orifice;

the vent valve member being freely movable between an outer position wherein its outer portion closes said outlet orifice and wherein its inner portion is spaced from said inlet orifice and an inner position wherein said outer portion opens said outlet orifice and wherein said inner portion is contiguous said inlet orifice;

the outer position of said vent valve member permitting equalization of the fluid pressures in said cylinder inwardly and outwardly of said piston and spreading apart of said valve means and piston by the spring as well as retraction of said valve stem relative to said inlet passage of said body;

said valve member being normally in and movable to its outer position closing said outlet orifice when liquid from said vessel interior flows through said inlet orifice so as to prevent the escape ofliquid;

the inner position of said valve member permitting the venting of vapor from said vessel interior through said inlet orifice, vent chamber and outlet orifice and the venting of fluid pressure from said cylinder inwardly of said piston whereby said piston is urged inwardly toward said valve means by the pressure fluid outwardly of said piston so as to cause projection of said valve stem relative to said inlet passage;

a normally closed control valve in the passage of said fluid supply fitting adapted to be unseated by engagement with said valve stem when said fitting is connected to said body to permit the flow of fluid into said inlet passage;

means for manually operating said valve member of said vent means whereby said member may be moved from its outer to its inner position so as to cause projection of said valve stem into engagement with the control valve of said fitting for unseating said control valve to admit fluid to said inlet passage and open said valve means; and

this engagement limiting inward movement of said piston and compression of said spring so as to permit inward opening movement of said valve means toward said piston due to the pressure fluid in said inlet passage being greater than the pressure fluid in said cylinder outwardly of said piston.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the fluid supply fitting includes:

a vent passage communicating with atmosphere and the q inlet passage of the body between the control valve of said fitting and the valve means of said body for venting fluid from said inlet passage when said control valve and valve means are closed;

a normally open valve in the vent passage and engageable and closable by said control valve upon unseating of the latter to prevent venting; and

thevent passage valve reopening upon disengagement and rescaling of said control valve to vent fluid from said inlet passage prior to disconnection of said fitting from said body.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein the vent passage has a portion thereof formed in and extending through the control valve of the fluid supply fitting.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 including:

a flat face in the vent chamber surrounding the inlet vent orifice; and

the inner portion of the valve member having a flat surface for engaging the flat face in overlying relation to said inlet vent orifice so as to create a Bernoulli effect.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 wherein the flat surface of the inner portion of the valve member is in the form of a valve disk; and

the outer portion of said valve member having a reduced extremity extending through the outlet orifice of the vent chamber to provide the means for manually operating said valve member.

6. The combination defined in claim 1 with a vapor vent fitting and a vapor vent valve including:

a valve body mounted on the vessel and having a chamber communicating with the vent opening of said vessel;

an outlet passage in the body communicating with its chamber;

the vapor vent fitting having a passage adapted to communicate with the outlet passage of said body;

coupling means for detachably connecting said fitting to said body;

a normally closed valve in said outlet passage for controlling flow therethrough;

a vent passage extending through the valve and establishing communication between said outlet passage outwardly of said valve and atmosphere inwardly of said valve;

an inwardly facing valve seat in the passage of said fitting;

a cylinder opening into said fitting passage in opposed relation to the valve seat;

valve means in said fitting passage between the cylinder and valve seat and coacting with said seat to control flow through said passage;

the valve means having an inner portion complementary to and slidable in the inner end of said cylinder for sealing engagement therewith to prevent communication between said fitting passage and cylinder;

a valve stem slidably supporting said valve means thereon and projecting inwardly and outwardly thereof so as to extend into said cylinder and fitting passage;

a piston secured to the inner end of the valve stem in slidable sealing engagement with said cylinder;

a spring confined between the piston and valve means for urging the same apart;

a port establishing communication between said fitting passage and cylinder outwardly of said piston whereby the fluid pressure in said passage coacts with the spring to maintain said valve means in engagement with said valve seat and urges said valve stem outwardly of the fitting passage for engagement with said valve of said outlet passage and its vent passage;

means for closing said vent passage upon engagement of said valve stem with said valve;

vent means in said fitting establishing communication between its passage and said cylinder between said piston and valve means and between said cylinder portion and atmosphere;

the vent means including a normally closed valve for. preventing communication between said cylinder portion and atmosphere while permitting communication between said cylinder portion and fitting passage to equalize the fluid pressures outwardly and inwardly of said piston;

the vent valve being manually movable to a position preventing communication with said fitting passage and opening said vent means to atmosphere for venting said cylinder portion between said piston and valve means whereby the fluid pressure outwardly of said piston causes movement thereof toward said valve means and llll said inner portion of said valve means having means for closing off communication between said cylinder portion and vent means upon inward opening movement of said valve means.

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