The present invention relates broadly and separately to a flow control valve and a float control valve assembly for use in the refilling of storage vessels, particularly fuel tanks. The invention also relates generally to a vessel overfill protection system. The flow control valve comprises a valve body defining a fluid passageway disposed between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a piston assembly located at least in part within the fluid passageway. The piston assembly includes a piston support to which a piston is slidably mounted for opening and closure of the fluid outlet. The piston support includes at least one fluid sampling passage arranged to provide pressurised fluid from the fluid inlet to an upstream surface of the piston which is urged for opening of the fluid outlet to permit flow of fluid through the fluid passageway. The float control valve assembly includes a float assembly body adapted to mount within a vessel to be filled with fluid via the flow control valve. The float control valve includes a pilot valve and a pilot control passage in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The pilot valve is operatively coupled to a float member for closure of the pilot control passage on flooding of the float housing to promote closure of the flow control valve.

An improved fill cap for delivering a fluid from a fluid transporting mechanism to a fluid tank is disclosed. A connection plate is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and a probe is disposed within the fluid tank and coupled to the connection plate at a first distal end. The fluid flows into the fluid tank through an outlet at a second distal end of the probe. A valve is disposed at the second distal end of the probe and is movable between an open position and a closed position to control fluid flow out of the probe outlet. An arm is coupled to the valve and moves the valve between the open and closed positions and a float is coupled to the arm that moves the arm depending on the level of fluid in the fluid tank.

An improved fill cap for delivering a fluid from a fluid transporting mechanism to a fluid tank is disclosed. A connection plate is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and a probe is disposed within the fluid tank and coupled to the connection plate at a first distal end. The fluid flows into the fluid tank through an outlet at a second distal end of the probe. A valve is disposed at the second distal end of the probe and is movable between an open position and a closed position to control fluid flow out of the probe outlet. An arm is coupled to the valve and moves the valve between the open and closed positions and a float is coupled to the arm that moves the arm depending on the level of fluid in the fluid tank.

A nozzle for delivering fuel from a fueling station that can be remotely triggered to shut-off prior to the receiving fuel tank being filled. The nozzle includes a valve that can be opened by a lever and latched into the open position for continuous filling. The nozzle handle has an actuator positioned to cause the latch to release the lever and a controller that can energize the actuator in response to receipt of a wireless signal indicating that the delivery of fuel should be terminated. A wireless communication interface of the nozzle is in wireless communication with a fuel management system that can monitor a fuel flow meter to signal the nozzle to shut-off when the amount of fuel that has been delivered reaches a predetermined amount.

Modularized components assembled dispensing nozzle, including operating components in the category of a poppet valve assembly, an automatic shutoff device, a hand operating lever for providing a turn on or shutoff of the dispensing of fluid through the nozzle, and a connected spout that delivers fluid to the fill pipe and fuel tank for a vehicle or fluid accepting container. Each of the identified components having been redesigned for assembly in modularized form, such as a modular cartridge for the poppet valve, a modular cartridge for the automatic shutoff device, a modularized operating hand lever, and a spout and its gland and retaining nut that provide for high speed interconnection with the nozzle body, during assembly, or servicing. Each of these modularized components can be installed, during assembly of the manufactured nozzle, or can be replaced, out in the field, by a service person, as a modularized component or cartridge assembly.

Modularized components assembled dispensing nozzle, including operating components in the category of a poppet valve assembly, an automatic shutoff device, a hand operating lever for providing a turn on or shutoff of the dispensing of fluid through the nozzle, and a connected spout that delivers fluid to the fill pipe and fuel tank for a vehicle or fluid accepting container. Each of the identified components having been redesigned for assembly in modularized form, such as a modular cartridge for the poppet valve, a modular cartridge for the automatic shutoff device, a modularized operating hand lever, and a spout and its gland and retaining nut that provide for high speed interconnection with the nozzle body, during assembly, or servicing. Each of these modularized components can be installed, during assembly of the manufactured nozzle, or can be replaced, out in the field, by a service person, as a modularized component or cartridge assembly.

An automatic truck tank fill system includes a conduit in fluid communication with a fluid supply source. An electrically controlled valve is in fluid communication with the conduit. A fill spout is in fluid communication with the conduit, the fill spout including an outer chamber. A controller is in electrical communication with the valve. A first signal opens the valve from a closed position permitting fluid flow through the conduit, and a second signal causes the valve to close, preventing fluid to flow through the conduit. A tubing is in fluid communication with the fill spout. A pressure transducer is in fluid communication with the tubing, and the controller is in electrical communication with the pressure transducer. When a pressure in the tube reaches or exceeds an activation pressure (P1), the controller sends a signal to close the valve in the conduit.

An automatic truck tank fill system includes a conduit in fluid communication with a fluid supply source. An electrically controlled valve is in fluid communication with the conduit. A fill spout is in fluid communication with the conduit, the fill spout including an outer chamber. A controller is in electrical communication with the valve. A first signal opens the valve from a closed position permitting fluid flow through the conduit, and a second signal causes the valve to close, preventing fluid to flow through the conduit. A tubing is in fluid communication with the fill spout. A pressure transducer is in fluid communication with the tubing, and the controller is in electrical communication with the pressure transducer. When a pressure in the tube reaches or exceeds an activation pressure (P1), the controller sends a signal to close the valve in the conduit.

A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. A specialized valve at the fleet unit fuel tank prevents vapor escape and admits fuel at low, gravity-feed pressures. The valve includes a valve body with an upper end and a lower end, the upper end adapted to engage a cap which affixes the valve body to the fuel tank fill mouth. Below the cap, a fuel cut-off plunger and seat selectively interrupt fuel flow through the mouth by responding to a buoyant float extending coaxially beneath the valve body and into the fuel tank. Linkage coupled to the plunger extends through the valve body to the float, and roller bearings within the valve body engage a shaft extending from the float coaxially into the lower end of the valve body.

A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. A specialized valve at the fleet unit fuel tank prevents vapor escape and admits fuel at low, gravity-feed pressures. The valve includes a valve body with an upper end and a lower end, the upper end adapted to engage a cap which affixes the valve body to the fuel tank fill mouth. Below the cap, a fuel cut-off plunger and seat selectively interrupt fuel flow through the mouth by responding to a buoyant float extending coaxially beneath the valve body and into the fuel tank. Linkage coupled to the plunger extends through the valve body to the float, and roller bearings within the valve body engage a shaft extending from the float coaxially into the lower end of the valve body.