Refuelling Coupling

Abstract

A refuelling coupling has an annular fitting 101 having a bore 102, bayonet lugs 103 and slots 104 suiting it for connection to a pressure filling nozzle. A flange 122, drilled with screw holes for securement to a fuel tank (not shown), extends out from the fitting 101. Also not shown for the sake of clarity is a tube extending own from the flange. Rods extend down from the flange 122 to a spider 125, with springs bearing upwards onto the underside of a dry-break member 105, through which the rods extend. The rods, springs and spider are within the non-shown tube.

On attaching and opening of a pressure filling nozzle to the coupling, the dry-break member 105 is displaced resiliently inwards fuel can flow past this member and into the tank.

The dry-break member has a central aperture 111, normally closed by a plug 112, which is threaded externally 114 and carries an O-ring seal 115 above the thread. The central aperture has a plain bore orifice 116 and is threaded 117 below the plain bore. Thus, when the plug is screwed in, the dry-break member is fluid tight as normal.

Claims

1. A refuelling coupling having: an annular member, a fitting on the annular member complementary to a pressure refuelling nozzle and a displaceable dry-break member in the coupling for normally sealing the coupling via a seal between the annular member and the dry-break member, the dry-break member being displaceable from its sealing position on connection of a pressure refuelling nozzle, an aperture in the displaceable dry-break member and a subsidiary displaceable member carried by the dry-break member, this member normally closing the aperture; wherein: the subsidiary displaceable member is adapted to be manually removable from the dry-break member for gravity refuelling.

2. A refuelling coupling according to claim 1, wherein the subsidiary displaceable member is rotatably engageable in the dry-break member.

3. A refuelling coupling according to claim 2, wherein the subsidiary displaceable member is rotatably engageable in the dry-break member by a bayonet fitting arrangement.

4. A refuelling coupling according to claim 2, wherein the subsidiary displaceable member is rotatably engageable in the dry-break member by provision of complementary screw threads on the dry-break and subsidiary displaceable members.

5. A refuelling coupling according to claim 1, including a graspable element provided on the subsidiary displaceable member.

6. A refuelling coupling according to claim 5, wherein the graspable element is arranged pivotally to lie flush with or beneath the outer surface of the dry-break member and be liftable for grasping and turning the subsidiary displaceable member.

7. A refuelling coupling according to claim 1, including a tether for tethering the subsidiary dry break member to the coupling when removed for gravity refuelling.

Description

[0025] To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is FIG. 3 of My Earlier European Patent;

[0027] FIG. 2 is FIG. 4 of My Earlier European Patent;

[0028] FIG. 3 is FIG. 5 of My Earlier European Patent;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refuelling coupling of the present invention with its subsidiary displaceable member—or plug—in its normal closure position; and

[0030] FIG. 5 is a like view with the plug unscrewed for gravity refuelling.

[0031] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 from My Earlier European Patent have been described above. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. Its refuelling coupling has an annular fitting 101 having a bore 102, bayonet lugs 103 and slots 104 suiting it for connection to a pressure filling nozzle (not shown). A flange 122, drilled with screw holes for securement to a fuel tank (not shown), extends out from the fitting 101. Also not shown for the sake of clarity is a tube extending down from the flange. Rods extend down from the flange 122 to a spider 125, with springs 126 bearing upwards onto the underside of a dry-break member 105, through which the rods extend. The rods, springs and spider are within the non-shown tube.

[0032] On attaching of a pressure filling nozzle to the coupling and opening of the nozzle, the dry-break member 105 is displaced inwards allowing fuel to flow past this member, within the tube into the tank.

[0033] In accordance with the invention, the dry-break member has a central aperture 111, normally closed by a plug 112, which is threaded externally 114 and carries an O-ring seal 115 above the thread. The central aperture has a plain bore orifice 116 and is threaded 117 below the plain bore. Thus, when the plug is screwed in, the dry-break member is fluid tight as normal.

[0034] An inner tube 118 extends down from the dry-break member within the non-shown outer tube and indeed within the rods, springs and spider.

[0035] A tether 119 is provided for avoidance of loss of the plug when unscrewed. The tether is connected at one end to the plug and the other within the inner tube 118.

[0036] In a manner analogous to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 of My Earlier European Patent, a gravity refuelling nozzle can be inserted into the bore 102 and the orifice 116 for gravity refuelling into the tank through the orifice 116 and the inner tube 118.

[0037] For removal of the plug and its refitting after gravity refuelling, the plug is provided with a recess 120 in its outer surface 121, with a central spigot 122. A grip-able flap 123 is pivotally connected to the spigot. It can be pivoted up, as shown in FIG. 5, for turning of the plug for removal and refitting of the latter. Normally the flap lies not higher than the outer surface of the dry-break member, so as not to interfere with displacement of the dry-break member prior to opening of the pressure refuelling nozzle for fuel flow.