FILLING VALVE WITH LEAKAGE PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling valve for dispensing a fluid, comprising an inlet opening for connecting to a fluid supply line, an outlet end (12) which lies opposite the inlet opening, a main valve for controlling the flow of the fluid through the filling valve, and a leakage protection valve (13) which is arranged downstream of the main valve, comprising a valve seat (14) and a valve body (15, 16) which can be moved into a closed position in an upstream direction. According to the invention, the valve body (15, 16) has a first sub-body (15) and a second sub-body (16) which is designed to be movable relative to the first sub-body, wherein a first fluid path (17) can be released by a movement of the first sub-body (15) in a downstream direction relative to the valve seat (14), and a second fluid path (18) can be released by a movement of the second sub-body (16) in a downstream direction relative to the first sub-body (15). By virtue of the two-part valve body according to the invention, the flow of fluid through the filling valve can be optimized and the back pressure accumulating in front of the leakage protection valve can be reduced.

Claims

1. Filling nozzle for dispensing a fluid, comprising: an inlet opening (5) for connection to a fluid feed line, an outlet end (12) situated opposite the inlet opening, a main valve for controlling the fluid flow through the filling nozzle, and a discharge protection valve (13) arranged downstream of the main valve and having a valve seat (14, 14′) and having a valve body (15, 16) which is movable upstream into a closed position, wherein the valve body (15, 16) has a first part-body (15) and a second part-body (16), which is configured to be movable relative to the first one, wherein, by way of a downstream-directed movement of the first part-body (15) relative to the valve seat (14, 14′), a first fluid path (17) is able to be opened up, and wherein, by way of a downstream-directed movement of the second part-body (16) relative to the first part-body (15), a second fluid path (18) is able to be opened up, and wherein one of the part-bodies (15, 16) is configured such that, during a movement in the direction of the closed position, it carries the other one of the two part-bodies (15, 16) along into the closed position.

2. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which the first part-body (15) has at least one passage opening (20) for the second fluid path (18), wherein the passage opening (20) is able to be opened up by way of the movement of the second part-body (16) relative to the first part-body (15).

3. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which the second part-body (16) has a sealing surface (21, 21′) for abutment against a counterpart sealing surface (19, 15b1) of the first part-body (15), wherein the counterpart sealing surface (19, 15b1) forms a part-body valve seat for the first part-body (15).

4. Filling nozzle according to claim 3, in which the sealing surface (21′) of the second part-body and the counterpart sealing surface (15b1) of the first part-body (15) assume an angle of between 60° and 120°, to an axial direction of the discharge protection valve.

5. Filling nozzle according to claim 3, in which the second part-body (16) has a circumferential surface which, in the closed position of the discharge protection valve (13), is radially completely surrounded by the first part-body (15).

6. Filling nozzle according to claim 5, in which the second part-body (16), proceeding from the sealing surface (21, 21′), narrows in cross section towards the inlet-side end, wherein an outer surface of the second part-body (16) has in the region of the narrowing a first portion (36) and a second portion (35), which is arranged upstream of the first portion (36), wherein the first portion is outwardly bulged and the second portion is inwardly bulged.

7. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which at least one of the part-bodies (15, 16) is guided with sliding action relative to the valve seat (14, 14′) by means of a linear guide, wherein the linear guide has a shank (29) which extends in an axial direction of the discharge protection valve (13) and which is guided with sliding action through a passage opening of the second part-body (16), and/or has a registration opening (32) which is arranged rigidly relative to the valve seat (14, 14′) and through which a guide limb (30) of the first part-body (15) is guided with sliding action.

8. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which one part-body (15) has at least one guide web (31) on which the in each case other part-body (16) is guided with sliding action.

9. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which the second part-body (16) is configured such that, during a movement in the direction of the closed position, it carries the first part-body (15) along into the closed position, wherein the carrying-along of the first part-body (15) is realized by a transmission of force from the sealing surface (21) of the second part-body (16) to the counterpart sealing surface (19) of the first part-body (15).

10. Filling nozzle according to claim 9, having a mechanical restoring element which is configured to force the second part-body (16) into the closed position.

11. Filling nozzle according to claim 9, in which the second part-body (16) comprises a magnetic material, and provision is made of a counterpart magnet body (23) which is arranged upstream of the second part-body (16) and which is configured to hold the first and second part-bodies (15, 16) in the closed position of the discharge protection valve (13) by way of magnetic interaction, wherein the first part-body (15) is formed from a non-magnetic material.

12. Filling nozzle according to claim 11, in which the second part-body (16) has a maximum open position which is situated outside an effective range of the counterpart magnet body (23), with the result that, after a fluid-dispensing process has ended, the second part-body (16) remains in an open position, wherein, through utilization of gravitational force, the second part-body (16) is able to be moved back into the effective range, within which said second part-body is drawn into the closed position by the counterpart magnet body (23) if the filling nozzle is inclined upwardly on the discharge side.

13. Filling nozzle according to claim 1, in which the discharge protection valve (13) is arranged on an inlet end (11) of a discharge pipe (10) of the filling nozzle.

14. Filling nozzle for dispensing a fluid, comprising: an inlet opening (5) for connection to a fluid feed line, an outlet end (12) situated opposite the inlet opening, a main valve for controlling the fluid flow through the filling nozzle, wherein the filling nozzle furthermore has a sensor line (24) which extends as far as the outlet end (12) and which is operatively connected to an automatic deactivation device, wherein, during the dispensing of fluid, the sensor line (24) is subjected to a vacuum such that a gas stream is able to be sucked in via the end of the sensor line (24), wherein the sensor line (24) has an end region (25) in which a sensor line valve (26) configured to close off the sensor line (24) is arranged, which sensor line valve is movable into an open position by means of the gas stream sucked in through the sensor line (24).

15. Filling nozzle according to claim 14, in which the sensor line valve (26) is configured to be moved into the closed position through downward inclination of the filling nozzle on the discharge side.

16. Filling nozzle according to claim 14, in which the sensor line valve (26) is preloaded into the closed position by a restoring element.

17. Filling nozzle according to claim 14, in which the sensor line valve (26) has a valve seat (28), and has a valve body (27) which is arranged so as to be movable within the sensor line (24) upstream of the valve seat (28), such that the valve body (27) is movable into the valve seat (28) through downward inclination of the filling nozzle on the discharge side and is movable out of the valve seat (28) through upward inclination of the filling nozzle on the discharge side.

18. Discharge pipe (10) for a filling nozzle for dispensing a fluid, comprising: an inlet end (11) connectable to a housing of the filling nozzle, an outlet end (12) situated opposite the inlet end (11), and a discharge protection valve (13) having a valve seat (14, 14′) and having a valve body (15, 16) which is movable upstream into a closed position, wherein the valve body (15, 16) has a first part-body (15) and a second part-body (16), which is configured to be movable relative to the first one, wherein, by way of a downstream-directed movement of the first part-body (15) relative to the valve seat (14, 14′) of the discharge protection valve (13), a first fluid path (17) is able to be opened up, and wherein, by way of a downstream-directed movement of the second part-body (16) relative to the first part-body (15), a second fluid path (18) is able to be opened up, wherein one of the part-bodies (15, 16) is configured such that, during a movement in the direction of the closed position, it carries the other one of the two part-bodies (15, 16) along into the closed position.

19. Discharge pipe according to claim 18, wherein the discharge protection valve (13) is arranged on the inlet end (11) of the discharge pipe (10).

20. Filling nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the second part-body (16) is arranged concentrically with respect to the first part-body (15).

Description

[0033] Advantageous embodiments are discussed by way of example below with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a filling nozzle according to the invention in a cross-sectional view;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the discharge pipe according to the invention of the filling nozzle in FIG. 1 in an enlarged view;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the discharge protection valve shown in FIG. 2 in a closed position;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the discharge protection valve shown in FIG. 2 in an open position;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a further cross-sectional view of the discharge protection valve of the filling nozzle according to the invention;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the line A-A shown in FIG. 5;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the line B-B shown in FIG. 5;

[0041] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the sensor line valve shown in FIG. 2 in a closed position;

[0042] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the sensor line valve shown in FIG. 2 in an open position with a downwardly inclined discharge pipe during the dispensing of fluid;

[0043] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the sensor line valve shown in FIG. 2 in an open position closed position with an upwardly inclined discharge pipe;

[0044] FIG. 11 shows a greyscale plot for illustrating the fluid pressure prevailing within the filling nozzle in the region of the discharge protection valve;

[0045] FIG. 12 shows a discharge protection valve of an alternative filling nozzle according to the invention in a lateral sectional view in a closed position;

[0046] FIG. 13 shows the discharge protection valve in FIG. 12 in an open position.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a filling nozzle according to the invention in a lateral sectional view. The filling nozzle comprises a housing 4 (shown merely schematically in FIG. 1), which has an inlet opening 5 for connection to a liquid feed line. A discharge pipe 10 is inserted at the front end of the housing 4, at the front end of which discharge pipe there is an outlet opening 12. Also at the housing 4, a control lever 6 by which a main valve (not shown in the figure) can be actuated is pivotably mounted. The throughflow of a liquid fed via the inlet opening is controlled by the filling nozzle via the main valve. Also situated within the filling nozzle is an automatic deactivation device (not shown), which closes off the main valve if, during a tank-filling process, a liquid level reaches or rises above the front end of the discharge pipe. For this purpose, the discharge pipe has a sensor line 24 which is led from the discharge end 12 as far as the automatic deactivation device.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged lateral sectional view of the discharge pipe 10 in FIG. 1. In this view, it can be seen that a discharge protection valve 13 according to the invention is arranged on the inlet end 11 of the discharge pipe 10 (in the region 9). Moreover, it can be seen that a sensor line valve 26 is situated in an end region 25 of the sensor line 24. The figures shown below show enlarged views of the regions 9 and 25, on the basis of which the functioning of the discharge protection valve 13 and of the sensor line valve 26 will be explained in more detail.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the region 9 shown in FIG. 2, in which a discharge protection valve 13 is arranged. FIG. 3 shows the discharge protection valve 13 in a closed position. The discharge protection valve 13 comprises a valve seat 14 and a valve body which is configured to close off the valve seat 14 and which has a first part-body 15 and has a second part-body 16. In the closed position shown, the first part-body 15 bears sealingly against the valve seat 14. Within the first part-body 15, there is a cutout into which the second part-body 16 is inserted. The first part-body 15 thereby radially completely surrounds the second part-body 16. In the closed position shown, a sealing surface 21 of the second part-body 16 bears sealingly against a counterpart sealing surface 19 of the first part-body 15. The first part-body 15 thereby forms a valve seat (or part-body valve seat) for the second part-body 16. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the drip protection valve is completely closed, and so possibly present residual quantities of liquid cannot exit the filling nozzle.

[0050] Connected rigidly to the valve seat 14 is a central shank 29 which extends in an axial direction of the discharge protection valve and on which the second part-body 16 is guided with sliding action. The second part-body 16 has for this purpose a central passage bore through which the shank 29 is guided. The shank 29 defines an axial direction of the discharge protection valve.

[0051] Also connected rigidly to the valve seat 14 is a registration plate 33 with registration openings 32. The first part-body 15 comprises at its inlet-side end four guide limbs 30, of which merely two are illustrated, in the manner of a side view, in the sectional view in FIG. 3. The section plane in FIG. 3 does not run through the guide limbs 30. The guide limbs 30 are guided with sliding action through in each case one of the registration openings 32. In this way, the first part-body 15 is guided linearly at its inlet-side end. At its rear end, the first part-body 15 comprises three guide webs 31. Said guide webs are configured to bear slidingly against an outer surface of the second part-body 16 when the second part-body 16 is moved downstream relative to the first part-body 15. The guidance of the part-bodies 15, 16 will also be explained in more detail on the basis of FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0052] In the present case, the second part-body 16 is formed from a magnetic material. Moreover, a counterpart magnet body 23 is connected to the valve seat 14. The counterpart magnet body 23 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the axial direction predefined by the shank 29, whereby a uniform magnetic force of attraction is exerted on the second part-body 16. By way of said force of attraction, the part-body 16 is held in the closed position. At the same time, the part-body 16, owing to the abutment of the sealing surface 21 of the second part-body 16 against the counterpart sealing surface 19 of the first part-body 15, transmits a force to the first part-body 15, which is consequently likewise pushed into the closed position. An action of force for moving the second part-body into the closed position can, in alternative embodiments, also be generated by other devices, for example by means of a mechanical restoring element, in particular by means of a spring element.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows the discharge protection valve 13 in an open position. A transition from the closed position, shown in FIG. 3, into the open position may be realized in particular by opening of the main valve and a liquid stream passing through the main valve. Here, the liquid stream impinges on the inlet-side front surfaces of the first and second part-bodies 15, 16 and, there, generates an opening pressure which is sufficient for overcoming the magnetic force acting between the counterpart magnet body 23 and the second part-body 16 and for moving both the first part-body 15 and the second part-body 16 downstream.

[0054] In FIG. 4, it can be seen that, in comparison with the closed position shown in FIG. 3, firstly, the first part-body 15 has been moved downstream in relation to the valve seat 14 and, secondly, the second part-body 16 has been moved downstream in relation to the first part-body 15. The movement of the first part-body 15 relative to the valve seat 14 results in a first fluid path 17 being opened up. The movement of the second part-body 16 relative to the first one results in a second fluid path 18 being opened up. The liquid stream impinging on the discharge protection valve 13 can thus flow either along the first fluid path 17, which runs between an outer surface of the first part-body 15 and the valve seat 14, or along the second fluid path 18, which firstly passes the second part-body 16 at the outside and the first part-body 15 at the inside and then runs through a passage opening 20 in the first part-body 15. The first fluid path 17 is merged with the second fluid path 18 behind the passage opening. By way of the additional, second fluid path 18, the throughput through the discharge protection valve can be increased and the back pressure before the valve can be reduced.

[0055] In alternative embodiments, it is possible for provision to be made of further fluid paths which are able to be opened up by way of a downstream-directed movement of the first part-body 15 relative to the valve seat 14 and/or by way of a downstream-directed movement of the second part-body 16 relative to the first part body 15.

[0056] Furthermore, in the context of the invention, a further fluid path, which runs through an intermediate space between an outer surface of the shank 29 and an inner surface of the central passage bore of the second part-body 16 and which is constantly open irrespective of the position of the part-bodies 15, 16, may be present. Such an intermediate space between the outer surface of the shank 29 and the inner surface of the central passage bore may be necessary to allow sufficient mobility of the part-body 16 relative to the shaft 29. In a preferred embodiment, the radial spacing between the outer surface of the shank 29 and the inner surface of the central passage bore is however so small that the capillary forces acting on the fluid in the intermediate space are already sufficient to greatly reduce, and preferably to completely prevent, discharge of the fluid through said intermediate space.

[0057] In FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the second part-body 16, proceeding from the sealing surface 21, narrows in cross section in the upstream direction. In the region of the narrowing, the outer surface of the second part-body 16 is outwardly bulged in a first portion 36 and is inwardly bulged in a second portion 35, which is arranged upstream of said first portion. Due to the bulges in the region of the portions 35, 36, the liquid flowing along the second fluid path 18 is guided in a flow-optimized manner in the direction of the passage opening 20.

[0058] In FIG. 4, the first and second part-bodies are in a maximum open position, in which the part-bodies 15, 16 butt against a stop which limits the downstream-directed mobility of the part-bodies 15, 16. Here, by way of example, the stop is formed by a sensor line plug 34, which is mounted on one end of the sensor line 24, wherein the stop(s) may of course also be realized in some other way. The second part-body remains in this maximum open position even after the dispensing of liquid, for example after the main valve has been closed. The second part-body 16 is, in this respect, situated outside an effective range of the counterpart magnet body. Consequently, the sum of the gravitational force, which acts downstream in the position shown, and friction forces caused by the sliding guidance of the part-bodies is, in the position shown, larger than the magnetic force of attraction between the second part-body 16 and the counterpart magnet body 23. Residual quantities of liquid present in the filling nozzle downstream of the main valve can thus run out through the still open discharge protection valve 13.

[0059] Only when the filling nozzle (and thus the axial direction of the discharge protection valve 13) is inclined upwardly on the discharge side can the force ratio be inverted such that the magnetic force is sufficient for moving the second part-body 16 into the closed position. In this case, the sealing surface 21 of the second part-body 16 comes into contact with the counterpart sealing surface 19 of the first part-body 15 and, in this way, transmits a force to the first part-body 15, which is consequently carried along into the closed position.

[0060] The aforementioned change in inclination, which leads to closure of the discharge protection valve, may be realized for example when a user takes the filling nozzle out of a filler neck and then puts it into a filling pump. As a result of the closure of the discharge protection valve, the discharge of residual quantities of the liquid is reliably prevented.

[0061] If, instead of the magnetic interaction between the second valve body 16 and the counterpart magnet body, provision is made of a mechanical restoring element which forces the second valve body into the closed position, it may be provided in this case too that the above-described force ratio is able to be inverted with the aid of the inclination of the filling nozzle.

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a further cross-sectional view of the region 9 shown in FIG. 2, wherein, in comparison with FIGS. 3 and 4, a different section plane has been selected. In FIG. 5, the section plane extends through two guide webs 30 situated opposite one another in a transverse direction. The outlet-side guide webs 31 cannot be seen in this view. Two section lines A-A and B-B are shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the section line A-A, and FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the line B-B. For purposes of illustration, FIGS. 6 and 7 show, in the manner of a top view, further elements, which cannot actually be seen in the sectional view.

[0063] It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the guide webs 31 of the first part-body 15 bear, in the valve position shown in FIG. 5, against the outer circumference of the second part-body 16. The part-bodies 15, 16 are in this way guided on one another and stabilized relative to one another. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the four inlet-side guide limbs 30 of the first part-body 15 are guided with sliding action through the registration openings 32. The registration openings 32 extend through the registration plate 33, which is connected to the valve seat 14.

[0064] FIGS. 8 to 10 show enlarged views of the region 25 shown in FIG. 2, in which a sensor line valve 26 is arranged on the end of the sensor line 24. The sensor line valve 26 comprises a valve body 27 which is movable within the sensor line 24 and which, in the present case, is, by way of example, in the form of a ball. The sensor line valve moreover comprises a valve seat 28. Situated upstream of the valve seat 28 is a blocking element 38 which limits the mobility of the valve body 27, said blocking element not however preventing an exchange of gas through the sensor line 24. The valve body 27 is movable between the valve seat 28 and the blocking element 38.

[0065] In the state shown in FIG. 8, the valve body 27 is situated within the valve seat 28 and thus closes off the sensor line 24. The valve body 27 is held in the valve seat 28 owing to the inclination, directed downwardly on the discharge side, of the sensor line 24. The main valve of the filling nozzle is closed in the state shown, and no dispensing of liquid takes place.

[0066] After the main valve is opened, a vacuum is generated within the sensor line 24, and air is sucked in through the sensor line 24, in a manner known in the prior art. The gas stream is suitable for lifting the valve body 27 out of the valve seat 28 counter to the gravitational force. The valve body 27 is consequently pushed against the blocking element 37. This state is shown in FIG. 9.

[0067] If a liquid level reaches the outlet end 12 of the discharge pipe 10, automatic deactivation occurs, gas no longer being sucked in and, as a result, the valve body dropping back into the valve seat.

[0068] After liquid has been dispensed, the filling nozzle is normally taken out of a filler neck and, for example, put into a filling pump. In this way, the filling nozzle and the discharge pipe 10 are inclined upwardly on the discharge side. Here, owing to gravitational force, the valve body 27 drops out of the valve seat 28, with the result that residual quantities of liquid possibly present in the sensor line 24 can evaporate.

[0069] FIG. 11 shows two greyscale plots for illustrating the liquid pressure prevailing within a filling nozzle in the region of a discharge protection valve. Here, a low pressure is indicated by light shades of grey and a higher pressure is indicated by darker shades of grey. The pressure values were obtained through a mathematical simulation. FIG. 11A (top) shows the pressure conditions for a conventional discharge protection valve known from the prior art, which has a one-part valve body which is arranged in the region 40. It can be seen that, before the region 40, a significant increase in pressure occurs.

[0070] FIG. 11B shows the pressure conditions within a filling nozzle according to the invention in the region of the discharge protection valve 13. The discharge protection valve 13 and the remaining elements of the filling nozzle are not shown explicitly, but the positions of the respective elements (in particular the first part-body 15 and the second part-body 16) can be identified from a comparison with FIG. 4. The positions are identified in FIG. 11B by the corresponding reference signs. The discharge protection valve 13 is in the open state, in which the part-bodies 15, 16 open up the fluid paths 17 and 18. A comparison of the grey levels in the illustrations A and B shows that a lower back pressure is established before the discharge protection valve 13 according to the invention.

[0071] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a discharge protection valve of an alternative embodiment of a filling nozzle according to the invention in a lateral sectional view. The discharge protection valve is in a closed position in FIG. 12 and is in an open position in FIG. 13.

[0072] The alternative embodiment differs from the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 10 only by the configuration of the discharge protection valve. Therefore, only these differences from the embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 10 will be described below.

[0073] In the alternative embodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first part-body 15 comprises a circular-ring-shaped flat-seal element 15b and also two part-body elements 15a and 15b. The part-body element 15a is connected to the downstream side of the flat-seal element 15b in such a way that a radially inner downstream-facing sealing surface 15b1 is exposed, that is to say is not concealed by the part-body element 15a. The part-body element 15c is connected to the upstream side of the flat-seal element 15b in such a way that a radially outer upstream-facing sealing surface 15b2 is exposed, that is to say is not concealed by the part-body element 15c. The sealing surfaces 15b1 and 15b2 are oriented approximately perpendicularly to an axial direction of the discharge protection valve.

[0074] In this embodiment, the second part-body 16 has an upstream-facing sealing surface 21′ which is configured for sealing abutment against the sealing surface 15b1. The discharge protection valve moreover has in this embodiment a valve seat 14′ which is configured for sealing abutment against the sealing surface 15b2.

[0075] Due to the upstream-facing and downstream-facing sealing surfaces 15b1 and 15b2 of the flat-seal element 15b, which sealing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the discharge protection valve, particularly good sealing action between the two part-bodies 15, 16 and between the first part-body 15 and the valve seat 14′ can be produced. At the same time, the part-body elements 15a and 15c serve for reducing, in the open position of the discharge protection valve, the effects of the flat-seal element 15b on the liquid stream. In particular, the part-body elements 15a, 15c guide the liquid stream past the flat-seal element 15b in the most advantageous way possible. For this purpose, the part-body elements 15a, 15c narrow in an axial direction (that is to say in the direction downstream or the direction upstream), wherein the outer surfaces of the part-body elements 15a, 15c are bulged inwardly or outwardly.