LNG nozzle safety locking mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling for a connecting a LNG nozzles to a LNG vehicle tank receptacle and their connection apparatus to a LNG vehicle tank for fueling. The invention comprises a double connection system to provides additional safety to a LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism for being locked into a LNG receptacle on a vehicle tank, by combining two different locking mechanisms: one the so-called collet type locking mechanism with the locking handles, and two the valved receptacle and valved nozzle approach with the rotating handle.

Claims

1. An LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism for being locked into a LNG valved receptacle on a vehicle tank having a double connection system to provide additional safety to the LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism, comprising: a first connection system including a valved nozzle having collets, the nozzle further comprising an outer body, having a hollow body which extends longitudinally; an inner body ending in a connecting part, the connecting part being adapted to be connected to a hose, and the inner body being disposed in the hollow body of the outer body and being axially movable with respect to the outer body by pivotally engaging two locking handles, wherein the two locking handles being formed by a double scissor shape with two main handles and respective counterhandles, the two main handles each being fixedly connected to a handle fastening element, and the respective counterhandles being fixedly connected to an upper element, wherein the upper element is disposed over the handle fastening element and each main handle is connected to each counterhandle; the handle fastening element being fixed to the outer body, and the upper element being fixed to the inner body; a valve being disposed at a front part of the inner body opposite the connecting part; and an elastic element being disposed on the inner body to assist with axial movement of the inner body relative to the outer body; and a second connection system having a quarter-turn bayonet disposed at the front end of the nozzle, the quarter-turn bayonet further comprising an exterior surface having blind slots for accepting the receptacle, wherein the nozzle is connectable to the receptacle via a first movement and a second movement, wherein during the first movement the quarter-turn bayonet is screwed into the receptacle, and during a second movement the locking handles are pivotally engaged downwards opening the valve of the nozzle, thereby ensuring that the nozzle is tightly seated against the receptacle before the valve of the nozzle is opened.

2. The LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of claim 1, wherein a protective element comprising a portion which has a trunk cone-shape surface is fitted against an inner surface of the quarter-turn bayonet.

3. The LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of claim 1, wherein the blind slots of the quarter-turn bayonet are uniformly distributed along the exterior surface of the quarter-turn bayonet.

4. The LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of claim 1, wherein the quarter-turn bayonet is manufactured with a material selected from aluminum, plastic, or plastic fiber.

5. The LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of claim 1, wherein the blind slots are helical.

6. The LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outer body has a cylindrical shape with several openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the attached figures:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a figure of an LNG vehicle tank receptacle;

(3) FIG. 2 represents a figure of a known LNG nozzle that is locked in place with collets activated with two locking handles (the so-called collet type locking mechanism);

(4) FIG. 3 represents a figure of an LNG valved receptacle;

(5) FIG. 4 represents a figure of the LNG valve receptacle from U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477;

(6) FIG. 5 represents a figure of a known valved LNG nozzle;

(7) FIG. 6 represents a figure of a valved LNG nozzle from U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,477;

(8) FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism of the invention in an unlocked position;

(9) FIG. 8 represents a first lateral view of this embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism of the invention shown in FIG. 7, in which also a LNG hose and a receptacle is also included in an exploded view;

(10) FIG. 9 represents a second lateral view of this embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism of the invention shown in previous FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 represents a front view of this embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism of the invention shown in FIG. 7;

(12) FIG. 11 represents different views of the quarter turn bayonet of the invention; and

(13) FIG. 12 represents a perspective exploded view of this embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Locking Mechanism of the invention shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(14) As mentioned previously, FIG. 2 represents a figure of a conventional LNG nozzle that is locked in place with collets activated with two locking handles, the so-called collet type locking mechanism. This type of nozzle intended for use in NO-VENT (top fill) LNG fuel systems. A key feature of this nozzle is the independent shut-off valve located in the flow path within the nozzle. The operator mates the nozzle to the receptacle by pushing it over the receptacle with handles pulled all the way back. By pushing two handles forward, locking of the nozzle to the receptacle and opening of the internal valves is achieved, and fueling can be started. When fueling is complete, the operator returns the handles back to vent position and waits to complete venting of the residual LNG. Then the nozzle can be unlocked and de-mated by pulling two handles all the way back.

(15) As described previously, a preferable embodiment of the LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism (10) of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 to 11.

(16) In those FIGS. 7 to 11 a possible embodiment of locking handles (11) are shown, which presents a double scissor shape with to handles (11a, 11b) and respective counterhandles (16). The operator actuates pushing each handle with each of his hands in order to push the two handles forward to engage and start the fueling operation, and also in order to returns the handles back to disengage and stop the fueling.

(17) The handles (11a, 11b) are connected to a central element (18) and the respective counterhandles (16) are connected to an upper element (17).

(18) The central outer body (12) of the LNG Nozzle Safety Locking Mechanism (10) has a hollow body which extends longitudinally with a cylindrical shape with several openings (22) in a helicoidally direction. In the interior part of the outer body (12), an inner body (24) is disposed which is moved axially by means of the manual locking handles (11a, 11b) and also helped by an elastic element (23) in respect to the outer body (12) which remains unmoving, see FIG. 12.

(19) At the rear part of the nozzle (10), said inner body (24) ends forming a connecting part (15), which is adapted to connect a conventional hose (19).

(20) Furthermore, a valve (26) is disposed at the front part of the inner body (24) of the nozzle (10). This valve (26) is adapted to achieve the receptacle valve (not shown) for opening the gas flow.

(21) At the front part of the central outer body (12), a quarter-turn bayonet (13) is connected.

(22) As it may be appreciated in the attached figures, an optional, an optional protective element (14) is provided fitted close to the inner rear surface of the quarter-turn bayonet (13), which is adapted to prevent the gases from reaching the face of the operator in working position. This protective element comprises a portion which has a trunk cone-shape surface. It preferably has two different portions: a first trunk cone-shape portion and a second cylindrical portion, see FIGS. 8 and 12. The second cylindrical portion is adapted to be connected to one end of the central outer body (12).

(23) As it may be clearly seen especially in FIGS. 11 and 12, the quarter-turn bayonet (13) of the invention comprises in its exterior surface helical slots (25) for the operator to quarter turn the Nozzle Locking Mechanism (10). These helical slots (25) are blind slots, in order to achieve a final position when the operation has end the complete quarter turn. As a concrete and non-limiting example, three different same slots are provided, which engage with the rollers of the receptacle (20-21).

(24) These three same slots are uniformly distributed along the perimeter.

(25) As it may be seen in FIG. 12, the quarter turn bayonet (13) has a cylindrical body, configured by two different portions: a first cylindrical portion provided with the blind crosswise slots in the outer surface, and a second cylindrical portion with a minor diameter that the first portion. Said second portion is adapted to be connected to one end of the central outer body (12).

(26) Preferably, the crosswise slots comprise different directions: an first front transversal portion, another longitudinal portion, another crosswise portion, and a longitudinal blind end portion, see FIG. 8. This advantageous directions helps the correct engagement of the quarter turn bayonet against the receptacle (20). This existing receptacle (20) has corresponding means to enter in these blind crosswise slots (25). For example, they may be protruding means.

(27) In case that a protective element (14) is used, the second portion of the quarter-turn bayonet (13) is connected to the protective element (14), see FIG. 8.

(28) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.