RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/072,713 filed August 31, 2020, the content of which is incorporated by this reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of devices for the filling and venting of tanks for the storage and dispensing of propane, butane, and other gases that are typically filled into a vessel while at least primarily in the liquid state.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The process of filling certain fuel cylinders, such as 20-pound propane tanks, typically requires a fill valve and an overfill relief pathway to be open simultaneously. What is needed are devices and methods that allow a user to fill a fuel cylinder in a manner which improves the safety, speed and mechanical efficiency of the fill process.

SUMMARY

[0004] Certain deficiencies of the prior art may be overcome by the provision of a quick-fill apparatus, system and method for fuel valves in accordance with the present disclosure. The expedients described herein have particular applicability to fuel cylinder systems that use CGA 600 fittings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a non-limiting example quick-fill apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the example quickfill apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the example quick-fill apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front view of the example quick-fill apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the example quick-fill apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the handle element in an off position and the lockout element in a handle-locking position;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the example quick-fill apparatus similar to that of FIG. 5, but wherein the lockout element is shown moved to a handle releasing position;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the example quick-fill apparatus similar to that of FIG. 5, but wherein the lockout element is shown moved to a handle releasing position; [0013] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of the example quick-fill apparatus similar to that of FIG. 6, but wherein the lockout element is shown in the handle releasing position and the handle element is shown moved to an on position;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 5, showing the valve lock elements in a lock position;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, but wherein the valve lock elements have been moved to an unlock position;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 5, showing a lock spring elastically biasing the valve lock elements in their lock positions;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an example valve securement mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein a stem block retains the mutually-movable components of the securement mechanism, including valve lock elements and a lock spring;

[0018] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic exploded view of an example valve securement mechanism of the apparatus of FIG. 11;

[0019] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic front view of one non-limiting example valve assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic rear view of the example valve assembly of FIG. 13;

[0021] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 15-15 in FIG. 13; [0022] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 13, but taken orthogonally to the view of FIG. 15;

[0023] FIG. 17 is a magnified view of detail 17 in FIG. 16, illustrating one nonlimiting example of a securement groove in a radially-inward-facing wall of the valve housing;

[0024] FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example quick-fill system in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the quick-fill apparatus is shown detached from a corresponding valve assembly;

[0025] FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view similar to that of FIG. 18, but wherein the quick-fill apparatus is shown attached to the valve assembly, with the valve securement mechanism releasably securing the valve engagement end of the body portion of the apparatus within the receptacle chamber of the valve assembly;

[0026] FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, but wherein the quick-fill apparatus is shown attached to the valve assembly as in FIG. 19, with the lip engagement portions of the valve lock elements shown engaging a securement groove of the valve assembly receptacle chamber;

[0027] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the quick-fill apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic top view of the quick-fill apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 23-23 in

FIG. 22; [0030] FIG. 24 is a magnified view of detail 24 in FIG. 23, showing the handle element in the off position, the valve trigger pin in the valve deactivation position and the vent trigger pin in the vent deactivation position;

[0031] FIG. 25 is a magnified view similar to that of FIG. 24, but showing the handle element moved to its on position, thereby forcing the valve trigger pin to its valve activation position and the vent trigger pin to its vent activation position;

[0032] FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one example quick-fill system in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the quick-fill apparatus is in disposed fuel-supplying communication between a fuel supply and a valve assembly of a vessel;

[0033] FIG. 27 is a magnified view of detail 27 in FIG. 26, showing the handle element in the off position and the valve trigger pin in the valve deactivation position and the vent trigger pin in the vent deactivation position;

[0034] FIG. 28 is a magnified view similar to that of FIG. 27, but showing the handle element moved to its on position, thereby forcing the valve trigger pin to its valve activation position and the vent trigger pin to its vent activation position so as to allow fuel to flow into the vessel from the fuel supply;

[0035] FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic top view of one example porting block in accordance with present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 30-30 in FIG. 29;

[0037] FIG. 31 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the example porting block of FIG. 29; [0038] FIG. 32 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the example porting block of FIG. 29;

[0039] FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example valve trigger pin;

[0040] FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example vent trigger pin;

[0041] FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example stem block;

[0042] FIG. 36 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the stem block of

FIG. 35;

[0043] FIG. 37 is a diagrammatic side view of the stem block of FIG. 35;

[0044] FIG. 38 is a further diagrammatic side view of the stem block of FIG. 35, showing the side opposite to that shown in FIG. 37;

[0045] FIG. 39 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 39-39 of FIG. 37;

[0046] FIG. 40 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along lines 40-40 of FIG. 38;

[0047] FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic exploded view of one alternate example of a valve assembly;

[0048] FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 41, but wherein the valve assembly is assembled and affixed within the neck of a pressure vessel; [0049] FIG. 43 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 41, but wherein the cross-section is taken orthogonally to that shown in FIG. 42;

[0050] FIG. 44 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the valve housing of the valve assembly of FIG. 41;

[0051] FIG. 45 is a magnified view of detail 45 in FIG. 42, illustrating one nonlimiting example of a securement groove in a radially-inward-facing wall of the valve housing;

[0052] FIG. 46 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 20, but wherein the quick-fill apparatus is shown attached to the alternate valve assembly of FIG. 43, with the lip engagement portions of the valve lock elements shown engaging a securement groove of the valve assembly receptacle chamber;

[0053] FIG. 47 is a magnified view similar to that of FIG. 27, but wherein the quick-fill system incorporates the alternate valve assembly shown in FIG. 43;

[0054] FIG. 48 is a magnified view similar to that of FIG. 47, but showing the handle element moved to its on position, thereby forcing the valve trigger pin to its valve activation position and the vent trigger pin to its vent activation position so as to allow fuel to flow into the vessel from the fuel supply;

[0055] FIG. 49 is diagrammatic cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 20, but wherein the valve securement mechanism includes a securement sleeve configured to threadedly engage a threaded portion of a valve housing of the valve assembly;

[0056] FIG. 50 is diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating an example valve assembly delivering fuel to a fuel consuming device by way of a valve connection adaptor, wherein overpressure gas is also shown being expelled from the pressure vessel by activation of the overpressure relief valve in the valve assembly; and [0057] FIG. 51 is block diagram representing one example of a method of filling a pressure vessel with fuel by way of a valve assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

[0059] Various example embodiments of a new quick-fill apparatus, system and method are illustrated and described herein. Certain preferred examples of the quick-fill apparatus are shown generally at 100, and certain preferred examples of the quick fill system are shown generally at 300. A quick-fill system 300 incorporates a quick-fill apparatus 100 and a corresponding valve assembly 200.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a quick-fill apparatus 100 may comprise a body portion 102, a valve trigger pin 116, a vent trigger pin 118, a valve securement mechanism 180 and a handle element 120. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 23, the body portion 102 may have a valve engagement end 104, a fuel supply port 114 and a valve trigger bore 110. The valve trigger bore 110 may extend through the valve engagement end 104 along a main axis 108. The fuel supply port 114 may be in fluid communication with the valve trigger bore 110. The valve engagement end 104 may be configured to be inserted into a receptacle chamber 220 of a valve assembly 200 (see, for example, FIG. 15).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the valve trigger pin 116 may extend through the valve trigger bore 110 and be transportable between a valve activation position (see, for example, FIG. 25) and a valve deactivation position (see, for example, FIG. 24). The vent trigger pin 118 may be transportable between a vent activation position (see, for example, FIG. 25) and a vent deactivation position (see, for example, FIG. 24). [0062] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 20, the valve securement mechanism 180 may be configured to releasably secure the valve engagement end 104 within the receptacle chamber 220. The receptacle chamber 220 preferably includes a stem compartment 236 configured to receive a stem portion 172 of the apparatus 100 therein.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the handle element 120 may be movable with respect to the body portion 102 between an on position (see, for example, FIG. 7) and an off position (see, for example, FIG. 5). Referring to FIG. 25, movement of the handle element 120 to the on position may be configured to force the valve trigger pin 116 to the valve activation position and the vent trigger pin 118 to the vent activation. In contrast, referring to FIG. 24, movement of the handle element 120 to the off position may be configured to allow the valve trigger pin 116 to return to the valve deactivation position and allow the vent trigger pin 118 to return to the vent deactivation position. The handle element 120 may preferably be resiliently biased toward the off position.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the body portion 102 may include a vent trigger bore 112, and the vent trigger pin 118 may extend through the vent trigger bore 112. The transportability of the valve trigger pin 116 and the vent trigger pin 118 may both be in parallel with the main axis 108. Moreover, the valve trigger bore 110 and the vent trigger bore 112 may each extend entirely through the body portion 102 in parallel with the main axis 108.

[0065] The valve trigger pin 116 may be resiliently biased toward the valve deactivation position; and the vent trigger pin 118 may be resiliently biased toward the vent deactivation position.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 8, the valve securement mechanism 180 may include a first valve lock element 122 and a second valve lock element 122. Each valve lock element may have a lip engagement portion 124 and a grip portion 126, and may be actuatable with respect to the body portion 102 between a lock position and an unlock position. Each valve lock element 122 may be elastically biased toward the lock position (for example, as shown in FIG. 8). Referring to FIG. 9, actuation of the valve lock elements 112 toward the unlock position may be configured to result in movement of the lip engagement portions 124 radially inward toward the main axis 108. Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 20, the lip engagement portions 124 may be configured to engage a securement groove 224 disposed on a radially-inward-facing wall 222 of the receptacle chamber 220 when the valve lock elements 122 are in the lock position.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, the valve lock elements 122 may be laterally opposed from one another on opposite sides radially of the main axis 108. The actuatability of each valve lock element 122 may be about a lock pivot axis 130 which may be perpendicular to the main axis 108.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the movability of the handle element 120 may be about a handle pivot axis 128 which is perpendicular to the main axis 108 and the lock pivot axis 130.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 24, the valve trigger pin 116 may be resiliently biased toward the valve deactivation position, the resilient bias of the handle element 120 may be at least partially by way of the resilient bias of the valve trigger pin 116. The resilient bias of the valve trigger pin 116 may be by way of a valve trigger pin spring 132, which may be, for example, a plurality of conical disc washers (e.g., a Belville stack).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 49, in particular examples of a quick-fill apparatus 100, the valve securement mechanism 180 may include a securement sleeve 174 rotatable about the main axis 108 with respect to the body portion 102. The securement sleeve 174 may be configured to threadedly engage a threaded portion 226 of a valve housing of the valve assembly 200.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 26, particular examples of a quick-fill apparatus 100 may comprise a fill tube 134 configured to be secured in fluid supplying communication with the fuel supply port 114. The fill tube may be rigid (e.g., a rigid metal), and may have threading on opposing ends for threadedly engaging the fuel supply portion 134 and a fuel conduit 304. The fill tube 134 and the handle element 120 may be elongated and extend in a shared radial direction 136 outward of the main axis 108. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the handle element 120 may include a first tube relief channel 138 configured to at least partially receive the fill tube 134 when the handle element 120 is in the on position.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, in particular examples of the quick-fill apparatus 100, the body portion 102 may be comprised of a porting block 140 and a stem block 142. Referring to FIG. 3, the porting block 140 and stem block 142 may be attached to one another by way of one or more block fasteners 154. The block fasteners 154 may be configured to extend through the porting block 140 and threadedly engage respective threaded apertures in the stem block 142.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, certain preferred examples of the quick-fill apparatus 100 may further comprise a lockout element 144 movable between a handle locking position (shown, for example, in FIG. 5) and a handle releasing position (shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7). In such examples, the handle element 120 may be configured to be moveable from the off position to the on position when the lockout element 144 is in the handle releasing position. In contrast, the handle element 120 may be configured to be prevented from moving from the off position to the on position when the lockout element 144 is in the handle locking position (as shown, for example, in FIG. 5).

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the lockout element 144 may include a handle detent 186 and the handle element 120 may include a corresponding detent relief 188. In such case, positioning of the lockout element 144 in the handle locking position (as shown in FIG. 5, for example) places the handle detent 186 out of alignment with the detent relief 188, thereby preventing the detent relief 188 from receiving the handle detent 186 and thus preventing the handle portion 120 from moving to the on position. In contrast, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the lockout element 144 is moved to the handle releasing position, the handle detent 186 becomes aligned with the detent relief 188, thereby allowing the detent relief to receive the handle detent 186 and thus allowing the handle portion 1209 to be moved to the on position. Referring to FIGS. l and 7, the lockout element 144 may include a second tube relief channel 148 configured to at least partially receive the fill tube 134 when the lockout element 144 is in the handle releasing position.

[0075] The lockout element 144 may be resiliently biased toward the handle locking position. Referring to FIG. 23, such resilient bias may be provided by way of a lockout spring 146. In certain examples of a quick-fill apparatus 100, the resilient bias of the lockout element 144 may be lower than the resilient bias of the handle element 120. Moreover, the resilient biases of both the lockout element 144 and the handle element 120 may be provided at least in part by a lockout spring 146 disposed therebetween.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 15, a valve assembly 200 may comprise a valve housing 206, a fill valve 208, an overfill valve pin 210, a dip tube 214, and an overpressure relieve valve 212. The valve housing 206 may extend along a valve axis 204 from an adaptor end 216 to a vessel end 218. The valve housing 206 may include a receptacle chamber 220, a fill valve socket 242, an overfill socket 244 and an overpressure socket 246. The fill valve 208 is disposed within the fill valve socket 242, and is movable between an open configuration (see, e.g., FIGS. 28 and 48) and a closed configuration (see, e.g., FIGS. 27 and 47). The overfill valve pin 210 is disposed within the overfill socket 244 and is movable between a fluid sealing position (see, e.g., FIGS. 27 and 47) and a fluid venting configuration (see, e.g., FIGS. 28 and 48). The dip tube 214 may be in fluid communication with the overfill socket 244. The overpressure relief valve 212 is disposed within the overpressure socket 246. The receptacle chamber 220 may be disposed in fluid communication between the adaptor end 216 and both the fill valve 208 and the overfill valve pin 210. The receptacle chamber may also include a radially- inward-facing wall 222 with a securement groove 224 therein. Referring to FIG. 17, a securement lip 272 may be defined between the securement groove 224 and the adaptor end 216. The securement groove 224 may extend partially circumferentially or entirely circumferentially about the radially-inward-facing wall 222.

[0077] Referring again to FIG. 15, certain preferred examples of the valve assembly 200 may comprise an overpressure upper seal 230 affixed in fluid-sealing communication between the overpressure relief valve 212 and the receptacle chamber 220. This configuration allows the quick-fill apparatus 100 to provide fuel to the vessel 202 through the valve assembly 200, without requiring a seal between the valve body 206 and the quick-fill apparatus 100 to prevent pressurized gas from escaping from the overpressure relief valve 212 through the receptacle chamber 220.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 51, one example of a method of filling a pressure vessel 202 with fuel by way of a valve assembly 200 is shown at 314. At block A of FIG. 51, a valve assembly 200 is selected. Referring to FIG. 15, the valve assembly 200 may have a valve housing 206, a fill valve 208, a dip tube 214, and an overfill valve pin 210. The valve housing 206 may have an adaptor end 216 and a vessel end 218 opposite thereof. A receptacle chamber 220 may be defined at the adaptor end 216. The fill valve 208 may be movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The overfill valve pin 210 may be movable between a fluid sealing position and a fluid venting configuration.

[0079] At block B of the method 314 in FIG. 51, a quick-fill apparatus is provided. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the quick-fill apparatus 100 may comprise a body portion 102, a valve trigger pin 116, a vent trigger pin 118, a valve securement mechanism 180, and a handle element 120. The body portion 102 may have a valve engagement end 104, a fuel supply port 114 and a valve trigger bore 110. The valve trigger bore 110 may extend through the valve engagement end 104 along a main axis 108. The fuel supply port 114 may be in fluid communication with the valve trigger bore 110. The valve trigger pin may extend through the valve trigger bore and may be transportable between a valve activation position and a valve deactivation position. The vent trigger pin may be transportable between a vent activation position and a vent deactivation position. The valve securement mechanism may be configured to releasably secure the valve engagement end within the receptacle chamber. The handle element may be movable with respect to the body portion between an on position and an off position. Movement of the handle element to the on position preferably forces the valve trigger pin to the valve activation position and the vent trigger pin to the vent activation position. Movement of the handle element to the off position preferably allows the valve trigger pin to return to the valve deactivation position and preferably allows the vent trigger pin to return to the vent deactivation position. The handle element is preferably resiliently biased toward the off position.

[0080] At block C of the method 314 in FIG. 51, and also referring to FIG. 20, the valve engagement end 104 is inserted into the receptacle chamber 220. At block D At block C of the method 314 in FIG. 51, and also referring to FIG. 20, the valve engagement end 104 is secured within the receptacle chamber 220 (e.g. within the stem compartment 236 of the receptacle chamber 220) by way of the valve securement mechanism 180. At block E, and also referring to FIGS. 28 and 48, the handle element 120 is moved to the on position, thereby causing (a) the valve trigger pin 116 to force the fill valve 208 to the open configuration; (b) fuel to flow from the fuel supply port 114 into the pressure vessel 202 (e.g., via fuel supply flow path 176); and (c) the vent trigger pin 118 to force the overfill valve pin 210 to the fluid venting configuration, thereby allowing excess fuel to escape the pressure vessel 200 (e.g., via overfill vent flow path 178). In particular implementations of the method 314, the flow of fuel is by way of gravity fill. In certain implementations of the method 314, the flow of fuel is by way of pressure differential between the pressure vessel and a fuel supply.

[0081] In particular implementations of the method 314, the valve securement mechanism may include a first valve lock element and a second valve lock element. Each valve lock element may have a lip engagement portion and a grip portion, and may be actuatable with respect to the body portion between a lock position and an unlock position. Each valve lock element may be elastically biased toward the lock position. At block C, during the step of inserting, the valve lock elements may be actuated toward their unlock positions, thereby moving the lip engagement portions radially inward toward the main axis. At block D, during the step of securing, the valve lock elements may be allowed to return toward their lock positions whereby the lip engagement portions engage a securement groove disposed on a radially-inward-facing wall of the receptacle chamber.

[0082] The following listing matches certain terminology used within this disclosure with corresponding reference numbers used in the non-limiting examples illustrated in the several figures.

100 quick-fill apparatus

102 body portion

104 valve engagement end

106 opposing end

108 main axis

110 valve trigger bore

112 vent trigger bore

114 fuel supply port

116 valve trigger pin

118 vent trigger pin

120 handle element

122 valve lock element

124 lip engagement portion (of valve lock element)

126 grip portion (of valve lock element)

128 handle pivot axis

130 lock pivot axis

132 valve pin spring (e.g., conical disc washers; e.g., Belville stack)

134 fill tube

136 radial direction outward of main axis

138 first tube relief channel (of handle element)

140 porting block stem block lockout element lockout spring second tube relief channel (of lockout element) lock spring (e.g., extension spring) block seal element (e.g., o-ring) block fastener (e.g., threaded; e.g., socket head cap screw) first valve trigger seal (e.g., o-ring) second valve trigger seal (e.g., o-ring) valve trigger retention element (e.g., side-mount retaining ring) vent trigger spring (e.g., compression spring) vent trigger retention element (e.g., side-mount retaining ring) handle dowel pin lockout dowel pin valve lock dowel pin stem portion (of stem block) securement sleeve fuel supply flow path overfill vent flow path valve securement mechanism valve trigger pin clip slot vent trigger pin clip slot handle detent detent relief overpressure relief flow path fuel delivery flow path valve assembly pressure vessel valve axis valve housing fill valve (e.g., poppet or Schrader valve) overfill valve pin overpressure relief valve dip tube adaptor end vessel end receptacle chamber radially -inward facing wall (of receptacle chamber) securement groove threaded portion (of valve housing) stem seal (e.g., o-ring) overpressure upper seal (e.g., o-ring) overfill lower seal (e.g., gasket) overfill upper seal (e.g., o-ring) stem compartment (part of the receptacle chamber) overfill vent port overpressure exhaust port fill valve socket overfill socket overpressure socket overpressure lower seal overpressure spring dip seat o-ring seat fill valve spring fill valve seal seal retainer overfill valve spring overpressure exhaust chamber epoxy (e.g., Loctite E-60HP) overfill bleed screw seal retainer 272 securement lip

300 quick-fill system (quick-fill apparatus combined with valve assembly)

302 fuel supply (e.g., gravity -feeding or pressure-feeding)

304 fuel supply conduit (e.g., flexible tubing)

306 fuel (e.g., propane, butane, etc.)

308 ambient environment

310 valve connection adaptor (e.g., CGA600-type)

312 fuel-consuming device (e.g., BBQ grill or heater)

314 method

[0083] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.