Liquid dispenser with sealing module

Abstract

A sliding stem seal assembly for a fluid dispenser. In one embodiment, an insertable module retains a stem seal and a housing seal even when disengaged from the housing of the dispenser. The module isolates the stem seal from the housing such that it contacts the stem and a low friction surface of the module, and the module also isolates the housing seal from movement of the stem, for reduced wear from the housing and the moving stem.

1 . A fluid dispenser comprising: 
 a fluid dispenser housing comprising an inner chamber defined by a chamber surface;    a cylindrical stem including an outer surface, said stem being configured to control the flow of fluid through said housing;    an insertable module selectively engaged with said inner chamber and including an opening slidingly receiving said stem;    a stem seal member retained by said module and in sealing contact with said outer surface of said cylindrical stem when said module is engaged with said inner chamber to provide a first seal, wherein said stem seal member is separated from said housing by a portion of the module and wherein said stem seal member contacts said stem and a substantially non-porous portion of said module; and    a housing seal member retained by said module and in sealing contact with said chamber surface of said housing when said module is engaged with said inner chamber to provide a second seal, wherein said housing seal member is separated from said stem by a portion of said module whereby said second seal provides a static seal against said chamber surface;    wherein said module is configured to retain said stem seal member and said housing seal member when said module is disengaged from said chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said stem seal member comprises at least one flange and includes an internal energizing member.  
   
   
       3 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said flange contacts said outer surface of said stem to provide a lip-like seal when said module engages said inner chamber.  
   
   
       4 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said module includes a first recess for retaining said stem seal member and a second recess for retaining said housing seal member.  
   
   
       5 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said module threadably engages said housing chamber.  
   
   
       6 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said module comprises at least two engaged members.  
   
   
       7 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said stem seal member is retained between said engaged members.  
   
   
       8 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said housing seal member comprises at least one O-ring.  
   
   
       9 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said O-ring contacts said chamber surface of said housing to provide a ring-like seal in use.  
   
   
       10 . A fluid dispensing assembly comprising: 
 a main body including an inlet port adapted to communicate with a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet port adapted to dispense fluid from said main body, wherein said main body includes an inner chamber defined by a chamber surface;    a stem including an outer surface, wherein said stem is adapted to assist in regulating fluid between said inlet port and said outlet port of said main body    a stem seal including an opening slidably receiving said stem and comprising an inner sealing surface, wherein said inner sealing surface sealingly contacts said outer surface of said stem to provide a first seal;    a body seal sealingly contacting said chamber surface of said body to provide a second seal;    a module configured to selectively engage said inner chamber and including an opening for receiving said stem, wherein said module is adapted to retain said stem seal and said body seal when said module is disengaged from said chamber, and wherein said stem seal provides said first seal against said stem when said module engages said inner chamber and wherein said body seal provides said second seal against said chamber surface when said module engages said inner chamber; and    a manual actuator adapted to control movement of said stem and control the flow of fluid through said main body.    
   
   
       11 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said stem seal is isolated from the main body and is held between said stem and a substantially smooth surface of said module.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said stem seal includes at least one flange, and wherein said stem seal comprises a Teflon material and includes an energizing member included within said stem seal.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said module includes at least two engaged pieces.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said module includes a first void for retaining said stem seal and a second void for retaining said body seal.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said body seal is isolated from movement of said stem, and wherein said stem seal is isolated from said body.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a shut-off actuator configured to automatically shut off flow of fluid through said main body in response to a fill condition.  
   
   
       17 . A fuel dispenser comprising: 
 a main body including an inlet port adapted to communicate with a source of pressurized fuel and an outlet port adapted to dispense fuel from said main body, wherein said main body includes an inner chamber defined by a chamber surface;    a seal comprising a sealing surface, wherein said sealing surface sealingly contacts a component of said fuel dispensing assembly to provide a first seal;    an insertable retainer configured to selectively engage said inner chamber, wherein said retainer is adapted to retain said seal when said retainer is disengaged from said chamber, and wherein said seal provides said first seal against said assembly component when said retainer engages said inner chamber;    a manual actuator adapted to control the flow of fuel through said main body; and    a shut-off actuator configured to automatically shut off flow of fuel through said main body in response to a fill condition.    
   
   
       18 . The fuel dispenser as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said seal is isolated from said main body and is held between said component and a low friction surface of said retainer.  
   
   
       19 . The fuel dispenser as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said component comprises a moving component separate from said main body, and wherein said dispenser further comprises a second seal retained by said retainer and isolated from said moving component, wherein said second seal contacts said main body and wherein said first seal is isolated from said main body by said retainer.  
   
   
       20 . A method for assembling a fuel dispensing apparatus, the method comprising: 
 placing a seal on a module such that said seal is held on said module;    providing components for assembling a fuel dispensing apparatus;    engaging said module with a housing for a fuel dispensing apparatus, such that said seal contacts at least one of said housing and said components and provides a fluid-tight seal therewith; and    assembling said components and said housing as a fuel dispensing apparatus.    
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said module engages said housing by a threaded engagement, and wherein said seal is placed within a recess of said module.  
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said seal comprises a poppet stem seal, wherein one of said components comprises a poppet stem, and wherein the method further comprises: 
 placing said poppet stem through said module and said seal.    
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein one of said components comprises a poppet stem and wherein said seal contacts said poppet stem and is isolated from said housing by said module, and wherein said method further comprises: 
 placing a second seal on said module whereby said second seal is isolated from said poppet stem by said module, and wherein said second seal sealingly contacts said housing upon engaging said module with said housing.    
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 engaging a first piece of said module with a second piece of said module such that said seal is held between said two pieces.    
   
   
       25 . A fluid dispenser comprising: 
 a fluid dispenser housing comprising an inner chamber defined by a chamber surface;    a poppet stem assembly residing within the inner chamber and comprising: 
 a cylindrical stem including an outer surface, said stem being configured to control the flow of fluid through said housing;  
 a stem seal member in sealing contact with said outer surface of said cylindrical stem to provide a first seal, wherein said stem seal member does not contact said housing; and  
 a housing seal member in sealing contact with said chamber surface of said housing to provide a second seal, wherein said housing seal member does not contact said stem.  
   
   
   
       26 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 25 , wherein said stem seal member is located between a low friction surface and said stem.  
   
   
       27 . The dispenser as recited in  claim 25 , wherein said stem seal member and said housing seal member are retained by an insertable module.