Fuel transfer coupling

Abstract

Provided herein are couplings useful in the transfer of liquid fuels from a remote storage reservoir to an on-board fuel tank of a motorized vehicle. There is provided a first coupling which is adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of a vehicle's fuel tank, and a second coupling which is intended to be in fluid communication with the contents of a remote fuel storage reservoir. The invention also includes a process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere. Through use of the present invention, spills of fuel are essentially eliminated, and the escape of vapors from the vehicle's fuel tank are prevented, thus preventing atmospheric hydrocarbon pollution.

1 ) A process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere.  
   
   
       2 ) A process according to  claim 1  wherein the total amount of fuel spillage during said charging is less than 50 milliliters of fuel.  
   
   
       3 ) A process according to  claim 1  wherein simultaneous exchange of the fuel in the remote reservoir with the vapor in the fuel reservoir on board of said motorized vehicle occurs through a single pair of couplings, wherein one coupling of said pair of couplings is disposed on said vehicle, and wherein the remaining coupling of said pair of couplings is disposed on said remote reservoir.  
   
   
       4 ) A process according to  claim 3  wherein the flow of fuel from said remote reservoir to said fuel reservoir on board of said motorized vehicle is stopped by virtue of the de-coupling of said couplings.