Refueling apparatus

Abstract

A combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A float control module, said float control module comprising:
 a head for mounting to a fixed surface, said head comprising a head housing;   a central assembly extending through said head, said central assembly comprising a drum rotabably received within said housing, said central assembly comprising an upper inlet bore defined there-through from an inlet port to an outlet port;   a body, said body comprising a lower inlet bore defined therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, said lower inlet bore fluidly connected to said upper inlet bore, said body comprising a valve; and   a float portion extending into a container, said float portion operably connected to said body,   wherein said central assembly, body and float portion are fixed relative to one another, and wherein rotation of said central assembly relative to said head results in rotation of said body and said float portion.   
     
     
         2 . The float control module of  claim 1 , wherein said valve comprises a piston slidably engaging a cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . The float control module of  claim 1 , wherein said valve has an open position configured for permitting fluid to flow into said inlet port, through said upper inlet bore and said lower inlet bore, and out said outlet into a container, and has a closed position configured for preventing fluid from flowing through said float control module and into said container, and wherein said valve comprises a piston slidably engaging a cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The float control module of  claim 3 , wherein said piston is spring biased in said closed position through use of a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The float control module of  claim 3 , wherein said piston comprises a base portion configured for sealing engagement with a seat defined within said lower inlet bore, said seat adjacent said outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The float control module of  claim 3 , wherein said piston comprises a boss configured for extending through said outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The float control module of  claim 6 , wherein said float portion comprises a cam member, wherein said boss is configured for manipulation by said cam member, wherein vertical movement of said float portion is translated into the cam member variably contacting the boss of the piston, opening and closing said valve. 
     
     
         8 . The float control module of  claim 1 , wherein said float portion comprises a float arm pivotally connecting with said body. 
     
     
         9 . The float control module of  claim 8 , wherein said float portion comprises a float connecting to said float arm. 
     
     
         10 . The float control module of  claim 8 , wherein said float arm comprises a cam member. 
     
     
         11 . The float control module of  claim 1 , wherein said float control module comprises a fitting connected to said inlet port, said fitting connecting with a fluid source. 
     
     
         12 . The float control module of  claim 11 , wherein said fluid source is a bleed fluid of a pilot-operated fluid flow control valve, and wherein said float control module serves to shut of a flow of bleed fluid from said pilot-operated fluid flow control valve. 
     
     
         13 . The float control module of  claim 1 , wherein central assembly is configured to rotate relative to the head, thereby rotating the float portion attached thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The float control module of  claim 13 , further comprising a rotation lock for locking the position of the central assembly relative to the head, thereby preventing further rotation of the central assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The float control module of  claim 14 , wherein said rotation lock comprises a top plate slid over the central assembly in conjunction with at least one bolt used to lock the top plate in place. 
     
     
         16 . A float control module, said float control module comprising:
 a head for mounting to a fixed surface, said head comprising a head housing;   a central assembly extending through said head, said central assembly comprising a drum rotabably received within said housing, said central assembly comprising an upper inlet bore defined there-through from an inlet port to an outlet port;   a body, said body comprising a lower inlet bore defined therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, said lower inlet bore fluidly connected to said upper inlet bore, said body comprising a valve; and   a float portion extending into a container, said float portion operably connected to said body, said float portion comprising a cam member,   wherein said central assembly, body and float portion are fixed relative to one another, and wherein rotation of said central assembly relative to said head results in rotation of said body and said float portion,   wherein said valve has an open position configured for permitting fluid to flow into said inlet port, through said upper inlet bore and said lower inlet bore, and out said outlet into a container, and has a closed position configured for preventing fluid from flowing through said float control module and into said container, and wherein said valve comprises a piston slidably engaging a cylinder,   wherein said piston comprises a base portion configured for sealing engagement with a seat defined within said lower inlet bore, said seat adjacent said outlet, wherein said piston comprises a boss configured for extending through said outlet, and   wherein said boss is configured for manipulation by said cam member, wherein vertical movement of said float portion is translated into the cam member variably contacting the boss of the piston, opening and closing said valve.   
     
     
         17 . The float control module of  claim 16 , wherein said float portion comprises a float arm pivotally connecting with said body. 
     
     
         18 . The float control module of  claim 16 , wherein central assembly is configured to rotate relative to the head, thereby rotating the float portion attached thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The float control module of  claim 18 , further comprising a rotation lock for locking the position of the central assembly relative to the head, thereby preventing further rotation of the central assembly. 
     
     
         20 . A float control module, said float control module comprising:
 a head for mounting to a fixed surface, said head comprising a head housing;   a central assembly extending through said head, said central assembly comprising a drum rotabably received within said housing, said central assembly comprising an upper inlet bore defined there-through from an inlet port to an outlet port;   a body, said body comprising a lower inlet bore defined therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, said lower inlet bore fluidly connected to said upper inlet bore, said body comprising a valve;   a float portion extending into a container, said float portion operably connected to said body; and   a rotation lock for locking the position of the central assembly relative to the head, thereby preventing further rotation of the central assembly, wherein central assembly is configured to rotate relative to the head, thereby rotating the float portion attached thereto, and   wherein said central assembly, body and float portion are fixed relative to one another, and wherein rotation of said central assembly relative to said head results in rotation of said body and said float portion.