Drip nozzle and methods

Abstract

A nozzle ( 10 ) has a diaphragm valve ( 50 ) mounted at or near the downstream end of the spout ( 20 ). The diaphragm has an opening ( 56 ) responsive to fluid pressure in the spout, allowing fluid to pass with sufficiently high upstream pressure and preventing fluid, from passing with lower upstream pressure. The opening can have any suitable shape and size, but is preferably multi-branched, with a central point from which side openings radiate. The diaphragm is preferably place very close to the down-stream end of the spout to reduce dead space, and may advantageously be included in an installation frame ( 80 B).

1 . A nozzle having a spout through which a fuel flows from an upstream to a downstream direction, comprising: 
 a diaphragm circumferentially coupled to and at a position near a downstream end of the spout, wherein the diaphragm has a body and a multibranched opening to form a pressure-activated valve; and    wherein the diaphragm is responsive to fuel pressure in the spout upstream of the diaphragm such that a portion of the diaphragm flexes between a downstream position that opens the valve and an upstream position that closes the valve.    
   
   
       2 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the fuel flows through the multi-branched opening.  
   
   
       3 . The nozzle of  claim 2  wherein the multi-branched opening has at least three branches.  
   
   
       4 . The nozzle of  claim 2  wherein the multi-branched opening has at least four branches.  
   
   
       5 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein diaphragm is substantially donut shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm comprises a continuous piece of a polymer.  
   
   
       7 . The nozzle of  claim 6  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of a urethane, a rubber, and a silicone.  
   
   
       8 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm is positioned such that there is substantially no dead space between the diaphragm and the end of the spout.  
   
   
       9 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm has a flexibility such that during operation of the nozzle, a point of greatest travel of the diaphragm moves less than 2 cm.  
   
   
       10 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm is has a flexibility such that during operation of the nozzle, a point of greatest travel of the diaphragm moves at least one 0.25 cm.  
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm is packaged in an installation frame.  
   
   
       13 . The nozzle of  claim 1  wherein the diaphragm extends substantially normally across the spout.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . The nozzle of  claim 10  wherein the diaphragm is packaged in an installation frame.  
   
   
       16 . A diaphragm for use as a valve in a spout of an automotive fuel dispensing nozzle, comprising: 
 an outer portion sized and dimensioned to fit snugly circumferentially against the spout;    a flexible inner portion having a multibranched fluid passageway and biased into a domed configuration, wherein the fluid passageway is closed in the domed configuration and open in a configuration other than the domed configuration; and    the diaphragm sufficiently flexible to at least partially open the fluid passageway when the diaphragm is subjected to an upstream fuel pressure in the spout of less than 1.5 atmospheres.    
   
   
       17 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein the domed portion is continuous with the outer ring portion.  
   
   
       18 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein the fluid passageway comprises an opening.  
   
   
       19 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein the multibranched fluid passageway comprises at least three branches.  
   
   
       20 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein diaphragm is substantially donut shaped.  
   
   
       21 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein the inner portion comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of a urethane, a rubber, and a silicone.  
   
   
       22 . The diaphragm of  claim 16  wherein the diaphragm is sufficiently flexible to open the fluid passageway at least 90% when the diaphragm is subjected to a pressure less than 1.5 atmospheres.