Cleaning receptacle for cryogenic fluid fueling nozzle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023398564-A1
Application number	US-202118251329-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 17, 2021
Priority date	Nov 17, 2020
Publication date	Dec 14, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A cleaning receptacle for cleaning a fueling nozzle used to transfer cryogenic fluid is disclosed. An example cleaning receptacle includes an outer body. The outer body includes an outer wall that extends circumferentially around a center axis of the cleaning receptacle. The outer wall has a first inner surface. The outer body includes a plurality of locating members extending inwardly from the first inner surface toward the center axis. The example cleaning receptacle includes a flow body. The flow body includes a second inner surface that defines a cavity and a lip at an outer end of the flow body. The example cleaning receptacle includes a spray body disposed at an inner end of the flow body. The spray body includes a spray head that defines a plurality of spray holes configured to spray air through the cavity of the flow body and onto surfaces of the fueling nozzle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A cleaning receptacle for cleaning a fueling nozzle used to transfer cryogenic fluid, the cleaning receptacle comprising:
an outer body including:
an outer wall that extends circumferentially around a center axis of the cleaning receptacle, wherein the outer wall has a first inner surface; and
a plurality of locating members extending inwardly from the first inner surface toward the center axis, wherein the plurality of locating members are configured to engage an end of the fueling nozzle to facilitate alignment with and prevent rotation of the fueling nozzle relative to the cleaning receptacle;
a flow body extending circumferentially around the center axis of the cleaning receptacle, wherein the flow body includes a second inner surface that defines a cavity and a lip at an outer end of the flow body, wherein the lip is configured to securely engage a locking mechanism of the fueling nozzle; and a spray body disposed at an inner end of the flow body, wherein the spray body includes a spray head that defines a plurality of spray holes configured to spray air through the cavity of the flow body and onto surfaces of the fueling nozzle when the fueling nozzle is securely coupled to the flow body.

2 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the second inner surface of the flow body includes a first segment that defines a first portion of the cavity adjacent the inner end, a second segment that defines a second portion of the cavity adjacent the outer end, and a middle segment that defines a middle portion of the cavity axially between the first portion and the second portion.

3 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the cavity has an outer circumference smaller than that of the second portion of the cavity to deter moisture that is removed from the surfaces of the fueling nozzle by the air from flowing back toward the spray body.

4 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 3 , wherein the middle portion of the cavity has an outer circumference that transitions between that of the first portion and that of the second portion of the cavity, wherein the middle portion of the cavity is shaped and positioned relative to the plurality of spray holes to direct the moisture removed from the surfaces of the fueling nozzle through a vent path that is formed between the flow body and the fueling nozzle.

5 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the flow body is configured to form a vent path with the fueling nozzle.

6 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of spray holes and the cavity of the flow body are arranged to direct moisture removed from the fueling nozzle by the air through the vent path to prevent the moisture from flowing back onto the surfaces of the fueling nozzle.

7 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the outer body further includes a base and side posts, wherein the base is configured to couple to a panel of the station, wherein the base is spaced apart from the outer wall, wherein the side posts extend between and connect to the base and the outer wall.

8 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the inner end of the flow body defines internal threads and the spray head of the spray body defines external threads, wherein the spray body is threadably coupled to the flow body via the internal threads and the external threads.

9 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the spray head is located at a first end of the spray body, wherein the spray body further comprises a cylindrical wall located at a second end of the spray body, and wherein the cylindrical wall includes inner threads configured to threadably receive a tube that provides the air sprayed by the plurality of spray holes.

10 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the flow body is configured to be positioned through an opening defined by a panel of a station.

11 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 10 , wherein the flow body defines a flange that extends radially outward from an outer surface of the flow body, wherein the flange is configured to engage an outer panel surface of the panel of the station when the flow body is positioned through the opening.

12 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 11 , wherein the inner end of the flow body defines external threads and further comprising a locking nut configured to be threaded onto the flow body via the external threads and engage an inner panel surface of the panel of the station, wherein the locking nut and the flange of the flow body are configured to pin the flow body to the panel.

13 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 12 , wherein the outer body further comprises a base, and wherein the outer body is configured to be positioned over the flow body such that the base engages the outer panel surface of the panel of the station.

14 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 13 , further comprising fasteners configured to extend through holes defined by the base to securely couple the outer body to the panel of the station.

15 . The cleaning receptacle of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spray holes are configured to direct the air onto surfaces of a poppet and a valve seat of the fueling nozzle to inhibit the poppet from freezing in place with respect to the valve seat.

Assignees

• Jordan Kevin
• Engineered Controls Int Llc

Inventors

• Jordan Kevin

Classifications

• B05B15/555 Primary

  discharged by cleaning nozzles · CPC title

• B05B1/14

  with multiple outlet openings (B05B1/02, B05B1/26 take precedence); with strainers in or outside the outlet opening · CPC title

• B05B1/304

  the controlling element being a lift valve · CPC title

• B08B5/02

  Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities {(airguns or nozzles per se B05B1/005)} · CPC title

• B05B15/63

  Handgrips · CPC title