Closed circuit refueling nozzle

Claim 1

A fueling nozzle for a closed circuit fuel system having a fuel tank inlet comprising, in combination, a hollow tubular body having an elongated passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fuel supply channel defined in said body in communication with said passage inlet end, releasable fuel tank inlet connection means defined on said body adjacent said passage outlet end movable between lock and release positions, operating means associated with said connection means mounted on said body movable between lock and release positions, an elongated plunger concentrically mounted within said elongated passage for axial movement between extended and retracted positions, said plunger having an inner end located adjacent said passage inlet end and an outer end adjacent said passage outlet end, an enlarged head mounted on said plunger outer end, plunger operating means mounted on said body connected to said plunger for translating said plunger between said extended and retracted positions, an annular valve sleeve sealingly received within said body passage adjacent to and accessible from said outlet end and axially displaceable between plunger head engaged and disengaged positions, engagement of said valve sleeve and plunger head closing said passage outlet end to fluid flow therethrough and connection of said body to a fuel tank inlet when said plunger is in said extended position disengaging said valve sleeve from said head to open said passage outlet end, first spring means axially biasing said valve sleeve toward said plunger head, an annular pressure regulator sleeve concentrically located within said body passage between said plunger head and passage inlet end axially displaceable within said passage and sealed with respect thereto, a valve seat defined within said body passage adjacent said passage inlet end in alignment with said regulator sleeve, valve means defined on said regulator sleeve engagable with said valve seat to close the interior of said regulator sleeve with respect to said fuel supply channel, differential pressure faces defined on said regulator sleeve exposed to the fluid pressure within said body passage imposing opposite axial forces on said regulator sleeve, and second spring means within said body imposing an axial force on said regulator sleeve tending to separate said regulator sleeve valve means and said valve seat, a predetermined pressure within said body passage axially displacing said regulator sleeve against the force of said second spring to engage said valve means and valve seat and close the interior of said regulator sleeve with respect to said fuel supply channel.