DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to fluid dispensing guns and more particularly, to a fluid dispensing apparatus (fluid dispensing gun), which is controlled based on the pressure of the fluid (oil) in the fluid dispensing apparatus.

BACKGROUND
[002] In a vehicle production line, oil needs to be dispensed for use in a differential unit of a vehicle. The system for dispensing oil comprises of a hydraulic pump, a flow meter, a controller unit, a pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun, a pneumatic pipe from the controller operated valve to the oil dispensing gun and a hydraulic hose from the pump to the oil dispensing gun. At the start position, the hydraulic pump is used to pump the oil from the oil tank to the gun. At start position, the flow meter is used to calculate the quantity of oil flow and providing feedback to controller unit to stop the operation of pump. The controller unit controls the pump and the pneumatic valve start/stop as per start command and flow meter input. The pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun is used to dispense the oil as per pneumatic input from valve. The pneumatic pipe controls the pneumatic gun as per controller unit and valve input.
[003] In the machine cycle operation, the hydraulic pump and pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun are operated. The controller unit stops the pump and the pneumatic operated oil filling gun automatically, on the controller sensing the desired quantity through flow meter. If the pneumatic hose and/or valve are not working, the pneumatic control remains on and creates leakage of remaining oil in the hose pipe and the dispensing gun. On the cycle stopping, some amount of oil remains in the pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun, which can leak and cause issues such as contamination, inventory loss, and so on. The leakage of oil from the pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun in the vehicle production line incurs high cost. For example, the average amount of oil leaked from the oil dispensing gun during one cycle is 9 ml and the average number of cycles per day is 300 cycles. So the average amount of oil leakage from oil dispensing gun per day is 300 x 9 = 2700ml i.e., 2.7 litres. The average amount of oil leakage from the oil dispensing gun per month is 26 days x 2.7 litres = 70.2 litres. Therefore, the average amount of oil leakage from the oil dispensing gun per year is 12 months x 70. 2 litres = 842. 4 litres. The cost of one liter of oil is 91.85 rupees (Rs). Therefore, the amount of cost loss per year is 842.4 litres x 91.85 = 77374.44 Rs.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a fluid dispensing apparatus, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a fluid dispensing apparatus, which restricts the flow or leakage of fluid (oil) from the fluid dispensing apparatus (fluid dispensing gun) during non-operative condition of a pump.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a fluid dispensing apparatus, which is controlled based on the pressure of the fluid (oil) in the fluid dispensing apparatus.
[007] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a mechanical auto cut off arrangement which addresses the wastage of oil due to pneumatic hose and pneumatic valve problem, which replaces the pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun.
[008] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to eliminate the heavy pneumatic arrangement to cut off the fluid (oil) flow in the pneumatic operated oil dispensing gun.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a fluid dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded photographic view of the fluid dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of a dispensing nozzle of the fluid dispensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a fluid dispensing apparatus, which restricts the flow or leakage of fluid (oil) from the fluid dispensing apparatus (fluid dispensing gun) during non-operative condition of a pump. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a fluid dispensing apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts an exploded photographic view of the fluid dispensing apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the fluid dispensing system (not shown) includes a fluid dispensing apparatus 100, a pump (not shown), a controller unit (not shown), a flow meter (not shown), a pipe (not shown) and may include other standard components as present in standard fluid dispensing system.
[0017] The apparatus 100 is used for dispensing fluid (oil). In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a connector 102, a dispensing nozzle 104, a movable member 106, a resilient means 108, a first sealing means 110, a second sealing means 112 and a third sealing means 114. In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 is configured to be provided in a vehicle production line for dispensing fluid (oil) to a differential unit (not shown) of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the apparatus 100 is configured to be provided in a fuel station for dispensing fuel to a fuel tank (not shown) of a vehicle. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the apparatus 100 in any other systems/applications which requires dispensing of fluid.
[0018] In an embodiment, the connector 102 is used for receiving the fluid (oil) from the fluid reservoir (not shown) through the pump (not shown) and providing the fluid to the dispensing nozzle 104 through the movable member 106. The connector 102 includes a first portion 102a, a second portion 102b, a third portion 102c and a fluid passage 102d. The first portion 102a of the connector 102 defines a L-shape configuration. The first portion 102a of the connector 102 includes a portion (not shown) having machined male threads (not shown) adapted to be secured to corresponding female threads (not shown) of corresponding portion of the pipe (not shown). The second portion 102b of the connector 102 is extending from the first portion 102a of the connector 102. The second portion 102b of the connector 102 includes machined male threads (not shown) adapted to be secured to corresponding female threads (not shown) of corresponding inner portion (not shown) of a first portion 104a of the dispensing nozzle 104 thereby securing the dispensing nozzle 104 to the connector 102. The third portion 102c of the connector 102 is extending from the second portion 102b of the connector 102. The fluid passage 102d of the connector 102 defines an inlet 102i provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir (not shown) through the pump (not shown), and an outlet 102o provided in fluid communication with the inlet 102i of the fluid passage 102d of the connector 102.
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of a dispensing nozzle 104 of the fluid dispensing apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the dispensing nozzle 104 is used for dispensing the fluid (oil). The dispensing nozzle 104 includes a first portion 104a and a second portion 104b. The first portion 104a of the dispensing nozzle 104 is connected to the second portion 102b of the connector 102. The first portion 104a and the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 defines a resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c adapted to receive the resilient means 108 and the movable member 106. The resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c of the dispensing nozzle 104 is at least an opening. The second portion 102b of the dispensing nozzle 104 defines an outlet O adapted to dispense the fluid. An outer diameter of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 is lesser than an outer diameter of the first portion 104a of the dispensing nozzle 104.
[0020] In an embodiment, the movable member 106 is adapted to move from a first position to a second position thereby moving the first sealing means 110 away from the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 therein to dispense the fluid (oil) when the pressure of the fluid in a second chamber S reaches a predefined pressure during operation of the pump (not shown), where the force of the fluid in the second chamber S is greater than the combined force of the fluid in a first chamber F and the force of the resilient means 108. In an embodiment, the movable member 106 includes a first portion 106a, a second portion 106b, an intermediate portion 106c and a third portion 106d. The first portion 106a of the movable member 106 defines an inlet I adapted to be provided in fluid communication with the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102d of the connector 102. An outer diameter of the first portion 106a of the movable member 106 is lesser than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106. The second portion 106b of the movable member 106 is opposite to the first portion 106a of the movable member 106. The second portion 106b of the movable member 106 defines an outlet O adapted to be provided in fluid communication with the inlet I of the first portion 106a of the movable member 106, where the outlet O of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106 is transverse to the inlet I of the first portion 102a of the movable member 106. An outer diameter of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106 is lesser than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106. The intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106 is between the first portion 106a and the second portion 106b of the movable member 106. An outer diameter of the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106 is lesser than inner diameter of the first portion 104a of the dispensing nozzle 104. The intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106 and the second portion 102b of the connector 102 defines a first chamber F. The first chamber F is provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir (not shown) through the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102d of the connector 102. The intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106 and the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 defines a second chamber S. The second chamber S is provided in fluid communication with the first chamber F through the outlet O of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106. The third portion 106d of the movable member 106 is extending from the second portion 106b of the movable ember 106 in a direction towards the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104. An outer diameter of the third portion 106d of the movable member 106 is lesser than an outer diameter of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106.
[0021] In an embodiment, the resilient means 108 is adapted to provide a predefined force to the first sealing means 110 through the movable member 106 thereby enabling the first sealing means 110 to engage the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 therein to restrict the fluid from the second chamber S to flow outside the dispensing nozzle 104. The resilient means 108 includes a first end 108a engaged to second portion 102b of the connector 102, and second end 108b engaged to the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106. The resilient means 108 is received by the resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c of the dispensing nozzle 104. In an embodiment, the resilient means 108 is at least a spring.
[0022] In an embodiment, the first sealing means 110 is adapted to restrict the fluid from the second chamber S to flow outside the dispensing nozzle 104. The first sealing means 110 is adapted to be connected to corresponding end of the third portion 106d of the movable member 106 and engaged to the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 to restrict the fluid from the second chamber S to flow outside the dispensing nozzle 104. In an embodiment, the first sealing means 110 is at least an O-ring. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of sealing elements or any other means for sealing the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104.
[0023] In an embodiment, the second sealing means 112 is provided between corresponding inner portion of the first portion 104a of the dispensing nozzle 104 and a circumferential portion of the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106 therein to restrict the fluid from the first chamber F to flow to the second chamber S. In an embodiment, the second sealing means 112 is at least an O-ring.
[0024] In an embodiment, the third sealing means 114 is adapted to be engaged to corresponding end of the first portion 104a of the movable member 104. In an embodiment, the third sealing means 114 is at least an O-ring.
[0025] The pump (not shown) is used to pump the fluid from the fluid reservoir (not shown) to connector 102 of the apparatus 100 through the pipe (not shown). The pipe (not shown) is used to transfer the fluid from the pump (not shown) to the connector 102 of the apparatus 100. One end of the pipe (not shown) is connected to the pump (not shown) and the other end of the pipe (not shown) is connected to the first portion 102a of the connector 102.
[0026] The controller unit (not shown) is used to control the pump (not shown) i.e., the controller unit (not shown) is used to stop the operation of the pump (not shown) based on the information received from the flow meter (not shown). In another embodiment, the pump (not shown) can also be switched on or off by using a switching means.
[0027] The flow meter (not shown) is used to measure the amount (volume) of fluid (oil) dispensed from the apparatus 100 and provides an output signal/information to the controller unit (not shown) to stop the operation of the pump when the pre-set volume in the flow meter (not shown) is reached.
[0028] The working of the apparatus 100 is as follows. During the operation of the pump (not shown), the fluid from the fluid reservoir (not shown) is pumped to the connector 102 of the apparatus 100 through the pipe (not shown). Thereafter, the fluid received in inlet 102i of the fluid passage 102d of the connector 102 flows to the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102o of the connector 102. Thereafter, the fluid from the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102d of the connector 102 flows to the first chamber F. Thereafter, the fluid from the first chamber F flows to the outlet O of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106 through the inlet I of the first portion 106a of the movable member 106. Thereafter, the fluid from the outlet O of the second portion 106b of the movable member 106 flows to the second chamber S. The pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S keeps on increasing and when the pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S reaches a predefined pressure, the movable member 106 is adapted to move from a first position to a second position (backward movement of the movable member 106 compresses the resilient means 108 due to back pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S) thereby moving the first sealing means 110 away from the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 in a direction towards the second portion 106b of the movable member 106 and the fluid from the second chamber S flows outside the dispensing nozzle 104 through the outlet O of the second portion 104b of the dispensing nozzle 104 on engagement of fluid with the intermediate portion 106c of the movable member 106, where the where the force of the fluid in the second chamber S is greater than the combined force of the fluid in the first chamber F and the force of the resilient means 108. Now, when the required amount (pre-set value of fluid in flow meter) of fluid is reached in the flow meter (not shown), the flow meter (not shown) provides an output signal/information to the controller unit (not shown) to stop the operation of the pump (not shown). At this condition, the movable member 106 is adapted to move from the second position to the first position thereby moving the first sealing means 110 to engage the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104 to restrict the fluid from the second chamber S to flow outside the dispensing nozzle 104 when the pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S is below the predefined pressure, where the force of the fluid in the second chamber S is lesser than the combined force of the fluid in the first chamber F and the force of the resilient means 108. Therefore, an efficient fluid dispensing apparatus 100, which restricts the flow or leakage of fluid (oil) from the fluid dispensing apparatus 100 during non-operative condition of a pump is provided.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. An apparatus 100 for dispensing fluid, said apparatus 100 comprising:
a connector 102 having first portion 102a, a second portion 102b extending from the first portion 102a, a third portion 102c extending from the second portion 102b, and a fluid passage 102d defining an inlet 102i provided in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir through a pump, and an outlet 102o provided in fluid communication with the inlet 102i;
a dispensing nozzle 104 having a first portion 104a adapted to be connected to the second portion 102b of said connector 102; and a second portion 104b extending from the first portion 104a, the second portion 104b defining an outlet O adapted to dispense the fluid, where the first portion 104a and the second portion 104b defines a resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c;
a movable member 106 adapted to be received by the resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c of said dispensing nozzle 104, said movable member 106 having a first portion 106a defining an inlet I provided in fluid communication with the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102d of said connector 102; a second portion 106b opposite to the first portion, the second portion 106b defining an outlet O provided in fluid communication with the inlet I of the first portion 106a; an intermediate portion 106c between the first portion 106a and the second portion 106a; and a third portion 106d extending from the second portion 102b in a direction towards the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104;
a resilient means 108 having a first end 108a engaged to second portion 102b of said connector 102, and second end 108b engaged to the intermediate portion 106c of said movable member 106; and
a first sealing means 110 adapted to be connected to corresponding end of the third portion 106d of said movable member 106 and engaged to the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104,
wherein
said resilient means 108 is adapted to provide a predefined force to said first sealing means 110 through said movable member 106 thereby enabling said first sealing means 110 to engage the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104;
the intermediate portion 106c of said movable member 106 and the second portion 102b of said connector 102 defines a first chamber F provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through the outlet 102o of the fluid passage 102d of said connector 102;
the intermediate portion 106c of said movable member 106 and second portion 102b of said dispensing nozzle 104 defines a second chamber S provided in fluid communication with the first chamber F through the outlet O of the second portion 106b of said movable member 106;
the fluid from the first chamber F flows to the second chamber S through the outlet O of the second portion 106b of said movable member 106, and said movable member 106 is adapted to move from a first position to a second position thereby moving said sealing means 110 away from the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104 in a direction towards the second portion 106b of said movable member 106 and the fluid from the second chamber S flows outside said dispensing nozzle 104 through the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104 on engagement of fluid with the intermediate portion 106c of said movable member 106 when the pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S reaches a predefined pressure during operation of the pump; and
said movable member 106 is adapted to move from the second position to the first position thereby moving said first sealing means 110 to engage the outlet O of the second portion 104b of said dispensing nozzle 104 to restrict the fluid from the second chamber S to flow outside said dispensing nozzle 104 when the pressure of the fluid in the second chamber S is below the predefined pressure during non-operative condition of the pump.

2. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient means 108 is at least a spring.

3. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient and movable member receiving portion 104c of said dispensing nozzle 104 is at least an opening.

4. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second sealing means 112 provided between corresponding inner portion of the first portion 104a of said dispensing nozzle 104 and a circumferential portion of the intermediate portion 106c of said movable member 106 therein to restrict the fluid from the first chamber F to flow to the second chamber S.

5. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third sealing means 114 adapted to be engaged to corresponding end of the first portion 104a of said movable member 104.

6. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first portion 104a of said movable member 104 is lesser than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion 104c of said movable member 104.

7. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the intermediate portion 104c of said movable member 104 is lesser than an inner diameter of the first portion 104a of said dispensing nozzle 104.

8. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump is controlled by at least one of a controller unit and a switching means.

9. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 is configured to be provided in a vehicle production line to dispense the oil to a differential unit of a vehicle.

10. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 is configured to be provided in a fuel station to dispense the fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle.