Husky Corporation’s ECO Nozzle Passes Rigorous Testing, Earns CARB Certification
Pacific, MO – Building on three-quarters of a century developing innovative solutions for the petroleum dispensing industry, Husky Corporation has received certification for a product that represents the next generation in fuel nozzles.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB), whose standards and certification processes for vehicle pollution are the most stringent of any regulatory body, approved Husky’s 6025 ECO Nozzle for conventional CARB-required refueling jurisdictions. Those locations currently include California, New Jersey, and Colorado. It also is applicable for any refueling site that wants a cleaner, greener fueling experience for customers.
“This new conventional fuel nozzle contains all the advanced safety and environmental benefits, while also meeting standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Husky Corporation president Grenville Sutcliffe. “It is now proven to be the best nozzle of its kind on the market, the easiest to use, and the most customer-friendly.”
The CARB requirements for conventional fuel nozzles include criteria that are hold-overs from previous regulations requiring nozzles to collect vapors while dispensing fuel. Husky engineers updated features for the ECO Nozzle, (which stands for Enhanced COnventional Nozzle) to meet four CARB standards for protecting the environment.
“We wanted to develop an enhanced conventional nozzle, based in part on designs from our vapor recovery nozzles, that is safe for the end user and eliminates spills,” said Jeff Deaton, Husky Corporation Manufacturing Engineer. “The general idea is we wanted to keep fuel from spilling on the ground right at its source.”
As a result, the ECO Nozzle features a unique internal interlock device that shuts off the fuel flow before the spout is out of the tank, preventing unintended spillage. That is one of several internal features that make the ECO nozzle shut off faster than other nozzles.
“To activate the ECO nozzle, it has to be inserted in the vehicle’s fill pipe depressing the splash guard. Then it will dispense fuel,” Sutcliffe said. “If someone inadvertently knocks the nozzle out of the fill pipe while it’s still open, the interlock will shut the nozzle off before it clears the fill pipe, instead of spilling gasoline.”
“The front end of the nozzle was redesigned to provide a sleeker appearance and improved function compared to the bellows-type nozzles customers may remember when using vapor recovery nozzles,” said Tim Schroeder, Husky Design Engineer. “We updated components to make sure it works during all weather conditions. And we reduced the number of parts utilized in the product to make it more functional and cost effective.”
The interlock device in combination with drip-less features of the ECO Nozzle’s spout provide both environmental and practical benefits at fueling operations. During field tests conducted to prepare for both Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and CARB certification, ECO Nozzle was found to reduce spillage at fuel station forecourts by 90%.
“For example, Costco has seen a dramatic decrease in spills with the interlock and drip-less spout. It makes for a safer and cleaner fueling experience,” said Zach Holcomb, Husky Corporation Chief Engineer. “This certification lets the end user know the nozzle has been thoroughly vetted by CARB, and before that by UL. If you attain CARB approval, you’ve gone through the battle and essentially have the best product.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the ECO nozzle also contains features that make it easier to use. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that tools be operated by using no more than five pounds of force. The ECO Nozzle is ADA compliant thanks to a 2-piece lever that requires half the force of ordinary levers to open, in addition to a unique tilt poppet that permits smooth opening and closing of the nozzle’s fuel dispensing valve.
“We got to work on this problem after hearing from a number of people with disabilities while at a congressional subcommittee some years ago. Many of those attending indicated they were having problems filling their cars,” Sutcliffe said. “These features make it very easy for older people or people with disabilities to use.’”
The ECO Nozzle also lends itself to fueling stations that require customers to fill vehicles when the fill pipe is on opposite side of the dispenser. That is primarily because of the interlock device and because it has an exceptionally low vacuum-to-shutoff attribute, which together prevent inadvertent spills and drips.
“This truly does represent the next generation of fuel nozzles. The certification is a great accomplishment for the entire Husky team,” Sutcliffe said. “What is exciting is that we have beaten the competition. And we’re tooling up to sell a bunch of them.”
About Husky: A Breed Apart® Husky® Corporation is a leading provider of fuel dispensing products and services. Founded in 1947 with headquarters and production facilities in the metro St. Louis area at Pacific, Missouri, Husky Corporation offers Husky General Fueling Products including a complete line of dispensing nozzles, swivels, Safe-T-Breaks®, hoses and related accessories for fuel delivery systems. Husky Corporation operating divisions include BJE® Oil and Lube Products and Hewitt® Aviation Fueling Products. Additionally, the company offers Enevo Logistics Optimization Systems, Roman Seliger® Liquid Loading Arms and S.U.R.&R. Fluid Line Repair Solutions.
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