July 2007
Eaton Aerospace, Conveyance System Division, Carter
Ground Fueling is proud to announce the release of the new
and improved Coupler Lower Half design. More than 3½
years of design and testing have resulted the world’s only 4”
API/IP 1584, 3rd Edition industry approved Coupler.
API/IP Specification 1584 “Four Inch Hydrant System
Components and Arrangements 3rd Edition, January
2001” included a requirement for a clean breakaway of
the coupler from the pit valve adaptor at a force equal to
between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds. This prevents a
potentially catastrophic geyser of Jet Fuel being released
from the pit valve in the case of a hydrant coupler knock
off caused, for example, by a service vehicle accidentally
colliding with the pressurized pit valve and coupler
arrangement during an aircraft fueling. When the coupler
breaks away, the pit valve poppet closes rapidly,
minimizing any pressurized fuel release. There will still be
some spillage from the hydrant dispenser hose and pipe
work via the damaged coupler; however, this is
considered significantly less hazardous than a
pressurized geyser of Jet Fuel from a damaged pit valve.
The coupler breakaway force is at a value less than that
likely to cause any damage to the hydrant riser.
The requirements of this new edition are not retroactive;
however, the document suggests that the users decide
what action to take considering the “safety implication of
non-conformance.”
Starting with the release of the 64900 family of Couplers
in July of 2007, all Couplers produced will include the
new Lower Half design.