Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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IL UM NATED SIPHON
FIELD OF T~ INV~NTION
The present invention relates generally to siphons and related
liquid transfer devices, and more specifically to a siphon
including illumination means, providing illumination for the
contents of a tank or other container to be siphoned.
~ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contaminated fuel is a com~on problem in the trucking
industry. Fuel contamination may occur in many ways, as each time
fuel is transferred (e. g., from distribution center to tank truck,
from tank truck to retail storage tank, and from retail storage~
tank to vehicle~ some opportunity arises for small particles o~;
dirt and debris, as well as other contaminants, to enter the tank
with the fuel.
Moreover, it is well known that partially ~illed tanks of any
sort or capacity are subject to internal condensation, wherein
water vapor suspended in the air volume within the tank condenses
onto the inner walls of the tank and runs down the walls. A~ water
is heavier than fuel and will not dissolve in most fuels, such
condensate will form a pocket or puddle at the lowest pointls) in
the tank, below any fuel in the tank. While most pumping systems
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endeavor to avoid ingesting such condensate or other foreign
matter the possibility exists any time such foreign matter enters
a fuel sank. The pumping of debris or water into a fuel tank is
consequently and unfortunately an all too common occurrence.
While carbureted engines are generally somewhat more forgiving
of such foreign matter mixed with the fuel, fuel injected systems
generally include relativel~ small diameter injection noz~les in
order so break up the fuel charge into smaller droplets more
readily and thus to provide more efficient combustion. This is
particularly true of diesel truck engines, which are relatively
susceptible to injector and other engine damage, particularly due
to wa~er ingestion.
Means for the removal of such water and foreign matter have
generally consisted of relatively costly filters installed between
lS the rank and the injectors on the truck. Such filters are
relatively inefficient, and it may take quite a number of filters
(e. g. up to 25 filters) to filter one gallon of water from 100
gallons of fuel. It would be more desirable to remove the
contamination from the tank directly, rather than attempting to
filter it out as it passes through the fuel system.
While siphons and other extraction systems and devices have
been developed, they have been only partially effective at best due
to the difficulty in seeing the pocket of water or other
contamination in the bottom of a darkened fuel tank. The interface
between water and ~uel may be readily observed if there is
suf f icient light, but of course lights are not provided in fuel
tanks.
~ ha need arises for an illuminated siphon device for the
withdrawal of contamination from fuel tanks, particularly the fuel
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tanks or diesel trucks. The device must provide a safe source of
liaht within the tank, preferably aligned with the end of the
siphon installed within the tank. The device should be rslatively
economical to purchase, allowing virtually anyone with a need for
such a device to possess one. Finally, it should be relatively
small, compact and light weight in order to be readily carried
aboard the vehicle for whic~ it is needed.
DESCRIPTION OF THL PRIOR ART
Various tank and other cleaning devices and siphons are known
in the prior art. Those patents uncovered in the course of a
search relating to the present invention, and as a result of the
examination of the parent application to the present application,
are discussed immediately below.
U S. Patent No. 1.863.203 issued to Bert C. Lewis on June 14,
1932 discloses a Water Supply Dev~ce For Batteries. While the
device includes an electric light, the light emission is
immediately adjacent the handle and outlet end of the tube, rather
than being remotely located at the suction or inlet end of the
tube, as in the present invention.
U.S. Patent No. 2,002,107 issued to Clyde E. Bourret on ~ay
21, 1935 discloses an Illuminated Hose Nozzle wherein the light
source radiates from a point immediately adjacent the handle, a~ in
the Lewis patent discussed above. Again, the light i3 located at
the outlet end of a supply nozzle, rather than at the inlet end of '
a suction or siphon tube, as in the present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 2,005,251 issued to Straud R. Wood et al. on
June '~8 1935 discloses a Light For Gasoline Dispensing Nozzles
which :icht source is disposed adjacent the outlet end of the
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nozzle and is physically separated from the battery by the length
of the noz71e. Again, the light is located at the outlet end of ' ,
the su~ply nozzle, rather than at the inlet end of a suction tube.
U. S. Patent No. 2,260.325 issued to Ward Leathers on October
28, 1941 discloses a Vacuum Cleaner including vibratory or beater
bar means. While a wiring diagram and portion of the specification
make note of a light, no l-ocation or purpose for the light is
disclosed. It appears to be a pilot or annunciator light to
provide notice that the beater bar system is in operation, rather
than tO provide illumination for operation of the vacuum cleaner in
a darkened area. Moreover, the device is incapable of functioning
as a iiquid siphon tube, let alone with fuels, and the head portion
is so larae as to preclude insertion into any narrow or small
openina, as provided by the present invention.
ll. S. Patent No. 2,637,062 issued to Otis B. Sutton et al. on
May ~ 1953 discloses a Suction Ndzzle With Removable ~and And
Illumina~ing Means. While the light is intended to provide
illumination at the inlet end of the vacuum. the same limitations
j (not adaptable to use with fluids or fuels, relatively wide nozzle~ ~1
head) apply here as to the Leathers patent discussed above.
U. S. Patent No. 3,341,880 issued to Einar T. Y~ung on
September 19, 1967 discloses a Tank Cleaning Apparatus comprising
a coiled hose upon a reel. The hose is inserted down~ard into the
tank vent and through a specially formed guide. The apparatus
requires a specially constructed or modified tank and makes no
provision for the cleaning of vehicle tanks. Moreover, no
illumination means is disclosed.
U. ~. Patent No. 4,291,839 issued to Dennis A. Brett on
Sep~ember ~9, 1981 discloses a Vehicle Rust-Inhibiting Spray Gun
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With i.iahting Means. The device is a dispensing, rather than an
intake nozzle, and the light source is disposed somewhat away from
the outlet nozzle. rather than immediately adjacent the nozzle for
workina in confined areas, as in the case of the present invention.
U. S. Patent No. 4,797,206 issued to James P. Lynch on January
10. î989 discloses a Siphon Device For Cleaning Spas. A single
tube is disclosed with a r~latively stiff outer protective tube
over ~ portion thereof. No illumination means is disclosed, and as
the davice is intended for use with water, no disclosure is made of
any -esistance to deterioration due to immersion in fuel.
Moreover no transparency of the components is disclosed in order
that ~ontaminates flowing therethrough may be observed.
I. S. Patent No. 5,082,028 issued to Leonard Jean-Jacques on
January 21 1992 discloses a Pool Cleaner Suction Pipe. Again, no
disclosure is made of any illumination means or transparency, nor
is anv means providing resistanc~. to deterioration from fuel
immersion disclosed.
. S. Patent No. 5.152,026 issued to Philip F. Scarpine on
Ij October 6, 1992 discloses a Cooling Tower Cleaning Device including ;
,j a variety of inlet nozzles providing mechanical means for the
removal of foreign matter which may have adhered to the inside of
the tower. unlike the present invention. However, the patent fails
to disc~ose any lighting means for the apparatus, even though it is
l intended to be used to withdraw water (not fuel) from an enclosed
tank.
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;9r1lish Patent No. 961,828 to Harold 3enn et al. published on
June _~ 1964 discloses a Cleanina Device For Water Tanks. A
pluralitv or hoses inrluding an air hose and surrounding ~-
containment bag are disclosed the d~vice operates by means of an
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electrlc air compressor, using an air lift principle. No
illuminalion means, transparency or fuel resistance is disclosed.
Japanese Patent No. 60-185,000 to Shigetomi Tanaka published
on September 20, 1985 discloses a Hose Pump For Suction And
Discharae. While disclosure is made of a trifurcate assembly
comprising an inlet tube, an outlet tube, and an offset squeeze
bulb. no mention is made of-any lighting means, as the apparent
intended usage as shown in figure 4 is for the withdrawal of
sediment from the bottom of an open pool or tank. Further, no
apparen~ disclosure is made of the use of the device in withdrawing
contamination from fuel tanks, and compatibility with fuels.
German Patent No. 1,248,896 to Ernst Jacobi published on
Auguse 31, 1967 discloses a pneumatic Suction No~zle for use in
cleanina ~extile and spinning machinery and having a specific shape
and advantages thereto. No additional apparatus is disclosed other
than the nozzle nor is any illumina~ion means or fuel resistance
disclosed.
; Finally, Netherlands Patent No. 8102-763 to the Research
.,
'i Institut 'Sesto' B. V. published on January 3j 1983 discloses Fuel
Siphoning Equipment From (a) Jerry Can. The siphon bulb is
substaneially displaced from the handle portion, thus requiring a
length of flexible tube therebetween, and no lighting means is
disclosed.
None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in
combination, are seen to disclose the specific arrangement of
concepts disclosed by the present invention.
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SUMMARY OF T~E INV~NTION
ay the present invention, an improved siphon device is
disclosed.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to
provide a siphon device for use in withdrawing water and other
contaminates from vehicle fuel tanks.
Another of the objects of the invention is to provide a siphon
device including means for illuminating an area within the tank to
which the siphon is being applied.
Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to
provide a siphon device which illumination source is disposed
outside the fuel tank when the device is in use, ~ut which
illumination is transmitted to a point adjacent the siphon inlet.
Still another of the objects of the present invention is to
provide a siphon device providing a clear line of sight along one
side of the inlet tube, with the i~lumination transmission means
disposed to the opposite side of the inlet tube from the sight
line.
A further object of the present invention is to provide
siphon device which is resistant to deterioration due to immersion
or contact with various fuels.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a
siphon device which includes mechanical means for siphoning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a siphon
device in which the mechanical siphoning means comprises a hand
operated pump.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
siphon device ~hich is compact, lightweight, and of economical
construction.
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With these and other objects in view which will more readily
appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the
invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of
parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed
with reference being made to the attached drawings,
BRIEF DESCR~PTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in
use, showing the siphon of the present invention with its self
contained illumination means inserted into a vehicle fuel tank for
withdrawal of contamination therefrom.
Fiaure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the illuminated
siphon of the present invention, with the inlet tube and
illumination means shown broken away and turned 90 degrees for ea~e
of illustration.
Similar reference characters 'denote corresponding features
consis~ently throughout the several figures of the attached
drawings.
DeTAILFD DESCRIPTION OP T~ PR~F~RReD ~MBODIM~NT
Referring now particularly to figure 1 of the drawings, the
presen~ invention will be seen to relate to an illuminated siphon
device 10 for use in withdrawing water condensate and other
contaminates from a vehicle fuel tank T. Figure 2 provide~ a more
detailed view of siphon 10, more clearly showing its various
components.
, 25 The primary component of siphon 10 is an elongate pipe 12, to
whicA a light source 14 is secured near a first or upper end 16.
Pipe l is preferably of a relatively stiff and inflexible clear or
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transparent material, such as a clear polycarbonate plastic, in
order that water and other contaminates, as well as fuel, being
drawn upward through pipe 12 may be seen by the user of siphon 10.
It is also important that pipe 12, as well as other components of
siphon 10, be relatively resistant to damage from contact with
typical vehicle fuels, such a~ gasoline or diesel fuel.
The distal second end-20 of pipe 12 will be seen to have
another section of hose 18 coaxially installed. This distal or
inlet hose 18 is preferably also of a clear or transparent
material, such as polyethylene plastic, and is preferably flexible~
in order to conform better to corners and internal seams within a
tank T. The mouth or opening 19 of inlet hose 18 is preferably cut
to preclude any close fit against the interior of a tank T, in
order that it will not seal against an interior surface. The
opening 19 of inlet hose 18 may be cut at an obtuse angle 21 as
shown, or other shapes may be formed~,for opening 19. Inlet hose 18
is prefPrably of a smaller diameter than that of the siphon pipe
12, in order to accelerate the liquid flow through the smaller
diameter inlet hose 18 in order to assist in drawing up small
particles of solid debris in addition to water pockets in the tank
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Light source 14 is secured near the first or upper end 16 of
pipe 12, as noted above. Light source 14 preferably comprises a
housing containing an electric light (e.g., incandescent bulb,
althouah other types of light may be used) and battery or battexies
providing power for the electric light. The circuit is actuated by ~ -~
a switch ?2, which may be a slide switch as shown, or alternatively
may comprise a toggle switch, momentary contact push button switch,
etc. ~he housing may also provide handle means or a grip 24 in ~
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addition to being the light source 14 and housing therefor.
In order to transmit the light from the light sourcs 14 at the
upper end 16 to the opposite inlet end 20 of the pipe 12, a light
transmission means comprising a light conductive conduit or path 26 ,
is provided along one side of the inlet pipe 12. Light path 26
includes a first or upper end 27 cooperating with the light source
14, and is preferably a relatively rigid material, such as a clear
Lucite !tm) plastic rod, in order to closely match the stiffness
characteristics of the inlet pipe 12. However, other materials may
be used. such as a fiber optic bundle secured to the side of the
pipe 12 to provide a light source near the distal end 20 of pipe
12. In order to preclude the radiation of light from the sides of
the liahl path 26, it is covered with an opaque coating or material
28 (black olastic tube or sleeve, etc.). The extreme distal second
end 30 ~s uncovered in order to provide light radiation adjacent
the iniet nozzle 18 of the lighted giphon device 10.
Liaht path 26 (and of course its opaque coating or covering
, 28) may be adhesively secured to pipe 12 by means of an epoxy
, fillet 32 or other material which is relatively imperviouq to
degradation from contact with typical fuels. Alternatively,
mechanical attachment means may be used, such as screw type hose~
clamps or other means (wire, etc.). The precise means of secùring
the liaht transmission path 26 along the length of pipe 12 is not
critical, so long as that means is not susceptible to degradation
due to contact with fuels of various sorts. It is also important
that the light path 26 be secured generally parallel to pipe 12 in
order ts cause the primary direction of the projected light beam to
be parallel to pipe 12 near its distal end 20, as is clearly shown
in fiaure 2.
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The upper or firs~ end 16 of the siphon pipe 12 is connected
to a first branch 34 of a trifurcate or "Y" fitting 36, with the
firs~ or upper end 37 of an outlet hose 38 connected to a second
branch 40 of the fitting 36. The outlet hose 38 is preferably
S formed of a clear and flexible length of tubing, such as a
polye~hylene plastic, in the manner of inlet hose 22, in order that
the user of siphon 10 may readily see any water or other
contaminates, fuel, etc. which are drawn throuqh siphon 10.
The third branch 42 of the trifurcate fitting 36 provides for
the attachment of a pump means 44. Pump means 44 may comprise a
hand operated one way valve, operated by squeezing the bulb, to
draw contaminates and liquids upward through pipe 12. Alternative
means may be used, such as a motorized pump, operating from an
electrical power source such as the vehicle electrical system. Any
15 form of suction may be used to draw contaminates and liquids up the
tube. and once the liquid flows back ~down through the various tube~
and pipe of siphon 10 to below the level of the opening 19 of inlet
hose 18 in tank T, an automatic siphoning action will continue, as
iq well known. The second o~ outlet end 46 of the outlet ho~e 38
may be inserted into a container or can C in order to capture the
outflow. as shown in figure 1.
In order to allow the user to have a clearer line of sight
alonq the inlet pipe or tube 12, the trifurcate fitting 36 will be
seen to be turned 90 degrees to the orientation generally shown in
figure 2. The actual siphon 10 would have the inlet tube 12, light
source lq and light transmission means 26, as shown from the break
line in figure 2, axially rotated 90 degrees to place the side of
the pipe 12 opposite the light trangmission means 26 away from
alianmen~ with the plane of the "Y" connection 36 and pump bulb 44.
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Figure 1 provides a more accurate rendition of this arrangement,
showing the pump bulb 44 offset to the near side of the trifurcate . ,
fittina, and providin~ a clear line of sight S alon~ the inlet pipe
12 on the side of the pipe 12 opposite the light transmission means
26. Thus, the apparatus may be more precisely placed as desired by
means of the sight line S provided.
Siphon 10 is used by first inserting the distal flexible inlet
hose 18 and the lower or inlet end 20 of the pipe 12 into a tank T
to a depth as required, and the distal or outlet end 46 of outlet
hose 38 into a container C, positioned below the level of the
bottom of the tank T. The light source 14 may then be activated by
means of switch 22. The relatively stiff and inflexible pipe 12
may then be maneuvered within the tank T, searching out any pockets
of water or other sediment and contaminates within tank T by means
of liqht source 14 and the light emission from the distal or
emission end 30 of the light transm~,ssion means 26; such water or
contaminates will be readily visible within the darkened interior
of tank T, due to the light provided by light source 14 and the
light transmission means 26. When a pocket o water or
contaminates is seen, the mouth or opening 19 of inlet hose 18 will
be automatically aligned with the contaminate pocket due to the
general alianment of the light transmission means 26 and light
emission end 30 with inlet pipe 12. The angled cut 21 of inlet
hose opening l9 will provide for flow into inlet hose 18,
particularly in the case of saddle tanks and other tanks with
rounded bottoms: the generally flat cut 21 of inlet hose opening 19
will provide some slight opening along the curved interior bottom
of a saddle tank T as shown in figure 1. Moreover, the relatively
smaller diameter of the inlet nozzle or hose 18 will cause an
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accelerated flow therethrough, due to a Venturi effect, which
accelerated flow ~ill tend to pick up relatively small solid
particles of material in addition to water contamination.
Once the inlet hose 18 has been maneuvered within a tank T as;
desired. siphon action is started by releasing any restriction~
clamps such as clamp 48 which may be installed on the siphon 10,
and actuating pump means or bulb 44. As noted above. once flow has
commenced through the tubes and pipe of siphon 10 to a level below
the level of inlet hose opening 19, automatic siphoning action will
continue and any pumping action may be discontinued. Water and;
contaminates, as well as any fuel withdrawn, will collect in
container C for later discard or filtering. If the tank T has more
than one low spot where contaminates have collected, siphoning
action may be temporarily halted by installing a restriction clamp
48 to outlet hose 38 (or pinching the outlet hose 38) to reposition
the light source 14 and inlet pipe L~ as desired, and releasing the
restriction clamp 48 to continue the siphoning operation when the
inlet pipe 12 is repositioned. The operation may of course be
repeated as long or as many times as necessary in order to remove
contaminates from the tank T.
When the siphoning operation has been completed, siphon 10 may
be drained of residual fuel and stored as desired, e. g. in the cab
or other area of the truck or vehicle for future use as needed.
Any fuel withdrawn from the tank T and collected within the
container C will float atop any contaminates, and so may be poured ~ -~
back into the tank T if desired, it may be desirable to filter the
contents of container C before returning any fuel to the tank T,
but this is easily and economically done by means of pouring the
fuel through a chamois or other filtering sheet or material.
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Accordingly, the present invention provides a relatively~
economical and efficient means of removing water and other
contaminates from a vehicle fuel tank T. The savings in material,
such as in line fuel filters, is significant, as is the labor saved!
by not having to remove and replace a number of in line filters to
accomplish such contaminate removal. The siphon of the present,
invention provides a rel~tively quick and easy method of
contaminate removal, due to the integral light source as well as
other features. The inexpensive construction and provision for
reuse of the siphon of the present invent~on provide a device which
is a significant improvement in the field.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any
and a]l embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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