Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUID STORAGE TANKS"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to liquid storage tank filling systems and
apparatus and, more particularly, to a storage tank filling a system and
apparatus to
enable the filling of an above-ground, raised storage tank without having to
climb a
ladder or onto the top of the tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally above-ground fuel storage tanks, such as those used on
farms or oil field leases, are mounted on stands so that they are raised above
ground level some significant distance (typically at least about 4, 6 or 8
feet above
the ground). This facilitates the dispensing of fuel from the raised storage
tank into
a motor vehicle that may be driven up next to the tank (i.e. fuel in the
raised tank will
simply drain into the vehicle's fuel tank by gravity, without the need for a
pump).
Similarly, water storage tanks are often likewise raised above the ground
using
similar or identical stands.
The filling of such raised fuel or water tanks is typically conducted
through an opening or inlet near or at the top of the storage tank; generally
from a
tanker truck having pump means to pump the liquid into the storage tank. This,
however, necessitates that an operator ascend or climb up towards the top of
the
storage tank, usually via a ladder, so as to place the nozzle from the tanker
truck
into the storage tank's inlet.
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The need to climb or ascent towards the top of the storage tank not
only requires an operator to expend additional effort and/or provide
additional
equipment (such as a ladder), it also creates a safety concern should the
operator
lose his or her footing and fall from the top of the storage tank during
filling
operations.
What is needed is a system or apparatus which addresses the above-
mentioned disadvantages and concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Advantages of the present invention include:
~ no longer a need to provide or climb a ladder to fill a raised
storage tank;
~ less foaming action when the tank is filled;
~ works with generally any liquid storage tank, including fuel and
water storage tanks; and
~ increased safety to an operator when filling a raised storage
tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1- 2 are front perspective views of a first embodiment of the
present invention, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figures 3 - 4 are side perspective and side views respectively of the
embodiment of Figure 1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
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Figures 5 - 6 are front and front cut out views respectively the
embodiment of Figure 1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figure 7 is another side perspective view of the embodiment of Figure
1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components
of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figures 9 - 10 are additional perspective views of the embodiment of
Figure 1;
Figures 11 - 12 are front perspective views of a second embodiment
of the present invention, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figures 13 - 14 are side perspective and side views respectively of
the embodiment of Figure 11, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figures 15 - 16 are front and front cut out views respectively the
embodiment of Figure 11, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components
of the embodiment of Figure 11; and
Figures 18 - 19 are perspective and component views respectively of
the embodiment of Figure 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference
numbers identify similar components.
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Referring to FIGS. 1- 10 one embodiment of the liquid storage tank
filling system 10 of the present invention is show mounted on a liquid storage
tank
12 having an upper fluid filling inlet 12i and a lower fluid outlet 12o. The
tank 12 is
raised above the ground by means of a conventional stand 14. An exploded
perspective view of some of the components of the filling system 10 is shown
in
FIG. 10.
This embodiment of the filling system 10 comprises a main line or
conduit 16 sealably connected to the tank's outlet 12o, the interior 16i of
the main
line or conduit 16 being in fluid communication with the interior 12n of the
tank 12, a
first line port 16a, a second line port 16b, a third line port 16c and valve
means 18 to
selectively direct fluid flow through the line's interior between either: a)
the first line
port 16a and the second line port 16b or b) the first line port 16a and the
third line
port 16c. The first line port 16a is connected at the tank's outlet 12o and
facilitates
fluid communication between the tank's interior 12n and the main line's
interior 16i.
The second line port 16b facilitates fluid communication between the main
line's
interior 12n and a pressurized supply source of fuel 29, such as that coming
from a
fuel truck or tanker. Preferably a supply line 17 is provided to connect the
supply
source of fuel to the second line port 16b. More preferably, the supply line
17 is in
the form of a hose. The third line port 16c facilitates fluid communication
between
the main line's interior 16i and fuel dispensing means (not shown). Preferably
the
fuel dispensing means comprises a hose and valved hand-held nozzle.
Preferably the main line 16 is formed by a linear section of conduit
splitting into a generally Y or T shape. More preferably the main line 16 is
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constructed of 1'/2" pipe material. Even more preferably the valve means 18
further
comprises a first valve 18a between the tank's outlet 12o and the first line
port 16a
and a second valve 18b at the second line port 16b. Alternatively, in another
embodiment (not shown), the valve means comprises a first valve between the
tank's outlet and the first line port and a second valve at the third line
port.
Alternatively, in yet another embodiment (not shown), the valve means
comprises a
first valve between the tank's outlet and the first line port, a second valve
at the
second line port and a third valve at the third line port.
Preferably, the filling system 10 of this embodiment further comprises
a tank inlet sealing means 20 to seal the tank's inlet 12i. In this
embodiment, the
tank inlet sealing means 20 is in the form of a cap 20c. More preferably, the
filling
system 10 further comprises a valved vent line 22 connected to the sealing
means
so that when the valved vent line 22 is opened to atmospheric pressure, any
15 vacuum that might be created inside the tank's interior 12n is broken and
fuel can
then be easily dispensed or filled through the tank's outlet 12o.
Even more preferably, the vent line 22 is directed towards the bottom
of the tank 12 and fastened to the stand structure 14 so as to direct any
overflow of
fuel (that might accidentally occur during tank filling operations) towards
the ground
20 and/or within any spillage containment structure that might be around the
tank 12
and stand 14; rather than simply having such overflow of fuel spray out of the
top of
the tank's inlet 12i.
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Yet even more preferably, the system 10 further comprises liquid level
indicator means 30, such as a sight-glass 24 in fluid communication between
the
main line 16 and the sealing means 20, to provide a visual indication of the
level of
fuel in the tank 12. Yet even more preferably, the system 10 further comprises
a
lockable valve 26 associated with the third port 16c and the dispensing means,
as a
deterrent for thieves. In another embodiment (not shown) the third port 16c is
directly connected, or "hard piped", to an engine, fuel pump or other device
(not
shown) which might draw from the supply of the fuel in the tank 12.
Operation:
The filling system 10 provides for filling of the tank 12, without the
need to climb on top of the tank 12 or the stand 14 and without the need to
fill the
tank 12 through its top inlet 12i (as is traditionally done), as follows:
a) a pressurized fuel supply source 29 is sealably connected to the
second port 16b (the pressure of said fuel supply source 29 only needing to be
slightly higher than the pressure created by any fuel that may be in the tank
12 at
the outlet 12o);
b) the valve means 18 are set to prevent any fluid communication from
the line's interior 16i to the third port 16c while at the same time providing
or
allowing for fluid flow between the line's first port 16a and second port 16b;
c) fuel, from the supply source 29 is directed from the third port 16c,
through the line's interior 16i, to the first port 16a and into the tank 12
through the
outlet 12o, preferably via a supply line 17;
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d) the tank 12 is filling to the desired level; and
e) the valve means 18 are then set to prevent any fluid communication
from the line's interior 16i to the second port 16b; and
f) preferably the fuel source 29 is disconnected from the system 10.
To subsequently dispense fuel, the valve means 18 are set so as to
allow for fluid flow between the line's first port 16a and third port 16c, so
that fuel
from the now filled tank 12 may be dispensed, preferably via fuel dispensing
means
40 or via a "hard-piped" connection or as may be desired.
Accordingly, the main line 16, with the three ports 16a, 16b, 16c, and
the valve means 18 allow the filling system 10 to utilize a tank's outlet 12o
(typically
located towards the tank's bottom and a few feet lower than the tank's inlet
12i) as
both an inlet and an outlet port; i.e. the filling system 10 can retrofit a
tank 12 to use
its outlet 12o to both fill the tank and draw off fuel through the fuel
dispensing
means.
Advantageously, because fuel is directed into the tank through the
outlet 12o, near the bottom of the tank 12, there is less foaming action
created as
compared to the traditional way of filling the tank 12 through the inlet 12i
near the
top.
More advantageously, because the supply line 17 connect to the
tanks' outlet 12o near the bottom of the tank 12, only short section of supply
line 17
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or hose 17 needs to be provided (as there is no longer a need to reach up to
the top
of the tank).
Second Embodiment:
FIGS. 11 to 19 illustrate a second embodiment of the filling system 10.
This embodiment of the filling system 10 is similar to the first embodiment,
as
discussed above, with the following notable differences. There is no sight
glass
provided in this embodiment. Instead, the second embodiment provides another
means for determining the amount of liquid or fuel that may be present in the
tank
12.
In particular, the liquid level indicator means 30 in this embodiment
further comprises a float 32 slidably encased in a tubular member 34, said
float 32
and member 34 depending at least partially from the cap 20 into the tank's
interior
12n, said member 34 having a portion that is transparent to enable a user to
see the
float's top end slide or move up inside the tubular member 34 as the fuel
level in the
tank 12 rises and provides buoyancy to the float's bottom end (and move down
as
the fuel level in the tank 12 drops). Preferably the transparent portion of
the tubular
member 34 is comprised of water proof glass. More preferably, the float's top
end
is coloured a bright colour (such as red) and the float's bottom end is made
of
plastic.
The specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of
the invention only and not as limiting its scope. Many further modifications
and
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changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention
relates
and the inventions should be construed in accordance with the accompanying
claims. For example, even though the invention refers to filling a tank 12
with fuel,
the system 10 would work equally well for most any other type of liquid,
including
filling a tank 12 with water.
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