Fuel tank overflow preventer
First Claim
1. A fuel tank overflow preventer, for use in connection with a fuel tank, the fuel tank having an interior and an outer wall, the outer wall having a roof, the fuel tank having a fuel fill attached to the outer wall and in communication with the fuel tank interior, the fuel tank having an air vent in communication with the fuel tank interior, the overflow preventer comprising an overflow tank juxtaposed with the fuel tank, the overflow tank having an interior, the overflow tank having an upper hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior adjacent the roof, the overflow tank having a lower hole spaced below the upper hole, the lower hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior a predetermined distance below the roof, the overflow tank upper hole being disposed away from the fuel fill to preclude filling the overflow tank directly from the fuel fill, so that upon filling the fuel tank interior with fuel, the fuel will enter the overflow tank interior through the lower hole at a predetermined rate of flow, causing a fuel level in the overflow tank to rise, and a fuel level in the fuel tank will fall until reaching equilibrium with the overflow tank fuel level, thereby establishing an air space in the fuel tank interior so as to accommodate thermal expansion of the fuel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel tank overflow preventer comprises an overflow tank disposed inside a fuel tank adjacent the roof The overflow tank has a lower hole spaced below an upper hole. The lower and upper holes communicate the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior. The overflow tank holes are disposed away from the fuel fill to preclude filling the overflow tank directly from the fuel fill. After filling the fuel tank interior with fuel, the fuel will enter the overflow tank interior through the lower hole at a predetermined rate of flow. This will cause the fuel level in the overflow tank to rise. Conversely, the fuel level in the fuel tank will fall until reaching equilibrium with the overflow tank fuel level. An air space in the fuel tank interior will thereby be established so as to accommodate thermal expansion and prevent spilling of the fuel.
37 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A fuel tank overflow preventer, for use in connection with a fuel tank, the fuel tank having an interior and an outer wall, the outer wall having a roof, the fuel tank having a fuel fill attached to the outer wall and in communication with the fuel tank interior, the fuel tank having an air vent in communication with the fuel tank interior, the overflow preventer comprising an overflow tank juxtaposed with the fuel tank, the overflow tank having an interior, the overflow tank having an upper hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior adjacent the roof, the overflow tank having a lower hole spaced below the upper hole, the lower hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior a predetermined distance below the roof, the overflow tank upper hole being disposed away from the fuel fill to preclude filling the overflow tank directly from the fuel fill, so that upon filling the fuel tank interior with fuel, the fuel will enter the overflow tank interior through the lower hole at a predetermined rate of flow, causing a fuel level in the overflow tank to rise, and a fuel level in the fuel tank will fall until reaching equilibrium with the overflow tank fuel level, thereby establishing an air space in the fuel tank interior so as to accommodate thermal expansion of the fuel.
- 7. A fuel tank overflow preventer, for use in connection with a fuel tank, the fuel tank having an interior and an outer wall, the outer wall having a roof, the fuel tank having a fuel fill attached to the outer wall and in communication with the fuel tank interior, the fuel tank having an air vent in communication with the fuel tank interior, the overflow preventer comprising an overflow tank in the fuel tank interior, the overflow tank having an interior, the overflow tank having an upper hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior adjacent the roof, the overflow tank having a lower hole spaced below the upper hole, the lower hole communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior a predetermined distance below the roof, the overflow tank upper hole being disposed away from the fuel fill to preclude filling the overflow tank directly from the fuel fill, so that upon filling the fuel tank interior with fuel, the fuel will enter the overflow tank interior through the lower hole at a predetermined rate of flow, causing a fuel level in the overflow tank to rise, and a fuel level in the fuel tank will fall until reaching equilibrium with the overflow tank fuel level, thereby establishing an air space in the fuel tank interior so as to accommodate thermal expansion of the fuel.
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11. An overflow prevention method for preventing fuel from overflowing a fuel tank, the fuel tank having an interior and an outer wall, the outer wall having a roof, the fuel tank having a fuel fill attached to the outer wall and in communication with the fuel tank interior, the fuel tank having an air vent in communication with the fuel tank interior, the overflow prevention method comprising the steps of:
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providing an overflow tank having an interior;
providing an upper hole in the overflow tank;
juxtaposing the overflow tank with the fuel tank;
disposing the overflow tank upper hole adjacent the fuel tank roof;
communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior through the upper hole;
providing a lower hole in the overflow tank spaced below the upper hole;
communicating the overflow tank interior with the fuel tank interior through the lower hole a predetermined distance below the roof;
disposing the overflow tank upper hole away from the fuel fill, thereby precluding filling the overflow tank directly from the fuel fill;
filling the fuel tank interior with fuel;
allowing the fuel to enter the overflow tank interior through the lower hole at a predetermined rate of flow;
allowing a fuel level in the overflow tank to rise, as the fuel flows from the fuel tank into the overflow tank;
allowing a fuel level in the fuel tank to fall until reaching equilibrium with the overflow tank fuel level;
establishing, thereby, an air space in the fuel tank interior; and
accommodating thermal expansion of the fuel within the air space. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification