Apparatus for preventing fuel spillage

• US 5,515,891 A
• Filed: 06/20/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L N G & K Incorporated
• Original Assignee: L N G & K Incorporated
• Inventors: Langlois, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US08/262,628
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 141/44-46, 141/52, 141/53, 141/59, 141/86, 141/88, 141/98, 141/297, 141/301-305, 141/307, 141/308, 141/325, 141/326, 141/95, 220/86.2, 220/746, 114/343, 137/199-202, 137/572, 137/587
• US Class Current: 141/307
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03519 Valve arrangements in the vent line
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03118 Multiple tanks, i.e. two or more separate tanks supplementary tanks inside the fuel tank B60K2015/03105
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03138 Pumping means between the compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/24 Military vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/42 Amphibious vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/24 of pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0478 constructional features or components vapour recovery nozzles B67D7/54
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3218 relating to emergency shut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0023 Valves in the fuel supply and return system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/007 characterised by its use in vehicles, in stationary plants or in small engines, e.g. hand held tools
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0094 Saddle tanks; Tanks having partition walls
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/044 the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/046 the assembly of float and valve element being a single spherical element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3099 Float responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86324 Tank with gas vent and inlet or outlet

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly is coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for the passage of fuel between the fill container and the fuel tank. A by-pass line is coupled between the fill container and the overflow container for the passage of overflow fuel through the fill container, and an indicator system is mounted within the fill container for signaling to an attendant when the fuel tank is filled. Upon filling the fuel tank with fuel, the overflow fuel backs up into the fill container, and in turn flows through the by-pass line and into the overflow container. The backed-up fuel also activates the indicator system for signaling to the attendant to turn off the fuel nozzle, and the drain hole permits the backed-up fuel in the fill container and fill line to drain downwardly into the fuel tank.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing spillage of fuel on a marine vessel, comprising:

an overflow reservoir coupled in fluid communication between a fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel;

a fill chamber defining an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port for coupling in fluid communication with the fuel tank for the passage of fuel between the fill chamber and the fuel tank;

a first valve assembly coupled between the fuel tank and the overflow reservoir and including a first valve member for preventing the flow of fuel in the direction from the fuel tank toward the overflow reservoir, wherein the first valve assembly includes an inlet port and an outlet port, and defines a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports, and the first valve member prevents the flow of overflow fuel through the first fluid passageway in the direction from the fuel tank toward the overflow reservoir, and the first valve assembly further defines a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports for permitting the flow of overflow fuel through the valve assembly in the direction from the fuel tank into the overflow reservoir when the first valve member is preventing the passage of fuel through the first fluid passageway.

2. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage on a marine vessel, comprising:

an overflow reservoir coupled in fluid communication with a fuel chamber of a fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel;

a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel chamber with fuel, and an outlet port for coupling in fluid communication with the fuel tank for the passage of fuel between the fill chamber and fuel tank;

a fuel fill line coupled in fluid communication between the fill chamber and fuel tank;

a first valve assembly coupled in fluid communication to the fuel tank and to the overflow reservoir and including a first valve member for preventing fuel flow into the overflow reservoir and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel;

means for draining overflow fuel from the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turn draining the fuel into the overflow reservoir for preventing fuel spillage when filling the fuel chamber with fuel; and

a second valve assembly coupled between the overflow reservoir and the vent port for preventing the passage of fuel from the overflow reservoir through the vent port.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for draining includes an overflow line coupled between the fill chamber and the overflow reservoir for the passage of overflow fuel from the fill chamber into the overflow reservoir.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising means for indicating the presence of backed up fuel in the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel tank with fuel.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the means for indicating includes a float member received within the fill chamber, and means coupled to the float member for indicating the presence of fuel in the fill chamber.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the means coupled to the float member includes an indicator member received through the inlet port and movable with the float member between a retracted position within the inlet port and extended position extending through the inlet port.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the second valve assembly includes a pressure-relief valve member for opening the second valve assembly to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the pressure on the inlet side of the second valve assembly exceeding a threshold level.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the second valve assembly includes a ball-valve for preventing fluid flow therethrough in response to fluid flow into the inlet side of the second valve assembly.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the fill chamber is adapted to be mounted beneath a deck portion of the marine vessel and the inlet port is adapted to extend through the deck portion for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel.

10. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage on a marine vessel, comprising:

a fuel inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel;

a fuel tank defining a fuel chamber and coupled in fluid communication with the fuel inlet port;

a fuel fill line coupled in fluid communication between the fuel inlet port and the fuel chamber;

a vent port coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber;

a fuel overflow reservoir coupled in fluid communication between the vent port and the fuel chamber;

first means coupled between the fuel chamber and the overflow reservoir for preventing fuel flow from the fuel chamber into the overflow reservoir upon filling the chamber with fuel and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fuel fill line;

second means for draining the fuel from the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turn draining fuel into the overflow reservoir to prevent fuel spillage when filling the fuel chamber with fuel; and

a first valve assembly coupled between the fuel tank and the overflow reservoir and including an inlet port and an outlet port, and wherein the first means includes a first valve member for preventing fluid flow through a first fluid passageway defined between the inlet and outlet ports in the direction from the fuel tank toward the overflow reservoir, and the second means includes a second fluid passageway defined between the inlet and outlet ports for permitting fluid flow through the first valve assembly in the direction from the fuel tank into the overflow reservoir when the first valve member is preventing fluid flow through the first fluid passageway.

11. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage on a marine vessel, comprising:

a fuel inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel;

a fuel tank including a fuel chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel inlet port;

a fuel fill line coupled in fluid communication to the fuel inlet port and the fuel tank;

a vent port coupled in fluid communication to the fuel tank;

a fuel overflow chamber coupled in fluid communication with the vent port and the fuel chamber;

first means coupled in fluid communication with the fuel tank and overflow chamber for preventing fuel flow into the overflow chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and in turn causing the fuel to back up into the fuel fill line;

second means for draining the fuel from the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turn draining fuel into the overflow chamber to prevent fuel spillage when filling the fuel chamber with fuel; and

a valve assembly coupled between the overflow chamber and the vent port for preventing the passage of fuel from the overflow chamber through the vent port.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the second means includes a bypass line coupled in fluid communication between the fuel fill line and overflow chamber for draining backed up fuel from the fuel fill line into the overflow chamber.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel inlet port, the fuel fill line and the bypass line for receiving backed up fuel in the fuel fill line and permitting the same to drain into the bypass line.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprising a float member received within the fill chamber and means coupled to the float member for indicating the presence of backed up fuel in the fill chamber.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising a valve assembly coupled to the fuel tank and the overflow chamber, and a drain hole defined within the valve assembly for permitting fuel to drain through the valve assembly from the fuel chamber into the overflow reservoir.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the valve assembly defines another fluid passageway coupled in fluid communication to the fuel chamber and the overflow chamber, and the first means includes a valve member preventing fuel flow through said other fluid passageway in the direction from the fuel chamber into the overflow chamber.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve assembly includes a pressure-relief valve member for opening the valve assembly to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the pressure on the inlet side of the valve assembly exceeding a threshold level.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve assembly includes a ball-valve for preventing fluid flow therethrough in response to fluid flow into the inlet side of the valve assembly.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the overflow chamber is defined by an overflow container external of the fuel tank.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a second valve assembly coupled to the fuel tank and to the overflow chamber, and wherein the first means includes a first valve member of the second valve assembly for preventing fuel flow through a first fluid passageway of the second valve assembly and into the overflow chamber and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fuel fill line, and the second means includes a second fluid passageway formed by the second valve assembly for permitting fuel to flow through the second valve assembly in the direction from the fuel chamber into the overflow chamber when the first valve member is preventing the passage of fuel through the first fluid passageway.