Above ground fuel transfer module

• US 5,711,456 A
• Filed: 08/08/1995
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Billy O. Bryant
• Original Assignee: Billy O. Bryant
• Inventors: Bryant, Billy O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/512,666
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 222/108, 222/129, 222/608, 222/40, 222/66, 222/183, 137/234.6, 137/312, 137/264, 137/363
• US Class Current: 222/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/02 Supplying fuel to vehicles; General disposition of plant in filling stations apparatus for transferring measured quantities of petrol, oil, or the like from storage space to vehicles B67D

Abstract

An above ground fuel transfer module includes a bottom surrounded by vertical side walls forming a fuel containment vessel. One corner of the support frame has the vertical side walls recessed to form a recessed compartment for a fuel dispensing pump and electrical equipment which are thereby protected by the frame and side walls from being damaged by vehicles or the like operated in the vicinity. An electronic circuit card connected to a control panel controls the transfer of fuel and monitors safety conditions.

Claims

1. An above ground fuel transfer module, comprising:

a rectangular support frame having an outer perimeter, said frame including vertical side walls around the perimeter and a bottom forming a containment vessel, with portions of said vertical side walls recessed from a maximum horizontal extent of the perimeter of the support frame for forming a recessed compartment outside of said containment vessel opening outwardly toward the perimeter, at least one fuel line connectable to an external fuel tank, said fuel line extending from outside said support frame through said vertical side walls of said support frame, and means for dispensing fuel mounted in said recessed compartment within said frame perimeter and connected to said fuel line within said containment vessel.

2. The fuel transfer module of claim 1, wherein said recessed compartment is formed at a corner of said rectangular support frame, a platform being mounted in said recessed compartment above said bottom of said frame, and a vertical post being mounted at said corner for protecting said recessed compartment.

3. The fuel transfer module of claim 2, wherein said means for dispensing fuel includes a dispensing pump mounted on said platform.

4. The fuel transfer module of claim 1 further comprising:

a pump connected to said fuel line;

at least one valve connected to said fuel line;

a control panel mounted on said fuel transfer module; and

an electronic circuit card connected to said control panel, said electronic circuit card having a plurality of input signals for monitoring, and being electrically connected to, said controls, and a plurality of output signals to control operation of and being electrically connected to said pump and said valve.

5. The fuel transfer module of claim 4 further comprising a filter.

6. The fuel transfer module of claim 4 wherein said plurality of controls comprises:

a normal/maintenance switch;

a dispense/receive/recirculate switch; and

a start/stop switch.

7. The fuel transfer module of claim 4 wherein said plurality of indicators comprises:

a low tank lamp;

a high tank lamp;

a liquid in containment lamp;

a water in fuel lamp; and

at least one valve lamp.

8. The fuel transfer module of claim 4 wherein said plurality of input signals comprise;

a fuel level sensor/water in fuel signal; and

a liquid in containment signal.

9. An above ground fuel transfer module, comprising:

a rectangular support frame having an outer perimeter, said frame including vertical side walls around the perimeter and a bottom forming a containment vessel, with portions of said vertical side walls recessed from a maximum horizontal extent of the perimeter of the support frame for forming a recessed compartment outside of said containment vessel opening outwardly toward the perimeter, at least one fuel line connectable to an external fuel tank, said fuel line extending from outside said support frame through said vertical side walls of said support frame, means for dispensing fuel mounted in said recessed compartment within said frame perimeter and connected to said fuel line within said containment vessel, a pump connected to said fuel line, at least one valve connected to said fuel line, a control panel mounted on said fuel transfer module, and an electronic circuit card connected to said control panel, said electronic circuit card having a plurality of input signals for monitoring, and being electrically connected to, said controls, and a plurality of output signals to control operation of and being electrically connected to said pump and said valve.