Method for preventing fuel spillage

• US 5,727,603 A
• Filed: 05/08/1996
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• 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:
  US08/646,944
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 141/44-46, 141/52, 141/53, 141/59, 141/86, 141/88, 141/98, 141/297, 141/95, 141/301-305, 141/307, 141/308, 141/325, 141/326, 141/1, 141/7, 141/286, 220/86, 220/2, 220/746, 114/343, 137/199-202, 137/572, 137/587
• US Class Current: 141/1
• 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
• 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. A method for preventing fuel spillage during and after refueling on a marine vessel having 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 to the fuel tank, and a vent port coupled in fluid communication to the fuel tank, comprising the steps of:

supplying fuel through the fuel inlet port, and in turn through the fuel fill line and into the fuel chamber of the fuel tank;

preventing further fuel flow into the fuel chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and in turn causing the fuel to backup into the fuel fill line;

draining the fuel from the fuel fill line downwardly into an overfill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber;

preventing the passage of fuel from the overfill chamber and fuel chamber through the vent port;

and draining the fuel from the overfill chamber into the fuel chamber in response to removal of fuel from the fuel chamber.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional steps of preventing fuel flow in the direction from the fuel chamber toward the overfill chamber and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fuel fill line.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of generating a signal to indicate the presence of backed-up fuel in the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of routing backed-up fuel from the fuel fill line to the overfill chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of permitting fluid flow from the fuel chamber to the overfill chamber in response to a pressure in the fuel chamber exceeding a pressure in the overfill chamber by more than a preset amount.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, where the marine vessel includes a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel inlet port, the fuel fill line, and a bypass line leading to the overfill chamber, and the method further comprises the step of receiving in the bypass line backed-up fuel from the fuel fill line and permitting the same to drain through the bypass line to the overfill chamber.