Fuel spillage control device and method for using same

• US 5,819,818 A
• Filed: 01/07/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Frawley
• Original Assignee: Patrick Frawley
• Inventors: Frawley, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US08/779,831
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94-96, 141/392, 73/290 V, 73/290 R, 116/227, 116/264, 116/266, 381/67, 381/74, 381/122, 367/197, 367/198, 367/199, 340/621, 224/930
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/3209 relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection leak detectors for underground fuel dispensing systems G01M3/2892
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/56 Arrangements of flow-indicators, e.g. transparent compartments, windows, rotary vanes indicating or recording presence, absence or direction of movement G01P13/00

Abstract

A fuel spillage control device and method for using same for qualitatively determining the liquid level inside a fuel tank as it is being filled. The fuel spillage control device includes a microphone for generating an audio signal, an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal and a pair of ear phones for transducing the amplified audio signal. To qualitatively determine the liquid level inside the fuel tank, after a fill hose has been inserted into the fuel tank, an operator lowers the microphone into the fuel tank to a distance above the liquid level, a valve to the fill hose is opened, thereby filling the fuel tank, an audio signal generated by the microphone is amplified and the amplified audio signal is listened to by the operator for changes in pitch.

Claims

1. In combination,

a fuel spillage control device;

and

a fuel container having a fill opening and an interior,

wherein the fuel spillage control device comprises;

an insertion microphone positioned in the interior of said fuel container such that said microphone is capable of picking up audible sounds from within the interior of said fuel container and converting said audible sounds into an audio signal;

an amplifier means for amplifying the audio signal; and

a pair of ear phones for transducing the amplified audio signal into an audible sound.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the amplifier means further comprises an audio amplifier having an on/off switch and a means for controlling the output of the audio amplifier.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the audio amplifier is housed in a housing, the housing having a belt clip fixedly attached thereto.

4. The combination of claim 3 further comprising a carrying case adapted to receive the housing.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of said earphones includes a respective ear cover member, each said ear cover member being adapted for substantially covering an ear of a user of the devive whereby outside noise is muted.

6. A method of qualitatively determining the liquid level inside a fuel tank comprising the following steps in the order named:

inserting a fill hose into the fuel tank;

lowering a micrphone into the fuel tank to a distance above the liquid level;

opening a valve to the fill hose, thereby filling the fuel tank;

amplifying an audio signal generated by the microphone;

transducing an amplified output audio signal; and

listening for changes in pitch.

7. A method of determining the liquid level inside a tank having a fill opening and an interior, said method comprising:

providing a spillage control device comprising an insertion microphone capable of picking up audible sounds and converting the audible sounds into an audile signal, an amplifier means for amplifying the audio signal, and an earphone for transducing the amplified audio signal into an audible sound for reception by an ear of a user of the spillage control device;

inserting a fill hose through the fill opening and into the interior of the tank;

lowering a microphone into the interior of the tank to a position above the liquid surface level;

opening a valve in communication with the fill hose to thereby pass liquid through the fill hose and into the interior of the tank;

amplifying the audio signal generated by the microphone and passing the amplified audio signal to the earphone for transducing into an audible sound; and

listening for changes in pitch for determining the proximity of the liquid surface level in the interior of the tank to the fill opening of the tank.

8. In combination,

a fuel spillage control device;

and

a fuel container having a fill opening and an interior, wherein the fuel spillage control device comprises;

an insertion microphone positioned in the interior of said fuel container such that said microphone is capable of picking up audible sounds from within the interior of said fuel container and coverting said audible sounds into an audio signal;

an amplifier means for amplifying the audio signal; and

a pair of ear phones for transducing the amplified audio signal into an audible sound; and

a carrying case adapted to receive the housing;

wherein the amplifier means further comprise an audio amplifier having an on/off switch and a means for controlling the output of the audio amplifier; and

wherein the audio amplifier is housed in a housing, the housing having a belt clip fixedly attached thereto.