Apparatus and method for preventing fuel spillage
First Claim
1. A method for preventing fuel spillage during and after refueling of a marine vessel having an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel, a fuel tank including a fuel chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port, a fill line coupled in fluid communication to the inlet port and to the fuel tank, a fill container defining a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the fill line, a vent line coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber, and a vent port coupled in fluid communication with the vent line, comprising the steps of:
- supplying fuel through the inlet port, and in turn through the fill line and into the fuel chamber of the fuel tank;
preventing further fuel accumulation in the fuel chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fill line;
directing fuel from the fill line into the fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber;
preventing the passage of fuel from the fill chamber and fuel chamber through the vent port; and
draining fuel from the fill chamber into the fuel chamber in response to removal of fuel from the fuel chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 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 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 turnoff 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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for preventing fuel spillage during and after refueling of a marine vessel having an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel, a fuel tank including a fuel chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port, a fill line coupled in fluid communication to the inlet port and to the fuel tank, a fill container defining a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the fill line, a vent line coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber, and a vent port coupled in fluid communication with the vent line, comprising the steps of:
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supplying fuel through the inlet port, and in turn through the fill line and into the fuel chamber of the fuel tank; preventing further fuel accumulation in the fuel chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and in turn causing fuel to back up into the fill line; directing fuel from the fill line into the fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber; preventing the passage of fuel from the fill chamber and fuel chamber through the vent port; and draining fuel from the fill chamber into the fuel chamber in response to removal of fuel from the fuel chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage during and after refueling of a marine vessel comprising:
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an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel; a fuel tank including a fuel chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port; a fill line coupled in fluid communication to the inlet port and to the fuel tank; a fill container defining a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port and with the fill line; a vent line coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber; a vent port coupled in fluid communication with the vent line; means for preventing further fuel accumulation in the fuel chamber upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and thereby causing fuel to back up into the fill line; means for directing fuel from the fill line into the fill chamber; means for preventing the passage of fuel from the fill chamber and fuel chamber through the vent port; and means for draining fuel from the fill chamber into the fuel chamber in response to removal of fuel from the fuel chamber. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage during and after refueling of a marine vessel, comprising:
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an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel; a fill container defining a fill chamber, coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port; a fill line coupled in fluid communication with the inlet port; a fuel tank defining a fuel chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fill line; a vent line coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber; a vent port coupled in fluid communication with the vent line; at least one flow-restricting aperture coupled in fluid communication with the fuel chamber and with the vent port; an overfill chamber substantially located below the inlet port and coupled in fluid communication with the fill chamber and with the fuel chamber; a first fluid passageway for directing fuel from the fill chamber into the overfill chamber; and a second fluid passageway for directing fuel from the overfill chamber into the fuel chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification