Fuel vent recovery system
First Claim
1. A fuel vent recovery system for preventing and containing fuel spillage, comprising:
- a hull-side fuel vent fitting, which comprises a vent and connects to a fuel vent passing through a hull of a vessel, said fuel vent fitting having an enlarged, bulbous, semi-spherical end;
said fuel vent fitting including a vent inlet for receiving fuel discharged from the fuel vent passing through the hull of the vessel, wherein said vent inlet comprises a hollow shank for connecting to the fuel vent, and said hollow shank surrounds and defines an interior void through which fuel discharged from the fuel vent passes;
said fuel vent fitting including an outboard flange that contacts and rests against the hull of the vessel;
said fuel vent fitting further including a seal interface surface that is flared and angularly enlarged towards said bulbous end;
an annular retaining ridge extending around the exterior circumference of said fitting;
said fuel vent fitting including a vent outlet having an opening for releasing fuel expelled from the vessel into the recovery container;
an annular ring seal having an outer wall and an inner wall defining a central aperture;
wherein said inner wall is firmly attached around an outer surface of the fuel vent fitting;
said fuel vent fitting flared seal interface surface contacting and engaging said annular seal; and
a recovery container including;
a side aperture defined by a perimeter wall and having a diameter shaped and sized to fit securely over and with a groove in the annular seal; and
a top opening that is located at a position higher than the fuel vent fitting once said recovery container is installed.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel vent recovery system for collecting and retaining fuel discharged through a fuel vent of a vessel. The system includes a hull-side fuel vent fitting, an annular elastomer seal, and a recovery container. The annular elastomer seal has an outer wall that is bifurcated by a groove to form two parallel annular flanges. The annular flanges and groove are fitted over and engage the wall of an aperture of the recovery container. The annular seal includes an inner wall that contacts a complementary seal interface surface of the fuel vent fitting. The annular seal is fitted around the fuel vent fitting. The recovery container is attached to the annular seal and thus sealed to the fuel vent fitting. The system prevents fuel discharged through the vessel'"'"'s fuel vent from spilling into and contaminating the surrounding environment.
23 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A fuel vent recovery system for preventing and containing fuel spillage, comprising:
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a hull-side fuel vent fitting, which comprises a vent and connects to a fuel vent passing through a hull of a vessel, said fuel vent fitting having an enlarged, bulbous, semi-spherical end; said fuel vent fitting including a vent inlet for receiving fuel discharged from the fuel vent passing through the hull of the vessel, wherein said vent inlet comprises a hollow shank for connecting to the fuel vent, and said hollow shank surrounds and defines an interior void through which fuel discharged from the fuel vent passes; said fuel vent fitting including an outboard flange that contacts and rests against the hull of the vessel; said fuel vent fitting further including a seal interface surface that is flared and angularly enlarged towards said bulbous end; an annular retaining ridge extending around the exterior circumference of said fitting; said fuel vent fitting including a vent outlet having an opening for releasing fuel expelled from the vessel into the recovery container; an annular ring seal having an outer wall and an inner wall defining a central aperture; wherein said inner wall is firmly attached around an outer surface of the fuel vent fitting; said fuel vent fitting flared seal interface surface contacting and engaging said annular seal; and a recovery container including; a side aperture defined by a perimeter wall and having a diameter shaped and sized to fit securely over and with a groove in the annular seal; and a top opening that is located at a position higher than the fuel vent fitting once said recovery container is installed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification