Overflow valve prevention system

• US 9,399,571 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: G & A Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: G & A Products, LLC
• Inventors: LaPoint, Garry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Murphy, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/695,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20150225228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/00 Restoring or reconditioning objects straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/105 for underground containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/04 for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/061 Means for transferring liquids from a chosen level of a storage container
• 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 7/78 Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 3/00 Arrangements for supervising or controlling working operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7313 Control of outflow from tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

Abstract

A method of controlling overflow in a below-ground transfer pump sump used in the dispensing of liquid fuels. The method comprises providing a sump having a sump bottom below a level of ground immediately adjacent the sump, providing a storage tank having an internal cavity for the storage of liquid fuel, the storage tank having a conduit in communication with the sump and providing an overflow assembly having an inlet disposed within the sump and an outlet communicating with the conduit. The method includes permitting water from the ground adjacent the sump to enter the sump and mix with any liquid fuel in the sump and if the liquid fuel and water mixture in the sump reaches a predetermined level, allowing the liquid mixture to pass through the overflow assembly, into the conduit and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel.

Claims

1. A method for retrofitting an overflow valve assembly in a below-ground transfer pump sump used in the dispensing of liquid fuels comprising:

providing a sump in communication with a liquid fuel storage tank and a riser assembly extending between the sump and the storage tank, the riser assembly comprising a conduit having a cylindrical side wall;

providing an overflow assembly comprising;

an overflow valve;

an overflow inlet attached to one end of the overflow valve;

an overflow outlet attached to the opposite end of the overflow valve;

a mounting plate having a plate opening in communication with the overflow outlet; and

at least one clamp for attaching the mounting plate to the sidewall of the riser assembly;

generating an opening in the sidewall of the riser assembly;

placing the overflow outlet of the overflow assembly adjacent the opening of the riser assembly;

securing the mounting plate to the riser assembly with the at least one clamp;

permitting water from the ground adjacent the sump to enter the sump and mix with any liquid fuel in the sump; and

if the liquid fuel and water mixture in the sump reaches a predetermined level, allowing the liquid mixture to pass through the overflow assembly, into the conduit and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the overflow outlet includes a flange attached thereto and the overflow assembly includes a gasket for placement between the overflow outlet flange and the riser assembly, the method including placing the gasket between the flange and the riser assembly opening prior to the step of placing the overflow outlet of the overflow assembly adjacent the opening of the riser assembly.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is integral with the overflow outlet.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the overflow outlet includes a flange and the method includes inserting the overflow assembly through the mounting plate opening prior to the step of placing the overflow outlet of the overflow assembly adjacent the opening of the riser assembly, whereby the flange is disposed adjacent the riser assembly opening.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the overflow assembly includes a gasket and the gasket is placed between the flange and the riser assembly opening prior to the step of placing the overflow outlet of the overflow assembly adjacent the opening of the riser assembly.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one clamp is integral with the mounting plate.