CA2536677A1

CA2536677A1 - Filling system and apparatus for liquid storage tanks

Info

Publication number: CA2536677A1
Application number: CA 2536677
Authority: CA
Inventors: Wayne Chesney; Keith Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2006-02-15
Publication date: 2007-08-15

Description

"FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LIQUID STORAGE TANKS"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid storage tank filling systems and apparatus and, more particularly, to a storage tank filling a system and apparatus to enable the filling of an above-ground, raised storage tank without having to climb a ladder or onto the top of the tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally above-ground fuel storage tanks, such as those used on farms or oil field leases, are mounted on stands so that they are raised above ground level some significant distance (typically at least about 4, 6 or 8 feet above the ground). This facilitates the dispensing of fuel from the raised storage tank into a motor vehicle that may be driven up next to the tank (i.e. fuel in the raised tank will simply drain into the vehicle's fuel tank by gravity, without the need for a pump).
Similarly, water storage tanks are often likewise raised above the ground using similar or identical stands.

The filling of such raised fuel or water tanks is typically conducted through an opening or inlet near or at the top of the storage tank; generally from a tanker truck having pump means to pump the liquid into the storage tank. This, however, necessitates that an operator ascend or climb up towards the top of the storage tank, usually via a ladder, so as to place the nozzle from the tanker truck into the storage tank's inlet.

The need to climb or ascent towards the top of the storage tank not only requires an operator to expend additional effort and/or provide additional equipment (such as a ladder), it also creates a safety concern should the operator lose his or her footing and fall from the top of the storage tank during filling operations.

What is needed is a system or apparatus which addresses the above-mentioned disadvantages and concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Advantages of the present invention include:

~ no longer a need to provide or climb a ladder to fill a raised storage tank;

~ less foaming action when the tank is filled;

~ works with generally any liquid storage tank, including fuel and water storage tanks; and ~ increased safety to an operator when filling a raised storage tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1- 2 are front perspective views of a first embodiment of the present invention, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

Figures 3 - 4 are side perspective and side views respectively of the embodiment of Figure 1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

2 Figures 5 - 6 are front and front cut out views respectively the embodiment of Figure 1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

Figure 7 is another side perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figures 9 - 10 are additional perspective views of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figures 11 - 12 are front perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

Figures 13 - 14 are side perspective and side views respectively of the embodiment of Figure 11, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;
Figures 15 - 16 are front and front cut out views respectively the embodiment of Figure 11, shown mounted on a liquid storage tank and stand;

Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the embodiment of Figure 11; and Figures 18 - 19 are perspective and component views respectively of the embodiment of Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference numbers identify similar components.

3 Referring to FIGS. 1- 10 one embodiment of the liquid storage tank filling system 10 of the present invention is show mounted on a liquid storage tank 12 having an upper fluid filling inlet 12i and a lower fluid outlet 12o. The tank 12 is raised above the ground by means of a conventional stand 14. An exploded perspective view of some of the components of the filling system 10 is shown in FIG. 10.

This embodiment of the filling system 10 comprises a main line or conduit 16 sealably connected to the tank's outlet 12o, the interior 16i of the main line or conduit 16 being in fluid communication with the interior 12n of the tank 12, a first line port 16a, a second line port 16b, a third line port 16c and valve means 18 to selectively direct fluid flow through the line's interior between either: a) the first line port 16a and the second line port 16b or b) the first line port 16a and the third line port 16c. The first line port 16a is connected at the tank's outlet 12o and facilitates fluid communication between the tank's interior 12n and the main line's interior 16i.

The second line port 16b facilitates fluid communication between the main line's interior 12n and a pressurized supply source of fuel 29, such as that coming from a fuel truck or tanker. Preferably a supply line 17 is provided to connect the supply source of fuel to the second line port 16b. More preferably, the supply line 17 is in the form of a hose. The third line port 16c facilitates fluid communication between the main line's interior 16i and fuel dispensing means (not shown). Preferably the fuel dispensing means comprises a hose and valved hand-held nozzle.

Preferably the main line 16 is formed by a linear section of conduit splitting into a generally Y or T shape. More preferably the main line 16 is

4 constructed of 1'/2" pipe material. Even more preferably the valve means 18 further comprises a first valve 18a between the tank's outlet 12o and the first line port 16a and a second valve 18b at the second line port 16b. Alternatively, in another embodiment (not shown), the valve means comprises a first valve between the tank's outlet and the first line port and a second valve at the third line port.
Alternatively, in yet another embodiment (not shown), the valve means comprises a first valve between the tank's outlet and the first line port, a second valve at the second line port and a third valve at the third line port.

Preferably, the filling system 10 of this embodiment further comprises a tank inlet sealing means 20 to seal the tank's inlet 12i. In this embodiment, the tank inlet sealing means 20 is in the form of a cap 20c. More preferably, the filling system 10 further comprises a valved vent line 22 connected to the sealing means so that when the valved vent line 22 is opened to atmospheric pressure, any 15 vacuum that might be created inside the tank's interior 12n is broken and fuel can then be easily dispensed or filled through the tank's outlet 12o.

Even more preferably, the vent line 22 is directed towards the bottom of the tank 12 and fastened to the stand structure 14 so as to direct any overflow of fuel (that might accidentally occur during tank filling operations) towards the ground 20 and/or within any spillage containment structure that might be around the tank 12 and stand 14; rather than simply having such overflow of fuel spray out of the top of the tank's inlet 12i.

5 Yet even more preferably, the system 10 further comprises liquid level indicator means 30, such as a sight-glass 24 in fluid communication between the main line 16 and the sealing means 20, to provide a visual indication of the level of fuel in the tank 12. Yet even more preferably, the system 10 further comprises a lockable valve 26 associated with the third port 16c and the dispensing means, as a deterrent for thieves. In another embodiment (not shown) the third port 16c is directly connected, or "hard piped", to an engine, fuel pump or other device (not shown) which might draw from the supply of the fuel in the tank 12.

Operation:

The filling system 10 provides for filling of the tank 12, without the need to climb on top of the tank 12 or the stand 14 and without the need to fill the tank 12 through its top inlet 12i (as is traditionally done), as follows:

a) a pressurized fuel supply source 29 is sealably connected to the second port 16b (the pressure of said fuel supply source 29 only needing to be slightly higher than the pressure created by any fuel that may be in the tank 12 at the outlet 12o);

b) the valve means 18 are set to prevent any fluid communication from the line's interior 16i to the third port 16c while at the same time providing or allowing for fluid flow between the line's first port 16a and second port 16b;

c) fuel, from the supply source 29 is directed from the third port 16c, through the line's interior 16i, to the first port 16a and into the tank 12 through the outlet 12o, preferably via a supply line 17;

6 d) the tank 12 is filling to the desired level; and e) the valve means 18 are then set to prevent any fluid communication from the line's interior 16i to the second port 16b; and f) preferably the fuel source 29 is disconnected from the system 10.

To subsequently dispense fuel, the valve means 18 are set so as to allow for fluid flow between the line's first port 16a and third port 16c, so that fuel from the now filled tank 12 may be dispensed, preferably via fuel dispensing means 40 or via a "hard-piped" connection or as may be desired.

Accordingly, the main line 16, with the three ports 16a, 16b, 16c, and the valve means 18 allow the filling system 10 to utilize a tank's outlet 12o (typically located towards the tank's bottom and a few feet lower than the tank's inlet 12i) as both an inlet and an outlet port; i.e. the filling system 10 can retrofit a tank 12 to use its outlet 12o to both fill the tank and draw off fuel through the fuel dispensing means.

Advantageously, because fuel is directed into the tank through the outlet 12o, near the bottom of the tank 12, there is less foaming action created as compared to the traditional way of filling the tank 12 through the inlet 12i near the top.

More advantageously, because the supply line 17 connect to the tanks' outlet 12o near the bottom of the tank 12, only short section of supply line 17

7 or hose 17 needs to be provided (as there is no longer a need to reach up to the top of the tank).

Second Embodiment:

FIGS. 11 to 19 illustrate a second embodiment of the filling system 10.
This embodiment of the filling system 10 is similar to the first embodiment, as discussed above, with the following notable differences. There is no sight glass provided in this embodiment. Instead, the second embodiment provides another means for determining the amount of liquid or fuel that may be present in the tank 12.

In particular, the liquid level indicator means 30 in this embodiment further comprises a float 32 slidably encased in a tubular member 34, said float 32 and member 34 depending at least partially from the cap 20 into the tank's interior 12n, said member 34 having a portion that is transparent to enable a user to see the float's top end slide or move up inside the tubular member 34 as the fuel level in the tank 12 rises and provides buoyancy to the float's bottom end (and move down as the fuel level in the tank 12 drops). Preferably the transparent portion of the tubular member 34 is comprised of water proof glass. More preferably, the float's top end is coloured a bright colour (such as red) and the float's bottom end is made of plastic.

The specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope. Many further modifications and

8 changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the inventions should be construed in accordance with the accompanying claims. For example, even though the invention refers to filling a tank 12 with fuel, the system 10 would work equally well for most any other type of liquid, including filling a tank 12 with water.

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