US2090734A

US2090734A - Device for filling tanks with hydrocarbons

Info

Publication number: US2090734A
Application number: US58951A
Authority: US
Inventors: Piquerez Emile
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-01-19
Filing date: 1936-01-13
Publication date: 1937-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 1954-08-24

Description

Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQUEREZ 2,090,734

DEVICE FOR FILLIKG TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 15, 1936 4 Sh e ets-Sheet 1 HG-Z I I I Aug. 24, 1937.

E. PIQU ER EZ DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 1s, 19ss FIG- 3 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQU EI REZ 2,090,734

DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS I Filed Jan. 15; 1956' 4 She'ets-Sheet :s

Aug. 24, 1937. E. PIQUEREZ 2,09 0,734

DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Filed Jan. 15,- 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES" DEVICE FOR FILLING TANKS WITH HYDROCARBONS Emile Piquerez, St. Cloud, France Application January 13,1936, Serial No. 58,951 In France January 19, 1935 14 Claims.

The present invention has for its object a novel device for filling closed tanks with liquid hydrocarbons in general and more particularly the tanks of aerial navigation machines, motor boats, automobile road or rail vehicles.

The high power motors used in particular on airplanes or on boats necessitate tanks of large capacity, which it must be possible to fill at the filling stations, .in a very short time. During this operation, considerable volumes of inflammable gases are liberated in a very short space of time, forming around the tank an extremely dangerous explosive atmosphere. This danger is still further increased by the overflow of inflammable liquids which occurs when the outlet of the gases from the tanks takes place with dimculty, or

when the level of the liquid is not carefully watched so that the filling operation may be stopped in time. Such watching of the level of O the liquid is, moreover, a diflicult matter, if not impossible, particularly when the filling is done by a high output apparatus.

The improved device which is the object of the invention, is intended to avoid these great drawbacks and to enable tanks to be filled with the maximum safety, by eliminating all the possible outlets of gases and overflows.

For this purpose, said device is characterized by the fact that the filling of the tank is cffected in a closed space, without any communication with the atmosphere and with an automatic stoppage of the flow of liquid as soon as the level in the tank has attained a predetermined height.

The improved device has one or a plurality of the following characteristics which may, furthermore, be combined with each other:

A pumping member sucks up the liquid from a cistern or reservoir to deliver it into the tank through a liquid-tight connection; an overflow pipe, connected in a liquid-tight manner to the tank and the cistern or reservoir brings the gases exhausted from the tank to the reservoir and means are arranged for limiting the filling and stopping the outflow of the pump when an excess of liquid runs back through 'the return pipe.

The meansserving for limiting the filling consist' of a closure member arranged at any point on the return pipe, the closing of which is controlled by the flow of the liquid into said pipe.

According to a modification, the means serving for limiting the filling consist of a closure member arranged at a suitable point of the filling pipe, the closing of the saidmember being caused by the excess pressure which is set up in the tank when the excess of liquid runs back through the return pipe, and means may be arranged on said return pipe to increase the drop in pressure or to produce a total closure, so as to increase said excess pressure.

The return pipe for the gases may be provided with a pump which sucks the said gases into the tank to drive them into the cistern, and which is capable of pumping in the same manner the excess of liquid running back through the return pipe when the tank is full. Said pump is coupled 10 to the same drive as the liquid pump, and the closure member is placed on its delivery, so as to close the latter and lock the movement of both the pumps, when the excess of liquid reaches the return pump. 15

According to a modification of construction, the closure member, at the same time as it closes the return towards the reservoir, opens the communication between the said return and the suction of the liquid pump, so that the excess of liquid circulates in a closed circuit through said pump, without it being possible for the level of the liquid to rise in the tank.

Reversing means are arranged on the pump or pumps, to reverse the suction and delivery orifices thereof, so as to enable the piping to be emptied.

According to an embodiment which appears, for the'time being, to be preferable, the pump or pumps are of a reversible type, so that the re- 0 I versal of said orifices is obtained simply by changing the direction of rotation.

The pipe connecting the liquid pump to the tank runs into the latter at the normal fillinglevel, so that when the reversal of operation takes place, the liquid contained'in the pipes and, if necessary the excess of liquid introduced into the tank, is sucked up again until the level in the latter is established at the normal height.

In case the device is provided with an output 40 meter, the latter is of a reversible system, and is arranged to deduct the excess of liquid which is sucked back again into the pipes, and if necessary, into the tank, during the reversal period of the pump'or pumps. 45

When the apparatus is provided with a meter and with a device for the return of the excess of liquid to the suction side of the pump, such return takes place between the meter and the pump, so as not to alter the measure; it is provided 50 with a stop valve in order that, in the reverse operation, the liquid cannot take that path.

In the case of application to the filling of the tanks of automobiles or other tanks, by means of distributing apparatus having one or a plu- 55 rality of measuring units which empty themselves by gravity into the tank, the following arrangement is adopted.

The measuring unit having a head of liquid 5 is connected to the tank in a liquid-tight manner and the atmosphere of the tank is connected to the atmosphere of the cistern or reservoir from which the carburant is taken.

-On this air return pipe is interposed a receptacle adapted to collect the overflow of liquid.

Said receptacle may be provided with an automatic closure member arranged to interrupt the the exact quantity of liquid introduced into the tank, by subtracting from the initial volume prepared in the measuring unit or units of the distributor, thevolume of the liquid collected in the overflow receptacle.

Said overflow measuring receptacle is advantageously connected to the storage tank by a return pipe which enables it to be emptied.

Said return pipe may simply consist of a pipe provided with a cock, and connected between the lower part of the receptacle and the air pipe which connects the upper part of the'same receptacle to the storage tank.

In another embodiment, the part of the return pipe can be performed by the air pipe which connects the top of the overflow measure with the 40 atmosphere of the storage tank, by providing the pipe with a rotative joint operating in the manner of a trunnion and enabling the measure to be turned upside down by rotating it through 180.

The invention also concerns the use, for connecting the measuring unit of the distributor to the tank to be filled and for ensuring at the same time the return of air from the latter to the cistern, of a single connection permanently mounted on the ends of the two corresponding pipes and placed in the filling orifice of the tank, said connection having a central tube which dips into the liquid and communicates with a liquid inlet chamber, and another shorter tube leaving around the first mentioned tube an annular space which communicates with an air outlet chamber.

Said connection has on the outside an annular element which is extensible under the action of a tightening member, the operation of the said member, after the connection has been introduced into the orifice of the tank, having the efiect of enlarging the diameter of the annular element and of pressing it against the wall of the orifice where it forms a liquid-tight joint.

5 A multi-way shut off member is arranged on the connection. In one position, said member places the two' pipes, separately, in communication with the tank, whereas in another position it cuts off these communications and connects the two pipes to each other, by-passing the tank.

Other characteristics will become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings,

Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 show diagrammatically in elevation, a number of embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically a modification of a detail. 5

Figure 8 is a general diagrammatic view of the device for filling the tanks of automobiles.

Figure 9 is a vertical section of the connection used.

In Figures 1 to 7, the same elements are indi- 10 cated by the same reference numerals. I is the supply cistern or reservoir and 2 indicates 'the tank to be filled to a predetermined level N.

A pump 3 sucks up the liquid in the cistern I, through a tube 4 dipping in said liquid, and de- 15 livers the liquid through the pipe 5 into the tank 2. Said pipe is connected in a liquid-tight manner to said tank, and terminates within the latter at the level N. From the same tank, and also connected thereto in a liquid-tight manner, there runs an overflow pipe 8, the end of which passes into the tank 2 and likewise terminates at the level N. Said pipe 6 leads into the base of a chamber 1, the top of which has an orifice 8 communicating, through the pipe 9, with the upper part of the cistern l. Within the chamber Tl is arranged a float 10 provided with a closure member, for example the needle valve I l which, in the upper position of the float, closes the orifice 8.

The

tubes

4 and 9 are connected in a liquidtight manner to the orifice of the cistern I.

When the pump 3 is operated, the latter sucks up liquid from the cistern l and delivers it into the tank 2, while the gases which are driven out of the latter return freely through the tubes 6, 9 and the chamber 1 to the cistern, without passing out into the atmosphere.

When the level in the tank 2 reaches the fixed limit N, the liquid attains the orifice of the tube 6 and any fresh volume of liquid delivered by the 40 pump 3 runs away through said tube and collects-in the chamber 1 where it lifts the float Ill. The latter soon closes the orifice 8, the delivery of the pump 3 is thus closed, thereby showing the operator that the filling of the tank I2 is termi- 45 nated.

It is usually convenient, for enabling the pipes 5 and 6 to be detached from the tank 2, to empty the liquid contained in said pipes. This result can easily be obtained by reversing the operation 50 of the pump 3, so that the latter sucks up through the pipe 5 and delivers through the pipe 4. A depression is thus set up in the tank 2, and a suction is produced through the pipes 6 and 9. The liquid contained in the chamber 1 as well as in the pipe 6 is emptied, and the suction of liquid through the pipe 5 ceases as soon as the level in the tank falls below the level N. This operation of the pump 3 in the reverse direction case of a pump'actuated by a mechanical means. 70

The device shown in Fig. 2 enables this sudden stoppage to be avoided. In said device, the chamber I communicates, through its lower part, with a pipe I2 connected to the suction of the pump 3.

A closure member l3, carried by the float l0 7 closes the orifice of said pipe when there is no liquid in the chamber I. Finally, a valve I4 placed in said pipe I2, permits circulation to take place in the latter, from the chamber 1 towards the pump 3, and prevents passage in the opposite direction. I I

The operation 01 this device is the same as in the previous example, during the whole of 'the filling operation, the pipe I2 being closed by the needle valve I3. When the excess of liquid runsaway through the pipe 6, the float III, at the same time as it closes the orifice 8, opens the pipe I2, thereby enabling the liquid to return to the suction side of the pump '3, through the valve I4. The excess of liquid thus circulates in a closed circuit without the level rising in the tank 2. It is sufiicient to arrange an inspection window, either on the chamber 1, or on the tube I2, to enable the operator to ascertain that the filling is terminated. The reversal of the pump 3 then enables the excess of liquid to be returned to the cistern I, as in the case of Fig. 1, the valve I4 closing all communication in the opposite di-. rection through the tube I2.

Both of the devices described can advantageously be completed by apparatus for purifying and metering the liquid distributed. Such apparatus would be arranged as indicated for the devices described hereinafter.

In the devices illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the operation of the apparatus for limiting the fill ing 1 sets up an excess pressure in the tank 2; said pressure may be troublesome in certain applications and in particular in the case of airplane tanks, constructed of thin metal plate.

The devices illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 are intended to obviate this drawback, and consequently are particularly adapted forfilling the tanks of aircraft.

In said devices, the return tube 6 is connected to the suction orifice of a pump I5, adapted to suck in the gases or the liquid escaping from the tank 2. Said pump delivers through the chamber of the filling limiter I and the pipe 9, into the cistern I. A mechanical connection, shown diagrammatically by the chain I6, connects said pump to the pump 3, in such a manner that the two pumps are actuated simultaneously. Furthermore, they are calculated so that their outputs are equal.

On the delivery of the pump 3 is furthermore arranged an air decanter-separator filter ll, of the type described in French Patent No. 759,559 of 4th November 1932, and a meter I8. The gases escaping from the air separator through the tube I9, are sent into the delivery pipe after the meter, so as not to make the measurement efiected by the latter incorrect. I

The device of Fig. 3 applies more particularly to apparatus provided with hand pumps, since the automatic operation of the filling limiter 1 causes a sudden stoppage of the delivery and, consequently, a locking of the pumps.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 5 avoids such locking, by sending the excess of liquid back through the pipe I2 to the suction of the pump 3. Of course, in this case, the meter must be placed on the suction pipe of the pump, so that the liquid returning into circulation through the pipe I2, does not again pass through said meter.

The emptying of the pipes 5 and 6 is effected by the simultaneous reversal of the two pumps, the pump I5 then sucking the gases from the cistern to deliver them through the pipe 6 into the tank, whereas the pump 3 sucks up the liquid contained in the pipe 6, to send it back into the cistern through the meter III. The suction of the liquid ceases as soon as the level in the tank reaches the level of the orifice of the pipe 5. The meter I8 used is of a reversible type, and it automatically deducts from the preceding measurement, the quantity ,of liquid thus sent back into the cistern.

It is advantageous to use in this arrangement, pumps which are capable of reversal by a simple change in the direction of rotation, for example, rotary pumps having an eccentric piston. But such reversal can be obtained with pumps of any type by connecting themas shown in Fig. 4. In this arrangement, the pipe 6 leads into a threeway cock 20, the two other orifices oi vwhich are connected to the .suction orifice 2I and to the delivery orifice 22. The pipe 9 leads in the same manner to the three-way cock 23, likewise connected to the orifices 2I and 22 of the pump I5. Said two

cocks

20 and 23 are actuated by a single control 24. In the position of the figure, it is seen that the suction takesplace through 6 and the delivery through 9. It sufiices to change the direction of the cocks by means of the control 24,

to reverse the direction of suction and delivery of the pump. The pump 3 will be connected in the same manner, and its

cocks

24 and 25 operated by the control 26. To facilitate the simultaneous reversal of the two pumps, the two

controls

24 and 26 can be coupled so as to operate the four

cocks

20, 23, 24 and 25 at the same time.

The devices illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 enable, while only using a single pump, the output thereof to be shut off without setting up an exaggerated pressure in the tank.

In said devices, the liquid pump 3 sucks, through the tube 4 from the cistern Land delivers through the pipe 5 towards the tank. Said pipe leads into a chamber 26 through an orifice provided with a valve 21 which closes in the direction of passage of the liquid towards the chamber 26. Said chamber is connected in a liquid-tight manner to the tank 2 by a pipe 5' which extends into said tank up to the level N to which it is desired to fill it. The wall of the chamber 26 which is opposite the valve 2'! is.

formed of a flexible diaphragm 28, the outer face of which is subjected to atmospheric pressure. Said diaphragm is connected to the valve by a rigid rod 29. A calibrated spring 30 constantly urges said diaphragm inwardly, andtends to hold the valve 21 open.

The return of the gases to the cistern is effected through the pipe 6 connected to the tank in a liquid-tight manner. The cross-section of said pipe is calculated so that for the maximum output of the pump 3, the pressure in the tank 2, necessary for ensuring the return of the gases to the cistern, has a very small value p, and that the pressure necessary for ensuring, under the same conditions, the return of the liquid, has a value P which is substantially greater, although less than the maximum pressure the tank can normally stand. The adjustment of these pressures to a suitable value, can be obtained if necessary by means of a diaphragm 3I arranged in the tube and provided with a calibrated orifice.

The operation of the device is as follows: during the whole of the filling operation, the pres-' the valve 21 constantly open. As soon as the liquid reaches the tube 6, the pressure increases and rapidly attains the value P. It acts on the whole surface of the diaphragm 28, compressing the spring 30, forcing the valve 21 on to its seat 5 to shut oil? the delivery of the pump 3. Any further action on the latter can only look said-valve and it is not possible to introduce a greater quantity of liquid into the tank.

By reversing the pump, a depression is set up in the pipe 5 which opens the valve 21; the excess of liquidcan thus be sucked up again until the level of the liquid in the tank reaches the level N of the orifice of the tube 5 and the pipes 5 and 6 are emptied.

With this arrangement, it may happen that the pressure P builds up rather slowly, particularly if the pump is operated at reduced speed, and that consequently a certain amount of liquid can return to the cistern before the valve 21 has operated. This may be a serious drawback in the case in which the volume distributed is to be measured by a meter.

The device shown in Fig. 7 avoids this drawback. In this arrangement, the return pipe 6 25 is provided with a member which prevents the passage of the liquid and which is identical with the one used in the devices of Figs. 1 and 3. Said member consists of a chamber 1 in which a float H] can be displaced to close, with its needle valve the orifice of the, tube 6. When the liquid reaches said chamber, the float rises and closes the outlet of. the gases. The pressure in the tank consequently rises and rapidly reaches the value P which causes the valve 21 to close and the pumping to stop. The reversal of the pump 3 is efiected in the same manner as in the previous examples; it has the effect of bringing the level back to the desired point and emptying the pipes 5 and 6.

In Fig. 8 showing the application to the filling of the tank of an automobile, the pump of the gasoline distributing station is not shown. 4| designates the hydrocarbon cistern, most frequently lodged underground; 42 is a distributing measure having a head of liquid; 43 is the pipe through which the pump sucks up the liquid to send it into the said measure; 44 is the pipe for conveying said liquid to the tank R of the vehicle V; 45 and 46 the hose and pipe for placing the atmosphere of the automobile tank in communication with that of the storage tank, and for sending the excess of liquid into an overflow measure 41 and thence back into the storage tank 4|.

At the free ends of the pipes 44 and 45 is mounted a single connection 48 for temporarily connecting said pipes to the tank. In said connection, the said pipes respectively run into a liquid inlet chamber 49 and an air supply chamher 50. Said two chambers open, on the other hand, into a casing 5|, formed at the top of the body 48 and in which is mounted a plug 52. The latter is formed at the upper end of a central tube 53 which normally communicates through said plug, with the liquid chamber 49.

The tube 53 which is long enough to enable it to extend downwardly an inch or two into the tank R, is surrounded by another tube 54, which is larger and shorter and which places the atmosphere of the tank in communication with the cavity of the casing 5| and, consequently, with the chamber 50 and the pipes 45 and 46 leading to the atmosphere of the storage tank 4|.

The plug 52, which is provided with an oper- 74 ating handle 55, has a wide lateral groove 56 enabling the

chambers

49 and 50 to be placed in direct communication with each other at the end of the filling operation, as will be explained hereinafter.

To ensure the liquid-tight mounting of the connection on the tank R, the said connection has, between its main body and'the tube 54, a threaded portion 48a, on which screws a wing nut 51. Underneath the latter is arranged a washer 58 mounted on the upper end of a tubular joint 59 made of resilient material such as special rubber, the lower end of which bears on a collar 54a of the tube 54.

Since the lower part of the connection is engaged in the filling'orifice of the tank R, liquidtightness is obtained by screwing the nut 51 towards the collar 54a, thereby causing the medial portion of the joint 59 to bulge and to press closely against the inner wall of said filling orifice.

In order to facilitate the bulging of the joint, resilient blades abutting at 54a and 58 could be arranged inside that joint.

Referring again to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the pipe 45 runs into a part 60 which forms the cap of the cover of the measure 41, called overflow measure.

The measure 41, the body of which is made of glass, or is provided with a gauge tube, is of a capacity which is preferably slightly greater than that of the distributor measure 42. It contains a float 6| guided on a rod 62 and provided with a valve 63 for closing the orifice 64 communicating with the pipe 46 leading to the storage tank 4|. Said orifice, provided in the cap 60, is slightly higher in the position of Fig. 8 than the orifice communicating with the pipe 45. l

The conduit starting from the orifice 64 in the cap 60 extends into a hollow shaft, the end 65 of which is rotatably mounted in a tube 66 connected to the tube 46, so that by rotating the shaft and measure 41 through 180 in a vertical plane, the measure 41 can be emptied into the storage tank 4| through the tube 46. Said connection 66 is fixed in the body 61 of the distributing apparatus.

For the same purpose, the bottom of the overflow measure 41 could be connected to the pipe 45 by a conduit provided with a cook. The latter could be manually operated or could be combined with the controls of the distributing apparatus, so as to open when the measure is being filled, and close when the pump is started or when the measures 42 are being emptied.

It will readily be seen that when the tank R is full, if the liquid continues to flow into same, it will rise in the tube 54 and run into the overflow measure 41. As soon as the liquid is seen flowing into said measure, the cock-52-55 is rotated to cause said liquid to pass directly from the pipe 44 into the pipe 45 towards the measure. When all the liquid has run out, the connection 48 is removed and hooked onto the frame of the distributing apparatus in a high position, so that the pipe 45 empties itself into the measure 41, the excess of liquid contained in said measure is then calculated and it can forthwith be deducted from the quantity originally measured in 42.

It is thenonly necessary to empty the measure 41 by turning it upside down by swinging it through 180 in the vertical plane.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, and that all the modifications obtained by replacing chamber and a double closure member carried certain parts by their equivalents, fall within its scope.

I claim: 1. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid 5 hydrocarbon from a closed supply reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the tank and the reservoir, so that the 10 gases driven out of the tank are sent back to the reservoir, andmeans responsive to the flow of excess liquid towards said reservoir through said second pipe for stopping the filling of the tank.

2. Device. for filling a closed tank with liquid '15 hydrocarbon from a closed supply reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe for sucking liquid from said reservoir and delivering it towards said 20 tank; a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the reservoir and the tank so that the gases driven out of the tank are sent back to the reservoir; and means responsive to flow of liquid in said second pipe for stopping the 25 filling of said tank when the excess of liquid flows back towards said reservoir through said second pipe.

3. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from a closed reservoir, said device 30 comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposed in'said first pipe for sucking liquid from said cistern and delivering it towards said tank, a second pipe connecting together the isolated atmos- 35 pheres of the reservoir and the tank so that the gases driven out of said tank are sent back to said reservoir, said second pipe opening into'said tank at a predetermined filling level; a chamber interposed in said second pipe, a float in said 40 chamberand a closure member connected to said float to control said second pipe so that the discharge of the pump is closed off when the excess of liquid returning from said tank through the second pipe collects in said chamber.

5 4. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or from a cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe and adapted to suck up liquid from 50 said cistern and deliver it towards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank are sent back to said cistern, said second pipe opening into said 55 tank at the level set for the filling,achamber interposed in said second pipe, a by-pass connecting said chamber to said first pipe, a fioat in said chamber and a double closure member carried by said float for closing said second pipe and open- 60 ing said by-pass when the excess of liquid collects in said chamber, and conversely during the filling operation.

5. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or cistern, said device com- 65 prising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe and adapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver it towards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmos- 7 pheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank are sent back to said cistern, said second pipe opening into said tank at the level set for the filling, a chamber interposed in said second pipe, a by-pass connecting 75 said chamber to said first pipe, a float in said by said float to close said second pipe and open said by-pass, when the excess of liquid collects in said chamber, and conversely during the filling operation, and a valve in said by-pass, said valve being arranged to close towards the float chamber.

6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that a pump is interposed in the second pipe between the tank and the float chamber, said pump, which has the same output capacity as the one arranged in the first pipe, being adapted to suck from the tank and deliver towards the clstem.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that on the second pipe, between the tank and the float chamber, is interposed a pump adapted to suck from the tank and deliver towards the cistern, with an output equal to that of the pump interposed in the first pipe.

8. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or from a cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said firstpipe and adapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver it towards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank are sent back to said cistern, said second pipe opening into said tank at the level set for the filling, a chamber interposed in said second pipe,.a by-pass connecting said chamber to said first pipe, a float in said chamber and a double closure member carried by said float to close saidsecond pipe and open said by-pass when the excess of liquidcollects in said chamber, and conversely during the filling operation a valve in said by-pass, said valve being adapted to close towards the float chamber, a pump interposed in said second pipe between said tank and said float chamber, said pump being adapted to suck from said tank and deliver towards said cistern with an output equal to that of the pump interposed in said first pipe, and reversing cocks combined with the two pumps to enable said pipes to be emptied, when the tank has been filled, without changing'the direction of operation of said pumps.

9. Device for filling a tank with hydrocarbon from another tank or from a cistern, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe and adapted to suck up liquid from said cistern and deliver it towards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank, so that the gases driven out of said tank are sent back to said cistern, a valve interposed in said first pipe between said pump and the tank, said valve being adapted to close towards said tank, a diaphragm connected to said valve and having one face in communication with the tank and the other with the atmosphere, and a calibrated spring behind said diaphragm, adapted on the one hand to hold said valve open during the operation of filling, and on the other hand to yield to the pressure acting on said diaphragm to allow said valve to close as soon as the filling operation is completed.

10. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from a closed reservoir, said device comprising a first pipe for conducting the liquid from the reservoir to the tank, a pump interposed in said first pipe for sucking liquid from said reservoir and delivering it towards said tank, a second pipe for connecting together the isolated atmospheres of the reservoir and the tank, so

that the gases driven out of said tank are sent to said reservoir, a valve interposed in said first pipe between said pump and the tank, said valve closing towards said tank, a diaphragm connected to said valve and having one face incommunication with the tank and the other with the atmosphere, and a calibrated spring behind said diaphragm, adapted on the one hand to hold said valve open during the filling operation, and 10 on the other hand to yield to the pressure oithe liquid acting on said diaphragm to allow said valve to close as soon as the filling operation is completed, a chamber interposed in said second pipe, a float in said chamber and a valve connected to said float, said valve being adapted to close towards said cistern.

11. ,Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from a cistern or reservoir, which comprises, a first pipe system to carry the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system to connect the atmosphere of the cistern and the tank, means to stop the filling oi. the tank when excess liquid flows towards said cistern through the second pipe line and means to withdraw from this second pipe line the liquid which has entered thereinto.

12. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from a cistern or reservoir which comprises a first pipe system for passing the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system connecting the isolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank so as to pass the gases diplaced from the tank into the cistern, a gage interposed between the tank and the cistern con- 85 nected in the first pipe system, said gage being located at a higher level than the cistern so as to empty therein by gravity, an overflow collector A comprises a first pipe system for passing the liquid from the cistern atmospheres of the cistern and the tank so as to pass the gases displaced -irom the tank into the cistern, a gage interposed between the tank and the cistern connected in the first pipe system, said gage being located at a higher level than the cistern so as to empty therein by gravity, an overflow collector interposed between the tank'and the cistern in the second pipe system, and a valve for establishing direct communication between the two pipe systems so as to check the filling of the tank when the liquid begins to fiow into the collector of the second pipe system, said collector having means to measure the excess liquid, and means to pass this liquid back to the cistern.

14. Device for filling a closed tank with liquid hydrocarbon from a cistern or reservoir which comprises a first pipe system for passing the liquid from the cistern to the tank, a second pipe system connecting the isolated atmospheres of the cistern and the tank so as to pass the gases displaced from the tank into the cistern, a gage interposed between the tank and the cistern connected in the first pipe system, said gage being located at'a higher level than the cistern so as to empty therein by gravity, an overflow collector interposed between the tank and the cistern in the second pipe system, and a valve for establishing direct communication between the two pipe systems so asto check the filling of the tank when the liquid begins to flow into the collector of the second pipe system, said collector being graduated so as to measure the excess liquid passing thereto from the tank and containing a fioat valve to prevent direct passage of the excess liquid to the tank, a rotatably mounted tubular shaft to support the said collector, said shaft being interposed in series in the second pipe system and communicating with the upper part of the interior of the collector so that when the collector is rotated through 180 on its supporting shaft its content flows through said shaft.

EMILE PIQUEREZ.