US2777461A - Fuel tank filling apparatus with automatic shut-off - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 15, 1957 E. WILDHABER 2,777,461

FUEL TANK FILLING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF Filed May 8, 1951 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 48 INVENTOR.

ERNEST WILD/ ABE BY F168 AT TORNE Y Jan. 15,1957 E. WILDHABER v 2,777,461

FUEL TANK FILLING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF Filed may 8,- 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. ERNEST W/L DHA BER FIG. ATTORNDEY jg Jan. 15, 1957 E. WILDHABER 9 3 FUEL TANK FILLING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF Filed May 8, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g/rs INVEN TOR. ERNEST W/LDHABER BY Ma ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1957 5W1LDHABER 2,777,461

FUEL TANK FILLING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF Filed May 8, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR. ERNEST W/L DHA BE I? By W ATTORNEY FUEL TANK FILLING APPARATUS WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF Ernest Wildhaber, Brighton, N. Y.

Application May 8, 1951, Serial No. 225,240

20 Claims. (Cl. 141-198) The present invention relates to apparatus for filling tanks with a liquid, and more particularly to apparatus for controlling the level to which a tank can be filled with a liquid. In a more specific aspect the invention relates to apparatus for filling a household fuel oil storage tank or the like through a pipe or hose where the level of liquid in the tank does not reach the filling nozzle even when the tank is filled to its highest desired level.

Various devices are known for indicating by whistles or other sound-producing media to the driver of a fuel oil truck that the household storage tank, which he is filling,

has been filled to the proper level. Sometimes, however, through inadvertence, the driver does not heed the warning signal but lets the tank overflow, wasting fuel,

- and possibly damaging vegetation outside the house or the driveway leading to the house. A

One object of the invention is to provide a filling ap- United States Patent O mechanism controlled by an electric circuit and which is operable to close the valve in the filling nozzle automatically when the oil in the storage tank has risen to a predetermined level, thereby to terminate automatically the filling operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling mechanism controlled by an electric circuit through which the pump, for pumping oil out of the oil truck through the hose into the stoarge tank, is shut off automatically when the oil in the storage tank has risen to a predetermined level, thereby to terminate automatically the filling operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical control circuit for a filling mechanism comprising a stationary part in the fill pipe of the storage tank and a movable part which is connected to the filling nozzle, in which the stationary element may be properly protected when not in use. p

A further object of the invention is to provide an antifriction catch for locking the filling nozzle open butlwhich can readily be disengaged with a minimum of force upon completion of the filling operation to permit automatic shut-off of the filling nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filling nozzle having a lever for control thereof with a catch for locking the'lever and the valve controlled thereby in open position, and having an adjustment for varying the valve opening in the open position to controlthe rate of flow of liquid from the nozzle into the-storage tank.

A further object is to devise a filling apparatus controlled by an electric circuit in which current flows during filling with a check provided so that the filling operation will not start unless there is current flowing in the circuit.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

ice

In the apparatus of the present invention electric wires forming part of an electrical circuit are either embedded in the filling hose or led along the filling hose. These wires are connected at one end to a storage battery and are connected at their opposite ends to a plug that is carried by the hose and that is adapted to be inserted into or connected to a stationary plug mounted in the fill pipe of the storage tank. The latter plug is connected to a float operated switch. When the storage tank has been filled to a predetermined level the float operated switch opens or closes the circuit as may be desired. In one embodiment of the invention the filling nozzle is inserted in the fill pipe, the electric plug on the filling nozzle is inserted into the stationary electric plug in the fill pipe, and the lever on the nozzle is depressed to open the valve. This starts the fuel pump on the oil truck. The fuel pump is shut olf automatically when the float-operated switch is opened. In another embodiment of the invention the storage battery is mounted adjacent to or on the filling nozzle in position to operate a solenoid-operated catch. In this case the operating lever of the filling nozzle is retained in open or filling position by the catch; and this catch is released at the end of the filling operation when the float-operated switch is closed. Various other embodiments of the invention are also disclosed which will be described further hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a household fuel oil storage tank and its fill pipe, showing the portion of the electrical control apparatus of the present invention which is mounted permanently in the storage tank, namely, the shell which holds the float operated switch and the cable which connects the shell with the stationary plug in the fill pipe;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section showing the cover of the fill pipe thrown back and the filling nozzle inserted therein, and showing the electric plug, which is on the nozzle, inserted in the electric socket which is in the fill pipe, the section being taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a section showing one form of float-operated switch which may be employed in the mechanism of the present invention, this switch being adapted to open at the end of the filling operation to shut off the current;

Fig. 4 is a similar section of a modified form of switch, this switch being adapted to close at the end of the filling operation to close a circuit;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the contact member of the switch; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section on a greatly enlarged scale showing the construction of this contact member;

Fig. 8 is a plan view and Fig. 9 is a diametral section on an enlarged scale of the spring disc for holding the float of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a more or less diagrammatic view showing a filling truck, the filling nozzle, and part of an electrical circuit for controlling the filling operation;

Fig. 11 is an axial section through the drum of the filling truck on which the filling hose is coiled, and indicatingv cable which is secured to or integral with the hose, but

' which protrudes from the periphery of the hose;

Fig. 15 is a part axial section, part side elevation of a filling nozzle constructed according to one embodiment of the invention for use in the circuit of Figs. 10 and 12;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, showing a somewhat modified form of filling nozzle;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary section showing a form of lever adjustment which may be used with either the lever of Fig. 15 or that of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an axial section at right angles to Fig. 17 and along the rocker shaft of one of the levers;

Fig. 19 is an axial section through the anti-friction catch used in the nozzle of Fig. 16 to lock the lever in open position with the fill valve open;

Fig. 20 is a front view of this catch with the forward roller holder broken away to show the rollers;

Fig. 21 is a section on the line 21-21 of Fig. .19 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '22 is a detail view showing partly in section and partly in elevation the bar of the catch;

Fig. 23 is a wiring diagram of an electrical circuit such as may be used in connection with the filling nozzle of Fig. 16 where a storage battery is provided at the filling nozzle; and

Fig. 24 is an electrical diagram of a modified circuit for the filling nozzle of Fig. '16.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of-reference and first to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, 30 denotes a conventional liquid fuel storage tank such as might be used in a home or business property for storing fuel oil. 31 denotes the fill 'pipe for this tank; and 32 designates the cover for covering and protecting the mouth of the fill pipe when it is not in use.

When the mechanism of the present invention is employed, the mouth of the fill pipe is somewhat enlarged, as shown in Fig. 2, and there is mounted therein at one side of the axis of the pipe an electrical socket 34 which is fixed in the fill pipe, and which is adapted to be protected when not in use by the cover 32. A cable 35 leads from the socket 34 to a generally spherical shaped shell 36, as shown in Fig. 1. The length of the cable 35 is such as to suspend the shell 36 in the tank at the level at which it is desired that the filling operation be stopped. The shell 36 'is'generally spherical in shape and is preferably made small enough to pass through the fill pipe 31. Thus it can be introduced into a previously installed fill pipe without dismantling it.

The shell 36 may be constructed in various forms. In the'embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the shell comprises an upper part 40 and a main body part 45. The cable 35 is anchored in the part 40 by sealing plug 43. The cable 35 "encloses two electric wires 41 and 42 which are insulated from one another. The main portion 45 of the shell is secured to the upper portion 40 by threading onto that portion. The shell is hollow and encloses a float 46 capable of a small amount of axial movement inside the shell. To minimize friction, the float 46 may be supported and guided by a very thin flexible disc 47 ('Figs. 3, 8 and 9) which is cut out as denoted at 48 to provide flexible fingers 49. Fingers 49 engage a metal ring 50 which is fixedly secured to the upper face of the float around the bore thereof.

"Fixedl-ymoun'ted within the bore of the shell 36below float 46 is a plate conductor 55 (Figs. 3, 6'and 7-).

This conductor is insulated from the bottom of the body portion of'the shell by an insulating disc 56. The conductordisc 55 is preferably provided with corrugations 57 as shown in Fig. 7 and the topst of these corrugations lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the disc.

'The electric wire 41 (Fig. 3) is connected with a conductor sheet 60 which is secured to the bottom face of the float 46. This wire is helically wound so it permits moderate vertical displacement of the float. The other wire 42 of cable 35 is connected to the conductor plate-55. The corrugations 57 of the conductor plate 55 are to prevent sticking of the conductive sheet 66 and of the float 46 to the conductor plate 55.

The bore of the shell 36 is reduced in diameter at its lower end as denoted at 62; and it is through this portion of the bore that the rising oil in the storage tank may enter the shell 36 and actuate the float 46. Radially extending holes 63 and 64 may be provided in the shell 36 adjacent the upper and lower faces of the float 46, respectively, to permit air to exhaust from the float chamber and prevent entrapment of air therein.

In operation, when the tank is being filled, the float 46 is down and a circuit is made from wire 41 through the conductor 55 and sheet to wire 42. When the fluid level rises above the shell 36, the float rises and breaks contact. Accordingly with the float shown in Fig. 3 electric current is provided during the filling operation, and this current is shut ofl at the end of the filling operation.

The shell 36', shown in Fig. 4 is designed for the opposite type of operation from the shell 36 of Fig. 3. Here electric contact is established only at theend of the filling operation when the fluid level reaches to and over the shell. No current flows in the circuit during the filling operation proper. It starts only at the end of the operation in order to terminate the filling.

In the shell 36' there is a corrugated conductor plate 55' at the top of the bore of the shell which is insulated from the shell itself by an insulating disc 56. The conductor plate 55' is connected to the Wire 42 of the cable 35; and the wire 41 of the cable is connected to the conductive sheet or disc 60' which is fastened to the top of the float 46. A snap ring 65 retains the float inside the shell 36'. A radial hole 63' prevents entrapment of air in the bore of the shell.

During the filling operation the float rests on the snap ring 65. There is no electric contact between the two Wires of the cable 35. In other words the circuit is open. When the fuel level reaches to and above the shelf 36, however, the float 46' rises from its seat, reaches the top of the recess, and establishes contact.

Preferably the shell 36 is used in which current is provided during filling. Existence of current can then be checked and is checked automatically. If the contacts are defective, or if the line is damaged, so that no current or insufficient current exists in the circuit, this is readily and automatically discovered as soon as the whole apparatus is put into operation.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive, denotes the tank of a fuel truck whose wheels are denoted at 71. 72 designates the filling nozzle. This is connected to the truck by a hose 73 that is adapted to be wound upon a conventional .drum 74 which is rotatably mounted upon the truck.

Thenozzle itself may be of the construction shown in Fig. 15. It has a tubular projecting portion 75 which is adapted to be shoved into the fill pipe 31 of the storage tank, as shown in Fig. 2. It carries an electrical plug 77 which is adapted to be plugged into the socket 34 of the fill pipe when the tubular projection 75 of the nozzle is inserted into thefill pipe.

The-nozzle 72 includes a valve 80 (Fig. 15) which is adapted to be seated upon a ring 81 in the right angle elbow formed .between the tubular portion 82 of the nozzle and the tubular projecting'portion 75. The hose 73 is connected to the left hand end of the tubular portion 82. The valve 80 is constantly urged toward its seat by a coil spring 84. The valve has stem portions 85 and 861projecting axially at opposite sides of the valve disc. These are guided in guide members 87 and 88, respectively, the guide portion '87 being a hub connected with the .outer wallof the nozzle by deep thin-sectioned arms 89.. iThefitbetween the bore of the hub member 87 and the portion 85 of :the valve stem may be loose enough sothat all air can escape and the liquid can be squeezed out with the delay desired. The lower end of thebore of the hub 87 is closed, however, by a screw 9%) so that the bore 'ofhub 87 acts 'as a dash pot for valve 80. Sudden closing of the valve 80 would cause excessive pressures in the hose.

The valve 80 is adapted to be lifted off of its seat by a lever 92 which is'keyed to a shaft 93. This shaft is journaled in projections or ears 94 of a cap 95 that is threaded into the nozzle. Secured to theshaft 93 is a lever arm 121. This lever arm engages at its free end in a hole or recess 122 in a block 123 which is threadedly secured to the upper stern portion 86 of the valve. When the lever 92 is depressed, therefore, the valve 80 is lifted off its seat.

A catch is provided to secure the lever 92 in depressed position with the valve open. This catch is in the form of a steel ball 106 that is housed in a recess 107 in the lever 92 and that is normally spring-pressed into locking position by a coil spring 108. Integral with the tubular portion 82 of the nozzle is an arm 109 that has in its lower end a spherical recess 110. This recess is adapted to receive the ball 106 to lock the lever 92 in down position. The inner surface 111 of the arm 109 is coaxial with the shaft 93 so that the outer end of the lever 92 rides on the surface 111 in its movement.

Integral with the shaft 93 is a worm wheel 96 (Figs. 17 and 18). The shaft also forms a support for the bracket 97. This bracket contains projections or ears 100 and 101 in which is journaled a shaft 102 which has a worm 103 integral with it. The worm 103 meshes with the worm wheel 96. The worm is held axially by projection 100 through the washers 104. At the right hand end of 103, the opening of valve 80, when the lever 92 is in the down or locked position, can be adjusted. Not all fill pipes are capable of taking a full volume of delivery. In some cases the delivery has to be slowed down. This is done by using a smaller valve opening. This can be accomplished through rotary adjustment of knob 105 without requiring continuous hand pressure. When a reduced valve lift is thus set, the swing of the lever 92 is Its bottom position is the same, but its top reduced. position is then lowered as compared with the position shown in Fig. 15. In other words, the valve closes at a lower upper position of lever 92.

Mounted on the tubular portion 82 of the nozzle in position to be engaged by the arm 92 and to be depressed thereby, when the arm 92 is in its lowermost position, is the button 112 of a switch 113.

There is a conventional storage battery 115 (Fig. 10) mounted on the fuel truck. The plug 77 (Fig. 15) is connected to a cable 116. This cable contains the two wires 117 and 118 (Fig. 12). The switch 113 is mounted to bridge the contacts 119 and 120 connecting the two parts 117 and 117" of the wire 117. The cable 116 is itself insulated from the nozzle 82. Beyond the end of the nozzle the electric wires 117 and 118 are embedded in the hose '73. They lead through the hose to the reel 74 of the truck. At the end of the reel they are connected with a cable 125 (Fig. 11) which extends through the hollow center of the reel. One of the Wires 127 of the cable is connected directly with the battery 115. The other wire 128 of the cable is connected to a conventional relay 130 which in turn is connected by the line 131 with the battery. v

When the lever arm 92 of the nozzle is pushed down, therefore, and locked in its downward position to depress the button 112 and close switch 113, if the shell 36 (Fig.3) is being used, current flows from the battery through line 127 (Fig. 10) of cable 125, section 117" (Fig. 12) of wire 117, the closed switch 113, section 117' of wire 117, plug 77, socket 34, line 41 (Fig. 3), conductive plate 60, conductor plate 55, line 42, socket 34, plug 77, line 118 (Fig. 12), cable 125, line 128, relay 130, and line 131 back to the battery. This energizes the relay. The relay arm 132 is therefore closed, as shown in Fig. 12, the armature 133 of the relay being pulled upwardly against the action of the spring 134.

When the switch 132 is closed the coil 135 of a solenoid 136 is energized, current flowing from battery through line 139, closed switch 132, line 143, coil 135, and line 144 back to the battery. The armature or core 137 is therefore held in the position shown in Fig. 12 against the action of the spring 138. This causes a conventional friction clutch 140 to be engaged so that power may be transmitted from a rotating shaft 141 to coaxial shaft 142 which drives the fuel pump 145. The shaft 141 may be driven either through power take-off from the main engine or through a separate engine. I

When the liquid in the storage tank rises to the desired level, the float 46 (Fig. 3) breaks the circuit, the core 137 moves to the right, and the pump 145 is automatically shut off to prevent further delivery of oil to the tank.

If there is a defect in the primary circuit there is no current in either circuit and the pump will not start.

The coil in the relay as well as the coil are stationary. In the relay 130 the coil is preferably wound on a stationary portion of the magnetic circuit.

Instead of starting the fuel pump with the friction clutch 140, an arrangement may be made to start a separate pump engine coupled to the fuel pump through the secondary circuit.

Fig. 13 shows one way in which the electric wires 117 and 118 may be led along the'hose 73. Here they are built into the wall of the hose. The wires 117 and 118 are made of electrically conductive metal such as copper, aluminum, etc. Companion wires 148 and 149 may be positioned in the hose at opposite sides of both the wire 117 and the wire 118 for strength, and may be made of a different metal or metallic alloy.

Fig. 14 shows another way of leading the electric wires 117 and 118 along the hose 73. In this case they are secured to a cable 150 which may be secured to the hose or be integral with it. A reinforcing wire 151 may be also embedded in this cable.

In either the embodiment of Fig. 13 or of Fig. 14, the wires are made to follow the hose so that they are handled simultaneously with the hose.

When the cable portion 150 is made as shown in Fig. 14, no more space is required for winding the hose on a drum 74 than for winding a conventional hose. The cable portions 150 fit intothe interstices between successive wraps of the hose.

A further important embodiment of the invention will now be described. In this embodiment the storage battery, or broadly, the source of voltage, is placed at the filling nozzle. The filling nozzle in such case may, as shown in Fig. 16, be constructed similar to the nozzle of Fig. 15 except that it lacks the switch 113. It mayor may not have the arm 109; and in place of the ball detent 106 it has a catch or detent Wired for electromagnetic operation.

Parts of the nozzle of Fig. 16, which are similar in construction to the parts of the nozzle of Fig. 15, are denoted by the same reference numerals. handle for this nozzle may be shaped the same as the handle 92 of Fig. 15 or may be provided as shown in Fig. 16 with notches 155 for the fingers. It preferably has a flange on its upper side at its extreme end as denoted at 156. The lever 92 is adapted to be locked in the down position by a catch comprising a bar (Figs. 16 and 19 to 22) which is recessed at its forward end to receive two cylindrical rollers 161. These rollers are retained in the bar by a U-shaped'retaining member 162 which is secured to the bar by a rivet 163 (Fig. 22). The rollers contact each other and roll on each other. The bar 160 is generally square in cross section and it terminates at its op posite end in a disc 165 (Fig. 22).

The bar is adapted to slide in a housing 167 (Fig. 19) which has a square hole in its forward end through which The controlthe cover 162 may project. The housing is formed with a projection 168 at one boundary of this hole. At its opposite end there is a thin cylindrical ring 169 secured to the cage member for instance by means of pins. This ring forms a bearing or support for the plate or flange 165 and has its outer portion bent inwardly as denoted at 170 to form a stop. It is made of non-magnetic material. The cup member 167 as well as the bar 169 are made of magnetic iron adapted to assume electro-magnetism through electric current.

The rollers 161 and bar 16 are held in forward position against the action of the spring 174 through the action of electric current in the solenoid coil 172. The spring 174 surrounds the bar 160 and is interposed between the forward end of the housing 167 and the disc 165. When current ceases in the coil 172, this spring moves the housing back until the plate 165 bears against the flange 170 of the ring 169. The rollers transmit pressure directly from flange 156 to projection 168 by pure rolling contact through their rolling engagement with one another.

The extension 154 of hand lever 92 (Fig. 16) has the projection 156 which is adapted to be engaged by the latch member 169. A part of this extension is shown in Fig. 19. As the hand lever is depressed it moves in a direction counterclockwise about the axis of the shaft 93 pushing the latch member back. After the projection 156 has passed the front part 162 of the latch member the latch member moves forward again through action of the current in the coil 172. The lower roller 161 thereby rolls on the top side of the projection 156, the upper roller on the plane underside of the lip 168. The two engaged sides of the lip 168 and projection 156 are parallel so that the load on the catch has no tendency to displace it.

When the current in the coil 17?; ceases, the latch moves back, and the released hand lever moves upwardly in a clockwise direction. It is also to be noted that the direction of motion of the hand lever 92' is preferably at an angle to the plane of the roller axis.

I have shown in Fig. 23 one way in which my apparatus may be wired to operate catch 166. Here both a primary and a secondary circuit are used, the intention being to get along with very little current in the primary circuit. The primary and secondary circuits are energized by the same storage battery 13%. The primary circuit extends from the storage battery through the coiof relay 133, a resistance 1524, line 118, pla '77, socket 34, line 12, shell 36, line 41, socket 34, plug 77, line 117 back to the storage battery. Relay 183 is like the relay 130 of Fig. l2.

During filling the relay 183 is energized, pulling up armature 13? against the resistance of spring 19-3. This keeps switch closzd so that current flows in the secondary circuit. T he latter is energized by the same storage battery 230, current passing from the battery through line 188, closed switch 135, line 137, coil 1712 (Figs. 19 and 23), and line 186 back to the battery. The current which exists during filling keeps the movable part of bar 169 of the catch in forward position. When the primary current is shut ofi in the shell 36 by rise of float 46 when the liquid in the storage tank has reached the desired level, the relay opens the switch 185. Current in the secondary circuit is, therefore, cut off and the latch is withdrawn by action of the spring 174 (Fig. 19).

Fig. 24 is a wiring diagram showing a single circuit for operating catch itiii. The current which passes through the shell 30, socket 34, plus 77 and storage batv The filling operation starts on the truck between fillings from the storage battery .on the truck itself. To this end the storage battery 180 may be made with a smaller number of cells than the storage battery on the truck. The storage battery on the truck may contain, for instance, three cells whereas the battery 180 contains only two.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention will beunderstood from the preceding description but may be briefly summed up here. Assuming that the nozzle of Pi g. 15 is being used in a circuit such as shown in Figs. 19 and 12, and with a float shell such as shown in Fig. 3, when the driver of the oil delivery truck reaches the house, he puts the nozzle into the fill pipe 31 and the plug 77 into socket 34, and he depresses nozzle lever 92. Since the float 4-6 is down a circuit is immediately closed to clutch solenoid 136 (Fig. 12) and the pumpon the truck immediately starts to pump oil into the storage tank 30. The pumping operation continues until the level of oil in the storage tank rises sufliciently to lift float 46 and break the circuit.

The operation when a nozzzle such as shown in Fig. 16 is employed is substantially the same except that when the float 46 rises the circuit to solenoid coil 172 (Figs. 19 and 23) is broken and catch 160 is snapped automatically out of locking position to permit spring 84 to automatically close valve 80 (Fig. 15).

Shell 36' (Fig. 4) is used whenever it is desired to have the circuit open during filling, and closed to terminate the filling operation.

While the invention has been described in connection with the filling of a household fuel oil tank it will be understood that it may be employed in any liquid filling operation, for instance for gasolene, molasses, etc.

Furthermore it will be understood that while the invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof it is capable of further modification and use, and this application is intended to cover any variations and uses of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a liquid storage tank having a filling opening, a float, a float-operated switch, an electrical outlet, and electrical conducting means connecting said switch in circuit with said outlet, of a portable delivery conduit adapted to be disposed removably in said filling opening for conducting liquid to said tank, electrically-operated control means controlling the delivery of liquid from said conduit to said tank, a source of electrical energy constantly connected with said portable delivery conduit, and an electrical connector carried by said conduit and connectable to said outlet to connect said switch in circuit with said source of electrical energy and said electrical-operated control means, whereby when said switch is actuated upon the liquid reaching a predetermined level in said tank, said electrically-operated control means is also actuated to shut off flow of liquid from said conduit to said tank.

2. The combination with a liquid storage tank having a fill pipe, a hollow member disposed within said tank, a float mounted floatingly within said member, a switch carried by said member and positioned therein to be 0perated by said float, an electrical outlet mounted adjacent said fill pipe and constituting one member of a plug and socket electrical connection, and an electrical cable conmeeting said outlet with said switch and suspending said hollow member at a predetermined level in said tank, said outlet being accessible from the outside of said tank for connection in circuit with the other member of said plug and socket connection, and an outside electricallycontrolled by said switch when the two members of said plug and socket connection are connected.

3. The combination with a liquid storage tank having a fill pipe, of a hollow member disposed within said tank, a float mounted floatingly within said member,f'a resilient disc connecting said float with said member and suspending said float within said member and guiding said float in its floating movement, an electrical switch, one element of which is mounted, on said float and the other element of which is mounted in said member, an electrical outlet mounted in said fill pipe, and an electrical cable connecting said outlet with the two elements of said switch and suspending said hollow member at a predetermined level in said tank, said outlet being accessible from the outside of said tank for connection in circuit with an outside electrically-operated means whereby said "outside electrically-operated means is controlled by said switch when said outside electrically-operated means is connected in circuit with said outlet.

4. The combination with a movable liquid-supply truck having a portable filling hose and a filling nozzle secured to said hose, of a sourceof electrical energy carried by said truck, an electrically-operated member controlling flow of liquid out of said nozzle, an electrical plug carried by said nozzle, and electrical wiring connecting said source of energy with said plug and with said electricallyoperated control member, said plug being engageable electrically with means responsive to the level of liquid in said tank whereby said liquid level maycontrol said electrically-operated control member. I

5. In a device for filling storage tanks from a liquid a fill pipe, cormprising a member suspended in said tank, a float mountedfloatingly in said member, a switch operable by said float, a pair of electrical terminals mounted on said tank, andelectric wiring connecting nozzle, a valve controlling flow of liquid through said nozzle, spring means constantly urging said valve 'to' closed position, a manually operable lever on said nozzle for opening said valve, a latch in said nozzle for holding said lever in valve-opening position, a spring constantly urging said latch to disengaged position, and means for ,keeping said latch engaged comprising a solenoid, a

operable by said float, a filling nozzle positionable in said filling'open-ing, a supply hose connected to said.

nozzle, a valve controlling flow of liquid through said nozzle, spring means constantly urging said valve to closed position, a manually-operable lever for opening supply truck, a liquid level operated switch disposed inp side'the tank, a source of electrical energy on said truck, a solenoid on said truck, a portable hose and nozzle carried by said truck for delivering liquid to said tank, a member operable by said solenoid for shutting off flow of liquid from saidtruck through said nozzle tosaid tank, electrical wiring connecting said source of energy and said solenoid, and means for detachably connecting said wiring electrically with said switch, whereby said switch controls said shut-off member when said wiring is connected electrically with said switch, said wiring extending along said hose and being secured thereto.

6. In a device for filling storage tanks from a movable liquid supply truck, a liquid level operated switchdisposed inside the tank, a source of electrical energy on said truck, a solenoid on said truck, a portable hose and nozzle carried by said truck 'for delivering liquid to said tank, a member operable by said solenoid for shutting ofi flow of liquid from said truck throughsaid nozzle to'said tank, electrical wiring connecting said source of energy and said solenoid, and means for detachably connecting said'wiringelectrically with said switch, whereby said switch controls said shut-ofi member when said wiring is connected electrically with said switch, said wiring extending along said hose inside of the peripheral wall of said hose.

7. In a device for filling storage tanks from a movable liquid supply truck, a liquid level operated switch disposed inside the tank, asource of electrical energy on said truck, a solenoid on said truck, a portable hose and nozzle carried by said truck for delivering liquid to said tank, a member operable by said solenoid for shutting olf flow of liquid from said truck through said said'valve, a latch for holding said lever in valve-opening position, a spring constantly urging said latch to disengaged position, and means'for engaging said latch comprising an electric battery mounted on said nozzle,

a solenoid mounted on said nozzle and operatively con-' 35' nected with saidlatch, and electric wiring connecting said solenoid operatively with said sourceof electrical energy and with the float-operated switch.

11. Filling app-artus for a liquid storage tank having afilling opening, comprising a float in said tank, a switch operable by said float, a movableliquid-supply truck, a source of electrical. energy mounted on said truck, a filling nozzle positionable in said filling opening, a portable hose connecting said nozzle with said truck, a pump for pumping liquid from said truck through said hose, nozzle, and filling opening into said tank, electn'cally-operated means controlling operation of said pump, and electric wiring connecting said electricallyoperatedmeans operatively with said source of electrical energy and with the float-operated switch.

12.;A filling nozzle' forliquid-filling apparatus, comprising a valve, spring means co-ntantly urging said valveclosed, a manually-operable pivotable lever for opening said valve, a latch engageable with said lever fior holding said lever in valve-opening position, and means for'adjustin'g the amount of opening of said valve, comprising a member connecting said lever with said valve, and means for adjusting the angular position of said lever relative to said member. 7

13. A filling nozzle for liquid filling apparatus, comprising a valve, spring means constantly urging said valve into closed position, a manually-operable pivotable lever for opening said valve, and means for latching said valve in open position comprising a bar, a housing within which said bar is reciprocable, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said bar in con-tact with each other, one of which is positioned to roll on a guide surface formed on said lever and the other of which is positioned to roll on.

a guide surface formed on said housing parallel to the first guide surface, an electric solenoid mounted in said housing for moving said bar in one direction, and a spring mounted in said housing for moving said bar in the opposite direction.

14. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank having a filling opening, comprising an electric switch mounted on said tank, electric terminals on said tank, electric wiring connecting said switch to -said terminals, means responsive to the level of liquid in said tank ,for closing said switch at low liquid level and for opening .said switch when a predetermined liquid level is reached, a hose for supplying liquid to. said tank through said filling opening, a source of electric power, electricallyoperated means for shutting oft flow of liquid through said hose and nozzle, electrical contact members carried by said hose, and electric wiring connecting said source of electric power and said electrically-operated means with said contact members, said contact members being connectable to said terminals to put said switch in series circuit with said source of electric power and with said electrically-operated means.

15. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank having a fill pipe, comprising electric terminals mounted on said tank, a control member, a float mounted floatingly in said control member, a float-operated switch mounted in said control member, electric wiring connecting said switch with said terminals and suspending said control member in said tank at a predetermined level, and a movable cover closing the mouth of said fill pipe and covering said terminals.

16. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank comprising a float in said tank, a switch operable by said float and positioned to be closed when the level of liquid in the tank is below a predetermined level and to be opened when the liquid in said tank reaches said predetermined level, filling means, electrically-controlled means controlling operation of said filling means, a source of electrical energy for supplying current to said electrically-controlled means to actuate the same, and means detachably connecting said electrically-controlled means and said source of energy operatively with said switch so that unless said switch is closed and unless there is current in the circuit between said source of energy and said electrically-controlled means said fill ing means will not function.

17. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank having a filling opening comprising a float operated switch mounted in said tank, a portable hose and nozzle insertable in said opening and carried by a movable supply truck, a valve in said nozzle, a manually actuable means for operating said valve, a catch for retaining said valve in open position, and means for moving said catch comprising a solenoid, an electric storage battery mounted on said nozzle, and means carried bysaid nozzle for operatively connecting said switch with said battery and solenoid, said truck having a second electric storage battery mounted thereon which isof greater voltage than the firstnamed battery to permit recharging the first-named battery from the second battery.

18. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank having a filling opening, comprising a hose and nozzle for conducting liquid to said opening, a valve insaid nozzle, spring means constantly urging said valve to closed position, a lever for opening said valve and connected to said valve, .a latch for holding said lever in valve-opening position, an electrically-operated means for releasing said latch,- and anti-friction means carried by said latch and engaging said lever and carrying the load so that said latch can be released with a minimum of frictional resistance.

19. Filling apparatus for a liquid storage tank having a filling opening, comprising a hose and nozzle for conducting liquid to said opening, a source of electrical energy carried by said nozzle, a switch responsive to the level of liquid in the tank, a low current primary electric circuit containing said switch and said source, a secondary electric circuit controlled by said primary circuit to be closed only when said primary circuit is closed, said secondary circuit containing said source, a valve in said nozzle, electrically-controlled means for holding said valve open to permit flow of liquid through said nozzle, said electrically-controlled means being connected to said secondary circuit to be controlled thereby, whereby upon operation of said switch, said primary circuit is broken to break said secondary circuit, and means for closing said valve when said secondary circuit is broken.

20. Filling apparatus for filling a stationary storage tank, that has a filling opening, from a movable liquid supply truck, comprising a portable filling nozzle positionable insaid filling opening, a portable hose connecting said nozzle with said truck, a pump carried by said truck for pumping liquid from said truck through said hose, nozzle, and filling opening into said tank, a float installed inside said tank, means detachably connecting said float operatively with said pump, when said nozzle is positioned in said filling opening, to stop and said pump when said float is raised to a predetermined level by rise of liquidin said tank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 17,558 Hawxhurst Ian. 7, 1930 1,083,315 Yetman Jan. 6, 1914 1,242,313 Beals Oct. 9, 1917 1,322,076 Wheaton Nov. 18, 1919 1,346,898 Kingsbury July 20, 1920 1,392,632 Flanders Oct. 4, 1921 1,825,775 Brubaker Oct. 6, 1931 1,831,898 Wignal Nov. 17, 1931 1,835,027 Edwinson Dec. 8, 1931 1,911,987 Casey May 30, 1933 2,035,711 Lowndes Mar. 31, 1936 2,130,687 Lachmund Sept. 20, 1938 2,236,145 Kolb Mar. 25, 1941 2,236,227 Wantz Mar. 25, 1941 2,320,905 Bateholts June 1, 1943 2,396,527 Osborne Mar. 12, 1946 2,524,522 Gilmore Oct. 3, 1950 2,550,021 Rappl Apr. 24, 1951

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