Fill restricting drop tube
US5564465A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7485
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drop tube for underground fuel storage tanks and the like has a flow restriction section that includes a plate or disc mounted for rotation and controlled by a float located outside the section. Unlike overfill shut-off valves that slam against a sealing valve seat and require springs and cams for their operation, the subject restrictor simply and slowly rotates the plate between a non-restricting position and one in which the plate closes off the delivery liquid flow. Since the plate and interior wall of the tube are not sealed, liquid above the restrictor can bleed past the plate into the storage tank after the delivery valve on the truck is closed. Overfill is unlikely because it would take several hours to overfill with the plate in the restricting position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.