# US 10,480,668 B2 · Tank overhead line liquid backflow restriction device

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- Number: US 10,480,668 B2
- Document ID: US10480668B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/919,502
- Filed: 2018-03-13
- Published: 2018-09-20
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-03-14
- Applicants: Jesse Baxter
- Inventors: Jesse Baxter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480668B2

## CPC

- F16K 24/04: for venting only (F16K24/02 takes precedence)
- B60P 3/2215: {Mounting of tanks to vehicles}
- B60P 3/2235: {Anti-slosh arrangements (for tank containers B65D90/52)}
- B60P 3/2245: {Adaptations for loading or unloading}
- B60P 3/2265: {Arrangements for hoses, tubes, or reels}
- B65D 90/52: Anti-slosh devices (vehicle fuel tanks with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation B60K15/077)
- F16K 17/19: Equalising valves predominantly for tanks {(when combined with safety valve by change of position F16K17/36)}
- B60P 3/2255: {Ventilating arrangements}
- B65D 88/128: {tank containers, i.e. containers provided with supporting devices for handling}
- F16L 55/027: Throttle passages
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A device for restricting liquid backflow through an overhead line on a tank and a method of using the device are provided. The device has a tubular housing with spaced internal baffle plates. The device is secured in place in the interior of an overhead pipe on the top of a tank on a tank truck or other vehicle used for transporting bulk liquid cargo. The device prevents liquid backflow from entering overhead piping due to sloshing action of the liquid during transport. The device allows air to flow through the device so that air may be supplied to the tank, as well as vented from the tank, through the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for restricting liquid backflow through an overhead line on a tank, said device comprising a tubular housing and a plurality of baffle plates disposed within an interior of the housing, wherein each baffle plate has at least one aperture therethrough, wherein the device has flexible supports configured to removably secure the device in a fixed position within an interior of a pipe, wherein the supports are attached to an exterior surface of the tubular housing, and wherein the supports are resiliently biased in an outward radial direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a flange sized to removably secure the device in a fixed position within an interior of a pipe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture of one of the plurality of baffle plates is not longitudinally aligned with the at least one aperture of an adjacent baffle plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular housing comprises a plurality of detachable segments configured to secure to each other to form the tubular housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein adjacent segments comprise interlocking male and female members.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising an end cap configured to removably secure to a bottom end of the device, wherein the end cap has at least one opening therein.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is sized such that the tubular housing substantially conforms to an interior cross-sectional area of a pipe when installed within the pipe.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the device is disposed within an interior of a pipe connected to a top side of a tank and in fluid communication with an interior of the tank.

### Claim 9

A method of restricting liquid backflow through an overhead line on a tank secured to a transport vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device configured to removably secure the device in a fixed position within an interior of a pipe, said device comprising a tubular housing and a plurality of baffle plates disposed within an interior of the housing,
wherein each baffle plate has at least one aperture therethrough; and
installing the device within an interior of a pipe connected to a top side of a tank and in fluid communication with an interior of the tank.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the device further comprises a flange sized to removably secure the device in a fixed position within the interior of the pipe, and wherein the step of installing the device within the interior of the pipe comprises installing the device such that the flange is fitted securely between two sections of the pipe.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the device has flexible supports for removably securing the device in a fixed position within the interior of the pipe, wherein the supports are attached to an exterior surface of the tubular housing, wherein the supports are resiliently biased in an outward radial direction, and wherein the step of installing the device within the interior of the pipe comprises installing the device such that the supports contact an interior surface of the pipe.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one aperture of one of the plurality of baffle plates is not longitudinally aligned with the at least one aperture of an adjacent baffle plate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the tubular housing comprises a plurality of detachable segments configured to secure to each other to form the tubular housing, and wherein the method further comprises the step of securing the plurality of detachable segments to each other before the step of installing the device within an interior of a pipe.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein adjacent segments comprise interlocking male and female members, and wherein the step of securing the plurality of detachable segments to each other comprises interlocking the male and female members together.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the device further comprises an end cap configured to removably secure to a bottom end of the device, wherein the end cap has at least one opening therein, and wherein the method further comprises the step of securing the end cap to the bottom end of the device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the device is sized such that the tubular housing substantially conforms to an interior cross-sectional area of the pipe when installed within the pipe.

### Claim 17

A device for restricting liquid backflow through an overhead line on a tank, wherein the device is configured to removably secure the device in a fixed position within an interior of a pipe, said device comprising a tubular housing and a plurality of baffle plates disposed within an interior of the housing, wherein each baffle plate has at least one aperture therethrough, wherein the device is disposed within an interior of a pipe connected to a top side of a tank and in fluid communication with an interior of the tank.