Tank maintenance access chamber
AssigneeFranklin Fueling Systems, Inc.
InventorsLee B. Markham, John R. West, William S. Nelson, Paul Ridge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel storage system has a tank access chamber with improved monitoring, servicing and maintenance capabilities. In particular, the chamber includes a sump monitored by a liquid sensor whose proper function can be automatically checked remotely, e.g., via an electronic controller or remote manual operation. In cases where such a check indicates a need for physical inspection of the sump sensor, the present system provides for sensor removal and installation by service personnel from a location outside the tank access chamber. Thus, the present system facilitates regular inspection and routine or unplanned maintenance without the need for a person to physically enter the tank access chamber.
Claims15
A method of assessing a function of a sensor located in a tank defining a tank chamber, the sump formed at the bottom of the tank chamber, the method comprising:
- installing a sensor in a sump of a fuel dispensing system, such that the sensor extends downwardly into the sump to monitor for fluid infiltration of into the sump;
- after installing, assessing the function of the sensor without physically accessing the sump;
- determining that the sensor requires manual inspection by an operator based on assessing the function of the sensor;
- accessing the sump from above grade;
- and
- retrieving the sensor without physically entering the tank chamber.
A method of assessing a function of a sensor retained within in a tank defining a tank chamber of a fuel dispensing system by a sensor retainer, such that the sensor extends downwardly into a sump formed at the bottom of the tank chamber to monitor for fluid infiltration into the sump, the method comprising:
- accessing the sump from above grade;
- lowering an extraction tool into engagement into the tank chamber from grade level until a distal end of the extraction tool engages the sensor retainer;
- connecting the extraction tool to the sensor retainer;
- and
- retrieving the sensor without physically entering the tank chamber by raising the extraction tool, the sensor retainer and the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.