# US 2013/0153579 A1 · Safety device for a fluid storage tank, related systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153579 A1 - Document ID: US20130153579A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,982 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Inventors: Milton Pashcow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153579A1 ## CPC - F16K 31/18: actuated by a float (floats F16K33/00; float-actuated valves in steam-traps F16T1/20, in boilers F22D5/08) - B65D 90/26: Overfill prevention - B65D 90/34: Venting means (vehicle fuel tanks characterised by venting means B60K15/035) - F16K 17/12: weight-loaded - F16K 24/044: {the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve} - F16K 37/00: Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - Y10T 137/0324: With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid - Y10T 137/7837: Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type] - Y10T 137/7904: Reciprocating valves - 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)} - 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 - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A safety device for a fluid storage tank having a first port for filling the tank with fuel oil and a second port for allowing airflow therethrough is disclosed. The safety device includes a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end connectable to the second port, and a flow check valve contained within the tubular body and configured to remain open when air flows through the safety device and configured to close based on a predetermined fluid force of the fuel oil through the safety device. Related systems and methods are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A storage tank safety system, comprising: a storage tank configured to store a fluid having a first port used to fill the tank with the fluid and a second port used as an air vent; and a safety device connected at the second port configured to permit air to vent and configured to prevent the fluid from flowing through the second port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The storage tank safety system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is fuel oil. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The storage tank safety system of claim 1, wherein the safety device is a flow check valve and the flow check valve is one of a stem-type check valve and a flapper-type check valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The storage tank safety system of claim 1, further comprising a fill alarm positioned between the second port and the safety device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The storage tank safety system of claim 4, wherein the fill alarm is a whistle-type fill alarm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The storage tank safety system of claim 5, wherein said safety device comprises: a stop positioned centrally between a first open end and a second open end of the safety device and extending inward from an outer edge of said body and along a circumference of said body, said stop defining a hole located centrally therethrough; and a stem positionable between a first position within said hole to allow airflow in two directions through said hole and a second position to prevent fluid flow in a direction out of said tank through said hole, wherein a weight of the stem is determined to permit the air to flow through the safety device and prevent the fluid from flowing through the safety device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The storage tank safety system of claim 6, wherein said whistle-type fill alarm reduces the flow of the air and fluid into the safety device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The storage tank safety system of claim 7, wherein the stem is configured to operate in the first and second positions based on the reduction of the flow of the air and the fluid produced by the fill alarm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The storage tank safety system of claim 8, wherein the fluid force required to move the stem from the first position to the second position is produced by a fluid flow into the first port of approximately one gallon per second. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The storage tank safety system of claim 1, wherein said safety device comprises: a stop positioned centrally between a first open end and a second open end of the safety device and extending inward from an outer edge of said body and along a circumference of said body, said stop defining a hole located centrally therethrough; and a stem positionable between a first position within said hole to allow airflow in two directions through said hole and a second position to prevent fluid flow in a direction out of said tank through said hole, wherein a weight of the stem is determined to permit the air to flow through the safety device and prevent the fluid from flowing through the safety device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The storage tank safety system of claim 10, wherein the safety device further comprises a flow reducer positioned between the second port and the stem to reduce the flow of the air and fluid through the safety device, and wherein the stem is configured to operate in the first and second positions based on the reduction of the flow of the air and the fluid produced by the flow reducer. ### Claim 12 A safety device for a fuel oil storage tank having a first port for filling the tank with fuel oil and a second port for allowing airflow therethrough, the safety device comprising: a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end connectable to the second port; and a flow check valve contained within the tubular body and configured to remain open when air flows through the safety device and configured to close based on a predetermined fluid force of the fuel oil through the safety device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The safety device of claim 12, wherein said flow check valve comprises: a stop positioned centrally between said first and second open ends and extending inward from an outer edge of said body and along a circumference of said body, said stop defining a hole located centrally therethrough; and a stem positionable between a first position within said hole to allow airflow through said hole and a second position to prevent fluid flow through said hole, wherein the weight of the stem is determined to permit the air to flow through the safety device and prevent the fuel oil from flowing through the safety device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The safety device of claim 12, wherein the predetermined fluid force is produced by a fuel oil flow into the first port. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The safety device of claim 12, further comprising a flow reducer positioned between the second port and the flow check valve to reduce the flow of the air and fluid through the safety device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The safety device of claim 15, wherein the stem is configured to operate in the first and second positions based on the reduction of the flow of the air and the fluid produced by the flow reducer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The safety device of claim 16, wherein the fluid force required to move the stem from the first position to the second position is produced by a fluid flow into the first port of approximately one gallon per second. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The safety device of claim 15, wherein the flow reduction orifice is a whistle-type fill alarm. ### Claim 19 A method for preventing fluid spillage from a storage tank having a first port for filling the tank with fluid and a second port for allowing airflow therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fill alarm; attaching the fill alarm to the second port; providing a flow check valve; and attaching the flow check valve to the fill alarm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the flow check valve is designed to remain in an open position during a consumption and filling operation to permit airflow therethrough and remain in a closed position during a filling operation when fluid flows into the flow check valve.