Refueling system and method
AssigneeAFD Petroleum Ltd.,
InventorShayne LOWRIE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed a refueling system and method for simultaneously refueling the fuel tanks of multiple pieces of machinery in the field. In an embodiment, the system comprises a mobile tanker with at least one fuel supply tank configured to connect and supply a plurality of refueling hoses. Each refueling hose has an upstream end connected to a supply line from the at least one fuel supply tank. At a downstream end, each refueling hose terminates at a mechanical open-close valve which is adapted to be inserted within each receiving fuel tank being refueled. The mechanical open-close valve is suitably shaped and sized to provide a clearance fit within the neck diameter of each receiving fuel tank being refueled, and has a buoyant body for mechanically actuating the mechanical open-close valve.
Claims25
A refueling system, comprising:
- a fuel supply tank;
- a controller for supplying fuel from the fuel supply tank to a plurality of fuel lines;
- a plurality of refueling hoses, each refueling hose connected to one of the plurality of fuel lines at an upstream end;
- and
- a plurality of mechanical open-close valves, each mechanical open-close valve terminating one of the plurality of refueling hoses at a downstream end, and having a buoyant body adapted to mechanically actuate the mechanical open-close valve.
A method of refueling a plurality of receiving fuel tanks, comprising:
- providing a fuel supply tank;
- providing a controller for supplying fuel from the fuel supply tank to a plurality of fuel lines;
- providing a plurality of refueling hoses, each refueling hose connected to one of the plurality of fuel lines at an upstream end;
- and
- mechanically actuating a plurality of mechanical open-close valves having a buoyant body, each mechanical open-close valve terminating one of the plurality of refueling hoses at a downstream end.
An apparatus for controlling the flow of fuel into a receiving fuel tank, comprising:
- a connector for connection to a downstream end of a refueling hose;
- a mechanical open-close valve adapted to be passed through a respective inner neck diameter of a receiving fuel tank being refueled;
- and
- a buoyant body buoyant in liquid fuel, and adapted to mechanically actuate the mechanical open-close valve in dependence upon the level of liquid fuel in the receiving fuel tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.