Float valve and utilization system

A draw tube assembly, comprising:

• an elongated draw tube having an upper end and a lower end,
• a closure member mounted on the lower end of the draw tube, for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis, between an open position and a closed position, said closure member having a first side part which projects laterally from the pivot axis towards first valve seat, and a second side part which projects laterally from the pivot axis, in an opposite direction, towards a second valve seat, said first valve seat facing upwardly and said first side part of the valve closure member having a lower outer surface which is in contact with the first valve seat when the closure member is in a closed position, and said second valve seat facing downwardly, and said second side part of the valve closure member having an upper surface which is in contact with the second valve seat when the closure member is in a closed position;
• a float arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to the second side portion of the closure member, and said float arm extending from said second side part downwardly and then laterally to said second end, said second end being positioned on the side of the draw tube opposite the second valve seat;
• and
• a buoyant float body connected to the second end of the float arm.

A fuel system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a fist discrete fuel storage tank having a bottom;
• a second discrete fuel storage tank having a bottom;
• a first draw tube in said first tank;
• a second draw tube in said second tank;
• each said draw tube having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end being positioned adjacent the bottom of its tank, and each said lower end including an inlet for fuel spaced above the bottom of the tank;
• a pump connected to the upper ends of said draw tubes, for pumping fuel up through the daw tubes and out from the tanks;
• and
• a separate flow modulating valve associated with each draw tube, for modulating fuel flow through the draw tube in response and in proportion to a drop in the fuel level int the tank, each said valve comprising a valve closure member mounted on the lower end of the associated draw tube, for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis between an open position and a closed position;
• a float arm having a first end connected to the closure member, and a second end, said float arm extending from the closure member, laterally from the draw tube;
• and
• a buoyant float body connected to the second end of the float arm, laterally outwardly from the draw tube,
• wherein liquid fuel acting on the buoyant float body will raise the buoyant float body, and in the process will swing the float arm and the closure member, moving the closure member towards an open position, and a lowering of the fuel level in the tank to a predetermined level will cause the buoyant float body to drop in the tank, and in the process will swing the float arm and the closure member, to move the enclosure member towards a draw tube closing position, and
• wherein during use of the system the pump will pump fuel at a higher rate out from the tank in which the fuel level is higher because the modulating valve for such tank will be open a larger amount than the modulating valve for the other tank, and this will continue until the fuel level in the two tanks has become substantially equal.

A fuel system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first discrete fuel storage tank having a bottom;
• a second discrete fuel storage tank having a bottom;
• a first draw tube in said first tank;
• a second draw tube in said second tank;
• each said draw tube having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end being positioned adjacent the bottom of its tank, and each said lower end including an inlet for fuel spaced above the bottom of the tank;
• a pump connected to the upper ends of said draw tubes, for pumping fuel through the draw tubes and out from the tanks;
• and
• a valve associated with each draw tube, for modulating fuel flow through draw tube in response to a drop in the fuel level in that tank, each said valve comprising a valve closure member mounted on the lower end of the associated draw tube, for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis between an open position and a closed position;
• a float arm having a first end connected to the closure member, and a second end, said float arm extending downwardly form the closure member and then laterally from the draw tube;
• a buoyant float body connected to the second end of the float arm, laterally outwardly from the draw tube,
• wherein liquid fuel acting on the buoyant float body will raise the buoyant float body, and in the process will swing the float arm and the closure member, moving the closure member into an open position, and a lowering of the fuel level in the tank to a predetermined level will cause the buoyant float body to drop in the tank, and in the process swing the float arm and the closure member, to move the closure member towards a draw tube closing position;
• wherein the draw tube has an upwardly directed first valve seat on a first side of the pivot axis, and said valve closure member includes a first side part projecting laterally from the pivot axis, generally towards the first valve seat, said first side part having an outer lower edge surface which contacts the first valve seat when the valve closure member is in a closed position, and said draw tube having a downwardly directed second valve seat on the side of the pivot axis opposite the first valve seat, and said valve closure member includes a second side part which extends laterally outwardly from the pivot axis generally toward the second valve seat, aid second side part having an upper outer edge, surface which contacts the second valve seat when the valve closure member is in tis closed position;
• and
• wherein said float arm is connected to the second side part of the valve closure member.