# US 5,348,038 A · Foam inlet device for liquid tanks

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- Number: US 5,348,038 A
- Document ID: US5348038A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/992,854
- Filed: 1992-12-16
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1991-12-21
- Assignees: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Alexander Krimm
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348038A

## CPC

- A62C 35/08: Containers destroyed or opened by bursting charge
- A62C 3/06: of highly inflammable material, e.g. light metals, petroleum products
- Y10T 137/1759: Knife or cutter causes disc to break
- A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An inlet device especially for introduction of foam into liquid-containing tanks. It comprises a two-part frame with a preferably circular opening. Each of the mutually opposed frame parts are provided with a groove around the circumference of the opening, which receives annular cutters and, if appropriate, adapter rings or blocks.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for controlling flow of fluid into or out of a tank comprising a frame having a first part and a second part, said first part and said second part having an opening therethrough and securing a sheet therebetween, a first peripheral groove in said first part, a second peripheral groove in said second part and facing said first groove, a first peripheral cutter having a cutting edge in said first groove, a first bore fluidly connecting said opening and said second groove, said cutting edge adapted to cut said sheet peripherally, thereby to permit said fluid to pass through said opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said first peripheral groove being open toward said tank.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 wherein there is an adapter block in said second peripheral groove, said block extending from a floor of said groove remote from said sheet to a location immediately adjacent said sheet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3 wherein said first cutter and said adapted block are fixed to said first part and said second part respectively and each is provided with one said bore.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2 comprising a second peripheral cutter in said second groove, a second bore fluidly connecting said opening and said first groove, said cutter adapted to cut said sheet peripherally, thereby to permit fluid to leave said tank.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5 wherein said first cutter and said second cutter are fixed to said first part and said second part respectively, each of said first cutter and said second cutter being provided with one said bore.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said opening and said first groove are circular and said cutter is correspondingly annular.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 comprising at least one adapter ring in said first groove, said adapter ring located between a floor of said first groove, remote from said sheet, and said first cutter, whereby a plane defined by said cutting edge is located.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said sheet is provided with a predetermined breaking point.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said cutting edge defines a plane, said plane being substantially parallel to said sheet and said edge being substantially perpendicular thereto.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein said cutting edge defines a plane, said plane not being parallel to said sheet and said edge being non-perpendicular thereto.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A tank for containing a liquid having a bottom and a top, the device of claim 1 being located in a fluid carrying line above said top.