Above-ground fuel tank system
OwnerRichard G. Brodieinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an above ground fuel storage system, a containment vessel is selected to resist impact shock, as well as deformation from fire's heat and internal hydraulic pressures in the presence of such heat. The fuel delivery input port, the fuel tank, all fuel lines and dispensing equipment are mounted fully enclosed within the confines of the containment vessel. The containment vessel may be transportable or be permanently emplaced on use site. Solar energy is utilized to allow operation in undeveloped areas. A remote control device permits system shut down to be initiated from a distance.
Claims20
In an above ground fuel storage and dispensing apparatus, comprising,
- a rectangular support frame having an outer perimeter,
- said frame including vertical side walls around the perimeter and a bottom forming an open-top containment vessel,
- a fuel tank having a predetermined volume mounted on said frame within said side walls and bottom,
- said open-top containment vessel having a volume larger than said volume of the fuel tank for containing all the fuel from the fuel tank in the event of a fuel tank leak,
- said fuel tank having a horizontal perimeter formed by the maximum horizontal dimensions of the fuel tank,
- said vertical side walls of the frame being spaced outwardly from the horizontal perimeter of the fuel tank in all horizontal directions and being of a sufficient size and strength for protecting the fuel tank from horizontal external impacts by vehicles and similar objects against the vertical side walls of the apparatus,
- a fuel line connected to said tank, and
- means for dispensing fuel to a fuel-user, said means being connected to said fuel line,
- THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING:
- said open-top containment vessel being fabricated of materials selected to retain said vessel's conformation under extreme conditions of fire-induced heat and hydraulic pressure;
- any said fuel line being free of supporting contact with said vertical side walls for isolating said fuel line from shock induced by impact forces imparted to said side walls;
- any said fuel line and said means for dispensing fuel being positioned and mounted within said open-top containment vessel for containing within said vessel any fuel leaks or spills from said fuel line and said means for dispensing fuel;
- and
- means affixed to said support frame for reducing sun heating of said fuel tank, thereby reducing the emission into the atmosphere of volatile organic compounds from said fuel tank.
In an above ground fuel storage and dispensing apparatus, comprising,
- a rectangular support frame having an outer perimeter,
- said frame including vertical side walls around the perimeter and a bottom forming an open-top containment vessel,
- a fuel tank having a predetermined volume mounted on said frame within said side walls and bottom,
- said open-top containment vessel having a volume larger than said volume of the fuel tank for containing all the fuel from the fuel tank in the event of a fuel tank leak,
- said fuel tank having a horizontal perimeter formed by the maximum horizontal dimensions of the fuel tank,
- said vertical side walls of the frame being spaced outwardly from the horizontal perimeter of the fuel tank in all horizontal directions and being of a sufficient size and strength for protecting the fuel tank from horizontal external impacts by vehicles and similar objects against the vertical side walls of the apparatus,
- a fuel line connected to said tank, and
- means for dispensing fuel to a fuel-user, said means being connected to said fuel line,
- THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING:
- any said fuel tank, any said fuel line and any said means for dispensing fuel all being positioned and mounted within said open-top containment vessel, free of contact with said side walls, for restricting to the interior of said open-top containment vessel any fuel leaks or spills from said tank, said fuel line and said means for dispensing fuel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.