US 5,673,736 AGranted

Temperature-compensated automatic stop fill for filling of tanks with liquids under vapor or gas pressure

OwnerEdward J. Farkasinventor

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Abstract

The invention described in the patent is an automatic control system which provides monitoring, supervision, and control of the process of filling of a tank or container with a liquid. The invention is applicable to cases where the liquid is handled in contact with its own vapor only, or where the liquid must be maintained at all times under a specified gas pressure. The invention provides an improved method of carrying out the process of filling of tanks or containers with liquids such as ammonia, chlorine, propane, liquefied petroleum gas, or with liquids such as carbonated beverages. The main advantage provided by the apparatus and method of the present invention is that an improved means is included for automatically stopping the filling process at the correct point, so as to avoid a possibly hazardous overfilled condition. One of the methods currently in use requires a mechanical valve which senses liquid level in the tank and is supposed to close so as to stop flow to the tank when the liquid has reached the maximum allowable level. The mechanical valve may malfunction and allow overfilling of the tank, and the fact that the valve is malfunctioning may not be readily apparent. The present invention does not require a mechanical valve of the type described above. Further, there is a self-checking and self-monitoring capability so that users of the apparatus and method are warned of any malfunction.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An apparatus for filling a tank with a liquid, said apparatus comprising:

a tank with a tank inlet and a tank outlet;
a liquid feed pump;
an inlet line with a first end connected to said liquid feed pump and a second end connected to said tank inlet, said inlet line delivering, with a first flow capacity, a liquid from said liquid feed pump to said tank;
an outlet line connected to a first side of said tank outlet, said outline line having a second flow capacity that is negligible in relation to said first flow capacity;
a sensor positioned within said outlet line at an downstream position from said tank outlet such that it is not exposed to splash-back of said liquid while said liquid is delivered to said tank, said sensor identifying a filling pressure while said liquid is delivered to said tank, said filling pressure being substantially equivalent to the pressure in said tank while said liquid is delivered to said tank;
a non-sealing float valve connected to a second side of said tank outlet, said non-sealing float valve causing a non-sealing obstruction of said outlet line when said liquid reaches a predetermined level, and allowing said liquid to flow into said outlet line if the liquid flow through said inlet line is not stopped, said non-sealing obstruction causing within said outlet line an obstruction pressure substantially less than said filling pressure, said obstruction pressure causing said sensor to generate a full tank signal;
and
a microprocessor connected to said sensor to identify said full tank signal and generate a command signal to stop said liquid feed pump such that said liquid flow is halted at said first end of said inlet line.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/526,588Filed 11 Sep 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 15 Mar 1994
Granted: 7 Oct 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

B67D 7/362
Arrangements of flow- or pressure-control valves: combined with over-fill preventing means
B67D 7/565
Arrangements of flow-indicators, e.g. transparent compartments, windows, rotary vanes: for indicating end of flow, e.g. by optical or audible signals
F17C 5/02
Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures: for filling with liquefied gases
F17C 2205/0323
Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device: valves