Propane reserve system

A fluid delivery apparatus including a primary tank, a reserve tank, an output and a conduit assembly interconnecting the primary tank, reserve tank and output, said conduit assembly comprising:

• a junction including a housing defining a cavity;
• a first check valve operative to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined pressure drop from the primary tank to said junction cavity, said first check valve including biasing means for urging said first check valve into said closed position;
• a second check valve operative to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined pressure drop from said junction cavity to the reserve tank, said second check valve including biasing means for urging said second check valve into said closed position;
• a third check valve operative to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined pressure drop from the reserve tank to said junction cavity, said third check valve including biasing means for urging said third check valve into said closed position;
• a shut off valve moveable from a closed position to an open position;
• a first conduit hydraulically connecting said junction cavity and the primary tank when said first check valve is in said open position, said first conduit including a first hose assembly coupling said junction, said first check valve and the primary tank;
• a second conduit hydraulically connecting said junction cavity and the reserve tank when said second check valve is in said open position, said second conduit including restricting means for limiting the flow therethrough, said second conduit further including a second hose assembly coupling said junction, said second check valve and the reserve tank;
• a third conduit hydraulically connecting said junction cavity and the reserve tank when said shut off valve and said third check valve are each in said open positions, said third conduit including a third hose assembly coupling said junction, said third check valve, said shut off valve and the reserve tank;
• and
• an output conduit hydraulically connected to said junction cavity.

A four way junction for use in a fluid delivery system including an output, a primary supply tank, a reserve tank and a conduit assembly interconnecting said primary tank, reserve tank, output and junction, said junction comprising:

• a housing defining a chamber;
• a first valve coupled to said housing and hydraulically communicating with said chamber, said first valve including a first valve member moveable from a closed position to an open position and biasing means for urging said first valve member into said closed position;
• a second valve coupled to said housing and hydraulically communicating with said chamber, said second valve including a second valve member moveable from a closed position to an open position and biasing means for urging said second valve member into said closed position;
• a third valve coupled to said housing and hydraulically communicating with said chamber, said third valve including a third valve member moveable from a closed position to an open position and biasing means for urging said third valve member into said closed position;
• and
• a shut off valve coupled to said housing and hydraulically communicating with said third valve.

A propane fueled apparatus comprising:

• a body having a fuel supply conduit;
• a primary tank coupled to said body;
• a reserve tank coupled to said body;
• switching means interconnecting said primary tank, said reserve tank, and said fuel supply conduit for selectively communicating fuel from one of said primary tank and said reserve tank to said fuel supply conduit and for communicating fuel from said primary tank to said reserve tank when the pressure in said primary tank exceeds the pressure in said reserve tank by a predetermined amount.

A forklift comprising:

• a body;
• an engine coupled to said body;
• a primary fuel tank coupled to said body;
• a reserve fuel tank coupled to said body;
• and
• switching means interconnecting said primary fuel tank, said reserve fuel tank, and said engine for selectively communicating fuel from one of said primary fuel tank and said reserve fuel tank to said engine and for communicating fuel from said primary tank to said reserve tank when the pressure in said primary tank exceeds the pressure in said reserve tank by a predetermined amount.