# US 5,706,857 A · Fuel tank vent value and probe assembly

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- Number: US 5,706,857 A
- Document ID: US5706857A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/433,161
- Filed: 1995-05-03
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-05-03
- Assignees: Arizona Instruments
- Inventors: Edward J. Dowling, Jr.; Donald C. Esperson; Robert F. Staab
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706857A

## CPC

- B67D 7/3227: {relating to venting of a container during loading or unloading}
- F16K 24/044: {the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve}
- G01F 23/2963: {magnetostrictive}
- G01F 23/68: using electrically actuated indicating means
- G01F 23/72: using magnetically actuated indicating means
- Y10T 137/3099: Float responsive
- Y10T 137/8342: Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
- B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F)
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A vent valve assembly is provided which will allow a probe for a gauging system to be added to underground fuel tanks which include a vapor recovery system. The support assembly replaces existing float valve assemblies and combines a valving structure with a support for a fuel system gauge probe. A gauging system may be easily and inexpensively added to existing underground fuel tanks with minimum disruption to the operation of the gas station.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vent valve and probe support assembly for use in underground fuel tanks to support a probe utilized for fuel measurements in said tank, said tank being of the type having a vapor recovery system wherein the vapor recovery system includes a vapor recovery port on the top surface of the tank, a pipe assembly mounted on said port and having internal threads adapted to receive a vent valve inserted through said port into said tank, said pipe terminating in a removable cap adapted to receive a vapor recovery hose from a fuel truck, said vapor vent and probe assembly comprising:
a body member having external threads adapted to engage said pipe internal thread;
a support assembly extending from said body to support said probe in said tank; and
a float and valve assembly, said float and valve assembly comprising a generally cylindrical float carrying a valve member, said float having a central aperture and adapted to be positioned concentric with said probe and moveable in an axial direction of said probe, said float and valve assembly operating to vent said tank through said pipe when said fuel is below a first predetermined level in said tank and to restrict venting through said pipe when the fuel level in said tank reaches a predetermined level.

### Claim 2

An assembly for use in a vent riser on an underground fuel storage tank, said vent riser being used for recovery of fuel vapors during filling of said tank, said vent riser being of generally cylindrical shape and having an internally threaded portion at a lower end for supporting a valve in said tank, said assembly comprising:
a body portion of generally cylindrical shape and having an externally threaded surface for engaging said internally threaded portion, said body portion having a vent passage in communication with said vent riser and carrying a valve surface, said valve surface being positioned concentric to said vent passage;
a float having a central aperture, said aperture being of a diameter such that said float will be movable in concentric axial alignment with a measuring probe supported in axial alignment with said vent riser;
a valve carried by said float, said valve being adapted to engage said valve surface when the fuel level in said tank is at a predetermined level.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An assembly in accordance with claim 2 comprising:
a probe support assembly extending from said body portion to maintain said probe in axial alignment with said vent riser.

### Claim 4

A vent float assembly for use with an underground fuel storage tank of the type having a vent riser used for recovery of vapors during filling of the tank, said vent riser having an internally threaded portion at a lower end, said assembly comprising:
a cylindrical body portion having an externally threaded portion adapted to engage said threaded portion of said riser;
a cylindrical valve seat carried on said body portion;
a float disposed below said body portion, said float having a central aperture sized such that said float may be positioned concentric to a measuring probe supported within said tank in axial alignment with said vent riser;
a valve surface supported above said float, said float moving said valve surface into engagement with said valve seat when the fuel level in said tank reaches a predetermined level to restrict the venting of said tank.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A vent assembly in accordance with claim 4, comprising:
a support structure extending downward from said body portion to restrict movement of a measuring probe.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A vent assembly in accordance with claim 5 comprising:
a valve plate carrying said valve surface; and
support members supporting said valve plate above said float.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A vent assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein:
said support structure guides said support members in an axially vertical direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

A vent assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein:
said valve plate includes an aperture, said aperture providing for restricted venting from said tank when said valve surface engages said valve seat.

### Claim 9

In combination:
a measuring probe for use in measuring the volume of liquid in a fuel tank, said tank of the type having a vent riser used in a vapor recovery system, said probe extending downward from said vent riser into said tank and being disposed in axial alignment with said riser; and
a valve assembly, said valve assembly being disposed in and extending downward from said vent riser, said valve assembly being disposed in axial alignment and concentric to said probe, said valve assembly being operative to reduce the effective vent opening from said tank when fuel in said tank is at a predetermined level.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The combination of claim 9, wherein:
said valve assembly and measuring probe have a combined diameter which permits assembly in said vent riser.

### Claim 11

A measuring probe and vent valve assembly kit for use with a fuel storage tank of the type having a vent riser for the recapture of vapors during fill of the tank, said vent riser having a first fitting coupled to a port on said tank, said fitting having an internally threaded lower portion and a pipe extending upward from said fitting, said pipe being threaded at its upper end to receive a cap assembly, and a cap assembly coupled to said pipe upper end, said kit comprising:
a measuring probe for use in measuring the volume of liquid in said tank, said probe being positioned extending in said tank in coaxial arrangement with said vent riser; and
a valve assembly, said valve assembly being disposed in and extending downward from said vent riser and in coaxial arrangement with said probe, said valve assembly being operative to reduce the effective opening of said vent riser when fuel in said tank reaches a predetermined level.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A kit in accordance with claim 11 further comprising:
a replacement cap assembly having a sidewall aperture for providing a cable access to electronic circuitry for said probe.

### Claim 13

A vent valve and measuring probe assembly for use in a fuel tank having a vent pipe extending upward from said tank, said assembly comprising:
a measuring probe;
a support member adapted to be inserted into said vent pipe and to connect to said vent pipe, said support member being positioned coaxial to said probe;
a valve seat carried on said support member;
a float having an aperture and positioned coaxial to said probe;
a valve surface movable with said float to engage said valve seat when the liquid level in said tank reaches a predetermined level to thereby restrict venting from said tank.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

An assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said valve surface comprises a valve plate having a central aperture and positioned to be coaxial to said probe.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

An assembly in accordance with claim 14 comprising:
a structure for supporting said valve plate a predetermined distance above said float.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

An assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said support member comprises a cylindrical pipe having its upper end secured to said vent pipe; and
said valve seat comprises a lower end surface of said cylindrical pipe.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

An assembly in accordance with claim 16 wherein:
said valve surface comprises a surface portion of said float.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

An assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said probe is an ultrasonic measuring probe.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

An assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said probe is a probe of the magnetostrictive type.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

An assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
said probe is an ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasonic transducer at its lower end; and
said assembly further comprises a cable extending from said transducer alongside said probe, and a tube extending from said support, said cable extending through said tube into said vent pipe; said tube having at least one vent hole.