Automatic truck tank fill system

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates in general to equipment for filling mobile tanks, and more particular, to an automatic truck tank fill system.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an automatic truck tank fill system made in accordance with the present invention having a fill spout inserted into a truck tank;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control scheme of the automatic truck tank fill system shown in FIG. 1; and

#FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view of a second embodiment of an automatic truck tank fill system that is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, having radio frequency units.

#FIG. 1 shows an automatic truck tank fill system 10 made in accordance with the present invention. The fill system 10 includes a conduit 11 in fluid communication with a fluid supply source 38, 38′. The conduit 11 includes a pipe 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16 and a flexible hose 18 having a first hose end 20 and second hose end 22. The first end 14 of the pipe 12 is coupled to the first hose end 20 of the hose 18. A hose breakaway connector 26 is used to releasably couple the first end 14 of the pipe 12 to the first hose end 20 of the hose 18. Breakaway connectors are well known in the art and therefore will not be discussed herein. The second hose end 22 is connected to a fill spout 28. The fill spout 28 is adapted to fit inside an opening 24 of a truck tank 30. The fill spout 28 also has an attached level sensor 32 for determining the presence of a fluid material such as water whenever the material comes in contact with the sensor 32. Typically, this occurs when the truck tank 30 is full. The level sensor 32 is capable of being in a first state and a second state and can be operated through optics, electrical resistance and/or electrical compacitance. The sensor 32 is electrically connected to a controller 42 via a sensor wire 34. The sensor wire 34 can include an electronic breakaway connector 36 positioned therebetween for electrically and releasably connecting the sensor 32 to the controller 42. Adjacent the second end 16 of the pipe 12 is a control solenoid valve 40 that opens and closes, thereby starting and stopping the material flow to the truck tank 30. The controller 42 having a start control 44 and a stop control 46 is electronically connected to the valve 40. The controller 42, which is powered by a power supply 48, causes the valve 40 to open and close. A supply line 52 is attached to the second end 16 of the pipe 12 and is used to supply material from a fluid supply source through the conduit 11 to the truck tank 30.

#Shown in phantom in FIG. 1 is a pump 54 in fluid communication with the pipe 12. A pump line 52′ attached to the second end 16 at the pipe 12 and is used to supply material from a fluid supply source 38′ through the pump 54 and the conduit 11 to the truck tank 30. The pump 54 is also electronically connected to the controller. Also shown phantom in FIG. 1 is an alarm 50 electrically connected to the controller 42. The alarm 50 can be an audible or visible display.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control scheme 60 for the automatic truck tank fill system 10. The power supply 48 is used to supply power to the controller 42. The controller 42 having the start control 44 and the stop control 46 is used to operate the fill system 10. When the start control 44 is activated, a signal is transmitted to the controller 42 causing the valve 40 to open. If the pump 54 (shown in phantom) is used, activating the start control 44 will transmit a signal to the controller 42 causing the pump 54 to start and the valve 40 to open. When the stop control 46 is subsequently activated, a signal is transmitted to the controller 42 causing the valve 40 to close and/or the pump 54 to stop.