US H438 H · Fluid tank sounding tube check valve

Abstract

A shipboard fuel tank sounding tube that allows safer operation by preveng overflow of the fuel tank during filling yet allows the passage of depth sounding rods and sampling probes wherein a light weight floating ball check value located on a prescribed path near the top of the tank is lifted upon filling of the tank, to a seated position yet is shifted upon entrance of a depth sounding rod and sampling probe to check tank fullness.

Drawings

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Claims7

Dependent claims

For a fluid tank sounding tube into which depth sounding and fluid sampling instruments can be inserted, said sounding tube being subject to a streaming backflow of fluid, a floating ball check valve, comprising:

a floating ball valve;
a generally upright valve housing having an upper terminal, a lower terminal, a clearance therebetween, guide ribs, and an elongated geometrically tapered throat;
said clearance being substantially in-line with the sounding tube, allowing unobstructed passage for said depth sounding and fluid sampling instruments;
said upper terminal having an annular valve seat, substantially encompassing said clearance, internally oriented, and allowing unobstructed passage for said depth sounding and fluid sampling instruments;
said lower terminal being in fluid communication with said sounding tube;
said guide ribs being inclinedly disposed within said valve housing, affixed thereto, exterior to said clearance, and supporting and guiding said floating ball valve from a resting position outside said clearance to an elevated position substantially below said annular valve seat;
and,
said elongated geometrically tapered throat extending from said lower terminal to the resting position of said floating ball valve, wherein fluid streaming through said lower terminal into said valve housing is nozzled, directing the stream to impinge against said floating ball valve and forcing said floating ball valve to seat.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description1,832 words

Summary625 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for controlling fluid flow, and specifically to a floating ball check valve for a shipboard fuel tank sounding tube.

#2. Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings1 figure

#A more complete appreciation of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a cut-away illustration of a floating ball check valve for a shipboard fuel tank sounding tube.

Detailed description1,163 words

#A floating ball check valve of the present invention generally comprises a valve housing having an in-line clearance, a floating ball valve, an annular valve seat, guide ribs, and an elongated geometrically tapered throat.

#The valve housing, a hollow conduit, stands generally upright, having an upper terminal, a lower terminal, and an in-line clearance therebetween. The overall geometry of the hollow conduit interior (chamber) may vary substantially, however, it must allow unobstructed in-line passage for the depth sounding rods and sampling instruments. The clearance requirements of the sounding tube instruments therefore determine the minimum clearance geometry of the chamber. These sounding tube instruments are typically cylindrical, to slidingly translate through a cylindrical sounding tube. The typical chamber must therefore comprise at minimum a cylindrical clearance having a diameter equal to the inner radius of the sounding tube, and substantially in-line therewith. Although this minimum clearance must be substantially in-line (co-axial) with the sounding tube, the overall geometry of the chamber need not be. It is therefore understood that although the chamber will hereinafter be referred to as an in-line cylindrical clearance, this refers to the minimum clearance rather than the overall chamber geometry.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a floating ball check valve for a shipboard fuel tank sounding tube, is generally illustrated. The check valve 10 generally comprises a valve housing 12 having an in-line cylindrical clearance 13, a floating ball valve 14, an annular valve seat 16, guide ribs 18, and an elongated skewed conically tapered throat 20.

Fluid tank sounding tube check valve

Life of this patent

Fluid tank sounding tube check valve

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Claims7

Description1,832 words

Classification0 codes

Life of this patent

Description1,832 words