Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus including an elongated fluid vessel for transporting fluid, such as LPG. One or more breakable containers of compressible fluid are positioned within the fluid vessel. The containers are adapted to break by the force of the vessel fluid surging against them when the fluid vessel is impacted. The compressible fluid within the containers dissipates or eliminates the water hammer pressure resulting from the impact and thereby prevents the walls of the fluid vessel from failing. The breakable containers can be end partitions with one or more rupture discs thereon or collapsible pressurized containers, such as ordinary tennis balls, held at one or both vessel ends by internal breakaway partition walls.

Abstract: A dual compartment liquid storage tank has a bottom wall, an annular side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and a top cover, to define an interior space. A bulkhead extends across the interior space to divide it into two separate compartments completely isolated from one another. The bulkhead is arcuately curved about a vertical axis and is marginally sealed to the bottom and side walls and top cover to prevent transmission of liquid from one compartment to the other. The curved configuration of the bulkhead withstands pressure differentials due to unequally filled compartments without buckling or distortion or failure of the seals, more effectively than a flat bulkhead.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprising first and second fuel tank walls comprising a reservoir therebetween. The reservoir has a resilient portion which biases the reservoir in place against the first and second fuel tank walls.

Abstract: Relocation of the guide and control system for a seawater ballast/cargo oil, horizontal separation diaphragm, from the lower portion of the cargo tank of an oil tanker to the main deck level, with a corresponding increase in the length of the diaphragm membrane and the guide cylinder, thereby allowing the diaphragm full travel from top to bottom of the tank and vice versa. This relocation enables the total volume of the cargo tank to be utilized for the carriage of two different liquids, at different times, without cross-contamination occurring between the cargo being carried and any residue remaining at in the tank from the previous cargo e.g. a marine very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) fitted with a diaphragm in each of its cargo tanks, could carry a full cargo of crude oil from the Arabian Gulf to Europe or Japan and return with a full cargo of fresh water for industrial or agricultural use.

Abstract: A compartmentalized tank divided into a plurality of compartments are fluidly connected to a filling chamber wherein the filling chamber has an overflow fluid passage to each of the plurality of compartments and a fluid channel elevationally below the overflow fluid passage which conducts fluid flow during filling of the compartments but does not conduct fluid flow between the compartments when the tank is improperly oriented. Each of the plurality of compartments may include an orientation restrictive air vent, such as one formed by an elongated air channel positioned to reduce the loss of fluid in the event the tank is tipped on its side. The fluid channel has a plurality of orifices for conducting fluid flow from the filling chamber to the plurality of compartments which prevent fluid loss when a compartment is damaged.In another embodiment, the tank includes a supply line and a return line in each compartment.

Abstract: A fuel lock as part of a venting arrangement for fuel tanks has to ensure that when the fuel tank is on its side, particularly after a lateral rotation of 270.degree., only a legally tolerated fuel quantity can flow out from the vent conduit. The fuel lock has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated from the former by a partition and communicating with its chamber by a connecting conduit. The inlet chamber is connected to a surge tank of the fuel tank by an inlet conduit and the outlet chamber is connected to a vent conduit. In the inlet chamber, the inlet conduit and connecting conduit mouthpiece openings within the chamber and, in the outlet chamber, the connecting conduit and outlet conduit mouthpiece openings within the chamber are located relative to one another such that in the syphon conduit formed by these conduits and passing through the chambers, in each case a break point for the syphon effect is present within the chambers.

Abstract: A tanker is divided into multiple cargo tanks for carrying liquid cargo such as oil. Each tank has a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls. Each tank is provided with a generally horizontal wall that divides the tank into upper and lower zones. The upper zone is located between the horizontal wall and the top wall, while the lower zone is located between the horizontal wall and the bottom wall. The horizontal wall is located near the water line of the tanker and is oil tight so as to eliminate the head pressure of the oil in the tank in the event the lower zone is ruptured.

Abstract: A scooter having an improved seat, fuel tank and storage compartment arrangement. The seat is divided into a front portion and a rear portion with the rear portion being hinged and affording access to a storage compartment positioned beneath it with the opening closed by the rear seat portion being inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. A fuel tank is positioned beneath the front seat and has a fill neck which is accessible through an opening at the side of the seat. This opening is closed by a closure member that is moveable between a closed position and an opened position. Either directly or remotely positioned latching arrangements are disclosed for the closure member.