Abstract: A flexible pipe coupling having first and second member rotatable relative to one another. The first member defines national pipe taper, or NPT, threads and the second member includes an internal swag member for forming a swagged connection with a flexible pipe. The coupling can be swagged fitted with respect to an end of a fluid transfer pipe having an inner or primary hose and an outer or secondary hose. The swaged connection can be made with the primary hose. The outside diameter of the coupling can be substantially the same as the outside diameter of the secondary hose so that the coupling can be passed through an entry boot of a sump disposed under a fuel dispenser.

Abstract: A colored ring immovably associated with an inlet of an underground tank to enhance the identification of the material in the underground tank. The ring can be bolted to the inlet or engaged with adhesive to the inlet. The ring can be formed as a substantially continuous ring or a plurality of ring members. The ring can be partially positionable in the ground or can be fully disposed above ground. The ring can include a colored surface or can be uniformly colored. The ring can be used in combination with a colored lid such as the color of the lid and the color of the ring are substantially similar.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for removing hazardous liquid from a wet line of a cargo tanker truck. The system includes a sight glass module positioned at the outboard end of the wet line. The sight glass module includes a vent, a drain, and an optical sensor. When the optical sensor senses liquid in the module, a control system operates to pump the liquid from the drain into the cargo tank.

Abstract: An aboveground tank auto-limiter is provided for preventing the overflow of fluid via storage tanks. The auto-limiter includes a valve assembly insertable downward through the top of a fill pipe of the fuel storage tank. The valve assembly has a cylindrical valve housing providing a fluid flank passage directing fuel downward into the storage tank under pressure. A hollow cylindrical float is provided in the valve assembly and is coaxially mounted along the outside surface of the valve housing leading into the storage tank. The float moves vertically to slide freely along the upper portion of the valve housing with the fluctuation of the fuel level within the tank. A series of linkage assemblies communicates the cylindrical float to a poppet located downstream from the float, wherein the float is upstream from the poppet. The poppet is seated in the closed position.

Abstract: A vent device connectible in a fill pipe of an underground fuel storage tank having a cylindrical housing with a drop tube and a J-shape tubular fitting with two open ends. The first open end is open within the drop tube and directed toward the underground fuel tank and the second open end is exposed through the wall of the cylindrical housing into an upper portion of the underground fuel storage tank. The tubular fitting has an expansion chamber vertically disposed between the two open ends for holding a float ball therein. The float ball is confined within the expansion chamber by a lower seat of the chamber and a barrier extending across the diameter of the chamber to prevent the float ball from sealing the upper seat of the chamber.

Abstract: An above-ground tank auto-limiter is provided for preventing the overflow of fluid in storage tanks. The auto-limiter includes a valve assembly insertible downward through the top of a fill pipe of the fuel storage tank. The valve assembly has a cylindrical valve housing providing a fluid flow passage directing fuel downward into the storage tank under pressure. A hollow cylindrical float is provided in the valve assembly and is coaxially mounted along the outside surface of the valve housing leading into the storage tank. The float moves vertically to slide freely along the lower portion of the valve housing with the fluctuation of the fuel level within the tank. A series of linkage assemblies communicate the cylindrical float to valve doors. The valve doors prevent any fluid flow from passing through the fluid flow passageway when the doors are in the closed position.

Abstract: An above-ground tank auto-limiter is provided for preventing the overflow of fluid in storage tanks. The auto-limiter includes a valve assembly insertible downward through the top of a fill pipe of the fuel storage tank. The valve assembly has a cylindrical valve housing providing a fluid flow passage directing fuel downward into the storage tank under pressure. A hollow cylindrical float is provided in the valve assembly and is coaxially mounted along the outside surface of the valve housing leading into the storage tank. The float moves vertically to slide freely along the lower portion of the valve housing with the fluctuation of the fuel level within the tank. A series of linkage assemblies communicate the cylindrical float to valve doors. The valve doors prevent any fluid flow from passing through the fluid flow passageway when the doors are in the closed position.

Abstract: An overflow valve for use in a vapor return line of a vapor recovery system for underground storage fuel tanks. The overflow valve is threadably attached in a main vapor line and communicating with an individual storage fuel tank. A plurality of fingers located around an inner edge of a valve chamber disposed within the overflow valve provide a seat for a spherical float, designed to provide a maximum surface area of the float to be in contact with fluid from an individual storage tank, to provide quick response with which the float moves up and down in the chamber and permitting uninhibited flow of liquid under the float when the float is rising.

Abstract: A two-stage float actuated shut-off valve for use in underground fuel storage tanks utilizes a drop tube coaxially mounted within the storage tank fill pipe. Fuel flowing into the tank is passed through the drop tube which projects downwardly into the interior of the tank to a valve housing located at the lower end of the drop tube. Floats slidably mounted in a recessed area in the housing outside of the drop tube within the tank independently operate pivoted valve doors to a closed position within the valve housing, a lower float closing one valve door to block a major portion of incoming fuel flow passage when the level of fuel in the storage tank reaches a predetermined first level and a second upper float causing the secondary valve door to overlap an aperture in the main valve door to almost completely close the flow of fuel to the tank.

Abstract: A manhole rim and cover assembly includes a rim formed with an annular upwardly projecting lip extending around its central opening with a shoulder projecting radially inwardly from the lip at a location spaced below its upper edge. A cover has circumferentially spaced circumferential segments projecting downwardly from its lower surface to fit within the inner side of the lip and to rest upon the shoulder referred to above to prevent crushing of a sealing gasket received between the bottom of the cover and the upper edge of the lip. Vent openings are formed through the lip to vent the manhole when the cover is in place. Spring clips on the cover engage an undercut shoulder on the rim to releasably retain the cover against removal from the rim.

Abstract: A vent valve for controlling the flow of vapor to or from the head space of a storage tank for fuel or other liquids includes a valve housing scalingly mounted in an opening through the top of the tank. A vertical vapor flow passage through the housing opens at its upper end at the exterior of the tank and at its lower end into the headspace of the tank. A spring biased valve head normally closes the lower end of the vapor flow passage to seal the headspace of the tank. A detachable and disposable pneumatic motor is mounted in a downwardly convergent frusto conical seat defined within the flow passage by webs integrally formed on the housing. The motor has a motor cylinder whose exterior surface is of a frusto conical configuration complementary to the seat and is wedged downwardly into the seat by mounting screws which pass through tabs formed on the cylinder into threaded bores in the top surfaces of the webs accessible from the upper end of the passage.

Abstract: A two stage float actuated shutoff valve for preventing overfilling of an underground storage tank has a first float actuated valve flapper movable to a closed position to block a major portion of the fuel inlet passage of the underground tank when the level of fuel in the tank rises to a first predetermined level. Closure of the first valve blocks a first portion of the flow passage while maintaining a second portion of the flow passage open to permit a reduced flow of fuel through the flow passage, thereby generating an observable water hammer effect signalling that the filling operation should be terminated. If the incoming flow is not terminated, the continued rise of the level of fuel in the tank will in time actuate a second float controlled valve to completely close the fuel inlet passage. The incoming fuel is supplied from a delivery truck tank, fuel flowing gravitationally from the truck tank through an operable shutoff valve on the tank, a delivery hose and a drop tube into the underground tank.

Abstract: A pressure relief or rollover valve is utilized on the tank of a fuel delivery truck to vent or relieve an abnormal internal pressure within the tank, such as that generated by an accidental deformation of the tank wall, while preventing spillage of fuel during the venting. A tubular valve housing is mounted in the top of the tank with a cover at the exterior of the tank releasably locked in sealed engagement with the upper end of a passage through the housing which opens at its lower end into the tank interior. A valve plate within the housing is biased downwardly to a valve closed position against an upwardly facing valve seat in the passage by springs engaged between the closed cover and the valve plate. A flexible bladder is sealed to the bottom of the cover to define an air chamber sealed from the passage, and openings through the cover vent this air chamber to atmosphere. A shield plate rests on the top of the cover to overlie the vent openings.

Abstract: A two stage float actuated shutoff valve for use in underground fuel storage tanks having a co-axial vapor recovery system utilizes a drop tube co-axially mounted within the storage tank fill pipe. Fuel flowing into the tank is passed through the drop tube which projects downwardly into the interior of the tank to a valve housing located at the lower end of the drop tube. Tubular floats slidably mounted on the drop tube within the tank independently operate pivoted flapper valves to a closed position within the valve housing, a lower float closing one valve flapper to block a major portion of the incoming fuel flow passage when the level of fuel in the storage tank reaches a predetermined first level and a second upper float closing a second flapper to completely close the flow passage when the level of fuel rises to a predetermined level about the first level. A float actuated locking arrangement for preventing inadvertent premature closing of either valve flapper is disclosed.

Abstract: A float actuated valve for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid into a storage tank when the tank is filled to a predetermined level includes a pair of shutter plates movable transversely across the flow passage from an open position wherein the plates are retracted clear of opposite sides of the passage and a fully closed position in which the plates project into and cooperatively block the passage. A spring biased rotary trip plate underlying the shutter plates controls actuation of the shutter plates and may be held by first and second detents in rotative positions locating the shutter plates in the fully closed or a partially closed position. A lower float located within the tank releases the first detent to cause the trip plate to drive the shutter plates from the fully closed to the partially closed position when the level of fluid in the tank rises to a first level.

Abstract: A shut off valve assembly for preventing overfilling of an underground fuel storage tank or other storage tanks where the incoming flow is not metered, utilizes a two stage valve closure, the first stage closure signaling the tank is nearly filled to capacity and the second stage closure subsequently completely stopping flow into the tank.