Abstract: A safety shut-off valve assembly is especially for use with a dispenser unit used at retail gasoline service stations. The shut-off valve assembly comprises an open-top fuel flow chamber for permanent mounting at a base of the fuel dispenser, a removable cover plate with a break-away tube member extending therefrom, and a bonnet valve mounted in the open-top fuel flow chamber. An ingress opening in the fuel flow chamber receives a terminus of a primary supply pipeline. The terminus of the break-away tube member serves as an egress for the fuel. The bonnet valve has a plate disc to close off the break-away tube member terminus when needed. When the dispenser unit is disturbed such as by an accidental bumping, the bonnet valve is activated to prevent further flow of fuel into the dispenser unit. The assembly prevents an accumulation of fuel vapors and allows ready access to the primary pipeline for periodic inspection or replacement.

Abstract: An adaptor assembly connects a primary pipeline of a double wall pipeline to a dispensing pipeline at a ground level gasoline service station dispenser unit in a manner which permits access to the primary pipeline for installation and periodic replacement purposes. The assembly includes a casing and a disengageable seal system. The casing is attached to a terminus of the secondary pipeline. The disengageable seal system is operably associated with the casing to terminate an annular space between the primary pipeline and the secondary pipeline to contain the flow of any leakage from the secondary pipeline. In some embodiments of the invention, a coupling is attached to a terminus of the primary pipeline to provide a flowpath for conveyance of gasoline. The disengageable seal system is also operably associated with the coupling.

Abstract: A double walled storage tank system has two closely associated discreet walls with a closed communication space therebetween. The system comprises (a) a tank having a main body side wall and attached end walls, (b) a continuous wall of a fibrous reinforced resinous material which substantially follows the contour of at least a portion of the tank and (c) an array of interlocking filament bundles disposed between the tank and the continuous wall. The array has a first face bonded to a tank wall and a second face bonded to the continuous wall. A mid-portion of the array is in a substantially unbonded state to create the closed communication space for leak detection purposes. The strength of the double walled storage tank system is substantially enhanced by the array securely bonded to both the tank wall and the continuous wall and by its own inherent tensile strength.

Abstract: A storage tank system has two closely associated discreet walls with closed communication flow paths therebetween. The system comprises (a) a tank having a main body side wall and attached end walls and (b) a composite wall which substantially follows the contour of at least a portion of the tank. The composite wall includes a base layer of filament bundles. The base layer is bonded to a tank wall by a resinous material and is covered by additional resinous material. A mid-portion of the filament bundles found in the base layer is in a substantially unbonded state to create the closed communication flow paths for leak detection purposes. The strength of the storage tank system is substantially enhanced by the composite wall.

Abstract: A composite storage tank is built which has double wall characteristics. A method of building the tank comprises the steps of applying a viscous resinous core material to a support surface and then winding onto, into or along with the viscous resinous core material discrete filament bundles. The resinous core material encapsulates the filament bundles, but does not significantly penetrate into an interior of the bundles. The substantially resin-free interiors provide flow paths for the ready detection of wall leakage. The resultant composite storage tank has double wall characteristics. A crack or hole in either an inside or outside surface which extends at least to the encapsulated filament bundle interiors will alert the tank's operator/owner to a leakage problem.

Abstract: A composite storage tank is built which has double wall characteristics. A method of building the tank comprises the steps of applying a viscous resinous core material to a support surface and then winding onto, into or along with the viscous resinous core material discrete filament bundles. The resinous core material encapsulates the filament bundles, but does not significantly penetrate into an interior of the bundles. The substantially resin-free interiors provide flow paths for the ready detection of wall leakage. The resultant composite storage tank has double wall characteristics. A crack or hole in either an inside or outside surface which extends at least to the encapsulated filament bundle interiors will alert the tank's operator/owner to a leakage problem.

Abstract: A double wall ribbed storage tank system is provided with the capability of independent monitoring of support rib areas and secondary containment areas of the tank system. The storage tank system comprises (a) an inner storage tank for primary containment of stored liquid with a set of support ribs for strengthening purposes, (b) an outer wall over the inner tank for secondary containment of the stored liquid, (c) rib communication means connecting together the support rib areas, (d) wall communication means connecting together secondary containment areas of the inner storage tank and outer wall, and (e) a monitoring station operably associated with the rib and wall communication means. Any structural damage to a support rib, inner storage tank wall or outer wall is detectable and generally located by the monitoring station.

Abstract: A double walled storage tank system has two closely associated discreet walls with a closed communication space therebetween. The system comprises (a) a tank having a main body side wall and attached end walls, (b) a continuous wall of a fibrous reinforced resinous material which substantially follows the contour of at least a portion of the tank and (c) an array of interlocking filament bundles disposed between the tank and the continuous wall. The array has a first face bonded to a tank wall and a second face bonded to the continuous wall. A mid-portion of the array is in a substantially unbonded state to create the closed communication space for leak detection purposes. The strength of the double walled storage tank system is substantially enhanced by the array securely bonded to both the tank wall and the continuous wall and by its own inherent tensile strength.

Abstract: A double wall compression fitting is dimensioned for attachment to a double wall pipeline system having an inner pipeline and an outer pipeline. The pipelines have a multiplicity of longitudinally running support fins running between them to maintain a spaced relationship. The fitting is comprised of an inner housing having at least two terminals, an outer housing encasing the inner housing in a manner to form an annular space therebetween and a compression connecting assembly. The compression connection assembly connects the inner and outer housings to the double wall pipeline system so that the annular space between the housings is in communication with an annular space between the pipelines of the double wall pipeline system. The compression connecting assembly includes a coupler with means to compress it to form a compression seal with the outer pipeline.

Abstract: A double wall storage tank system has its walls bonded together in a defined intermittent manner. The storage tank system comprises a tank having a cylindrical-shaped main body and end walls at each end thereof. A continuous wall covers the tank and is bonded thereto in a defined, e.g. helical pattern. Unbonded wall portions between the bonded wall portions form flow channels extending the full length of the cylindrical-shaped main body of the tank such that leakage through any part of the tank or continuous wall is detectable.

Abstract: A double wall compression fitting is dimensioned for attachment to a double wall pipeline system having an inner pipeline and an outer pipeline. The pipelines have longitudinally running support fins running between them to maintain a spaced relationship. The fitting is comprised of an inner housing having at least two terminals, an outer housing encasing the inner housing in a manner to form an annular space therebetween and a compression connecting assembly. The compression connection assembly connects the inner and outer housings to the double wall pipeline system so that the annular space between the housings is in communication with an annular space between the pipelines of the double wall pipeline system. The compression connecting assembly includes a coupler with means to compress it to form a compression seal with the outer pipeline and a spacer. The spacer has a set of indents to accommodate the support fins of the double wall pipeline system and means of communication therethrough.

Abstract: A double wall compression fitting is dimensioned for attachment to a double wall pipeline system having an inner pipeline and an outer pipeline. The fitting is comprised of an inner housing having at least two terminals, an outer housing encasing the inner housing in a manner to form an annular space therebetween and a compression connecting assembly. The compression connecting assembly connects the inner and outer housings to the double wall pipeline system so that the annular space between the housings is in communication with an annular space between the pipelines of the double wall pipeline system. The compression connecting assembly includes a coupler with means to compress it to form a compression seal with the outer pipeline, and a substantially non-compressible spacer with communication means.

Abstract: A method of forming a storage tank from an existing matrix tank comprises adding spaced internal support ribs. The interior surface of the matrix tank is covered with a layer of fibrous reinforced resinous material to form a main body and internal support ribs are added. The main body and support ribs are secured together such that the ribs protrude inwardly. The formed tank is fully and independently capable of containing liquid and withstanding normal internal and external load forces. A double walled formed storage tank system is also provided wherein an inner wall between or on the internal support ribs is added.

Abstract: A method of making a storage tank system comprises forming a series of outer wall sections over a cylindrical-shaped inner storage tank. Each outer wall section is bonded to the inner tank at a distance of less than about 1/2 inch in height from the inner tank. The inner storage tank is strengthened by the wall sections. Partial secondary containment is provided by the outer wall sections. A monitored storage tank system with partial secondary containment is provided by the use of a leak detection system to monitor the closed spaces defined by the outer wall sections and the inner storage tank.

Abstract: A method of making a storage tank comprises forming a cylindrical-shaped inner tank with support ribs and forming an outer wall comprised of a series of sections which are at least partially separated from the inner tank's walls between each set of support ribs. Each outer wall section is bonded to the top areas of the walls of the support ribs. The inner and outer walls of the system are both strengthened by the dual side wall support ribs. Secondary containment is provided by the outer wall. A monitored storage tank system is provided by the use of a leak detection means to monitor the closed space defined by the rib interiors, the outer wall and the inner tank wall.

Abstract: A double wall compression fitting is dimensioned for attachment to a double wall pipeline system having an inner pipeline and an outer pipeline. The fitting is comprised of an inner housing having at least two terminals, an outer housing encasing the inner housing in a manner to form an annular space therebetween and a compression connecting assembly. The compression connection assembly connects the inner and outer housings to the double wall pipeline system so that the annular space between the housings is in communication with an annular space between the pipelines of the double wall pipeline system. The compression connecting assembly includes a coupler with means to compress it to form a compression seal with the outer pipeline, and a compression spacer with at least one lateral communication port.

Abstract: An assembly intended for use on underground storage tanks provides ready access to a fill pipe from ground level. At the same time the assembly serves as a spill containment means for accidental spillage and a secondary containment means for the fill pipe. The assembly of the invention comprises a secondary containment chamber having a sidewall with means for attaching to the storage tank. An anchor ring which is attached to an upper open end of the containment chamber acts as a permanent ground base for the assembly. A bridging surface cover within the anchor ring has a removable lid positioned in its interior portion to gain access to the chamber's interior for a filling operation. The assembly also comprises a fill pipe for delivering liquid to the storage tank. The fill pipe is positioned within the secondary containment chamber with a discharging end extending through the chamber's bottom and a receiving end terminating within the chamber but near the bridging surface cover.

Abstract: An underground storage tank system has an internal retained capacity area for receiving excess liquid from a filling operation. The storage tank system comprises a rigid storage tank, a fill pipe, a vapor recovery tube, a vent line, a dispensing line, and a trapped vapor release valve. A vapor recovery extension tube and vent extension line each extend into the storage tank. The uppermost of the lower end of the vapor recovery extension tube and lower end of the vent extension line within the storage tank defines a horizontal plane above which is an internal retained capacity area. The trapped vapor release valve is closed during a filling operation so that eventually a build up of pressure occurs within the retained capacity area to prevent further flow of liquid to the retained capacity area of the tank. Opening of the trapped vapor release valve relieves the pressure in the retained capacity area thereby allowing excess liquid in the fill pipe and delivery hose to drain into the storage tank.

Abstract: A method of making a storage tank comprises forming a cylindrical-shaped inner tank with support ribs and forming an outer wall comprised of a series of sections which are at least partially separated from the inner tank's walls between each set of support ribs. Each outer wall section is bonded to the top areas of the walls of the support ribs. The inner and outer walls of the system are both strengthened by the dual side wall support ribs. Secondary containment is provided by the outer wall. A monitored storage tank system is provided by the use of a leak detection means to monitor the closed space defined by the rib interiors, the outer wall and the inner tank wall.

Abstract: A cylindrical-shaped storage tank with substantially flattened ends is jacketed in a manner which results in storage tank system capable of holding detecting liquid or being placed under non-atmospheric pressure without structural damage. The storage tank initially has end plates mounted on its flattened ends. Thereafter, a separating agent is applied over the side walls of the storage tank, a layer of fibrous reinforcing material applied on the separating agent and the end plates, and a resinous material applied. The resultant jacket is independent from the side walls of the inner tank. True secondary containment is provided by the end plates and jacket. A fail safe containment storage tank system is provided by the use of independent leak detection means to monitor the closed space between the storage tank and end plates and the closed annular space between the storage tank and jacket for tank or jacket leakage.