Tank With Internally Extending Flow Guide, Pipe Or Conduit Patents (Class 137/590)
  • Patent number: 8573253
    Abstract: There is disclosed a valve assembly for a gas container capable of appropriately discharging a gas from the gas container, even if a valve of a discharge passage has a failure or the like. The valve assembly for the gas container disposed at the gas container has, as passages which allow the inside of the gas container to communicate with the outside, a filling passage which fills the gas container with the gas and a discharge passage which discharges the gas. Furthermore, the valve assembly has a filling-side valve disposed at the filling passage and configured to close this passage, a discharge-side valve disposed at the discharge passage and configured to close this passage, a communication path which connects a downstream side of the discharge-side valve to a downstream side of the filling-side valve, and a shut-off valve disposed at the communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ogami, Nobuo Kobayashi, Akira Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8561629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of draining a tank (2) having a plate, the plate (12) including a canister (19) having an outer casing (20) provided with a base (19?) that is pressed against the plate (12), the base (19?) presenting at least one through orifice (21) suitable for being closed by a movable member (22) of the canister (19), the plate (12) carrying a pump (30) that co-operates with the canister (19) by actuating the movable member (22) to open the through orifice (21), during which method the pump (30) is removed from the canister (19) and then a fluid connector (50) is inserted to take the place of the pump (30), the fluid connector (50) co-operating with the canister (19) by actuating the movable member (22) to release the through orifice (21) in order to drain the tank (2) via the fluid connector (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Stéphane Mougin
  • Patent number: 8549852
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil tank has a housing, a connecting member and a filtering device. The housing includes a main body, a storage compartment and a first through hole. The storage compartment is formed within the main body for containing a the hydraulic oil, and the first through hole is formed through the main body. The connecting member is disposed on the main body and covering the first through hole, the connecting member including a contact face having a planar shape. The filtering device is disposed within the storage compartment. The filtering device is connected to a part of the contact face exposed within the first through hole. The filtering device includes an overlapped portion overlapping with an inner edge of the first through hole in a plan view of the first through hole seen from inside of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Saeki, Tatsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 8544282
    Abstract: A closed loop geothermal system has a fluid circulation loop that includes in series: a heat pump, a ground loop heat exchanger, a tank flow center and a circulation pump. The tank flow center includes a tank, a first valve, a second valve and a tank bypass line all mounted in a common housing. The tank may include a refill inlet that opens through a top surface of the housing. A cap may be attached to close the refill inlet. The tank flow center has the regular geothermal operation configuration, a system flush configuration, and a refill configuration. The tank flow center may be elevated above the circulation pump a distance to produce a water column that is greater than a minimum cavitation avoidance head pressure for the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Wyer, Demitri Gula
  • Publication number: 20130248028
    Abstract: A vortex breaker fits over an outlet of a vessel. The breaker has a basket disposed on a base with an opening communicating with the vessel's outlet. The basket has a cylindrical sidewall screen with profiled wires arranged around bars that extend from the base. The basket also has a top screen attached to the sidewall screen. The top screen has wires arranged across a plurality of bars. Fluid flow passing through the screens is directed by the profiled wires and the bars. Below the top screen, a baffle plate diverts the fluid flow passing through the top screen to the periphery of the top plate. Inside the basket, a flow modifier has a vanes attached to the base and disposed radially around the base's opening. At least some of the vanes have cross-tees extending from the vane's sides to break the radially directed flow inside the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Screens, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Ekholm
  • Publication number: 20130240070
    Abstract: A pipe includes a tubular pipe formed of a metal sheet that is spirally wound such that opposite edges of the metal sheet are joined by a crimped lock seam that extends helically along a length of the tubular pipe. A sealing arrangement includes a helically extending worked surface band extending along the crimped lock seam and to both sides of the crimped lock seam, the worked surface band having a surface roughness that is greater than a surface roughness of unworked surface portions outside of the worked surface band. A helically extending external coating band is applied over the crimped lock seam and bonded to the worked surface band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Mark J. Swarny, Daniel W. Aberle, Gregory W. Byrne, JR.
  • Patent number: 8534489
    Abstract: A demisable fuel supply system for a satellite includes a pressurized aluminum alloy tank with an aluminum alloy propellant management device therein. The propellant management device (PMD) can have any capillary action surface tension fluid transport features known in the art. Selected inner surfaces of the tank and the PMD are covered with a plasma powder sprayed titanium based coating to guarantee propellant wettability and corrosion resistance of the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Tuttle, David Adams, Marcial Alexander Anaya, Jeffry K. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20130225395
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and handling slurries are provided. The surge drum system for storing a slurry can include a storage vessel having a first end, a second end, and at least one wall surrounding an internal volume between the first and second ends. The system can also include a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet, both in fluid communication with the internal volume. A recirculation inlet can be in fluid communication with the internal volume at the first end of the storage vessel. The system can also include a pump having a suction line in fluid communication with the outlet. A discharge line of the pump can be in fluid communication with an outlet valve and a recirculation valve that can be in fluid communication with the recirculation inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT LLC
    Inventor: Gary L. Mason
  • Patent number: 8511504
    Abstract: A demisable fuel supply system for a satellite includes a pressurized aluminum alloy tank with an aluminum alloy propellant management device therein. The propellant management device (PMD) can have any capillary action surface tension fluid transport features known in the art. Selected inner surfaces of the tank and the PMD are covered with a titanium based coating to guarantee propellant wettability and corrosion resistance of the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne H. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 8511343
    Abstract: A bladderless reservoir tank is provided with a hollow body that forms a cavity for receipt of a working fluid. A pick-up tube is attached to the hollow body of the reservoir tank. A portion of the pick-up tube extends into the interior of the body such that a port of the pick-up tube is positioned at the centroid of the hollow body. The pick-up tube has a channel that extends from the port at the centroid to the exterior of the body of the reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Scholtes
  • Patent number: 8500884
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a vessel. The vessel can include a body, an inlet, and an impermeable impingement plate. The body may include a substantially cylindrical structure orientated substantially horizontally, and first and second heads coupled at opposing ends of the substantially cylindrical structure. Generally, the body forms an interior space, and a lower portion of the body forms a trough having a length and a width. The inlet can communicate with the interior space of the vessel. Typically, the impermeable impingement plate has an impingement surface. The impermeable impingement plate may have a first side and a second side extending substantially the length of the trough. The first and second sides may be substantially parallel and spaced apart across at least a portion of the width of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Shain-Jer Doong, Hadjira Iddir
  • Publication number: 20130160878
    Abstract: A vortex reduction cap for use within a fluid holding vessel above a discharge port for discharging the fluid from the vessel is disclosed. The vortex reduction cap includes a top solid surface greater than or equal to the area of the discharge port. The vortex reduction cap includes one or more inlets to allow fluid to flow from the vessel to an internal volume of the vortex reduction cap and then to the discharge port in the vessel. A passive element is positioned within the internal volume of the vortex reduction cap so that the flow of fluids through the cap and towards the discharge port of the vessel will be redirected around the passive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: MEGA FLUID SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: MEGA FLUID SYSTEMS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8439071
    Abstract: A vortex breaker fits over an outlet of a vessel. The breaker has a basket disposed on a base with an opening communicating with the vessel's outlet. The basket has a cylindrical sidewall screen with profiled wires arranged around bars that extend from the base. The basket also has a top screen attached to the sidewall screen. The top screen has wires arranged across a plurality of bars. Fluid flow passing through the screens is directed by the profiled wires and the bars. Below the top screen, a baffle plate diverts the fluid flow passing through the top screen to the periphery of the top plate. Inside the basket, a flow modifier has a vanes attached to the base and disposed radially around the base's opening. At least some of the vanes have cross-tees extending from the vane's sides to break the radially directed flow inside the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Screens, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Ekholm
  • Patent number: 8424566
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a fluid supply source. The fluid supply source includes at least one wall extending from a floor. The fluid transfer system also includes at least one fluid transfer apparatus positioned within the fluid supply source. The fluid transfer system further includes a fluid control system. The fluid control system includes a plate coupled within the fluid supply source at least partially between the wall and the at least one fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid control system also includes at least one partition extending from the plate between the wall and the at least one fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one partition cooperates with the plate to at least partially direct fluid flow into the at least one fluid transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Laxmikant Merchant, Jitendra Harish Bijlani, Robert L. Baran, Venkateswara Rao Akana
  • Patent number: 8418718
    Abstract: A double-walled above-ground storage tank includes a primary tank and a secondary tank, and an interstitial space; an containment chamber formed by a primary chamber wall and a secondary chamber wall, forming a chamber interstitial space therebetween, and an exterior door assembly; and at least one pipe and valve assembly wherein the pipe originates in the tank interior volume and the valve is disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Enviro Vault Inc.
    Inventor: Russ Hebblethwaite
  • Patent number: 8397751
    Abstract: A vortex reducing apparatus and method for drainage of a process tank are described. The vortex reducer including a keel having a longitudinal axis, a top flow foil coupled to the keel and a bottom flow foil coupled to the keel. The top flow foil and the bottom flow foil are each coupled to the keel at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: WD Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Kok Leong Chan, Say Wei Pang
  • Patent number: 8397750
    Abstract: An oil suction device for an automatic transmission includes: an oil pan that receives oil supplied to various portions of the automatic transmission and returned to the oil pan and reserves the received oil therein; an oil strainer located over the oil pan; a suction port drawing in the oil reserved in the oil pan; and an elastic wall provided selectively between a portion of the oil pan that receives a relatively small amount of the oil returned to the oil pan and the suction port, the elastic wall extending from a bottom surface of the oil pan and reaching a lower surface of the oil strainer to interrupt a flow of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Fujita, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Kazuaki Nakamura, Takeshi Ishiwada
  • Patent number: 8387645
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for contacting a fluid stream with particulate solids are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion and an inlet for receiving particulate solids and an outlet for discharging the particulate solids. An inner cone is coaxially positioned within an inverted truncated outer cone forming an annulus in the lower portion of the vessel. A truncated conical baffle is disposed within the lower portion of the vessel and at least partially above the inverted truncated outer cone and the inner cone. The truncated conical baffle has a downwardly and inwardly sloping wall with a lower portion thereof overlapping interiorly an upper portion of the inverted truncated outer cone. A plurality of guide tents are spaced apart in the annulus, each guide tent having sloped guide surfaces oriented to guide the flow of particulate solids into the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Peter Shafe
  • Patent number: 8387649
    Abstract: A drain for a pressure vessel includes a valve, a knob, a tube, a passageway, and a drain cup. The valve is coupled between an interior surface and an exterior surface of a tank. The knob is coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve. The tube has a top end and a bottom end and is coupled to the valve at an interior surface of the tank at the top end and extends into a bottom of the tank at the bottom end. The passageway extends through the valve and has an opening coupled to the tube at a first end and an exit at a second end. The passageway is openable and closeable by the knob. The drain cup is associated with the exit of the passageway and is positioned on an exterior surface of the tank for collecting condensation from the interior of the tank. The valve is positioned at a height that is vertically higher than the bottom end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Campbell Hausfeld/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Berlie E. Parks, William Alan Bryant
  • Patent number: 8375988
    Abstract: A baffle device, configured to be disposed near an outlet of a fuel tank, includes a fitting having an aperture therethrough and a first baffle. The first baffle includes a passageway in fluid communication with the aperture and a first baffle aperture configured to permit entry of fuel vapor into the passageway and exit of fuel vapor from the passageway. The baffle device also includes a second baffle overlying at least a portion of the first baffle aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Peter D. Shears
  • Publication number: 20130019981
    Abstract: A modular hydraulic hammer reduction system for railroad tank cars includes tubular hydraulic hammer reduction devices which include means to connect the tubular devices to flanges other than by welding or being cast together. For example, the tubular devices can be press fit into the flanges, or the tubular devices can be connected to the flanges with snap rings (preferably spiral-lock snap rings), or even more preferably the tubular devices can be press fit into the flanges and the tubular devices can be connected to the flanges with snap rings (preferably spiral-lock snap rings). The advantage of this modular construction is that one can manufacture multiple tubular devices and multiple flanges of each type, and connect the flanges to the tubular devices on an as-needed basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: S. E. Yandle, II, S. E YANDLE, III
  • Patent number: 8356616
    Abstract: Some water drain valves tend to fill with water which may freeze, thereby jamming the valve. This invention provides an aircraft water drain valve comprising a passageway, a shaft, a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The shaft is moveable between an open position in which the first and second sealing members are arranged to allow free passage of fluid through the passageway, and a closed position in which both the first and second sealing members are arranged to prevent free passage of fluid through the passageway thereby preventing ingress of fluid into the region between the first and second sealing members. Thus water may be hindered from collecting and freezing in the part of the valve close to the cold wall of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Alistair David Richfield Wyatt
  • Publication number: 20120298239
    Abstract: A container for a liquid has a container wall and at least one inner chamber for receiving the liquid. The container has at least one discharge line for discharging liquid located in the at least one inner chamber. The at least one discharge line at least reduces relative movements of regions of the container wall spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUER EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: JAN HODGSON, SVEN SCHEPERS, CARSTEN KRUSE
  • Patent number: 8316884
    Abstract: A safety drain system includes a plurality of drain sections, each of which defines distinct fluid flow paths. At least a portion of the fluid flow paths commence at a side of the drain section that is in fluid communication with a reservoir's fluid. Each fluid flow path at the side communicating with the reservoir's fluid defines an opening having a smallest dimension not to exceed approximately one centimeter. The drain sections are distributed over at least one surface of the reservoir. A manifold is coupled to the drain sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John Dwight England, Anthony R. Kelley, Raymond J. Cronise
  • Patent number: 8312889
    Abstract: A combination flow control and reverse flow check valve provides a compact valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid in a downstream direction and limiting undesired backflow of liquid into a source such as a reservoir. The flow control and reverse flow check valve may be provided as a unitary member having a housing with an upstream end configured for mounting to the liquid source, a fluid conveying channel within the housing, and a check element positioned in the channel between the flow control valve, such as a ball valve, and a seat which is complementally configured with the check element to normally seal against backflow. A blocking element may be provided to prevent interference of the check element with the operation of the flow control valve while permitting liquid to flow in an intended downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Snyder Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell A. Oltman, Larry D. Thomas, Thomas P. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8307844
    Abstract: A tank for transporting liquids is equipped with a variable volume system. The system provides for the ability to define a variable maximum fluid volume capacity of the tank. The tank is mounted to a vehicle for transport. In one embodiment, the tank is a water tank for use in dispensing water in a working area in order to control dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: LeRoy G. Hagenbuch
  • Patent number: 8291926
    Abstract: A reductant dosing system for a machine having an engine and an exhaust system is disclosed. The reductant dosing system has a tank configured to hold a reductant, a dosing arrangement, and a supply passage connecting the tank to the dosing arrangement. The reductant dosing system also has a purging arrangement configured to direct purge fluid to at least one of the dosing arrangement and the supply passage, and a valve configured to allow reductant to pass from the tank to the supply passage and to inhibit purge fluid from entering the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam P. Thiagarajan, Stephan D. Roozenboom, Raymond B. Gerges, Jinhui Sun, Shashank Mupparapu, Tetsu O. Velasquez, Yung T. Bui
  • Patent number: 8281807
    Abstract: A fluid connector system features a stopper and an extending section. Installable within an outlet of a fluid container, the stopper defines a passage therethrough. Defining air and fluid conduits, the extending section has a first abutment member threadably connectible thereto and a second abutment member affixed thereto. The extending section is adapted to be extended through the passage of the stopper when assembled thereto. When the first abutment member is tightened about the extending section, the first and second abutment members abut against the exterior and interior sides, respectively, of the stopper. With the stopper installed within the outlet and the extending section and the abutment members therewith assembled to the stopper thereby sealing the passage therein, fluid within the container may be extracted via the fluid conduit as air exterior to the container flows therein via the air conduct to displace the fluid being extracted from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Trombley, III, David M. Reilly
  • Patent number: 8281769
    Abstract: An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric B. Hudak, Travis D. Schisel, Edward A. Uebelher
  • Patent number: 8281808
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coolant reservoir tank for a fuel cell vehicle, in which the coolant reservoir tank is positioned at a bottom of the vehicle such that coolant in a coolant line is collected in the reservoir tank by gravity during shutdown of a fuel cell system and the coolant in the reservoir tank is supplied to the coolant line by a vacuum pump during startup of the fuel cell system. For this purpose, the present invention provides a coolant reservoir tank including: a coolant reservoir tank for a fuel cell vehicle, the coolant reservoir tank comprising: a reservoir housing having a predetermined volume of space; a cover for covering the top of the reservoir housing; and a plurality of ports detachably provided on at least one portion of the cover, wherein the reservoir housing and the cover are connected by a hinge type fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Wook Na, Su Dong Han
  • Patent number: 8276778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fuel container and to a fuel container for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Eulitz, Harald Lorenz, Gerd Wolter
  • Publication number: 20120222747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic systems and methods for controlling the flow of fluid using passive components engineered into the microchannels. These passive flow components include fluidic diodes, fluidic capacitors, and fluidic inductors. Various fluidic circuits are provided to control fluid flow including fluid rectifiers, fluid band pass filters, and fluid timers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Easley, James M. Karlinsey, James P. Landers, Dan Leslie, Matthew R. Begley
  • Patent number: 8256458
    Abstract: An aircraft gas-turbine oil tank has a breather outlet tube 2 branching off from an upper area of the oil tank 1 and connecting to a breather and a connecting tube 6 joining to a bottom area of the oil tank 1. An air guide tube which is open at both ends is arranged in the upper area of the oil tank 1, with the air guide tube 3 protruding into the breather outlet tube 2 and extending into a middle area of the oil tank 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Angst
  • Patent number: 8230880
    Abstract: An arrangement for drawing fluid from a sump (10), comprising a pump (24), a draft tube (12) extending from the pump (24), into the sump (10), said draft tube (12) having an opening within the sump (10) and a canopy defined by roof and side walls surrounding said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kirloskar Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Ramesh Kumar Srivastava, Jagadish Trimbak Kshirsagar, Shyam Narayan Shukla
  • Patent number: 8201578
    Abstract: An oil pan includes a bottom portion, a side wall portion standing upward form an edge portion of the bottom portion, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjusting wall structure standing upward from substantially the central portion of the bottom portion and formed, to an inner peripheral portion thereof, with a lubricating oil amount adjusting passage which communicates with an external portion, the lubricating oil amount adjusting wall having a lubricating oil drain port formed to a lower portion thereof, a cylindrical lubricating oil adjusting plug assembled detachably to the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage so that the lubricating oil adjusting plug closes the lubricating oil drain port, the lubricating oil amount adjusting plug being formed with a communication port communicating with the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage, and a drain plug fitted detachably to the communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Roki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takenori Suzuki, Yosuke Hio
  • Patent number: 8196963
    Abstract: A fuel tank trailer includes a fuel tank defining a first containment region, a trailer having a bed supporting the fuel tank, and a secondary containment wall surrounding the fuel tank on the trailer providing an open second containment region for collection of any fuel leaking from the first containment region of the fuel tank and that is open for visual inspection to detect leakage of the fuel from the first containment region of the tank. The height of the secondary containment wall is sufficiently high to contain substantially an entire content of the fuel tank within a third combined containment region defined by the first and second containment regions and sufficiently low so as to permit visual inspection of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Western Environmental, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Bachman
  • Patent number: 8191568
    Abstract: A fuel tank capable of attaching functional parts and tubes in an interior thereof. In a fuel tank for a motor vehicle, which is formed by blow molding for attachment of a built-in part in an interior thereof, and of which an outer wall composed of a synthetic resin has an opening, a functional part adapted to discharge fluid from the interior of the fuel tank or feed fluid therein is attached to the built-in part, a tube adapted to discharge fluid from the interior of the fuel tank or feed fluid therein is connected to the functional part, and a tube connector is attached to an end of the tube. A temporal holding connector is formed integrally with the built-in part, the tube connector is attached to the temporal holding connector, and after blow molding, the tube connector is detached from the temporal holding connector and is attached to a tank cap adapted to close the opening of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., FTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiharu Takeuchi, Norihiro Yamada, Hideyuki Tsuzuki, Tomohide Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120111432
    Abstract: An aircraft potable water system (20) comprises outlet facilities (30) and a recirculation path (40) that supplies potable water thereto. The system (20) can operate in a high-usage condition whereat recirculation through path (40) is temporarily interrupted, thereby permitting supply water pressure to remain relatively high despite water being quickly tapped therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Harr, Martin Lei, Bryan J. Mackulin
  • Publication number: 20120111414
    Abstract: One or more turbulent jet flows of fluid are discharged from inlet nozzles communicating with an inlet pipe to mix fluid in a reservoir, such as a water storage tank. The turbulent jet flows are directed to reach the surface of the fluid already existing in the reservoir. A horizontally disposed outlet section includes low loss contraction nozzles distributed throughout a lower portion of the reservoir to induce draining from all areas of the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: LANDMARK STRUCTURES I, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas Lamon
  • Patent number: 8151818
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic system, with an operating reservoir that accepts the hydraulic fluid provided for the operation of the hydraulic system and an auxiliary reservoir connected to the operating reservoir over a hydraulic line for intermediate storage of hydraulic fluid withdrawn from the operating reservoir. According to the invention, an air pump is available that is connected on the one hand on its low pressure side to a suction line that ends in a fluid free area of the auxiliary reservoir, so that a negative pressure can be built up in the auxiliary reservoir as against the external atmospheric pressure, and that is connected, on the other hand, to a control line that is provided with a control opening that is covered by the hydraulic fluid in the operating reservoir at least before the air pump is put into operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Wiens, Helmut Schaefer, Christian Brueser, Harm-Hendrik Lange
  • Patent number: 8123169
    Abstract: A vertical non-bladdered fuel tank for a ducted fan vehicle comprising: a pod that releasably connects to a core vehicle of a ducted fan vehicle, a vertical fuel tank contained by the pod, wherein the vertical fuel tank is centered between the fore and aft sides of the pod, an outlet in a floor of the vertical fuel tank located adjacent to a sidewall on the fore side of the vertical fuel tank, wherein the outlet is coupled to a draw tube contained by the core vehicle, and a pressure release vent located at the highlight of the pod's duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Ross Collette
  • Patent number: 8091722
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel draw and return system including a plate, a first fuel tube secured to the plate, and a second fuel tube secured to the plate, wherein the first and second fuel tubes are secured to one another and to the plate to define a triangular shaped connection configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 8074819
    Abstract: A multi-chamber reservoir includes an upper and a lower body welded into unitary reservoir. A pressure relief device is interposed between a pressure chamber and the overflow chamber of the reservoir. A snap-in siphon tube is mounted into the reservoir and includes an orientation feature enforcing a desired alignment. A snap lock feature retentively mounts the siphon tube in alignment during reservoir welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: David J. Dexter, David Hewkin
  • Patent number: 8019577
    Abstract: A method for modeling turbidite channels which may contain oil that it is desired to extract is provided in which the final shape of the complex resulting from migration of elementary channels over the course of deposition and which is observable from seismic data is combined with the implementation of simple geometric rules, comprising simulation of one or several intermediate channels passing through points on trajectories running from a final channel to an initial channel. The trajectories involved are different from the channel axes or lines; they reflect channel migration over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Labourdette
  • Publication number: 20110203786
    Abstract: A waste water heat transfer system for actively transferring heat from waste water to incoming potable water to assist in heating the potable water. The system generally includes a holding tank for receiving wastewater, a heat transfer unit having a refrigeration system and a fluidly connected coaxial heat exchanger, wherein the coaxial heat exchanger receives warmed refrigerant that absorbs heat from the wastewater while travelling through the refrigeration system, a potable water inlet in fluid communication with the coaxial heat exchanger to circulate the potable water within the coaxial heat exchanger and absorb heat from the warmed refrigerant, a buffer tank to receive the warmed potable water from the coaxial heat exchanger, and a hot water heater to receive the warmed potable water from the buffer tank as needed. A controller circuit is used to activate and deactivate the heat transfer unit according to parameters, such as water temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Brandon Darnell, Colin Wunder, Lyle Darnell
  • Patent number: 7975869
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a baffle plate mounted under the upper part of the fuel tank to form a predetermined distance between the baffle plate and the fuel tank bottom. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, a baffle plate having an upper plate in which a penetration hole is formed and a side wall integrally formed at an edge of the upper plate. A bracket mounts the fuel tank and the baffle plate, wherein, the upper plate and the side wall of the baffle plate are mounted to the fuel tank and have a predetermined distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Hwa Park
  • Patent number: 7959741
    Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior surfaces of a fuel storage tank. The first step of the method is to extract a material sample from the bottom of the fuel tank to determine how thoroughly the tank must be cleaned. The clean fuel is then removed from the tank and is stored in a holding tank. Loose and liquid contaminants are then vacuumed out of the tank. Next, a self-propelled spray nozzle, a sprayer tube, and a rotating spray nozzle, each of which is connected to a pressurized water supply line, are successively lowered into the fuel tank and are used to scour the various interior surfaces of the tank with pressurized water while wash water and loosened contaminants are simultaneously vacuumed out of the tank. The interior of the tank is then dried, and the clean fuel stored in the holding tank is pumped back into the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Ted Joseph Green
  • Patent number: 7896121
    Abstract: An automotive fuel tank storage system includes a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle and a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid. A distribution system connected with the barrier fluid tank and with the fuel storage tank distributes barrier fluid about the outer periphery of the fuel contained within the storage tank in the event of a collision event, creating a boundary layer of more viscous fluid which inhibits exfiltration of the fuel from the fuel storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Joseph Dierker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7854288
    Abstract: An automotive fuel storage system includes a fuel storage tank and a binder fluid tank containing a supply of binder fluid. A mixer system connected with the binder fluid tank and the fluid storage tank mixes binder fluid throughout fuel contained within the storage tank, so as to increase the bulk viscosity of the fuel stored within the tank restricting the ability of the fuel to flow from the tank in the event of a collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Thompson, Joseph Dierker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7828004
    Abstract: In a method for the storage of chemical products in a container (1), the product is stored in the pertinent device in the liquid state with a temperature above its melting temperature and remains there at a lower environmental temperature, in an at least partly rigidified state until it is removed from storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Uwe Rohde