A gravity-fed fuel delivery system is provided. A central storage tank holds fuel to re-supply a number of pump trucks or other mechanized equipment, such as on a hydraulic fracturing location, and can be selectively raised or lowered. Hoses or other conduits extend from the central storage tank to individual fuel tanks of the equipment to be refueled. Adapters allow connection of the distal end of each hose or conduit to an inlet opening of a fuel tank. A float valve assembly senses when fuel inside an individual fuel tank is below a predetermined level, thereby mechanically opening a valve assembly to permit fluid to flow from the central storage tank, through a conduit, through the float valve assembly and into the fuel tank.

A testable overfill prevention valve (TOPV) for a liquid storage container. The TOPV allows an individual to readily verify the operability of the TOPV. Preferably, a test member of directly contacts a portion of a latch to release a flow control member so that the flow control member can move from an open position to a closed position wherein in the closed position liquid is generally prevented from flowing out the TOPV. The test member preferably directly contacts the flow control member to move the control member to an intermediate position between open and closed positions allowing an individual looking down into the TOPV to see that the flow control member has moved sufficiently to confirm operability of the TOPV. Preferably, the test member is spring biased to a non-testing position and the entire test member is disposed in the housing of the TOPV when in a testing position.

An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.

An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.

A testable overfill prevention valve (TOPV) for a liquid storage container. The TOPV allows an individual to readily verify the operability of the TOPV. Preferably, a test member of directly contacts a portion of a latch to release a flow control member so that the flow control member can move from an open position to a closed position wherein in the closed position liquid is generally prevented from flowing out the TOPV. The test member preferably directly contacts the flow control member to move the control member to an intermediate position between open and closed positions allowing an individual looking down into the TOPV to see that the flow control member has moved sufficiently to confirm operability of the TOPV. Preferably, the test member is spring biased to a non-testing position and the entire test member is disposed in the housing of the TOPV when in a testing position.

The present invention relates broadly and separately to a flow control valve and a float control valve assembly for use in the refilling of storage vessels, particularly fuel tanks. The invention also relates generally to a vessel overfill protection system. The flow control valve comprises a valve body defining a fluid passageway disposed between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a piston assembly located at least in part within the fluid passageway. The piston assembly includes a piston support to which a piston is slidably mounted for opening and closure of the fluid outlet. The piston support includes at least one fluid sampling passage arranged to provide pressurised fluid from the fluid inlet to an upstream surface of the piston which is urged for opening of the fluid outlet to permit flow of fluid through the fluid passageway. The float control valve assembly includes a float assembly body adapted to mount within a vessel to be filled with fluid via the flow control valve. The float control valve includes a pilot valve and a pilot control passage in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The pilot valve is operatively coupled to a float member for closure of the pilot control passage on flooding of the float housing to promote closure of the flow control valve.

A system and related method of filling tanks is provided so that tanks do not attain an overfill condition and/or so the tanks are filled to a maximum specified capacity. The system includes an adjustable float switch having a float configured to float in liquid that is filled into a trailer tanker, a mix tank, a frac tank, a storage tank and a variety of other tanks. The float can be set so that when the liquid attains a maximum level and associated volume, the float switch opens so that pressurized air can be communicated from it to a pneumatically actuated tanker valve disposed in a supply line. This shuts off the flow of liquid through the supply line and into the tank. The system can be operable in a various modes, such as a filling mode, a filled mode, a manual emergency shutoff mode and/or a manual reset mode.

A float probe configured to regulate fluid flow into a fluid container is disclosed. The float probe comprises an upper assembly having one or more outlets, a plurality of rods extending from the upper assembly to a lower assembly and a float assembly disposed between the upper assembly and the lower assembly. A first distal end of the rods is coupled to the upper assembly and a second distal end of the rods is coupled to the lower assembly. The rods extend along an outer surface of the float assembly and the float assembly is movable along the rods between a first position proximate to the upper assembly and a second position proximate to the lower assembly. The float assembly prevents fluid flow out of the outlets when disposed in the first position.

A system for delivering a fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a fluid tank is disclosed. An inlet of a manifold is fluidically coupled to a storage tank that contains the fluid to be delivered. A first distal end of a fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to an outlet of the manifold. A second distal end of the fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to the fluid tank. A primary valve is fluidically coupled to the fluid transporting mechanism and restricts fluid flow to the fluid tank when fluid level in the fluid tank reaches a first fluid level threshold. A secondary valve is fluidically coupled to the fluid transporting mechanism and restricts fluid flow to the fluid tank when fluid level in the fluid tank reaches a second fluid level threshold. The first fluid level threshold is lower than the second fluid level threshold.

There is disclosed a refueling system and method for simultaneously refueling the fuel tanks of multiple pieces of machinery in the field. In an embodiment, the system comprises a mobile tanker with at least one fuel supply tank configured to connect and supply a plurality of refueling hoses. Each refueling hose has an upstream end connected to a supply line from the at least one fuel supply tank. At a downstream end, each refueling hose terminates at a mechanical open-close valve which is adapted to be inserted within each receiving fuel tank being refueled. The mechanical open-close valve is suitably shaped and sized to provide a clearance fit within the neck diameter of each receiving fuel tank being refueled, and has a buoyant body for mechanically actuating the mechanical open-close valve.