FORM-CODED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK FILLING PORT

Abstract

A form-coded collar assembly that is configured to be attached around a filling pipe extending into an underground fuel storage tank and comprises a radial lip defining an opening at its open end, and a system having a plurality of such form-coded collar assemblies. The collar assembly has a base plate with a hollow center comprising a greater footprint than the filling pipe; a form-coded collar that corresponds to a substance contained within the underground storage tank; and a sidewall extending between a user-facing surfaces of said base plate and said form-coded collar.

Claims

1. A form-coded collar assembly (28) configured to be attached around a filling pipe (12) extending into an underground fuel storage tank (4) and comprising a radial lip (6) defining an opening (2) at its open end, said collar assembly (28) comprising: a base plate (14) with a hollow center comprising a greater footprint than the filling pipe (12); a form-coded collar (10) that corresponds to a substance contained within the underground storage tank (4); and a sidewall (8) extending between a user-facing surfaces of said base plate (14) and said form-coded collar (10); wherein the collar assembly (28) is formed for attachment around a filling pipe (12), without obstructing the radial lip (6) of said filling pipe (12).

2. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, further comprising angular reinforcing elements (16) fixedly connected to the base plate (14) and the outside of the sidewall (8), wherein the sidewall extends substantially perpendicularly to and between said user-facing surfaces of said base plate (14) and said form-coded collar (10).

3. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, further comprising leak detection sensors (18) insertable into the sidewall (8) to detect fill levels.

4. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, wherein the base plate (14) includes at least one weep hole (20).

5. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, wherein the form-coded collar assembly (28) comprises two segments configured to be connected by a fastener.

6. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, wherein the sidewall (8) is the outer surface of the form-coded collar (10).

7. The form-coded collar assembly (28) of claim 1, wherein the sidewall (8) has differing dimensions from the form-coded collar (10) and the base plate (14).

8. A form-coding system configured for use with a plurality of storage tank filling ports (1) having a plurality of filling pipes (12) extending into an underground fuel storage tank (4) and comprising radial lips (6) defining an opening (2) at its open end, said system, comprising: a plurality of form-coded collar assemblies (28), each form-coded collar assembly (28) comprising: a base plate (14) with a hollow center comprising a greater footprint than the filling pipe (12); a form-coded collar (10) that corresponds to a substance contained within the underground storage tank (4); and a sidewall (8) extending between a user-facing surfaces of said base plate (14) and said form-coded collar (10), wherein the collar assembly (28) is formed for attachment around a filling pip (12), without obstructing the radial lip (6) of said filling pipe (12), wherein at least two of said form-coded collar assemblies (28) include form-coded collars (10) that differ in shape with respect to each other; and wherein each one of form-coded collar (10) of different shapes corresponds to a different grade or type of fuel.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein each form-coded collar (10) further comprises a respective distinguishing color correlating to the respective form-coded collars.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein filling ports (1) include at least one additional identifier other than form or color to distinguish tanks (4) containing petroleum from tanks (4) containing diesel.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising a spill bucket (24) encompassing the storage tank filling port (1).

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the base of the spill bucket comprises at least one pressure release lid (22) connecting the underground fuel storage tank (4) with the inside of the spill bucket (24).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of different varieties of form-coded collar assemblies according to the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an exemplary filling port with a circular collar and overflow prevention provisions.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a schematic configuration of neighboring filling pipe outlets common in the art.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a configuration of neighboring underground fuel storage tanks common in the art.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the interior of a filling port according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, the invention includes a form-coded collar assembly 28 including a base plate 14, angular reinforcement elements 16, and at least one sidewall 8. The form-coded collar 10 can be formed in unique shapes to distinguish between the contents of a specific tank 4. Such shapes could for example be a circle, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, or a hexagon. In the embodiment of claim 1, each shape could correspond to a different type or grade of fuel. In some embodiments, the form-coded collars 10 could additionally be color-coded to aid in distinguishing between filling ports 1. Additionally, the form-coded collars 10 could include an engraving to provide further indication of the correct tank 4 to fill.

[0026] In one embodiment, the collar assembly 28 can include two or more discrete segments which can be connected by fasteners or by other means to comprise the whole. The fasteners could for instance be inserted through the form-coded collars 10 on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the filling pipe 12, thus connecting the discrete segments without interfering with the operation of the filling port 1 One advantage of such a construction is the ease of installation on existing filling pipes 12, as a snug fit around the filling pipe 12 can simply be achieved.

[0027] FIG. 2 displays a close-up view of the filling port 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. At the top of the filling port 1 is an opening defined by the circumference of the filling pipe 12. Such a top includes a radial lip 6 extending from the opening to the form-coded collar 10 wrapped around the filling pipe 12. In this embodiment, the form-coded collar 10 has a circular shape. In other embodiments this could be any shape that helps to distinguish between underground storage tank contents. Further, the form-coded collar 10 can also be color-coded to provide further identification to an operator. Connected to form-coded collar 10 is a sidewall 8 extending downward to an intersecting base plate 14. One or more angular reinforcing elements 16 are disposed at the intersecting planes between the sidewall 8 and the base plate 14, extending radially outward a being attached to the sidewall 8 and the base plate 14, e.g. by welding or integrally formed therewith. In some embodiments, the sidewall 8 may be the sidewall of the filling pipe 12. Additionally, weep holes 20 may be disposed near the intersecting planes between the base plate 14 and the sidewalls 8 to alert an operator of imminent overflow of the tank, but also have the function of releasing spills into the spill bucket from which they can eventually drain back into the tank. Additionally, leak detection sensors in form of liquid sensors 18 may be placed in the sidewall 8 to provide an operator information on the fill level of the underground storage tank 4, generating further warning to possible overflow. These leak detection sensors may be design as a simple mechanical device like the one that is not shown inserted in FIG. 2, or as an electronic sensor capable of transmitting a signal like for instance a radiofrequency signal (RF), as demonstrated by the liquid sensor 18 shown screwed into the form-coded collar 10. In some embodiments, the liquid sensors 18 may be configured to trigger an alert or warning signal when a certain threshold has been reached.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows what the filling ports 1 currently look like to the operators filling the fuel storage tanks 4. Currently, particularly at gas stations laid out on a smaller footprint of land, underground fuel storage tanks 4 and their corresponding filling ports 1 are located substantially proximate to each other. Additionally, no form-coding is employed to aid the operator in distinguishing between the contents of the tanks.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows the underground fuel storage tanks 4 corresponding to the filling ports 1 shown in FIG. 3. It is common practice for the fuel storage tanks 4 to be buried adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, the tanks corresponding to different grades or types of fuel are not always arranged in the same manner from one gas station to another.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary view of an underground fuel storage tank 4 with a spill bucket 24 including a filling port 1 according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, a fill pipe 12 extends into an underground fuel storage tank 4. A removable fill opening cover 26 level with the ground surface covers the filling port 1. A form-coded collar 10 surrounds the filling pipe 12 near the top of the pipe 12. A spill bucket 24, which extends into the underground fuel storage tank 4 encapsulates the entirety of the filling port 1. At the base of the spill bucket 24, pressure release lids 22 release pressure from the underground storage tank 4 and may open to release spilled fuel into the underground storage tank. The filling pipe 12 can for example comprise galvanized steel, which is particularly advantageous for its corrosion-resistant properties.

[0031] In one embodiment, the sidewall 8 includes dimensions defining an area that differs from both the form-coded collar 10 and the base plate 14. This sidewall 8 can for example be fixedly connected to the form-coded collar 10 and the base plate 14 or can be secured by other means such as by a fastener. In an alternate embodiment, the sidewall 8 can be defined by the form-coded collar 10, and accordingly can include identical dimensions and shape as the collar 10.

[0032] The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced into further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, although not every Figure may repeat each and every feature that has been shown in another Figure in order to not obscure certain features or overwhelmed Figure with repetitive indicia. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific methodology, devices, apparatuses, materials, applications, etc., described herein, as these may vary. This also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] Filling port 1 [0034] Opening 2 [0035] Fuel storage tank 4 [0036] Radial lip 6 [0037] Sidewall 8 [0038] Form-coded collar 10 [0039] Filling Pipe 12 [0040] Base plate 14 [0041] Angular reinforcing element 16 [0042] Sensor 18 [0043] Weep holes 20 [0044] Pressure release lid 22 [0045] Spill bucket 24 [0046] Fill opening cover 26 [0047] Form-coded collar assembly 28