SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING THE FORMATION OF FUEL VAPOUR

Abstract

The present invention provides a system (1) to prevent the formation of fuel vapors comprising a containment tank (10) and a variable volume tank (12) accommodatable within the containment tank (10), wherein the variable volume tank (12) is configured to receive liquid fuel. Our invention can be used in any tanks or reservoirs of liquid products that attack the ozone layer, preventing the formation of vapors that are extremely harmful to nature and the environment.

Claims

1. System (1) to prevent the formation of fuel vapors comprising: a containment tank (10); and a variable volume tank (12) accommodable within the containment tank (10); characterized by the fact that the variable volume tank (12) is configured to receive liquid fuel.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising at least one quick coupling type connection (14) attached to one end of the variable volume tank (12) to supply liquid fuel to the variable volume tank (12).

3. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising lifting handles (13) coupled to the containment tank (10).

4. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising inspection nozzles (11) coupled to the containment tank (10).

5. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising an inert gas line (16) coupled to the containment tank (10) configured to supply pressurized inert gas to the interior of the containment tank (10) externally to the variable volume tank (12).

6. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising a vacuum line (15) with a vacuum gauge, wherein the vacuum line (15) is configured to form a vacuum in the space between the interior of the containment tank (10) and the variable volume tank (12).

7. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the variable volume tank (12) comprises any one of a balloon, a diaphragm, a piston, and an accordion element.

8. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising any one of a plurality of plates (21), at least one element of elastic material (22) and a plurality of seals (23) coupled to the variable volume tank (12).

9. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising any one of a plurality of guides (19), a plunger (25) and a guide rod (26) coupled to the variable volume tank (12).

10. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising at least one ball valve (18) coupled to the containment tank (10).

11. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized as comprising a plurality of supports (20) coupled to the containment tank (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] FIG. 1Schematic views of a system to prevent the formation of fuel vapors(a) filling a balloon-type variable volume tank; (b) emptying the balloon-type variable volume tank;

[0015] FIG. 2Schematic view of the system to prevent the formation of fuel vapors in which the variable volume tank is diaphragm type;

[0016] FIG. 3Schematic view of the system to prevent the formation of fuel vapors where the variable volume tank is of the piston type;

[0017] FIG. 4Schematic view of the system to prevent the formation of fuel vapors in which the variable volume tank is a bellow-type element;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description will start from a preferred embodiment of the invention, applied to a system to prevent the formation of fuel vapors.

[0019] This invention shows a system for preventing the formation of fuel vapors comprising a containment tank and a variable volume tank that is accommodable inside the containment tank, wherein the variable volume tank is configured to receive liquid fuel.

[0020] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 1 for preventing the formation of fuel vapors. System 1 includes a containment tank 10 and a variable volume tank 12 which is accommodated inside the containment tank 10 and which receives liquid fuel therein.

[0021] FIG. 1(a) illustrates the filling operation of a variable volume tank 12 and FIG. 1(b) illustrates the emptying of the variable volume tank 12. The variable volume tank 12 is, for example, of balloon type and can be made of an inert and flexible polymeric material, which allows a satisfactory elongation and is mechanically resistant.

[0022] In this embodiment, the liquid fuel is supplied to the variable volume tank 12 by means of, at least, one quick-release coupling 14 coupled to one end of the variable volume tank 12. Additionally, system 1 includes lifting loops 13 that are attached to the containment tank 10 in order to facilitate its transport. System 1 also comprises inspection nozzles 11 coupled to the containment tank 10.

[0023] The containment tank 10 envelops the variable volume tank 12 and prevents any ruptures in the variable volume tank from causing leaks to the ground or air. In addition, the space between the interior of the containment tank and the variable volume tank 12 may include fuel vapor sensors and/or cameras for monitoring.

[0024] Preferably, system 1 comprises an inert gas line 16 coupled to the containment tank 10. The inert gas line 16 supplies pressurized inert gas to the interior of the containment tank 10 and externally to the variable volume tank 12. The inert gas is suitable for use in system 1 as it is non-reactive and non-combustible, and it helps to empty the tank.

[0025] System 1 may also include a vacuum line 15 comprising a vacuum gauge. The vacuum line 15 forms a vacuum in the space between the interior of the containment tank 10 and the variable volume tank 12, which facilitates the filling of the tank.

[0026] The variable volume tank 12 can be completely filled with liquid fuel and expands inside the containment tank 10, so that there is no space to be filled by any gaseous substance, be it fuel or air vapor or a combination of both.

[0027] As the inert gas and vacuum act on the external side of the variable volume tank 12, there is no contact between the gases and the liquid fuel and, therefore, system 1 prevents the formation of fuel vapors.

[0028] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates system 1 comprising a variable volume tank 12 of the diaphragm type. In this embodiment, system 1 includes a plurality of guides 19 coupled to the variable volume tank 12, by means of plates 21 attached to, at least, one element of elastic material 22. The guides 19 limit the movement of the variable volume tank 12 during filling and emptying of the tank with liquid fuel.

[0029] System 1 can also include at least one ball valve 18 coupled to the containment tank 10. In addition, system 1 may comprise a plurality of supports 20 coupled to the bottom side of the containment tank 10.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows schematically system 1 comprising a variable volume tank 12 of the piston type. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, system 1 includes a plunger 25 coupled to the variable volume tank 12. The variable volume tank 12 further includes a plurality of seals 23 to prevent leakage of liquid fuel.

[0031] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates system 1 including a variable volume tank 12 of a bellow-type element. In this embodiment, the system includes a guide rod 26 coupled to the variable volume tank 12 to guide the movement of the variable volume tank 12 when filling/emptying with liquid fuel.

[0032] System 1, when operated normally, prevents the formation of fuel vapors. The only way to form vapors inside the variable volume tank 12 would be due to the operator's failure during the coupling of the quick-release coupling 14.

[0033] This invention solves the technical problem of preventing the production of vapors from liquid fuels, mainly those of fossil origin, inside reservoirs. For this purpose, this invention uses a system 1 comprising a containment tank 10 and a variable volume tank 12 accommodable within the containment tank 10.

[0034] The variable volume tank 12 is filled with liquid fuel so that it does not have contact with any gaseous substance, thus preventing the formation of fuel vapors. Thus, the present invention is particularly advantageous as it inhibits the release of vapors into the atmosphere, reducing the attack on the ozone layer and contributing to reducing global warming.

[0035] In addition, by completely filling the variable volume tank 12 with liquid fuel, system 1 of this invention prevents the movement of this fuel inside the tank in transport situations by means of vehicles, such as tank trucks. In this way, the present invention avoids the displacement of the vehicles' center of gravity, improving their performance in curves and brakes.

[0036] Another advantage of system 1 of this invention is the possibility of not using fuel pumps and/or return systems in vehicles since system 1 works with controlled positive pressure. It also reinforces the fact that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations/embodiments described above.