OVERFILL PROTECTION MEANS

Abstract

An overfill protection means for storing liquefied gases in a tank container, comprising a housing into which the filling line runs for filling the tank container, a closure which is arranged so as to be movable between a closing position preventing filling and an open position releasing filling, and a float, which float is coupled to a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism is movable by the float between an engaged position and a release position depending on the liquid level in the tank container, wherein, in the engaged position, the trigger mechanism engages the closure and keeps the closure in the open position, while being supported on the housing, and wherein, in the release position, the trigger mechanism releases the closure, whereby the closure is movable into the closing position by the flowing liquefied gas.

Claims

1. An overfill protection means in a tank container (102) for storing liquefied gases, comprising an essentially tubular housing which is arranged in a tank interior of the tank container or projects into the tank interior and into which a filling line runs, wherein the overfill protection means for flowing liquefied gas forms a filling path between the filling line and the tank interior, a closure which is arranged so as to be movable reciprocally between a closing position shutting off the filling path and an open position releasing the filling path, and a float floating in the tank interior with an immersion depth depending on a liquid level of the stored gas, and at least one trigger mechanism upon which the float acts, wherein the trigger mechanism is movable between an engaged position and a release position triggered by the float depending on the liquid level, wherein, in the engaged position, the trigger mechanism engages the closure and keeps the closure in the open position, while being supported on the housing, and wherein, in the release position, the trigger mechanism releases the closure, whereby the closure is movable into the closing position by the flowing liquefied gas, characterized in that the overfill protection means comprises at least one actuating element and that the trigger mechanism is formed by at least one locking element, with the float acting upon the at least one locking element via the at least one actuating element, that a guide is formed on the outer lateral surface of the housing and that the at least one actuating element is formed by a tube piece, the tube piece, which is put over the housing and guided by the guide, acting upon the at least one locking element with a changing contour of its inner lateral surface.

2. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a valve seat and the closure is designed in the form of a valve and has a counterseat surface, wherein, when the closure is in the closing position, the valve seat and the counterseat surface sealingly abut against each other because of a pressure prevailing in the filling line.

3. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein that the closure has at least one fill opening, wherein, in the open position, the at least one fill opening is part of the filling path, and that the at least one fill opening is closed by moving the closure into the closing position.

4. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the closure has at least one indentation, wherein the trigger mechanism engages the indentation of the closure when the closure is in the open position.

5. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element is formed by balls or pins.

6. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the tube piece comprises catch elements, wherein the float displaces the catch elements formed on the tube piece between a position outside of the filling path and a position in the filling path depending on the liquid level.

7. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an upper stopper and a lower stopper, wherein at least one of the float or the tube piece rests on the lower stopper due to gravity or spring force when the at least one locking element is in the engaged position, and wherein at least one of the float or the tube piece abuts against the upper stopper when the at least one locking element is in the release position.

8. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, wherein the float has a torus-shaped design.

9. An overfill protection means according to claim 1, comprising a tank coupling, which tank coupling connects the filling line to the housing during filling and which tank coupling ensures fast shut-off and connection of the filling line, wherein the tank coupling sealingly shuts off the tank container from the environment outside of the tank container when the filling line is shut off, characterized in that the closure has a relief bore, wherein a cavity is formed within the housing between the tank coupling and the closure when the closure is in the closing position and the filling line is shut off and wherein said cavity communicates with the tank container via the relief bore.

10. An overfill protection means in a tank container for storing liquefied gases, comprising an essentially tubular housing which is arranged in a tank interior of the tank container or projects into the tank interior and into which a filling line runs, wherein the overfill protection means for flowing liquefied gas forms a filling path between the filling line and the tank interior, a closure which is arranged so as to be movable reciprocally between a closing position shutting off the filling path and an open position releasing the filling path, and a float floating in the tank interior with an immersion depth depending on a liquid level of the stored gas, and at least one trigger mechanism to which the float is coupled, wherein the trigger mechanism is movable between an engaged position and a release position triggered by the float depending on the liquid level, wherein, in the engaged position, the trigger mechanism engages the closure and keeps the closure in the open position, while being supported on the housing, and wherein, in the release position, the trigger mechanism releases the closure, whereby the closure is movable into the closing position by the flowing liquefied gas, characterized in that the overfill protection means comprises at least one actuating element and that the trigger mechanism is formed by at least one locking element, wherein the at least one locking element is coupled to the float via the at least one actuating element, with the at least one actuating element acting upon the at least one locking element, wherein the at least one actuating element is formed by at least one lever, wherein the at least one lever acts upon the at least one locking element in a gravity-loaded or spring-loaded manner, and wherein the float is displaceable relative to the lever.

11. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the at least one lever forms a lower stopper, with the float resting on said lower stopper due to gravity or spring force when the at least one locking element is in the engaged position.

12. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the housing has a valve seat and the closure is designed in the form of a valve and has a counterseat surface, wherein, when the closure is in the closing position, the valve seat and the counterseat surface sealingly abut against each other because of a pressure prevailing in the filling line.

13. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the closure has at least one fill opening, wherein, in the open position, the at least one fill opening is part of the filling path, and that the at least one fill opening is closed by moving the closure into the closing position.

14. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the closure has at least one indentation, wherein the trigger mechanism engages the indentation of the closure when the closure is in the open position.

15. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the at least one locking element is formed by balls or pins.

16. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, wherein the float has a torus-shaped design.

17. An overfill protection means according to claim 10, comprising a tank coupling, which tank coupling connects the filling line to the housing during filling and which tank coupling ensures fast shut-off and connection of the filling line, wherein the tank coupling sealingly shuts off the tank container from the environment outside of the tank container when the filling line is shut off, characterized in that the closure has a relief bore, wherein a cavity is formed within the housing between the tank coupling and the closure when the closure is in the closing position and the filling line is shut off and wherein said cavity communicates with the tank container via the relief bore.

18. An overfill protection means according to claim 4, wherein the at least one indentation comprises a groove.

19. An overfill protection means according to claim 14, wherein the at least one indentation comprises a groove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further advantageous embodiments of the overfill protection means according to the invention are illustrated in further detail by way of example hereinbelow with reference to the figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section, comprising an actuating element which is formed by a tube piece, wherein the closure is in an open position releasing the filling path and the trigger mechanism is in an engaged position.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section according to FIG. 1, wherein the closure is in a closing position shutting off the filling path and wherein the trigger mechanism is in a release position.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section, wherein the actuating elements are formed by levers.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section, wherein the actuating elements are formed by levers.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section, comprising an actuating element which is formed by a tube piece comprising catch elements, wherein the closure is in an open position releasing the filling path and the trigger mechanism is in an engaged position.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment variant of the overfill protection means according to the invention in a vertical section according to FIG. 5, wherein the closure is in a closing position shutting off the filling path and the trigger mechanism is in the release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first embodiment variant according to the invention of an overfill protection means 101 in a tank container 102, comprising a tubular housing 103, which tubular housing 103 has an inlet opening 104 at one end and an outlet opening 105 at its other end. In the inlet opening 104, a female thread 106 is formed into which a tubular spacer 107 is screwed. A filling line, which is not illustrated, can be coupled to the spacer 107 for fill-up or, respectively, for supplying, for example, a liquefied gas by means of a tank coupling, which is not illustrated. Furthermore, exemptions 108 are formed on the spacer 107. Adjacent to the outlet opening 105, a valve guide 109 is formed within the tubular housing 103, the valve guide having approximately the same diameter as the outlet opening 105. A shoulder formed by the different diameters of the valve guide 109 and the inlet opening 104 within the tubular housing 103 is configured as a valve seat 110. In the area of the valve guide 109, recesses 111 for locking elements, which, in the illustrated embodiment variant, are designed as balls 112, are provided in the tubular housing 103, preferably spaced apart equally. In this embodiment variant, the balls 112 thus form the trigger mechanism and can be displaced between an engaged position and a release position. Depending on the intended use of the overfill protection means 101, different numbers of balls 112 may be used. For example, it is useful to use more balls 112 for liquids of high density than for liquids of lower density. It may also be advantageous, depending on the intended use, to use balls 112 made of different materials. In the embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the balls 112 are preferably made of aluminium the surface of which is polished so as to ensure the best possible sliding properties. In the valve guide 109 of the tubular housing 103, a valve-shaped closure 113 is movably mounted coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the tubular housing 103. The valve-shaped closure 113 comprises a valve plate 114 and a valve stem 115, with a blind hole 116 being formed in the valve stem 115 coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the closure 113. On the lateral surface of the valve stem 115, fill openings 117 are formed which are connected to the blind hole 116. Furthermore, a rounded groove 118 is formed on the lateral surface of the valve stem 115. At the level of the valve guide 109, the outer lateral surface of the tubular housing 103 serves as a guide 119 for an actuating element which is formed by a tube piece 120 which has a varying contour 121 on its inner lateral surface. The tube piece 120 is attached to the tubular housing 103 in an axially movable manner, whereby the axial range of motion is limited by an upper stopper 122 and a lower stopper 123. A torus-shaped float 124 is coupled to the tube piece 120. Advantageously, the design of the tube piece 120 is as light-weight as possible, whereby less force is required for shifting it axially along the tubular housing 103. Consequently and because of the good machinability, the tube piece 120 is preferably made of aluminium.

[0027] In the embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the overfill protection means 101 is arranged vertically in the tank container 102. If the liquid level is below the trigger level, the tube piece 120 rests on the lower stopper 123 due to gravity, and the balls 112 are pushed by the tube piece 120 into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113 the trigger mechanism is in the engaged position. As the trigger level, the liquid level is defined which arises when the maximum envisaged filling capacity of the tank container 103 is reached. When the filling process is started, the liquefied gas flows along a filling path 126 into the tank container 102, whereas the balls 112 located in the engaged position engage the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113 and keep the latter in an open position releasing the filling path 126 against a force generated by a filling pressure of the liquefied gas and acting upon the valve plate 114, while being supported on the tubular housing 103. The filling path 126 is formed by the flowing liquid which, during filling, flows into the tank container 102 through the tank coupling, which is not illustrated, the spacer 107, the exemptions 108 in the spacer 107, the fill openings 117 of the closure 113, the blind hole 116 of the closure 113 and the outlet opening 105. The filling path 126 is indicated by line 126 in FIG. 1. If the liquid level reaches the trigger level, the float 124 and thus the tube piece 120 are lifted. As a result, the balls 112 release the closure 113 due to the changing contour 121 of the inner lateral surface of the tube piece 120, whereby the balls 112 are pushed outwardly by the closure 113 which has been flung into a closing position shutting off the filling path 126the trigger mechanism is in the release position. In this regard, see FIG. 2. The valve seat 110 in the tubular housing 103 and a counterseat surface 125 formed correspondingly on the closure 113 sealingly abut on each other in the closing position and thus close the filling path 126 and stop the filling process. If the liquid supply to the overfill protection means 101 is interrupted, the filling pressure decreases and the closure 113 falls due to gravity on a side surface 127 of the spacer 107 and into the open position releasing the filling path 126. When another filling attempt is made, the closure 113 is immediately flung back into the closing position due to the filling pressure, and the filling process is again stopped. Only after an appropriate removal of an amount of liquefied gas from the tank container 102 which decreases the liquid level, the float 124 lowers itself and hence the tube piece 120 so that the tube piece 120 again rests on the lower stopper 123, whereby the balls 112 are again pushed into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113. As a result, the closure 113 is kept again in the open position releasing the filling path 126, and the filling process can be restarted.

[0028] According to a further embodiment variant, the closure 113 is moved into the open position releasing the filling path 126 due to a spring force, after the liquid supply to the overfill protection means 101 has been interrupted.

[0029] According to a further embodiment variant, the tube piece 120 rests on the lower stopper 123 by means of a spring force, at a liquid level below the trigger level.

[0030] According to a further embodiment variant, a relief bore 128 is formed in the valve plate 114, the relief bore being connected to the blind hole 116. In order to prevent leakage currents and to ensure abrupt closing, the diameter of the relief bore 128 is advantageously very small. The relief bore 128 prevents liquefied gas from being trapped between the closure 113 located in the closing position and the tank coupling, which is not illustrated, if the filling line is closed. Instead of the relief bore 128, an overpressure valve might be provided.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment variant according to the invention of an overfill protection means 301 in a tank container 102. In contrast to the embodiment variant illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the at least one actuating element is formed by several levers 320 in this embodiment variant. The levers 320 are rotatably mounted to the upper stopper 322 and, via a knob 329, press down on the locking elements, which are configured as balls 112 also in this embodiment variant.

[0032] If the liquid level is below the trigger level, the torus-shaped float 124 rests on the levers 320 due to gravity, whereas the torus-shaped float 124 keeps the balls 112 in the engaged position due to the geometry of the levers 320, whereby the closure 113 is kept in the open position releasing the filling path 126. Depending on the intended use of the overfill protection means 301, different numbers of balls 112 and levers 320 may be used, wherein, as illustrated in FIG. 3, one lever 320 at a time together with its knob 329 advantageously pushes one ball 112, respectively, into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113. In this embodiment variant, the levers 320 also form the lower stopper 323 for the float 124. If the liquid level in the tank container 102 reaches the trigger level, the float 124 is lifted by the liquid level. The float 124 thus releases the levers 320, whereby the balls 112 are no longer pushed into the rounded groove 118, and the closure 113 is released. The closure 113 is flung into the closing position, and the filling process is stopped. By elements not illustrated, the balls 112 can be prevented from falling out. If the liquid supply to the overfill protection means 301 is stopped, the filling pressure decreases and the closure 113 falls due to gravity on a side surface 127 of the spacer 107 and into the open position releasing the filling path 126. If the liquid level has fallen once more because of the removal of a sufficient amount of liquefied gas, the float 124 will again rest on the levers 320, whereby the balls 112 are pushed back into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113 located in the open position.

[0033] According to a further embodiment variant, the closure 113 has a shorter valve stem 115, whereby the closure 113 is kept in the open position by means of the upper edge 130, while being supported on the balls 112. The balls 112 are thereby protected against falling into the tubular housing 103 by recesses 111 which converge slightly toward the inside in a conical fashion.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment variant according the invention of an overfill protection means 401 in a tank container 102. In contrast to the embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 3, the balls 112 are pushed into the rounded groove 118 by the weight of the levers 420 at a liquid level below the trigger level, whereby the balls 112 are located in the engaged position and the closure 113 is kept in the open position releasing the filling path 126. Also in this variant, the levers 420 are supported on the upper stopper 422 and act upon the balls 112 by means of knobs 429 attached to the levers 420.

[0035] If the liquid level is below the trigger level, the float 124 rests on the lower stoppers 423 due to gravity. In this embodiment variant, the lower stopper 423 is configured as a ring which is firmly connected to the housing 103. The weight of the levers 420 pushes the balls 112 into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113 according to the lever principle, thus keeping the latter in the open position releasing the filling path 126. Upon reaching the trigger level, the float 124 lifts the levers 420, whereby, in turn, the closure 113 is released by the balls 112 and flings into the closing position. By means of an upper stopper, which is not illustrated, the path of the float 124 can be given an upper limit, and/or the balls 112 can be prevented from falling out of the tubular housing 103. If the liquid supply to the overfill protection means 401 is interrupted, the filling pressure decreases and the closure 113 falls due to gravity on a side surface 127 of the spacer 107 and into the open position releasing the filling path 126. If, as a result of the removal of a sufficient amount of liquefied gas, the liquid level has fallen again to such an extent that the float 124 no longer presses against the levers 420, the weight of the levers 420 pushes the balls 112 back into the rounded groove 118 of the closure 113 located in the open position, whereby said closure is held.

[0036] According to a further embodiment variant, the lower stopper 423 is formed by several rods distributed at equal intervals around the tubular housing 103, wherein one rod at a time is connected to one lever 420, respectively. As a result, the advantage is obtained that the weight acting upon the balls 112 for keeping the closure 113 in the open position according to the lever principle is increased, since the weights of the lower stopper 423 and the float 124 are added to the weight of the levers 420. This embodiment variant is suitable especially for inflowing liquid streams of high density in large amounts.

[0037] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment variant according to the invention of an overfill protection means 501 in a tank container 102. In contrast to the embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in said embodiment variant, the actuating element formed as a tube piece 520 is not moved axially along the guide 119 by means of the float 124, but by means of catch elements 131 rotatably mounted to the tube piece 520. In this connection, the catch elements 131 are configured such that they are displaceable by the float 124 between a position in the filling path 126 and a position outside of the filling path 126. In this embodiment variant, the lower stopper 523 is formed by a ring firmly connected to the housing 103 and by a shaft shoulder on the housing 103, with the shaft shoulder serving as a lower stopper 523 for the tube piece 520 and the ring serving as a lower stopper 523 for the float.

[0038] Upon reaching the trigger level and thus the maximum capacity, the float 124 moves the catch elements 131 into the filling path (shown in the right half of the image of FIG. 5). The catch elements 131 are caught by the liquefied gas flowing into the tank container 102 and fold into the centre of the outlet opening 105, where they meet and virtually form a catching screen behind the outlet opening 105 (illustrated in FIG. 6). By means of the pressure prevailing in the flowing liquefied gas, the catching screen is moved upwards, and, therewith, the tube piece 520 coupled to the catching screen, whereby the balls 112 release the closure 113 due to the changing contour 521 of the inner lateral surface of the tube piece 520. The closure 113 is flung into the closing position by the flowing liquefied gas, and fill-up is stopped. Since the filling path 126 is interrupted, the catch elements 131 fold back as a result of gravity and rest on the float 124 floating on the liquid. If the liquid supply to the overfill protection means 501 is interrupted, the filling pressure decreases and the closure 113 falls due to gravity on a side surface 127 of the spacer 107 and into the open position releasing the filling path 126. As a result of gravity, also the tube piece 120 slides downwards, whereby the balls 112 are pushed back into the rounded groove 118. Since the catch elements 131 are still in the filling path 126 because of the high liquid level, a new filling attempt would lift the tube piece 520 once more, thus releasing the closure 113, whereby re-filling is prevented. Only if, as a result of the removal of a sufficient amount of liquefied gas, the liquid level has again fallen to such an extent that the catch elements 131 slide into a position outside of the liquid path 126 due to their own weight, the tank container 102 can be re-filled.

[0039] According to a further embodiment variant, the catch elements 131 are displaced by means of a spring force back into a position adjacent to the float 124, if the filling path 126 is interrupted, and further into a position outside of the filling path 126, if the float 124 sinks down.

[0040] According to a further embodiment variant, the tube piece 520 is displaced by means of a spring force into a position in which the tube piece 520 rests on the lower stopper 523, if the closure is in the open position releasing the filling path 126.

[0041] The embodiment variants illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 can be combined with each other.