Vertical storage unit for dispensing a fuel additive

Abstract

This invention is a vertical fluid storage system with an upper container connected to a lower container. A fill port can be used to fill the upper container wherein the top fill hose is in fluid communications with the upper container. A first top valve in line with the top fill hose can be included to or controlling the flow rate of fluid into the upper container from the fill port. A top fluid level sensor can be included in the upper container for sensing the fluid level of the upper container. A gravity port included in the upper container can allow fluid to flow from the upper container to the lower container either during filling or when fluid is removed from the lower container. A dispensing port can be included in the lower container for dispending fluid from the lower container through gravity of a pump.

Claims

1. A vertical fluid storage system comprising: a first upper container connected to a first lower container and configured to allow DEF to flow from the first upper container to the first lower container; a second upper container connected to a second lower container and configured to allow DEF to flow from the second upper container to the second lower container; a fill port connected to a top fill hose to transfer DEF from the fill port to the first upper container and the second upper container wherein the top fill hose is connected to the first upper container and the second upper container; a first top valve in line with the top fill hose for controlling a first flow rate of DEF into the first upper container and a second top valve in line with the top fill hose for controlling a second flow rate of DEF into the second upper container; a first top fluid level sensor carried by the first upper container for sensing the DEF level of the first upper container and a second top fluid level sensor carried by the second upper container for sensing the DEF level of the second upper container; a first gravity port defined in the first upper container connected to a first gravity hose attached to the first lower container so that DEF can flow from the first upper container to the first lower container allowing the first lower container to be filled from DEF in the first upper container; a second gravity port defined in the second upper container connected to a second gravity hose attached to the second lower container so that DEF can flow from the second upper container to the second lower container allowing the second lower container to be filled from DEF in the second upper container; a controller connected to the first top valve, first top fluid level sensor, second top valve and second top fluid sensor so that when the first top fluid level sensor determines that the first upper container has a predetermined fluid level, the first top valve is closed preventing overfilling of the first upper container and when the second top fluid level sensor determines that the second upper container has a predetermined fluid level, the second top valve is closed preventing overfilling of the second upper container; a first dispensing port included in the first lower container; a second dispensing port included in the second lower container; a pump attached to the first dispensing port and the second dispensing port and a dispensing hose attached between the first dispensing port and second dispensing port and the pump; and, a nozzle attached to the pump by a first dispensing hose attached between the nozzle and the pump so that fluid can be pumped from the first and second lower containers.

2. The system of claim 1 including: a first lower fluid level sensor connected to the controller; and, a first lower valve in line with the first gravity hose and connected to the controller so that when the first lower fluid level sensor detects a predetermined DEF level of the first lower container, the first lower valve is closed and DEF entering the fill port is stored in the first upper container.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes an electrical junction for receiving power from an external source and supplying power to the controller, the first top valve, the second top valve, and top fluid level indicator.

4. The system of claim 1 including a snorkel connected to the first dispensing port and contained within the first lower container so that DEF can be removed from the first lower container.

5. The system of claim 1 including a first pressure relief valve included in the first upper container.

6. The system of claim 1 including a first lower cage for containing the first lower container.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein a pump is removabley carried by the first lower cage.

8. A vertical fluid storage system comprising: an upper container connected to a first lower container and a second lower container; a fill port connected to a top fill hose to transfer DEF from the fill port to the upper container wherein the top fill hose is connected to the upper container; a first top valve in line with the top fill hose for controlling a flow rate of DEF into the upper container; a top fluid level sensor carried by the upper container for sensing the DEF level of the upper container; a first gravity port defined in the upper container connected to a first gravity hose attached to the first lower container and a second gravity hose attached to the second lower container so that DEF can flow from the upper container to the first lower container and the second lower container allowing the first lower container and the second lower container to be filled from DEF in the upper container; a controller connected to the first top valve, second top valve and top fluid level sensor so that when the first top fluid level sensor determines that the first upper container has a predetermined DEF level, the first top valve is closed preventing overfilling of the first upper container; a first dispensing port included in the first lower container; and, a second dispensing port included in the second lower container.

9. The system of claim 8 including: a pump connected to the first dispensing port and the second dispensing port; and, a nozzle attached to the pump so that DEF can be pumped out of the first and second lower containers.

10. The system of claim 8 including: a first lower fluid level sensor for detecting DEF levels of the first lower container and connected to the controller; a second lower fluid level sensor for detecting DEF levels of the second lower container and connected to the controller; a first lower valve in line with the first gravity hose and connected to the controller so that when the first lower fluid level sensor detects a predetermined DEF level of the first lower container, the first lower valve is closed and DEF entering the fill port is stored in the upper container; and, a second lower valve in line with the second gravity hose and connected to the controller so that when the second lower fluid level sensor detects a predetermined DEF level of the second lower container, the second lower valve is closed and DEF entering the fill port is stored in the upper container.

11. The system of claim 8 including a pressure relief valve included in the upper container.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the controller includes an electrical junction for receiving power from an external source and supplying power to the controller, the first top valve and top fluid level indicator.

13. The system of claim 8 including a spacer disposed between the upper container and the first lower container defining an access area for receiving the controller.

14. The system of claim 8 including a first lower cage for containing the first lower container.

15. The system of claim 14 including: a pump connected to the first dispensing port and the second dispensing port and removably mounted on the first lower cage; and, a nozzle attached to the pump so that DEF can be pumped out of the first lower container and second lower container.

16. A vertical fluid storage system comprising: an upper container connected to a lower container configured to allow DEF to flow from the upper container to the lower container; a fill port connected to a top fill hose to transfer DEF from the fill port to the upper container wherein the top fill hose is connected to the upper container; a first top valve in line with the top fill hose for controlling a flow rate of DEF into the upper container; a top fluid level sensor carried by the upper container for sensing the DEF level of the upper container; a gravity port defined in the upper container and connected to a gravity hose attached to the lower container so that DEF can flow from the upper container to the lower container allowing the lower container to be filled with DEF in the upper container; a controller connected to the first top valve and top fluid level sensor so that when the first top fluid level sensor determines that the upper container has a predetermined DEF level, the first top valve is closed preventing overfilling of the upper container; and, a dispensing port included in the lower container for dispending DEF from the lower container.

17. The system of claim 16 including a lower fluid level sensor for detecting DEF levels of the lower container and connected to the controller.

18. The system of claim 17 including a lower valve in line with the gravity hose and connected to the controller so that when the lower fluid level sensor detects a predetermined DEF level of the lower container, the lower valve is closed and DEF entering the fill port is stored in the upper container.

19. The system of claim 16 including: a pump connected to the dispensing port disposed on top of the lower container for dispending DEF from the lower container; a snorkel connected to the dispensing port so that DEF can be removed from the lower container; and, a nozzle attached to the pump so that DEF can be pumped out of the lower container.

20. The system of 16 wherein the controller includes an electrical junction for receiving power from an external source and supplying power to the controller, first top valve, top fluid level sensor, and a pump.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of various components of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of various components of the invention;

(4) FIGS. 3A through 3C are front views of various components of the invention, and,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of various components of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) Referring to FIG. 1, a lower storage assembly 10 is shown having a lower container 12 and a lower cage 14 that receives the lower container. A lower drain assembly 16 is attached to the lower container. The lower drain assembly can include an outlet, valve and handle. A lower base 18 can be included with the lower storage assembly to support the lower storage assembly and to provide sufficient clearance for the lower drain assembly. A lower fill port 20 receives a nozzle or other apparatus to receive fluid from an external source such as another bulk container, mobile source or portable source. When fluid is received by the lower fill valve, the fluid is directed by a routing hose 22 to top fill hose 24. The top fill hose can be connected to a top fill hose port 25. The routing hose 22 includes a swivel 26 allowing the first section 22a of the routing hose to rotate about the second section 22b of the routing hose. When installing or otherwise manipulating the routing hose, the swivel allows the first section to be secured to the lower fill port by a threaded assembly so that when the first section is rotateably attached to the lower fill port, the hose does not kink or otherwise deform undesirably. Further, since the first section rotates independently of the second section, threading the first section on the lower fill port would not disconnect the second section from the top fill hose.

(7) The top fill hose is attached to the top fill inlet 28 of the upper container 32. The top fill inlet can include a pressure relief assembly to prevent overfilling or over pressurizing. In one embodiment, a pressure relief valve 30 is included in the top of the upper container. When fluid is received by the lower fill valve, the fluid is under pressure so that the fluid is forced into the top fill hose and into the upper container. The fluid then is gravity fed into the upper outlet 42 and into the attached gravity hose 44 so that the fluid is delivered into the lower container through gravity port 46. The gravity port can include a fill valve or intake valve 48 that shuts off the gravity port once the lower container reaches a predetermined volume. In one embodiment, the fill valve is a float valve 50.

(8) In operation, fluid is delivered to the lower fill port, travels through the routing hose into the top fill hose, fills the upper container, is gravity fed into the upper outlet and into the gravity hose and into the lower container. When the lower container is at a predetermined level, such as nearly full, the fill valve closes and the fluid can no longer flow through the gravity hose. Therefore, the upper container begins to fill. When the upper container is full, pressure in the routing hose increases which can be detected by a fill nozzle and the nozzle can automatically shut off. In one embodiment, the containers are transparent or semi-transparent allowing the operator to see the fluid level in the containers.

(9) An upper cage 34 can be included to receive the upper container. The upper container and the lower container can be carried by a spacer 36 that is disposed between the two containers. The spacer defines an access area 38 allowing access to the lower fill valve, lower outlet 40 that can be connected to dispensing valve 62 and other components of the invention.

(10) The lower outlet can include a snorkel 52 so that fluid can be removed from the lower container. The distal end 54 of the snorkel can include a resilient section 56 allowing the snorkel to contact the bottom of the container without permanent deformation. Extensions 58 can be included in the distal end so that if the distal end of the snorkel contacts the bottom of the container, fluid can still flow between the extensions. Opening 60 can be included in the distal end to allow fluid to flow into the snorkel even when the snorkel is contacting the bottom of the container.

(11) Referring to FIG. 2, the fluid enters the lower container at path 64 and travels through routing hose 22 along path 66. The fluid travels upward through the top fill hose along path 68 and into the top fill inlet. The fluid enters the upper container at 70 and drops to the bottom of the container. The fluid enters the upper outlet and travels through gravity hose 44 along path 72. The fluid then encounters the fill valve and if the fill valve is closed, the fluid will accumulate in the upper container. If the fill valve is open, the fluid will accumulate in the lower container.

(12) In one embodiment, a pump 80 can be attached to a pump plate 82 so that the pump and pump plate are removably attached to the lower cage. Nozzle 84 is connected to the pump to dispense fluid from the container. A first dispensing hose 88 connects the nozzle to the pump. In one embodiment, the nozzle is a DEF nozzle. A second dispensing hose 90 is connected between the pump and a dispensing coupling 92. The pump can be powered by an external power source connected to the pump by the power cables and power cable clamps. In one embodiment, the pump can be contained within a pump housing that can be attached to the pump plate. The pump plate can include a pump bracket 95 that can be used to hang the pump plate on the lower cage. The pump housing 94 can include a nozzle carrier 96 for supporting the nozzle when the nozzle is not in use.

(13) Referring to FIG. 3A, the lower storage assembly includes a lower drain assembly 16 allowing fluid to be removed from the lower container 12. A lower cage 14 receives the lower container. Spacer 36 includes an access area 38 and is disposed between the lower container and upper cage 34 and upper container 32. In operation, fluid from an external source such as tank, truck tanker and the like, can be attached to a fill port 100. The external source is then in fluid communications with the fill port. The fill port can be attached to the spacer or otherwise carried by a frame 102. The fill port can be disposed generally below the upper container and generally above the lower container for ease of access. The frame can include the spacer, upper cage, lower cage or any combination thereof. When fluid enters the fill port, it travels in the top fill hose 24 and is directed from the fill port to the upper container. The top fill hose is connected to a top fill outlet 28 allowing fluid from the fill port to enter the upper container. A top valve 104 can be in line with the top fill hose and can control the flow of liquid into the upper container. The top valve can be in electronic communications with controller 106 that can both receive information from the top valve, transmit information to the top valve, and power the top valve. The controller can control the flow rate of fluid into the upper container by actuating the top valve so that only a certain flow rate is accomplished. A top fluid level sensor 108 can determine the fluid level of the upper container and transmit the information to the controller. The controller can have computer readable instructions that can determine when the top fluid level sensor detects a fluid level of the upper container and can close the top valve to prevent overfilling of the upper container. When the top fluid level sensor detects that the fluid is at a predetermined level, the top valve can be closed.

(14) Referring to FIG. 3B, a first upper container 200 can be in connection with a first lower container 202 to allow DEF fluid to flow from the first upper container to the first lower container. A second upper container 204 can be in connection with a second lower container 206 to allow DEF fluid to flow from the second upper container to the second lower container. A fill port 208 can be connected to a top fill hose 210. When fluid enters the fill port, it travels in the top fill hose 210 and is directed from the fill port to the first and second upper containers. A first top valve 212 can be in line with the top fill hose for controlling a first flow rate of DEF fluid into the first upper container and a second top valve 214 in line with the top fill hose for controlling a second flow rate of DEF fluid into the second upper container. A first top fluid level sensor 216 can determine the fluid level of the first upper container and transmit the information to the controller. A second top fluid level sensor 218 can determine the fluid level of the second upper container and transmit the information to the controller. A first gravity port 220 can be defined in the first upper container and connected to a first gravity hose 222 attached to the first lower container so that DEF fluid can flow from the first upper container to the first lower container allowing the first lower container to be filled with DEF fluid from the first upper container. A second gravity port 224 can be defined in the second upper container and connected to a second gravity hose 226 attached to the second lower container so that DEF fluid can flow from the second upper container to the second lower container allowing the second lower container to be filled with DEF fluid from the second upper container. A first dispensing port 228 can be included in the first lower container and a second dispensing port 230 can be included in the second lower container. A first lower fluid level sensor 232 attached to the first lower container can be connected to the controller. A first lower valve 234 can be in line with the first gravity hose and connected to the controller so that when the first lower fluid level sensor detects a predetermined DEF fluid level of the first lower container, the first lower valve is closed and DEF fluid entering the fill port is stored in the first upper container. A first pressure relief valve 236 can be included in the first upper container. A first lower cage 238 can contain the first lower container. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3C, one of the upper containers can be connected by hoses 222 and 240 to the first lower container 202 and the second lower container 206 allowing DEF fluid to flow into the lower containers.

(15) The upper container can include a gravity port connected to a gravity hose 44 allowing fluid to flow from the upper container into the lower container. A lower valve 110 can be in line with the gravity hose and determine the flow rate of fluid from the upper container into the lower container. A lower fluid level sensor 112 can determine if the fluid level of the lower container reaches a certain level and close the lower valve to prevent overfilling of the lower container. When the lower fluid level sensor determines that the fluid level of the lower container is at a predetermined level, the lower valve can be closed. The predetermined levels of fluid can be determined based upon expansion due to temperature to prevent over pressure, maximum volume of containers, clearance level for the various components attached to container and the like. When the lower container valve is closed, fluid entering the fill port that is transferred to the upper container fills the upper container. The flow rate of the lower valve can be larger than the flow rate of the top valve to assist in preventing the overfilling of the upper container. When fluid is removed from the lower container, the lower fluid level sensor can transmit the fluid level to the controller and the lower valve can be actuated by the controller to allow fluid to flow from the upper container to the lower container. In one embodiment, the lower valve can remain open so that when fluid is pumped out of the lower container, the fluid in the upper container is transferred to the lower container.

(16) Referring to FIG. 4, the lower containers are shown with their upper containers removed. One or more lower containers can include an upper container. In this embodiment, a first assembly of a lower container and upper container can be connected to a second assembly of the lower container and an upper container to form multiple vertical storage assemblies. The lower container can include a lower hose connector 118 that connects the second dispensing hose 90 attached to the pump 80 to a first dispensing routing hose 90a to a second dispensing routing hose 90b so that fluid is drawn from the first lower container 12a and the second lower container 12b without the need for two pumps. The first dispensing coupling 92a is connected to the first dispensing routing hose and the second dispensing coupling 92b is connected to the second routing dispensing hose. For the upper containers, an upper hose connecter can be used to split and connect the top fill hose to two or more upper containers so that when the fill port receives fluid, it is transferred to two or more upper containers.

(17) The controller can include relays that are connected to the top valve, top fluid level indicator, lower valve and lower fluid level indicator. An external power connector can be used to provide power to the controller at power junction which can in turn power the pump, top valve, top fluid level indicator, lower valve and lower fluid level indicator.

(18) While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(19) Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction and should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction or should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as and/or unless expressly stated otherwise.

(20) Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to, or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.