Dover Corporation

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.

David R Pendleton

James E Kesterman

Paul B Anderson

Kristopher A Kane

Donald L Leininger

Paul H Siegel

Lawerence L Blasch

Charles A Sunderhaus

John Joseph Matracia

Drop tube segments are provided. Each drop tube segment may be attached to another drop tube segment of a drop tube assembly. The drop tube segments include a wall with a fastener receiving structure that is devoid of any opening extending between inner and outer surfaces of the wall. Methods of making a drop tube assembly are also provided. The methods include the step of inserting a second end portion of a first conduit over a first end portion of a second conduit while edges of an aperture extend radially outwardly away from an outer surface of a first wall of the first conduit.

Drop tube segments adapted for use with a liquid reservoir and methods

A drop tube segment includes a conduit with a first end portion and a second end portion. The drop tube segment further comprises a valve assembly with a valve member associated with the first end portion, a float, and a linkage device pivotally connected with respect to the valve member. The linkage device is adapted for communication with the float such that the float may facilitate in adjusting the position of the valve member with respect to the first end portion of the conduit in response to a liquid level in a liquid reservoir. The drop tube segment further includes a fastening section located at the second end portion of the conduit for fluid tight fastening with an end portion of another drop tube segment. The fastening section comprises a sealing surface and a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded portion of another drop tube segment. The drop tube segment still further includes a sealing member that engages the sealing surface of the fastening section and is adapted to engage a sealing surface of another drop tube segment.

Drop tube segments adapted for use with a liquid reservoir

Drop tube inserts and apparatus adapted for use with a riser pipe of a liquid reservoir are provided. Apparatus include a drop tube insert at least partially disposed within an end portion of a drop tube. The drop tube insert includes a wall with inner and outer surfaces wherein the wall of the drop tube insert is devoid of any opening extending between its inner and outer surfaces.

Drop tube inserts and apparatus adapted for use with a riser pipe

A fuel fluid communication assembly cooperates with a reservoir configured to contain fuel fluids, and includes a spill restrictor that may act as a secondary containment system and which is configured to restrict leakage to the environment of any liquid fuel present in the interior of the spill restrictor. The fuel fluid communication assembly has a first hollow body with an inwardly facing surface, a restrictor end and a reservoir end. The fuel fluid communication assembly may also have a second hollow body having an outwardly facing surface. The second hollow body is received telescopingly within at least the reservoir end of the first hollow body. The inwardly facing surface of the first hollow body and the outwardly facing surface of the second hollow body define an interstitial space. The fuel fluid communication assembly further has an interstitial space seal.

Apparatus and method for minimizing vapor loss

An adjustable, compact and stable sump stabilizer bar is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stabilizer bar may be made from a continuous material and the bar may be unitary in form. The stabilizer bar may include a substantially planar and continuous plate, and is configured to adjustably mount components, such as shear valves, to the stabilizer bar. Tabs extend substantially perpendicular to, and in generally opposite directions from, the plate. The tabs are configured to adjustably secure the stabilizer bar to the mounting struts in a sump. A shear valve may be adjustably and stably mounted to a sump using the stabilizer bar in close-to-side-wall pipe entry applications without interference from stabilizer bar components or parts.

Sump stabilizer bar

A container such as a sump having a bottom, at least one wall extending upwardly from the bottom, and a flange connected to the at least one wall and projecting therefrom. The flange preferably has apertures extending partially into the interior portion of the flange from its exterior surface. The flange provides structural rigidity to the container and prevents irregularities from being formed in the walls during manufacture. Preferably, the container is a sump having four lower walls, four upper walls integrally connected to the lower walls by the flange, and four entrance walls integrally connected to the upper walls and defining a mouth for receiving fluids. The flange preferably has an upper surface having upper apertures and a lower surface having lower apertures that are axially aligned with the upper apertures. Pins may utilized during manufacture of the sump by rotational molding to form apertures within the flange and aid in preventing irregularities from being formed.

Reinforcing flange for underground sump

A dispenser sump which includes a deflection surface and a distribution channel for distributing liquids about the interior periphery of the sump to allow insertion of fluid removal apparatus along any wall of the sump. The sump also provides increased structural rigidity to support backfill surrounding the sump and to maintain shape integrity.

Dispenser sump

A unitary sump frame made from a continuous material is disclosed. A substantially planar and continuous flange has an inner perimeter defining an opening in the frame and an outer perimeter. A lip is integrally connected to the flange and extends downwardly from the flange. The lip includes a securing mechanism that is operative to attach a component to the frame. A lug is integrally connected to the lip and extends away from the opening. The lug is operative for anchoring the frame.

Unitary sump frame

An improved control valve for a holding tank is provided for cutting off the flow of fluid into a holding tank device in response to achieving a predetermined fluid level in the holding tank. The assembly includes a housing configured for placement adjacent a spill container. The housing has an upper inlet and a lower outlet and a flow passage therebetween having a diameter of which is substantially constant along its longitudinal length. A valve poppet is situated within the flow passage and is axially rotatable between a substantially vertical, open position, that allows for the flow of fluid through the flow passage, and a closed position substantially blocking fluid flow through the flow passage when the holding tank has reached a predetermined level of fluid.

Storage tank shut-off valve

A breakaway unit which is adapted to be mounted in series flow relation with a fuel nozzle. The breakaway unit comprises a flex section which assures an axial transmission of forces to a valve section which is separated when a vehicle drives away from a dispensing unit with the nozzle lodged in its fuel tank. The valve section comprises inlet and outlet couplers and means for releasable locking the couplers in an assembled relation. These means comprise fingers which are flexed outwardly when a separating force exceeds a predetermined value. Garter springs embrace the fingers to accurately control at which the couplers will separate. The fingers engage angularly spaced lugs which permit the fingers to be telescoped therebetween and then rotated to a locking position to facilitate reassembly of the couplers with a minimum of effort. Alternate embodiments of the invention disclose other forms of spring means for accurately controlling the force at which the couplers will separate. Also disclosed are alternate constructions which minimize the effort required for reassembly.

Fuel hose breakaway unit

A drop tube/adapter unit, mounted on the riser pipe of a fuel storage tank, defines a fuel inlet path and an annular vapor return path during a loading operation. A vapor valve, provided in the vapor return path, prevents escape of vapors when a loading operation is not taking place. The drop tube is mounted for universally pivotal movement relative to a vapor valve member thereon, so that the vapor valve will reliably close, if the riser tube is out of plumb. A spring urges the drop tube, valve member to a closed position through a spring support. A stop means engages the spring support and precompress this spring, with the spring support positioned to facilitate its attachment to the adapter. The spring support is attached to the adapter by a threaded connection, comprising a threaded portion at the lower end of the adapter. This threaded portion is interrupted by a recess which positions a ring for sealing the adapter to the upper end of the riser pipe, when the adapter is threaded onto the riser pipe. A fixed angular relation between the adapter and the drop tube is achieved through the use of a locator ring to obtain a desired disposition of an drop tube overfill valve.

Growing community of inventors

Fairfield, OH, United States of America

David R Pendleton