Patent ID: 6223771
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: F17C,Y10T

Abstract:
An overfill prevention device for a liquefied gas tank having a tank volume and a multi-function valve assembly, the valve assembly enabling the tank to be filled with gas at a gas input flow rate, the overfill prevention device comprising:a) a partition within the liquefied gas tank, said partition defining an upper vapor space and a lower liquid space within the tank, said partition hermetically sealing said upper vapor space from said lower liquid space;b) a fill tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the fill tube extending through said partition, the distal end positioned in said lower liquid space, the proximal end in communication with the multi-function valve assembly; andc) an excess flow valve carried by said partition, said excess flow valve enabling therethrough an excess flow rate of gas;the tank capable of being filled with gas at the input flow rate through the multi-function valve assembly and said fill tube, the gas entering said lower liquid space of the tank through said fill tube; andgas from said lower liquid space being capable of flowing through said excess flow valve at the excess flow rate to said upper vapor space when said lower liquid space is full of gas, the excess flow rate being less than the input flow rate.