Patent ID: 7523962
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. A subterranean fuel storage tank assembly for use in a petroleum forecourt installation used in the petroleum industry, comprising; a subterranean fuel storage tank of the type having a manhole chamber with a generally planar manhole chamber wall having opposite sides and a fuel conveying pipework in fluid communication with the fuel storage tank including at least one fuel pipe extending into the chamber through an opening in the chamber wall, through the chamber and out of the chamber so that fuel is not released into the manhole chamber; and a rigid fitting in said chamber wall for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the opening in the chamber wall and a fuel pipe of the pipework passing through said opening to seal against water from leaking into the manhole chamber to seek to maintain the manhole chamber substantially free of water, comprising: (i) a tubular sleeve adapted to allow the pipe to pass through the sleeve; (ii) a flange having opposite sides and extending radially outwardly from the sleeve and positioned relative thereto so that the tubular sleeve extends from at least one side of said flange, and one of said sides of said flange having a generally planar first surface configured and positioned to directly contact one side of the chamber wall around substantially the whole circumference of the opening; and (iii) an energy transfer means comprising conduction means for conducting an electric current, said conduction means in use being heated by the current, to cause said heating of the first surface of said flange, said energy transfer means being situated adjacent to the first surface of the flange and being adapted to heat the first surface of the flange in order to form a substantially fluid tight seal between one side of said chamber wall and the flange by causing the wall and the flange to bond together.