Patent ID: 7293578
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: F16K,F17C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A gauge assembly for an enclosed tank, the gauge assembly comprising: a port outside of the enclosed tank and in fluid communication with the inside of the tank and through which fluid flows into and out of the tank; an indicator positioned outside of the tank that provides an indication external to the tank of the fluid level in the tank; a stop fill assembly in fluid communication with the port and through which fluid enters the tank and leaves the tank, the stop fill assembly moveable between a normally open configuration allowing fluid to enter and exit the tank and a closed configuration wherein the stop fill assembly prevents additional fluid from entering the tank when the fluid level in the tank reaches a full level during a filling operation in which fluid enters the tank through the port, the stop fill assembly including: a vertical shaft extending downwardly from the stop fill assembly inside the elongate support member, the vertical shaft having upper and lower ends, the upper end of the vertical shaft having a connection for connecting the vertical shaft to the end of the lower shaft of the valve shuttle; a first gear affixed to the lower end of the vertical shaft; a float positioned in the tank remote from the elongate support member that moves in response to changes in fluid level in the tank and a float arm connected to the float, the float arm having proximate and distal end with the float being mounted on the distal end of the float arm away from the vertical shaft and first gear; a second gear affixed to the proximate end of the float arm and operably engaged to the first gear such that the float arm is rotatable around the lower end of the elongate support in response to changes in the fluid level in the tank, the second gear driving the first gear to rotate the vertical shaft which rotates the lower shaft, shuttle body and upper shaft and moving the release ribs into alignment with the release slots of the valve body when the fluid level in the tank reaches the full level such that pressure from fluid entering the tank forces the valve shuttle downward such that the release ribs translate longitudinally into the release slots and the shuttle body moves into the closed configuration with the lower surface of the valve shuttle contacting the seal surface of the valve body and closing the space to block fluid from flowing through the fill port and entering the tank; and a spring that biases the shuttle body toward the open position such that the stop fill assembly moves into the open configuration when fluid flow through the space and fill port and into the tank ceases, such that fluid can then be withdrawn from the tank through the stop fill assembly and the port.