Abstract:
A gas storage tank control valve system is presented. A valve controlling motor is electrically connected to a switch that is installed in a convenient location. Upon activation, the motor rotates the storage tank valve. An indicator visibly displays whether the liquid propane storage tank valve is open or closed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a storage tank control valve system, and in particular, to operation of a barbeque unit liquid propane storage tank valve. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Liquid propane is a versatile and widely used fuel. It is distributed and stored under pressure in tanks When released from the tank into atmospheric conditions the liquid propane becomes gaseous and is thereafter ignited to produce flame and heat. 
         [0003]    Often the storage tank is placed in a location not conveniently accessible. For example, in a liquid propane fueled barbeque unit the storage tank is typically located underneath the cooking surface requiring bending and reaching to access the tank&#39;s valve. The difficulty of physically accessing the tank valve is further compounded for people with physical disabilities such as chronic back pain. Furthermore, because the liquid propane storage tank is typically located out of view it is not uncommon to forget to close the tank valve, creating the potential for wasted loss of propane from the tank with resulting environmental harm. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved liquid propane storage tank valve management designs. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The storage tank control valve system enables the automated opening and closing of a liquid propane storage tank valve through the use of a control switch electrically connected to an actuator physically coupled to the liquid propane storage tank valve and/or to an auxiliary valve that is controlling the storage tank gas flow. 
         [0006]    Optionally, the control switch is also connected to an indicator, for example, a light displayed on a main control panel of the barbecue unit, which indicates the state of the liquid propane storage tank valve. 
         [0007]    One advantage of mounting the control switch in an easy to access location is that it provides convenience, negating the difficulty of having to manually reach for the liquid propane storage tank valve. 
         [0008]    Another advantage of having the control switch and optional indicator mounted in plain view is that it increases the likelihood of remembering to close the liquid propane storage tank valve when not in use. 
         [0009]    Yet another advantage is the ability to easily open and close a liquid propane storage tank valve fueling, for example, a barbecue unit. 
         [0010]    Still another advantage is that once installed, the present invention negates the need to directly physically access the liquid propane storage tank valve. 
         [0011]    Other features and advantages of the storage tank control valve system will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the storage tank control valve system. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the storage tank control valve system, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the storage tank control valve system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a first embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the storage tank control valve system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a first embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a planar section view at A of  FIG. 3  of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a first embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a second embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a planar section view at B of  FIG. 5  of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a second embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a planar section view at C of  FIG. 5  of the storage tank control valve system in accordance with a second embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the storage tank control valve system on a barbeque unit. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the barbeque unit of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Other features and advantages of the storage tank control valve system will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principles of the storage tank control valve system. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    As required, detailed embodiments of the storage tank control valve system are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the storage tank control valve system. Where possible, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts in the several alternative embodiments. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4  illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the storage tank control valve system.  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  illustrate a second preferred embodiment. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a housing  1  is fabricated to rotationally restrictively engage the top of a storage tank, for example, a liquid propane storage tank  9 . In the first preferred embodiment the housing  1  rotationally restrictive conformation is achieved by housing extension  32  fabricated to removably rotationally restrictively engage storage tank collar  34 . 
         [0026]    A motor  4  is mounted to the housing  1 , for example, through mounting orifices  40 , and comprises an adapter engagement member  22 , for example, comprising an extended shaft  56  positioned in the same operative rotational axis as a liquid propane storage tank valve  50 . Knob  24  controls valve  50 . Preferably, the motor  4  is mounted to the housing exterior surface  20  with adapter engagement member  22  extending through a housing orifice  26  to operatively engage an adapter  2 . 
         [0027]    Optionally, housing  1  comprises a pocket  42  to contain, preferably removably contain, a battery pack  5 . Battery pack  5  powers motor  4 . Motor cap  3  is attached, preferably removably attached, to housing  1  by, for example, utilizing raised pockets  28  to removably receive flanges  30 . Motor cap  3  is, for example, a cylinder that is open on one end and closed on the other end. The length and diameter of the motor cap  3  are sized to fit over the motor  4  with the flanges  30  fabricated at the open end. 
         [0028]    Adapter  2  comprises, for example, a round disc that has a pocket  36  fabricated to intimately receive and operatively engage the liquid propane storage tank valve  52 , for example through knob  24 , and has a center orifice  38  which operatively mates with the adapter engagement member  22  thereby operatively transmitting motor torque to the valve knob  24 . 
         [0029]    The electrically driven motor  4  rotates the adapter engagement member  22  with effective torque to rotate the liquid propane storage tank valve knob  24 . The motor  4  is electrically connected through wiring harness  8  to battery pack  5 . Although in the preferred embodiment the battery pack  5  is contained within pocket  42 , it is also contemplated that battery pack  5  is not restricted to that location. It is further contemplated that the motor  4  may receive its power from any known power source, for example, a plug connection to an electrical outlet, or from solar panels (not shown). 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a motor control, for example, a switch  6  is electrically connected through the wire harness  8  to the battery pack  5 , the motor  4  and an optional indicator  7 , for example, an indicator light to display a predetermined valve knob  24  status. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5-7 , in a second embodiment the housing  1  is fabricated to interface with the valve fittings  50  of the liquid propane storage tank  9 , conforming to the shape for stability and as an anti-rotation device. The housing  1  rests on the valve fitting  50 , rather than extending out to rest on the collar portion  34  of the propane tank  9  as in the first embodiment. In all other respects, the embodiments are similar. 
         [0032]    In use the housing  1  is rotationally restrictively attached to the top of the propane tank  9  with the adapter  2  oriented so that it operatively engages the propane tank valve knob  24 . The adapter  2  transmits torque from the motor  4  to the propane tank valve knob  24  to rotate the propane tank valve knob  24  open and closed. The battery pack  5  provides power to the motor  4 . The control switch  6  causes the motor  4  to rotate forward, reverse or stop. The indicator light  7  illuminates when the motor  4  rotates the tank valve knob  24  open and turns off when the motor  4  rotates in reverse to close the propane tank valve knob  24 . The motor cap  3  is placed over the motor  4  for protection. The wiring harness  8  electrically connects the battery pack  5 , the motor  4 , the control switch  6  and optional indicator light  7 . 
         [0033]    Preferably the control switch  6  and indicator light  7  are remotely mounted from the motor  4 , for example, onto a control panel  60  of the barbecue unit. In the preferred embodiments the control switch  6  is a spring toggle having  3  positions, forward, center, and reverse. In the forward position the motor  4  rotates and opens the tank valve knob  24 . Releasing the control switch  6  will result in a return to the center position and deactivation of the motor  4 . Pressing the control switch  6  in the reverse position will cause the motor  4  to rotate in the opposite direction thereby closing the tank valve knob  24 . Releasing the control switch  6  will again return it to the center position and deactivate the motor  4 . 
         [0034]    It is further contemplated that the housing  1  and adapter  2  can be fabricated to operatively engage other types of gas pressure vessels in order to provide the same functionality, that is to remotely control the opening and closing of a tank valve. Variations could include, but are not limited to, adding one or more additional controlled external valves. 
         [0035]    The component parts may be fabricated from plastic or any other effectively rigid and strong material. Optionally, the indicator  7  can be electrically connected to a relay (not shown) so that it illuminates when the motor  4  rotates one direction, and turns off when it rotates in the opposite direction. 
         [0036]    The storage tank control valve system may be adapted to an existing barbecue unit or integrated with the manufacturing of a new barbecue unit. 
         [0037]    Although the storage tank control valve system has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of rather than in any way limiting on the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims.