Patent ID: 7267322

Claim:
A vessel assembly, comprising: a vessel having a sidewall defining a cavity containing a fluid; a valve assembly supported by the sidewall of the vessel and extending into the cavity of the vessel, the valve assembly, comprising: a barrel having an outer barrel, the barrel having a wall defining a chamber, the wall having at least one opening; and a valve member having an inner barrel threaded for receiving a sensor assembly, the threaded inner barrel having a wall having at least one opening therein, the valve member movable between a closed position and an open position wherein, when the valve member is positioned in the open position, the at least one opening in the wall of the inner barrel is aligned with and in fluid connection with the at least one opening in the wall of the outer barrel whereby fluid is permitted to flow into the chamber, and when the valve member is positioned in the closed position, the at least one opening in the wall of the inner barrel of the valve member is aligned with the wall of the barrel whereby fluid is prevented from flowing into the chamber.