Importance

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Abstract

An aboveground tank auto-limiter is provided for preventing the overflow of fluid via storage tanks. The auto-limiter includes a valve assembly insertable downward through the top of a fill pipe of the fuel storage tank. The valve assembly has a cylindrical valve housing providing a fluid flank passage directing fuel downward into the storage tank under pressure. A hollow cylindrical float is provided in the valve assembly and is coaxially mounted along the outside surface of the valve housing leading into the storage tank. The float moves vertically to slide freely along the upper portion of the valve housing with the fluctuation of the fuel level within the tank. A series of linkage assemblies communicates the cylindrical float to a poppet located downstream from the float, wherein the float is upstream from the poppet. The poppet is seated in the closed position. A bleed valve disposed in the valve assembly above the poppet valve functions independently from the linkage assemblies and the poppet to allow a certain amount of excess fuel that is captured within the valve housing when the fluid flow passageway is closed to bleed into the storage tank when pressure in the valve assembly is released.

First Claim