Valving assembly for a liquid-containing tank

Claim 2

A valving assembly for a liquid-containing tank, comprising a housing generally divided into first and second axially extending passageways providing separate paths of communication between the inside and outside of the tank, the housing being formed to provide a first inwardly facing valve seat in the first passageway and a second axially outwardly facing valve seat in the second passageway, a first valve member positioned in the first passageway, a first spring for supporting the first valve member out of engagement with the first valve seat normally to open the first passageways when the tank is in an upright orientation, the first spring being calibrated to urge the first valve member into engagement with the first valve seat to close the first passageway when the tank is tilted downwardly to a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal plane, a second valve member positioned in the second passageway, and a second spring for yieldably urging the second valve member into engagement with the second valve seat normally to close the second passageway, the second spring being calibrated to provide movement of the second valve means out of engagement with the second valve seat when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined superatmospheric level.

Claim 3

The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second passageways extend in spaced parallel relationship to each other through the housing.

Claim 4

The apparaus as recited in claim 2 wherein the housing further includes a plurality of axially inner vent ports communicating with the passageways.

Claim 5

The apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising an outer shell having first and second outer vent ports, the housing being retained within the outer shell, the first and second passageways communicating, respectively, with the first and second outer vent ports to provide two separate paths of communication between the inside and outside of the tank.

Claim 6

The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising means for connecting the outer shell to an opening provided in the tank.

Claim 7

The apparaus as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing includes an axially extending, radially outer wall and at least one axially extending radially inner wall dividing the housing into the first and second passageways.

Claim 8

The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the housing is formed to provide a radially inwardly extending shoulder and a funnel-shaped member extending axially upward therefrom in the first passageway, the funnel-shaped member providing the first inwardly facing valve seat and a first axially outwardly opening vent port.

Claim 9

The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the first valve member is generally funnel-shaped and opens axially inwardly, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first valve member being generally less than the cross-sectional dimensions of the first passageway and the funnel-shaped member of the housing.

Claim 10

The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the first valve member includes an axially inwardly opening cup-shaped portion, a shoulder extending radially inwardly therefrom, an elongated neck extending axially upwardly from the shoulder, and a conical-shaped head for engaging the first valve seat.

Claim 11

The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the first spring is retained between the first valve member and a lower portion of the housing normally to support the first valve member out of engagement with the first valve seat.

Claim 12

The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the cup-shaped portion of the first valve includes a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart, axially extending slots.

Claim 13

The apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the housing is further formed to provide a second axially outwardly opening vent port and a radially inwardly extending shoulder in the second valve passageway, the shoulder providing the second axially outwardly facing valve seat.

Claim 14

The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the second spring is retained between the second valve member and an upper portion of the housing normally to yieldably urge the second valve member into engagement with the second valve seat.

Claim 15

A valving assembly for a liquid-containing tank, comprising a housing providing vent and valve passageways extending axially therethrough in spaced parallel relationship to each other, means for connecting the housing to the tank, the housing being formed to provide a first axially inwardly facing valve seat in the vent passageway, and a second axially outwardly facing valve seat in the valve passageway, a first valve member positioned in the vent passageway to move axially outwardly into closing engagement with the first valve seat when the tank is tilted, first spring means for urging the first valve member axially toward the first valve seat, the first spring means being calibrated normally to support the first valve member out of engagement with the first valve seat and open the vent passageway when the tank is in an upright orientation to vent vapors from the tank and to assist in moving the first valve member into engagement with the first valve seat when the tank is tilted downwardly to a predetermined angle, a second valve member positioned in the valve passageway to move axially outwardly out of engagement with the second valve seat when superatmospheric pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level, and a second spring for yieldably urging the second valve member axially inwardly against the second valve seat normally to close the valve passageway, the second spring means being calibrated to provide movement of the second valve member axially outwardly away from the second valve seat when the superatmospheric pressure in the tank exceeds the predetermined level.

Claim 16

A valving assembly for a liquid-containing tank, comprising a housing providing vent and valve passageways extending axially therethrough in spaced parallel relationship to each other, means for connecting the housing to the tank, the housing being formed to provide a first axially inwardly facing valve seat in the vent passageway, and a second axially outwardly facing valve seat in the valve passageway, a first valve member positioned in the vent passageway to move axially outwardly into closing engagement with the first valve seat when the tank is tilted, first spring means for urging the first valve member axially toward the first valve seat, the first spring means being calibrated normally to support the first valve member out of engagement with the first valve seat and open the vent passageway when the tank is in an upright orientation to vent vapors from the tank and to assist in moving the first valve member into engagement with the first valve seat when the tank is tilted downwardly to a predetermined angle, a second valve member positioned in the valve passageway to move axially outwardly out of engagement with the second valve seat when superatmospheric pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level, and a second spring for yieldably urging the second valve member axially inwardly against the second valve seat normally to close the valve passageway, the second spring means being calibrated to provide movement of the second valve member axially outwardly away from the second valve seat when the superatmospheric pressure in the tank exceeds the predetermined level.