Patent EP0349656A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4835522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tank inventory and leak detection system
Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
•
Filing: 1987-11-05
•
Granted: 1989-05-30
•
Expires: 2007-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A controller including a digital processor is connected to flow meters and overfill gauges suitable for placement in the fill ports of underground storage tanks at, for example, a gasoline service station. The station dispenser pumps are also connected to the controller. In addition, probes, including tank liquid level probes, line pressure probes, and leak probes capable of detecting small quantities of liquid leaking from the system, are also connected to the controller. Processor software programs use stored decision criteria relating liquid conditions external of the storage tank system and liquid conditions internal of the storage tank system and its contents to provide audio and visual indications of the status of the liquid storage system and its contents.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J Andrejasich
- 👤 Laurence S. Slocum
- 👤 Sara M. Mussmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Tank inventory and leak detection apparatus for detecting the status of a liquid storage system and its contents, said apparatus comprising: external detection means for detecting one or more conditions of liquid external of said storage system and for providing an external liquid signal; internal detection means for detecting one or more conditions of liquid internal of said storage system and for producing an internal liquid signal; means for storing decision criteria relating one or more of said external liquid conditions and one or more of said internal liquid conditions; and indicating means communicating with said means for storing and responsive to said external liquid signal and said internal liquid signal for providing an indication of the status of said liquid storage system and its contents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Tank inventory and leak detection apparatus for detecting the status of a liquid storage system and its contents, said apparatus comprising: external detection means for detecting one or more conditions of liquid external of said storage system and for providing an external liquid signal; internal detection means for detecting one or more conditions of liquid internal of said storage system and for producing an internal liquid signal; means for storing decision criteria relating one or more of said external liquid conditions and one or more of said internal liquid conditions; and indicating means communicating with said means for storing and responsive to said external liquid signal and said internal liquid signal for providing an indication of the status of said liquid storage system and its contents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said external detection means comprises a collecting means for detecting the presence of small quantities of hydrocarbon liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said external detection means further comprises float means configured to fit within said collecting means and occupy the major portion of its volume at the liquid-float interface, and a sensing means attached to said float for providing said external liquid signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said external detection means comprises a vapor sensor and a means for locating said vapor sensor between the walls of and near the bottom of said double-walled tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said internal detection means comprises measurement means for measuring the quantity of liquid in said storage system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said measurement means comprises liquid level means for measuring the liquid level in the storage system and at least one temperature sensor means for sensing the temperature of the liquid in the storage system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for storing comprises means for storing decision criteria for determining the location of a leak in said liquid storage system and said indicating means includes means for indicating the location of said leak in said liquid storage system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB106677A
Cited
US4116045A
Cited
US4221125A
Cited
US4231025A
Cited
US4604893A
Cited
US4571987A
Cited
US4646069A
Cited
US4733224A
Cited
US4660026A
Cited
US4646560A
Cited
US4740777A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-29 | 1992-11-28 | 1993-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-29 | 1996-11-28 | 1997-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-29 | 2000-11-28 | 2001-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |