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US4914943A
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Apparatus for eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system
Assignee: KANEB IN TANK EMULATION CORP
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Filing: 1989-02-21
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Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the stored fluid product is described. The apparatus comprises an alongated tube supported in the storage tank and having first and second ends and a substantially hollow core. The apparatus also includes a housing supported in the storage tank for receiving the second end of the elongated tube. The housing is vented to the fluid product such that a portion of the fluid product enters the housing. According to the invention, a medium is supported in the substantially hollow core of the elongated tube, the medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product. The apparatus also includes a non-reactive liquid barrier seal supported in the housing between the medium and the fluid product for preventing mixing of the medium and the fluid product and for supporting the medium in static equilibrium with respect to the fluid product. The large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Lagergren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product stored in the storage tank, comprising: an elongated tube supported in the storage tank and having first and second ends and a substantially hollow core; a housing supported in the storage tank for receiving the second end of the elongated tube and being vented to the fluid product such that a portion of the fluid product enters the housing; a medium supported in the substantially hollow core of the elongated tube, the medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product; and a flourinated liquid seal completely immiscible to both the medium and the fluid product supported in the housing between the medium and the fluid product for supporting the medium in static equilibrium with respect to the fluid product, wherein the large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the tube when the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product stored in the storage tank, comprising: an elongated tube supported in the storage tank and having first and second ends and a substantially hollow core; a housing supported in the storage tank for receiving the second end of the elongated tube and being vented to the fluid product such that a portion of the fluid product enters the housing; a medium supported in the substantially hollow core of the elongated tube, the medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product; and a flourinated liquid seal completely immiscible to both the medium and the fluid product supported in the housing between the medium and the fluid product for supporting the medium in static equilibrium with respect to the fluid product, wherein the large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the tube when the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the immiscible fluid is a flourinated silicone and the low temperature coefficient medium is distilled water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the flourinated silicone is methylalkyl silicone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the low temperature coefficient medium and the liquid seal are formed of the same liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product stored in the storage tank, comprising: an elongated tube supported in the storage tank and having first and second ends and a substantially hollow core; a housing supported in the storage tank for receiving the second end of the elongated tube and being vented to the fluid product such that a portion of the fluid product enters the housing; a medium supported in the substantially hollow core of the elongated tube, the medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product, wherein the medium is distilled water; and a flourinated liquid immiscible to both the medium and the fluid product and supported in the housing between the medium and the fluid product for supporting the medium in static equilibrium with respect to the fluid product, wherein the large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the tube when the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for substantially eliminating measuring inaccuracies in a storage tank leak detection system caused by temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product stored in the storage tank, comprising: an elongated tube supported in the storage tank and having first and second ends and a substantially hollow core; a housing supported in the storage tank for receiving the second end of the elongated tube and being vented to the fluid product such that a portion of the fluid product enters the housing; a medium supported in the substantially hollow core of the elongated tube, the medium having a temperature coefficient substantially lower than the temperature coefficient of the fluid product, wherein the medium is distilled water; and a flourinated liquid immiscible to both the medium and the fluid product and supported in the housing between the medium and the fluid product for supporting the medium in static equilibrium with respect to the fluid product, wherein the large disparity between the temperature coefficients of the medium and the fluid product insures that temperature-induced volumetric changes in the fluid product do not vary the level of the medium in the tube when the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the flourinated liquid is methylalkyl silicone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1567758A
Cited
US4732035A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |