BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field.

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dip cap assembly for measuring a fluid level within a storage tank and for providing a seal to prevent fluid leakage from the storage tank.

2. Description of the Related Art.

[0002] A dipstick is one of several measurement devices. Some dipsticks are dipped into a liquid io perform a chemical test or to provide a measure of quantity of the liquid in an otherwise inaccessible space, in the latter instance, the dipstick is inserted into the space, removed from the space, and then checked to determine the extent of the dipstick that is covered by the liquid, which indicates the quantity of liquid in the space. One example of a dipstick is a fuel level dipstick.

[0003] Generally, when the dipstick is in place within the tank, a portion of the dipstick protrudes through an entiy port of the tank. By protruding out of the entry port, the port is unable to be fully closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a dip cap assembly for measuring the liquid level within a tank or container where the tank or container remains closed and sealed when dipstick is removed and when the dipstick is positioned in the tank or container.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a port assembly f uidly connected to a storage tank is provided. The port assembly includes: a housing defining a fluid conduit having a central axis, the housing having an entry port, an exit port, and a valve seat; a rotatable valve coupled to the housing, the rotatable valve sized to selectively, sealingly engage the valve seat; a plug sized to selectively, sealingly engage the fluid conduit to selectively obstruct the fluid conduit; and a scale extending from the plug, the scale sized to traverse the fluid conduit and extend into the storage tank to a fully extended position, the scale operable to register a measure of a level of fluid in the storage tank in the fully extended position, with the scale maintaining the fully extended position, the plug sealingly engages the fluid conduit to plug the fluid conduit.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the port assembly includes: a housing defining a fluid conduit having a central axis, the housing having an entry port, an exit port, a valve seat, and an automatic latch moveably connected to the housing; a plug sized to selectively, sealingly engage the fluid conduit to selectively obstruct the fluid conduit; a scale extending from the plug, the scale sized to traverse the fluid conduit and extend into the storage tank to a fully extended position, the scale operable to register a measure of a level of fluid in the storage tank in the fully extended position, with the scale maintaining the fully extended position, the plug sealingly engages the fluid conduit to plug the fluid conduit; a rotatable valve coupled to the housing, the rotatable valve sized to selectively, sealingly engage the valve seat; the rotatable valve movable between: a closed configuration when the rotatable valve is seated on the valve seat, whereby the fluid conduit is obstructed by the rotatable valve; and an open configuration when the plug is coupled to the housing at the entry port and the scale extending from the plug extends through the fluid conduit such that the scale engages and moves the rotatable valve.

[0007] According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of determining a level of a fluid in a storage tank is provided. The method includes the steps of: inserting a scale extending from a plug into a housing defining a conduit in fluid communication with the storage tank until the scale achieves a fully extended position in which the scale is operable to register a measure of the level of the fluid in the storage tank; during the inserting step, actuating a rotatable valve from a valve closed position to a valve open position with the scale, the rotatable valve having a valve body that is seated on a valve seat of the rotatable valve in the valve closed position, the valve body spaced from the valve seat to allow the scale to traverse the valve seat in the valve open position; and during the inserting step, seating the plug in sealing engagement with the housing and thereby obstructing the conduit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0009] Fig. 1 is a partial, sectional view of a fueling apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a partial, perspective view of a dip cap assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0011] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the dip cap assembly of Fig. 2;

[0013] Fig. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the plug and the housing of the dip cap assembly of Fig. 2;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the dip cap assembly of Fig. 2, showing the dip cap assembly fully inserted;

[0015] Fig.7 is an exploded cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of the dip cap assembly of Fig. 3;

[0016] Fig. 8 is an exploded bottom perspective view of a rotatable valve of the housing of Fig. 2;

[0017] Fig. 9 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the plug of Fig. 2; and

[0018] Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a method of determining a liquid level in the tank according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0020] Referring to Fig. 1, fueling apparatus 10 includes fuel dispenser 12, spill bucket 14, and underground storage tank 16. Spill bucket 14 and fuel dispenser 12 are connected to each other by a fluid line 18.

[0021] Pump 22 is connected to a conduit that extends to tank 16. Pump 22 is also connected to fluid line 18 which leads to fuel dispenser 12. In operation, pump 22 serves to draw fluid 28 through conduit 26 into fluid linel8 such that fuel dispenser 12 can output fluid 28 when a handle of fuel dispenser 12 is actuated. Dip cap assembly 20 includes a scale, i.e. dipstick 24, that extends from a plug 32, discussed further below. Scale 24 is sized to traverse conduit 38 and extend into storage tank 16 in a fully extended position as discussed further below. Scale 24 is also operable to measure the fluid level of fluid 28 within tank 16 as discussed further below.

[0022] Referring to Figs. 2-9, dip cap assembly 20 includes a housing 30 coupled to a plug 32. Housing 30 includes two cylinders that are integrally formed with each other. The cylinders have different diameters and form a ledge 70 at the interface where the two cylinders meet. In one embodiment, the cylinders define longitudinal axes that are offset with respect to one another by about 0.100 inches. In an alternate embodiment, the two cylinders are coaxial with one another. In certain embodiments, the two cylinders are coupled to each other by a coupler (e.g., fastener, pins, nails, clamps, etc.). In a further alternate embodiment, the two cylinders of housing 30 have a substantially uniform configuration where the diameters of the cylinders are substantially equal.

[0023] Housing 30 further includes an entry port 34 and exit port 36 positioned at opposite ends of housing 30. Entry port 34 is configured to receive plug 32 and exit port 36 is configured to receive an inlet of a storage tank 16. As such, the diameters of entry port 34 and exit port 36 are substantially equal to the diameters of plug 32 and underground storage tank 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter at entry port 34 is less than the diameter of exit port 36.

[0024] As shown in at least Fig. 7, housing 30 defines a conduit 38 having a central axis A (Fig. 6). When housing 30 is coupled to an inlet of storage tank 16, conduit 38 of housing 30 provides an extension of the inlet of storage tank 16 . In one embodiment, the inlet of storage tank 16 and conduit 38 of housing 30 define longitudinal axes that are offset with respect to one another by about 0.100 inches. In an alternate embodiment, conduit 38 and the inlet of storage tank 16 are coaxial with one another.

[0025] Conduit 38 of housing 30 also serves a piloting function with respect to plug 32. As discussed in greater detail below, conduit 38 serves to guide plug 32 along axis A such that plug 32 and housing 30 are in sealing engagement with each other. Plug 32 is sized to selectively, sealingly engage conduit 38 to selectively obstruct conduit 38.

[0026] Housing 30 also includes a valve seat 40 positioned near exit port 36. Valve seat 40 is configured to receive a rotatable valve 42 as shown in at least Fig. 7. Rotatable valve 42 is sized to selectively, sealingly engage valve seat 40 in a closed configuration where conduit 38 is obstructed , i.e., sealed, by rotatable valve 42. In one embodiment, rotatable valve 42 is a flapper valve. In the illustrated embodiment, valve seat 40 is canted with respect to axis A of conduit 38.

[0027] However, it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, valve seat 40 may be substantially perpendicular with respect to axis A of conduit 38. In the illustrated embodiment, valve seat 40 may form an angle Θ (Fig. 6) with axis A as little as 42°, 50°, 55°, as great as 80°, 85°, 90°, or within any range defined between any two of the foregoing values, such as 42° to 90°. In one embodiment, angle Θ with respect to axis A is 60°.

[0028] Rotatable valve 42 is coupled to housing 30 by a receiver and a series of rods, springs, and screws as discussed further below. As shown in Fig. 8, receiver 72 is coupled to housing 30 by a pair of screws 78. In an alternate embodiment, alternate fastening mechanisms may be used such as pins, bolts, etc. Receiver 72 includes a pair of apertures between which lever 80 is positioned. Lever 80 includes a pair of openings which align with the pair of apertures of receiver 72.

[0029] Torsion spring 74 includes openings which are also aligned with the pair of apertures of receiver 72. Torsion spring 74 includes arms that assist in biasing rotatable valve 42 into a closed configuration, in which rotatable valve 42 is seated on valve seat 40. A rod 76 is fed through the openings of torsion spring 74, the pair of apertures of receiver 72, and the openings of lever 80 to hingedly connect lever 80 to receiver 72. [0030] Rotatable valve 42 includes lever 80, valve body 82, and seal 84. Lever 80 is coupled to valve body 82 by bolt 88 and washer 90. Seal 84 is positioned in an undercut on valve body 82 and frictionally engages with the contours of valve body 82. In operation, spring 74 and rod 76 apply a biasing force onto lever 80 thereby moving lever 80, valve body 82, and seal 84 of rotatable valve 42 onto valve seat 40 with seal 84 sealing circumferentially about valve seat 40 to seal conduit 38.

[0031] Gasket 86 is applied upstream of exit port 36 of housing 30. In the illustrated embodiment, gasket 86 fits within grooves 68 of exit port 36 and interfaces with a riser tube 15 (FIG. 1) of underground storage tank 16 that engages with grooves 68.

[0032] Housing 30 is also coupled to a latch 44 as shown in at least Fig. 2. Latch 44 is positioned over ledge 70 and extends vertically such that a portion of latch 44 extends vertically beyond entry port 34 (Fig. 6).

[0033] Latch 44 includes a catch 43 that extends beyond entry port 34 such that a gap exists between catch 43 and entry port 34. The gap is substantially equal to the thickness of flange 47 of plug 32 such that when plug 32 is coupled to housing 30, a close fit engagement exists between housing 30, surface 48 of flange 47, and latch 44.

[0034] Latch 44 is moveably connected to housing 30 and is spring loaded by a rod 5 land a torsion spring 50 as shown in Fig. 6. Torsion spring 50 includes arms that assist in biasing latch 44 into a position where a bottom portion of latch 44 engages a stop protrusion 71 on ledge 70.

[0035] Rod 51 serves to rotatably couple latch 44 onto housing 30 and provide an axis of rotation for latch 44 as discussed below. Rod 51 is fed through holes 30A, 30B provided on housing 30 and a corresponding hole 29 on latch 44, which is in line with holes 30A and 30B when latch 44 is installed onto housing 30. In this configuration, rod 51 serves as an axis of rotation for latch 44 as described below.

[0036] Latch 44 may be further secured by a rod (not shown) that is fed through lock holes 31 A, 3 IB (shown in at least FIGs. 3 and 5) of housing 30 and hole 44A of latch 44, which is in line with lock holes 31 A and 3 IB. Insertion of a rod (not shown) through hole 44A and lock holes 31 A, B provide rigidity to latch 44 such that latch 44 is in a fixed position and unable to rotate. [0037] Catch 43 also includes a ramp 45 as shown in at least Fig. 2. Ramp 45 is provided on catch 43 such that the width of catch 43 increases at portions of catch 43 that are closer to entry port 34 of housing 30. When plug 32 moves toward entry port 34 along axis A of conduit 38, flange 47 engages with ramp 45 of latch 44. As flange 47 moves downward along ramp 45, flange 47 exerts an outward force onto ramp 45 that is greater than the biasing force of torsion spring 50. The applied outward force results in latch 44 moving to a fully extended

configuration where latch 44 rotates about rod 51 such that the bottom portion of latch 44 no longer contacts stop protrusion 71. Catch 43 moves axially away from central axis A allowing plug 32 to continue to move downwardly towards entry port 34. Once flange 45 of plug 32 rests on entry port 34, an outward force is no longer applied onto catch 43, and the biasing force of torsion spring 50 rotates latch 44 about rod 51 to return latch 44 to its original configuration where the bottom portion of latch 44 engages stop protrusion 71.

[0038] To remove plug 32, an outward force that is greater than the biasing force of spring assembly 50 is applied onto catch 43 of latch 44 to move latch 44 radially away from axis A of conduit 38 such that the bottom portion of latch 44 no longer contacts stop protrusion 71 and catch 43 is moved away from the vertical extent of the outer edge of flange 47, Once catch 43 is in the aforementioned position, plug 32 can be removed from housing 30 by moving plug 32 upwardly along axis A .

[0039] As shown in at least Figs. 3, 5, and 6, plug 32 includes a handle 46, surface 48, and rim 57 surrounding receiving space 52. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 46 is integrally formed with surface 48. In an alternate embodiment, handle 46 is coupled to surface 48 by alternate means such as fasteners, couplers, etc.

[0040] Receiving space 52 is positioned opposite handle 46 and serves to receive scale 24. In an exemplary embodiment, scale 24 is a dipstick. Receiving space 52 also includes centering protrusions 53, which cooperate with connectors 54, 56 to maintain the position (i.e., centered) of scale 24 while also limiting the lateral or vertical movement of scale 24 within receiving space 52 as discussed below. To maintain the position of scale 24 within the centered protrusions 53 of receiving space 52, connectors 54, 56 are used (Fig. 9). Connectors 54, 56 traverse receiving space 52 such that connectors 54, 56 each twice engage rim 57 surrounding receiving space 52. Connectors 54, 56 also engage with scale 24 by traversing the distance between opposite sides of scale 24. The engagement of connectors 54, 56 with scale 24 serves to cooperate with centering protrusions 53 to maintain the position of scale 24 within receiving space 52 while also limiting lateral or vertical movement of scale 24 within receiving space 52.

[0041] Connectors 54, 56 are configured within receiving space 52 such that connectors 54 and 56 are substantially perpendicular to each other. However it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, other suitable angled configurations of connectors 54, 56 may be used.

[0042] Referring now to Fig. 9, connector 56 includes an elongated bolt 60, washer 62, and screw 64. As shown in Fig. 6, bolt 60 includes a threaded blind bore within bolt 60 configured to receive and threadingly engage screw 64. When installing connector 56 onto plug 32, washer 62 is placed onto rim 57 such that washer 62 surrounds port 56A and scale 24 is positioned within receiving space 52 such that apertures 56B of corresponding passageway (not shown) within scale 24 are aligned with the openings created by washer 62 and port 56A. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 56B, 56C (56C not shown) are positioned on opposite sides of scale 24 and are connected to form a passageway therethrough. A distal end of elongated bolt 60 is then moved through washer 62, port 56A, aperture 56B, passageway (not shown), and aperture 56C (not shown) such that the distal end of elongated bolt 60 traverses receiving space 52 and engages with a port 56D . Screw 64 is then aligned with port 56C such that the distal end of screw 64 moves through port 56A and frictionally engages with the threaded blind bore of bolt 60.

[0043] Connector 54 is configured and inserted in a similar manner as connector 56.

Connector 54 includes an elongated bolt 61, washer 63, and screw 65. Similar to bolt 60, bolt 61 includes a threaded blind bore within bolt 60 configured to receive and threadingly engage screw 64. When installing connector 54 onto plug 32, washer 63 is placed onto rim 57 such that washer 63 surrounds port 54A, and scale 24 is positioned within receiving space 52 such that apertures 54B,C of corresponding passageway (not shown) within scale 24 are aligned with the openings created by washer 63 and port 54A. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 54B, C are positioned on opposite sides of scale 24 and are connected to form a passageway

therethrough. A distal end of elongated bolt 61 is then moved through washer 63, port 54A, aperture 54B, passageway (not shown), and aperture 54C (not shown) such that the distal end of elongated bolt 61 traverses receiving space 52 and engages with a port 54D . Screw 65 is then aligned with port 54C such that the distal end of screw 65 moves through port 54A and frictionally engages with the threaded blind bore of bolt 61.

[0044] Plug 32 further includes an O-ring 58 positioned within groove 66 as shown in Fig. 9. O-ring 58 provides sealing engagement between plug 32 and housing 30 when plug 32 is inserted into conduit 38 and storage tank 16.

[0045] Referring now to Fig. 10, a method 100 of determining a level of a fluid in an underground storage tank 16 is shown. At block 102, scale 24 extending from plug 32 is inserted into housing 30 defining conduit 38 in fluid communication with underground storage tank 16 until scale 24 achieves a fully extended position in which scale 24 is operable to register a measure of the level of fluid in underground storage tank 16. At block 104, during step 102, a rotatable valve 42 is actuated from a valve closed position to a valve open position with scale 24. In the valve closed position, rotatable valve 42 has a valve body 82 that is seated on a valve seat 40 of rotatable valve 42. In the valve open position, valve body 82 is spaced from valve seat 40 to allow scale 24 to traverse valve seat 40. Also, during the insertion step of block 102, at block 106, plug 32 is seated in sealing engagement with housing 30 and thereby obstructing conduit 38.

[0046] At block 108, during the insertion step of block 102, latch 44, which is moveably connected to housing 30, is actuated with plug 32 to an open position allowing free movement of plug 32 and scale 24 from a position outside of underground storage tank 16 to the fully extended position. Latch 44 includes a rotatable catch 43 that is spring biased into the closed position. Rotatable catch 43 includes a ramp 45, and plug 32 engages ramp 45 to actuate latch 44 to an open position. At block 110, latch 44 is automatically actuated from the open position to a closed position when plug 32 is disengaged with ramp 45. In the closed position, plug 32 is latched onto housing 30.

[0047] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.