This invention relates to a manifold device for liquids.

Hitherto, manifolds have been widely used, for example in applications where a single inlet duct carrying liquid from a source is connected to two or more outlet ducts. Often the liquid flowing along the inlet duct is drawn from the source by pumps connected to the outlet ducts.

A problem of this arrangement occurs when one of the pumps is drawing liquid at a rate greater than another because it will have the potential effect of starving the other pump of liquid. Such a problem occurs, for example, in a situation where a plurality of generators are being fed with fuel from a single tank and one of the generators is of a more powerful type or is under more load or consuming more fuel. In such circumstances, there is a risk that another generator that is connected to the tank may be starved of fuel and stop.

With the foregoing in mind, we have now devised an improved manifold device for liquids.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a manifold device for liquids comprising a sealed hollow body which defines an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, an inlet port connected to the inlet chamber and a plurality of outlet ports connected to the outlet chamber, wherein the inlet and outlet chambers are separated by an upstanding baffle, over which liquid must flow from the inlet port to the outlet ports.

In use, liquid flowing from the inlet port to the outlet ports flows over the baffle into the outlet chamber, where a body of liquid is formed from which each of the outlet ports can freely draw without affecting the flow of liquid to the other outlet port(s). In the event that more liquid is being drawn at a greater rate through one outlet port than the other outlet port(s), more liquid simply flows over the upstanding baffle into the outlet chamber to replenish the liquid and prevent a restricted supply to the other outlet port(s).

The inlet chamber may be divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion by a depending baffle. In use, liquid has to flow under the depending baffle before flowing over the upstanding baffle, thereby trapping any heavier solid or liquid contaminants in the inner chamber and preventing them from flowing directly over the upstanding baffle, particularly under conditions where there is a high flow rate of liquid through the device.

The cross-sectional area of the liquid path from the inlet port to the outlet ports may increase, so as to reduce the flow velocity of the liquid and promote settling of any heavier solid wall of liquid contaminants in the device. The device may be arranged such that liquid flows linearly from the inlet port to the outlet ports. In an alternative embodiment, the outlet chamber may extend at least partially around the inlet chamber, such that the liquid flows radially from the inlet to the outlet chamber. The outlet ports may comprise depending tubular projections which extend into the outlet chamber.

The inlet port may comprise an upstanding projection which extends into the inlet port. The projection may be tubular or part-tubular.

GB2350337 and GB244601 1 each disclose devices for drawing fuel from a tank. A manifold device in accordance with the present invention may be provided in the head of such devices for drawing fuel from a tank, so that a plurality of generators or other machines can be conveniently connected to the device.

Also in accordance with the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a device for drawing fuel from a tank, the device comprising a head fitted to a side wall of the tank and a pick-up extending from the head into the tank, wherein the head incorporates a manifold as hereinbefore defined, the pick-up extending from the inlet port of the manifold.

Also in accordance with the present invention, as seen from a third aspect, there is provided a fuel supply system comprising a manifold as hereinbefore defined, a fuel tank connected to the inlet port and a plurality of apparatus arranged to draw fuel from respective outlet ports. Each apparatus may be any kind of apparatus which needs fuel to operate and at least two of the apparatus can be different from each other.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of manifold device for liquids in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of manifold device for liquid in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a fuel pick-up device in accordance with the present invention fitted to the top wall of a fuel tank.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a manifold device 10 in accordance with the present invention comprising a sealed hollow body having a bottom wall 11 , a top wall 12 and an annular side wall 13 which define an inlet chamber 14 and an outlet chamber 15. An inlet port 16 is connected to the inlet chamber 14 and a plurality of outlet ports 17a, 17b are connected to the outlet chamber 15. The inlet port 16 and the outlet ports 17a, 17b are respectively provided in the bottom and top walls 1 1 , 12 of the device 10.

The inlet and outlet chambers 14, 15 are separated by an upstanding baffle wall 18 over which liquid can flow. The inlet chamber 14 is divided into an upstream portion 14a and a downstream portion 14b by a depending wall baffle 19 under which liquid can flow.

In use, the inlet port 16 is connected to an inlet duct (not shown) and the outlet port 17a, 17b are connected to respective outlet ducts (not shown). When liquid is drawn by a device (not shown) connected to one of the outlet ducts, liquid is drawn into the upstream portion 14a of the inlet chamber 14 through the inlet port 16. The inlet port 16 comprises a part-tubular baffle wall 20 which extends into the inlet chamber 14 from the bottom wall 1 1 of the device. Liquid from the inlet port 16 then flows downwardly under the depending baffle wall 19 and any heavier solid or liquid contaminants in the liquid settle at the bottom of the inlet chamber 14. The liquid then flows upwardly over the upstanding baffle wall 18 into the outlet chamber 15. The liquid is then drawn out of the outlet chamber 15 through one or both outlet ports 17a, 17b. The outlet ports 17a, 17b comprise tubular portions 21 which depend into the outlet chamber 15.

It will be appreciated that the outlet chamber 15 is always full of liquid and that the liquid in the outlet chamber 15 will always be replenished from the inlet port 16 when liquid is drawn from the outlet chamber 15 through one or both outlet ports 17a, 17b. In this manner, neither of the devices connected to the respective outlet ports 17a, 17b will be starved of liquid even if the other is drawing a liquid at a substantial rate.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative manifold device 30 in accordance with the present invention, which is similar to the device 10 of Figure 1 and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the inlet port 16 is provided in the centre of the bottom wall 1 1 and enters a circular inlet chamber 14, which is surrounded by an annular outlet chamber 15. The outlet ports 17a, 17b, 17c are circumferentially spaced around the annular outlet chamber 15. In use, liquid flows radially outwardly from the inlet port 16 to the annular outlet chamber 15. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional area of the liquid path from the inlet port 16 to the outlet ports 17a, 17b, 17c increases, so that the flow velocity of the liquid is reduced, thereby promoting settlement of any heavier solid or liquid contaminants inside the device 30.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the manifold device 30 forms the head of a device 40 for drawing fuel from a fuel tank 41. The radially outer part of the device 30 forms a flange 23 which is sealingly bolted to the upper surface of a top wall of the fuel tank 41.

An inlet duct 42 extends from the inlet port 16 of the device 30 through an aperture 44 formed in the top wall of the tank 41. The outlet ports 17a, 17b, 17c are respectively connected to outlet ducts 43a, 43b, 43c, which extend to respective generators or other fuel-powered apparatus. The manifold device 30 prevents any apparatus that is drawing fuel from one of the outlet ports e.g. 17a from being starved of fuel in the event that another apparatus is drawing fuel from another outlet port e.g. 17c at a higher rate.

It will be appreciated that the device 10 of Figure 1 can also be mounted to the tank in a similar manner. Any kind of fuel or pick-up arrangement can depend from the device into the tank, such as arrangements of the kind disclosed in GB2350337 and GB244601 1.