Signals and indicators – Indicators – Liquid level
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-19
2001-08-14
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
Liquid level
C116S276000, C220S571000, C137S312000, C126S355100, C073S319000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273021
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to environmental protection, and more particularly to an apparatus for preventing oil spills from domestic oil storage tanks.
There is ever increasing concern over damage to the environment caused by pollution from man-made sources, and on-going efforts are underway to identify and eliminate sources of pollution. Domestic furnace oil storage tanks represent collectively a substantial source of oil leakage into the environment. Such tanks are typically made of steel and corrode over the years due to the acid content of the furnace oil. Slow seepage can occur without the homeowner's knowledge. Over the years a substantial quantity of oil can leak into the foundation, whether it be soil if the tank is located outside, or concrete, if the tank is located in a basement.
Not only is this environmentally harmful, the removal of contaminated soil or concrete is extremely expensive, since all the contaminated material has to be removed and transported to a hazardous waste site. The lingering smell from contaminated oil can render a house uninhabitable.
An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of alleviating this problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an oil spill prevention apparatus for use with for a domestic oil storage tank, comprising a catchment tray adapted to be located underneath an oil storage tank and extending over the substantially entire footprint thereof, said catchment tray having a depression for pooling oil caught by said catchment tray, and a level sensor for signaling an alarm when the oil level in said depression exceeds a threshold value.
The catchment tray preferably has a recessed bottom extending along its length with an elliptical contour in plan view. The depression amplifies the change in level of a small amount of oil spilt into the catchment tray, which allows as simple sensor arrangement to be employed. Preferably the catchment tray has apertures at its comers for the passage of the legs of a conventional oil storage tank.
The level sensor typically consists of a float on a stem actuating a microswitch. Other suitable level sensing devices can be employed.
The catchment tray is desirably made from a high density polyethylene, which does not absorb oil or any of its constituents.
The apparatus catches any oil leaking from the tank and informs the homeowner in time for remedial action to be taken before the oil enters the environment. The catchment tray can be molded at relatively low cost.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a plan view of an oil spill prevention apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2
is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a detail showing flashing applied to the side of the tank;
FIG. 5
is a sectional view through a tank and catchment tray;
FIG. 6
is an end view of an oil tank with a catcment tray and visual alarm;
FIG. 7
shows a detail of
FIG. 6
; and
FIG. 8
is a side view of the tank shown in FIG.
6
.
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patent: 5301722 (1994-04-01), Todd et al.
patent: 5417344 (1995-05-01), Wells et al.
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patent: 6035699 (2000-03-01), Parlante
(Marks & Clerk)
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Pembroke Kevin
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