U.S. patent application number 11/700628 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to RYAN INCORPORATED CENTRAL. Invention is credited to Joe Fell.
Application Number | 20070181212 11/700628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38332785 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fell; Joe |
August 9, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles
Abstract
A refueling dock for refueling multiple vehicles at one time is
disclosed. The dock has a manifold that has an inlet that can be
connected to a fuel tanker truck and a plurality of outlet
openings. Each outlet opening has a valve that controls the flow of
fuel through the hose. A nozzle is fitted to the hose and is
located at the end of the hose distant from the outlet opening. Two
or more hoses can be simultaneously connected to different
equipment in need of refueling. A valved fuel tank inlet line
enables fuel to flow from the manifold to a fuel tank on the dock.
When needed, fuel from the tank can then be pumped to the manifold
through a fuel tank outlet line,.which can be connected to the same
inlet on the manifold that is used to receive fuel from the tanker
trick.
Inventors: |
Fell; Joe; (Belvidere,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
233 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 6300
SEARS TOWER
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
RYAN INCORPORATED CENTRAL
|
Family ID: |
38332785 |
Appl. No.: |
11/700628 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60743209 |
Feb 1, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 3/14 20130101; B60S
5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/231 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/04 20060101
B65B001/04 |
Claims
1. A refueling dock that can be used to simultaneously refuel
multiple pieces of equipment and has: a wheeled base; a manifold; a
plurality of refueling hoses that each extend from the manifold to
a refueling nozzle; a valve associated with each refueling hose; an
inlet on the manifold that accepts a fuel nozzle from a tanker
truck; a fuel tank; a pump that is fluidly connected to the tank
and enables a user to selectively draw fuel from the tank; a fuel
tank outlet line through which fuel from the tank flows on the way
to the manifold when the pump is operated; and a valved fuel tank
inlet line through which fuel from the manifold flows to the fuel
tank when the valve is open.
2. A refueling dock as recited in claim 1, in which the fuel tank
outlet line has an end that is directly connected to the inlet on
the manifold when the pump is operated.
3. A refueling dock as recited in claim 1, in which the pump is
mounted on the fuel tank outlet line.
4. A refueling dock as recited in claim 1, in which the fuel tank
outlet line is completely separate from the valved fuel tank inlet
line.
5. A refueling dock as recited in claim 1, in which the manifold is
positioned above and outside the fuel tank.
6. A method of refueling multiple pieces of equipment on a
construction site, the method comprising the steps of: positioning
a refueling dock as recited in claim 1 in a staging area; and
connecting at least some of the refueling nozzles to multiple
pieces of equipment.
7. The method of claim 6, and further comprising the steps of:
connecting a fuel nozzle from a tanker truck to the inlet on the
manifold; assuring that the valve for the valved fuel tank inlet
line is open; and pumping fuel from the tanker truck through the
manifold to the fuel tank.
8. The method of claim 6, and further comprising the steps of:
assuring that the fuel tank has fuel; connecting an end of the fuel
tank outlet line to the inlet on the manifold; and running the
pump.
9. The method of claim 6, and further comprising the steps of:
connecting a fuel nozzle from a tanker truck to the inlet on the
manifold; pumping fuel from the tanker truck through the manifold
and to the pieces of equipment; assuring that the valve for the
valved fuel tank inlet line is open; pumping fuel from the tanker
truck through the manifold to the fuel tank; removing the fuel
nozzle from the tanker truck from the inlet; connecting an end of
the fuel tank outlet line to the inlet; and running the pump.
10. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
aligning multiple pieces of equipment in need of fuel in front of
and behind the refueling dock; connecting one of the refueling
hoses to each of the pieces of equipment; connecting a fuel tanker
truck to the refueling dock; and simultaneously pumping fuel
through the refueling dock to the pieces of equipment.
11. A method for refueling multiple pieces of equipment at a
worksite comprising positioning a refueling dock with multiple
refueling hoses in a staging area; aligning multiple pieces of
equipment in need of fuel in front of and. behind the refueling
dock; connecting one of the refueling hoses to each of the pieces
of equipment; connecting a fuel tanker truck to the refueling dock;
and simultaneously pumping fuel through the refueling dock to the,
pieces of equipment.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the refueling dock and the
equipment in need of fuel are aligned along one side of the staging
area.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein: the refueling dock and some of
the equipment in need of fuel are aligned along one side of the
staging area; a second refueling dock and other equipment in need
of fuel are aligned along an opposite side of the staging area; and
a space is provided between the lines of equipment that is
approximately equal to the width needed for a fuel tanker truck to
drive between the lines.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
application No. 60/743,209, filed Feb. 1, 2006, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for
refueling vehicles used on a construction site and, in particular,
to a method and apparatus for refueling multiple vehicles at one
time using a refueling dock with multiple fuel hoses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] While working on a construction site, large vehicles that
are used in moving and hauling dirt and debris need to be refueled.
To deal with this problem, construction companies generally hire
fuel companies to bring a large fuel tanker truck to the
construction site and connect the tanker truck individually to each
piece of equipment that needs to be refueled. This is a time
consuming, expensive process. The tanker truck travels to the
location of each piece of equipment and refuels one piece of
equipment at a time. The fuel company must travel to the work site
each time refueling is needed, often one or more times per day.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] The new refueling dock reduces the time and expense needed
to refuel multiple vehicles or pieces of equipment by providing
fuel to multiple pieces of equipment at one time.
[0005] The disclosed refueling dock includes a tank that can be
used to hold fuel. The tank is supported on a wheeled base such as
a trailer or flat-bed. Preferably, the base will allow ease of
movement and convenient placement of the dock. Fuel is provided
through a manifold in the dock. Fuel may be supplied to the
manifold by the fuel tanker truck or from the fuel tank. A pump
enables the dock to be used independently of the tanker truck.
[0006] When refueling is necessary, the equipment is arranged
around the refueling hoses are connected to the manifold, and each
of the hoses is equipped with a nozzle to distribute fuel. The
nozzle of a fuel hose is inserted into the gas tank of each piece
of equipment and, consequently, fuel can be supplied to multiple
pieces of equipment at one time.
[0007] Prior to the beginning of construction at a new site,
workers create a staging area is a temporary location where
vehicles, equipment, or material are stored when not in use.
Generally, when a construction site has been identified, the
workers use bulldozers or similar equipment to level and clear a
particular area to serve as the staging area. The staging area as
constructed often looks like a very wide road.
[0008] In many cases, the refueling dock should be located in this
staging area. When refueling is required or when the equipment is
not in use, it can be parked within range of the hoses on the
refueling dock. Fuel may then be pumped through the manifold of the
refueling e pieces of equipment at one time. In some cases, it may
be desirable to arrange a along each side of the staging area, and
align the equipment in need of fuel in front of and behind each
refueling dock. Doing so leaves room for the tanker truck to drive
refueling docks and conveniently access each of them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of the refueling dock.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a manifold located
on top of the fuel
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the manifold.
[0012] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the refueling
dock.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the refueling dock positioned in a
staging area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a refueling dock 5 that
uses the present invention. In general, the refueling dock includes
a fuel tank 10, wheeled base 12, a fuel tank outlet line 14, and a
manifold 16. These components will be described in more detail
below. The base may also have an enclosed housing for the tank.
[0015] The illustrated fuel tank 10 is supported by the wheeled
base 12, and is connected to the manifold 16 through the fuel tank
outlet line 14. The fuel tank may be fitted with bung holes that
can be used to attach pipes. As explained below, the fuel tank
outlet line can be used to convey fuel from the tank to the
manifold.
[0016] The illustrated manifold 16 is located above and outside the
fuel tank 10. It is constructed of metal pipe and contains a
plurality of outlet openings 18. Each outlet opening may include a
valve, which, in this illustration, is a ball valve 20. A plurality
of refueling hoses 22 extend from the outlet openings to refueling
nozzles 24. The illustrated nozzles are fast-fill nozzles that can
greatly increase the efficiency and minimize the cost of the
refueling process. Nozzles such as those sold by Shaw Development
or Adel Wiggins, for example, may be used.
[0017] For distribution to vehicles, fuel may be provided to the
manifold 16 from either a tanker truck or from the tank 10. To
obtain fuel from the tanker truck, a fuel line from the tanker
truck is connected to an inlet 34 on the manifold, which accepts a
fuel nozzle from a tanker truck. The tanker truck contains its own
pumping mechanism that can be used to pump fuel into the
manifold.
[0018] As noted above, fuel tank outlet line 14 can also be used to
supply the manifold 16 with fuel from the fuel tank 10 in the
refueling dock. The dock has a pump 26 that enables a user to
selectively draw fuel from the tank, enabling the dock to function
independently of the tanker truck. The illustrated pump is in the
fuel tank outlet line 14, and thus is in flow connection with the
tank 10. Here, it is connected through a pipe 28 that is connected
to a bung hole in the fuel tank, as shown in FIG. 3. The pump 26
may be driven by an engine 32, which is preferably powered by a
battery.
[0019] To obtain fuel from the tank 10, the pump 26 in the dock is
tuned on, causing fuel in the tank to flow through the fuel tank
outlet line 14 from the tank 10 through the pipe 28 to the pump 26.
The pump urges the fuel through a conduit 30 in the fuel tank
outlet line that has an end that can be connected to an inlet to
the manifold 16. Preferably, the inlet that is used to receive the
fuel tank outlet line 14 is the same inlet that is used to receive
fuel from the tanker. truck. Other arrangements are possible. For
example, the fuel tank outlet line 14 could be permanently
connected to the manifold, with a valve installed between the pump
and the manifold.
[0020] From the manifold 16, fuel may travel through any of the
refueling hoses 22. The outlet openings 18 on the manifold 16 may
be arranged at a variety of angles to allow maximum space for
attaching and using each of the hoses 22. A valve is associated
with each of the hoses 22, and controls the flow of fuel through
that associated hose. For example, a hose can be engaged by placing
the associated ball valve 20 in the open position. As an
alternative to or in addition to the illustrated ball valve 20, an
automatic shut-off valve can be included in the refueling nozzle
24. Such a valve prevents fuel from exiting the hose when it is not
actively in use refueling a vehicle.
[0021] As needed, the tank 10 can be resupplied with fuel from the
tanker truck. The illustrated manifold 16 is attached to the tank
through a valved fuel tank inlet line 35 that can be used to fill
the tank. The illustrated fuel tank inlet line is completely
separate from the fuel tank outlet line 14, and is threaded to a
bung hole on the tank. The illustrated tank inlet line 35 has a
ball valve, as seen in the left-hand portion of FIG. 3. When the
tank is to be filled, the valve in the tank inlet line 35 can be
opened. When the valve is in open, fuel travels from the manifold
through the fuel tank inlet line into the fuel tank, filling the
tank for future use.
[0022] When construction equipment requires refueling, the tanker
truck can be attached to the refueling dock 5 through the inlet 34
on the manifold 16. The construction equipment can be arranged
around the refueling dock. Where applicable and as needed, the
hoses 22 can be unspooled from hose reels that can be used to store
the hoses. The hose reels may be mounted either internally or
externally on the base 12, and may include electric or manual hose
rewinders. If desired, the hoses can be extended to different
stations, allowing the equipment to park at various locations
around the refueling dock. Each station may contain a post, pole,
or stand that will hold at least one nozzle to prevent the nozzle
from sitting on the ground where dirt can contaminate the fuel.
[0023] The refueling dock of the invention is preferably located in
the staging area throughout construction. In many cases, the
equipment requiring refueling should be arranged around the
refueling dock when refueling is necessary and when construction is
not active. The equipment can often be arranged so that the fuel
tank of the equipment is facing the refueling dock and close enough
to the refueling dock so that the refueling hoses 22 are not in
contact with the ground. To properly accommodate all equipment,
more than one refueling dock may be placed in the staging area.
[0024] One preferred arrangement is seen in FIG. 4. In that
arrangement, the fuel hoses of the dock can reach multiple vehicles
requiring refueling without unduly interfering with movement of
vehicles through the staging area. The refueling dock 5 is
positioned on one side of the staging area, with equipment 45
positioned in line with the dock, both directly in front of the
dock and behind it. The fuel tank for each piece of equipment faces
the interior of the staging area. This arrangement is similar to
that of cars parked along both sides of a street. A second dock 50
and other equipment 55 in need of fuel are aligned along the
opposite side of the staging area. There is sufficient space
between the, rows of equipment for a fuel company tanker truck to
drive down a haul road 60 into the staging area and connect to
either refueling dock.
[0025] While the present invention has been described with
reference to specific embodiments, which are intended to be
illustrative only and not limiting of the invention, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that changes,
additions, and/or deletions may be made to the disclosed
embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention; which is set forth in the following claims.
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