Claims
- 1. An apparatus for reducing pollution and fire hazard associated with gasoline handling equipment, comprising:
- means for collecting gasoline spilling from the gasoline handling equipment;
- means for providing an externally manifested signal when a predetermined amount of gasoline has accumulated in the means for collecting gasoline;
- means for amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation so that the means for providing an externally manifested signal can be triggered for even low levels of accumulation; and
- means for selectively draining away gasoline that has accumulated in the means for collecting gasoline.
- 2. An apparatus for reducing pollution according to claim 1 also comprising means for returning gasoline drained away to a storage tank.
- 3. An apparatus for reducing pollution according to claim 1 wherein the means for draining away gasoline is connected to a vapor recovery system.
- 4. An apparatus for reducing pollution according to claim 1 wherein the gasoline handling equipment is a gasoline dispenser.
- 5. An apparatus for reducing pollution according to claim 1 wherein the gasoline handling equipment is a submersible pump.
- 6. An apparatus for reducing pollution according to claim 1 wherein the means for providing a signal shuts down the gasoline handling equipment when the predetermined amount of gasoline has accumulated.
- 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation includes a slanted floor in the means for collecting gasoline.
- 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation includes a well in the means for collecting gasoline.
- 9. A pollution and fire hazard reduction apparatus, comprising:
- a container having an open top portion and a normally, substantially sealed lower portion able to receive polluting and flammable elements;
- means responsive to accumulation of polluting and flammable elements in the lower portion of the container for providing an externally manifested signal when a predetermined amount of polluting and flammable elements have accumulated;
- means for amplifying the effect of accumulation so that the means responsive to accumulation can be triggered for even low levels of accumulation; and
- means for selectively draining away the polluting and flammable elements accumulated in the lower portion of the container.
- 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for amplifying the effect of accumulation includes a slanted floor in the substantially sealed lower portion of the container.
- 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for amplifying the effect of accumulation includes a well in the substantially sealed lower portion of the container.
- 12. A method for reducing pollution and fire hazard associated with gasoline handling equipment, comprising the steps of:
- collecting gasoline spilling from the gasoline handling equipment;
- providing an externally manifested signal when a predetermined amount of gasoline has accumulated as a result of collecting spilling gasoline;
- amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation so that an externally manifested signal can be provided for even low levels of accumulation; and
- selectively draining away gasoline that has accumulated as a result of collecting spilling gasoline.
- 13. A pollution and fire hazard reduction method, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a container having an open top portion and a normally, substantially sealed lower portion so that it is able to receive polluting and flammable elements;
- providing an externally manifested signal when a predetermined amount of polluting and flammable elements have accumulated in the lower portion of the container;
- amplifying the effect of accumulation so that an externally manifested signal can be provided for even low levels of accumulation; and
- selectively draining away the polluting and flammable elements accumulated in the lower portion of the container.
- 14. An apparatus for reducing pollution and fire hazard associated with gasoline handling equipment that is handling gasoline supplied by a gasoline supply line, comprising:
- means for collecting gasoline spilling from the gasoline handling equipment;
- float means responsive to accumulation of a predetermined amount of gasoline in the means for collecting gasoline;
- means for amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation so that the float means can respond to even low levels of accumulation;
- a valve provided in the gasoline supply line able to shut off the supply of gasoline to the gasoline handling equipment; and
- mechanical means connecting the float means and the valve to shut off the supply of gasoline when the float means responds to accumulation of a predetermined amount of gasoline.
- 15. A method for reducing pollution and fire hazard associated with gasoline handling equipment that is handling gasoline supplied by a gasoline supply line, comprising the steps of:
- collecting gasoline spilling from the gasoline handling equipment;
- providing a float responsive to accumulation of a predetermined amount of gasoline as a result of collecting spilling gasoline;
- amplifying the effect of gasoline accumulation so that the float can respond to even low levels of accumulation;
- providing a valve in the gasoline supply line able to shut off the supply of gasoline to the gasoline handling equipment; and
- mechanically triggering the valve to shut off the supply of gasoline when the float responds to accumulation of a predetermined amount of gasoline.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 909,289 filed Sept. 19, 1986, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (23)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1414218 |
Nov 1975 |
GBX |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
909289 |
Sep 1986 |
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