Tank structures and fluid displacement devices
View Patent ↗A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank with a transfer port configured to open and close and a return tank with an upper displacement line port and extending upright from the transfer tank to and beyond the upper displacement line port, the transfer port between the transfer and return tanks. A displacement device is mounted for displacement in a displacement tank having a lower displacement line port. A displacement line coupled between the upper displacement line port above the transfer port and the lower displacement line port below the transfer port fluidly connects the return tank to the displacement tank. A balance line below the transfer port fluidly connects the transfer tank to the displacement tank. The displacement device is operatively coupled to the lower displacement line port to effectuate fluid transfer between the displacement tank and the return tank via the displacement line when the displacement device actuates.
1 . A tank structure, comprising:
a bi-level tank including a transfer tank with a transfer port configured to open and close and a return tank with an upper displacement line port and extending upright from the transfer tank to and beyond the upper displacement line port, the transfer port between the transfer tank and the return tank;
a displacement device mounted for displacement in a displacement tank with a lower displacement line port;
a displacement line coupled between the upper displacement line port above the transfer port and the lower displacement line port below the transfer port fluidly connects the return tank to the displacement tank;
a balance line below the transfer port fluidly connects the transfer tank to the displacement tank; and
the displacement device operatively coupled to the lower displacement line port, wherein displacement of the displacement device in the displacement tank effectuates fluid transfer between the displacement tank and the return tank via the displacement line.
2 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , wherein the balance line is below the displacement line.
3 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a valve with the displacement line, the valve configured to open to enable fluid transfer through the displacement line between the return tank and the displacement tank and close to disable fluid transfer through the displacement line between the return tank and the exterior tank.
4 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a valve with the balance line, the valve configured to open to enable fluid transfer through the balance line between the transfer tank and the displacement tank and close to disable fluid transfer through the balance line between the transfer tank and the exterior tank.
5 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a manhole to within the displacement tank; and
a manhole cover movable between a closed position to close the manhole and an open position to open the manhole.
6 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , further comprising the displacement tank with a drain port configured to open to enable fluid to drain therethrough from the displacement tank and close to disable fluid from draining therethrough from the displacement tank.
7 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a force-applying mechanism operatively coupled to the displacement device, wherein the displacement device displaces through the displacement tank when the force-applying mechanism activates to apply a force on the displacement device.
8 . The tank structure according to claim 1 , wherein the displacement device comprises:
a piston with a first surface and a second surface, the piston configured to displace between a first position of the first surface away from the lower displacement line port and a second position of the first surface toward the lower displacement line port;
an extensible and retractable bellows extending between the piston and the displacement tank, the lower displacement line port open to the first surface of the piston through the bellows;
an extensible and retractable boot with a first valve and a second valve each configured to open and close, the boot is over the bellows, extends between the piston and the displacement tank, defines a fluid chamber around the bellows between the first surface of the piston and the displacement tank, and is configured to maintain a constant volume of the fluid chamber; and
the bellows and the boot extended when the piston is in the first position of the first surface and retracted when the piston is in the second position of the first surface.
9 . The tank structure according to claim 8 , further comprising the second surface under pressure by a pressurized fluid from a source thereof.
10 . The tank structure according to claim 9 , the source comprising a pressure tank charged with the pressurized fluid.
11 . The tank structure according to claim 10 , the pressurized fluid comprising a pressurized gas.
12 . The tank structure according to claim 11 , the pressurized gas comprising pressurized air.
13 . The tank structure according to claim 8 , further comprising a force-applying mechanism operatively coupled to the piston, wherein the piston displaces from the first position of the first surface to the second position of the first surface when the force-applying mechanism activates to apply the force on the piston.