Tank Valve Assemblies and Methods

Abstract

Embodiments can provide tank valve assemblies and associated methods. According to one aspect, a valve assembly can be provided. The valve assembly may include a valve body defining a hollow bore extending therethrough. A plunger having at least one passageway formed longitudinally partially therethrough and a spring associated with the plunger may be provided. The plunger is slideably positioned within the hollow bore of the valve body and retained in a closed position by a force exerted by the at least one spring against the valve body. The valve assembly may include a valve body o-ring positioned within the hollow bore, wherein the valve body o-ring substantially contacts the surface of the plunger when the plunger slides within the hollow bore of the valve body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve assembly, comprising:
 a valve body defining a hollow bore extending therethrough and comprising a valve body o-ring positioned within the hollow bore;   a plunger comprising at least one passageway formed longitudinally partially therethrough; and   at least one spring associated with the plunger;   wherein the plunger is slideably positioned within the hollow bore of the valve body and retained in a closed position by a force exerted by the at least one spring against the valve body; and   wherein the valve body o-ring substantially contacts the surface of the plunger when the plunger slides within the hollow bore of the valve body.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises an interior portion adapted for positioning within an interior of a liquid container, and an opposing exterior portion adapted to extend through a wall of the liquid container and external to the liquid container; wherein the plunger comprises an interior end and an exterior end; wherein when in an open position the interior end extends from the interior portion of the valve body and further into the interior of the liquid container. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger further comprises at least one cross-drilled hole formed through the plunger and in fluid communication with the passageway; and wherein when moving between the closed position and an open position the at least one cross-drilled hole passes the valve body o-ring. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the plunger comprises an interior end and an exterior end, the at least one cross-drilled hole located proximate the interior end and the passageway opening proximate the exterior end; and wherein when the plunger is in the closed position the valve body o-ring at least partially seals the at least one cross-drilled hole from the interior of the liquid container, and when the plunger is in the open position the at least one cross-drilled hole is in liquid communication with the interior of the liquid container. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a tool fitting at its exterior end adapted for receiving one or more tools used with the valve assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more tools comprise at least one of: (a) a gas hose; (b) a sparging hose; (c) a liquid supply; (d) a tap; (e) a spigot; (f) a spout, or (g) an actuating handle. 
     
     
         7 . The valve assembly of  claim 1  wherein the plunger comprises a nipple connector at its exterior end adapted for slideably receiving one or more devices thereover. 
     
     
         8 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body is adapted for installation in a side wall of a liquid container. 
     
     
         9 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body further comprises threads along a portion of its body, and further comprising a bulkhead nut for threadably securing the valve body to a liquid container when threaded over the threads of the valve body. 
     
     
         10 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body further comprises threads along a portion of its body adapted for threadably securing to complementary threads formed in a liquid container. 
     
     
         11 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body further comprises external threads along a portion of its body; and further comprising a container insert adapted for securing to a wall of the liquid container and comprising inner threads adapted to receive the external threads of the valve body for threadably securing the valve body to the liquid container. 
     
     
         12 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body is adapted for installation in a lid of a liquid container. 
     
     
         13 . A method of installing a valve assembly within a liquid container, comprising:
 providing a valve body defining a hollow bore extending therethrough and comprising a valve body o-ring positioned within the hollow bore;   providing a plunger comprising at least one passageway formed longitudinally partially therethrough;   providing at least one spring associated with the plunger;   positioning the valve body through a wall in a liquid container;   threadably securing the valve body to the liquid container; and   positioning the plunger and the at least one spring within the hollow bore of the valve body, such that the at least one spring retains the plunger in a closed position until acted on, and the valve body o-ring substantially contacts the surface of the plunger when the plunger slides within the hollow bore of the valve body.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein positioning the valve body through the wall in the liquid container further comprises:
 securing a container insert to the wall of the liquid container, wherein the container insert comprises inner threads adapted to receive external threads of the valve body; and   threadably securing the valve body to the container insert.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container insert is molded to the wall of the liquid container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the valve body has an interior portion forming a bulkhead type fitting, and wherein positioning the valve body through the wall in the liquid container further comprises:
 positioning the interior portion of the valve body within the liquid container with an exterior threaded portion extending through the wall of the liquid container to the exterior; and   threadably securing a bulkhead nut over the exterior threaded portion securing the wall of the liquid container between the bulkhead nut and the interior portion of the valve body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein positioning the valve body through the wall in the liquid container further comprises:
 molding the valve body in a wall of the liquid container; and   positioning the plunger within the valve body.   
     
     
         18 . A liquid container lid, comprising:
 a valve body secured to the liquid container lid and defining a hollow bore extending therethrough and comprising a valve body o-ring positioned within the hollow bore;   a plunger comprising at least one passageway formed longitudinally partially therethrough; and   at least one spring associated with the plunger;   wherein the plunger is slideably positioned within the hollow bore of the valve body and retained in a closed position by a force exerted by the at least one spring against the valve body; and   wherein the valve body o-ring substantially contacts the surface of the plunger when the plunger slides within the hollow bore of the valve body.