Underground storage tank

Abstract

The present invention provides an underground tank having a vessel assembly and a generally spaced access assembly. That is, the access assembly includes a fuel line, a withdrawal line, and a dome assembly. The fuel line and the withdrawal line have a first end disposed outside the vessel assembly and a second end disposed adjacent to or within the vessel assembly. The first end extends upwardly from the vessel assembly toward the ground surface. The dome assembly is coupled adjacent to the fuel line and withdrawal line first end. As such, the vessel assembly may be buried at any depth as the fuel lines and withdrawal lines may have any length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underground storage tank structured to be disposed below a ground surface, said underground storage tank comprising:
 a vessel assembly having a sidewall defining an enclosed space;   an access assembly having a dome assembly, a fuel line, and a withdrawal line;   said withdrawal line having a second portion, said withdrawal line second portion being disposed within said vessel assembly enclosed space; and   said dome assembly coupled to said fuel line and said withdrawal line, and spaced from said vessel assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The underground storage tank of  claim 1  wherein:
 said dome assembly includes a generally planar base plate, a collar and a lid; 
 said base plate coupled to said fuel line and said withdrawal line; 
 said collar coupled to said base plate; 
 said lid pivotally coupled to said collar; and 
 said base plate, said collar and said lid defining an dome enclosed space. 
 
     
     
         3 . The underground storage tank of  claim 2  wherein said dome assembly also includes a data plate, said data plate fixed to said base plate. 
     
     
         4 . The underground storage tank of  claim 2  wherein said base plate is spaced between about thirteen to fifteen inches from said vessel assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The underground storage tank of  claim 4  wherein said base plate is spaced about fourteen inches from said vessel assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The underground storage tank of  claim 2  wherein:
 said fuel line includes a medial portion disposed below said dome assembly and above said vessel assembly; 
 wherein said fuel line medial portion is inhumed. 
 
     
     
         7 . The underground storage tank of  claim 2  wherein:
 said withdrawal line includes a medial portion disposed below said dome assembly and above said vessel assembly; 
 wherein said withdrawal line medial portion is inhumed. 
 
     
     
         8 . The underground storage tank of  claim 2  wherein said collar is removably coupled to said base plate. 
     
     
         9 . The underground storage tank of  claim 8  wherein said collar is rotatably coupled to said base plate. 
     
     
         10 . The underground storage tank of  claim 8  wherein:
 said dome assembly also includes bottom member, said bottom member coupled to said collar; 
 said base plate having at least two keys extending away from said vessel assembly; and 
 said bottom member having two arced, keyed openings, each keyed opening is structured to align with one said key. 
 
     
     
         11 . The underground storage tank of  claim 1  wherein said withdrawal line includes a pressure release device structured to vent vapor from said vessel assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The underground storage tank of  claim 11  wherein said pressure release device is structured to operate when said withdrawal line is damaged. 
     
     
         13 . The underground storage tank of  claim 11  wherein:
 said vessel assembly enclosed space includes an upper, vapor space and a lower, liquid space; 
 said vessel assembly sidewall having a withdrawal line opening; 
 said withdrawal line pressure release device includes a check lock valve, an outer shell, an inner pipe, and a plenum between said outer shell and said inner pipe; 
 said inner pipe having a first, upper end and a second, lower end, said upper end extending into said dome assembly, said inner pipe extending through said outer shell and said withdrawal line opening into said liquid space; 
 said check lock valve removably disposed in said inner pipe upper end and structured to seal said inner pipe; and 
 said outer shell having first end and a second end, said outer shell first end sealingly coupled to said inner pipe upper end, said second end sealingly coupled to said vessel assembly sidewall about said withdrawal line opening, and wherein said vessel assembly vapor space is in fluid communication with said plenum. 
 
     
     
         14 . The underground storage tank of  claim 18  wherein:
 said dome assembly also includes bottom member, said bottom member coupled to said collar; 
 said base plate having at least two keys extending away from said vessel assembly; and 
 said bottom member having two arced, keyed openings, each keyed opening is structured to align with one said key. 
 
     
     
         15 . An underground storage tank structured to be disposed below a ground surface, said underground storage tank comprising:
 a vessel assembly having a sidewall defining an enclosed space;   an access assembly having a dome assembly, a fuel line, and a withdrawal line;   said dome assembly coupled to said fuel line and said withdrawal line, and spaced from said vessel assembly;   said fuel line includes a medial portion disposed below said dome assembly and above said vessel assembly; and   wherein said fuel line medial portion is inhumed.   
     
     
         16 . The underground storage tank of  claim 15  wherein:
 said withdrawal line includes a medial portion disposed below said dome assembly and above said vessel assembly; and 
 wherein said withdrawal line medial portion is inhumed. 
 
     
     
         17 . The underground storage tank of  claim 15  wherein:
 said dome assembly includes a generally planar base plate, a collar and a lid; 
 said base plate coupled to said fuel line and said withdrawal line; 
 said collar coupled to said base plate; 
 said lid pivotally coupled to said collar; and 
 said base plate, said collar and said lid defining an dome enclosed space. 
 
     
     
         18 . The underground storage tank of  claim 15  wherein said withdrawal line includes a pressure release device structured to vent vapor from said vessel assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The underground storage tank of  claim 15  wherein said pressure release device is structured to operate when said withdrawal line is damaged. 
     
     
         20 . The underground storage tank of  claim 15  wherein:
 said dome assembly also includes bottom member, said bottom member coupled to said collar; 
 said base plate having at least two keys extending away from said vessel assembly; and 
 said bottom member having two arced, keyed openings, each keyed opening is structured to align with one said key.