Importance

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Abstract

Removal of a first liquid, such as water, from a tank containing a second liquid of lower specific gravity, such as diesel fuel, is achieved with a liquid trap chamber into which the first liquid is delivered by a primer wick and from which the first liquid is withdrawn by an exhaust wick or pump. The primer wick transversely fills an in-flow passage above a downward-facing inlet opening of that passage. The first liquid is drawn from the tank by the primer wick, which spills that liquid over a weir into the liquid trap chamber. The bottom of the liquid trap chamber is disposed at a level below said inlet opening. The exhaust wick is disposed to transversely fill an outlet passage disposed above the liquid trap chamber with the bottom of the exhaust wick or pump sensor positioned at least as high as the top of the primer wick. When the first liquid in the tank falls below an established level, the primer wick stops pumping and liquid from the liquid trap chamber falls below the bottom of the exhaust wick or pump sensor to prevent further removal of liquid therefrom. The first liquid remaining in the liquid trap chamber forms a dam which blocks flow communication from the primer wick to the exhaust wick or pump sensor. Any of the second fluid which may enter the liquid trap chamber collects on top of the dam at the primer wick side.

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First Claim