US 12,012,082 B1
Systems and methods for a hydraulic vent interlock
David E. Pittman, Jr., Findlay, OH (US)
Assigned to MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed by MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/378,760.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/478,052, filed on Dec. 30, 2022.
Int. Cl. B60T 13/26 (2006.01); B60T 17/18 (2006.01); B60T 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60T 17/18 (2013.01) [B60T 13/26 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vent interlock system to prevent operation of a transportation vehicle when a vent cover remains in an open position, the vent interlock system comprising:
a hydraulic pump assembly connected to a trailer of the transportation vehicle, the hydraulic pump assembly comprising:
a hydraulic line,
a hydraulic valve positioned along the hydraulic line,
a hydraulic valve handle connected to the hydraulic valve and movable between an open position, thereby to open the hydraulic valve and release pressure in the hydraulic line, and a closed position, thereby to close the hydraulic valve, and
a pump handle to cause the vent cover positioned on the transportation vehicle to open when the hydraulic valve handle is in the closed position and when the pump handle is actuated;
a pivot bar connected to the trailer of the transportation vehicle and proximate the hydraulic pump assembly;
an interlock bar attached to the pivot bar and to rotate about the pivot bar to a lowered position and a raised position, so that when in the lowered position, the interlock bar prevents the hydraulic valve handle from moving from the open position to the closed position, the hydraulic valve handle to prevent the interlock bar from moving to the raised position to the lowered position when the hydraulic valve handle is in the closed position;
a plunger valve connected to brakes of the transportation vehicle and configured to be depressed when the interlock bar is in the lowered position to unlock the brakes of the transportation vehicle and to be released when the interlock bar is in the raised position to lock the brakes of the transportation vehicle; and
a latch attached to the transportation vehicle to hold the interlock bar in the lowered position when latched and when the interlock bar is in the lowered position.