Fuel-pick-up device

Abstract

A fuel pick-up device with a head 12, a float 15 that rises and falls with the level of fuel in a tank, an elongate flexible pick-up duct 14 that extends from the float 15 towards the head 12, and an

Description

This invention relates to a fuel-pick-up device for use in drawing fuel from a tank or other reservoir. In conventional fuel tanks, the fuel is drawn from a point adjacent the bottom of the tank in order to enable the pick-up of fuel even when the level of fuel in the tank is low. However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that any water and / or contaminants which have accumulated at the bottom of the tank can be drawn up with the fuel and fed to the apparatus which is being supplied with fuel. In most cases, fuel is being supplied to an internal combustion engine and any contaminant in the fuel could undesirably stop or damage the engine. GB2482956 discloses a solution to this problem in the form of a fuel-pick-up device having a float member arranged for rising and falling with the level of fuel in the tank, and a coiled flexible fuel pick-up duct having its distal end coupled to the float. The float member is arranged for vertical movement within an elongate tubular constraint which encloses the float member and the flexible tube. In use, the float member ensures that the distal end of the pick-up tube is always adjacent the surface of the fuel in the tank. Accordingly, the risk of drawing up water and / or contaminants from the tank is alleviated. The elongate tubular constraint in which the float member moves vertically comprises an elongate perforated tube which is open at its lower end to allow the float member to partially extend below the elongate tubular constraint when the level of fuel in the tank is low. In this way, a device with a slightly shorter constraint can be fitted into a tank to ensure that the device fits and to allow for manufacturing tolerances or deformations in the tank. However, when the level of fuel is low, the float member extends partially below the distal lower end of the elongate tubular constraint, so that the volume of fuel that can be drawn from the tank is maximised. It will be appreciated that a fuel-pick-up device having an elongate tubular constraint of a particular length can thus be fitted to tanks having a range of different depths. Since the distal end of the pick-up tube may be disposed outside the elongate tubular constraint when the fuel in tank is low, the float member is provided with a filter arranged to filter the fuel being drawn up the pick-up tube. Fuel-pick-up devices of the type disclosed in GB2482956 have met with considerable commercial success, particularly as a retro-fit to the fuel tanks of vehicles and other machines used in industries where fuel contamination is problematic. This generally involves inserting the elongate tubular constraint of the device through an aperture in the top wall of the fuel tank, such that the constraint extends almost fully towards the bottom of the tank. The device is then secured in-situ by mounting a head portion thereof to the wall of the tank. It will be appreciated that high volume tanks of the kind found in vehicles such as train locomotives can have a considerable height and thus the constraint can have a length of over a meter. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the fuel tank may be located in a position where the space above the tank is insufficient to allow the constraint of the device to be inserted through the aperture in the top wall of the fuel tank. With the aforementioned problem in mind, we have now devised an improved fuel pickup device. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fuel pick-up device comprising a head, a float arranged for rising and falling along an axis with the level of fuel in a tank, an elongate flexible pick-up duct extending from the float towards the head and an elongate constraint mounted to the head, the constraint being arranged to at least partially constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis, wherein the elongate constraint comprises a plurality of axially disposed sections mounted end-to-end and secured to each other by a respective fastening arrangement. In use, a fuel pick-up device in accordance with the present invention can be fitted to the fuel tanks of vehicles and other machines having limited space around the tank by inserting a first distal section of the elongate constraint through an aperture in the fuel tank and then connecting it to the next successive section thereof and lowering the assembly into the tank, whereupon the process is repeated until all of the sections are inside the tank. The proximal section is then secured to the head before the latter is mounted to the to the wall of the tank. Since the elongate constraint is inserted in sections one a time, there only needs to be enough room externally of the tank to allow each section to be independently inserted one at time through the aperture in the wall of the tank. In this manner it is possible to fit the fuel pick-up device to a fuel tank having limited space around the tank In some embodiments, the float only needs to rise and fall between levels of fuel at the bottom of the tank. Accordingly, the float may be at least partially constrained against radial movement relative to said axis by a distal portion of the constraint, the constraint comprising a proximal support portion which mounts the distal portion to the head at a position disposed proximal the bottom of the tank. The distal portion and / or the proximal portion of the constraint may comprise said plurality of axially disposed sections mounted end-to-end. In one embodiment, the constraint comprises an elongate body such as a rod, shaft or track to which the float is mounted, the body serving to constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis. The elongate body may form part of a fuel level sensor. In another embodiment, the constraint comprises an elongate tubular body in which the float is mounted, the body serving to at least partially constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis. The tubular body may be perforated to allow fuel to enter radially into the interior thereof. The ends of adjacent sections may comprise a protrusion on one section which extends into a recess on the other section. In this manner the ends of adjacent sections overlap each other to improve the rigidity of the assembly. The ends of adjacent sections may comprise respective flanges which extend radially outwardly thereof, the flanges being secured to each other by a said respective fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement may comprise bolts or externally threaded studs which extend from one flange though respective apertures in the adjacent other flange. The device may comprise an apertured mount for mounting to an aperture in a wall of the tank, the head comprising a flange which can be secured to the apertured mount. A proximal end of each section may have one or more formations which extend radially outwardly thereof and the aperture in the mount may comprise a central region and one or more outer regions which extend radially outwardly thereof. In use, the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through the aperture in the mount until at least one of the formations thereon engages the mount and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, thereby facilitating connection to the next successive section. The assembly can then be rotated to bring the or each formation into registration with the or each outer regions, thereby allowing the assembly to be lowered into the tank, whereupon the process is repeated until all of the sections are inside the tank. The circumferential position of the or each radially extending formation of successive sections may be different so that the assembly does not have to be rotated as it being lowered to ensure that the proximal section of the assembly engages the mount. The radially extending formations may be provided on at least one of the flanges of adjacent sections. Also in accordance the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a fuel pick-up device having a head, a float arranged for rising and falling along an axis with the level of fuel in a tank, an elongate flexible pick-up duct extending from the float towards the head and a constraint for mounting to the head, the constraint being arranged to at least partially constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis, wherein the constraint comprises a plurality of sections for mounting end-to-end and provided with respective fastening arrangements for securing them together to form the elongate constraint. The kit of parts may comprise a mount for mounting in an aperture in a wall of the tank. The mount may comprise one or more projections which extend radially inwardly. In use, the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through the aperture in the mount until the flange thereon engages the mount projection and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, thereby facilitating connection to the next successive section. The assembly can then be manoeuvred out of engagement with the mount, thereby allowing the assembly to be lowered into the tank, whereupon the process is repeated until all of the sections are inside the tank. The mount projection may comprise a formation which engages a complementary formation on the flange of a section to securely hold it in-situ whilst the next successive section is engaged therewith. The kit of parts may comprise a leash for securing to the distal end of the assembly in order to prevent it from being inadvertently dropped into the tank. Also, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of fitting a fuel pick-up device as hereinbefore defined to a fuel tank, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting a first distal section of the elongate constraint through an aperture in a top wall of the fuel tank; b) connecting the first distal section to the next successive section; c) lowering the assembly of sections into the tank; d) optionally repeating steps b) and c) until all of the sections of the elongate constraint are inside the tank; e) connecting the proximal section of the assembly of sections to the head; and f) mounting the head to the to the top wall of the tank. A mount may be mounted in the aperture in the top wall of the tank, wherein step a) comprises inserting the first distal section of the elongate constraint through the aperture in the mount until a portion thereof engages and is supported by the mount whilst step b) is carried out. In one embodiment, the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through a central region of an aperture in the mount until at least one radially outwardly extending formation thereon engages the mount and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, whereupon the first distal section is connected to the next successive section. The assembly of sections may then be rotated to bring the or each formation into registration with the or each of one or more radially extending outer regions of the aperture in the mount and lowering the assembly of sections into the tank. In another embodiment, the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through the mount until a radially outwardly extending formation thereon engages the mount and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, whereupon the first distal section is connected to the next successive section. The assembly of sections may then be manoeuvred out of engagement with the mount to a position where it can be lowered into the tank. The method may comprise connecting the duct to the head or to a proximal support portion of the constraint. The method may comprise attaching a tether to the assembly of sections in order to prevent it from being inadvertently dropped into the tank. In one embodiment, the mount may be removed from the aperture in the tank prior to securing the head of the fuel pick-up device to the tank. In another embodiment, the head of the fuel pick-up device may be secured to the mount. In embodiments where the constraint is tubular, the method may comprise inserting the float into the constraint. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view through an embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1 prior to assembly; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1 following assembly; Figure 4 is a schematic lower end view of a section of a constraint of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is flow diagram illustrating a method of fitting the fuel pick-up device of Figure 1 to a fuel tank; Figure 6 is a plan view of the top of a fuel tank when fitted with a mount of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a plan view of the top of a fuel tank during installation of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a plan view of the top of a fuel tank during installation of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a is a perspective side view of the adjacent ends of a disassembled constraint of the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 6; Figure 11 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view from one side and above of a mount for use in another method of fitting a fuel pick-up device to a fuel tank; Figure 13 is a plan view of a fuel tank when fitted with the mount of Figure 12; Figure 14 is sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view from one side and above of a section of a constraint of an alternative embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 16 is sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13 illustrating how a lower constraint sections is supported on the mount of Figure 12; Figure 17 is sectional view along the lineXIV-XIV of Figure 13 illustrating how a second constraint section is fitted to the lower constraint section of Figure 16; and Figure 18 is sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13 illustrating how the two assembled constraint sections of Figure 17 are lowered into the fuel tank. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a fuel-pick-up device for fitting to a circular aperture formed in the top wall T1 of a fuel tank. The device comprises an elongate circular-section constraint 10 which is closed at its first end by a flanged head 12, which is arranged for securing around its periphery to a mount 34 of the device. The mount 34 comprises an aperture and is mounted co-axially with an aperture formed in the top wall T1 of the fuel tank. The head 12 comprises a flange which can be secured to the apertured mount 34. The second end of the constraint 10 is open. A rigid feed pipe 13 extends through the head 12 as shown in Figure 1, the lower end of the pipe 13 being connected to an elongate coiled flexible pick-up duct 14 of plastics material. The lower end of the flexible duct 14 is connected to a float member 15 by means of a tubular connector 20. The float member 15 is generally circular in section and is arranged to freely move vertically within the constraint 10 with the level of fuel in the tank. The float member 15 comprises a sealed upper chamber 16 which is filled with air and a separate bottom chamber 18 having bottom and side walls which are provided with apertures 19. The bottom chamber 18 comprises an outlet connected to the distal end of the flexible duct 14 via the connector 20. It will be appreciated that other types of float member may be utilised, such a float member of the kind disclosed in GB2472181. Referring to Figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, the constraint 10 comprises an inner tubular metal sleeve 11 provided with an array of apertures. The inner sleeve 11 is disposed inside an outer sleeve 21 which has openings and which acts to strengthen the constraint 10. The constraint 10 comprises a plurality of axially disposed sections 10A - 10E which can be mounted end-to-end and secured to each other by a respective fastening arrangement. In the embodiment shown, the upper section 10E proximal the head 12 is supplied secured to the head 12. The adjacent ends of adjacent sections 10A - 10E comprise a protrusion 23 on the uppermost section provided by an extension of the inner tubular metal sleeve 11 beyond the outer sleeve 21. The adjacent ends of adjacent sections 10A - 10E also comprise a recess 22 on the lowermost section provided by an extension of the outer sleeve 21 beyond the inner tubular metal sleeve 11. The adjacent ends of adjacent sections 10A - 10E comprise two pairs of diametrically opposed flanges 30 which extend radially outwardly from the upper ends of the outer sleeve 21 of the lowermost section at 90° to each other. Each flange 30 is provided with an upwardly extending externally threaded stud 31. The adjacent ends of adjacent sections 10A - 10E also comprise two pairs of diametrically opposed flanges 32 which extend radially outwardly from the lower ends of the outer sleeve 21 of the uppermost section at 90° to each other. Each flange 32 is provided with an aperture 33. The circumferential positions of the flanges 30, 32 of adjacent pairs of sections 10A - 10E are offset from each other by 45°. Referring to Figures 5 to 8 of the drawings, a mount 34 of the fuel-pick-up device comprises an aperture 35 having a central region and four radially outwardly extending lobes disposed at 90° to each other. The mount 34 is fitted to the top wall T1 of the fuel tank at step 50 such that its aperture 35 is aligned with an existing aperture in the top wall T1 of the fuel tank. Next, a first distal section 10A of the elongate constraint 10 is inserted through the central region of the aperture 35 in the mount 34 at step 51 until the flanges 30 thereon engage the mount 34 and hold the first section 10A in-situ in the aperture 35. The first section 10A can then be released to allow the next successive section 10B to be brought into position and connected end-to-end with the first section 10A at step 52 by inserting the protrusion 23 on the upper section 10B into the recess 22 on the lower section 10A until their flanges 30, 32 abut and the studs 31 on the lower flanges 30 extend through the corresponding apertures 33 in the upper flanges 32. Nuts can then be fitted to the studs 31 to secure the sections 10A and 10B together. The assembly of sections 10A and 10B is then rotated at step 53 to bring the flanges 30, 32 thereon into registration with the lobes of the mount aperture 35, thereby allowing the assembly to be lowered into the tank at step 54. The process is then repeated until all the sections 10A - 10D are inside the tank. The different circumferential position of the flanges 30, 32 of successive sections means that the assembly does not have to be rotated as it being lowered to ensure that the proximal section of the assembly engages the mount 34. Next, the duct 14 and float 15 are inserted into the assembly of sections and the free end of the duct 14 is connected to the head 12 at step 55 before the head 12 and uppermost section 10E are connected to the upper end of the assembly at step 56. Finally, the assembly is again rotated allowing the assembly to be lowered into the tank, whereupon the head 12 is secured to the mount 34 at step 57. Since the elongate constraint is inserted in sections 10A - 10E, there only needs to be enough room externally of the tank to allow each section to be independently inserted one at time through the aperture in the top wall T1 of the tank. In this manner it is possible to fit the fuel pick-up device to a fuel tank having limited space around the tank. Referring to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention which is partly similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the float 15 only needs to rise and fall between levels of fuel at the bottom of the tank. Accordingly, the float is least partially constrained against radial movement by a distal portion 101 of the constraint 100 which is similar in construction to the constraint 10 of the embodiment of Figure 1. The constraint 100 further comprises a proximal support portion 102 which mounts the distal portion 101 to the head 12 at a position disposed proximal the bottom of the tank. The distal and proximal portions 101,102 of the constraint 100 comprise a plurality of axially disposed sections 100A- 100F mounted end-to-end. The sections 100A- 100C of the distal portion 101 of the constraint 100 are similar to the sections 10A - 10C of the constraint 10 of the embodiment of Figure 1. The sections 100D-100F of the proximal portion 102 of the constraint 100 comprise upper and lower flanged plates 130, 132 interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes 104. The lower flanged plate 132 of the lowermost section 100D of the proximal portion 102 of the constraint 100 comprises a spigot tube 105, the lower end of which is connected to the free end of the duct 14 from the float 15. The upper end of the spigot tube 105 is connected is connected via a flexible duct (not shown) to the lower end of the rigid feed pipe 13 on the head 12. It will be appreciated that the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 9 can be installed in the manner as the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1. The open end of the constraint of the embodiments may be closed by a shroud of the kind disclosed in our co-pending UK Patent Application No: 2405250.8. The shroud is displaceable axially of the constraint and acts to radially constrain the position of the float and alleviates any risk of the float becoming trapped at the bottom of the tank during installation. Furthermore, the shroud prevents persons from tampering with the float member. Referring to Figure 11 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of fuel-pick-up device in accordance with the present invention which is partly similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the constraint 200 comprises an elongate shaft to which the float 15 is slidably mounted. The float 15 may be annular and may surround the constraint 200. The constraint 200 may also act as a sensor from which the fuel level in the tank can be determined by from the position of the float 15. The constraint 200 is divided into a plurality of sections 201A -201D so that the device can be installed in the manner as the fuel-pick-up device of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 12 to 14 of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment a mount 300 comprises a c-shaped collar 301 from which three parallel support arms 302a, 302b, 302c extend radially outwardly and then upwardly. The support arms 302a, 302c are disposed at respective opposite ends of the c-shaped collar 301 and the support arm 302b is disposed intermediate opposite ends of the c-shaped collar 301. The upper ends of the support arms 302a, 302b, 302c are bent outwardly at 90° and are widened to form respective mounting formations 303a, 303b, 303c. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced studs 305 extend upwardly from the c-shaped collar 301. In use, the mount 300 is temporarily fitted to a circular aperture A in the top wall T1 of a fuel tank by inserting the c-shaped collar 301 through the aperture A until the mounting formations 303a, 303b, 303c abut the top wall T1 of the fuel tank. When in situ, the support arms 302a, 302c depend into the tank from diametrically opposed points on opposite sides of the tank aperture and the support arm 302b depends from a point which is circumferentially offset therefrom by 90°. The mount 300 is secured to the top wall T1 of a fuel tank by passing bolts (not shown) through apertures 304a, 304b, 304c in the mounting formations 303a, 303b, 303c. Referring to Figure 15 of the drawings, there is shown a tubular section 306 of a constraint which is similar to the sections of the constraint of Figure 2 and comprises an inner tubular metal sleeve 312 provided with an array of apertures (not shown). The inner sleeve 312 is disposed inside an outer sleeve 311 which has openings and which acts to strengthen the constraint section 306. The upper and lower end of the constraint section 306 comprise respective radially extending flanges 307, 308. The upper and lower flanges 307, 308 are respectively provided with a plurality of upwardly extending externally threaded studs 309 and apertures 310 which are axially aligned with each other. The upper and lower flanges 307, 308 are also each provided with apertures 313 which are axially aligned with each other. The kit of parts used in forming a fuel pick-up device comprises a plurality of constraint sections 306 of the kind shown in Figure 15 and it will be appreciated that the number of sections depends on the depth of the tank. The kit also comprises a lower constraint section which is similar to that shown in Figure 15 but without the lower flange 308. The lower end of the lower constraint section may be open or it may comprise a baffle arrangement of the kind described in our co-pending UK Patent Application No: 2405250.8. The kit also comprises an upper constraint section which is similar to that shown in Figure 15 but without the upper flange 307. Instead, upper constraint section comprises a head having a larger flange which can be secured to the top wall of the tank and a rigid fuel feed pipe extending through the head in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 16 of the drawings, once the mount 300 has been temporarily fitted in-situ, the constraint of the fuel pick up device can be formed inside the tank. Initially, the lower constraint section 306A is inserted through the aperture A in the top wall T1 of the fuel tank until its upper flange 307 abuts the c-shaped collar 301 of the mount 300. During installation, a tether (not shown) having a carabiner on its distal end may be engaged with an aperture 313 in the upper flange 307 of the lower constraint section 306A in order to prevent it from being inadvertently dropped into the tank. Once in position on the c-shaped collar 301, three upstanding studs 305 on the c-shaped collar 301 engage with the remaining apertures 313 in the upper flange 307 and hold the lower constraint section 306A securely in-situ just below the aperture A in the top wall T1 of the fuel tank. Referring to Figure 17 of the drawings, once the lower constraint section 306A is in-situ the next constraint section 306B is inserted through the aperture A in the top wall T1 of the fuel tank until its lower flange 308 abuts the upper flange 307 of the lower constraint section 306A. In this position, the upstanding studs 305 on the c-shaped collar 301 also engage with the apertures 313 in the lower flange 308 of the constraint section 306B and hold it securely in-situ. Furthermore, in this position, the upwardly extending externally threaded studs 309 on the upper flange 307 of the lower constraint section 306A extend through the apertures 310 in the lower flange 308 of the constraint section 306B. Nuts (not shown) are then applied to the threaded studs 309 to secure the constrain sections 306A, 306B together. A cut-out 311 in the lower flange 308 of the constraint section 306B allows the tether to remain in-situ whilst the constrain sections 306A, 306B are fastened together. The tether than can be transferred to engage an aperture 313 on the upper flange 307 of the constraint section 306B. Referring to Figure 18 of the drawings, the assembly of constraint sections is then disengaged from the mount 300 and tilted to one side allowing it to be lowered into the tank, whereupon the upper flange 307 of the uppermost constraint section 306B is brought into abutment with the c-shaped collar 301 of the mount 300. The above-mentioned process is then repeated until all of the constraint sections are connected, whereupon the mount 300 is removed and the head of the uppermost section is secured to the top wall T1 of the tank.

Claims

1. A fuel pick-up device comprising a head, a float arranged for rising and falling along an axis with the level of fuel in a tank, an elongate flexible pick-up duct extending from the float towards the head and an elongate constraint mounted to the head, the constraint being arranged to at least partially constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis, wherein the elongate constraint comprises a plurality of axially disposed sections mounted end-to-end and secured to each other by a respective fastening arrangement.

2. A fuel pick-up device as claimed in claim 1, in which the float is at least partially constrained against radial movement relative to said axis by a distal portion of the constraint, the constraint comprising a proximal support portion which mounts the distal portion to the head at a position disposed proximal the bottom of the tank, wherein the distal portion and / or the proximal portion of the constraint comprise said plurality of axially disposed sections mounted end-to-end.

3. A fuel pick-up device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the ends of adjacent sections comprise respective flanges which extend radially outwardly thereof, the flanges being secured to each other by a said respective fastening arrangement.

4. A fuel pick-up device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the device comprises an apertured mount for mounting to an aperture in a wall of the tank, the head comprising a flange which can be secured to the apertured mount.

5. A fuel pick-up device as claimed in claim 4, in which a proximal end of each section has one or more formations which extend radially outwardly thereof and the aperture in the mount comprises a central region and one or more outer regions which extend radially outwardly thereof.

6. A fuel pick-up device as claimed in claim 5, in which the radially extending formations are provided on at least one of the flanges of adjacent sections.

7. A kit of parts comprising a fuel pick-up device having a head, a float arranged for rising and falling along an axis with the level of fuel in a tank, an elongate flexible pick-up duct extending from the float towards the head and a constraint for mounting to the head, the constraint being arranged to at least partially constrain the float against radial movement relative to said axis, wherein the constraint comprises a plurality of sections for mounting end-to-end and provided with respective fastening arrangements for securing them together to form the elongate constraint.

8. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 7, the kit further comprising a mount for mounting in an aperture in a wall of the tank.

9. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8, in which the mount comprises one or more projections which extend radially inwardly.

10. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 9, in which the mount projection comprises a formation which engages a complementary formation on the flange of a constraint section to securely hold it in-situ whilst the next successive constraint section is engaged therewith.

11. A kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, the kit further comprising a leash for securing to a constraint section.

12. A method of fitting a fuel pick-up device as hereinbefore defined to a fuel tank, the method comprising the steps of:a) inserting a first distal section of the elongate constraint through an aperture in a top wall of the fuel tank;b) connecting the first distal section to the next successive section;c) lowering the assembly of sections into the tank;d) optionally repeating steps b) and c) until all of the sections of the elongate constraint are inside the tank;e) connecting the proximal section of the assembly of sections to the head; andf) mounting the head to the to the top wall of the tank.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, in which a mount is mounted in the aperture in the top wall of the tank, wherein step a) comprises inserting the first distal section of the elongate constraint through the aperture in the mount until a portion thereof engages and is supported by the mount whilst step b) is carried out.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through a central region of an aperture in the mount until at least one radially outwardly extending formation thereon engages the mount and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, whereupon the first distal section is connected to the next successive section.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the assembly of sections is then rotated to bring the or each formation into registration with the or each of one or more radially extending outer regions of the aperture in the mount and lowering the assembly of sections into the tank.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the first distal section of the elongate constraint is inserted through the mount until a radially outwardly extending formation thereon engages the mount and holds the section in-situ in the aperture, whereupon the first distal section is connected to the next successive section.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the assembly of sections is then manoeuvred out of engagement with the mount to a position where it can be lowered into the tank.

18. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17, comprising connecting the duct to the head or to a proximal support portion of the constraint.

19. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 18, comprising attaching a tether to the assembly of sections.

20. A method as claimed in claims 16 or 17, in which the mount is removed from the aperture in the tank prior to securing the head of the fuel pick-up device to the tank.5 21. A method as claimed in claims 14 or 15, in which the head of the fuel pick-updevice is secured to the mount.

22. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 21, comprising inserting the float into the constraint.

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