Filling limitor for small, shallow liquid storage tanks

The present invention relates to the field of overfill protection devices or filling limitors for liquid storage tanks and, more particularly, to devices of the foregoing type that are especially suited for shallow tanks such as those known as "generator day tanks" used to store fuel for backup generators at hospitals and the like, or those found in or around homes to hold fuel oil for home heating. The limitor includes a tubular valve body that houses a poppet valve axially moveable between opened and closed positions by an external float. The poppet is protected from direct engagement with incoming pressurized liquid by an overhead deflector that diverts incoming liquid radially outwardly into an annular region around the deflector so that the liquid can pass through a port underlying and spaced below the poppet. This prevents premature closing of the valve. Preferably, the limitor is constructed from a main support tube that becomes attached to the tank and a valve subassembly that is threadably joined with the tube and projects down into the interior of the tank during use. Alternative embodiments are disclosed, including drop tube versions, for facilitating initial installation of the limitor on the top wall of a tank.