US3587643A

US3587643A - Apparatus for transfer of liquids

Info

Publication number: US3587643A
Authority: US
Inventors: William T Bahr; Joseph D Bakstis
Original assignee: Anaconda American Brass Co
Current assignee: Wells Fargo Business Credit Inc
Priority date: 1968-12-27
Filing date: 1968-12-27
Publication date: 1971-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-28

Abstract

APPARATUS FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING LIQUID BETWEEN A STORAGE TANK AND A BULK LIQUID CARRIER HAS AT LEAST TWO CONDUIT ASSEMBLIES, EACH DEFINING A SEPARATE CONDUIT PATH, MOUNTED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE SPACED RELATIONSHIP AND NORMALLY EXTENDING IN A VERTICAL PLANE. EACH CONDUIT ASSEMBLY IS FORMED FROM A SERIES OF CONNECTED FLEXIBLE AND RIGID TUBULAR SECTIONS WHICH DEFINE A BOOM SECTION THAT CAN BE SWIVELED ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS AND CAN BE PIVOTED ABOUT A HORIZOTAL AXIS. THE ASSEMBLIES ARE BALANCED TO MAINTAIN A FLEXIBLE HOSE HAVING AN END FITTING FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE BULK CARRIER SUSPENDED NORMALLY VERTICALLY BUT CAN BE SWIVELED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO CROSS OVER ONE ANOTHER.

Description

United States Patent 1,549,770 8/1925 Holmes 137/615X 1,621,905 3/1927 Russell Primary Examiner-William R. Cline Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: Apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier has at least two conduit assemblies, each defining a separate conduit path, mounted in side-by-side spaced relationship and normally extending in a vertical plane. Each conduit assembly is formed from a series of connected flexible and rigid tubular sections which define a boom section that can be swiveled about a vertical axis and can be pivoted about a horizontal axis. The assemblies are balanced to maintain a flexible hose having an end fitting for attachment to the bulk carrier suspended normally vertically but can be moved up or down by application of a small force and can be swiveled relative to each other so as to cross over one another.

PATENTED JUN28|97| 3,587,643

' sum 3 or 2 INVENTORS m WILLIAM T. BAHR JOSEPH D. BAKSTIS E- 2%, ll v ATTORNEYS This invention relates to apparatus for; transferring fluids between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier.

In the filling of tank trucks which aresued to transport large quantities of fuel to various destinations, it becomes highly desirable to provide a fuel loading system which will rapidly fill the tank with the desired fuel. In order to achieve maximum efficiency such a system must be easily maneuverable by a single operator with little or no effort so that proper connections can be made between the fueling assembly and the tank inlet ports.

The inlet ports on such tank trucks have in the past been located generally on the top of the tank thus requiring that the operator climb onto the upper surface of the tank in order to effect the desired connection. This is highly undesirable especially from the standpoint of possible accident to the operator if he should fall from the upper surface of the tank. In addition there are the hazards of inhaling liquid fumes, where the liquid is gasoline or some other toxic liquid.

The danger of fire is also at a peak in a top loading system v since any overflow from'the tank or leakage from the fuel lines will necessarily spill out over the body of the tank and truck. A spark when the truck is underway at high speeds or during loading could cause an explosion resulting in serious consequences.

Therefore, in recent times there has been a trend towards developing bottom loading systems for such tanks. In such a system, the operator can remain on the ground thus eliminating accidents due to falls. Leakage or losses incidental to filling spill out over the ground only and not over the tank or the truck itself, thus eliminating the danger due to explosion when the truck is underway. Moreover, such a system is selfgrounding thus eliminating the need for a separate grounding cable. Also, such a system can be easily vented so that no productfumes escape to the surrounding atmosphere.

It should be noted that here are other problems associated with a bottom loading system such as avoiding excessive pressure buildup in the tank, determining when the tank is filled to the proper level, providing a valved nozzle mechanism which can be easily and quickly connnected to the inlet ports of the tank, and providing such a nozzle with a valve mechanism which is manually operated when filling has been completed. These problems can be overcome by the use of various wellknown devices and, accordingly, are not within the scope of this invention.

This invention provides a new and useful apparatus which will accomplish the advantages inherent in a bottom loading system. Other advantages of this invention not heretofore more particularly enumerated will be explained and understood from the following detailed description of the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier. The apparatus comprises at least two conduit assemblies mounted in side-by-side spaced relationship which normally extend in a vertical plane. Each conduit assembly defines a separate conduit path and is formed from a series of connected flexible and rigid tubular sections; one end of each assembly is provided with a fitting for attachment to a bulk liquid carrier and the other end of the conduit assembly is connected to a storage tank. Each conduit assembly includes a rigid boom section mounted to swivel on a vertical axis and a flexible hose section depending from the boom section and interconnecting said fitting to permit adjacent assemblies to cross over one another respectively. Pivot means are mounted in the assembly to allow the assembly to pivot about a horizontal axis and means are provided to load the boom section against pivoting about its horizontal axis until an external force is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention shown connected to a bulk carrier;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing also a second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a.third embodiment of apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the preferred embodiments, the apparatus is designed for loading fuel to the bottom of fuel tank trucks and consists of two -flexible liquid conveying conduit assemblies, indicated generally at 10 and 11, wherein one conduit assembly is located adjacent to the other, side-by-side and normally extending in a vertical plane. One end of each assembly is connected to a fuel storage tank 13 and the other end being connectable by an end fitting 14 to a tank truck 15. Each conduit assembly defines a conduit path comprised of a first section 16 defined generally by a flexible metal hose 17 and boom section 18 defined by a rigid horizontal pipe connector 19 and a vertical pipe assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 1 in the equilibrium or rest position, the outlet ends of all conduit assemblies are suspended at substantially equal distances above the ground. The tank truck 15 is shown schematically with one set of the truck wheels being shown in order to indicate the relative position of the tank truck to each bottom loading conduit assembly. As will be seen the tank truck can be compartmentalized to carry several different products all of which can be accommodated by the assembly of the invention.

The first section of each conduit assembly comprises a vertically suspended flexible metal hose 17, located immediately adjacent to the tank truck 15 to be filled, at one end of which is provided a fitting, here a manually operable quick-connect valved nozzle 14. The nozzle 14 is so constructed as to be easily engageable with an inlet port located on the bottom of tank truck 15. The nozzle 14 is provided with either automatic or manual valve mechanisms. The particular configuration of the quick-connect nozzle 14 is shown in the drawings as having a elbow construction and is rotatable 360 in the horizontal plane.

The other end of the flexible hose 17 is provided with a rigid extension tube 21 which is connected by a first elbow joint 22 to a first rigid horizontally extending pipe connector 19. The horizontal pipe connector 19 includes a universal joint 23 which permits pivoting in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis and limited swiveling about a vertical axis taken substantially at the center of the universal joint. The universal joint 23 is located off center adjacent the length of the rigid horizontal pipe connector 19 and connects one part of said pipe connector to another part of said pipe connector. The universal joint 23 imparts added flexibility to each conduit assembly by permitting the flexible metal hose, and thus the end fitting, to be moved upwardly or downwardly to compensate for variations in the height of the receptacle on the truck.

A second elbow joint 24 connects the other end of the rigid pipe connector 19 to a vertically extending pipe assembly 20 to define the boom section of the assembly. The vertical pipe assembly 20 includes a vertical pipe 25, two right

angle elbow joints

26 and 27 which are joined by a short horizontal pipe 28, another elbow joint 29, a second short horizontal pipe section 29a joining

elbow joints

29 and 27, and a short vertical pipe section 30, which is connected to the storage tank 13 and has a flange connector 300 located thereon. While the connection from the vertical pipe 25 has been described in some detail it is to be understood that any other suitable arrangement can be made for connection to the storage tank; for example the storage tank may be located a great distance from the loading station and may be interrupted by pumps, valves and the like.

Counterweights 31 are mounted on one end of a horizontal bar 32 which is attached at the other end to vertical supports 33 which are in turn securely attached to the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19 at a point immediately adjacent to the universal joint 23 on the outlet side of the assembly. The horizontal bar 32 extends beyond the universal joint 23 of each conduit assembly in order to give the desired counterbalancing effect. The supports 33 used to attach the counterweight 31 to the horizontal pipe connector 19 can be secured to said pipe connectors by any suitable means. The counterweight 31 is shown in the drawings as being constructed with a plurality of circular discs 34; however, any other suitable object or objects can be utilized. It is also proposed that the desired effect can be realized by otherwise counterbalancing the horizontal pipe connector 19, as for instance by spring loading. As shown the horizontal pipe connector 19 is shown in a truly horizontal plane; in practice however it is often preferred that the horizontal pipe be located at an angle out of a horizontal plane with the elbow joint 22 higher than elbow joint 24.

The position of each conduit assembly relative to the adjacent conduit assembly is important. The relative position of each conduit assembly in the manner contemplated by this invention permits two or more conduit assemblies to cross over and under each other respectively. This feature imparts several distinct advantages to the fuel loading system contemplated by this invention. Following is a detailed description of such positioning indicating also the manner in which such positioning is accomplished.

In order to provide sufficient clearance for adjacent conduit assemblies to cross over and under each other, the corresponding sections of adjacent conduit assemblies can be of slightly different lengths. As shown in FIG. 1 varying the lengths or corresponding sections of adjacent conduit assemblies results in one conduit assembly being located outwardly in said radial direction from the adjacent conduit assembly, thus defining an outer and inner conduit assembly. Specifically, the vertical pipe assembly 20, the rigid horizontal pipe connector 19, and the rigid extension tube 21 of the outer conduit assembly are longer than corresponding members of the inner conduit assembly. The flexible hoses 17 of the inner and outer conduit assemblies are of equal lengths. This relationship insures that the horizontal pipe connector 19 of the outer conduit assembly will be positioned above the corresponding horizontal pipe connector 19' of the inner conduit assembly in said radial direction. Also, the first section 16 of the outer conduit assembly will be located outwardly in said radial direction from the said first section of the inner conduit assembly 16. While the horizontal pipe connectors 19 have been described as being of different lengths, it is emphasized that due to the flexiblity of movement achieved with the assembly they can be of the same length and the same relative movements will be permitted provided the

vertical pipe connectors

20 and 20' are of different heights.

In connection with the feature of having adjacent conduit assemblies cross over each other, the particular orientation and placement of the counterweights becomes important. The supports 33 of the inner and outer conduit assemblies are so positioned relative to each other as to prevent interference between

counterweights

31 and 31 of the outer and inner conduit assemblies as they are crossed over one another. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, counterweight 31 is attached to the outer conduit assembly by spaced supports 33 which project vertically upward from the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19. The supports 33 which support the counterweights 31 attached the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19' of the inner conduit assembly extend in a parallel space relationship with the horizontal pipe connector 19'. This arrangement avoids interference between the counterweight supporting bar 32' of the innner conduit assembly and the corresponding supporting bar 32 .of the adjacent outer conduit assembly. An alternative placement of such support 33 can be accomplished by having such support project horizontally from the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19.

Furthermore, in order to assure that there will be no interference between the counterweight 31' of the inner conduit assembly with the rigid vertical pipe 25 of the adjacent outer conduit assembly as the respective conduit assemblies are swung to various lateral positions, the vertical rigid pipe 25' of the inner conduit assembly is spaced laterally from the rigid vertical pipe 25 of the adjacent outer conduit assembly a sufficient distance to prevent such interference. More specifically, the distance which the counterweight 31 of the inner conduit assembly extends beyond the rigid vertical pipe 25 is less than the distance defined by the separation between the rigid vertical pipes 25 and 25' of the outer and inner conduit assemblies.

It is also to be noted that with all the flexibility of movement designed into these assemblies, the flexible hoses l7 and 17' are essential to finally making easy connections with the tank truck and make up for any limitations inherent in the flexibility of the particular assembly.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment which is considered at present to be the most commercially practical. Instead of relying solely on a universal joint as in FIG. 1, a swivel fitting assembly 35' is provided on the vertical pipe assembly 20' to permit each assembly to rotate about a vertical axis defined by the vertical rigid pipes, through about 360. Also a different hinge joint 36 is substituted for the universal joint; this hinge joint permits pivoting about a horizontal axis in essentially one vertical plane. In all other respects the assembly of FIG. 2 is essentially the same as FIG. 1, and all the flexibility of movement described above is therefore realized in this embodiment as well. Finally supports 37 and 38 for attaching counterweights are positioned to extend

rods

39 and 40 beneath the horizontal pipe 19, and

counterweights

41 and 42 hanging from these rods encompass but are spaced from the horizontal pipes.

Referring to FIG. 3 a different type of hinge joint 44 posii mounted. A second flange 49 is mounted on the other conduit assembly and positions a rod 50 and counterweights 51 above counterweights 48 so as not to interfere with the movement of the conduit assemblies relative to each other as described with respect to the first embodiment.

Owing to the use in each conduit assembly of the flexible metal hose, hinge joint, and swivel assembly, each individual conduit assembly is provided with great flexibility. Each such conduit assembly can be moved in various planes including adjusting it to varying heights and swinging it arcuately to various lateral positions corresponding to different locations of the tank truck, settling of the truck on its springs when it is being loaded, variation in the location of the receptacle from truck to truck, and to permit connecting any one hose to several truck receptacles sequentially without moving the truck. Thus, the fuel loading system of this invention can adapt very easily to misalignment of the tank truck with the nozzle of the conduit assembly.

Finally, the counterweights on each individual conduit assembly serve to hold the flexible metal hose in a substantially vertical position and to counterbalance the weight of the entire conduit assembly when the operator lifts the quick-connect nozzle for attachment to the fuel tanks.

While we have described particular embodiments of our invention in connection with bottom loading system for tank trucks, it is to be understood that such a system can be used for fluid transfer operations in connection with other applications such as barge loading and unloading, airplane fueling,

etc.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier comprising at least two conduit assemblies mounted in side-by-side spaced relationship normally extending in a vertical plane; each conduit assembly defining a separate conduit path and formed from a series of connected flexible and rigid tubular sections, one end of each assembly being provided with a fitting for attachment to a bulk liquid carrier and the other end of the conduit as sembly being connected to a source of liquid, each conduit assembly including a rigid boom section mounted to swivel on a vertical axis and a flexible hose section depending from the boom section and interconnecting said fitting said flexible hose sections and said rigid boom sections being so configured and arranged as to permit adjacent assemblies to cross,over and under one another respectively; pivot means mounted in the rigid boom section to allow a portion of the boom to pivot about a horizontal axis; and means for loading said boom section against pivoting about the horizontal axis until an external force is applied.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for loading said boom is a counterweight for counterbalancing the weight of each conduit assembly.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each conduit assembly is comprised of a suspended flexible hose defining a first section of the conduit path, one end of which is connected to the fitting and the other end of which is provided with a rigid extension tube; a boom section comprising two rigid tubular members on either side of the pivot means connected to the extension tube and extending substantially horizontal in its equilibrium condition and defining a second section of the conduit path and a rigid upright tubular member connected to the horizontal tubular member and defining a third section of the conduit path.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a swivel fitting is provided in said third section to permit the assembly to swivel on a vertical axis,

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the horizontal tubular sections of adjacent assemblies extend at different vertical heights so as to permit one to swing over the other.

6. ln apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier, the improvement in a conduit assembly defining a conduit path for liquids comprising a first section defined in part by a flexible metal hose and suspended substantially vertically from a boom section with a fitting on the lowermost end of the first section which is capable of connection to a bulk carrier; said boom section being comprised of a rigid tubular member connected to the first section and extending substantially horizontally in its equilibrium condition and a rigid upright tubular member connected to and supporting the horizontal tubular member, a swivel joint provided in the upright tubular member to permit the boom section to swivel on a vertical axis; a pivot joint mounted in said boom section to allow the assembly to pivot about a horizontal axis; and means for loading said boom section against pivoting downwardly about the horizontal axis to hold the first section suspended in a substantially vertical plane against downward movement which loading means has its center of gravity adjacent the upright tubular member.