AU2021221804A1

AU2021221804A1 - Mobile Service Platform

Info

Publication number: AU2021221804A1
Application number: AU2021221804A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gavin Warnock; Mark Warnock
Original assignee: Warbrook Entpr Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Warbrook Enterprises Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-13
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2023-02-02

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises a housing having a first outlet for supplying fluid, such as water to a unit, a first inlet for receiving fluid, a second inlet for receiving sewerage, and a second outlet through which the sewerage can be removed from the mobile service platform. The platform also comprises a power generation means supported/housed in the housing, and a fluid supply means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet. The platform further comprises a sewerage storage means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet. The mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for operation.

Description

Mobile Service Platform

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a mobile service platform. In particular the present invention provides a mobile site platform for providing utilities such as water, and power.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] When establishing dwellings in new locations, it is necessary to provide services such as water, power and sewerage collection. The establishment of these dwellings may be temporary, or may represent the first stages of a more permanent community.

[0003] One industry in which dwellings are established for temporary and more permanent communities is in the mining industry. Particularly in the early stages of establishing a mine, camp sites are set up at various locations to house the mine workers. When establishing the camp, a water supply, a power supply and a means for treating/storing sewerage must first be arranged before the mine camp is able to house workers.

[0004] Water is typically supplied to each accommodation/shower/toilet unit from a large tank. When establishing the site an appropriate location is prepared and a tank is delivered and installed, before connecting each unit to the tank. The tank is then filled, and regularly refilled as it is used.

[0005] Power is typically supplied across the site by a diesel generator. When establishing the site an appropriate location is prepared for the generator and a tank for storing diesel is delivered and installed, before connecting each unit to the generator. The generator needs to be a suitable distance from the sleeping units to minimise sleep disruption.

[0006] In regard to sewerage, typically the sewerage is stored in a sewerage reservoir/tank and is collected when required for processing off-site. When establishing the site an appropriate location is selected and prepared for the sewerage reservoir/tank. The reservoir/tank needs to be placed a suitable distance away from the camp to minimise odours within the campsite.

[0007] When establishing a camp, the logistics and time required to establish these services is no mean feat. As most of these sites are in very remote location, a delay in establishing these services, and/or incorrect delivery of equipment/tanks, etc can have a significant impact and delay on having the mine camp commissioned. While the impact on a more permanent camp is diluted over time, the impact of any delay on those temporary camps which are in one location for a short time before moving to another location is significant and costly.

[0008]The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide a mobile service platform which ameliorates, mitigates or overcomes, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

[0010] The present invention provides a mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet for supplying fluid, such as water to a unit, a first inlet for receiving fluid, a second inlet for receiving sewerage, and a second outlet through which the sewerage may be removed from the mobile service platform;

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing;

a fluid supply means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet;

a sewerage storage means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet;

wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for operation.

[0011] In contrast to the prior art, the mobile service platform provides a rapid deployment of services when establishing a new camp site. Once delivered to site, the water supply, power, and sewerage storing system can be immediately and quickly connected to the unit. There is no requirement to locate multiple sites and have multiple trades people working to establish the required connection to the units. Furthermore, when it is time to move the camp the mobile service platform can readily, and quickly be disconnected, decommissioned, and transported to the next site.

[0012] The power generation means may be provided by diesel, solar or wind.

[0013]The power generation means may comprise a generator such as a diesel generator housed in the housing.

[0014] The power generation means may comprise a plurality of solar panels. The housing may support the solar panels. The solar panels may be supported on top of the housing. The solar panels may be supported on slidable solar frames which can slide from a stored configuration, wherein the solar frames are stacked on top of the housing, such as may be required when transporting the mobile service platform, and an extended configuration wherein the solar frames extend away from the housing, maximising the surface area of the solar panels exposed to the sun.

[0015] The power generation means may comprise one or more wind turbines. The wind turbines may extend above the housing when the mobile service platform is operational.

[0016] The power generation means may comprise a combination of solar panels, wind turbine(s) and/or generator(s)

[0017] The power generation means may comprise one or more batteries for storing power. The one or more batteries may be housed in the housing.

[0018]The power generation means may comprise one or more electrical sockets allowing for units to be immediately electrically coupled to the mobile service platform. This will eliminate the requirement to have an electrician on hand when the mobile service platform is delivered to site.

[0019] The fluid supply means may comprise a tank for storing the fluid, such as water. The tank may be housed in the housing and may be insulated. The fluid supply means may also comprise a means to heat and/or cool the fluid.

[0020] The housing may comprise a water dispenser and/or a shower, such as an emergency shower and eye wash. The water dispenser/shower may be supported on an external portion of the housing.

[0021] The sewerage storage means may comprise a sewer tank housed in the housing. The sewer storage means may also comprise a processing means to process the sewerage.

[0022] The mobile service platform may comprise a sewage treatment plant to treat the sewerage. The sewage treatment plant may treat the sewerage such that resulting waste water may be discharged from the mobile service platform. The waste water may be discharged for irrigation purposes. With this embodiment the cost requirement to have sewerage tanks pumped out regularly is minimised.

[0023] The mobile service platform may comprise a control and monitoring station to control and monitor each service provided by the platform.

[0024] The housing may be configured to be stacked on another housing, such that banks of mobile service platforms can be established, as well as assisting in transportation of the mobile service platform.

[0025] The housing may be constructed to meet extremities of expected local weather events.

[0026] The present invention further provides a mobile service platform for providing utilities, wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units, the platform comprises a housing which is configured to allow for ease of transportation of the mobile service platform, the platform further comprises one or more of the following :

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing;

a fluid supply means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with a first inlet and a first outlet provided by the housing;

a sewerage storage means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with a second inlet and a second outlet provided by the housing;

a sewage treatment plant to treat the sewerage;

a lighting systems for lighting at night;

a telecommunications hub.

[0027] The present invention further provides a mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet to supply fluid, such as water to a unit, a first inlet to receive the fluid, a second inlet to receive sewerage, a second outlet through which the sewerage is removed from the mobile service platform, and an electrical coupling to electrically connect to a unit;

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing, the power generation means being adapted to supply power to the unit through the electrical coupling;

wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for commissioning.

[0028] The present invention further provides a mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet to supply water to a unit, a first inlet to receive the water, a second inlet to receive sewerage, a second outlet through which the sewerage is removed from the mobile service platform, and an electrical coupling to electrically connect to a unit;

an array of solar panels supported/housed by the housing for generating power, the array being movable between a stored configuration in which the mobile service platform may be transported; and an expanded configuration wherein the array extends outside the envelope of the housing;

one or more batteries for storing power generated by the solar panels, the one or more batteries being housed in the housing, the one or more batteries being adapted to supply power to the unit through the electrical coupling;

a water tank housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet; a sewerage storage tank housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet; wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for commissioning.

[0029] The present invention further provides a mobile service platform for providing services at a location, the platform comprises:

a power generation means supported/housed by the housing, the power generation means being adapted to supply power to the unit through the electrical coupling;

a fluid supply means supported/housed by the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet;

a sewerage storage means supported/housed by the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet;

[0030] The mobile service platform may comprise one or more pumps housed by the housing to move fluid and sewerage in and out of the mobile service platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a mobile service platform according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 a rear view of the mobile service platform shown in figure 1;

Figure 3 a front perspective view of the mobile service platform shown in figure 1 when viewed from the left hand side, in which an array of solar panels is in an extended condition;

Figure 4 is a view similar to figure 3 but from the right hand side;

Figure 5 a rear perspective view of figure 3;

Figure 6 a top perspective view of figure 3 when viewed from the left hand side; and

Figure 7 a top perspective view of figure 3 when viewed from the right hand side.

[0032] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring to the figures, the invention according to the first embodiment is in the form of a mobile service platform 11 for providing utilities such as water, power and sewerage collection. In other embodiments the mobile service platform may provide one or two of these services, or may provide additional services such as telecommunications and lighting.

[0034] An ideal application of the mobile service platform 11 is at newly established sites which are remote from established communities. In such an application it is required to provide a water supply, a power supply and enable sewerage collection before the number of mine sites workers which can be accommodated can increase. Any delays or difficulties in being able to provide these services results in significant delays and cost of setting up the camp site. This has ramifications down the track as the mine comes online. It is therefore advantageous to provide a mobile service platform 11 which is able to provide these services and can readily be connected to units already on site, or as they arrive.

[0035] The platform 11 comprises a housing 13 which supports and/or houses equipment to assist in providing the required services. The housing 13 is configured to withstand environmental and meteorological events. The housing 13 is also configured to be stackable on other housing(s).

[0036] The housing 13 provides outer walls 15 of the platform 11 and allows for transportation of the platform 11 in a similar manner as a sea container.

[0037] The platform 11 is similar in size to a sea container and can vary in length to accommodate different requirements.

[0038] The platform 11 houses a water supply means in the form of a water tank 17, and a sewerage storage means in the form of a sewerage tank 19

.

[0039] A rear outer wall 15a of the housing provides a first outlet 21 which is in fluid communication with the water tank 17. Upon arrival of the platform 11 to site the first inlet 21 is connected to one or more units in order to supply water from the platform 11 to those units.

[0040] The housing also has a first inlet 23 which allows the water tanks 17 to be filled when required.

[0041] The rear outer wall 15a of the housing also provides a second inlet 27 which is in fluid communication with the sewerage tank 19. Upon arrival of the platform 11 to site the second inlet 27 is connected to one or more units and receives the sewerage from those units through the second inlet 27.

[0042] The housing also has a first outlet 25 which allows the sewerage tank 19 to be emptied when required.

[0043] The housing 13 also provides an electrical coupling (not shown) to electrically connect the platform 11 to one or more units.

[0044] As would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art, the housing may provide any number of inlets, outlets and/or electrical couplings without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0045] The platform 11 provides a power generation means which, in this embodiment, is provided by an array of solar panels 29 supported on top of the housing 13. The array of solar panels 29 is secured on three slidable frames 31. As shown in figure 1, the array of solar panels 29 is movable from a stored configuration wherein the slidable frames 31 are positioned on top of each other whereby the platform 11 can be transported, to an extended configuration, as best shown in figure 6, wherein the maximum surface area of the solar panels 29 may be exposed to sunlight.

[0046] In the extended configuration one of the slidable frames 31a supporting a portion of the solar panels 29 is on top of the housing 13, while the other two slidable frames 31b, 31c extend outside the envelope of the housing 13.

[0047] The platform 11 also incorporates a battery 33 for storing power generated by the solar panels 29. The battery is housed in the housing 13 and, once connected via the electrical coupling, supplies power to the one or more units.

[0048] The mobile service platform 11 can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for operation.

[0049] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0050] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0051] Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0053] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0054] Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0055] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. As used herein the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Claims

1. A mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet for supplying fluid, such as water to a unit, a first inlet for receiving fluid, a second inlet for receiving sewerage, and a second outlet through which the sewerage can be removed from the mobile service platform;

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing;

2. A mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing;

3. The mobile service platform according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the power generation means is provided by diesel, solar and/or wind.

4. The mobile service platform according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the power generation means comprises a plurality of solar panels, the housing supports the solar panels.

5. The mobile service platform according to claims 4 wherein the solar panels are supported on slidable solar frames which slide from a stored configuration, wherein the solar frames are stacked on top of the housing, such as required when transporting the mobile service platform, and an extended configuration wherein the solar frames extend away from the housing, maximising the surface area of the solar panels exposed to the sun.

6. The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the power generation means comprises one or more wind turbines, the wind turbines extending above the housing when the mobile service platform is operational.

7. The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the power generation means comprises one or more batteries for storing power, the one or more batteries being housed in the housing.

8. The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims comprising one or more electrical sockets allowing for units to be immediately electrically coupled to the mobile service platform.

9. The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid supply means comprises a tank for storing the fluid, such as water, the tank being housed in the housing and is insulated.

1O.The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing comprises a water dispenser and/or a shower, such as an emergency shower and eye wash, wherein the water dispenser/shower is supported on an external portion of the housing.

11.The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sewerage storage means comprises a sewer tank housed in the housing, the sewer storage means comprising a processing means to process the sewerage.

12.The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a sewage treatment plant to treat the sewerage, wherein the treated water can be discharged from the mobile service platform for irrigation and other suitable purposes.

13.The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a control and monitoring station to control and monitor each service provided by the platform.

14.The mobile service platform according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing is configured to be stacked on another housing, such that banks of mobile service platforms can be established, as well as assisting in transportation of the mobile service platform.

15.A mobile service platform for providing utilities, wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units, the platform comprises a housing which is configured to allow for ease of transportation of the mobile service platform, the platform further comprises one or more of the following :

a power generation means supported/housed in the housing;

a sewage treatment plant to treat the sewerage;

a lighting systems for lighting at night;

a telecommunications hub.

16.A mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet to supply fluid, such as water to a unit, a first inlet to receive the fluid, a second inlet to receive sewerage, a second outlet through which the sewerage is removed from the mobile service platform, and an electrical coupling to electrically connect to a unit; a power generation means supported/housed in the housing, the power generation means being adapted to supply power to the unit through the electrical coupling; a fluid supply means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet; a sewerage storage means supported/housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet; wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for commissioning.

17.A mobile service platform for providing utilities, the platform comprises:

an array of solar panels supported/housed by the housing for generating power, the array being movable between a stored configuration in which the mobile service platform can be transported; and an expanded configuration wherein the array extends outside the envelope of the housing;

a water tank housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet;

a sewerage storage tank housed in the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet;

18.A mobile service platform for providing services at a location, the platform comprises:

a housing having a first outlet to supply water to a unit, a first inlet to receive the water, a second inlet to receive sewerage, a second outlet through which the sewerage is removed from the mobile service platform, and an electrical coupling to electrically connect to a unit; a power generation means supported/housed by the housing, the power generation means being adapted to supply power to the unit through the electrical coupling; a fluid supply means supported/housed by the housing and in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet; a sewerage storage means supported/housed by the housing and in fluid communication with the second inlet and the second outlet; wherein the mobile service platform can be readily deployed to site and immediately connected to one or more units ready for commissioning.