CA1328960C - Material handling apparatus - Google Patents
Material handling apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1328960C CA1328960C CA 615246 CA615246A CA1328960C CA 1328960 C CA1328960 C CA 1328960C CA 615246 CA615246 CA 615246 CA 615246 A CA615246 A CA 615246A CA 1328960 C CA1328960 C CA 1328960C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- trough
- tank
- catching
- auger system
- clean
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B08B9/093—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
- B08B9/0933—Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus is disclosed for cleaning out large storage tanks containing heavy fluids, oil, sludge, sand or the like. A mobile chassis includes an auger conveyor, a catching trough for engagement with the storage tank, and a clean-out means for projection into the tank.
Apparatus is disclosed for cleaning out large storage tanks containing heavy fluids, oil, sludge, sand or the like. A mobile chassis includes an auger conveyor, a catching trough for engagement with the storage tank, and a clean-out means for projection into the tank.
Description
MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATVS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
. _ This invention relates to material handling devices and more particularly to an apparatus for cleaning out heavy oil storage tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
, The cleaning of storage tanks, particularly, but not limited to, tanks used for stowing heavy oil, has ~een a difficult task. Conventionally, a door in the lower side-wall of a tank is opened to allow heavy fluids to spill outon the ground and this is subsequently removed by conventional ecavating means. Of course, an excavating device also picks up a substantial amount of soil with the residue from the tank and this soil must be replaced when the operation is completed. Additionally, the residue remaining in the tank must be removd manually, a messy, inconvenient, time-consuming and inefficient operation.
Devices are known for cleaning out storage areas such as silos and the like. Several such devices are as follows:
an apparatus for handling and conveying materials is shown in U.S. patent 4,571,145 to ~. Hunter. This device has a movable chassis, a longitudinally extendable conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis, the conveyor having a projecting loading end capable of limited longitudinal and arcuate vertical movement to a position immediately adjacent the location of the material being handled.
U.S. patent 4,295,560 to B. Cross shows a self-contained, moveable material handling conveyance surface mounted for rotation with respect to a central vertical axis on a deck and a loading boom mounted to the deck. m e loading device and the boom cooperate to load .~ ,' ~:' .' ' - .
~ 328960 - material from an interior to a carrier onto the ~aterial conveyance surface.
U.S. patent 2,930,498 to G. Felbeck shows a silo unloading apparatus in which a conveyor such as an auger is projected into the confines of a silo to remove the contents thereof.
~ one of the above-described conventional devices can, however, be utilized for the cleaning out of storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil, because of its particular physical characteristics.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
_ _ The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an efficently operative device to effect a substantial improvement over the conventional methods of cleaning out storage tanks, as described above.
According to a broad aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning out large storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil, sludge or sand or the like, and comprising: a mobile chassis; an auger conveyor means mounted on said chassis; a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chasis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of the storage tank into a positive sealing engagement; a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough; said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means is adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
In one embodiment of the present invention the apparatus comprises a stationary trough and a slidable catching trough, wherein the slidable catching trough is adapted to telescopically extend from the stationary trough. The slidable telescopic catching trough has a flexible containment seal for, postively sealing the assembly against the outer wall of a storage tank. ~le . ', ,, : ~ ' , ~ , .
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movable clean-out means comprises a multi-staye telescoping ram pivoted on the catching trough and a spoon is attached to the free end of said multi-stage telescoping ram.
Another feature of the present invention is that 1 the conveyor system comprises a trough conveyor means, an elevating conveyor means connected to said trough and an unloading conveyor means connected to said elevating conveyor means. The trough conveyor means comprises a horizontal auger system and an elevating trough auger system connected to and aligned with the horizontal auger system. A pivoting auger system is oriented normal to the elevating trough auger system, whereby the horizontal ~- 15 auger system is adapted to be projected into the con~ines of the storage tank.
The catching trough comprises a trough body having an open front end adapted to be engaged with an outer wall of the storage tank, a generally horizontal bottom wall adapted to accommodate the horizontal auger system, an inclined rear wall extending outwardly and upwardly from the bottom wall and adapted to accommodate the elevating trough auger system and vertical side walls ; connecting the bottom and rear walls. The horizontal auger system and the elevating trough auger system extend longitudinally of the trough body and the pivoting auger system and the is mounted near the outermost upper end of the rear wall generally transversely of the trough body.
In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for the cleaning out of storage tanks such of the type containing heavy oil or the like, comprising the steps of:
(a) moving a mobile chassis having a conveyor means mounted on said chassis and a slidable telescopic trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis into a first operative position wherein said catching trough sealingly ....... , . , . ; .
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1 328~60 4.
engages the outer wall of said tank, and wherein said slidable telescopic trough is in a fully extended position;
(b) opening the closure door of said tank by means of a movable clean-out means mounted on front end of said trough to insure a controllable valve like flow of material into the holding trough (c) moving said apparatus into a second operative position in whicl- said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means are projected into the confines of said tank and wherein, in said second operative position, said catching trough is in its collapsible position;
(d) removing of the contents of said tank by means of said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means;
(e) extending said slidable telescopic trough `into fully extending positions to facilitate the final cleanout of said tank; and (f) moving said apparatus into an inoperative position to provide a self-cleaning thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is illustrated by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the catching trough of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the catching trough of Fig. 1 showing the seals;
Figs. 3a and 3b are side and top views respectively of the multi-stage telescoping ram according to the present invention;
Figs. 3c and 3d are perspective and plan views of the jig means for attaching the ram to a door of the tank;
Figs. 4A, B and C are side views showing the clean-out and the conveyor systems in different stages of its operation;
Figs. 5A and B are top views of the system shown in Fig. 4;
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~ 3289 60 Figs. 6A and B are side views of the clean-out apparatus according to the present invention in operative and inoperative positions;
Figs. 7A, s and C are side views showing the different stages of operation of the apparatus shown on Fig. 6 in relation to storage tank;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pivot auger tube, mounting frame and a gudgeon plate according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a side view of the front mounting frame, unloading auger swivel frame and hydraulic tank support;
Fig. 10 is a front view of the front mounting frame of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a side view of the stationary trough;
Figs. 12a and 12b are perspective and side views respectively of the inside of trough shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a front view of the trough shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the sliding trough;
Fig. 15 is a side views of the horizontal and elevation trough auger systems;
Figs. 16a and 16b are top and prespective views respectively of the unload auger mounting assembly and a receiving hopper;
Figs. 17a and 17b are side and top views respectively of the multi-stage telescopic ram; and Fig. 18 illustrates portions of the enclosed auger mount assembly.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Fig. 1, 3, 4 and 6 the apparatus comprises a mobile chassis or tractor 10 having a conveyor means 12 mounted on the tractor body by means of mount frame 14 and a catching trough 16 is mounted on one end of the mobile chassis.
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The conveyor means 12 comprises a horizontal clean-out auger system 18 connected to an elevating trough auger system 20. Auger systems 18 and 20 extend longitudinally inside of the stationary trough 16 which consists of a front open end 22, a generally horizontal bottom 24 and an inclined rear end 26 connected to the bottom by means of vertical side walls 28.
The elevating trough auger system 20 is connected to a pivoting auger system 30 which is mounted on the upper end of the rear wall of the trough 16. This pivoting auger system 30 is extendable transve~ely of the trough body 16 and is enclosed in a ho~sing or tube 32. Sliding catch trough 15 is telescopically extendable with respect to the stationary trough 16 and moves to its operative and inoperative position by means of rollers 34 (Fig. 13) which glide inside of roller rail 36 unted along the outer surface of the side walls 28 of~the trough 16. Sliding trough rams 38 mounted on either sides of the trough 16 and provide movement of the sliding trough 15 to and from its operative position.
The front surface of the sliding trough 15 is provided with a flexible containment seal 40 to maintain a positive seal between the trough 15 and the outer wall of the storage tank 42 which has a manhole door 44. A
sliding trough seal 46 is formed in the space between the stationary trough 16 and sliding trough 15 to prevent leaking of fluid from the trough during a clean-out operation.
A moveable clean-out means 48 is mounted on the front end of the stationary trough 16 comprises a multi-stage telescoping ram 50 (Fig. 3) having a spoon 52 secured to its free end. The spoon 52 is used for drawing the material in the bottom of the tank 42 towards the conveyor or auger 18. The spoon 52 can also be used to ~ .~ , . . .
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open the door 44 of the storage tank by means of a tank door attachment jig 54 (Figs. 3c and 3d). The jig 54 is connected to a self tapping door pin 56 secured permanently to the door 44.
The trough 16 is pivotally attached to the tractor body by means of a gudgeon plate 58 having a main pivot bearing 60 and by means of tractor mounting frame 62~ As shown in Fig. 8 the housing 32 of the pivot auger 10 . 30 iS inserted into gudgeon plate 58 which is in turn attached to the tractor mounting frame 62. The housing 32 for the pivoting auger 30 is the main support frame for the trough unit and is equipped with a bearing 64 on either side of the trough 16 enabling it to pivot and to discharge material regardless of operating position of the trough 16.
The gudgeon plate 58 acts as the bearing housing and attaches to the tractor unit. The multi-stage telescopic ram 50 is movable in horizontal direction by means of two horizontal axes rams 66 and in the vertical direction by means of a vertical axis ram 68 which provides a multi-stage control of the clean-out operation.
Referring now to Figs. 16 and 17 the conveyor system further comprises an elevation auger 70 enclosed in a hDusing 72 connected to the pivoting auger system 30 and an unloading auger system 74 enclosed in a housing 72.
The unloading auger 74 is in communication with the elevation auger 70 by means of a receiving hopper 78. The elevation auger 74 and hopper 78 are mounted on the tractor by means of a front ~ounting frame 80 (Fig. 9).
The unloading auger 74 is mounted on the tractor by means of an unloading auger swivel frame 82 providing the unloading of the contents from the conveyor system in any of the operative posi*ions.
Figs. 12 and 13 shows the interior of the stationary trough 16 having fill plates 84 - 86, 88, 90, . . . : . : ,:
, . . .
.:
92 forming horizontal, side and rear walls respectively of the inside of the trough. A molded trough bottom 94 and rear wall 92 are designed to accommodate the horizontal and elevating trough auger systems and have semi-cylindrical concavities or grooves 96 extending longitudinally of the inner surface of the trough 16. m e multi-stage telescopic ram 50 is attached to the front end of the tro~gh 16 by means of a ram spindle support 98 (Fig. 1). The trough 16 is provided with tank door centralizers 100 extending outwardly from the front lower corners of trough 16 longitudinally of the side walls.
In one of the embodiments of the present invention the spoon 52 is provided with a jig attachment studs 102 protruding from the front surface of spoon 52.
They are used for engagement of the spoon 52 with the jig 54 during the unlocking operation. The height adjustment of the multi-stage ram 50 is provided by means of additional ram spindle support 104 shown on Fig. 1. All operations of the conveyor system and multi-stage rams are performed by means of hydraulic system 82.
Operation of the apparatus is shown on Fig. 7 (A,B,C,). The sliding catch trough 15 in its fully extended position is moved up against the tank 42 wall, encompassing the tank door 44 on both sides and bottom (Fig. 7A). By use of the flexible containment seal 40 between the tank wall and the trough, the apparatus now has the ability to control a potential fluid loss. The door 44 is then prepared by placing the attachment jig 54 up to the door and installing two self tapping pins 56 permanently. The telescoping ram 50 and spoon 52 are extended so that the spoon, with now attached jig 54 is fitted onto the installed door pins and secured. All door ^; . : , , .
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9.
bolts are removed and the operator begins to ease off the door in a controlled manner. Using this method the tank door is converted to a type of valve with the ram 50 and S spoon 52 being the control. This effectively gives the operator full control of material flow into the trough.
T~e second stage of operation begins with door 44 and jig 52 removed from spoon 52. This effectively giving the operator full control of material flow into the trough 10 with the door 44 and jig (28) removed from spoon 52 and tank material stabilized in both tank 42 and trough 15, the Operator powers the tractor unit 10 towards tank 42 and this will collapse the sliding trough 15, always maintaining a positive seal to tank. At the same time, the horizontal clean-out augers 18 will be inserted into the tank as Fig. 7C illustrates. This procedure takes place with the augers operating and cleaning in proyress.
As the horizontal augers consume the material at the door area, the telescoping clean-out ram 50 and spoon 52 are utilized by exterior controls which are mounted conveniently on the stationary trough on cab access side.
The ram is pindled at 98 to the end of the stationary trough 16 so that when the troughs are collapsed the entire ram unit is also inserted. With the two-axis control 66 multi-stage ram the operator has the ability to clean the entire floor area of the tank 42. As the tank is emptied, the sliding trough rams 38 are utilized to push back the stationary trough and tractor unit 10 so that the horizontal auger 18 will move to the door edge so as to make it possible to clean the final floor area. Having now withdrawn from tank, and spooning completed, the apparatus is ready for self-cleaning. The operator moves away from tank slightly and at the same time engages a lifting ram 108 on tractor 10 which will elevate the apparatus by pivoting on its main frame auger housing 30.
As the operator continues to elevate the entire trough system, the operating augers perform the final .. . ~ .
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1 328~ 60 10.
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clean-out of the system using gravity as an aid. At this point, the troughs are then collapsed (Fig. 6) and the apparatus is ready for transport.
While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof and in a specific use, various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in the specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation and there is no intention in the use of such features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
. _ This invention relates to material handling devices and more particularly to an apparatus for cleaning out heavy oil storage tanks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
, The cleaning of storage tanks, particularly, but not limited to, tanks used for stowing heavy oil, has ~een a difficult task. Conventionally, a door in the lower side-wall of a tank is opened to allow heavy fluids to spill outon the ground and this is subsequently removed by conventional ecavating means. Of course, an excavating device also picks up a substantial amount of soil with the residue from the tank and this soil must be replaced when the operation is completed. Additionally, the residue remaining in the tank must be removd manually, a messy, inconvenient, time-consuming and inefficient operation.
Devices are known for cleaning out storage areas such as silos and the like. Several such devices are as follows:
an apparatus for handling and conveying materials is shown in U.S. patent 4,571,145 to ~. Hunter. This device has a movable chassis, a longitudinally extendable conveyor assembly mounted on the chassis, the conveyor having a projecting loading end capable of limited longitudinal and arcuate vertical movement to a position immediately adjacent the location of the material being handled.
U.S. patent 4,295,560 to B. Cross shows a self-contained, moveable material handling conveyance surface mounted for rotation with respect to a central vertical axis on a deck and a loading boom mounted to the deck. m e loading device and the boom cooperate to load .~ ,' ~:' .' ' - .
~ 328960 - material from an interior to a carrier onto the ~aterial conveyance surface.
U.S. patent 2,930,498 to G. Felbeck shows a silo unloading apparatus in which a conveyor such as an auger is projected into the confines of a silo to remove the contents thereof.
~ one of the above-described conventional devices can, however, be utilized for the cleaning out of storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil, because of its particular physical characteristics.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
_ _ The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an efficently operative device to effect a substantial improvement over the conventional methods of cleaning out storage tanks, as described above.
According to a broad aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning out large storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil, sludge or sand or the like, and comprising: a mobile chassis; an auger conveyor means mounted on said chassis; a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chasis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of the storage tank into a positive sealing engagement; a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough; said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means is adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
In one embodiment of the present invention the apparatus comprises a stationary trough and a slidable catching trough, wherein the slidable catching trough is adapted to telescopically extend from the stationary trough. The slidable telescopic catching trough has a flexible containment seal for, postively sealing the assembly against the outer wall of a storage tank. ~le . ', ,, : ~ ' , ~ , .
` ~1 328960 3.
movable clean-out means comprises a multi-staye telescoping ram pivoted on the catching trough and a spoon is attached to the free end of said multi-stage telescoping ram.
Another feature of the present invention is that 1 the conveyor system comprises a trough conveyor means, an elevating conveyor means connected to said trough and an unloading conveyor means connected to said elevating conveyor means. The trough conveyor means comprises a horizontal auger system and an elevating trough auger system connected to and aligned with the horizontal auger system. A pivoting auger system is oriented normal to the elevating trough auger system, whereby the horizontal ~- 15 auger system is adapted to be projected into the con~ines of the storage tank.
The catching trough comprises a trough body having an open front end adapted to be engaged with an outer wall of the storage tank, a generally horizontal bottom wall adapted to accommodate the horizontal auger system, an inclined rear wall extending outwardly and upwardly from the bottom wall and adapted to accommodate the elevating trough auger system and vertical side walls ; connecting the bottom and rear walls. The horizontal auger system and the elevating trough auger system extend longitudinally of the trough body and the pivoting auger system and the is mounted near the outermost upper end of the rear wall generally transversely of the trough body.
In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for the cleaning out of storage tanks such of the type containing heavy oil or the like, comprising the steps of:
(a) moving a mobile chassis having a conveyor means mounted on said chassis and a slidable telescopic trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis into a first operative position wherein said catching trough sealingly ....... , . , . ; .
.. . .
. :, ' . .
.
1 328~60 4.
engages the outer wall of said tank, and wherein said slidable telescopic trough is in a fully extended position;
(b) opening the closure door of said tank by means of a movable clean-out means mounted on front end of said trough to insure a controllable valve like flow of material into the holding trough (c) moving said apparatus into a second operative position in whicl- said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means are projected into the confines of said tank and wherein, in said second operative position, said catching trough is in its collapsible position;
(d) removing of the contents of said tank by means of said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means;
(e) extending said slidable telescopic trough `into fully extending positions to facilitate the final cleanout of said tank; and (f) moving said apparatus into an inoperative position to provide a self-cleaning thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is illustrated by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the catching trough of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the catching trough of Fig. 1 showing the seals;
Figs. 3a and 3b are side and top views respectively of the multi-stage telescoping ram according to the present invention;
Figs. 3c and 3d are perspective and plan views of the jig means for attaching the ram to a door of the tank;
Figs. 4A, B and C are side views showing the clean-out and the conveyor systems in different stages of its operation;
Figs. 5A and B are top views of the system shown in Fig. 4;
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~ 3289 60 Figs. 6A and B are side views of the clean-out apparatus according to the present invention in operative and inoperative positions;
Figs. 7A, s and C are side views showing the different stages of operation of the apparatus shown on Fig. 6 in relation to storage tank;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pivot auger tube, mounting frame and a gudgeon plate according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a side view of the front mounting frame, unloading auger swivel frame and hydraulic tank support;
Fig. 10 is a front view of the front mounting frame of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a side view of the stationary trough;
Figs. 12a and 12b are perspective and side views respectively of the inside of trough shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a front view of the trough shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the sliding trough;
Fig. 15 is a side views of the horizontal and elevation trough auger systems;
Figs. 16a and 16b are top and prespective views respectively of the unload auger mounting assembly and a receiving hopper;
Figs. 17a and 17b are side and top views respectively of the multi-stage telescopic ram; and Fig. 18 illustrates portions of the enclosed auger mount assembly.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Fig. 1, 3, 4 and 6 the apparatus comprises a mobile chassis or tractor 10 having a conveyor means 12 mounted on the tractor body by means of mount frame 14 and a catching trough 16 is mounted on one end of the mobile chassis.
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~ 328960 6.
The conveyor means 12 comprises a horizontal clean-out auger system 18 connected to an elevating trough auger system 20. Auger systems 18 and 20 extend longitudinally inside of the stationary trough 16 which consists of a front open end 22, a generally horizontal bottom 24 and an inclined rear end 26 connected to the bottom by means of vertical side walls 28.
The elevating trough auger system 20 is connected to a pivoting auger system 30 which is mounted on the upper end of the rear wall of the trough 16. This pivoting auger system 30 is extendable transve~ely of the trough body 16 and is enclosed in a ho~sing or tube 32. Sliding catch trough 15 is telescopically extendable with respect to the stationary trough 16 and moves to its operative and inoperative position by means of rollers 34 (Fig. 13) which glide inside of roller rail 36 unted along the outer surface of the side walls 28 of~the trough 16. Sliding trough rams 38 mounted on either sides of the trough 16 and provide movement of the sliding trough 15 to and from its operative position.
The front surface of the sliding trough 15 is provided with a flexible containment seal 40 to maintain a positive seal between the trough 15 and the outer wall of the storage tank 42 which has a manhole door 44. A
sliding trough seal 46 is formed in the space between the stationary trough 16 and sliding trough 15 to prevent leaking of fluid from the trough during a clean-out operation.
A moveable clean-out means 48 is mounted on the front end of the stationary trough 16 comprises a multi-stage telescoping ram 50 (Fig. 3) having a spoon 52 secured to its free end. The spoon 52 is used for drawing the material in the bottom of the tank 42 towards the conveyor or auger 18. The spoon 52 can also be used to ~ .~ , . . .
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open the door 44 of the storage tank by means of a tank door attachment jig 54 (Figs. 3c and 3d). The jig 54 is connected to a self tapping door pin 56 secured permanently to the door 44.
The trough 16 is pivotally attached to the tractor body by means of a gudgeon plate 58 having a main pivot bearing 60 and by means of tractor mounting frame 62~ As shown in Fig. 8 the housing 32 of the pivot auger 10 . 30 iS inserted into gudgeon plate 58 which is in turn attached to the tractor mounting frame 62. The housing 32 for the pivoting auger 30 is the main support frame for the trough unit and is equipped with a bearing 64 on either side of the trough 16 enabling it to pivot and to discharge material regardless of operating position of the trough 16.
The gudgeon plate 58 acts as the bearing housing and attaches to the tractor unit. The multi-stage telescopic ram 50 is movable in horizontal direction by means of two horizontal axes rams 66 and in the vertical direction by means of a vertical axis ram 68 which provides a multi-stage control of the clean-out operation.
Referring now to Figs. 16 and 17 the conveyor system further comprises an elevation auger 70 enclosed in a hDusing 72 connected to the pivoting auger system 30 and an unloading auger system 74 enclosed in a housing 72.
The unloading auger 74 is in communication with the elevation auger 70 by means of a receiving hopper 78. The elevation auger 74 and hopper 78 are mounted on the tractor by means of a front ~ounting frame 80 (Fig. 9).
The unloading auger 74 is mounted on the tractor by means of an unloading auger swivel frame 82 providing the unloading of the contents from the conveyor system in any of the operative posi*ions.
Figs. 12 and 13 shows the interior of the stationary trough 16 having fill plates 84 - 86, 88, 90, . . . : . : ,:
, . . .
.:
92 forming horizontal, side and rear walls respectively of the inside of the trough. A molded trough bottom 94 and rear wall 92 are designed to accommodate the horizontal and elevating trough auger systems and have semi-cylindrical concavities or grooves 96 extending longitudinally of the inner surface of the trough 16. m e multi-stage telescopic ram 50 is attached to the front end of the tro~gh 16 by means of a ram spindle support 98 (Fig. 1). The trough 16 is provided with tank door centralizers 100 extending outwardly from the front lower corners of trough 16 longitudinally of the side walls.
In one of the embodiments of the present invention the spoon 52 is provided with a jig attachment studs 102 protruding from the front surface of spoon 52.
They are used for engagement of the spoon 52 with the jig 54 during the unlocking operation. The height adjustment of the multi-stage ram 50 is provided by means of additional ram spindle support 104 shown on Fig. 1. All operations of the conveyor system and multi-stage rams are performed by means of hydraulic system 82.
Operation of the apparatus is shown on Fig. 7 (A,B,C,). The sliding catch trough 15 in its fully extended position is moved up against the tank 42 wall, encompassing the tank door 44 on both sides and bottom (Fig. 7A). By use of the flexible containment seal 40 between the tank wall and the trough, the apparatus now has the ability to control a potential fluid loss. The door 44 is then prepared by placing the attachment jig 54 up to the door and installing two self tapping pins 56 permanently. The telescoping ram 50 and spoon 52 are extended so that the spoon, with now attached jig 54 is fitted onto the installed door pins and secured. All door ^; . : , , .
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9.
bolts are removed and the operator begins to ease off the door in a controlled manner. Using this method the tank door is converted to a type of valve with the ram 50 and S spoon 52 being the control. This effectively gives the operator full control of material flow into the trough.
T~e second stage of operation begins with door 44 and jig 52 removed from spoon 52. This effectively giving the operator full control of material flow into the trough 10 with the door 44 and jig (28) removed from spoon 52 and tank material stabilized in both tank 42 and trough 15, the Operator powers the tractor unit 10 towards tank 42 and this will collapse the sliding trough 15, always maintaining a positive seal to tank. At the same time, the horizontal clean-out augers 18 will be inserted into the tank as Fig. 7C illustrates. This procedure takes place with the augers operating and cleaning in proyress.
As the horizontal augers consume the material at the door area, the telescoping clean-out ram 50 and spoon 52 are utilized by exterior controls which are mounted conveniently on the stationary trough on cab access side.
The ram is pindled at 98 to the end of the stationary trough 16 so that when the troughs are collapsed the entire ram unit is also inserted. With the two-axis control 66 multi-stage ram the operator has the ability to clean the entire floor area of the tank 42. As the tank is emptied, the sliding trough rams 38 are utilized to push back the stationary trough and tractor unit 10 so that the horizontal auger 18 will move to the door edge so as to make it possible to clean the final floor area. Having now withdrawn from tank, and spooning completed, the apparatus is ready for self-cleaning. The operator moves away from tank slightly and at the same time engages a lifting ram 108 on tractor 10 which will elevate the apparatus by pivoting on its main frame auger housing 30.
As the operator continues to elevate the entire trough system, the operating augers perform the final .. . ~ .
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:: . ............. .
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1 328~ 60 10.
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clean-out of the system using gravity as an aid. At this point, the troughs are then collapsed (Fig. 6) and the apparatus is ready for transport.
While the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment thereof and in a specific use, various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in the specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation and there is no intention in the use of such features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.
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Claims (19)
1. Apparatus for cleaning out storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil or the like, comprising:
a mobile chassis:
a conveyor means mounted on said chassis;
a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of a storage tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough; said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, whereby said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
a mobile chassis:
a conveyor means mounted on said chassis;
a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of a storage tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough; said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, whereby said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
2. Apparatus for cleaning out of storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil or the like comprising:
a mobile chassis;
a slidable telescopic catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough;
said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
a mobile chassis;
a slidable telescopic catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough;
said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means.
3. Apparatus for cleaning out storage tanks containing heavy fluids such as oil or the like comprising:
a mobile chassis;
a conveyor means mounted on said chassis;
a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough;
said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means; and means for driving said conveyor system and said movable clean-out means.
a mobile chassis;
a conveyor means mounted on said chassis;
a catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis, said catching trough adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith;
a movable clean-out means mounted on said catching trough;
said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank, wherein said movable clean-out means is adapted to advance the contents of said tank towards said conveyor means; and means for driving said conveyor system and said movable clean-out means.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said catching trough comprises a stationary trough and a slidable catching trough and wherein said slidable catching rough is adapted to telescopically extend from said stationary trough.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said slidable telescopic catching trough has a flexible containment seal for sealing said trough against the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said stationary trough is pivotally mounted on said mobile chassis by means of a mounting frame.
7. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said movable clean-out means comprises:
a multi-stage telescoping ram pivoted on said catching trough and a spoon attached to the free end of said multi-stage telescoping ram.
a multi-stage telescoping ram pivoted on said catching trough and a spoon attached to the free end of said multi-stage telescoping ram.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said multi-stage telescoping ram has a two-axis control.
9. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said slidable catching trough telescopically extends from said stationary trough by means of sliding trough rams.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said movable clean-out means is further adapted to unlock said storage tank by means of engagement of said movable means with the closure door of said tank.
11. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said conveyor system comprises a trough conveyor means, an elevating conveyor means connected to said trough conveyor means and an unloading conveyor means connected to said elevating conveyor means.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said trough conveyor means comprises a horizontal auger system, an elevating trough auger system connected to and aligned with said horizontal auger system and a pivoting auger system normal to said elevating trough auger system, wherein said horizontal auger system is adapted to be projected into the confines of said tank.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said catching trough comprises a trough body having an open front end, adapted to be engaged with the outer wall of said tank, a generally horizontal bottom wall adapted to accommodate said horizontal auger system, and an inclined rear wall extending outwardly and upwardly from said bottom wall and adapted to accommodate said elevating trough auger system, and vertical side walls connecting said bottom and said rear walls, wherein said horizontal auger system and said elevating trough auger system extend longitudinally of said trough body, and wherein said pivoting auger system is mounted near the outermost upper end of said rear wall generally transversely of said trough body.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein said elevating trough auger system and said pivoting auger system are enclosed in tubes or housings.
15. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said elevating auger system is connected to said unloading auger system by means of a receiving hopper and wherein said elevating auger system and said unloading auger system are enclosed in tubes or housings.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said unloading auger system is mounted on said mobile chassis by means of a swivel frame.
17. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said driving means is a hydraulic system.
18. A method for clean-out of storage tanks such as containing heavy oil or the like comprising the steps of:
(a) moving a mobile chassis having a conveyor means mounted on said chassis and a slidable telescopic catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis into a first operative position wherein said trough is engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith and wherein said trough is in its fully extended position;
(b) unlocking the closure door of said tank by means of a movable clean-out means mounted on the front end of said trough;
(c) moving said apparatus into a second operative position wherein said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means are projected into the confines of said tank, wherein in said second operative position, said trough is in its collapsed position;
(d) removing of the contents of said tank by means of said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means;
(e) extending said slidable telescopic catching trough into fully extending positions to facilitate the final clean-out of said tank;
(f) moving said apparatus into an inoperative position to provide self-cleaning thereof.
(a) moving a mobile chassis having a conveyor means mounted on said chassis and a slidable telescopic catching trough mounted on one end of said mobile chassis into a first operative position wherein said trough is engaged with the outer wall of said tank in a positive sealing engagement therewith and wherein said trough is in its fully extended position;
(b) unlocking the closure door of said tank by means of a movable clean-out means mounted on the front end of said trough;
(c) moving said apparatus into a second operative position wherein said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means are projected into the confines of said tank, wherein in said second operative position, said trough is in its collapsed position;
(d) removing of the contents of said tank by means of said conveyor means and said movable clean-out means;
(e) extending said slidable telescopic catching trough into fully extending positions to facilitate the final clean-out of said tank;
(f) moving said apparatus into an inoperative position to provide self-cleaning thereof.
19. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said movable clean-out means is mounted on the front end of said stationary trough.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 615246 CA1328960C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Material handling apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 615246 CA1328960C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Material handling apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1328960C true CA1328960C (en) | 1994-05-03 |
Family
ID=4140887
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 615246 Expired - Lifetime CA1328960C (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | Material handling apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1328960C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008114290A1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2008-09-25 | Idrabel Italia S.R.L. | Method and plant for treating bottom sludge in a tank |
| CN109731863A (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2019-05-10 | 洛阳耐锐机械设备有限公司 | A kind of pipe detection and dredging robot |
-
1989
- 1989-09-29 CA CA 615246 patent/CA1328960C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008114290A1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2008-09-25 | Idrabel Italia S.R.L. | Method and plant for treating bottom sludge in a tank |
| CN109731863A (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2019-05-10 | 洛阳耐锐机械设备有限公司 | A kind of pipe detection and dredging robot |
| CN109731863B (en) * | 2019-02-25 | 2023-08-29 | 洛阳耐锐机械设备有限公司 | Pipeline detection and dredging robot |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20110503 |