GB2289511A

GB2289511A - A coupling device

Info

Publication number: GB2289511A
Application number: GB9510053A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Richard Marshall
Original assignee: CHARLES J MARSHALL
Current assignee: CHARLES J MARSHALL
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1995-05-18
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-18
Also published as: GB2289511B; GB9409981D0; GB9510053D0

Abstract

A coupling device is described to permit the passage of fluid between a tank (16) and a supply (52), comprising a conduit (40), a ramp (30), an inverted cup shaped sealing member (18), a tubular member (12), a hydraulically operated valve (22) and a flexible conduit (24). The sealing member, which is coupled to the tubular member (12), may be temporarily engaged with conduit (40) by means of the ramp (30). Material may then pass between the tank (16) and the supply (52). <IMAGE>

Description

"A Coupling Device" This invention relates to a coupling device and in particular, a coupling device for coupling a first storage tank to a second storage tank.

In the process of farming, slurry stored in storage tanks is often transferred to a tank trailer hitched up to a vehicle, such as a tractor, to be transported for subsequent use. The transfer usually involves connecting the tank trailer to the storage tank by means of a 6 inch diameter hose and the operation of a pump and valves to allow the slurry to pass into the tank trailer.

This connection process may take up to 4 to 6 minutes to complete whilst the time taken to fill a tank can be up to 3 minutes. Furthermore, the connection process and subsequent disconnection can be messy due to either a poor connection or slurry being left within the hose.

In accordance with the present invention, a coupling device for coupling a first storage tank to a second storage tank, comprises a tubular member adapted to be coupled at one end to the first storage tank; a sealing member mounted at the other end of the tubular member; a sealing surface having an aperture therein, the aperture adapted to be coupled to the second storage tank; and translation means for moving the sealing surface and the tubular member with respect to each other to bring the sealing member into sealing contact with the sealing surface to permit the transfer of fluid between the first and the second tanks.

Typically, the sealing surface is provided by a planar surface, which is preferably oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, in use.

Preferably, the translation means moves the surface and tubular member with respect to each other so that the central axis of the tubular member is substantially perpendicular to the sealing surface when the sealing member is in sealing contact with the sealing surface.

Preferably, the translation means causes movement in a linear direction. Typically, the translation means moves the tubular member while the sealing surface remains stationary. Preferably, where the sealing surface is in a substantially horizontal plane, the direction of movement caused by the translation means is substantially vertical.

Preferably, the tubular member is provided at said other end with a housing for said sealing member.

Typically, the sealing member may be made from a resilient material, such as an elastomeric or rubber material. Typically, the sealing member is in the form of an annulus, the aperture defined by the annulus communicating with the interior passageway of the tubular member.

Preferably, the aperture defined by the sealing member is of a greater diameter than that of the aperture in the sealing surface. This has the advantage of providing a degree of tolerance in positioning the sealing member on the sealing surface.

Preferably, the tubular member is coupled to the first storage tank by a first conduit coupled to the one end of the tubular member, and typically the first conduit is a flexible conduit. Preferably the aperture in the sealing surface is coupled to the second storage tank by a second conduit.

Preferably, either the first or the second storage tank is transportable, and is preferably provided with wheels to facilitate transportation. Typically, the translation means is mounted on the transportable tank and moves the respective sealing surface or tubular member. In the preferred form of the invention, the transportable storage tank is adapted to be towed by a tractor. Typically, it is the first storage tank which is transportable.

Preferably, the translation means comprises a fluid operated mechanism, such as a hydraulic mechanism, and may typically be a hydraulic piston. Where one of the first and second storage tanks is transportable and towed by another vehicle and the translation means is on the transportable storage tank, the hydraulic power may be provided by a hydraulic take-off point from the other vehicle.

Preferably, hydraulic pressure in a line of the hydraulic mechanism actuates downward movement of the tubular member to bring the sealing member into sealing contact with the sealing surface.

Typically, the device also includes a valve to control passage of fluid between the first and second storage tanks. Typically, the valve may be fluid operated and is preferably hydraulically operated. Preferably, the valve is mounted between the sealing member and the first storage tank, and is typically mounted on the tubular member.

Where one of the tanks is transportable, the tank is also typically provided with a pump mechanism, which may be a vacuum pump, to permit fluid to be pumped between the two storage tanks. Typically, the vacuum pump may be operated by a fluid, such as hydraulic fluid.

Typically, the device is operated by two hydraulic fluid lines, one line activating the translation means to bring the sealing member into sealing contact with the sealing surface, the other line to de-activate the translation means to move the sealing member out of sealing contact with the sealing surface.

Preferably, the one line also opens and closes the valve, if present, and operates the vacuum pump, if present. Preferably, the other line also stops the vacuum pump, if present. Typically, reduced hydraulic pressure in the one hydraulic line closes the valve.

An example of a coupling device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a storage tank having a part of a coupling device attached to the tank; Fig. 2a is a side view of a ramp housing a supply conduit; Fig. 2b is a cross section on the line A-A of Fig.

2a; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a hydraulic system for use with apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and, Fig. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3 in use with a tractor.

Fig. 1 shows a tank 16 having a first section 10 of a coupling device attached to it. The section 10 comprises a tubular member 12 with an internal passageway which forms a 6 inch diameter conduit which is coupled to a flexible conduit 24 via a hydraulically operated valve 22.

The flexible conduit 24 passes along the side of the tank 16 and enters the tank 16 via an opening 26 in the side of the tank 16 so that the flexible conduit 24 is in fluid communication with the tank 16.

The tubular member 12 is vertically movable within a collar 14 mounted on the outside surface of the tank 16. The tubular member 12 has an inverted cup-shaped member 18 at its base which houses a sealing member 20.

The sealing member 20 is in the form of an annular 2" thick elastomeric soft compound rubber seal, which has an internal diameter of 9", and an outside diameter of 13".

Figs. 2a and 2b show a second section of a coupling device in the form of a ramp 30. The ramp 30 has a top surface 29 with an aperture 28 in the top surface 29.

A conduit 40 extends from the aperture 28, below the ramp 30 and terminates at an inlet 42 which is provided with a clamp 44.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system which operates the tubular member 12, valve 22 and a vacuum pump 38 mounted on the storage tank 16. The hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic power source 32 on a tractor 50 (see Fig. 4). The hydraulic power source 32 is coupled via hydraulic lines 34, 36 to a piston 35 which operates the tubular member 12, the valve 22 and the vacuum pump 38.

Hydraulic line 34 opens and closes the valve 22, moves the piston 35 down and switches on the vacuum pump 38.

Hydraulic line 36 moves the piston 35 up and switches off the vacuum pump 38.

Referring also to Fig. 4, in use the sealing member 20 is positioned over the aperture 28 in the ramp 30, and the vertical movement of the piston 35 is controlled via the hydraulic power source 32 through hydraulic lines 34 and 36, to move the tubular member 12 up and down. The aperture 28 forms an outlet of the conduit 40. The delivery of hydraulic pressure through the hydraulic line 34 opens the valve 22 and causes the tubular member 12 to move vertically downwards. This causes the inverted cup-shaped member 18 to engage the sealing member 20 with the top surface 29 of the ramp 30 and over the aperture 28 to create a seal. The vacuum pump 38 is also actuated by the hydraulic line 34, thereby inducing a vacuum in the tank 16 and causing material to pass through the conduit 40, the aperture 28, the tubular member 12 and the flexible conduit 24 into the tank 16. The reduction of hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic line 34 closes the valve 22 and the delivery of hydraulic pressure into the hydraulic line 36 causes the tubular member 12 to move vertically upwards to disengage the sealing member 20 from the top surface 29, and switches the vacuum pump 38 off.

As shown in Fig. 4 the first section 10 of the coupling device is operated from the hydraulic power source 32 on the tractor 50 and the process of filling the tank 16 with material held within the supply 52 can be performed by the tractor driver remotely from the driving seat.

The advantage of the coupling device of this embodiment is that there is no need to physically connect a hose from the tank 16 to supply conduit 40. The sealing member 20 typically has an internal diameter of 9 inches and the supply conduit 40 is typically 6 inches in diameter, thereby connecting the supply 52 with the tank 16. This provides a leeway either side of the aperture 28 for positioning the tubular member 12.

Therefore, precise alignment is not necessary and time efficiency is increased.

Improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A coupling device for coupling a first storage tank to a second storage tank comprising a tubular member adapted to be coupled at one end to the first storage tank; a sealing member mounted at the other end of the tubular member; a sealing surface having an aperture therein, the aperture adapted to be coupled to the second storage tank; and translation means for moving the sealing surface and the tubular member with respect to each other to bring the sealing member into sealing contact with the sealing surface to permit the transfer of fluid between the first and the second storage tanks.

2. A coupling device according to claim 1 wherein the sealing surface is provided by a planar surface, which is orientated in a substantially horizontal plane, in use.

3. A coupling device according to either of the preceding claims wherein the translation means moves the sealing surface and tubular member with respect to each other so that the central axis of the tubular member is substantially perpendicular to the sealing surface when the sealing member is in sealing contact with the sealing surface.

4. A coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing member is in the form of an annulus and is made from a resilient material.

5. A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the aperture defined by the sealing member is of a greater diameter than that of the aperture in the sealing surface.

6. A coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the tubular member is coupled to the first storage tank by a first conduit coupled to the one end of the tubular member.

7. A coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the aperture in the sealing surface is coupled to the second storage tank by a second conduit.

8. A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein either the first or second storage tank is transportable.

9. A coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the translation means comprises a hydraulic mechanism.

10. A coupling device according to claim 9 wherein the translation means is operated by two hydraulic fluid lines, one line activating the translation means to bring the sealing member into sealing contact with the sealing surface, the other line to de-activate the translation means to move the sealing member out of sealing contact with the sealing surface.

11. A coupling device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein a valve is located between the sealing member and the first storage tank, said valve being hydraulically operated, and said valve controls the passage of fluid between the first and second storage tanks.

12. A coupling device according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein a pump is provided, which is operated by the hydraulic mechanism, to permit fluid to be pumped between the two tanks.

13. A coupling device according to claim 12, in which the pump is a vacuum pump.

14. A coupling device according to claim 13 wherein one line opens and closes the valve and operates the vacuum pump and the other line stops the vacuum pump.

15. A coupling device according to any preceding claim wherein the first storage tank is transportable, is adapted to be towed by a tractor and is provided with wheels to facilitate transportation.

16. A coupling device according to claim 15 wherein the hydraulic power is provided by a hydraulic take-off point from the tractor.

17. A coupling device as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.