GB2319825A

GB2319825A - Pipe coupling between a tanker and a reservoir, with an alignment guide

Info

Publication number: GB2319825A
Application number: GB9725218A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Garth Suffern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-29
Filing date: 1997-12-01
Publication date: 1998-06-03
Also published as: GB9725218D0

Abstract

The coupling (110) comprises the guide in the format a coupling cage (112) adapted for connection to an inlet/outlet pipe of the tanker and a frame (116) for supporting an extension hose (111) which channels liquid drawn from the reservoir. The coupling cage (112) guides the extension hose (111) to engage with said pipe (113) as said tanker approaches said frame (116). Guide rails (122) guide said tanker (150) towards said frame (116). In use, the weight of the tanker (150) on the guide rails (122) holds the hose extension (111) in liquid tight engagement with the inlet/outlet pipe (113). The frame (116) is of Y form pivotable about a vertical axis and supports the hose (111) for movement about a horizontal axis (120). Hose (114) from the reservoir is clamped (134) to retain position when not coupled.

Description

A COUPLING FOR A TANKER The present invention relates to a coupling for a tanker, in particular, a slurry tanker.

Tankers, such as slurry tankers, are usually towed behind a vehicle. In use, the vehicle is usually reversed by an operator, to position the tanker near a reservoir, such as a slurry tank. It has long been a problem in connecting a slurry tanker to a slurry tank, that the operator has to leave the vehicle possibly more than once before the tanker is positioned correctly, then manually connect a hose extending from the slurry tank to a coupling at the rear of the tanker, and then re-enter the vehicle to actuate a hydraulically controlled Valve to allow slurry stored in the tank to be sucked under vacuum into the tanker.

The present invention provides a coupling which mitigates the problems of connecting a tanker to a reservoir.

The term 'inlet' as used herein is also intended to embrace the term 'outlet' since an inlet may serve as an outlet, and vice versa, depending on the application in question.

According to the present invention there is provided a coupling for a tanker, the coupling comprising a female coupling member for connection to a first pipe; a male coupling member for channelling liquid, the male coupling member having one end connectable to a second pipe and a free end engageable with said first pipe; and a frame adapted to support one of said male or female coupling members, one of said first or second pipes being connected to the tanker, the other of said first and second pipes being connected to a reservoir, wherein said female coupling member is adapted to guide said male coupling member towards said first pipe to sealingly engage with said first pipe as said tanker approaches said frame.

Preferably, the female coupling member includes a seat portion for connecting to said first pipe, said seat portion being adapted to receive the free end of the male coupling member and to so locate said free end that said first pipe and said free end have a substantially common longitudinal axis when inter-engaged.

Preferably, guide means for guiding the tanker towards the frame extends from said frame, which guide means is so dimensioned and arranged that, when said male coupling member is in engagement with said first pipe, said tanker rests at least partially on said guide means to maintain said male coupling member in sealing engagement with said first pipe.

Preferably, the frame is rotatably coupled to the guide means and is rotatable about a first axis; and said one of the male or female coupling members is pivotally mounted to the frame and is pivotable about a second axis, said first and second axes being substantially perpendicular to one another.

Preferably, clamping means is rigidly fixed to the frame and spaced-apart from the frame in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the guide means extends, the clamping means being adapted to clamp a hose relative to the frame, which hose in use connects said other of the first and second pipes to the reservoir.

Preferably, the male coupling member is hose-like in construction and comprises a rigid portion and a flexible portion, the flexible portion being located adjacent the free end of the male coupling member.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an side view of a tanker and a first embodiment of a coupling for the tanker according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the coupling of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the coupling of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a tanker and a second embodiment of a coupling for the tanker according to the invention; and Figure 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the coupling of Figure 4.

In the drawings, similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of a coupling generally indicated as 10 according to the invention for a tanker 50. The coupling 10 comprises a substantially Y-shaped frame 16 for mounting a male coupling member in the form of a hose extension 11, which in turn is connectable to a second pipe or hose 14 extending from a reservoir, such as a slurry tank 60, and a female coupling member in the form of a coupling cage 12 mountable on a first or inlet pipe 13 of the tanker 50. In the present embodiment, the inlet pipe 13 is located on the rear of the tanker, although, equally, the inlet pipe 13 could be located on the side or front of the tanker 50 (not shown). The hose extension 11 is clamped by a conventional hose coupling 15 to the hose 14. The end of the hose 14 adjacent the coupling 15 is suspended above the ground in the frame 16. The frame comprises two arms or uprights 17, spaced approximately 30cm apart, connected to a central post 30, the post 30 being rotatably connected to a base 9 which sits on the ground. A pair of horizontal cross-bars 19 are fixed to a respective upright 17 and run roughly parallel to the base 9. A pair of substantially T-shaped arms 38 are each pivotably fixed to a respective cross-bar 19. A clamp 18, Fig. 2, traverses the two arms 38 and maintains the hose 14 suspended above the ground at a height approximately equal to that of the inlet pipe 13 of the tanker 50.

A support ring 20, pivotable about a first fulcrum 40, is connected between the arms 38 on the side of the frame 16 opposite the clamp 18. The support ring 20 surrounds the hose extension 11 to generally maintain the opposite free end 21 of the hose extension 11 suspended above the ground. The free end 21 of the hose extension 11 is shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the inlet pipe 13.

Guide means in the form of a pair of spaced-apart guide tracks or rails 22 extend horizontally from the frame 16 along the ground in a direction away from the slurry tank 60 (see Fig.3). The rails 22 are linked by a plurality of cross-bars 23 for structural support.

In use, an operator drives the tanker 50 towards the frame by rolling the wheel 52 on the side of the tanker 50 adjacent the inlet pipe 13 between the guide rails 22.

The position of the guide rails 22 serves to dispose the frame 16 towards the side of the tanker 50 as the tanker 50 is driven towards the frame 16. This has the dual advantage of enabling an operator to see the frame 16 as the tanker 50 is driven towards the frame 16, as well as positioning the frame 16 and hose extension 11 roughly in line with the inlet pipe 13 which, in the present embodiment, extends from the rear wall of the tanker 50.

It will be appreciated that the tanker may need to be driven forward or reversed towards the frame 16 depending on the location of the inlet pipe 13 but, in any event, adjustment of the positioning of the guide rails and, thereafter, positioning of the tanker wheel on the guide rails will facilitate the correct relative orientations of the male and female coupling members.

The coupling cage 12 is formed in an open wire-frame funnel shape having a narrow substantially cylindrical seat 24 extending to a flared mouth portion 25. The seat 24 is fixed to the inlet pipe 13 and a rubber seal 26 is located within the cage 12 about the mouth of the inlet pipe 13. The seal 26 enables sealing inter-engagement between the inlet pipe 13 and the free end 21 of the hose extension 11. A seal (not shown) could also or alternatively be provided on the free end 21.

In use, when the tanker 50 is driven towards the frame 16, the free end 21 of the hose extension 11, which extends forwardly of the frame 16, enters the mouth portion 25 and is guided towards the seat 24. The free end 21 then sealingly engages the rubber seal 26 within the seat 24 to connect the hose extension 11 to the inlet pipe 13. The arrangement is such that, when engaged to one another, the hose extension 11 and the inlet pipe 13 lie on, or approximately on, a common longitudinal axis to facilitate establishing a liquid tight inter-connection.

In the present embodiment, this is effected by both the seat 24 and the free end 21 of the hose extension 11 being substantially cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, however, the seat 24 and the free end 21 could each be substantially conical in shape or have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional area.

It will be seen that, when the free end 21 of the hose extension 11 enters the mouth 25 of the cage 12, the post 30 is rotated relative to the base 9 about a first substantially vertical axis as the free end 21 is guided into the seat 24 (clockwise in Fig. 3). The support ring 20 is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis at the first fulcrum 40. Thus, the hose extension 11 is pivotable with respect to the upright arms 38. The upright arms 38 are pivotable about a second substantially horizontal axis at a second fulcrum 32 relative to the longitudinal cross bars 19. Hence, the free end 21 of the hose extension 11 can readily be raised, lowered or swivelled laterally for alignment and engagement with the inlet pipe 13. Normally, such movement of the hose extension 11 is effected by engagement with the coupling cage 12. It will be appreciated that the coupling 10 can thus accommodate a variety of tankers (not shown) whose inlet pipes may vary in location and orientation.

Resilient biasing means in the form of a pair of return springs 27 are fixed between the uprights 17 and the base 9. The springs 27 are arranged to return the frame 16 into a non-use position (see Fig. 1) when the hose extension 11 is disengaged from the cage 12. Gravity causes the frame 16 to pivot about the first and second fulcrums 32 and 40, back to the non-use position of Fig.

1.

A hose clamp 34 has a pair of upright arms 36 (only one visible, Fig.1) disposed on either side of the hose 14 adjacent the tank 60. A cross-piece (not visible) traverses the upright arms 36 to clamp the hose 14 adjacent the ground. The hose clamp 34 prevents lateral movement of the hose 14 behind the frame 16 so ensuring that the return springs 27 can return the hose 14 to the non-use position.

At least a portion of the hose extension 11 is preferably formed from a rigid material, such as aluminium for example, so that as the free end 21 is guided towards, and into, the cage 12, the hose extension 11 as a whole is capable of pivotable movement and does not buckle. Hence, slurry or the like can flow freely within the hose extension 11. It is preferred, however, that the hose extension 11 is provided with a flexible portion towards the free end 21.

In order to provide an indication to the operator that connection between the hose extension 11 and the inlet pipe 13 has taken place, indicator means in the form of an indicator arm 28 is pivotably connected to and, in an in-use position, extends outwardly from the side of an upright 17 (see Fig. 2). When the arms 38 pivot about the first fulcrum 32, one of the arms 38 engages the indicator arm 28 and pivots the indicator arm 28 upwardly from the non-use position of Fig. 1, to the in-use position of Figs. 2 and 3. The indicator arm 28 may be brightly coloured so that the operator can easily see when the indicator arm 28 is raised and thus know that the connection between the free end 21 and the inlet pipe 13 is made.

It will be appreciated that, if the inlet pipe 13 is forwardly displaced (not shown) or laterally displaced (see Figs. 4 and 5), the provision of an indicator arm 28 may be dispensed with, since the operator can clearly and directly see when a connection between the hose extension 11 and the inlet pipe 13 has taken place.

It will also be appreciated that the weight of the tanker 50 bearing on the guide rails 22 of the frame 16 prevents rearward displacement of the hose extension 11 upon contact with the rearwardly moving coupling cage 12.

This is used to maintain the necessary sealing connection between the hose extension 11 and inlet pipe 13.

The operator can then actuate a hydraulic valve 29 which opens the inlet pipe 13 to allow slurry to be drawn under vacuum from the tank 60 into the tanker 50.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a second embodiment of a coupling generally indicated as 110 according to the invention for a tanker 150.

The coupling 110 comprises a substantially Y-shaped frame 116 for mounting the hose extension 111. At least a portion of the hose extension 111 is formed from a rigid material, so that the hose extension 111 as a whole is capable of pivotable movement.

The coupling 110 also comprises a coupling cage 112 mountable on an inlet pipe 113 (not visible in Figure 4)of the tanker 150. In the present embodiment, the inlet pipe 113 is laterally located on the tanker 150, adjacent the front of the tanker.

The substantially Y-shaped frame 116 comprises two spaced-apart uprights 117 and a central post 130, the post 130 being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.

The hose extension 111 is fixed by a support ring 120 between the jaws of the substantially Y-shaped frame 116, that is, between the two arms or uprights 117. The support ring 120 is pivotably connected between the two uprights 117 so that the hose extension 111 is pivotable about a first fulcrum 140 having a substantially horizontal axis. Thus, in contrast to the first embodiment, the support ring 120 and the first fulcrum 140 have been rearwardly displaced until they are located within the jaws of the substantially Y-shaped frame 116, and the second fulcrum 32 is dispensed with. It will be noted that, in the second embodiment, the hose extension 111 is rigidly fixed to the support ring 120.

It will be observed that, since the inlet pipe 113 is laterally located towards the front of the tanker and extends forwardly of the tanker, an indicator arm is not required, since the operator can directly see the coupling between the first and second coupling members.

Clamping means in the form of a hose clamp 134 is provided. Rail extensions 48 extend rearwardly of the guide rails 122 and the hose clamp 134 is rigidly connected to the rail extensions 48.

The hose clamp 134 comprises a movable horizontal bar 42 and a movable vertical bar 44 which bars 42, 44, together with the housing of the hose clamp 134 itself serve to engage the hose 114 in one of four quadrants, which quadrants are defined by the position of the horizontal and vertical bars 42, 44. It will be appreciated that the hose clamp 134 may alternatively comprise only one vertical bar 44 and/or one horizontal bar 42, or may comprise a plurality of vertical bars and/or horizontal bars. In such cases, the housing of the hose clamp 134 need not necessarily be divided into quadrants.

As for the first embodiment, the clamp 134 serves as a anchor for the hose 114 and affects the non-use or rest position adopted by the free end 121 of the hose extension 111. Thus, the clamp 134 enables the free end 121 of the hose extension 111 to be positioned to suit the incoming inlet pipe 113. It will be appreciated that the hose 114 may be fed through any one of the four quadrants, depending on, for example, the dimensions of the tanker 150, the height of the inlet pipe 113 relative to the ground and the position of the inlet (not shown) from the slurry tank 160. In the second embodiment, the inherent resilience of the hose 114 serves to return the hose extension 111 to the non-use position.

Figures 4 and 5 also show a conventional hydraulic valve 129, operable by a conventional spring return ram 45.

In the first and second embodiments, the coupling cage 12, 112 is illustrated as being connected to the tanker 50, 150. It is envisaged, however, that the coupling cage 12, 112 could equally be connected to the hose 14, 114 and be supported by the frame 16, 116 and that the hose extension 11, 111 extend from the inlet pipe 13, 113 (not illustrated).

The frame 16, 116, the guide rails 22, 122 and the base 9, 109 is typically formed from metal such as aluminium or steel. The coupling cage 12 can also be formed from metal or, alternatively, plastics. The hose extension 11, 111 is formed at least partially from rigid material such as aluminium, steel or plastics.

Preferably, however, the free end 21, 121 of the hose extension 11, 111 comprises a flexible portion to facilitate engagement with the inlet pipe 113. The flexible portion can be provided as ribbed plastics hose as illustrated in Figure 5.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coupling for a tanker, the coupling comprising a female coupling member for connection to a first pipe; a male coupling member for channelling liquid, the male coupling member having one end connectable to a second pipe and a free end engageable with said first pipe; and a frame adapted to support one of said male or female coupling members, one of said first or second pipes being connected to the tanker, the other of said first and second pipes being connected to a reservoir, wherein said female coupling member is adapted to guide said male coupling member towards said first pipe to sealingly engage with said first pipe as said tanker approaches said frame.

2. A coupling according to claim 1 in which, the female coupling member includes a seat portion for connecting to said first pipe, said seat portion being adapted to receive the free end of the male coupling member and to so locate said free end that said first pipe and said free end have a substantially common longitudinal axis when inter-engaged.

3. A coupling according to claim 2 in which, the female coupling member further includes a flared portion extending from said seat portion.

4. A coupling according to claim 3 in which, the seat portion and the free end of the second coupling member are substantially cylindrical in shape.

5. A coupling according to any preceding claim in which, guide means for guiding the tanker towards the frame extends from said frame, which guide means is so dimensioned and arranged that, when said male coupling member is in engagement with said first pipe, said tanker rests at least partially on said guide means to maintain said male coupling member in sealing engagement with said first pipe.

6. A coupling according to any preceding claim in which, the frame is rotatably coupled to the guide means and is rotatable about a first axis; and said one of the male or female coupling members is pivotally mounted to the frame and is pivotable about a second axis, said first and second axes being substantially perpendicular to one another.

7. A coupling according to claim 6 in which, the frame is substantially Y-shaped and comprises a post member from which two mutually spaced-apart arm members extend; and a base, the post member being rotatably mounted on the base, the guide means being rigidly fixed to the base, and said one of the male or female coupling members being pivotally mounted between the arm members.

8. A coupling according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the guide means comprises at least one elongate track.

9. A coupling according to claim 7 or 8, in which at least one resilient biasing means is fixed between the frame and the base for returning the frame to a non-use position.

10. A coupling according to any preceding claim in which, clamping means is rigidly fixed to the frame and spacedapart from the frame in a direction substantially opposite to that in which the guide means extends, the clamping means being adapted to clamp a hose relative to the frame, which hose in use connects said other of the first and second pipes to the reservoir.

11. A coupling according to any preceding claim in which, the male coupling member is hose-like in construction and comprises a rigid portion and a flexible portion, the flexible portion being located adjacent the free end of the male coupling member.

12. A tanker incorporating a female coupling member adapted to connect to a pipe extending from the tanker, said female coupling member being adapted to guide a male coupling member towards said pipe to engage with said pipe when said tanker approaches said male coupling member.

13. A coupling, substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

14. A coupling, substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.