Relocatable pressure washer adapter

• US 20050098196A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M-I LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: M-I LLC (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Hebert, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,044,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/22.18
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for attaching a pressure washing device to a storage tank that allows adjustment of the location of the pressure washing device. One embodiment includes a mounting plate adapted to be connected to a tank opening, a second plate hingably attached to the mounting plate, and a pressure washer attachment plate hingably connected to the second plate. The hinged connections may be arranged such as to allow rotation about two axes that are substantially perpendicular to each other. Linear connection apparatus may also be provided to control the relative location between the plates. A roof mounted system includes a vertical extension arm that is suspended from a roof-mounted manway. The vertical extension arm supports a primary pivot point about which a first extension arm deploys. The first extension arm carries a telescoping extension arm that has a secondary pivot point about which pivots a wash head arm having a wash head mounted on the end.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning an enclosed space comprising:

a mounting plate adapted to be connected to an opening into the enclosed space;

an attachment plate hingably connected to said mounting plate; and

a washing device attached to said attachment plate and extending into the enclosed space.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a linear connection device adapted to control the position of said attachment plate relative to said mounting plate.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said linear connection device is manually controlled.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said linear connection device is controlled by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said washing device is adapted to clean shadowed areas within the enclosed space.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is adapted to be easily transported between two openings.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said washing device comprises:

a wash head adapted to disperse washing fluid onto a cleaning area;

an extension arm having a first end at which said wash head is attached; and

a controller attached to a second end of said extension arm and adapted to supply washing fluid and control signals to said wash head.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said washing device is mounted such that said controller is outside the cleaning area and said wash head is inside the cleaning area.

9. A pressure washer mounting system comprising:

a mounting plate adapted to attach to an opening in a tank;

a second plate connected to said mounting plate by a first hinge;

an attachment plate connected to said second plate by a second hinge, wherein said attachment plate is adapted to receive a pressure washer.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first hinge is perpendicular to the second hinge.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a first linear connection apparatus adapted to control the relative position of said second plate relative to said mounting plate.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a second linear connection apparatus adapted to control the relative position of said attachment plate relative to said second plate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said first and second linear connection apparatus are adapted to move said attachment plate about two axes.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the two axes are coincident to the first and second hinges.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the pressure washer attaches to said attachment plate and extends through said second plate and said mounting plate and into the tank interior.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said pressure washer comprises:

a controller adapted to attach to said mounting plate;

an extension arm extending from said controller into the interior of the tank; and

a wash head connected to said extension arm and adapted to disperse washing fluid into the tank, wherein said wash head is also adapted to receive washing fluid and control signals from said controller.

17. A method for cleaning an enclosed space, the method comprising:

attaching a mounting plate to an opening in the enclosed space;

attaching a washing device to an attachment plate hingably connected to the mounting plate, wherein a portion of the pressure washer extends into the tank.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising relocating the washing device by adjusting the position of the attachment plate relative to the mounting plate.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the washing is relocated by adjusting a linear connecting device that connects the mounting plate and the attachment plate.

20. A pressure washer apparatus comprising:

a mounting assembly adapted to connect the pressure washing apparatus to an opening in the roof of a tank;

a first arm extending from said mounting assembly into the tank;

a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm; and

a washing device mounted to said second arm and adapted to disperse a cleaning fluid into the tank.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said washing device further comprises:

a third arm rotatably connected to said second arm;

a wash head disposed at one end of said third arm.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said second arm is a telescoping arm.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the cleaning fluid is supplied through fluid conduits formed by one or more of the arms.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said washing device is adapted to clean shadowed areas within the tank.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be easily transported between two openings.