Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker

• US 20080044299A1
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Liquid LOAD Logistics LLC
• Original Assignee: Liquid LOAD Logistics LLC
• Inventors: Cobb, Kent V.
• Application Number:
  US11/825,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20080044299A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/364
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/002 driven by internal combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/02 having reservoirs

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker. The apparatus to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker includes a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer. Additionally, the apparatus may include a compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank. The compressor may be powered by an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine. The apparatus also include a control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor. In a further embodiment, compressor may also include an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air.

Claims

1. An apparatus to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker, the apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer;

a compressor disposed within the housing, the compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank;

an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine, the auxiliary power generator configured to supply power to the compressor; and

a control module coupled to one of the compressor and the auxiliary power generator, the control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressor further comprises an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary diesel engine configured to supply power to the compressor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary gasoline engine configured to supply power to the compressor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power generator is further configured to supply electrical power to one or more auxiliary devices.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control module further comprises an automatic throttle control configured to monitor a pressure level in the air reservoir tank, and to disengage the compressor and modify a throttle level of the auxiliary power generator in response to the air reservoir tank reaching a predetermined pressure level.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control module further comprises a regulated line-feed pressure control configured to regulate a pressure level supplied by the air reservoir tank to an air conduit line.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the control module further comprises one or more safety controls configured to release pressure supplied to the air conduit line in response to an emergency event.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises one or more monitoring instruments configured to provide status information to an operator.

10. A system to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker, the system comprising:

a bulk fluid tank configured to hold up to a predetermined volume of fluid;

a pump coupled to the bulk fluid tank, the pump configured to affect a flow of a fluid conveyed between the bulk fluid tank and an external tank; and

a bulk fluid drive unit configured to couple to at least one of the bulk fluid tank and the pump, the bulk fluid drive unit comprising;

a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer;

a compressor disposed within the housing, the compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank;

an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine, the auxiliary power generator configured to supply power to the compressor; and

a control module coupled to one of the compressor and the auxiliary power generator, the control module a configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the compressor further comprises an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air, and wherein the air reservoir is configured to supply compressed air to drive the pump.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary diesel engine configured to supply power for driving the pump.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary gasoline engine configured to supply power for driving the pump.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary power generator is further configured to supply electrical power to one or more auxiliary devices.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the control module further comprises an automatic throttle control configured to monitor a pressure level in the air reservoir tank, and to disengage the compressor and modify a throttle level of the auxiliary power generator in response to the air reservoir tank reaching a predetermined pressure level.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the control module further comprises a regulated line-feed pressure control configured to regulate a pressure level supplied by the air reservoir tank to an air conduit line.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the control module further comprises one or more monitoring instruments configured to provide status information to an operator.

17. The system of claim 17, wherein the control module further comprises one or more safety controls configured to release pressure supplied to the air conduit line in response to an emergency event.

19. A method for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker, the method comprising:

supplying power to compress air, wherein the supply of power is provided independent of a primary tractor engine;

compressing air, wherein the compressed air drives the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank; and

providing control of a level of pressure of the compressed air and of the flow of fluid between the bulk fluid tank and the external tank.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method comprises driving a fluid pump, wherein the fluid pump affects the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank.