MINIMAL ENTRY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FLUID CONTAINERS
First Claim
1. A system for cleaning a container, comprising:
- a fluid source supplying an initial amount of a fluid;
a nozzle configured to spray the fluid onto a surface of the container;
an arm configured to move the nozzle in at least two directions in the container, the arm being secured to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container;
a fluid retrieval device configured to draw the fluid and an entrained material out of the container;
a separator receiving the fluid and entrained material from the fluid retrieval device and removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid; and
a fluid mover configured to receive the fluid from the separator and flow the fluid to the nozzle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for cleaning a container may include: a fluid source; an arm that moves a nozzle in at least two directions; a fluid retrieval device; a separator; and a fluid mover. One method for cleaning includes securing an arm to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container; spraying a fluid onto an inner surface of the container using the nozzle; drawing the fluid and an entrained material out of the container using the fluid retrieval device; removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid using the separator; and conveying the fluid from the separator to the nozzle using the fluid mover. The arm and/or the fluid retrieval device may be remotely installed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for cleaning a container, comprising:
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a fluid source supplying an initial amount of a fluid; a nozzle configured to spray the fluid onto a surface of the container; an arm configured to move the nozzle in at least two directions in the container, the arm being secured to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container; a fluid retrieval device configured to draw the fluid and an entrained material out of the container; a separator receiving the fluid and entrained material from the fluid retrieval device and removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid; and a fluid mover configured to receive the fluid from the separator and flow the fluid to the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for cleaning a container, comprising:
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securing an arm to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container, the arm being configured to move a nozzle in at least two directions; spraying a fluid onto an inner surface of the container using the nozzle; drawing the fluid and an entrained material out of the container using a fluid retrieval device; removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid using a separator; and conveying the fluid from the separator to the nozzle using a fluid mover. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for cleaning a container, comprising:
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securing an arm to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container, the arm being configured to move a nozzle in at least two directions; remotely installing a fluid retrieval device in the container; spraying a fluid onto an inner surface of the container using the nozzle; and drawing the fluid out of the container using the fluid retrieval device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification