Tank Trailer Operating System

• US 20150307013A1
• Filed: 04/23/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tremcar Inc. (Tremcar Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tremcar Inc. (Tremcar Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: TREMBLAY, Daniel, BEAUDETTE, Pierre-Luc, LAFOREST, Alexandre
• Granted Patent: US 9,834,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2205 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2255 Ventilating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/228 Measuring or indicating means, e.g. of level, volume, weight

Abstract

A ground-level access operating system for a tank trailer. The ground-level system includes a cleaning/washing device, a venting device, an inspection access port, and device for loading/unloading the compartments. All devices in this system are located on the side of the semi-trailer, within an operator'"'"'s reach on the ground. The devices locations are meant to be reachable to ensure operator safety. The operator of the trailer can execute all work without having to reach the top of the tank. Both of venting and cleaning/washing devices have their access port on top of the tank but are hooked up at a position proximate ground level, for an easy-to-reach operation and inspection by on operator on the ground.

Claims

1. A tank trailer comprising:

a tank;

at least one sealable manhole positioned on a side of the tank proximate ground level;

at least one venting system comprising;

a venting top interface connecting the venting system to a top of the tank;

a venting outlet positioned proximate the at least one manhole; and

a venting pipe connecting the venting top interface to the venting outlet; and

at least one clean-in-place system comprising;

a clean-in-place top interface connecting the clean-in-place system to the top of the tank;

a clean-in-place inlet adapted to receive a tank-cleaning substance from a cleaning-substance source;

a clean-in-place pipe system connecting the clean-in-place top interface to the clean-in-place inlet;

wherein the at least one manhole, the at least one venting outlet and the at least one control valve of the clean-in-place pipe system are housed in a lockable housing.

2. The tanks trailer according to claim 1, wherein the clean-in-place pipe system comprises a control valve positioned proximate the manhole for controlling flow of the tank-cleaning substance between the inlet and the clean-in-place top interface.

3. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein the tank comprises a plurality of compartments, the tank trailer comprises a corresponding manhole, a corresponding venting system and a corresponding clean-in-place system for each compartment, each clean-in-place system being interconnectable to one another and to a common clean-in-place inlet, and each clean-in-place system being isolatable from one another through operation of respective control valves.

4. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein each clean-in-place pipe system is further connected to a corresponding venting pipe through a restrictor plate.

5. The tank trailer according to claim 4, wherein the restrictor plate is disposed in a joint connecting the clean-in-place pipe system and the venting pipe.

6. The tank trailer according to claim 5, wherein the restrictor plate is removably disposed in the joint.

7. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein the tank is substantially circular or elliptical and the lockable housing is positioned at about a 4 or 8 o'"'"'clock position when viewing the tank from the rear.

8. The tank trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a manhole door for sealing the manhole.

9. The tank trailer according to claim 8, wherein the manhole door comprises an alignment system for aligning the manhole door with the manhole during sealing.

10. The tank trailer according to claim 8, further comprising a sampler system provided on the manhole door.

11. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein the lockable housing comprises a bi-folded door.

12. The tank trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a tank fill detection system positioned in an interior top portion of the tank for detecting a level of filling of the interior of the tank.

13. The tank trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a tank empty detection system positioned in an interior bottom portion of the tank for detecting a level of emptying of the interior of the tank.

14. The tank trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge positioned within the lockable housing and connected to at least one of the venting system and the clean-in-place system, the pressure gauge indicating internal tank pressure.

15. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein the venting system further comprises an anti-wave system comprising:

an anti-wave pipe extending from the venting top interface into the tank; and

a plurality of holes provided on the anti-wave pipe opening towards the sides of the tank, wherein the plurality of holes are adjacent to the top of the tank.

16. The tank trailer according to claim 1, wherein the venting system further comprises a filter provided at the venting outlet.

17. The tank trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for sensing an open state of the at least one input-output control valve such that a pump for pumping a product to be hauled by the tank trailer through the compartment at least one control valve is prevented from operating when the sensor senses the open state of the at least one input-output control valve.