Tank internal surface cleaning system

• US 5,613,510 A
• Filed: 10/10/1995
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald E. Proctor
• Original Assignee: Ronald E. Proctor
• Inventors: Proctor, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/541,305
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 134/166 R, 134/169 R, 406/39, 406/136, 406/137, 406/145, 406/146, 222/195
• US Class Current: 134/166.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 15/00 Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/64 for cleaning vehicle interiors, e.g. built-in vacuum cleaners

Abstract

A system for cleaning an interior of a holding tank particularly in recreational vehicles. The apparatus includes a holding tank for retaining fluids and a fluid distribution assembly which extends through the tank for dispensing pressurized fluid against an interior thereof. The fluid distribution assembly comprises a main fluid conduit which is connected to a plurality of lateral conduits by a series of vertical conduits and upper and lower T-connectors. The lateral conduits have openings positioned along the body of the conduits and at least one opening at each outer distal end of the conduits. The openings in the conduits allow a pressured spray of fluid like water to be released from the fluid distribution assembly and into the interior space of the holding tank.

Claims

1. A tank internal surface cleaning system comprising:

a holding tank for retaining fluids; and

a fluid distribution assembly mounted within the holding tank for directing pressurized fluid towards interior surfaces of the holding tank, wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises an elongated main fluid conduit extending through an interior of the holding tank; and

a plurality of lateral conduits positioned in fluid communication with the elongated main fluid conduit and projecting laterally thereof for distributing fluid towards opposed side walls of the holding tank, the lateral conduits each having a plurality of openings positioned along the body of the conduit and at least one opening at each outer distal end of the conduit.

2. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the holding tank includes a fluid inlet and a drain outlet.

3. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 1, including a fluid coupling projecting exteriorly of the holding tank for connecting the fluid distribution assembly to a fluid supply conduit.

8. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the opening ranges between 1/8 inch to about 1/4 inch in diameter.

9. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the cleaning system are between about 18 inches to about 25 inches wide, about 50 inches to about 60 inches long, and about 2 inches to about 8 inches high.

10. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lateral conduits are positioned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the elongated main fluid conduit.

11. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 10, wherein the lateral conduits are positioned approximately between 10 inches to about 16 inches apart.

4. A tank internal surface cleaning system comprising:

a holding tank for retaining fluids;

a fluid distribution assembly mounted within the holding tank for directing pressurized fluid towards interior surfaces of the holding tank; and

a fluid coupling projecting exteriorly of the holding tank for connecting the fluid distribution assembly to a fluid supply conduit, wherein the fluid coupling comprises flexible tubing connected at one end to an elongated main fluid conduit;

a threaded coupling connected to a second end of the flexible tubing; and

a fluid supply conduit connected to the opposite end of the threaded coupling.

5. A tank internal surface cleaning system comprising:

a holding tank for retaining fluids;

a fluid distribution assembly mounted within the holding tank for directing pressurized fluid towards interior surfaces of the holding tank; and

a fluid coupling projecting exteriorly of the holding tank for connecting the fluid distribution assembly to a fluid supply conduit, wherein the fluid coupling comprises flexible tubing connected at one end to an elongated main fluid conduit, the flexible tubing comprising transparent material;

a threaded coupling connected to a second end of the flexible tubing; and

a fluid supply conduit connected to the opposite end of the threaded coupling.

6. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 5, wherein the transparent material is plastic tubing.

7. A tank internal surface cleaning system comprising:

a holding tank for retaining fluids; and

a fluid distribution assembly mounted within the holding tank for directing pressurized fluid towards interior surfaces of the holding tank, wherein the fluid distribution assembly comprises an elongated main fluid conduit extending through an interior of the holding tank; and

a plurality of lateral conduits positioned in fluid communication with the elongated main fluid conduit and projecting laterally thereof for distributing fluid towards opposed side walls of the holding tank, the lateral conduits each having a plurality of openings positioned along the body of the conduit and at least one opening at each outer distal end of the conduit, and further including end caps each enclosing the outer distal ends of the lateral conduits, and having at least one opening.

12. A fluid distribution assembly comprising:

an elongated main fluid conduit extending through an interior of a holding tank; and

a plurality of lateral conduits positioned in fluid communication with the elongated main fluid conduit and projecting laterally thereof for distributing fluid towards opposed side walls of the holding tank, the lateral conduits each having a plurality of openings positioned along the body of the conduit and at least one opening at each outer distal end of the conduit.

13. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of upper T-connectors each coupled to the elongated main fluid conduit;

a plurality of lower T-connectors each coupled to at least one lateral conduit; and

a plurality of vertical conduits each having upper and lower ends with the upper end connected to the elongated main fluid conduit by an upper T-connector and the lower end connected to at least one lateral conduit by a lower T-connector.

14. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 13, wherein the vertical conduits are between approximately 2 and 8 inches in length.

15. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 13, wherein the diameter of the vertical conduits ranges between 7/16 and 5/8 inch.

16. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, further including end caps each enclosing the outer distal ends of the lateral conduits, and having at least one opening.

17. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, wherein the opening ranges between 1/8 inch to about 1/4 inch in diameter.

18. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of lateral conduits are positioned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the elongated main fluid conduit.

19. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12 wherein the elongated main fluid conduit is between approximately 34 inches and 50 inches in length.

20. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, wherein the lateral conduits are between approximately 18 and 30 inches in length.

21. The fluid distribution assembly of claim 12, wherein the diameter of the lateral conduits ranges between 3/8 inch and 5/8 inch.

22. A tank internal cleaning system comprising:

a holding tank for retaining fluids;

a fluid distribution assembly mounted within the holding tank for directing pressurized fluid towards interior surfaces of the holding tank, the fluid distribution assembly comprising an elongated main fluid conduit extending through an interior of the holding tank; and

a plurality of lateral conduits positioned in fluid communication with the elongated main fluid conduit and projecting laterally thereof for distributing fluid towards opposed side walls of the holding tank, the lateral conduits each having a plurality of openings positioned along the body of the conduit and at least one opening at each outer distal end of the conduit; and

a fluid coupling projecting exteriorly of the holding tank for connecting the fluid distribution assembly to a fluid supply conduit.

23. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 22, wherein the holding tank includes a fluid inlet and a drain outlet.

24. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 22, wherein the fluid coupling comprises flexible tubing connected at one end to an elongated main fluid conduit;

a threaded coupling connected to a second end of the flexible tubing; and

a fluid supply conduit connected to the opposite end of the threaded coupling.

25. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 24, wherein the flexible tubing comprises transparent material.

26. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 25, wherein the transparent material is plastic tubing.

27. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 22, further including end caps each enclosing the outer distal ends of the lateral conduits, and having at least one opening.

28. The tank internal surface cleaning system of claim 22, wherein the dimensions of the cleaning system are between about 18 inches to about 25 inches wide, about 50 inches to about 60 inches long, and about 2 inches to about 8 inches high.