Tank washing apparatus and method

• US 6,321,754 B1
• Filed: 01/13/1999
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taiho Industries Co., Ltd. (ICHINEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.)
• Original Assignee: Taiho Industries Co., Ltd. (ICHINEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.)
• Inventors: Goto, Takahiro, Manabe, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/229,563
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 134/22.12, 134/167.R, 134/168.R, 134/172, 134/113, 134/56.R, 134/57.R, 134/167.C, 134/169.C, 235/97
• US Class Current: 134/22.12
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0933 Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms

Abstract

A tank washing apparatus includes a cover that can be attached to a manhole or other such through-hole in a tank. Washing is effected by liquid sprayed under high-pressure by a spraying machine that is mounted on a travelling apparatus that can be operated from outside the tank to be moved around on the floor of the tank. A washing liquid supply conduit is connected to the spraying machine via the cover.

Claims

1. A tank washing apparatus for washing oil tanks, comprising:

a cover that is detachably attached to a manhole located in a side wall of an oil tank of the oil tanks;

a travelling apparatus that is movable as desired by being operated from outside the oil tank;

a spraying machine that is mounted on said travelling apparatus for spraying washing liquid;

a supply conduit being connected to said spraying machine via said cover; and

a means for confirming a position of said travelling apparatus inside said oil tank, wherein said means for confirming includes a light-emitting device equipped on said travelling apparatus, said light-emitting device emitting light via an optical fiber so at to enable the position of said travelling apparatus to be confirmed by observation through a peek-hole provided in said manhole.

2. The tank washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supply conduit is connected to said spraying machine by a telescopic structure that includes a seal structure, a nozzle, and a space portion.

3. A method of washing an oil tank using a tank washing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

detachably attaching a cover of the tank washing apparatus to a manhole in the oil tank;

mounting a spraying machine that sprays washing liquid on a travelling apparatus of the tank washing apparatus;

connecting a washing liquid supply conduit to the spraying machine via the cover of the tank washing apparatus;

operating the travelling apparatus from outside of the oil tank to move the travelling apparatus as desired within the oil tank;

using a high pressure spray of liquid to fluidize solid matter on a floor portion of the oil tank; and

confirming a position of the travelling apparatus within the oil tank, wherein said confirming of the position of the travelling apparatus inside of the oil tank includes equipping the travelling apparatus with a light-emitting device which emits a light via an optical fiber so as to enable the position of the travelling apparatus to be confirmed by observation through a peek-hole provided in the manhole.

4. A tank washing apparatus for washing oil tanks, comprising:

emitting device enabling said position of said traveling apparatus to be confirmed by observation.

5. The tank washing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said supply conduit is connected to said spraying machine by a telescopic structure that includes a seal structure, a nozzle, and a space portion.