Remotely operated cleaning device, especially suitable for storage tanks on vessels
First Claim
1. An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a tank, comprising:
- a) an arm;
b) a nozzle mounted on said arm;
c) at least one rotary actuator associated with said nozzle;
d) a traverse member spanning a distance in the tank, the arm being detachably connected to the traverse member, the arm movable along a length of the traverse member via a carriage assembly; and
e) a control panel operatively connected to said at least one rotary actuator.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for remotely operated fluid pumping in work spaces, particularly suitable for the cleaning of enclosed space tanks such as those on marine vessels. The apparatus comprises one or more arm assemblies, each made up of two or more arm sections each, with the arm assembly mounted within of the tank. Hydraulic rotary actuators disposed between the arm sections provide up to 360 degree rotation of one arm section with respect to the next. A nozzle is mounted on a pair of hydraulic rotary actuators near the end of the arm assembly distal from the mount, with a hose supplying fluid from a supply pump to the nozzle. Fluids and solids from the cleaning operation can be pumped from the area being cleaned via a discharge pump to a holding vessel, such as a disposal barge. A video camera is mounted so as to permit an operator to remotely view the cleaning process and area. A control panel is preferably remotely located where an operator can fully control the device with the assistance of the video camera, including fluid flow, position of the arm assembly, and direction of fluid flow from the nozzle.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a tank, comprising:
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a) an arm; b) a nozzle mounted on said arm; c) at least one rotary actuator associated with said nozzle; d) a traverse member spanning a distance in the tank, the arm being detachably connected to the traverse member, the arm movable along a length of the traverse member via a carriage assembly; and e) a control panel operatively connected to said at least one rotary actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for cleaning the interior of a tank, comprising:
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a) mounting a nozzle on an arm; b) positioning a traverse member in the tank that spans a distance in the tank; c) connecting the arm to the traverse member; d) directing a cleaning fluid onto an interior surface of the tank with the nozzle; e) rotating the nozzle using at least one rotary actuator; f) moving the arm along a length of the traverse member; and g) operating the arm using a control panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification