Proppant storage vessel and assembly thereof

• US 8,505,780 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SandBox Enterprises LLC (U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Oren
• Inventors: Oren, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, DONNELL ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/660,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20130161354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 292 Days
• Field of Search: 222/185.1, 222/145.1, 222/143, 222/145.2, 222/145.5, 222/462, 220/601, 220/646
• US Class Current: 222/185.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/08 with provisions for removing or destroying, e.g. to facilitate mixing of contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/022 in multiple arrangement, e.g. stackable, nestable, connected or joined together side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/32 in multiple arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/542 Ramps forming part of the container ramps per se B65G69/28; for ambulances A61G3/061; for vehicles in general B60P1/43
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/10 Manholes; Inspection openings; Covers therefor safety features B65D90/22; covers or similar closure members, for pressure vessels in general F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/12 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/14 Legs, e.g. detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/40 Devices for emptying otherwise than from the top
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/42 using belt or chain conveyors

Abstract

A proppant storage vessel has a first container with an interior volume, and a second container supported in spaced relation above the first container. The first container has a bottom hatch affixed to a bottom wall thereof. The bottom hatch is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first container has an opening at a top wall thereof. The second container has bottom hatch formed on a bottom wall thereof. The bottom hatch of the second container is aligned with the opening of the first container such that a proppant in the second container can flow through the hatch thereof into the interior volume of the first container. Each of the containers includes first, second, third and fourth inclined surfaces positioned in the interior volume and extending from the respective side walls and end walls thereof toward the bottom hatch.

Claims

1. A proppant storage vessel comprising:

a container having a first end wall and a second end wall and a first side wall and a second side wall and a top wall and a bottom wall, said first and second end walls extending between opposite ends of said first and second side walls, said first and second end walls and said first and second side walls and said top and bottom walls defining an interior volume of said container;

a bottom hatch formed on said bottom wall of said container, said bottom hatch movable between an open position and a closed position;

a first inclined surface positioned in said interior volume, said first inclined surface extending from said first end wall toward said bottom hatch;

a second inclined surface positioned in said interior volume, said second inclined surface extending from said second end wall toward said bottom hatch;

a third inclined surface positioned in said interior volume, said third inclined surface extending from said first side wall toward said bottom hatch;

a fourth inclined surface positioned in said interior volume, said fourth inclined surface extending from said second side wall toward said bottom hatch;

a top hatch formed generally centrally on said top wall, said top hatch movable between an open position and a closed position;

a first support brace affixed to said first and second end walls and extending therebetween, said first support brace extending across said interior volume of said container; and

a second support brace affixed to said first and second side walls and extending therebetween, said second support brace extending across said interior volume of said container;

a first support member having one end affixed to said bottom wall and extending angularly upwardly therefrom, said first support member having an opposite end affixed centrally to said first inclined surface; and

a second support member having one end affixed to said bottom wall and extending angularly upwardly therefrom, said second support member having an opposite end affixed centrally to said second inclined surface.

2. The proppant storage vessel of claim 1, each of said first and second end walls and said first and second side walls have a middle, said first inclined surface having an upper end affixed to said first end wall below the middle thereof, said second inclined surface having an upper end affixed to said second end wall below the middle thereof, said third inclined surface having an upper end affixed to said first side wall below the middle thereof, said fourth inclined surface having an upper end thereof affixed to said second side wall below the middle thereof.

3. The proppant storage vessel of claim 1, each of said first and second and third and fourth inclined surfaces having a bottom edge positioned adjacent a perimeter of said bottom hatch.

4. The proppant storage vessel of claim 1, said bottom hatch being hingedly affixed to said bottom wall, said bottom hatch residing against said bottom wall when in said closed position.