Method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of an above ground storage tank

• US 9,592,542 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waterline Tank Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael Henry James, O'Rourke, Michael William
• Inventors: James, Michael Henry, O'Rourke, Michael William
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin G
• Application Number:
  US14/293,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 134/167.R, 134/181, 239/227, 239/263.3, 239264-265
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0405 with reciprocating or oscillating spray heads B05B13/0436, B05B13/0442, B05B13/0447, B05B13/0468 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0636 by means of rotatable spray heads or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 14/00 Arrangements for collecting, re-using or eliminating excess spraying material arrangements integral with nozzles B05B1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0808 by methods involving the use of tools, e.g. by brushes, scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0813 by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0933 Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0093 Devices for cleaning the internal surfaces of the container and forming part of the container cleaning of containers in general B08B9/08

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cleaning the interior of an above ground storage tank includes a nozzle assembly mounted to a cover on the storage tank sidewall having a horizontally extending wash pipe fixedly and a suction pipe for recirculation of spent fluids. The wash pipe has an interior segment which can be extended to a tank floor and is configured with a bend to extend along the tank sidewall to which is attached a submersible swivel joint fitted with a choked nozzle. The nozzle assembly is attached to a control assembly so that the direction of flow from the nozzle may be manipulated by rotation of the swivel joint from the exterior of the storage tank. The nozzle also may be adjusted so the direction of flow may follow the angle of the tank floor.

Claims

1. In a storage tank having a vertically extending sidewall that separates the tank exterior from the tank interior, a nozzle assembly comprising:

(a) a nozzle section, said nozzle section having a horizontally extending wash pipe fixedly mounted to the vertically extending sidewall of a storage tank, said wash pipe having a section exterior to said tank sidewall and a section interior to said sidewall, said interior section of said nozzle section extending adjacent to the tank floor of said storage tank;

(b) a suction section, said suction section having a horizontally extending draw pipe fixedly mounted to said vertically extending sidewall of said storage tank, said draw pipe having a section exterior to said tank sidewall and a section interior to said sidewall;

(c) a first wash pipe segment attached to said interior section of said wash pipe of said nozzle section;

(d) a second wash pipe segment attached to said first wash pipe segment of said nozzle section, said second wash pipe section having a submersible swivel joint;

(e) a nozzle attached to said second wash pipe segment, said nozzle being adjustable to direct fluid to follow the downward sloped surface of said tank floor;

(f) a funnel attached to said interior section of said draw pipe;

(g) a high pressure fluid supply line fitted to said exterior section of said wash pipe;

(h) a fluid pump system connected to said fluid supply line;

(i) a vacuum line fitted to said exterior section of said draw pipe;

(j) a vacuum system connected to said vacuum line;

(k) a control assembly attached to said nozzle section whereby the position of said nozzle may be rotatably manipulated about said swivel joint from said exterior of said storage tank;

(l) control shaft fitted through a bushing mounted in said tank sidewall;

(m) a control rod pivotally attached to said control shaft;

(n) steering linkage pivotally attached to said control rod and said second wash pipe segment;

(o) means for turning said control shaft and thereby manipulating said control rod and said steering linkage whereby said second wash pipe segment will rotate about said swivel joint; and

(p) wherein said interior section of said suction section being adjustable to extend adjacent to the tank floor of a storage tank comprising a first draw pipe segment in communication with said interior section of said wash pipe of said suction section and a second draw pipe segment in communication with said first draw pipe segment of said suction section, said second draw pipe segment having a submersible draw pipe swivel joint.

2. The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising said control assembly attached to said suction section whereby the position of said funnel may be rotatably manipulated about said draw pipe swivel joint from said exterior of said storage tank.

3. The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for turning said control shaft and thereby manipulating said control rod is a steering wheel.

4. The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for turning said control shaft and thereby manipulating said control rod is a handle projecting from said control shaft.

5. The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for turning said control shaft and thereby manipulating said control rod is a motor.