Systems and processes for cleaning tanker truck interiors
First Claim
1. A process for cleaning a vessel, comprising:
- providing a support structure;
providing one or more rails operably connected to the support structure;
providing a frame assembly supported by and slideably engaged with the one or more rails;
providing one or more manway adapters each equipped with a washout nozzle and supported by the frame assembly;
providing at least one first actuator;
providing at least one second actuator;
controlling horizontal movement of the frame assembly along the one or more rails with the at least one first actuator to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally along the one or more rails;
controlling vertical movement of the one or more manway adapters with the at least one second actuator to position the one or more manway adapters vertically relative to a manway of a vessel;
controlling horizontal movement of the one or more rails with the at least one first actuator to pivot the one or more rails around the support structure such that the one or more rails rotate within a horizontal plane; and
cleaning an interior of the vessel by delivering a cleaning solution through the washout nozzle.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and process for cleaning a vessel is described. In embodiments, the system has one or more manway adapters configured to fit one or more manways of the vessel and deliver a cleaning solution through them. Further, in embodiments the system includes one or more actuators which are configured to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally or vertically to allow for optimal alignment and positioning of the manway adapters within the manways. Movement of the manway adapters may be facilitated by way of a frame assembly mounted on one or more horizontal rails. The system may be used to clean tanks and other vessels such as those that are on tanker trucks, tanker cars, or frac tanks.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for cleaning a vessel, comprising:
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providing a support structure; providing one or more rails operably connected to the support structure; providing a frame assembly supported by and slideably engaged with the one or more rails; providing one or more manway adapters each equipped with a washout nozzle and supported by the frame assembly; providing at least one first actuator; providing at least one second actuator; controlling horizontal movement of the frame assembly along the one or more rails with the at least one first actuator to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally along the one or more rails; controlling vertical movement of the one or more manway adapters with the at least one second actuator to position the one or more manway adapters vertically relative to a manway of a vessel; controlling horizontal movement of the one or more rails with the at least one first actuator to pivot the one or more rails around the support structure such that the one or more rails rotate within a horizontal plane; and cleaning an interior of the vessel by delivering a cleaning solution through the washout nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A process for cleaning a vessel, comprising:
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(i) providing a system comprising; a support structure; one or more horizontal rails operably connected to the support structure; one or more frame assemblies supported by and configured for moveable engagement with the rails; one or more manway adapters configured to fit in a manway of a vessel and to deliver a cleaning solution to one or more interior surfaces of the vessel, wherein each of the manway adapters is operably connected to one of the frame assemblies and connected to a washout nozzle; one or more first actuators operably configured for positioning at least one of the manway adapters horizontally along the rails; and one or more second actuators operably configured for positioning at least one of the manway adapters vertically; (ii) controlling horizontal movement of the frame assembly along the one or more horizontal rails with the one or more first actuators to position the one or more manway adapters horizontally along the one or more horizontal rails to align with a manway of a vessel; (iii) controlling vertical movement of the one or more manway adapters with the one or more second actuators to position the one or more manway adapters vertically within the manway of the vessel; (iv) controlling horizontal movement of the one or more horizontal rails with the one or more first actuators to pivot the one or more rails around the support structure such that the one or more rails rotates within a horizontal plane; and (v) cleaning an interior of the vessel by delivering a cleaning solution through the washout nozzle of the one or more manway adapters to the interior of the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification