Patent Application
20170283119
None.
The invention relates to drain spouts attached to tanks for draining the liquid contained in the tank. More specifically, a drain spout that is cast as a unitary structure and comprising a smoothed radiused transition from a flanged sump to a flow pipe is provided.
Sanitary tank trailers have a drain spout attached to a rear bottom portion of the tank, typically attached on the rear head section of the tank trailer. Known drain spouts are manufactured by welding a semi-spherical cup to a previously cut pipe. This connection method causes warping and does not facilitate full draining of the tank's contents.
In addition, the welding attachment of the known drain spout to the tank surface results in further warping and distortion. Thus, an improved design is needed.
The figures and the detailed description which follow more particularly exemplify these and other embodiments of the invention.
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are as follows.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Proximal cup 40 comprises a radiused end 42 and an open upper surface 44 that is coincident with the open lower surface 23 of flow pipe 30, thereby creating a generally flat surface comprising open lower surface 36 of flow pipe 30 and open upper surface 44 of proximal cup 40. Proximal cup 40 has an internal space bounded by dashed lines as illustrated. The internal space for proximal cup 40 must match with the lower boundary of the internal space of the flow pipe 30, as illustrated by dashed lines.
The initial difficulty with this known structure is that the connection between proximal cup 40 and flow pipe 30 is achieved by welding and is difficult to obtain a smoothed internal surface. This, in turn, results in a turbulent flow of material within the prior art device that inhibits flow speed.
Further, the design must be welded to the tank and, in so doing, often results in warping and further turbulence and the resulting fluid flow difficulties.
Finally, the non-radiusing of the corner 34 of flow pipe 30 must be fit against a radiused section of the tank, leaving a gap in at least the non-radiused corner 34 region between the device 10 and the tank.
Turning now to
Distal connection base 200 comprises a generally circular profile with a plurality of connection holes 302 therethrough. Four holes 202 are illustrated, though the number can vary as the skilled artisan will readily understand. A central circular aperture 204 is provided with an internal diameter. Distal connection base 200 comprises a proximal face 206 and a distal face 208.
Flow pipe 300 is an extension of the distal connection base 200 and comprises a generally circular external surface profile and a circular internal surface and comprising a radiused cup 301 at proximal end of sump 302. The upper surface of the flow pipe 300 is eliminated at the proximal end P, resulting in a proximal elongated sump 302 that is open and capable of receiving fluid. The distal end of the sump 302 comprises a smoothed radiused transition 304 from a reduced height upper surface 306 to the external surface 308 of the flow pipe 300. As best seen in
Flow pipe 300 may also comprise a gradual and smoothed increase in internal diameter working distally along the pipe 300 from sump 302 toward the aperture 204 of connection base 200. Thus, in this embodiment and as shown D1 is less than D2. This gradient enhances the flow of fluid received by the cutaway section by creating an ever-increasing volume that may be pumped out as well as creating a slight downhill grade for the fluid flow as it progresses distally through the internal surface of flow pipe 300 to help ensure that no fluid is retained therein.
The significance and utility of the radiused transition 304 of flow pipe 300 is seen with reference to
Proximal flange 400 is provided either as part of the casting whole or alternatively, and less preferably, flange 400 may be separately provided and then welded to the proximal end P of the flow pipe 300. The flange 400 surrounds the radiused proximal end of the flow pipe 300, extending distally a distance at least equal to the length of the pipe's reduced height upper surface 306, terminating proximate the radiused transition 304 on either side of the elongated sump opening 302. The flange 400 facilitates distortion-free welding attachment to the tank, ultimately providing a vastly improved fit for the improved drain spout against the tank as compared with prior art devices.
In some embodiments, upper surface of flange 400 may be coincident with the reduced height upper surface 306 of flow pipe 300, creating a combined flat surface for connection to the tank. In alternate embodiments, upper surface U of flange 400 may be slightly lower than the reduced height upper surface 306 of flow pipe 300, creating a raised ridge 312 along the inner perimeter of the flange 400 as best illustrated in
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification.
