Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a manway cover, and more specifically to a manway cover with an integrated cleaning system for cleaning a tank or other enclosed structure.
2. Background
Enclosed storage structures such a tanks are well known in the art. These storage enclosures are used to store a wide variety of liquids and solids, depending on the industry in which the storage enclosure is being used. In the oil and gas industry, for example, holding tanks and shipping tanks are used in oil field production. Further, storage tanks are used to hold fluids used in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). Some of these fracking tanks are enclosed structures, where human access to the interior of the tank is limited to a manway. These fracking fluids, which may contain relatively high levels of solids such as sand, are stored until their use at the job site. The interior of the tanks described above, as well as a variety of other enclosed tanks, must be cleaned regularly to ensure proper fluid flow and a “clean” course of fluids for downstream use. Cleaning the interior of enclosed tanks and other structures presents a variety of challenges.
Access to the interior of steel tanks such as those described above is generally via a manway that is closed and sealed with a manway cover. This limited access makes it difficult for an individual to position himself to properly clean the interior of the tank using a hose or other mechanism for introducing water or cleaning fluid into the tank. Further, cleaning methods that require an individual to enter the tank in order to properly clean the interior expose the individual to the substances that were stored within the tank, some of which may be hazardous or otherwise undesirable.
Tanks may be designed to make cleaning easier, however a large number of existing tanks are used across various industries, and the tanks have a relatively long lifespan. The cost of the tanks coupled with the remaining long life of existing tanks provides a disincentive to replace existing tanks for a newer model that may be easier to clean. What is needed is an effective cleaning system for use with steel tanks and other storage enclosures accessed via manways, the system being capable of easy retrofit to a wide variety of existing tanks.
The present invention provides a manway cover for use with an enclosed structure such as an enclosed tank. The manway cover includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. A fluid line connector is attached to the exterior surface of the manway cover for releasable attachment of a fluid line thereto. A rotatable spray nozzle is attached to the interior surface of the manway cover and is in fluid communication with the fluid line connector. When a fluid line is connected to the fluid line connector, fluid flows from the fluid line connector to the spray nozzle, whereupon it is sprayed into the interior of the tank.
In another embodiment of the invention, the manway cover includes a fluid conduit extending from the fluid line connector, through the manway cover, and to the rotatable spray nozzle.
In another embodiment of the invention, the manway cover includes a handle attached to the exterior surface of the manway cover for opening and closing the manway cover.
In another embodiment of the invention, flow of fluid through the spray nozzle causes rotation of the spray nozzle.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a manway cover for cleaning the interior of a tank. The manway cover includes an exterior surface and an interior surface. A fluid line connector is attached to the exterior surface of the manway cover. An extension arm is attached to the interior surface of the manway cover and extends away therefrom. The extension arm is in fluid communication with the fluid line connector. A spray head is attached to the extension arm and is in fluid communication with the extension arm. When a fluid line is connected to the fluid line connector, fluid flows to the spray head and is sprayed into the interior of the tank.
In another embodiment of the invention, the spray head is rotatably attached to the extension arm.
In another embodiment of the invention, the extension arm is rotatably attached to the interior of the manway cover.
In another embodiment of the invention, the spray head includes a spray nozzle through which fluid is sprayed.
In another embodiment of the invention, the rotation of the spray head and extension arm are automated.
In another embodiment of the invention, rotation of the spray head and extension arm are programmable.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a system for cleaning the interior of a tank. The system includes a manway cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a fluid line connector attached to the exterior surface of the manway cover, and a fluid sprayer attached to the interior surface of the manway cover. The fluid sprayer is in fluid communication with the fluid line connector.
In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid sprayer is rotatable.
In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid sprayer is releasably attached to the interior surface of the manway cover.
In another embodiment of the invention the manway is sized and shaped to replace an existing manway cover in an existing tank.
The present invention provides a manway cover with an integrated cleaning system for cleaning the interior of a storage enclosure such as a holding tank, shipping tank, closed-top hydraulic fracturing tank, or other enclosed tank. The cleaning system may be detachable, such that it can be removed from the interior of structures storing fluids with relatively high solids contents. Because the cleaning system is integrated with a storage tank manway cover, existing tanks are easily retrofitted to use the present invention. Existing manway covers are simply replaced with the manway cover with integrated cleaning system of the present invention.
Turning to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 10 refers generally to a manway cover of the present invention. Manway cover 10 includes a fluid line connector 12 attached to an exterior surface thereof and a spray head 26 having a first spray nozzle 16 and second spray nozzle 24 attached to an interior surface thereof. A conduit 14 extends between fluid line connector 12 and spray head 26, allowing fluid communication therebetween.
Manway cover 10 includes a first fluid line connector 12 attached to an exterior surface thereof. Such connectors are known in the art, and it is contemplated that any suitable connector may be used with respect to the present invention. Fluid line connector 12 allows for releasable attachment of a fluid line 28 thereto. When fluid line 28 is attached to first fluid line connector 12, fluid may be delivered from a fluid source such as reservoir 30 to first fluid line connector 12. In the embodiment of the device shown in
Manway cover 10 includes a body 32 extending between the interior surface 34 and exterior surface 36 thereof. A conduit 14 extends through body 32 of manway cover 10, providing a route for fluid flow through manway cover 10. Fluid line connector 12 is in fluid communication with conduit 14. A rotatable spray head 26 is attached to the interior surface of manway cover 10. Rotatable spray head 26 is also in fluid communication with conduit 14. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in
When the embodiment of the present invention shown in
The embodiment of the present invention shown in
A spray head support 50 is attached to extension arm 38, preferably in a swiveling manner. A first swivel joint 40 is shown in the Figure between extension arm 38 and spray head support 50. First swivel joint 40 includes a through hole (not shown) to allow fluid to pass from extension arm 38 into spray head support 50. In other embodiments of the invention, hoses or other conduits external to first swivel joint 40 maybe used to allow fluid flow between extension arm 38 and spray head support 50. Spray head support 50 includes a through hole 52 to accommodate fluid flow into the spray head support.
Spray head 26 is attached to spray head support 50, preferably also in a swiveling manner. Second swivel joint 42 is shown in the figure between spray head 26 and spray head support 50. As with first swivel joint 40, second swivel joint 42 includes a through hole (not shown) to allow fluid to pass from spray head support 50 into spray head 26. In other embodiments of the invention, hoses or other conduits external to second swivel joint 42 may be used to allow fluid flow between spray head support 50 and spray head 26. Spray head 26 includes two opposing spray nozzles 16 and 24 for introducing liquid into the interior of a tank.
Operation of the device shown in
As noted above, extension arm 38 is preferably removably attached to attachment member 48. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for tanks containing fluids with a high solids content that may damage or otherwise interfere with the operation of the present integrated cleaning system if left attached to the interior of the manway cover. It is contemplated, however, that some embodiments of the present invention may provide a fixed extension arm 38. In embodiments having a removable extension arm 38 it is contemplated that gaskets, seals, or other structures may be utilized at the point extension arm 38 connects to attachment member 48 in order to ensure a fluid-tight connection between extension arm 38 and attachment member 48.
As noted above, the embodiment of the present invention shown in
In addition to manual adjustment, the present invention may include a mechanism for powered adjustment of components of the device around swivel joints. A variety of mechanisms for making such adjustments are known in the art and may be used with the present invention. In such embodiments, the positions of various components of the present invention may be adjusted without a user coming into physical contact with the components of the present invention on the interior of the manway cover. Adjustment to the positions of various components may be made with a keypad on the exterior of the manway cover, with a remote device in communication with the powered portions of the present invention, or in any other manner suitable to the invention. Once the positions are set, they may be maintained during the cleaning process. Alternatively, the powered components of the invention may be programmed to rotate among various positions, or to rotate at various speeds, and the like.
Spray head 26 may be caused to rotate automatically by passage of fluid therethrough. Such spray heads are known in the art, and it is contemplated that a spray head having such functionality may be incorporated into the present invention.
In addition to the various embodiments of the present invention described above, it is also contemplated that rotating spray heads or spray jets existing in the art may be utilized in the accordance with the principles of the present invention. Exemplary such devices are produced by Scanjet Systems (Göteborg, Sweden), which also does business as Orbijet Technologies (Houston, Tex., USA). It is not currently known to use such devices with a manway cover as described herein, however upon reading this disclosure the mechanism by which such devices can be used in accordance with the present invention will be apparent to those having skill in the art. Any of the mechanisms for spraying fluid used in conjunction with the present invention, whether existing in the art or developed specifically for the present use, may be referred to generally as a “sprayer” or “fluid sprayer.”
Devices for pumping fluid are well known in the art, and no pump is shown in the Figures. It is contemplated that any suitable fluid pump may be used to pump fluid from reservoir 30 along fluid line 28. Further reservoir 30 may be any suitable structure for containment of fluid. Thus, reservoir 30 may be another tank, a carboy, a drum, or other container.
It is understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying figures are exemplary of the shown and described embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, and it is contemplated that such modifications remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4632068 | Appleman et al. | Dec 1986 | A |
6192905 | Mincy et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6213135 | Moulder | Apr 2001 | B1 |
7264009 | Gregory | Sep 2007 | B2 |
7320329 | Luke et al. | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7507298 | Falster-Hansen et al. | Mar 2009 | B2 |
8196523 | Blevins, Jr. | Jun 2012 | B2 |