BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure differential discharge system according to one aspect of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mock hatch and mating plate of the pressure differential discharge manifold as in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spillbox as in FIG. 1 with the pressure differential discharge manifold removed for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a liner being filled in the shipping container as in FIG. 1 according to a further aspect of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the pressure differential discharge system taken along line V-V in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a pressure differential discharge system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present invention are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. Like or similar designations of the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.
The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use it, as well as the best mode of carrying out the invention. However, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the invention. The present invention thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The figures, which are about to be described in detail below, generally show a pressure differential discharge system broadly designated by the numeral 10. The pressure differential discharge system 10 generally includes a pressure differential manifold 12 for use with a spillbox 14 and/or a liner 16. The pressure differential manifold 12 is contoured to fit the spillbox 14 with minimal clearance to create a seal under pressure as will be better understood from the following description and exemplary methods of operation.
With reference now to FIG. 1, one embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention includes the pressure differential discharge system 10 briefly introduced above. The pressure differential manifold 12 of the pressure differential discharge system 10 can be used in conjunction with the spillbox 14 and/or the liner 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). As shown in FIG. 1, the spillbox 14 covers the manhole, and a false hatch or manlid 18 of the pressure differential manifold 12 is secured to the shipping container T using latches or other attachment devices L in a known manner. As further shown, a valve or valve assembly 42 of the spillbox 14 protrudes from the pressure differential manifold 12 in order to attach a loading and/or discharge hose H1, which is described in greater detail below.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the pressure differential manifold 12 is shown most clearly. As shown, the hatch 18 is inlaid with a mating pan or plate 20 and includes a plurality of attachment lugs 22 or similar devices for attachment to the shipping container latches L. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the hatch 18 and the mating plate 20 can be a unitary piece as shown in this example, or can be mechanically attached together. The hatch 18 also includes one or more handles 24, which are used to carry the pressure differential manifold 12 and position it over the manhole. In one aspect of the invention, two or more handles 24 are spaced apart as shown for two people to carry and position the pressure differential manifold 12, which can weigh between 25 and 100 pounds, depending on the metal selected for its manufacture. The skilled artisan will appreciate the pressure differential manifold 12 can include a hinge attachment similar to the hatch H for attaching the pressure differential manifold 12 to the shipping container T. The pressure differential manifold 12 may also include a separate cover for storing and shipping the pressure differential manifold 12 with the shipping container T.
Also shown in FIG. 2, the mating plate 20 defines a recess 26, which is shaped complementary to the spillbox 14 as introduced above. More particularly, the recess 26 extends into a recess 38 of the spillbox 14, as described further with respect to FIGS. 3 and 5 below. As shown in FIG. 2, the mating plate 20 includes a valve aperture 28, a support flange 30, and a restraining plate 32 spaced apart from support flange 30. The restraining plate 32 defines a restraining plate aperture 34. As noted above and shown here, the valve 42 extends through the valve aperture 28 and through the restraining plate aperture 34. The support flange 30 ensures axial (up-and-down) positioning of the valve 42 while under pressure while the restraining plate 32 ensures lateral (side-to-side) positioning of the valve 42.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary steps of positioning the spillbox 14 and attaching the liner 16. As shown, the spillbox 14 defines a collar or skirt 36, which defines a perimeter shaped to fit over the manhole of the tank T. The recess 38 of the spillbox 14 includes a support wall 40 to which the valve 42 is attached. A valve cam lever 44 is attached to the valve 42 to operate the valve 42, for instance, by moving a ball valve (not shown) inside the valve 42 to an open position or to a closed position.
FIG. 3 particularly shows that the valve 42 includes a hose end 46 and a liner tube end 48. As shown, the hose H1 is connected to the hose end 46 for loading the liner 16 in the shipping container T. More particularly, a tube 50 is shown in FIG. 4 having a first end 56 and a second end 58. The first end 56 is connected to the liner 16, and the second end 58 is connected to the hose end 46. In this example, the liner 16 can be seen partially filled with a liquid cargo (not shown).
Further examples of the spillbox 14 and the liner 16 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/231,399 and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/357,521, both to Podd, and both incorporated herein by reference thereto for all intents and purposes but without limitation.
With reference now to FIG. 5, the recess 26 of the mating plate 20 extends into the recess 38 of the spillbox 14. As shown, the hatch 18 seats about the manhole of the shipping container T with the spillbox 14 interposed between the manhole and the hatch 18. A gap or space 60 may exist between the hatch 18, and the spillbox 14, more particularly, between the mating plate 20 and the spillbox 14. In this example, the space 60 is about 5 mm; however, different clearances between components may be provided and in one aspect of the invention, a clearance close to zero is possible as long as the mating plate 20 and the spillbox 14 can be mated together. When pressure is applied to the system as described by example operation below, the pressure from inside the shipping container T is transferred to the mating plate 20 and accordingly, to the hatch 18. This transfer of pressure effectively closes the space 60 to create a seal, which concentrates the pressure against the liner 16 to discharge the liner 16.
Turning now to FIG. 6, a detailed view of an alternative pressure differential discharge system 110 is shown. Many components of this exemplary system are the same or similar to components of the previous examples; therefore, only certain components are discussed below and reference is made to the foregoing embodiments for a full description of like or similar components. In this example, a hatch 118 is attached to a mating plate 120 and includes a plurality of attachment lugs 122 disposed about a perimeter of the hatch 118. The hatch 118 and the mating plate 120 can be molded together as a unitary piece or welded together after separate formation. If required, the hatch 118 can be made of one material, e.g., a thick aluminum, and the mating plate 120 can be another, e.g., stainless steel. Also shown in this example, a handle 124 is provided for carrying and installing the differential discharge system 110.
The invention may be better understood with reference to an exemplary operation.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liner 16 is positioned in the shipping container T and filled in a manner as described by Podd in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/231,399. The pressure differential manifold 12 is not shown in FIG. 3 since the manifold 12 is used for unloading. In other words, only the spillbox 14 is needed for this loading step.
Turning once again to FIGS. 1 and 5, the pressure differential manifold 12 is placed over the spillbox 14 such that the respective recesses 26, 38 mate. As shown, the valve 42 extends through the valve aperture 28 and the restraining plate aperture 34. The shipping container latches L are attached to the lugs 22 of the mock hatch 18 to secure the manifold 12 in place over the manhole. The discharge hose H1 is attached to the valve 42 in the same manner as if loading as described above. An air hose H2 is attached to an air inlet valve V of the shipping container T. The valve 42 is opened, and the system is pressurized by delivering air via the air hose H2 into the shipping container T. With brief reference to FIG. 4, the incoming air presses against the liner 16 and in less than a minute, the cargo will begin discharging through the discharge hose H1. The typical shipping container will be substantially discharged in under thirty to forty-five minutes at about 1-1 ½ BAR pressure. Afterwards, the shipping container T is depressurized and the foregoing steps are reversed to remove the pressure differential manifold 12 and the liner 16 from the shipping container T. Since the pressure differential manifold 12 and the liner 16 prevent liquid from entering the shipping container 16, a new liner can be inserted almost immediately and the shipping container 16 readied for another load.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that other changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing examples without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, various durable, recyclable materials can be used for the liner as described herein. Also, the geometries of the valves, the types of valves as described herein, and male-female connections can be modified, reversed and the like to meet particular customer requirements. It is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20080000913
