Intermodal tank transport system, components, and methods
AssigneeInternational Transport Equipment Company
InventorsKenneth Haut, Rex Michau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intermodal tank container and complementary chassis, and features and methods for use thereof, are disclosed. The intermodal tank container and chassis has an appearance and length substantially similar to a non-intermodal OTR tank trailer, while affording the same capacity as an intermodal tank container. The design of the tank container allows for an improved, lighter design for the chassis and for improved usability of the tank container in intermodal environments such as with rail cars. The reduced weight of the chassis allows for a greater payload while remaining within various applicable legal restrictions for gross vehicle weight, axle weight, etc.
Claims19
An intermodal transport combination comprising:
- a container having a first container end and a second container end opposite the first container end, the container including:
- a tank;
- and
- a first frame supporting the tank at the first container end and a second frame supporting the tank at the second container end;
- a chassis having wheels and including a first chassis end and a second chassis end opposite the first chassis end, the chassis including:
- landing gear positioned forward of the wheels and supporting the chassis, the landing gear being disposed longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- a first crossbeam disposed at the first chassis end;
- a second crossbeam disposed at the second chassis end, the first and second crossbeams receiving and engaging with the first and second frames, respectively;
- and
- first and second chassis beams each being a continuous beam and fixedly disposed from the first crossbeam to the second crossbeam.
A method of intermodal transport for storing and transporting gas or liquid contents, comprising:
- configuring a tank container including:
- providing a vessel for storing the gas or liquid contents, and
- attaching a first frame disposed at a first end of the vessel and a second frame disposed at a second end of the vessel;
- configuring a chassis having a first chassis end and a second chassis end opposite the first chassis end, the step of configuring the chassis including:
- configuring a hitch on the chassis to connect with a vehicle hitch of a vehicle at the first chassis end;
- installing a set of wheels at the second chassis end;
- providing first and second crossbeams respectively located at the first and second chassis ends and respectively adapted to engage with the first and second frames of the container;
- providing first and second chassis beams each being a continuous beam and fixedly disposed from the first crossbeam to the second crossbeam;
- and
- removably positioning the tank container on the chassis, the tank container being disposed over the hitch on the chassis and over the set of wheels with the first frame proximate to the first chassis end and the second frame proximate to the second chassis end.
A chassis that receives a tank container having a tank with a first tank end and a second tank end opposite the first tank end, the chassis comprising:
- a first chassis end and a second chassis end opposite the first chassis end;
- wheels;
- landing gear positioned forward of the wheels, the landing gear being disposed longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- a first crossbeam disposed at the first chassis end and a second crossbeam disposed at the second chassis end, the first and second crossbeams receiving and engaging with the first and second tank ends, respectively;
- and
- first and second chassis beams each being a continuous beam and fixedly disposed from the first crossbeam to the second crossbeam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.