Method of loading materials into a tank
AssigneeMac Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsScott A. Kibler, Allen Gordon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tank and a method of holding a load and discharging a load therefrom. The tank includes a body having a first wall that bounds and defines a first compartment for holding a load therein and a second wall spaced outwardly from at least a portion of the first wall; wherein a second compartment is defined between the first wall and the second wall. The tank assembly includes an air piping system that is selectively actuated to place the first compartment and the second compartment under substantially similar or substantially equal air pressure. In one example the air piping system pumps air into the first compartment and the second compartment. In another example the air piping system evacuates air from the first and second compartments.
Claims20
A method of loading materials into a tank comprising:
- providing a tank having an exterior wall that is substantially cylindrical;
- providing a hopper on the tank, wherein the hopper includes a hopper sidewall having an upper region and a lower region, wherein the upper region is located within an interior cavity defined by the tank's exterior wall;
- and wherein the lower region extends downwardly and outwardly through an aperture defined in a bottom of the exterior wall;
- locating a discharge end of the hopper on the lower region a distance below the bottom portion of the exterior wall;
- defining a first compartment in the tank, wherein the first compartment is bounded by an upper section of the exterior wall and the hopper sidewall;
- defining a second compartment in the tank;
- wherein a part of the second compartment is located between the upper region of the hopper sidewall and the bottom of the exterior wall;
- wherein the first compartment and the part of the second compartment are located on opposite sides of a portion of a common wall of the tank;
- wherein the portion of the common wall comprises the upper region of the hopper sidewall;
- loading a quantity of materials into the first compartment;
- and
- substantially equalizing air pressure in the first and second compartments during loading of the quantity of materials into the first compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.