US 2012/0067372 A1 · MINIMAL ENTRY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FLUID CONTAINERS

Abstract

A system for cleaning a container may include: a fluid source; an arm that moves a nozzle in at least two directions; a fluid retrieval device; a separator; and a fluid mover. One method for cleaning includes securing an arm to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container; spraying a fluid onto an inner surface of the container using the nozzle; drawing the fluid and an entrained material out of the container using the fluid retrieval device; removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid using the separator; and conveying the fluid from the separator to the nozzle using the fluid mover. The arm and/or the fluid retrieval device may be remotely installed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for cleaning a container, comprising:

a fluid source supplying an initial amount of a fluid;
a nozzle configured to spray the fluid onto a surface of the container;
an arm configured to move the nozzle in at least two directions in the container, the arm being secured to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container;
a fluid retrieval device configured to draw the fluid and an entrained material out of the container;
a separator receiving the fluid and entrained material from the fluid retrieval device and removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid;
and
a fluid mover configured to receive the fluid from the separator and flow the fluid to the nozzle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Minimal entry method and apparatus for cleaning fluid containers

Life of this patent

Minimal entry method and apparatus for cleaning fluid containers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20