Intermodal Tank Transport System, Components, and Methods
AssigneeInternational Transport Equipment Company
InventorsKenneth Haut, Rex Michaw
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.
Claims20
An intermodal transport combination comprising:
- a container having first and second container ends and including:
- a tank;
- and
- a frame supporting the tank;
- a chassis having first and second chassis ends and including:
- a base;
- wheels coupled to the base;
- landing gear positioned forward of the wheels and adapted to support the chassis, the landing gear being disposed longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- a first chassis support disposed proximate the landing gear and adapted to contact the container at a position longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- and
- a second chassis support adapted to contact the container at a position rearward of the first support and at a position longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends,
- wherein the frame has a width and a height less than the width.
A method of intermodal transport for storing and transporting gas or liquid contents, comprising:
- configuring a tank container having first and second container engagement surfaces, said step of configuring said tank container including;
- providing a vessel for storing 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, said step of configuring said chassis including;
- configuring a hitch on the chassis to connect with a vehicle hitch of a vehicle at the first chassis end of the chassis;
- installing a set of wheels at the second chassis end of the chassis;
- providing first and second chassis engagement surfaces;
- and
- removably positioning the tank container on the chassis, the tank container being disposed over the hitch 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 adapted to receive a tank container, the chassis having first and second chassis ends and comprising:
- a base;
- wheels coupled to the base;
- landing gear positioned forward of the wheels, the landing gear being disposed longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- a first chassis support disposed proximate the landing gear and adapted to contact the tank container at a position longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends;
- and
- a second chassis support adapted to contact the tank container at a position rearward of the first support and at a position longitudinally inward from the first and second chassis ends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.