Apparatus For Cleaning The Interior Of An Above Ground Storage Tank
OwnerMichael Henry James, Michael William O'Rourkeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for cleaning the interior of an above ground storage tank includes a nozzle assembly mounted to a cover on the storage tank sidewall having a horizontally extending wash pipe fixedly and a suction pipe for recirculation of spent fluids. The wash pipe has an interior segment which can be extended to a tank floor and is configured with a bend to extend along the tank sides all to which is attached a submersible swivel joint fitted with a choked nozzle. A control assembly is provided to direct from the nozzle from the exterior of the storage tank. The nozzle vibrates in response to flow of wash fluid from the wash pipe.
Claims15
In a storage tank having a vertical sidewall that separates the tank exterior from the tank interior and a horizontally oriented tank floor, a nozzle assembly comprising:
- (a) a nozzle section, said nozzle section having a wash pipe extending through said side all of said storage tank into said interior of said storage tank and a nozzle connected to said wash pipe whereby said nozzle will vibrate in response to a flow of wash fluid through said nozzle;
- (b) a suction section, said suction section having a draw pipe extending through said sidewall of said storage tank;
- and
- (c) wherein said nozzle is adjustably positionable adjacent said tank floor.
In a storage tank having a vertical sidewall that separates the tank exterior from the tank interior and a horizontally oriented tank floor, a nozzle assembly comprising:
- (a) a nozzle section, said nozzle section having a wash pipe extending through said sidewall of said storage tank into said interior of said storage tank adjacent said tank floor and a nozzle connected to said wash pipe;
- (b) a nozzle flange attached to said nozzle;
- (c) a wash pipe flange attached to said wash pipe;
- (d) a plurality springs positioned between said nozzle flange and said wash pipe flange whereby said nozzle will vibrate in response to a flow of wash fluid through said nozzle.
- (e) a swivel joint attached to said wash pipe;
- (f) a control assembly whereby said nozzle may be pivoted about said swivel joint to sweep above said tank floor from said exterior of said storage tank;
- and
- (g) a suction section, said suction section having a draw pipe extending through said sidewall of said storage tank.
The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 8 further comprising:
- (a) a high pressure fluid supply line fitted to said wash pipe;
- (b) a fluid pump system connected to said fluid supply line;
- (c) a vacuum line fitted to said draw pipe;
- (d) a vacuum system connected to said vacuum line.
The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein each said spring of said plurality of springs is a compression spring mounted with a threaded connector positioned between said nozzle flange and said wash pipe flange.
The nozzle assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said plurality of springs includes tension springs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.