# US 9,433,982 B2 · Apparatus for insertion in a tank and method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,982 B2 - Document ID: US9433982B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/485,092 - Filed: 2014-09-12 - Published: 2015-01-01 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-01 - Assignees: Stoneage, Inc. - Applicants: Stoneage, Inc. - Inventors: Gerald P. Zink - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433982B2 ## CPC - B08B 9/093: by the force of jets or sprays ({B08B9/0813} , B08B9/20 take precedence) - B08B 9/043: moved by externally powered mechanical linkage, e.g. pushed or drawn through the pipes - B08B 9/0813: {by the force of jets or sprays} - B63B 57/02: by washing - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - Y10T 137/0419: Fluid cleaning or flushing - Y10T 137/60: Assembling or disassembling flexible tube or sleeve type valve - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus for insertion in an enclosed space, including: a tube with: first and second substantially straight portions including first and second ends of the tube, respectively; and a curved portion connecting the first and second portions. The apparatus includes: a plurality of nested segments at least partially disposed within the first substantially straight portion of the tube and connected to the first substantially straight portion; and a first actuator engageable with the tube to displace the first and second substantially straight portions of the tube into and out of the enclosed space through an opening into the enclosed space. The tube is arranged to accept a hose passing through the tube, and a distal segment from the plurality of nested segments is connectable to the hose. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for positioning an apparatus within an enclosed space, comprising: positioning at least a portion of a plurality of nested segments within a first substantially straight portion of a rigid tube, the first portion including a first end of the tube; placing a hose in the tube; connecting the hose to a distal segment from the plurality of nested segments; engaging the first portion of the tube, a second substantially straight portion of the tube, and a curved portion of the tube, between the first and second portions of the tube, with a first actuator; and, displacing, using the first actuator, the rigid tube through an opening into the enclosed space such that the first substantially straight portion, at least a part of the second substantially straight portion, and the curved portion are positioned within the enclosed space. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displacing the hose in a first direction such that respective portions of the nested segments displace away from the first end of the tube; and, displacing the hose in a second direction, opposite the first direction, such that the respective portions of the nested segments displace toward the second end of the tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: engaging the hose with a second actuator fixed to the second end of the tube; and, displacing the hose, with the second actuator, in the first and second directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a nozzle to the distal segment. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the enclosed space is formed by a tank; and, displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion parallel to a center line of the tank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the enclosed space is formed by a tank; and, displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion parallel to a center line of the tank, the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a position of the first substantially straight portion with respect to the center line while keeping the first substantially straight portion parallel to the center line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion in a horizontal position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion in a horizontal position and the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a vertical position of the first substantially straight portion in the enclosed space while keeping the first substantially straight portion horizontal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal line, and the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a vertical position of the first substantially straight portion within the enclosed space while keeping the first substantially straight portion at the acute angle with respect to the horizontal line. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the rigid tube includes an exterior surface and a plurality of first gripping features along at least a portion of the exterior surface; and, the first actuator includes a plurality of second gripping features, the method further comprising: fixing the first actuator in a location with respect to the enclosed space; engaging the first plurality of gripping features with the second plurality of gripping features; and, displacing the second plurality of gripping features to displace the tube into and out of the enclosed space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first actuator includes a gear with a plurality of teeth forming the second plurality of gripping features, the method further comprising: rotating the gear in a first direction to displace the tube into the enclosed space; and, rotating the gear in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to displace the tube out of the enclosed space. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first substantially straight portion has a length greater than a width of the opening. ### Claim 13 A method for positioning an apparatus within an enclosed space, comprising: positioning at least a portion of a plurality of nested segments within a first substantially straight portion of a rigid tube, the first portion including a first end of the tube; placing a hose in the tube; connecting the hose to a distal segment from the plurality of nested segments; engaging the first portion of the tube, a second substantially straight portion of the tube, and a curved portion of the tube, between the first and second portions of the tube, with a first actuator; displacing, using the first actuator, the rigid tube through an opening into the enclosed space such that the first substantially straight portion, at least a part of the second substantially straight portion, and the curved portion are positioned within the enclosed space; and engaging the hose with a second actuator fixed to the second end of the rigid tube; and, displacing the hose, with the second actuator, in the first and second directions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein: the enclosed space is formed by a tank; and, displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion parallel to a center line of the tank. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein: the enclosed space is formed by a tank; and, displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion parallel to a center line of the tank, the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a position of the first substantially straight portion with respect to the center line while keeping the first substantially straight portion parallel to the center line. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion in a horizontal position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion in a horizontal position and the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a vertical position of the first substantially straight portion in the enclosed space while keeping the first substantially straight portion horizontal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein displacing the tube includes placing the first substantially straight portion at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal line, and the method further comprising displacing the second substantially straight portion with the first actuator to vary a vertical position of the first substantially straight portion within the enclosed space while keeping the first substantially straight portion at the acute angle with respect to the horizontal line. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein: the rigid tube includes an exterior surface and a plurality of first gripping features along at least a portion of the exterior surface; and, the first actuator includes a plurality of second gripping features, the method further comprising: fixing the first actuator in a location with respect to the enclosed space; engaging the first plurality of gripping features with the second plurality of gripping features; and, displacing the second plurality of gripping features to displace the tube into and out of the enclosed space. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the first actuator includes a gear with a plurality of teeth forming the second plurality of gripping features, the method further comprising: rotating the gear in a first direction to displace the tube into the enclosed space; and, rotating the gear in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to displace the tube out of the enclosed space.