Bung plug extractor and methods for transferring fluid with a pressurized tank
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMark J. Holthaus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for exchanging fluid with a tank through a tank port includes a bung extractor casing that has a first end configured to removably couple to a tank port. The tank port is configured to be sealingly coupled to a bung plug. The bung extractor casing also includes a second end opposite the first end, a hose connector configured to removably couple to a hose, and a channel defined between the first end and the hose connector. The apparatus also includes a bung extractor coupled to the extractor casing second end. The bung extractor includes a tip portion configured to releasably engage the bung plug. The bung extractor is operable to selectively uncouple the bung plug from the tank port such that a sealed flow path is formed through the tank port and the channel.
Claims17
An apparatus for use in exchanging fluid with a tank, said apparatus comprising:
- a bung extractor casing extending from a first end to an opposite second end, said bung extractor casing comprising:
- a bung extractor mount coupled to a bung extractor body, wherein said extractor casing first end comprises a first end of said extractor mount, and said extractor casing second end comprises a second end of said extractor body, said extractor casing first end configured to removably couple to a tank port, the tank port configured to be sealingly coupled to a bung plug;
- a hose connector disposed on said extractor body, said hose connector configured to removably couple to a hose;
- and
- an extractor casing channel defined between said extractor casing first end and said hose connector, said extractor casing channel comprising a hose connector channel, an extractor body channel, and an extractor mount channel in flow communication;
- a clamp configured to removably couple said extractor body to said extractor mount in a swivel joint;
- and
- a bung extractor coupled to said extractor casing second end, said bung extractor comprises a tip portion configured to releasably engage the bung plug, said bung extractor is operable to selectively uncouple the bung plug from the tank port such that a sealed flow path is formed through the tank port and said extractor casing channel.
A bung plug extractor system for use in exchanging fluid with a tank, said bung plug extractor system comprising:
- a bung plug configured to sealingly couple to a tank port;
- a bung extractor casing extending from a first end to an opposite second end, said bung extractor casing comprising:
- a bung extractor mount coupled to a bung extractor body, wherein said extractor casing first end comprises a first end of said extractor mount, and said extractor casing second end comprises a second end of said extractor body, said extractor casing first end configured to removably couple to the tank port;
- a hose connector disposed on said extractor body, said hose connector configured to removably couple to a hose;
- and
- an extractor casing channel defined between said extractor casing first end and said hose connector, said extractor casing channel comprising a hose connector channel, an extractor body channel, and an extractor mount channel in flow communication;
- a clamp configured to removably couple said extractor body to said extractor mount in a swivel joint;
- and
- a bung extractor coupled to said extractor casing second end, said bung extractor comprises a tip portion configured to releasably engage said bung plug, said bung extractor is operable to selectively uncouple said bung plug from the tank port such that a sealed flow path is formed through the tank port and said extractor casing channel.
A method of exchanging fluid with a tank, said method comprising:
- coupling a first end of a bung extractor casing to a tank port, wherein a bung plug remains sealingly coupled to the tank port as the first end is coupled thereto, and wherein the extractor casing comprises:
- a second end opposite the first end;
- a bung extractor mount coupled to a bung extractor body, wherein the extractor casing first end includes a first end of the extractor mount, and the extractor casing second end includes a second end of the extractor body;
- a hose connector disposed on the extractor body;
- an extractor casing channel defined between the extractor casing first end and the hose connector, the extractor casing channel including a hose connector channel, an extractor body channel, and an extractor mount channel in flow communication;
- and
- a clamp configured to removably couple the extractor body to the extractor mount in a swivel joint;
- extending a bung extractor through the extractor casing channel and through the extractor casing first end, wherein the bung extractor is extendably coupled to the extractor casing second end;
- releasably engaging the bung plug with a tip portion of the bung extractor;
- uncoupling the bung plug from the tank port using the bung extractor such that a sealed flow path is formed through the tank port and the extractor casing channel;
- and
- exchanging fluid with the tank through the sealed flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.