CN112896026B - Tank Air Line Status Indicator System - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to tanks that store and transport materials in various states including solid, liquid or gas. When emptying the tank, it is known that they burst in the event that the operator forgets to vent the tank to atmosphere or in the event that there is a mechanical failure of the venting but the operator fails to see. Thus, in one aspect, there is provided a canister comprising a canister body including a vent valve having a closed condition sealing the canister body and having an open condition venting the canister body to atmosphere; and a vent valve status indicator system operatively associated with the vent valve to indicate to an operator whether the vent valve is open or closed. In another aspect, a vent valve status indicator system for retrofitting a canister is provided.

Description

Tank Air Line Status Indicator System

Priority Document

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019904348, filed on November 19, 2019, entitled “TANK AIR LINE STATUS INDICATOR SYSTEM”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to tanks for storing and transporting materials in various states, including solid, liquid or gas. In a particular form, the present disclosure relates to the operation of a vent valve (or air inlet valve) of such a tank.

Background Art

These tanks typically include a tank body including a pressure vessel including one or more top hatches for loading; and air lines that facilitate unloading of the payload through a bottom outlet.

A tank comprises a pressure vessel which may be supported by a substructure, a surrounding structure or some kind of frame. The structure may also include wheels, in which case the tank may be referred to as a tanker.

The pressure vessel includes a top mounted vent (or air intake) that must be open to the atmosphere during the discharge process. The process can be initiated from a walkway on top of the tank or from a separate remote control device connected to the vent and operated from the ground. Ground operation is preferred for safety reasons. However, when the vent is operated remotely from the ground, the operator cannot confirm that the vent is open.

These cans are known to burst if the operator forgets to vent the can to atmosphere or if there is a mechanical failure in the vent but the operator has no way of knowing this condition.

It is against this background, and against the backdrop of the problems and difficulties associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.

Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect, a tank is provided, comprising a tank body, the tank body comprising a ventilation valve (or air intake valve), the ventilation valve comprising a closed state for sealing the tank body and an open state for venting the tank body to the atmosphere (i.e., allowing air to enter the tank body); and a ventilation valve status indicator system operably associated with the ventilation valve to indicate the status of the ventilation valve to an operator.

In one form, a vent valve status indicator system indicates when the vent valve is open.

In one form, a vent valve status indicator system indicates whether the vent valve is properly closed.

According to another aspect, a tank is provided, comprising a tank body, the tank body including a vent valve, the vent valve including a closed state to seal the tank body and an open state to vent the tank body to the atmosphere; and a vent valve state indicator system operably associated with the vent valve to indicate to an operator whether the vent valve is open or closed.

In one form, a vent valve status indicator system includes an indicator module positioned remotely from the vent valve.

In one form, the canister further includes a control device for the vent valve, which is located remotely from the vent valve and is operatively associated with the vent valve to open and close the vent valve.

In one form, the vent valve status indicator module is located at or near a remotely located control device for the vent valve.

In one form, the tank comprises a pressure vessel. In an alternative form, the tank comprises a container for storing and transporting materials.

In one form, the tank alternatively comprises a housing that is not suitable for use as a pressure vessel.

According to another aspect, a tank is provided, comprising a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including a vent valve, the vent valve including a closed state for sealing the tank body and an open state for venting the pressure vessel to the atmosphere; and a vent valve status indicator, which is placed at a position away from the vent valve and is operatively associated with the vent valve to indicate the status of the vent valve.

In one form, the vent valve status indicator module is located at or near the bottom of the tank.

In one form, the vent valve is located at or near the top of the tank.

In one form, the control means for the ventilation valve is alternatively located at or near the ventilation valve.

In one form, the vent valve status indicator indicates at least whether the vent valve is open or closed.

In one form, the vent valve status indicator indicates the degree or percentage of opening and/or closing of the vent valve.

In one form, the operative association between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module comprises a physical connection.

In one form, the operative association between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module includes a tether extending between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator.

In one form, the tether includes a flexible portion.

In one form, the tether comprises a push-pull cable.

In one form, alternatively, the tether is substantially rigid.

In one form, the tether comprises a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism may comprise two or more links connected by one or more pivot joints.

In one form, the vent valve status indicator provides a visual indication.

In one form, a vent valve status indicator comprises a module including a panel including at least one window therein and wherein at least one colored indicator sheet moved by a tether is visible through the window.

In one form, the indicator sheet moves by a translational motion.

In one form, the indicator sheet is suspended from a tether. In this way, the indicator sheet is translated by the tether.

In one form, the indicator sheet alternatively moves by a rotational motion.

In one form, the indicator sheet is pivotally mounted relative to the indicator module and is rotated by a tether.

In one form, alternatively, the visible indication comprises a flashing light.In one form, a ventilation valve status indicator of this type may be located at or near the ventilation valve.

In one form, alternatively, the ventilation valve status indicator provides an audible indication. In one form, the audible indication may include any of the following: a siren, a buzzer, or a recorded voice warning played through a speaker. In one form, this type of ventilation valve status indicator may be located at or near the ventilation valve.

In one form, alternatively, the operative association between the ventilation valve and the ventilation valve status indicator module comprises an electrical connection. That is, the operative association may comprise some form of switch, a cable and an electrical actuator extending between the switch and the cable, and a power source for the foregoing.

In one form, alternatively, the operative association between the ventilation valve and the ventilation valve status indicator module comprises a pneumatic connection. That is, this may include a compressor, a battery, an air line, a valve and a pneumatic actuator.

In one form, the operative association between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator comprises a radio connection.

In one form, the tank comprises an ISO container sized frame extending around the pressure vessel.

In one form, the tank is supported on wheels. That is, the tank forms part of a tanker.

According to another aspect, a tank is provided that includes a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including a ventilation valve, the ventilation valve including a closed state that seals the pressure vessel, and an open state that vents the pressure vessel to the atmosphere (i.e., allows air to enter the pressure vessel), the tank also including a ventilation valve status indicator module, the indicator module is placed away from the ventilation valve and is connected to the ventilation valve by a push-pull cable to provide a visible indication of the status of the ventilation valve.

According to another aspect, a vent valve status indicator system for retrofitting a tank truck is provided.

In one form, a vent valve status indicator system includes a vent valve status indicator module, and a push-pull cable extending from the module, the push-pull cable being adapted to be attached at a distal end thereof relative to the vent valve.

For ease of description, a tank car embodying the present invention is described below in the drawings in its normal assembled position, and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc. may be used with reference to the normal orientation. However, the tank car may be manufactured, transported, sold or used in other orientations than those described and shown herein.

According to another aspect, a vent valve status indicator system for retrofitting a container for storing and transporting materials is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 is a side view of the tank;

FIG2 is a top view of the tank of FIG1 ;

FIG3 is an end view of the tank of FIG1 ;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a vent valve status indication system for use with a tank similar to that of FIG1 ;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a ventilation valve status indication system according to another embodiment; and

6 is a view of the indicator module from the system of FIG. 5 with the front panel removed to allow viewing of the interior thereof.

In the following description, the same reference numerals designate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a tank 1 comprising a tank body 2 comprising a pressure vessel 2 nested within an ISO container sized frame 4, the pressure vessel having corner castings 6 (for accommodating twist locks), although the inventive concept is not limited to use within such a frame 4. The pressure vessel 2 is generally elongated, comprising a cylindrical center portion and a pair of domed end portions.

At the top of the pressure vessel 2 there is a pressure relief valve 8 for ensuring that the pressure vessel 2 is not over-pressurized during use and a ventilation valve (or air inlet valve) 10 for ventilating the pressure vessel 2 to the atmosphere. There is also an upper entrance with a cover 12 for loading and entry, a ladder 13 and a walkway 14 for operators to access all the aforementioned areas.

In this case, the vent valve 10 is of the ball valve type (although other valve types may be employed in its place) and includes a lever linkage 16 (see FIG. 4 ) connected relative to the ball of the vent valve 10 for rotation thereof.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is a discharge valve 20 at the bottom of the pressure vessel 2 for controlling the discharge of the payload through a bottom outlet 30 in one end of the pressure vessel 2, although in some cases the discharge valve may be located in one side of the pressure vessel 2. In this case, the discharge valve 20 is in the form of a butterfly valve (although other valve types may be used in this location) and includes a control lever handle 22 connected to a lever connected to the disc (or butterfly) to rotate the disc or butterfly.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the vent valve status indicator 40 is further located at or near the bottom of the pressure vessel 2 and is fixedly positioned relative to the vessel. The vent valve status indicator 40 includes a module 42 including a housing having an elongated panel 42 a having a pair of windows 44 and 46 spaced apart along the panel. Through these windows 44 and 46, a pair of color indicator sheets are visible, the pair of color indicator sheets including a green indicator sheet 50 and a red indicator sheet 52.

There is an operational association between the ventilation valve 10 and the ventilation valve state indicator 40 , so that the ventilation valve state indicator 40 can indicate the state of the ventilation valve 10 , more specifically, whether the ventilation valve 10 is open or closed.

In this embodiment, the operative association comprises a physical linkage, and more particularly in this case a tether in the form of a push-pull cable 60 .

The push-pull cable 60 includes a solid wire inner cable 62 that is movable relative to an outer conduit (tube) 64 within the outer conduit (tube). The ends of the outer conduit 64 are fixed, but the ends of the inner cable 62 are free to move.

The lower end of the external conduit 64 is fixed relative to the module 42 of the ventilation valve status indicator 40 , and the upper end of the external conduit 64 is fixed relative to a fixing bracket 66 suspended from the tank 1 .

The upper end of the inner cable 62 is fixed relative to the control rod linkage 16 of the ventilation valve 10 , and the indicator pieces 50 and 52 depend from the vicinity of the lower end of the inner cable 62 .

In use, when the ventilation valve 10 is set to its open state, the push-pull cable 60 positions the green indicator sheet 50 so that it can be seen through the window 46 in the panel 42a of the ventilation valve status indicator. This indicates to the operator that the ventilation valve 10 is open, and to this end, the panel 42a may include text adjacent to the window 44 (e.g., "Open").

When the ventilation valve 10 is set to its closed state, the push-pull cable 60 positions the red indicator sheet 52 so that it can be seen through the window 44 in the panel 42a of the ventilation valve status indicator. This indicates to the operator that the ventilation valve 10 is closed, and to this end, the panel 42a may include text adjacent to the window 46 (e.g., "Closed").

5 and 6, a valve state indicator 40A according to another embodiment is shown. Components of valve state indicator 40A that are equivalent to corresponding components shown in valve state indicator 40 of FIG. 4 will be indicated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail again.

The ventilation valve status indicator 40A comprises a module 42 comprising an elongated panel 42a having a single window 44 therein. Through the window 44 an indicator sheet 50 is visible, the indicator sheet comprising a red portion and a green portion.

In use, when the ventilation valve 10 is set to its open state, the push-pull cable 60 positions the green indicator portion so that it can be seen through the window 44 in the ventilation valve state indicator panel 42a. This indicates to the operator that the ventilation valve 10 is open, and the green portion may include text to that effect (e.g., "Open").

When the ventilation valve 10 is set to its closed state, the push-pull cable 60 positions the red portion so that it can be seen through the window 44 in the panel 42a of the ventilation valve status indicator. This indicates to the operator that the ventilation valve 10 is closed, and the red portion may include text to that effect (e.g., "Closed").

Advantageously, the ventilation status indicator 40 or 40A provides a visible indication to an operator, who may be operating the ventilation valve 10 remotely, such as from the surface, of whether the ventilation valve 10 is open.

Other options for establishing an operative association between the ventilation valve 10 and the ventilation valve status indicator 40 or 40A may include an electrical connection, a pneumatic link, or a wireless connection, but a physical connection such as described is direct, instant, simple, and reliable.

Other options for creating a visual indication for the operator might include LEDs or a visual display unit (VDU), but again, the colored indicator sheets 50 and 52 provide a direct, immediate, simple and reliable visual indication.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the pressure vessel 2 is elongated and may include a square or rectangular central cross-section. As finite element analysis (FEA), engineering, and manufacturing capabilities advance, other possible container shapes for the purpose of storing large volumes of liquid will benefit from the advantages of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the concepts of the invention discussed in any of the above embodiments will not be limited to use with container shapes.

In another alternative embodiment, the pressure vessel 2 can be a container for storing and transporting materials in various states (including solid, liquid or gas). In this embodiment, the container is not pressurized and can be, for example, a Frac Tank commonly used in the oil and gas industry to store water, proppant or paste in an unpressurized environment. Such unpressurized storage and transportation containers still need to be ventilated before emptying to reduce the possibility of container bursting. Therefore, it will be understood that the inventive concept of the ventilation valve status indicator system 40, 40A can be applied to any container for storing and transporting materials that needs to be ventilated during discharge.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “comprising” and variations such as “including” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated features or groups of features but not the exclusion of any other features or groups of features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of the present invention is not limited to the specific applications described. The present invention is not limited to its preferred embodiments with respect to the specific elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed one or more embodiments, but can be variously rearranged, modified and replaced without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth and defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A canister, the canister comprising a canister body, the canister body comprising: a vent valve having a closed state sealing the can and having an open state venting the can to atmosphere; control means for the vent valve, disposed remotely from the vent valve and operatively associated with the vent valve to open and close the vent valve; and a vent valve status indicator system comprising a vent valve status indicator module operatively associated with the vent valve to indicate to an operator whether the vent valve is open or closed and located at or near the control means for the vent valve;

Wherein the operative association between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module comprises a tether or push-pull cable extending between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module; and

Wherein the vent valve status indicator module provides a visual indication of the status of the vent valve.

2. The canister of claim 1, wherein the vent valve status indicator module includes a panel including at least one window therein, and wherein at least one colored indicator sheet moved by the tether is visible through the window to provide a visual indication.

3. The canister of claim 1, wherein the visual indication comprises a flashing light and/or a visual display unit.

4. The canister of claim 1, wherein the vent valve status indicator module is configured to provide an audible indication of a status of a vent valve to an operator.

5. The canister of claim 4, wherein the audible indication includes any one of: sirens, buzzes or speakers play recorded voice warnings.

6. The canister of claim 1, wherein the operative association between the vent valve and vent valve status indicator module comprises an electrical connection.

7. The canister of claim 1, wherein the operative association between the vent valve and vent valve status indicator module comprises a pneumatic connection.

8. The canister of claim 1, wherein the canister body comprises a pressure vessel.

9. The canister of claim 8, further comprising an ISO container-sized frame extending around the pressure container.

10. A canister according to any preceding claim, wherein the canister is supported on wheels.

11. The canister of claim 1, wherein the vent valve is located at or near a top of the canister.

12. The canister of claim 1, wherein the vent valve status indicator module and the control means for a vent valve are located at or near a bottom of the canister.

13. A vent valve status indicator system for retrofitting a canister, the canister including a canister body including a vent valve, the vent valve status indicator system comprising: a vent valve status indicator module adapted to indicate to an operator a status of the vent valve; and a tether extending from the vent valve status indicator module and including a portion adapted to be attached relative to a vent valve at a distal end of the tether.

14. The vent valve status indicator system of claim 13, wherein the vent valve status indicator module comprises a panel including at least one window therein, and wherein visible through the window is at least one indicator tab moved by a tether.

15. The vent valve status indicator system of any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the tether comprises a push-pull cable.

16. A canister, the canister comprising a canister body, the canister body comprising: a vent valve at or near the top of the canister, the vent valve having a closed state sealing the canister and having an open state venting the canister to atmosphere; control means for the vent valve, disposed remotely from the vent valve and operatively associated with the vent valve to open and close the vent valve; and a vent valve status indicator system comprising a vent valve status indicator module operatively associated with the vent valve to indicate to an operator whether the vent valve is open or closed and located at or near the control means for the vent valve;

Wherein the operative association between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module comprises a tether or push-pull cable extending between the vent valve and the vent valve status indicator module; and

Wherein the vent valve status indicator module provides a visual indication of the status of the vent valve.