| Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker -> Monitor Keywords |
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Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tankerApparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080044299, Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/838,448 entitled "Utility/Design System for Loading and Off-Loading Bulk Fluid Tanker Trucks" and filed on Aug. 18, 2006 for Kent Vincent Cobb, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]This invention relates to bulk fluid transportation and more particularly relates to an apparatus system and method for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker. [0004]2. Description of the Related Art [0005]A typical bulk fluid transport system includes a tanker tractor and a tanker trailer. The tractor is generally a large diesel powered truck suitable for pulling heavy commercial or industrial loads. The tanker trailer typically includes a cylindrical tank suitable for containing various fluids. For example, a tanker trailer may contain products such as water, milk, gasoline, oil, propane, liquid gases, compressed gases, or the like. [0006]Common bulk liquid transport systems utilize the primary motor of the tanker tractor to power a geared or rotary pump for loading and offloading fluid. In general, the pump is attached to the transmission of the tractor. A typical system includes a specialized gear box or transmission attachment that transfers mechanical power from the tractor motor to the pump. Under normal operation, an operator of the typical system sits in the cab of the tractor to engage or monitor the throttle level of the tractor's primary motor. The throttle level of the tractor's primary motor determines the pumping rate of the pump. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available bulk fluid transport systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. [0008]In one embodiment, the apparatus to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker includes a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer. Additionally, the apparatus may include a compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank. The compressor may be powered by an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine. The apparatus also includes a control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor. In a further embodiment, the compressor may also include an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air. [0009]The auxiliary power generator may include an auxiliary diesel engine configured to supply power to the compressor. Alternatively, the auxiliary power generator is an auxiliary gasoline engine configured to supply power to the compressor. In a further embodiment, the auxiliary power generator is configured to supply electrical power to one or more auxiliary devices. [0010]In one embodiment, the control module includes an automatic throttle control configured to monitor a pressure level in the air reservoir tank, and to disengage the compressor and modify a throttle level of the auxiliary power generator in response to the air reservoir tank reaching a predetermined pressure level. The control module may further include a regulated line-feed pressure control configured to regulate a pressure level supplied by the air reservoir tank to an air conduit line. Additionally, the control module may include one or more safety controls configured to release pressure supplied to the air conduit line in response to an emergency event. The control module may also include one or more monitoring instruments configured to provide status information to an operator. [0011]A system for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a bulk fluid tank configured to hold up to a predetermined volume of fluid, a pump configured to affect a flow of a fluid conveyed between the bulk fluid tank and an external tank, and a bulk fluid drive unit. The bulk fluid drive unit may be configured to drive the pump. In one embodiment, the bulk fluid drive unit includes a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer. The bulk fluid drive unit may also include a compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank, and an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine, the auxiliary power generator configured to supply power to the compressor. In a further embodiment, the bulk fluid drive unit may also include a control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor. [0012]A method for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker is also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes supplying power to compress air, wherein the supply of power is provided independent of a primary tractor engine. The method may additionally include compressing air, wherein the compressed air drives the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank. In a further embodiment, the method may include providing control of a level of pressure of the compressed air and of the flow of fluid between the bulk fluid tank and the external tank. The method may also include driving a fluid pump, wherein the fluid pump affects the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank. [0013]Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. [0014]Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. [0015]These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016]In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only certain embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker; [0018]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker; [0019]FIG. 3 is a front view diagram illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker; [0020]FIG. 4 is a front view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a control module; Continue reading about Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker... Full patent description for Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker patent application. 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