Extended reach sluicer systems, devices, and methods for breaking up and retrieving chemical, radioactive, hazardous materials and/or other waste and/or other material from storage tanks with mechanical arms and nozzles to break up and transfer tank material. And this invention can work with tanks having high temperature or low temperature conditions.
Systems, devices, apparatus and methods for cleaning contaminated tanks without introducing large amounts of free water or liquefier into the tanks. A gathering arm assembly and a bucket assembly is used to remove and break up waste debris from a contaminated tank.
B02C 18/00 - Disintegrating by knives or other cutting or tearing members which chop material into fragmentsMincing machines or similar apparatus using worms or the like
Systems, devices, and methods for passing vertical travel robotic tank cleaning systems through openings while mounted to existing riser structures, the system can extend to the bottom of the tank and horizontally more than approximately 30 feet. Plural systems can be used within a tank to break down solid sludge by placing high-pressure nozzle(s) in close proximity to solid waste providing maximum coverage. A mechanical arm with a nozzle assembly utilizes high- and low-pressure fluid streams to fluidize and liquefy solids while directly moving them to a centrally located transfer pump. The systems work in highly radioactive, chemically aggressive, explosive, high temperature and low temperature environments through hydraulic actuation. Multiple axis of freedom allows the arm and nozzle assembly to navigate and clean around internal obstacles and reach close proximity for maximum nozzle impingement force. Systems can be remotely operated up to approximately 1000 feet away.
B08B 9/093 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
B05B 3/12 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements with spray booms or the like rotating around an axis by means independent of the liquid or other fluent material discharged
B05B 15/72 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means
B25J 9/06 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by multi-articulated arms
Nuclear abrasive slurry waste pump systems, devices, and methods for retrieving waste materials and/or other material from storage tanks with liquefied tank material. The systems, devices and methods can work with tanks having high temperature conditions up to approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit or low temperature conditions down to approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
F04C 13/00 - Adaptations of machines or pumps for special use, e.g. for extremely high pressures
F04C 15/00 - Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups
F04C 25/00 - Adaptations for special use of pumps for elastic fluids
F04D 7/04 - Pumps adapted for handling specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts of centrifugal type the fluids being viscous or non-homogeneous
5.
Articulating arm programmable tank cleaning nozzle
Manual, automated, or semi-automated articulating arm programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for removing paint, rust, scale, debris, and contaminants as well as methods to apply new coatings to tanks. A hydraulically controlled articulating arm can have up to 11 or more degrees of freedom and a working envelope ranging from approximately 10′×approximately 10′×approximately 10′ up to approximately 50′×approximately 50′×approximately 50′. Modularity and light weight components allow quick setup with minimal manpower, and therefore, make relocation in confined tanks feasible. Simplified programming with scanning methods can aide in quick generation of toolpaths. Dust free blasting techniques can be employed, making the operation safer, cleaner, and more efficient. Surface coatings can be applied with the same device further increasing efficiencies. The systems, devices and methods can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
B05B 13/04 - Means for supporting workArrangement or mounting of spray headsAdaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work the spray heads being moved during operation
B25J 11/00 - Manipulators not otherwise provided for
Devices, apparatus, systems, vehicles and methods for cleaning contaminated tanks without introducing free water or liquefier into the tanks. A mobile vehicle with left and right sets of tracks can support a gathering arm assembly, a bucket assembly, an eductor vacuum, and a pump/tank assembly that can be used to remove and break up waste debris from a contaminated tank.
Manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside storage tanks, ballast tanks, floating roof tanks, void tanks, rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle incorporates two degrees of freedom and can be mounted to existing booms, robotic arms, gantry systems, rigid beams, manways, or any other rigid structure. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allowing an operator to remotely operate the system without the need for a camera system. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
B08B 9/093 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
B05B 15/72 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means
B05B 3/12 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements with spray booms or the like rotating around an axis by means independent of the liquid or other fluent material discharged
Manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside storage tanks, ballast tanks, floating roof tanks, void tanks, rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle incorporates two degrees of freedom and can be mounted to existing booms, robotic arms, gantry systems, rigid beams, manways, or any other rigid structure. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allowing an operator to remotely operate the system without the need for a camera system. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
B05B 3/12 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements with spray booms or the like rotating around an axis by means independent of the liquid or other fluent material discharged
B05B 15/72 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means
B08B 9/093 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
Manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside storage tanks, ballast tanks, floating roof tanks, void tanks, rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle incorporates two degrees of freedom and can be mounted to existing booms, robotic arms, gantry systems, rigid beams, manways, or any other rigid structure. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allowing an operator to remotely operate the system without the need for a camera system. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
B08B 9/049 - Cleaning the internal surfacesRemoval of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes having self-contained propelling means for moving the cleaning devices along the pipes
B08B 9/043 - Cleaning the internal surfacesRemoval of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved by externally powered mechanical linkage, e.g. pushed or drawn through the pipes
B05B 1/14 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
E03F 9/00 - Arrangements or fixed installations for cleaning sewer pipes, e.g. by flushing
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
Systems, devices, and methods for passing railcar tank cleaning systems through the opening and mounted to existing manways. The invention can extend horizontally more than 25 feet and clean rail cars up to and beyond approximately 102 inches in diameter for manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable railcar tank cleaning systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable railcar cleaning system can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allow an operator to remotely operate the system. The various capabilities of this invention allow cleaning in a quicker and more efficient manner. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
Extended reach sluicer systems, devices, and methods for breaking up and retrieving chemical, radioactive, hazardous materials and/or other waste from storage tanks, with mechanical arms and nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up and liquefy in-tank material. The invention can work with tanks having additional issues, such as but not limited to high temperature or low temperature conditions. An upper assembly attachable to a tank can control the transverse rotation of a vertical mast and with a lower end pivotally attached to a boom having a nozzle assembly attached to an outer end. The boom can telescopically retract and extend to different length positions by cables and pulleys. Controls with take-up mechanisms can elevate up and down or transverse left and right the nozzle assembly.
B08B 9/093 - Cleaning of containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
B05B 13/04 - Means for supporting workArrangement or mounting of spray headsAdaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work the spray heads being moved during operation
B05B 13/06 - Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups specially designed for treating the inside of hollow bodies
B05B 15/68 - Arrangements for adjusting the position of spray heads