Mobile Device for Transporting Liquid Substances

The invention relates to a mobile device for transporting liquid matter having a tank supported by a frame. More particularly, it relates to the disposition of guide members within the tank to promote mixing of the liquid matter therein during its transportation to inhibit the agglomeration of solids and semi-solids suspended in the liquid matter.

According to the invention at least one guide member is arranged in the tank for preventing dissociation of the mixture of liquid substances, said guide member being inclined downwardly to the rear and extending upwardly for only part of the height of the tank.

A second guide member is mounted above the first guide member transversely across the tank which is inclined downwardly towards the front of the tank. The first guide member includes a downwardly curved forward portion which conincides with the surface of a cylinder. The after part of the first guide member is hinged so as to be freely pivotable upwardly and its rearmost edge is adjacent the rear discharge outlet for the tank in its lower position. Optionally, a lower portion of the second guide member may be hinged to pivot forwardly, the lower edge of such portion resting on the first guide member when in its lowered position. A further guide member may be located under and parallel to the first guide member. Each guide member is mounted in the tank to leave openings between its edges and the interior walls of the tank.

The arrangement of guide members is such that when the vehicle carrying the tank stops, the liquid mixture therein surges forward due to its inertia and is guided in an upwardly inclined direction due to the inclination and position of the first guide member. However, a reverse surge is inhibited by the second guide member, particularly if a hinged portion is provided and the movement of the liquid matter thus tends to flow downwardly guided by the curved forward portion of the first guide member and then to flow under the first guide member to the rear of the tank. This motion of the liquid matter may cause the hinged after portion of the first guide member to be turned upwardly. The further guide member contributes to the guidance of the liquid matter flow under the first member. The openings between the guide members and the interior walls of the tank contribute to a swirling motion of the liquid matter and thus movement thereof along the walls of the tank. Thus, instead of a repetitive sloshing of the liquid matter back and forth as a result of deceleration of the vehicle, the liquid matter is recirculated so that it moves, relative to the vehicle, rearwardly along the bottom and sides of the tank and a distribution flow and turbulence in the liquid matter mixture results which counteracts the agglomeration of solids and semi-solids in such liquid mixture.

For a better understanding of the invention and to illustrate how the same may be carried into effect, reference is made by way of example to the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a first embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the lines II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the lines III--III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a tank associated with the device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the lines V--V of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the lines VI--VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 shows the construction of a mobile device for transporting liquid substances comprising a frame 1 which is supported by wheels 2 and which in turn supports a hood and forward motor compartment 3 accommodating an engine for propelling the device. Behind compartment 3 three supports 4 are provided on the frame in a direction transverse of the direction of usual movement A which carry a cylindrical tank 5. Near the rear of tank 5, an opening or manhole is provided which is covered by a manhole cover 6. An opening in manhole cover 6 is provided with a valve closing member 7. At the rear side of closing member 7 an outlet 8 is connected which is adapted to be coupled with, for example, a hose 9.

Near the top side of cylindrical tank 5 is a filling opening 10 which is closed by a pivotable cover 11. In a manner not shown frame 1 carries a pump which has the capacity to fill the tank by applying suction to a suitable source and to empty the tank by pressure.

Inside the tank a partition-shaped guide member 12 is provided for guiding movement of liquid substances received therein. Partition 12 has a plate-shaped portion 13, which is at an acute angle of about 20.degree. to 50.degree., preferably at about 30.degree. relative to the longitudinal center line of cylindrical tank 5, said angle opening to the front as viewed in the usual direction of movement A. This longitudinal center line is preferably substantially horizontal or is at a minimal angle to the horizontal which opens to the front. Portion 13 has a length approximately corresponding with one-half the length of tank 5. It is arranged in tank 5 with the aid of three angularly profiled angle beams 14, 15 and 16 (FIG. 3). These beams 14, 15 and 16 are connected with the sidewall of the tank, whereas partition 13, as shown in FIG. 2, has straight flat edges, openings being left between the interior sidewall of the tank and the side edges of partition 13. This also applies to the lower side edge of the guide wall 12 formed by a pivotable portion 17 which is adapted to turn with respect to the stationary portion of guide wall 12 about a substantially horizontal pivotal shaft 17A extending transversely of the usual direction of movement. Near pivotal shaft 17A guide wall 12 has a horizontal dimension which is about 75 percent of the diameter of tank 5. Portion 17 is turnable about shaft 17A, under the action of a fluid stream in a direction indicated by the arrow B whereas in the opposite direction a stop formed by the bottom of tank 5 or, if necessary, provided near beam 16 ensures that portion 17 in the lowermost position shown in FIG. 3 is aligned with main portion 13. Near its lower side edge pivotable portion 17 is straight consisting of a chord relative to the circumference of the interior of tank 5 so that between the lower boundary of portion 17 and the curved bottom of tank 5 an arcuate opening is defined. Portion 17 is arranged near the rear of the tank so that the outlet opening or the manhole covered by cover 6 is located a relatively short distance behind same. Near the front side of guide member 12, portion 13 merges into a portion 18 which curves downwardly through an arc of at least 180.degree.. As is shown in FIG. 3, curved portion 18 coincides through an arc of about 210.degree. with a cylindrical surface. At its lowermost aspect, curved portion 18 is about the same height above the bottom of tank 5 as pivotal shaft 17A. In the front view of FIG. 2, guide member 12 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. Approximately under the center of main portion 13 as seen from the side an auxiliary guide member 19 is supported by an angle beam 20 similar to beams 14, 15 and 16. Auxiliary guide member 19 comprises a planar plate-shaped wall 21, which is substantially parallel to the planar main portion 13 of guide wall 12.

Above wall 12 is located an upper guide member 22 connected on the interior of tank 5 at the top and extending therefrom in a downwardly and forwardly inclined position. Guide member 22 includes a partition 23 which is disposed at an obtuse angle opening to the front relative to the longitudinal center line of tank 5 and which is perpendicular to the vertical plane of symmetry of tank 5. Said obtuse angle is about 100.degree. to 120.degree., preferably 110.degree.. Partition 23 is spaced a distance above portion 13. On its lower side, partition 23 terminates in a substantially horizontal forwardly extending flange portion 24. As shown in the elevational view of FIG. 2, partition 23 is fastened at five points to the wall of tank 5. Thus, upper guide member 22 has the shape of a pentagon, the sides of which define chords along the interior circumgerence of tank 5. Also in this case spaces for arcuate openings are defined between the outer edges of guide member 22 and the wall of tank 5.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a tank 25, which may be substituted for tank 5 on an appropriately dimensioned frame 5, is provided at its rear with a spreading device which functions to distribute thick liquid matter such as mixed manure, said device being formed by a funnel-shaped outlet 26 and a spreading plate 27. Between the spreading device and the tank is provided a hydraulically operable valve closing member 28. Inasmuch as tank 25 has a shorter relative length than the tank 5 (its length is about 70 percent of the length of tank 5), its guide member 29 has a portion 30 which is, as compared with the portion 13, disposed at a slightly greater angle, preferably 35.degree., relative to the horizontal plane and it also has a slightly shorter length than portion 13. The height of portion 30 is, like portion 13, about one-half the height of tank 25. Essentially the same similarity exists for pivotable portion 31 relative to pivotable portion 17 and a curved portion 32 which is shaped substantially the same as curved portion 18. Above portion 30 is arranged a second guide member 33 which has a slightly greater obtuse angle relative to a horizontal plane than guide member 22 of the first embodiment. The obtuse angle for member 33 is about 135.degree.. Guide member 33 comprises a partition 34 which, like partition 23, is inclined downwardly and forwardly away from the interior top side of the tank to near the upper side of guide member 29. Near its lower end, partition 34 has pivotably connected thereto a pivotable portion 36 by means of a horizontal pivotal shaft 35 extending substantially transversely of the usual direction of movement A. Pivotable portion 36 bears, in its lowermost position, on the top side of the curved portion 32 and is capable of being turned upwardly by the action of a fluid stream moving in the direction of the arrow C (FIG. 6).

As shown in the elevational view of FIG. 5, guide member 29, like guide member 12, has a trapezoidal shape and the guide member 33, like the guide member 22, is rigidly secured at five places to the interior wall of tank 25. In this way a plurality of openings are defined between guide members 29 and 33 and the interior surface of the wall of tank 25 for passing the fluid stream.

The embodiments described above operate as follows.

To introduce fluid into tanks 5 or 25 a hose is connected with outlet 8, or for tank 25, after removal of the spreading device formed by funnel 26 and plate 27, to the outlet valve 28 after which the suction sides of the pumps provided for the tanks is connected with tank 5 or tank 25, respectively. Fluid thus drawn into the tanks via the connected hoses. As an alternative tank 5 or tank 25 may be filled through opening 10 at its top. When the tank is filled, fluid therein is transported to where it is desired to discharge or distribute same. It is understood that the device may be employed not only for transporting liquid matter, but as is shown by the second embodiment, the device may also be used for broadcasting the liquid matter contained therein; such matter which may consist of a thick liquid manure mixture. For broadcasting the fluid is ejected from the tank by pressure therein against spreading plate 27.

In the case of cylindrical tanks such as the tanks 5 and 25 according to the invention the transport of liquid matter sensitive to disintegration of the mixture frequently involves the problem that sand (or similar substances having a specific density which substantially exceeds that of the liquid manure mixture) accumulates on the tank bottom near the side remote from the outlet. This is particularly likely to occur in the transport of liquid substances mixed with refuse fragments which may agglomerate and hence cause very serious clogging problems. According to the invention one or more guide members in the form of partitions are incorporated in the tank, which guide members produce a recirculating motion including swirling and whirling movements such as eddies and vortexes in the fluid in the tank during acceleration and more particularly during deceleration by the vehicle which carries same so that disintegration of the mixture is avoided. Thus, the risk of dissocation of the mixture is obviated in a simple and inexpensive manner. The partitions forming the guide members are preferably made from thin steel sheet, but other materials causing only little friction between the fluid and the guide members may also be used. Moreover, profiled beams may be provided in the direction of length of the guide members for enhancing the whirling effect. The partitions and beams augment the strength of the tank whereby it is less likely to collapse or rupture due to pressure differential between the inside and outside of the tank.

By the dispostion of second guide members 22 or 33, above the corresponding first guide members 12 or 29 the fluid is compelled to move upwardly between the two guide members during deceleration of the device, while at the same time, curved portions 18 or 32 cause the fluid to revolve so that solid constituents in the fluid remain adequately mixed. The mode of disposition of the guide members in the tank is important. It is advantageous to provide at least one of the guide members with a partially movable portion. This is achieved by providing pivotable portions 17 and 31, which permit the fluid to pass to the rear and block the return thereof. Thus, a rotary, recirculating movement of the liquid substances in the tank is produced. To contribute to the movement by the liquid substances in the tank 5 auxiliary guide member 19 is arranged beneath guide member 12. It should be noted that the position of the guide members may also be dependent upon the length of the tank.

With the outlet opening of the tank arranged directly behind the guide member, the fluid is enabled to flow from the tank without being dissociated.

One or more of the guide members may be arranged in the tank so as to be movable as a whole rather than in part, which additionally enhances the continual mixing of the fluid during its transportation. This also may contribute to cleaning of the tank's interior.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in this application, it will be understood that it is capable of other modifications and adaptations within the scope of the following claims which should therefore be construed not only to cover the disclosed structure and acts, but also equivalents thereof.