Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
END DUMP AND OTHER CONTAINERS WITH BAFFLES, ROOF LOCKS, AND
SPLASH GUARDS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to end dump and other styles of containers
with one or
more of baffles, roof locks, and splash guards.
BACKGROUND
[0002] End dump containers are known in the oil patch to contain baffles
connected
to a tail gate by a rod, to permit swinging of the baffles and tail gate in
unison during
dumping. Manual locks are used to secure a roof over the open top of the
container.
SUMMARY
[0003] An apparatus is also disclosed comprising: an end dump container
with a base
and a perimeter wall that collectively define an interior storage cavity; a
dump gate in the
end dump container; a baffle mounted to swing within the interior storage
cavity; a baffle
locking part configured to: secure the baffle in an upright position; and
disengage the baffle
to permit the baffle to swing while dumping.
[0004] A method is also disclosed comprising: transporting an end dump
container to
a dumping site, the end dump container containing a baffle secured by a baffle
locking part
against relative movement within an interior storage cavity of the end dump
container;
actuating a baffle locking part to disengage the baffle to permit the baffle
to pivot; and
dumping the contents of the interior storage cavity through a gate in the end
dump container.
[0005] An apparatus is also disclosed comprising: an end dump container
with a
base and a perimeter wall that collectively define an interior storage cavity,
which contains
flowable material; a dump gate in the end dump container; a baffle mounted in
an upright
position within the interior storage cavity; and in which the end dump
container has a pre-
dump position where the baffle is at least partially removed from within the
interior storage
cavity.
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[0006] A method is also disclosed comprising: transporting an end dump
container to
a dumping site, the end dump container containing a baffle within an interior
storage cavity
of the end dump container, the interior storage cavity containing a flowable
material; at least
partially removing the baffle from the end dump container; and dumping the
flowable
material from the interior storage cavity through a gate in the end dump
container.
[0007] An apparatus is also disclosed comprising: an open top container
with a base
and a perimeter wall that collectively define an interior storage cavity, the
open top container
having a top perimeter rim that bounds a top opening into the interior storage
cavity; a roof
mounted to open and close over the top opening; and a splash guard that moves
into a
deployed position to direct material through the top opening and down into the
interior
storage cavity.
[0008] A method is also disclosed comprising: opening a roof of an open
top
container to expose a top opening into an interior storage cavity defined by
the open top
container; and moving a splash guard into a deployed position at least
partially over an edge
of a top perimeter rim, which bounds the top opening.
[0009] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: an open top container with a
base and a
perimeter wall that collectively define an interior storage cavity, the open
top container
having a top perimeter rim that bounds a top opening into the interior storage
cavity; a roof
mounted by a hinge along a first side of the open top container to open and
close over the top
opening; a plurality of locking parts spaced along a second side of the open
top container;
and an actuator connected to operate the plurality of locking parts to secure
and release the
roof.
[0010] A method is disclosed comprising: closing a roof, of an open top
container, to
cover a top opening into an interior storage cavity defined by the open top
container; and
using an actuator to operate a plurality of locking parts, which are spaced
along a side of the
open top container, to secure the roof.
[0011] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of
the
following features: The baffle locking part comprises an arm that has: an
extended position
to secure the baffle; and a retracted position to disengage the baffle. The
arm comprises a
piston. The baffle locking part comprises a push-type spring brake. A source
of pressurized
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air connected to actuate the baffle locking part to disengage the baffle. The
source of
pressurized air is connected to actuate a dump gate locking part to release
the dump gate
from a locked position. A control device connected to control the supply of
air pressure from
the source of pressurized air to actuate both the baffle locking part and the
dump gate
locking part. The source of pressurized air is part of an air suspension
system of one or both
a tractor truck or the end dump container. The source of pressurized air is an
air suspension
bag. A source of fluid that is connected to actuate: the baffle locking part
to disengage the
baffle; and actuate a dump gate locking part to release the dump gate from a
locked position.
The baffle locking part secures the baffle in the upright position between the
baffle locking
part and a stop formed in the interior storage cavity. The baffle locking part
is mounted to or
within the base of the end dump container. The interior storage cavity
contains invert fluid
and drill cuttings from an oil or gas well drilling operation. Interior
surfaces of the base and
perimeter wall comprise a hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic coating
comprises
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A structural frame supporting the end dump
container; and
a hydraulic power assembly connected to tilt the end dump container relative
to the structural
frame. Retracting a piston of the baffle locking part. Actuating comprises
pressurizing an air
supply line to the baffle locking part to actuate the baffle locking part to
disengage the baffle.
Actuating comprises pressurizing the air supply line to a gate locking part to
actuate the gate
locking part to unlock a gate in the end dump container. Air pressure is
supplied to the air
supply line via an air suspension system on a tractor truck or the container.
While dumping,
before dumping, or during and before dumping, tilting a first end, higher than
a second end,
of the end dump container, the gate being located at or near the second end.
The first end is
tilted: to a first height above the second end prior to dumping; and to a
second height above
the first height while dumping. While dumping, before dumping, or during and
before
dumping, opening a roof of the end dump container. Stops to restrict the
baffle from relative
movement within the end dump container. The stops form a track along which the
baffle is
mounted to slide into and out of the interior storage cavity between the
upright position and
the.pre-dump position. The track is formed by a set of bars that are spaced to
define a groove
that receives a side edge of the baffle when in the upright position. The
stops include stops
that extend along a base of the baffle. A lift bar connected to the baffle. A
locking part that
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secures the baffle in the upright position. Tilting a first end above a second
end of the end
dump container, in which the gate is at or near the second end. At least
partially removing
comprises entirely removing the baffle from the interior storage cavity of the
end dump
container. The baffle is removed by lifting the baffle out of the end dump
container using an
excavator, backhoe, or crane. Reinserting the baffle within the end dump
container after
dumping. The splash guard is mounted to swing between: a stowed position
inside the
interior storage cavity; and the deployed position. The splash guard is
mounted to an interior
surface of the perimeter wall to swing between the stowed position and the
deployed
position. When in the stowed position, an upper fluid diverter surface of the
splash guard sits
at or above a top surface of working materials stored in the interior storage
cavity. The
splash guard comprises a stop that, when in the stowed position, rests against
the interior
surface to retain the upper fluid diverter surface of the splash guard at or
above the top
surface of the working materials. The splash guard is connected to move into
the deployed
position simultaneous with the opening of the roof. The splash guard is
connected by a cable
to the roof to pull a part of the splash guard to move the splash guard into
the deployed
position. The roof is pivotally mounted to a first edge of the top perimeter
rim; and the
splash guard is mounted to swing upward and deploy at least partially over a
second edge, of
the top perimeter rim, opposite the first edge. The splash guard is structured
to return to the
stowed position by gravity upon release of tension in the cable. The roof is
pivotally
mounted to a first edge of the top perimeter rim, and the splash guard is
mounted to deploy at
least partially over a second edge, of the top perimeter rim, opposite the
first edge. The
splash guard is shaped such that, when in the deployed position, an upper
fluid diverter
surface of the splash guard is sloped downward to funnel fluids into the
interior storage
cavity. A roof lock for locking the roof in a closed position, in which the
splash guard at
least partially covers the roof lock when in the deployed position. Loading
material into the
open top container through the top opening. The splash guard is moved from a
stowed
position, within the interior storage cavity, into the deployed position.
Moving the splash
guard from the deployed position into the stowed position; and closing the
roof. The splash
guard is mounted to an interior surface of the perimeter wall to move by
swinging between
the stowed position and the deployed position. When the interior storage
cavity is filled with
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working material to a top fill level adjacent the top opening, and the splash
guard is in the
stowed position, an upper fluid diverter surface of the splash guard sits at
or above a top
surface of the working material. The splash guard is connected to be moved
into the
deployed position simultaneous with the opening of the roof. When the splash
guard is in the
deployed position, the splash guard at least partially covers a roof lock for
locking the roof in
a closed position. The plurality of locking parts are mounted on a shaft,
which runs along the
second side. The actuator is connected to rotate the shaft to operate the
plurality of locking
parts. The shaft is a cam shaft and the plurality of locking parts are a
plurality of cam arm
locking parts. The actuator is connected to rotate the shaft by being
connected to rotate a cam
arm, which is connected to the shaft. The actuator is a hydraulic actuator.
The plurality of
locking parts are mounted along the top perimeter rim. The hinge is mounted
along the top
perimeter rim. Using the actuator to operate the plurality of locking parts to
release the roof;
and opening the roof. Moving a splash guard into a deployed position at least
partially over
the plurality of locking parts. The plurality of locking parts comprise cam
arm locking parts
mounted on a cam shaft; and the actuator is connected to rotate the cam shaft
to operate the
plurality of locking parts.
[0012] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the
claims,
which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in
which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0014] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of an end
dump container
mounted to a tractor truck.
[0015] Fig. IA is an exploded view, partially in section, of a rear gate
locking part
engaging the rear gate in a locked position.
[0016] Fig. 1B is an exploded view of a base of a baffle secured between a
stop and a
baffle locking part.
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[0017] Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. tin which
the front end
of the dump container is tilted to a first height above the rear end of the
end dump container
to begin dumping the contents of the container.
[0018] Fig. 2A is an exploded view, partially in section, of the rear gate
locking part
of Fig. 2 in an unlocked position to release the rear gate.
[0019] Fig. 2B is an exploded view of the baffle locking part of Fig. 2
retracted to
disengage the baffle to permit the baffle to swing toward the rear gate.
[0020] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the
apparatus of Fig. 1
in which the front end dump container is tilted to a second height above the
first height and
the rear end of the end dump container to accelerate the dumping of the
contents of the
container at a dumping site.
[0021] Fig. 3A is a schematic of a pneumatic control system for releasing
the rear
gate and baffle locking pins.
[0022] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the rear end of the
end dump
container of Fig. 1, illustrating a front side of the rearmost baffle.
[0023] Fig. 5 is a cross section view of end dump container of Fig. 4
illustrating the
front side of the baffle, with dashed lines used to indicate the extended
locking position of
the baffle locking part.
[0024] Figs. 6A-6B are section views of a baffle locking part in an
extended position
and a retracted positioned, respectively.
[0025] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a push-type spring brake used as a
baffle
locking part in the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0026] Fig. 8 is a rear end view of an end dump container with a rear gate
and a
hydraulically-actuated roof
[0027] Fig. 9 is a rear end view of the apparatus of Fig. 8, illustrating
a) the rear gate
omitted for clarity, b) the roof in an open position, and c) the baffle shown
in both an
installed position (solid lines) and a removed position (dashed lines) where
the baffle is
suspended above the end dump container by a crane.
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[0028] Fig. 10A is a top plan view of the baffle secured between a
plurality of stops,
which are positioned within the end dump container to form tracks along which
the baffle
may be slid into and out of the end dump container.
[0029] Fig. 10B is a section view taken along the 10B-10B section lines of
Fig. 10A.
[0030] Figs 11 - 13 are a sequence of rear end views of an open top
container with a
splash guard and roof illustrating the transition of the splash guard from a
stowed position
(Figs. 11 and 12) to a deployed position (Fig. 13), with each of the rear
gate, the rear and
front actuators for the roof lock, and the rear actuator for the roof, omitted
for clarity.
[0031] Fig. 14A is a perspective view of the container in the
configuration shown in
Fig. 11 with the roof closed and secured by a hydraulically actuated roof
lock.
[0032] Fig. 14B is a perspective view of the container in the
configuration shown in
Fig. 13 with the splash guard in the deployed position, and with each of the
roof lock, front
and rear actuators for the roof lock, and the hydraulic lines to the roof lock
and roof
actuators, omitted for clarity.
[0033] Fig. 15 is a side elevation view of the container in the
configuration shown in
Fig. 13, with each of the roof lock and front and rear actuators for the roof
lock, omitted for
clarity.
[0034] Figs. 16 - 17 are a sequence of rear end views that illustrate the
container in
the configurations shown in Figs. 11 and 13, respectively, with the splash
guard omitted for
clarity, and a cam locking part of the roof lock shown in dashed lines.
[0035] Fig. 18 is a side elevation view of an end dump container
illustrating
hydraulic control lines for the roof lock and the roof actuators.
=
[0036] Fig. 19 is a hydraulic schematic of an example control methodology
for the
hydraulic system illustrated in Fig. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
[0038] An end dump container, an example of which is known as a dump
truck, may
be used to transport various fluids from location to location. Example fluids
transported by
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such units include fluids from an oil and gas site, such as water and oil-
based drilling fluids,
slurries, muds, and emulsions. An end dump container may be towed by a
suitable power
unit, for example a tractor truck unit. The power unit and end dump container
may be
provided as separate units that connect together, or the power unit may be
integrally
connected to the end dump container forming a single vehicle. A common
arrangement is
that of a tractor truck and a semi-trailer, which mounts the end dump
container. The semi-
trailer may lack a front axle and may attach to the tractor at a point
adjacent to a rear-most
axle of the tractor such that a portion of the weight of the trailer is
carried by the tractor. An
end dump container may allow flowable material in the container, such as a
sludge or slurry,
to be quickly and conveniently unloaded. During unloading, the container may
be tilted such
that one side or end of the container lifts up and a gate opens on the
opposite side or end to
allow the material to flow out of the container through the gate.
[0039] When a container is used to transport liquid or other flowable
materials, the
material may slosh or splash around within the container, in some cases
spilling over the
sides. A roof may be used to close the container and keep the material in the
container.
However, movement of the contents within the container during transport may
make it
difficult for the driver to handle the truck under various driving conditions.
For example,
material can accumulate at one end of the container when the driver
accelerates or
decelerates, or when the truck is driving up or down a hill or making a turn.
Driving uphill
may be problematic, as material may amass at the rear end of the container,
moving the
center of load to the rear of the trailer, reducing the load over the drive
axle, potentially
causing the driven wheels to spin out and prevent the truck from ascending the
hill. In
extreme cases, sloshing fluids may carry sufficient force as to cause the
container and tractor
unit to tip over, spilling environmentally toxic materials and causing
injuries and property
damage. Such issues may be exacerbated when transporting fluids to and from
remote oil
and gas sites, which are typically accessible only by steep hills and rough,
undeveloped
roads.
[0040] One or more baffles may be positioned in a fluid container to
reduce or
eliminate sloshing, splashing, and shifting of contents within the container.
A baffle acts as a
divider or barrier that segregates the material into discrete compartments
within the
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container. Compartmental segregation within the container may reduce or
prevent
unbalanced buildup of the bulk of the material at a given location within the
container during
transport. A baffle may take a suitable form such as a thin wall or plate to
minimize the
footprint within the container while retaining barrier functionality. As an
alternative to using
baffles, some operators add thickeners such as sawdust to limit the
flowability of the fluids
transported in the tub.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 1, an apparatus 10 is disclosed comprising a
container, such
as an end dump container 12, with a base 14, and a perimeter wall 16. One or
both a dump
gate and a baffle 22 may be present. Base 14 and perimeter wall 16 may
collectively define
an interior storage cavity 18. Perimeter wall 16 may be formed by a plurality
of walls, such
as a front wall 16A, a rear wall 16B, and side walls I6C, that connect end to
end to one
another. The dump gate, for example a rear gate 20, may be mounted to
perimeter wall 16,
for example at or near a rear end 12B of container 12. Rear gate 20 may be
mounted to cover
a dump opening 21 in rear end 12B. In the example shown the rear gate 20 forms
the rear
wall 16B of the container 12. Baffle 22 may be mounted within interior storage
cavity 18, for
example connected to an interior surface of perimeter wall 16 as shown. Baffle
22 may
comprise a plurality of baffles, such as baffles 22' and 22". Referring to
Fig. 3, apparatus 10
may be transported to and from a dumping site 15 in use. Cavity 18 may be
filled with
material 13, for example flowable material, working material, solids such as
sand or gravel,
liquids such as water, oil, mixtures of immiscible components, or suspensions,
and liquid-
solid mixtures such as slurries, invert drilling fluids, cuttings, tailings,
or mixtures thereof.
[0042] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, baffle 22 may be structured to provide
a barrier
that prevents or restricts substantial movement of the material 13 within
cavity 18 when the
container 12 is either stationary or in transport. Baffles 22 may be spaced
and located to
segregate the cavity 18 into discrete compartments, such as compartment I8A,
18B and 18C
in the case of two baffles 22' and 22". Other numbers of baffles and
associated
compartments may be used.
[0043] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 each baffle 22 may define openings such
as
apertures or perforations. The baffle 22 and the end dump container 12 may
collectively
define openings, such as openings 23A, 23B, 23C, and 23D, for example a) in
the case of
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openings 23A and 23B - defined between a side edge 22G of the baffle 22 and a
side wall
16C or 16D, respectively, orb) in the case of openings 23C and 23D - defined
between
tapered base edges 22H on a base 12E of baffle 22 and base 14. Apertures,
perforations, and
openings may permit limited transfer or exchange of material 13 between
compartments
18A-C to equalize fluid distribution throughout the compartments 18A-C. In
other cases the
edges 22G and 22H of baffle 22 may be shaped to abut one or more of the side
walls 16C,
16D, and the base 14, respectively. In some cases an outer edge profile of the
baffle 22
corresponds with an inner surface profile of the end dump container 12 to
isolate adjacent
compartments and in extreme cases to produce a seal between compartments. Each
of the
base 14 and the base edges 22H of baffle 22 may have a suitable shape, for
example as
shown.
[0044] Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 5 each baffle 22 may have a suitable
shape. In
some cases the baffle 22 is formed by a plate, which includes a structure with
opposed faces
and a relatively thin width between the faces. Each face may be planar in
shape. Referring to
Figs. 4 and 5, an example of baffle 22 is provided as a corrugated plate, for
example formed
by a corrugated bent sheet 100 with vertical corrugations 104, reinforced by a
base plate 102
that extends along and defines a base edge 22H of baffle 22. Other suitable
shapes and
structures may be used. In some cases the baffle 22 is provided by a hollow
box structure.
[0045] Referring to Figs. 1 and 9, the baffle 22 may be configured to
assume a
suitable orientation within the end dump container 12 at various stages of
operation.
Referring to Fig. 1, at certain times, for example during transport or
storage, the baffle 22
may retain an upright orientation within the interior cavity 18. An upright
position may
include a vertical position when the container 12 is in a horizontal position.
The baffle 22
may effectively bisect the container 12, for example along a plane
perpendicular to a
longitudinal container axis 106. In other cases nominal deviations from
vertical may be used,
including examples where the upright position includes positions where the
baffle 22 is
angled relative to vertical.
[0046] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, baffle 22 may be mounted in a suitable
fashion to
swing within the interior storage cavity 18. Referring to Fig. 2, the baffle
22 may swing
while dumping, for example by swinging toward the rear gate 20 to permit
increased fluid
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transfer between adjacent compartments 18A-C, and hence to improve the dumping
process.
Swinging may be by gravity (shown) or by using a mechanical actuation process
(not shown)
to swing the baffle 22. Baffle 22 and container 12 may be pivotally connected,
for example
via a hinged connection 22B, whose axis may be perpendicular to axis 106.
Referring to
Figs. 4 and 5, in the example shown a pair of pivot axles or pins 22B' and
22B" may be
used and that mate with corresponding hubs 108' and 108", respectively,
adjacent or on
opposed side edges 22G of baffle 22. The hinged connection or connections 22B
may be
located at or near a top 22F of the baffle 22. In the example shown hub 108'
mounts to side
wall 16C of container 12, while pivot pin 22B' mounts to or extends from a hub
mounted to
baffle 22. Hub 108" may mount to baffle 22, while pivot pin 22B" projects from
side wall
16D of container 12. In the example shown at least hub 108' may comprise upper
and lower
arcuate parts 110 and 112, which may secure together around pivot pin 22B'
using a lock or
fasteners such as bolts 114. Other types and structures of connections may be
used to permit
swinging motion, including motion about a single axis as shown, and motion
about plural
axes, for example in the case of a pivot pin that slides around a curved track
(not shown).
[0047] Referring to Figs. 1, 1B, 2 and 2B, apparatus 10 may comprise a
baffle
locking part 24 to secure the baffle 22 in place. Baffle locking part 24 may
be configured to
secure baffle 22 in an upright transport position. Baffle locking part 24 may
lock baffle 22
against relative movement, for example against movement toward one or both the
front end
12A and rear end 12B of container 12. Baffle locking part 24 may be configured
to
disengage baffle 22 to permit relative movement, such as swinging, during
dumping, such as
shown in Fig. 2B. Referring to Figs. 2 and 2B, as the baffles 22 pivot, the
respective
openings defined between the edges of the baffles 22 and the base 14 increase
and the
contents of the interior storage cavity 18 pass the baffles 22 to exit the
container 12 through
rear gate 20. Permitting the baffle 22 to pivot during dumping may allow the
contents of
container 12 to move relatively more freely through the baffles 22 towards
rear gate 20 than
in the case where the baffles 22 are not permitted to pivot.
[0048] Referring to Figs. 1, 1B, 2, and 2B, baffle locking part 24 may
have a suitable
structure. Baffle locking part 24 may comprise an arm 26. Arm 26 may be
positioned to
engage the baffle 22, for example to contact a rear face 22D of baffle 22, to
block the baffle
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22 from moving past arm 26 in a suitable direction, for example, direction 29
toward rear
end 12B of container 12. Referring to Figs. 1B and 2B, locking part 24 may
extend arm 26
between an extended position (Fig. 1B) that secures or contacts the baffle 22
and a retracted
position (Fig. 2B). Referring to Fig. 2B, the retracted position may be a
position in which the
arm 26 moves out of contact with, or out of a patch of travel of, baffle 22.
[0049] Referring to Figs. 1, 1B, 2, 2B, and 4, the baffle locking part 24
may
cooperate with a stop or stops 32 to restrict movement of the baffle 22 in the
locked position.
Baffle locking part 24 may secure baffle 22 in the upright position between
the part 24 and
stop 32. Stop 32 may be formed in the interior storage cavity 18, such as by
mounting a
block on an interior surface of perimeter wall 16 or base 14. Referring to
Fig. 1, stop 32 may
be formed on or adjacent a face of baffle 22, for example in the swing path of
a front face
22C of the baffle 22, the front face 22C being opposite rear face 22D of the
baffle 22, the
rear face 22D facing rear gate 20. Referring to Figs. 1, 1B, 2, and 2B, stop
32 may prevent
relative movement or swinging of the baffle 22 in a direction past stop 32,
for example
direction 33 towards a front end 12A of container 12. Stop 32 may comprise a
block, bump,
metal brace, wedge, flange, or other structure with a suitable baffle contact
or abutment
surface. Arm 26 may be positioned, while in the extended position, to permit
nominal play
for the baffle 22 to move back and forth between the arm 26 and stop 32. In
some cases, arm
26 pushes the baffle 22 against the stop 32, providing constant contact
between baffle 22
when arm 26 is in the extended position.
[0050] Referring to Figs. 6A and 6B, baffle locking part 24 may
incorporate a fluid-
based, such as a pneumatic, actuation mechanism. Arm 26 may comprise a piston
28, which
extends out of and retracts at least partially into a housing 30. In the
example shown, the
baffle locking part comprises a push-type spring brake, such as a MAXIBRAKE R-
series
brake. A push-type spring brake may operate under the principle that under
relatively neutral
or low pressure within an internal fluid chamber 30B defined within housing
30, a
compressible element such as a spring 36 operates to extend the piston 28, and
when
chamber 30B is pressurized, the biasing force of the spring 36 is overcome and
the piston 28
retracts into the housing 30. Piston 28 may seal to an inner wall 31 of the
housing 30, for
example via a diaphragm 38, to define fluid chambers 30A and 30B within
housing 30.
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Diaphragm 38 may be configured to extend and retract to expand and contract,
respectively,
chamber 30B by virtue of the force balance across diaphragm 38 from pressure
and spring
36. When retracted piston 28 may disengage baffle 22 (Fig. 2B). Pressurization
of chamber
30B may be achieved by pumping fluid, such as air, into chamber 30B, for
example via a
supply line 158. A push-type spring brake is shown but in other cases a pull-
type spring
brake may be used. Other suitable actuators, such as a screw jack, lever, or a
liquid hydraulic
piston may be used.
[0051] Referring to Figs. 2B and 7, baffle locking part 24, for example
housing 30
may be mounted to or within the base 14 of container 12, or in the example
shown to an
exterior, such as an underside 14A, of the base 14. Referring to Fig. 7,
locking part 24 may
be mounted to underside 14A via a suitable mechanism, such as a bracket 34
mounted to
underside 14A, for example located to depend from base 14 into a gap between
structural
members that make up a structural frame 47 supporting the container 12. The
bracket may
have openings 37A and 39A on top and bottom ends 37 and 39, respectively, for
passing the
arm 26 (not shown) upward through the base 14. A sleeve 35 may depend from the
underside
14A of the base 14, and pass through opening 37A. A threaded locking wheel 39
may thread
into the sleeve 35 to draw an arm housing sleeve 43 and housing 30 up to
secure same to the
base 14.
[0052] Referring to Fig. 5, the baffle locking part 24 may have a variety
of different
structural features and methods of operation. In some cases, arm 26 inserts
into an aperture
(not shown) defined by baffle 22 to lock the baffle 22 in the upright
position. Arm 26 may
comprise a swing arm (not shown) that swings into and out of the extended
position. Arm 26
may be formed by a pin or a structure of another suitable shape. Arm 26 may be
released
upon actuation from a locked state into a state where contact by the baffle 22
causes the arm
26 to flex or swing once to permit the baffle 22 to swing into a disengaged
position
[0053] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, pressurized air may be used to actuate
baffle
locking part 24. For example, a source of pressurized air 40, such as one or
more of an air
bladder or bag 66, an air tank 91, air tank 140, compressor or air pump, may
be connected,
via air supply lines, such as one or more of lines 42, 44, 154, 156, and 158,
to actuate baffle
13
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
locking part 24. Source of air 40 may actuate locking part 24 to disengage
baffle 22, for
example by pressurizing chamber 30B (Fig. 6A) of the push-type spring brake.
[0054] Referring to Figs 1, 1A, 2, 2A, and 3, source of air 40, such as
air tank 140,
may be connected to actuate a rear gate locking part 46 for example to release
the dump gate
20 from a locked position (Fig. 1) into an unlocked position (Fig. 2). Rear
gate locking part
46 may cooperate with a gate part, such that one of the parts functions as a
gripping part, and
the other as a gripped part, when in the locking position. In some cases one
gripping part
may grip another gripping part, or male and female or other connections may be
used. In the
example shown locking part 46 comprise a gripping part 48, such as a hinged
jaw. Gripping
part 48 may grip or otherwise contact and retain a part of tail gate 20, such
as bar 50.
Gripping part 48 may prevent relative movement of tail gate 20 while in a
locked position,
such as the position depicted in Fig. 1A. The locked position of gripping part
48 may be
understood as any position in which the gripping part 48 is preventing the
opening of gate
20. Referring to the sequence from Figs. IA - 2A, air pressure from supply
line 160 may
actuate rear gate locking part 46 by a suitable mechanism, such as by
compressing a
compressible and expandable part, such as fluid or mechanical spring 52. In a
neutral locked
position spring 52 may be biased to retract a piston 54 to pivot gripping part
48 about a
hinged connection, such as provided by hinges 58A and 58B, to grip the bar 50.
When line
160 and chamber 56 are pressurized to compress spring 52, piston 54 is
extended to pivot
gripping part 48 into the unlocked position, for example, Fig. 2A. Referring
to Fig. 8, at a
suitable point in the process, for example before release of bar 50, various
other gate locks,
such as hand-tightened threaded locks 53, may be released such that upon
release of bar 50
the gate 20 swings open under fluid pressure from the contents within the
container 12.
[0055] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 a control device, such as one or both of
devices
60A and 60B, may be connected to control the supply of air pressure from the
source of
pressurized air 40 to one or both baffle locking part 24 and rear gate locking
part 46.
Referring to Fig. 3A, control device 60 may comprise or control, for example
via control line
162, one or more valves, such as an electric over air valve system with a
solenoid valve 146
connected to regulate flow in one or more of lines 158 and 160, and that can
be opened or
closed to supply or exhaust pressurized air to and from one or both of baffle
locking part 24
14
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
and/or rear gate locking part 46, respectively. Control device 60 may be
operated from a
suitable location, for example from the front end 12A of the container 12, or
in some cases
adjacent or within a cabin 62A (control device 60A) of a tractor truck 62
connected to tow
the container 12.
[0056] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the source of pressurized air 40, such
as air tank
91, may form part of an air suspension system 64 of a tractor truck 62. Air
suspension
system 64 may be connected to air tank 91, which may comprise a compressor,
via one or
more air supply lines, such as lines 41 and 45. Air tank 91 may supply
pressurized air to one
or more air suspension bags 66. Each air suspension bag 66 may be located in
support of the
weight of the cabin 62A or front end 12A of the container 12, near a
respective plurality of
ground-engaging members, such as wheels 68, to act as shock absorbers for the
truck 62. In
some cases, the air suspension bag or bags 66 provide the source of
pressurized air that
supplies air pressure to one or both of baffle locking part 24 and rear gate
locking part 46. A
dump valve may be connected to release air pressure from one or more bags 66
to supply air
pressure to parts 24 and 46. Thus, once at a dump site an operator may
initiate the dump
valve to simultaneously release the air pressure in bags 66 and actuate both
the baffle locking
part 24 and the rear gate locking part 46 to release. In other cases the
source of pressurized
air 40, such as air tank 91, may be connected to actuate parts 24 and 46
independent of the
bags 66, for example via a valved supply line, such as line 44, from the air
tank 91 to the
parts 24 and 46.
[0057] Referring to Fig. 3A, the source of pressurized air 40 may form
part of an air
suspension system 65 of the container 12. Air suspension system 65 may be
connected to air
source of air 40, such as air tank 140, via one or more air supply lines, such
as lines 152. Air
tank 140 may supply pressurized air to one or more air suspension bags 144.
Each air
suspension bag 144 may be located in support of the weight of the container
12, near a
respective plurality of ground-engaging members, such as wheels 49, to act as
shock
absorbers for the trailer or container 12. A ride height control valve 155 may
be connected to
adjust pressure to each of bags 144. In some cases, the air suspension bag or
bags 144
provide the source of pressurized air 40 that supplies air pressure to one or
both of baffle
locking part 24 and rear gate locking part 46. A dump valve may be connected
to release air
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
pressure from one or more bags 144 to supply air pressure to parts 24 and 46.
In the example
shown one or both of air tanks 140 and 142 are connected to supply pressurized
air to a
suitable valve, such as a solenoid valve 146, which may be operated via
control line 162 via
a suitable control device such as device 60A in the tractor cabin. Once
activated, the valve
146 may supply air pressure to one or all of the rear gate locking part 46 and
the baffle
locking part or parts 24.
[0058] Interior surfaces of base 14 and perimeter wall 16 may comprise a
bearing
material, such as a hydrophobic coating, for example polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE), to
improve transfer of viscous fluids out of container 12 and reduce or prevent
the adhesion of
material 13 to the inside of the container 12. The coating may form a bearing
material, for
example that has a coefficient of kinetic friction that is less than or equal
to 0.2, for example
less than or equal to 0.1, in relation to steel. Other suitable materials may
be used.
[0059] Referring to Figs. 1-3, end dump container 12 may be emptied via a
suitable
mechanism, such as a hydraulic tilting mechanism. Apparatus 10 may have a
structural
frame 47, for example formed of beams or other members mounting wheels 49, and
supporting end dump container 12. The structural frame 47 may mount to the
tractor truck 62
via a fifth wheel coupling 51, which provides the link between a semi-trailer
(container 12)
and the towing truck 62. A lifting mechanism, such as a hydraulic power
assembly or tilting
part 76 may be connected to tilt end dump container 12 relative to the
structural frame 47.
Referring to Fig. 3, hydraulic tilting part 76 may comprise a telescopic
cylinder assembly
76A.
[0060] Referring to Figs. 1-3, a method of use may proceed as follows. An
end dump
container 12 may be filled, for example at a well site, and transported to a
dumping site. In
some cases the interior storage cavity 18 may be filled with a suitable
material such as
flowable material 13, for example invert or other drilling fluids/mud from an
oil or gas well
drilling operation. In some cases raw invert with cuttings may be transported.
In most
conventional hauling, drilling fluids are separated from cuttings, and the
fluids and cuttings
are hauled by separate respective trailers. Invert may be classified as a
water and oil
emulsion and in some cases comprises diesel fuel and brine.
16
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[0061] Referring to Fig. 2, during dumping, before dumping, or during and
before
dumping, front end 12A may be positioned, for example tilted, vertically
higher than rear
end 12B of the end dump container 12. Referring to Fig. 2, in an initial
tilting phase of a
dumping process front end 12A may be tilted to a first height 78 above rear
end 12B prior to
dumping. Referring to Fig. 3, in a subsequent tilting phase front end 12A may
be tilted to a
second height 80 above rear end 12B during dumping, with height 80 greater
than height 78.
Referring to Fig. 2, rear gate 20 may be opened before or during lifting /
tilting of end dump
container 12. In the example shown, rear gate 20 is opened after lifting or
tilting end dump
container 12 commences.
[0062] Referring to Fig. 2, the tilting part 76 may be activated to tilt
the container 12
into the initial tilting phase as shown. The baffle locking part 24 and rear
gate locking part
46 may be actuated by dumping the air suspension pressure into lines 158 and
160 to
disengage the baffle 22 and rear gate 20, respectively, causing baffle
pivoting and dumping,
respectively, of the contents of the interior storage cavity 18 through gate
20. As the baffles
22 are released, such baffles are free to pivot toward the gate 20 to improve
the flow of fluids
out of the gate 20. Referring to Fig. 3, during dumping the container 12 may
be continued to
be tilted to the subsequent tilting phase to more completely and efficiently
empty the
container 12 than via tilting to a relatively lower front end height. In some
cases the
container 12 may form an angle with a ground surface of thirty, forty, or more
degrees when
in a fully tilted phase.
[0063] Referring to Figs. 14A and 14B, the container 12 may comprise a roof
82.
Roof 82 may mount to container 12 via a hinge 186 along a first side 182 of
container 12.
The hinge 186 may be a single axis hinge, or a multi-axis hinge such as an
articulating hinge
or a swing hinge that is able to pivot around a curved or multi-directional
guide, and the
hinge 186 may comprise a single hinge shaft or plural axially aligned hinge
shafts. During
dumping, before dumping, or during and before dumping, a roof 82 of the end
dump
container 12 may be opened. Referring to Fig. 3, material 13 may be dumped at
a suitable
dumping site 15, for example in a pit or pond with an impermeable liner 71. A
washing wand
(not shown) or other suitable washing tool may be used post-dump to clean end
dump
17
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
container 12 and / or roof 82, for example after opening or removing roof 82
from container
12. A washing wand may expel suitable cleaning fluids such as steam.
[0064] Referring to Figs. 9, 10A and 10B, an embodiment is shown where
baffle 22
is structured to be removable from container 12 to facilitate dumping. Baffle
22 may be
mounted to the interior cavity 18 by a mechanism that permits the baffle 22 to
be reversibly
removed and re-installed. In the example shown the baffle 22 is installed and
removed via a
sliding action. Apparatus 10 may have a pre-dump position (baffle 22 shown in
dashed lines
in Fig. 9) where the baffle 22 is at least be partially removed from the
interior storage cavity
18. A pre-dump position may be when the container is next to a dump site and
is ready to
evacuate the contents of the cavity 18 through dump gate 20. Partially or
fully removing
baffle 22 may reduce friction and other resistance on the flow of materials 13
(not shown)
within the container 12, thus improving the movement of materials 13 out of
container 12
while dumping. Referring to Figs. 9 and 10A while the baffle is in an upright
position
(baffle 22 shown in solid lines), stops, such as front stops 72A and rear
stops 72B, may act to
restrict baffle 22 from movement, such as movement toward a rear end 12B and a
front end
12A of container 12.
[0065] Referring to Figs. 9, 10A and 10B, stops 72A and 72B may form a
track or
tracks 72 along which the baffle is mounted to slide into and out of the
interior storage cavity
18 between the upright and pre-dump positions. Referring to Fig. 10A, one
channel or track
72' may be located adjacent a first side edge 22G' of the baffle 22 while the
other track 72"
may be located adjacent a second side edge 22G" of the baffle 22, the second
edge opposite
the first edge. Referring to Figs. 10A-B, each track 72 may be formed by a
respective set of
bars. One set of bars, for example bars 72A', 72B', may be spaced to define a
groove that
receives adjacent side edge 22G' in the upright position. Another set of bars,
for example
bars 72A" and 72B" may be spaced to define a groove that receives adjacent
side edge
22G" in the upright position. Bars 72A' and 72A" may be adjacent a front face
22C of the
baffle 22, while bars 72B' and 72B" may be adjacent a rear face 22D of the
baffle 22.
Referring to Fig. 10B, the stops may include stops, for example a base stop,
which extends
along a base of the baffle 22. The base stop may be formed by bars 72C' and
72C" spaced to
define a groove that receives base edge 22E of the baffle 22 in the upright
position. The base
18
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
stop and/or tracks 72 may hinder or prevent movement of baffle 22 toward the
front and rear
ends of the container 12. In other cases the baffle 22 may be permitted to
pivot while in the
upright position.
[0066] Referring to Figs. 8-9, a method of use may operate as follows.
Referring to
Fig. 8, apparatus 10 may be transported to a dumping site containing a
flowable material,
such as a liquid, a mixture of liquid and solids, or a particulate material
such as sand, within
interior storage cavity 18. Referring to Fig. 9, a roof 82 may be opened to
expose a top
opening 118 and baffle 22. A locking part 90, such as a latch or clamp may
secure baffle 22
in the upright position. Thus, to remove the baffle 22 the locking part 90 may
be unlocked.
[0067] Referring to Fig. 9, baffle 22 may be at least partially removed
from end
dump container 12, for example by lifting the baffle 22 out of the cavity 18
using lift bar 74.
A suitable lifting device such as a crane 86 with a crane hook 88 may be used
to hook lift bar
74 and raise the baffle 22. Crane 86 may be used to lift the baffle 22, from a
transport
position (solid lines) in a direction, such as direction 89, to a removed
position (dashed
lines). Other suitable lifting devices may be used, such as those
incorporating winches,
chains, pulleys, hydraulics and others, and including a hoe and loader that
clamps on to the
baffle to remove and reinsert the baffles.
[0068] Once the baffle is in a pre-dump position partially or entirely
removed from
the container 12, the material 13 of the interior storage cavity 18 may be
dumped through
rear gate 20 in the end dump container 12, for example via a suitable method
such as
described elsewhere in this document. In one case front end 12A may be tilted
above rear
end 12B of the end dump container 12 and rear gate 20 opened to carry out
dumping. Baffle
22 may be reinstalled or reinserted after dumping, for example by lowering
baffle 22 via lift
bar 74 and crane 86. Upon reinstallation the locking part 90 may be relocked
to secure the
baffle 22 in place.
[0069] Referring to Fig. 13, apparatus 10 may incorporate a splash guard
120 to
direct material into the interior storage cavity 18 during loading of
container 12. Container
12 may comprise a top perimeter rim 116 formed by various parts of container
12, such as a
top edge of perimeter wall 16. Top perimeter rim 116 may bound or enclose a
top opening
118 into the interior storage cavity 18. Referring to Fig. 11 and 13, a roof
82 may be
19
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
mounted to open (Fig. 13) and close (Fig. 11) over top opening 118. Top
opening 118 may
be provided to receive material 13 loaded or dumped into cavity 18, for
example via loading
equipment such as a bucket 126 of a backhoe. Referring to Figs. 11 - 13,
splash guard 120
may in use be moved into a deployed position to direct material through the
top opening 118
and down into the interior storage cavity 18. Splash guard 120 may be shaped
to funnel and
guide material into cavity 18.
[0070] Referring to Figs. 11 - 14B, roof 82 may be opened via a suitable
mechanism
such as a hydraulic arm 130, in some cases arms 130 (Figs. 14A and 14B) at
each end 12A
and 12B of the container 12, to expose top opening 118. Referring to Figs. 13
and 14B,
during loading splash guard 120 may be in a deployed position, for example the
position
shown in Figs. 13 and 14B, and in such position may at least partially cover
an edge 116B of
the top perimeter rim 116. Material 13 may be dumped into the container 12
through
opening 118. After material 13 has been dumped, splash guard 120 may move from
the
deployed position into the stowed position. Once dumping is complete, roof 82
may be
closed over opening 118.
[0071] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, splash guard 120 may be mounted to
deploy from a
stowed position to a deployed position. In some cases, splash guard 120 is
mounted to swing
between positions inside the cavity 18. Splash guard 120 may be mounted to an
interior
surface 128, of the perimeter wall 16, to swing between the stowed position
(Figs. 11 and 12)
and the deployed position (Fig. 13). Splash guard 120 may be mounted by a
suitable
mechanism, for example a hinge 121 or other pivotal connection, including a
connection
where the guard 120 moves along a track in a multi-axis swinging movement.
Roof 82 may
be mounted on a first edge 116B of rim 116 and splash guard 120 may be mounted
on a
second edge 116C. First edge 116B and second edge 116C may comprise discrete
edges in
an adjacent or opposed relationship. Referring to Fig. 14B, side edges 116B
and 116C, and
end edges 116A and 116D, may collectively form part of a continuous edge that
makes up
the top perimeter rim 116.
[0072] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, splash guard 120 may have a suitable
shape. In
some cases, splash guard 120 comprises a panel 120A that extends along edge
116C when
deployed. Splash guard 120, for example panel 120A, may define an upper fluid
diverter
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
surface 120C that is oriented to face, for example oriented upward, to contact
and direct fluid
during dumping. Splash guard 120 may be shaped such that the upper fluid
diverter surface
120C is sloped downward when in the deployed position. The downward slope of
panel
120A may act to funnel fluids into the interior storage cavity 18. The slope
may be described
as the surface 120C moves toward base 14 with decreasing distance to edge
116B.
[0073] Splash guard 120 may be formed by a plurality of panels, for
example first
panel 120A and second panel 120B. Second panel 120B may depend, for example
vertically,
from first panel 120A in the deployed position. Second panel 120B may extend
from panel
120A in a plane that forms a non-zero angle with a plane defined by the first
panel 120A.
First panel 120A and second panel 120B may be collectively formed by a bent
panel. In
some cases, guard 120 may comprise a plurality of guards. Guards may sit
longitudinal end
to longitudinal end, or may sit longitudinal edge to longitudinal edge. Guards
may form gaps
between guards or may overlap one another. A brace 120E or braces may connect
to
reinforce the panels 120A and 120B.
[0074] Referring to Fig. 11, splash guard 120 may at times be stowed
within
container 12, for example during transport or while the roof 82 is closed.
When in the stowed
position, upper fluid diverter surface 120C of the splash guard 120 may sit at
or above a top
surface 13A of material 13. In some cases, the surface 120C may sit above a
maximum fill
level 13B, which may for example correspond to 90%, 95%, or another suitable
proportion,
of the volume of the cavity 18. Structuring and orienting guard 120 to sit
above top surface
13A may reduce the chance of or prevent the panel 120A from scooping materials
out of the
container 12 while deploying.
[0075] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, one or more guards 120 may each have a
part that
forms a stop, such as a stop member 132 that supports the guard 120 in the
stowed position.
Referring to Fig. 11, while stowed, stop member 132 may rest against interior
surface 128 to
retain diverter surface 120C at or above top surface 13A. In the example shown
the stop
member 132 restricts the range of swinging motion to about ninety degrees from
stowed to
deployed. Stop member 132 may connect to guard 120 via a support member 134.
Support
member 134 may extend from the first panel 120A. Referring to Fig. 14B, a
plurality of
support members 134 may be provided, for example spaced along a longitudinal
length of
21
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
guard 120, the longitudinal length of which may extend from the front end to
the rear end of
the container 12 as shown, or some shorter distance. In some cases, support
members 134
and stop members 132 connect to the second panel 120B of guard 120.
[0076] Referring to Fig. 11, stop members 132 may connect to respective
support
members 134 via a pivotal connection, such as pivot hinge 133. Pivot hinge 133
may permit
stop member 132 to pivot with respect to support member 134 about a range of
motion that
is limited by a further stop (not shown) that ensures that stop member 132
does not rotate
past the position shown in Fig. 11 to retain the guard 120 in a suitable
stowed position, such
as a substantially horizontal position, for example to retain the guard 120 at
or above the top
surface 13A of material 13 in the container 12.
[0077] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, splash guard 120 may be connected to
move into
the deployed position with the opening of roof 82, for example simultaneously
with the roof
82. Splash guard 120 may be connected to roof 82 by a part, such as a cable
122, to
mechanically move the splash guard 120 with at least a portion of the range of
motion of the
roof 82. Other mechanisms may be used, including independent actuators that
each move
either the splash guard 120 or the roof 82. Cable 122 may connect to support
member 134.
Support member 134 may comprise apart, for example a bar 136, that connects to
cable 122
and acts as a lever to provide a force advantage to facilitate the swinging
motion of the
splash guard 120 relative to if the cable 122 connected to panel 120A. When
roof 82 moves
from a closed position to an open position, cable 122 may act as a tether to
pull bar 136 and
move splash guard 120 into the deployed position.
. [0078] Referring to Figs. 11- 13, bar 136 may be offset from, for
example below a
horizontal plane defined through, a hinge axis 120D (Fig. 14) between the
splash guard 120
and the interior surface 128. The connection point of cable 122 to bar 136 may
be offset and
below (in the stowed position) splash guard 120 and diverting surface 120C, in
order to
permit a torque to the right of the hinge 121 on bar 136 to impart a
rotational motion up and
to the left on the surface 120C when a suitable pulling force is exerted on
cable 122 by roof
82 moving to the right. The use of right and left in the preceding sentence is
relative to the
example shown and the orientation of the roof 82 and splash guard 120 may be
reversed so
that the guard 120 is on the right and the roof 82 is on the left, and other
configurations are
22
=
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
possible. Pulling on cable 122 towards first edge 116B may lift the guard 120
away from
second edge 116C and pull bar 136 and guard 120 towards first edge 116B. This
may cause
guard 120 to swing about hinge 121 into the deployed position (Fig. 13) around
second edge
116C.
[0079] Movement from deployed to stowed may be carried out by a suitable
procedure, for example the reverse of the sequence from Figs. 11-13. Splash
guard 120 may
be structured to return from the deployed position to the stowed position by
gravity. A center
of gravity 131 of splash guard 120 may be spaced to the side of the hinge axis
121D, for
example the right closer to edge 116B than axis 121D. The location and weight
of support
member 134, stop member 132 and bar 136 may be selected to position center of
gravity 131
as such. Thus, when tension in cable 122 is released, for example by the roof
82 beginning to
swing down into a closed position, guard 120 begins to swing by gravity from
the deployed
position (Fig. 13) back into the stowed position (Fig. 12). Referring to Fig.
14B, a plurality
of cables 122 may be used, such as cables at the front and rear ends 12A and
12B of the
container 12 as shown, to provide torque on splash guard 120 from multiple
points, for
example on the front and rear end of guard 120. Support member 134 may be
formed by a
plurality of supports that are spaced along a longitudinal length of guard 120
and are
connected to one another via a structural part, such as a bar or rod (not
pictured).
[0080] Referring to Figs. 11-15, a tensioner 138 may be used to maintain
and adjust
tension along cable 122. Tensioner 138 may extend from roof 82 to connect to
cable 122.
Tensioner 138 may act to reduce slack in cable 122 created by the opening and
closing of
roof 82. Referring to Fig. 15, tensioner 138 may comprise a spring. Tensioner
138 may be
biased to pull cable 122 towards a center axis 82A of roof 82, the center axis
82A defining a
vertical plane that bisects the container 12 into two halves as shown.
Unwanted slack in the
cable 122 may limit or prevent the proper deployment of guard 120.
[0081] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, splash guard 120 may protect a roof
lock 123 on or
adjacent perimeter rim 116. When in the deployed position (Fig. 13), splash
guard 120 may
extend to at least partially cover perimeter rim 116, for example second edge
116C. Guard
120 may reduce the amount of material 13 contacting the lock 123 during
loading through
opening 118. Referring to Fig. 11, roof lock 123 may secure roof 82 to rim 116
when roof 82
23
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
is in the closed position. In the example shown a latch is used, but other
roof locks may be
used including hydraulic and mechanical actuated locking systems. Plural roof
locks 124
may be used.
[0082] Referring to Figs. 14A, 16 and 17, as above a roof lock 123, such
as provided
by a single locking part or a plurality of locking parts 124 (shown), may be
spaced along a
second side 184 of container 12 to secure and release roof 82 over the top
opening 118. Roof
82 may mount to container 12 via a hinge 186 positioned along a first side 182
of container
12, while roof lock 123 may run along the second side 184. First side 182 and
second side
184 may be opposing sides of container 12. The roof lock 123 and roof 82 may
be mounted
at suitable respective locations on the container 12, for example on walls 16A-
C, or along
top perimeter rim 116 as shown. Referring to Fig. 14A, the top perimeter rim
116 is
understood as including, in the example shown, the surface area of the top 117
of the
container 12.
[0083] Referring to Figs. 14A, 16 and 17 the roof lock 123, such as the
plurality of
locking parts 124, may be mounted on a shaft 168, which runs along the second
side 184.
Shaft 168 may effectively gang the locking parts 124 together such that
movements of the
shaft 168 move each of the locking parts 124. The shaft 168 may operate the
locking parts
124 by a suitable motion, such as by rotating or reciprocating to move locking
parts 124
between a locked position, such as the position shown in Figs. 11 and 16, and
an unlocked
position, such as the position shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 17. Referring to
Figs. 11, 13, and
14A, in the example shown, shaft 168 rotates to operate locking parts 124 and
bring locking
parts 124 into and out of contact with roof 82, for example into and out of
contact with strike
plates 176 mounted on roof 82. Referring to Fig. 14A, shaft 168 may be mounted
in a
suitable fashion, for example via one or more shaft retainer guides, such as a
series of plates
170 that are spaced along the shaft 168 and that mount the shaft 168 via
respective slots or
apertures 171 defined by the plates 170. The axial ends 173 of the shaft 168
may be mounted
or otherwise retained in place by suitable retainer guides, such as bearing
plates 172. Plates
170 and 172 cooperate to align the shaft 168 in place during use, and to
anchor the shaft 168
along the length of the edge 116A.
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CA 2960639 2017-03-14
[0084] Referring to Fig. 14A, shaft 168 and locking parts 124 may form a
camming
mechanism to release and secure the roof 82. Shaft 168 may form a cam shaft,
and locking
parts 124 may each form respective cam arm locking parts mounted along the
shaft 168.
Each locking part 124 may rotate to advance a respective cam surface 177,
which is radially
offset from the shaft 168, into contact with a part of roof 82, such as a
respective strike plate
176. Each locking part 124 may be advanced to apply pressure against the
plates 176 to
compress roof 82 for example in a direction 188, against the rim 116 to close
top opening
118. Top rim 116 may be lined by a compressible seal (not pictured) that
contacts the roof 82
upon closing to form a seal between the roof 82 and the rim 116.
[0085] Referring to Figs. 14A, 16 and 17, a suitable actuator 178 may be
connected
to operate the locking part or parts 124 to secure and release the roof 82.
The actuator 178
may be powered by a non-human drive, such as a hydraulic power source in the
example
shown where the actuator 178 is a hydraulic actuator. Referring to Figs. 16
and 17, actuator
178 may be connected to rotate shaft 168 to operate the plurality of locking
parts 124.
Actuator 178 may connect to rotate shaft 168 via a lever such as a cam arm
180. In the
example shown, actuator 178 extends and retracts arm or piston I 79 to rotate
cam arm 180
about shaft axis 181, to rotate shaft 168 to, in the example shown, release
and secure,
respectively the roof 82.
[0086] Referring to Figs. 14A, 18, and 19, power for the actuators 130,
178, or 130
and 178 may be supplied via a suitable mechanism. Hydraulic power may be
provided by a
common hydraulic system, such as a system supplied by a hydraulic tank 224 and
pump (not
shown) on the tractor truck 62. In other cases, each of the sets of actuators
130 or 178 may
have independent hydraulic power systems. In the example shown, the hydraulic
system is
also be connected to operate the container tilting part 76, Referring to Fig.
14A, two or more
actuators 178 may be used, such as a pair of actuators 178, each associated
with, for example
connected at or near, a respective axial end 173 of the shaft 168. In the
example shown the
actuators 178 are connected to operate in unison. Two or more actuators 130
may be used,
such as a pair of actuators 130, each associated with, for example connected
at or near, a
respective axial end 175 of the roof 82. In the example shown the actuators
130 are
connected to operate in unison.
CA 2960639 2017-03-14
[0087] Referring to Figs. 14A, 18, and 19, the hydraulic power and control
system
may be connected in a suitable fashion. The hydraulic tank 224 may feed and
return, via
supply and return lines 198 and 200, a control unit, such as control device
60B on the
container 12. The control device 60B may include one or more diverter valve
190, for
example for permitting the user to switch between hoist (tilting) operation or
roof operation.
When a user wishes to tilt the container 12, cab control device 60A may be set
to neutral, the
diverter valve 190 is set, for example depressed, to switch to hoist
operation, and the control
device 60A used to raise or lower the container 12 via supply and return lines
202 and 204 to
the tilting part 76. One or both of devices 60A or 60B may control any part or
all of the
operations of the container 12, including tilting, roof opening/closing, and
roof
locking/unlocking.
[0088] Referring to Figs. 14A, 18, and 19, when the user wishes to operate
the roof
82, the diverter valve 190 may be set, for example pulled out, to switch to
roof operation.
The valve 190 may feed a roof lock control valve 192 via supply and return
lines 206 and
208. The diverter valve 190 in the example feeds a roof control valve 194 via
supply and
return lines 210 and 212. In the example shown the valve 190 feeds the valves
192 and 194
in parallel, but other arrangements may be used, including an arrangement
where a failsafe
system prevents simultaneous operation of the roof lock and roof, or where the
roof is
prevented from closing or opening while the roof lock is closed. One or both
of valves 192
and 194 may be structured to have two or more positions, for example including
two
positions that each reverse the flow relative to the other position in
respective supply and
return lines 214, 216, 218, and 220.
[0089] The hydraulic circuit may be set up in a suitable fashion. The
hydraulic lines
214, 216, 218, and 220 may receive fluid from valves 192 and 194 as shown and
may run
along the structural frame 47 to the rear end 12B of the container 12, passing
up to the top of
the container 12, where each respective line splits into front and rear lines
for example in
parallel to supply the respective actuators 130 and 178 at the front and rear
ends 12A and
12B of the container 12. The hydraulic lines may be protected from the
elements by a
suitable mechanism such as by embedding the lines in the container 12 or by
running the
lines along the top of the container but protecting same using a protective
shroud 222. In the
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CA 2960639 2017-03-14
example shown, only the hydraulic supply and return line connections to the
actuators 130
and 178 are shown, but it should be understood that the connections to the
actuators 130 and
178 at the front end 12A are identical in this example. While the roof 82 is
closed, the user
may switch the valve 192 into the open position to unlock the roof 82. The
user may then
open the valve 194 into the open position to open the roof 82. Once the
container 12 is
unloaded, the user may switch the valve 194 into the closed position to close
the roof 82, and
after closing, may switch the valve 192 into the closed position. Roof
opening, closing,
locking, and unlocking may be carried out at any stage in the tilting process,
either when the
container 12 is horizontal, fully tilted, or anywhere in between.
[0090] Examples of suitable actuators 130 and 178 include: a chain
actuator, a screw
jack, a winch, a gear and sprocket, an electric motor, and others. The
actuator 178 may
comprise a suitable torque enhancement part such as a gear reducer (not
shown). Shaft 168
and roof lock 123 may be operated by a manual actuator in some cases, such as
a hand crank.
Plural roof locks 124 may be used, such as locks on plural sides of the
container 12.
[0091] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, a method of closing and opening roof 82
is
depicted. Referring to Fig. 11, roof 82 may be in a closed position over top
opening 118 and
secured by a plurality of locking parts 124 that contact roof 82 and prevent
rotation about
hinge 186. Referring to Figs. 12-13, actuator 178 may operate locking parts
124 by rotating
cam arm 180 and shaft 168 to release roof 82. Roof 82 may be then opened by
rotating about
hinge 186. Referring to Fig. 13, during rotation of roof 82, splash guard 120
may move into
the deployed position at least partially over locking parts 124. In some cases
the roof locking
parts 124 may prevent the opening or leaking of the roof 82 during a rollover.
[0092] Splash guard 120, for example panel 120A, may be made of a suitable
material. For example, guard 120 may comprise a hydrophobic coating, such as
TEFLONTm,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and others, to reduce interactions between
material 13 and
guard 120. In some cases guard 120 is coated, for example steel or aluminum
coated with
paint. Container 12 may be a type of container other than an end dump
container, for
example an open top bin. The dump gate may be located in the side or front
walls of the
container 12. The container 12 may be formed of four discrete walls or may
have more or
less than four walls. A spring includes a mechanical and fluid device unless
context dictates
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CA 2960639 2017-03-14
otherwise. Up, down, above, below, under, over, and other such words are
relative and
should not be limited to definitions based on the direction of gravitational
acceleration on the
Earth unless context dictates otherwise. A container with an open top or a
removeable /
openable roof may allow material to be loaded through a roof access opening,
for example
using an auger or a backhoe, and also permits access to the container for
cleaning and
maintenance purposes. In some cases the baffle 22 may slide from the upright
position into a
pre-dump position along the tracks 72, with a stop or stops provided to
prevent the baffle 22
from being fully removed from the tracks. Once dumping is complete the baffles
22 may
then be slide back into the upright position. The container 12 may incorporate
features not
described such as a vibrator mounted underneath the container 12 to facilitate
dumping.
[0093] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense
and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of
the individual
features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by
virtue only
of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as
defined by the
claims.
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