Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MOBILE AUXILIARY DISTRIBUTION STATION
BACKGROUND
Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) is a well-stimulation process
that
utilizes pressurized liquids to fracture rock formations. Pumps and other
equipment
used for hydraulic fracturing typically operate at the surface of the well
site. The
equipment may operate until refueling is needed, at which time the equipment
may be
shut-down for refueling. Shut-downs are costly and reduce efficiency. More
preferably, to avoid shut-downs fuel is replenished in a hot-refueling
operation while
the equipment continues to run. This permits fracking operations to proceed
continuously. However, hot-refueling can be difficult to reliably sustain for
the
duration of the fracking operation.
A primary fuel distribution station can be used to fuel such equipment
continuously. An example fuel distribution system can include a mobile
trailer, a pump
on the mobile trailer, a meter or register connected to the pump to track the
amount of
fuel pumped, a manifold on the mobile trailer and connected with the pump, a
plurality
of hoses connected with the manifold, a plurality of valves on the mobile
trailer
situated between the manifold and a respective different one of the hoses, a
plurality
of fluid level sensors associated with a respective different one of the
valves, and a
controller configured to communicate with the fluid level sensors and operate
the
valves responsive to signals from the fluid level sensors. The hoses can be
connected
to the fuel tanks of the equipment, such as by a cap, which may be integrated
with the
fluid level sensor. When one of the pieces of equipment reaches a level that
is
designated as low, the controller opens the valve that corresponds to the hose
that is
attached to the fuel tank of that piece of equipment, thereby permitting fuel
to flow
from the manifold to fill the fuel tank. When the fuel reaches a level
designated as full
in the fuel tank, the controller closes the valve.
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SUMMARY
A distribution system according to an example of the present disclosure
includes a primary distribution station that has a mobile trailer, a pump on
the mobile
trailer, a manifold on the mobile trailer and fluidly connected with the pump,
a plurality
of reels on the mobile trailer, a plurality of hoses, each hose connected with
a different
one of the reels and connected to be fed from the manifold, a plurality of
valves on the
mobile trailer, each valve situated between the manifold and a respective
different one
of the reels, a plurality of fluid level sensors, each fluid level sensor
being associated
with a different one of the hoses, and a controller configured to individually
open and
close the valves responsive to the fluid level sensors. An auxiliary
distribution station
has a mobile vehicle, and an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose on the
mobile
vehicle. The auxiliary hose is configured to be fluidly connected with at
least one of
the plurality of hoses of the primary distribution station, and a lift on the
mobile
vehicle. The lift is configured to move and deploy the auxiliary hose reel
from the
mobile vehicle. A first tank on the mobile vehicle, and a pump, an auxiliary
meter,
and a tank hose is operable to pump fluid from the first tank, through the
meter, and
through the tank hose.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the mobile
vehicle is a truck.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the lift is a
winch.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments includes at least a
second tank and a third tank on the mobile vehicle. The third tank is
different in
volumetric size than the first tank and the second tank.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the third tank is
larger in volumetric size than the first tank and the second tank.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the third tank is
between the first tank and the second tank.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments includes fuel in
the first tank and diesel exhaust fluid in the third tank.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the auxiliary
hose includes a manual pump handle.
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In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the mobile
vehicle has a cab and a truck bed, and the auxiliary hose reel is located in a
rear 50%
of the length of the truck bed.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the lift is
located
in the rear 50% of the length of the truck bed.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the lift is aft
of
the auxiliary hose reel on the truck bed.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the lift is a
winch.
A distribution system according to an example of the present disclosure
includes an auxiliary distribution station configured to be used in
cooperation with a
primary distribution station. The auxiliary distribution system has a mobile
vehicle,
and an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose on the mobile vehicle. The
auxiliary hose
is configured to be fluidly connected with a hose of the primary distribution
station. A
lift on the mobile vehicle, is configured to move and deploy the auxiliary
hose reel
from the mobile vehicle. A tank on the mobile vehicle, and a pump, an
auxiliary meter,
and a tank hose is operable to pump fluid from the tank, through the meter,
and through
the tank hose.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the mobile
vehicle is a truck and the lift is a winch.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments includes at least a
second tank and a third tank on the mobile vehicle. The third tank is
different in
volumetric size than the first tank and the second tank.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the third tank is
larger in volumetric size than the first tank and the second tank.
A further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments includes fuel in
the first tank and diesel exhaust fluid in the third tank.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the auxiliary
hose includes a manual pump handle.
In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the mobile
vehicle has a cab and a truck bed, and the auxiliary hose reel is located in a
rear 50%
of the length of the truck bed, and the lift is aft of the auxiliary hose reel
on the truck
bed.
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A method for use in a distribution system according to an example of the
present disclosure includes distributing a fluid using a primary distribution
station as
described in any of the examples above, using a primary meter on the primary
distribution station to track the amount of fluid distributed by the primary
distribution
system, connecting one of the hoses of the primary distribution station to an
auxiliary
hose on an auxiliary distribution station as described in the examples above,
distributing the fluid from the primary distribution station through the hose
that is
connected with the auxiliary hose to distribute fluid through the auxiliary
hose, and
using the primary meter on the primary distribution station to track the
amount of fluid
distributed through the auxiliary hose.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
a primary distribution station including:
a mobile trailer,
a pump on the mobile trailer,
a manifold on the mobile trailer and fluidly connected with the pump,
a plurality of reels on the mobile trailer,
a plurality of hoses, each said hose connected with a different one of the
reels
and connected to be fed from the manifold,
a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer, each said valve situated between
the
manifold and a respective different one of the reels,
a plurality of fluid level sensors, each said fluid level sensor being
associated
with a different one of the hoses, and
a controller configured to individually open and close the valves responsive
to
the fluid level sensors;
an auxiliary distribution station including,
a mobile vehicle having a cab and a truck bed,
an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose on the mobile vehicle, the auxiliary
hose configured to be fluidly connected with at least one of the plurality of
hoses of
the primary distribution station,
a fuel tank on the mobile vehicle located in between the cab and the auxiliary
hose reel and configured to hold a fuel, and a fuel tank hose in fluid
communication
with the fuel tank for dispensing the fuel therefrom;
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an exhaust tank on the mobile vehicle located in between the cab and the
auxiliary hose reel, and an exhaust tank hose configured to feed an exhaust
fluid into
the additional tank.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
an auxiliary distribution station configured to be used in cooperation with a
primary distribution station, the auxiliary distribution system including:
a mobile vehicle having a cab and a truck bed,
an auxiliary hose reel and auxiliary hose on the mobile vehicle, the
auxiliary hose configured to be fluidly connected with a hose of the
primary distribution station,
a fuel tank on the mobile vehicle located in between the cab and the
auxiliary hose reel and configured to hold a fuel, and a fuel tank hose
in fluid communication with the fuel tank for dispensing the fuel
therefrom, and
an exhaust tank on the mobile vehicle located in between the cab and the
auxiliary hose reel, and an exhaust tank hose configured to feed an
exhaust fluid into the additional tank.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
a primary distribution station including:
a mobile trailer,
a pump on the mobile trailer,
a manifold on the mobile trailer and fluidly connected with the pump,
a plurality of reels on the mobile trailer,
a plurality of hoses, each said hose connected with a different one of the
reels and connected to be fed from the manifold,
a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer, each said valve situated between
the manifold and a respective different one of the reels,
a plurality of fluid level sensors, each said fluid level sensor being
associated with a different one of the hoses, and
a controller configured to individually open and close the valves responsive
to the fluid level sensors;
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an auxiliary distribution station including,
a mobile vehicle having a rearward portion,
at least a pair of auxiliary hose reels and respective auxiliary hoses on the
mobile vehicle, each auxiliary hose configured to be fluidly connected
with at least one of the plurality of hoses of the primary distribution
station and being removably secured to the rearward portion of the
mobile vehicle,
a first tank on the mobile vehicle, and
a pump, an auxiliary meter, and a tank hose, the pump operable to pump
fluid from the first tank, through the auxiliary meter, and through the
tank hose.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
an auxiliary distribution station configured to be used in cooperation with a
primary distribution station, the auxiliary distribution system including:
a mobile vehicle having a rearward portion,
at least a pair of auxiliary hose reels and respective auxiliary hoses on the
mobile vehicle, each auxiliary hose configured to be fluidly connected
with a hose of the primary distribution station and removably secured
to the rearward portion of the mobile vehicle,
a tank on the mobile vehicle, and
a pump, an auxiliary meter, and a tank hose, the pump operable to pump
fluid from the tank, through the auxiliary meter, and through the tank
hose.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
a primary distribution station including:
a mobile trailer,
a pump on the mobile trailer,
a manifold on the mobile trailer and fluidly connected with the pump,
a plurality of reels on the mobile trailer,
a plurality of hoses, each said hose connected with a different one of the
reels and connected to be fed from the manifold,
a plurality of valves on the mobile trailer, each said valve situated between
the manifold and a respective different one of the reels,
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a plurality of fluid level sensors, each said fluid level sensor being
associated with a different one of the hoses, and
a controller configured to individually open and close the valves responsive
to the fluid level sensors;
an auxiliary distribution station including,
a mobile vehicle having a cab and a truck bed,
at least a pair of auxiliary hose reels and respective auxiliary hoses on the
truck bed of the mobile vehicle, each auxiliary hose configured to be
fluidly connected with at least one of the plurality of hoses of the
primary distribution station,
a lift on the mobile vehicle, the lift configured to move and deploy each of
the auxiliary hose reels from the mobile vehicle, the lift comprising:
a base secured to the truck bed in between and rearward of the
pair of auxiliary hose reels,
a boom extending upward from the base,
an engagement member extendable from the boom and
configured to engage with each of the auxiliary hose reels, and
a drive mechanism operably connected to the engagement
member and configured for raising and lowering the
engagement member.
In another aspect, there is provided a distribution system comprising:
an auxiliary distribution station configured to be used in cooperation with a
primary distribution station, the auxiliary distribution system including:
a mobile vehicle having a cab and a truck bed,
at least a pair of auxiliary hose reels and respective auxiliary hoses on the
truck bed of the mobile vehicle, each auxiliary hose configured to be
fluidly connected with a hose of the primary distribution station,
a lift on the mobile vehicle, the lift configured to move and deploy each
auxiliary hose reel from the mobile vehicle, the lift comprising:
a base secured to the truck bed in between and rearward of the
pair of auxiliary hose reels,
a boom extending upward from the base,
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an engagement member extendable from the boom and
configured to engage with each of the auxiliary hose reels, and
a drive mechanism operably connected to the engagement
member and configured for raising and lowering the
engagement member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as
follows.
Figure 1 illustrates an example primary mobile distribution station.
Figure 2 illustrates an internal layout of a mobile auxiliary distribution
station.
Figure 3A illustrates an overhead layout view of a mobile auxiliary
distribution
station.
Figure 3B illustrates aside view of the mobile auxiliary distribution station.
Figure 3C illustrates another side view of the mobile auxiliary distribution
station.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the mobile auxiliary distribution station.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates a mobile distribution station 120 and Figure 2
illustrates
an internal layout of the station 120, which for purposes herein is a primary
distribution station. Such a station 20 is also disclosed in co-owned
Application
Serial 15/290,331. The station 120 may serve in a "hot-refueling" capacity to
distribute fuel to multiple pieces of equipment while the equipment is
running, such
as fracking equipment at a well site. As will be appreciated, the station 120
is not
limited to applications for fracking or for delivering fuel. The examples
herein may
be presented with respect to fuel delivery, but the station 120 may be used
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in mobile delivery of other fluids, in other gas/petroleum recovery
operations, or in
other operations where mobile refueling or fluid delivery will be of benefit.
In this example, the station 120 includes a mobile trailer 122. Generally, the
mobile trailer 122 is elongated and has first and second opposed trailer side
walls WI
and W2 that join first and second opposed trailer end walls El and E2. Most
typically,
the trailer 122 will also have a closed top (not shown). The mobile trailer
122 may
have wheels that permit the mobile trailer 122 to be moved by a vehicle from
site to
site to service different hot-refueling operations. In this example, the
mobile trailer 122
has two compartments. A first compartment 124 includes the physical components
for
distributing fuel, such as diesel fuel, and a second compartment 126 serves as
an
isolated control room for managing and monitoring fuel distribution. The
compartments 124/126 are separated by an inside wall 128a that has an inside
door
128b.
The first compartment 124 includes one or more pumps 130. Fuel may be
provided to the one or more pumps 130 from an external fuel source, such as a
tanker
truck on the site. On the trailer 122, the one or more pumps 130 are fluidly
connected
via a fuel line 132 with a high precision register/meter 134 for metering
fuel. The fuel
line 132 may include, but is not limited to, hard piping. In this example, the
fuel line
132 includes a filtration and air eliminator system 136a and one or more
sensors 136b.
Although optional, the system 136a is beneficial in many implementations, to
remove
foreign particles and air from the fuel prior to delivery to the equipment.
The one or
more sensors 136b may include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a
combination thereof, which assist in fuel distribution management.
The fuel line 132 is connected with one or more manifolds 138. In the
illustrated example, the station 120 includes two manifolds 138 that arranged
on
opposed sides of the compartment 124. As an example, the manifolds 138 are
elongated tubes that are generally larger in diameter than the fuel line 132
and that
have at least one inlet and multiple outlets. Each hose 140 is wound, at least
initially,
on a reel 142 that is rotatable to extend or retract the hose 140 externally
through one
or more windows of the trailer 122. Each reel 142 may have an associated motor
to
mechanically extend and retract the hose 140.
The reels 42 are mounted on a support rack 142a. The support rack 142a may
be configured with upper and lower rows of reels 142. In this example there
are two
support racks 142a arranged on opposed sides of the first compartment 124,
with an
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aisle (A) that runs between the support racks 142a from an outside door E to
the inside
door 128b. As will be appreciated, fewer or additional reels and hoses than
shown may
be used in alternative examples.
Each hose 40 is connected to a respective one of the reels 142 and a
respective
one of a plurality of control valves 144. For example, a secondary fuel line
146 leads
from the manifold 138 to the reel 142. The control valve 144 is in the
secondary fuel
line 146. The control valve 144 is moveable between open and closed positions
to
selectively permit fuel flow from the manifold 138 to the reel 142 and the
hose 140.
For example, the control valve 144 is a powered valve, such as a solenoid
valve.
In the illustrated example, the first compartment 124 also includes a sensor
support rack 148. The sensor support rack 148 holds integrated fuel cap
sensors 150
(when not in use), or at least portions thereof. When in use, each integrated
fuel cap
sensor 150 is temporarily affixed to a piece of equipment (i.e., the fuel tank
of the
equipment) that is subject to the hot-refueling operation. Each hose 140 may
include a
connector end 140a and each integrated fuel cap sensor 150 may have a
corresponding
mating connector to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection of the hose
140 with
the integrated fuel cap sensor 150. For example, the connector end 140a and
mating
connector on the integrated fuel cap sensor 150 form a hydraulic quick-
connect.
At least the control valves 144, pump or pumps 130, sensor or sensors 136b,
and register 134 are in communication with a controller 152 located in the
second
compartment 126. As an example, the controller 152 includes software,
hardware, or
both that is configured to carry out any of the functions described herein. In
one further
example, the controller 152 includes a programmable logic controller with a
touch-
screen for user input and display of status data. For example, the screen may
simultaneously show multiple fluid levels of the equipment that is being
serviced.
When in operation, the integrated fuel cap sensors 150 are mounted on
respective fuel tanks of the pieces of equipment that are subject to the hot-
refueling
operation. The hoses 140 are connected to the respective integrated fuel cap
sensors
150. Each integrated fuel cap sensor 150 generates signals that are indicative
of the
fuel level in the fuel tank of the piece of equipment on which the integrated
fuel cap
sensor 150 is mounted. The signals are communicated to the controller 152.
The controller 152 interprets the signals and determines the fuel level for
each
fuel tank of each piece of equipment. In response to a fuel level that falls
below a lower
threshold, the controller 152 opens the control valve 144 associated with the
hose 140
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CA 3021326 2018-10-17
to that fuel tank and activates the pump or pumps 130. The pump or pumps 130
provide
fuel flow into the manifolds 138 and through the open control valve 144 and
reel 142
such that fuel is provided through the respective hose 140 and integrated fuel
cap
sensor 150 into the fuel tank. The lower threshold may correspond to an empty
fuel
level of the fuel tank, but more typically the lower threshold will be a level
above the
empty level to reduce the potential that the equipment completely runs out of
fuel and
shuts down.
The controller 152 also determines when the fuel level in the fuel tank
reaches
an upper threshold. The upper threshold may correspond to a full fuel level of
the fuel
tank, but more typically the upper threshold will be a level below the full
level to
reduce the potential for overflow. In response to reaching the upper
threshold, the
controller 152 closes the respective control valve 144 and ceases the pump or
pumps
130. If other control valves 144 are open or are to be opened, the pump or
pumps 130
may remain on.
Multiple control valves 144 may be open at one time, to provide fuel to
multiple
fuel tanks at one time. Alternatively, if there is demand for fuel from two or
more fuel
tanks, the controller 152 may sequentially open the control valves 44 such
that the
tanks are refueled sequentially. For instance, upon completion of refueling of
one fuel
tank, the controller 152 closes the control valve 144 of the hose 140
associated with
that tank and then opens the next control valve 144 to begin refueling the
next fuel
tank. Sequential refueling may facilitate maintaining internal pressure in the
manifold
138 and fuel line 132 above a desired or preset pressure threshold to more
rapidly
deliver fuel. Similarly, the controller 152 may limit the number of control
valves 144
that are open at any one instance in order to maintain the internal pressure
in the
manifold 138 and fuel line 132 above a desired or preset threshold. The
controller 152
may perform the functions above while in an automated operating mode.
Additionally,
the controller 152 may have a manual mode in which a user can control at least
some
functions through the PLC, such as starting and stopped the pump 130 and
opening
and closing control valves 144. For example, manual mode may be used at the
beginning of a job when initially filling tanks to levels at which the fuel
cap sensors
150 can detect fuel and/or during a job if a fuel cap sensor 150 becomes
inoperable.
Of course, operating in manual mode may deactivate some automated functions,
such
as filling at the low threshold or stopping at the high threshold.
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In addition to the use of the sensor signals to determine fuel level, or even
as
an alternative to use of the sensor signals, the refueling may be time-based.
For
instance, the fuel consumption of a given piece of equipment may be known such
that
the fuel tank reaches the lower threshold at known time intervals. The
controller 152
is operable to refuel the fuel tank at the time intervals rather than on the
basis of the
sensor signals, although sensor signals may also be used to verify fuel level.
The controller 152 also tracks the amount of fuel provided to the fuel tanks.
For instance, the register 134 precisely measures the amount of fuel provided
from the
pump or pumps 130. As an example, the register 134 is an electronic register
and has
a resolution of about 0.1 gallons. The register 134 communicates measurement
data to
the controller 152. The controller 152 can thus determine the total amount of
fuel used
to very precise levels. The controller 152 may also be configured to provide
outputs of
the total amount of fuel consumed. For instance, a user may program the
controller
152 to provide outputs at desired intervals, such as by worker shifts or
daily, weekly,
or monthly periods. The outputs may also be used to generate invoices for the
amount
of fuel used. As an example, the controller 152 may provide a daily output of
fuel use
and trigger the generation of an invoice that corresponds to the daily fuel
use, thereby
enabling almost instantaneous invoicing.
A mobile auxiliary fuel distribution station may be used with the primary fuel
distribution station 120. The figures herewith depict various views of an
example
auxiliary mobile fuel distribution station 20 ("station 20"). Again, although
the
examples may be described with respect to refueling, neither the auxiliary nor
primary
distribution stations are limited to refueling or fracking and may
alternatively be used
at other types of well sites, or at non-well sites, and for other types of
fluids, such as
water.
Figure 3A shows an overhead schematic view of the station 20. As shown also
in Figures 3A/3B, the station 20 includes a flat-bed truck 22 that carries
components
that will be described in more detail below. In the examples below, the flat-
bed truck
22 may alternatively be replaced by another type of mobile vehicle or mobile
platform.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, other types of trucks or mobile
vehicles
that are powered and can be driven from place to place without the aid of
another
vehicle, or trailers or the like that may not be powered by can be towed or
moved by
another vehicle.
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The truck 22 carries on its bed 22a one or more hose reels 24. In the depicted
example, also shown in a rear view in Figure 4, there are two hose reels 24,
but there
may alternatively be one reel 24 or more than two reels 24 as long as there is
space on
the bed. The reel or reels 24 are arranged toward the rear of the bed, near a
lift 26. For
purposes herein, the "rear" is the end opposite the cab of the truck. The reel
or reels 24
may be secured to the bed 22a, such as with one or more fasteners. The
fasteners are
readily removable such that the reel or reels 24 can be secured to the truck
22 when
not in use, and then deployed from the truck 22 for use by removal of the
fasteners.
As an example, the reel or reels 24 are on the rear 50% of the length of the
bed.
Each reel 24 includes a spool 24a and a connector 24b. For instance, the
connector 24b
is a quick connect, dry connect, or other type of connector that is configured
to fluidly
connect to one of the hoses 140 from the primary distribution station 120. In
this
regard, the connector 24b and the connector end 140a of the hose 140 from the
primary
distribution station 120 are complimentary in that they are compatible to make
a
secure, sealed connection. There is a passage from the connector 24b and
through the
spool 24a. The spool 24a includes another connector for the hose 24c on the
reel 24 to
connect to. Thus, the hose 24c can be fluidly connected to the hose 140 form
the
primary distribution station 120 via the connector 24b. The free end of the
hose 24c
may be outfitted with a connector or manual pump handle 24d. Example
connectors
may include quick connects or dry connects, and example pump handles may
include
a manual pump nozzle with automatic shut-off.
In this example, the lift 26 is a winch, which may have a rope, cable, chain,
or
the like wound around a rotating drum, turned by a crank, motor, or other
power source.
The lift 26 is operable to lift and move one of the reels 24 from the bed of
the truck 22
onto the ground adjacent the truck 22. In this regard, other types of lifts
than a winch
could alternatively be used.
The truck 22 additionally includes one or more tanks 28, which here are
located
between the cab of the truck 22 and the reel or reels 24. For instance, the
tanks 28 are
generally located on the forward 50% of the length of the bed. In this
example, there
are three tanks, designated at 28a/28b/28c. The tank 28c is located between
tanks 28a
and 28b, and tank 28b may thus be obscured from view on some of the figures.
Additionally, in this example, the tank 28c is larger than either of tanks 28a
or 28b.
For example, the tank 28c may be at least 4X larger (in gallons) than either
of the tanks
28a or 28b.
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Each tank 28a and 28b includes a tank portion 30 (e.g., a reservoir), a meter
or
register 32, a pump 34, a filter 36, and a hose 38 (auxiliary hose). The pump
34 is
operable to move fluid from the tank portion 30, then through the meter 32 to
the filter
36 and into the hose 38. The meter 32 measures the amount of fluid provided
from the
tank portion 30. Thus, the amount of fluid used can be tracked. As an example,
the
tanks 28a and 28b may hold fuel, for fueling equipment, vehicles, generators,
or other
devices at a site where the primary distribution station is used. In some
examples, the
fuels may be different, such as clear and dyed diesel fuels.
The tank 28c is of larger capacity. The tank 28c may likewise include a tank
portion 40, a meter 42, a pump 44, and a hose 46. As an example, the tank 28c
may
hold a third fluid that is different than the fluids in either of the tanks
28a/28b. In one
example, the fluid is diesel exhaust fluid (DU), which is typically an aqueous
urea
solution. Due to the corrosivity of the DEF, the tank 28c may be formed of a
corrosion
resistant material, such as a polymer or stainless steel. The free ends of the
hose 24c/46
may be outfitted with a connector or pump handle. Example connectors may
include
quick connects or dry connects, and example pump handles may include a manual
pump nozzle with automatic shut-off.
The station 20 is a multi-function refueling solution that may be used alone
or
in cooperation with the primary distribution station 120. For example, the
reel or reels
24 enable cooperative use with the primary distribution station 120. In this
regard, a
hose 140 from the primary distribution station 120 may be connected to the
reel 24
such that fuel from the primary distribution station is provided through the
hose 24c of
the reel 24. For instance, the reel 24 may be deployed (e.g., removed), as
represented
at D, from the truck 22, using the lift 26, at a desired location such that
the hose 24c
from the reel 24 can reach a device that is in need of refueling. This enables
the amount
of fuel used to be tracked using the register/meter 134 of the primary
distribution
station 120. This also enables devices that may be out of range of the primary
distribution station 120 to be refueled using the station 20. Furthermore, the
deployability of the reel 24 also enables the truck 22 to be used elsewhere
while the
reel 24 is in use. That is, the truck 22, with its tanks 28a/28b/28c, can
service refueling
needs elsewhere while the reel 24 is in use. Similarly, for two reels 24, the
two reels
24 can be deployed and the truck 22 can service other refueling needs
elsewhere. The
station 20 thus provides a great deal of mobility and refueling flexibility in
order to
meet refueling needs at specific locations that may be out of range of the
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CA 3021326 2018-10-17
distribution station 120 or difficult to reach. Additionally, the station 20
is highly
mobile and may replace use of much larger and less mobile tank wagons.
Alternatively,
if the reel or reels 24 are not in use, the truck 22 can be used alone to
service a variety
of refueling needs using different fuels in the tanks 28a/28b/28e.
Although a combination of features is shown in the illustrated examples, not
all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments
of this
disclosure. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of
this
disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one
of the
Figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the Figures. Moreover,
selected
features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of
other
example embodiments.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.
Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to
those
skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from this disclosure. The
scope of legal
protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the
following
claims.
11
CA 3021326 2018-10-17
