GB2086515A - Connecting pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling device 10 is arranged for connection to a reservoir of slurry or like material, for example via a pipe 36. The pipe end has limited horizontal and vertical movement so that when a pressure tanker 30 having a valve controlled rear opening 31 is backed up to the coupling device, the coupling device automatically seals on to the valve controlled rear opening so that after the valve has been opened, slurry or like material can be sucked out of the reservoir and into the tanker, without the need for the driver of a vehicle towing the tanker to leave his driving position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to pressure tankers The invention relates to pressure tankers, for example pressure tankers of the kind used to spread agricultural slurry. Such a tanker is described in British Patent No. 1569572.

Such tankers have a valve controlled rear opening.

Slurry can be sucked into the tanker through the rear opening and can subsequently be expelled under pressure through the opening, for example to spread the slurry over a field.

Slurry is normally collected from a fixed slurry tank or other source, and with known tankers it is necessary, after driving the tanker to the required source, to dismount, take a length of pipe normally carried on support hooks on the side of the tanker, couple one end of the pipe to the valve controlled rear opening, insert the other end of the pipe into the slurry, and then operate a pump on the tanker to suck up the slurry. When the tanker is full, it is necessary to uncouple the pipe once again before the tanker can be driven off to spread the slurry. Not only are these operations time consuming, but they are also messy and unpleasant.

My invention provides a coupling device arranged for connection to a reservoir of slurry or like material, the device being such that when a pressure tanker having a valve controlled rear opening is backed up to the coupling device, the coupling device automatically seals on to the valve controlled rear opening so that after the valve has been opened, slurry or like material can be sucked out of the reservoir and into the tanker.

Preferably the coupling device is for use with a tanker having a rearwardly projecting spout, the coupling device comprising a sleeve having a flared mouth to sealingly mate with the spout.

The sleeve may have an outwardly flared mouth, so that the spout is received within the sleeve.

Alternatively the sleeve may be flared inwardly, so that it mates within the spout.

The coupling device may include a sealing ring for forming a seal between the spout and the sleeve.

The sleeve may be mounted on a support device.

Preferably the sleeve is spring loaded in the direction opposite to the direction of approach of the tanker so that as the spout engages the sleeve, the sleeve is forced back against the spring action to provide sealing pressure between the sleeve and the spout.

Preferably the sleeve is mounted for limited vertical movement with respect to the support device, to accommodate changes in the vertical position of the spout, and hence the sleeve, as the tanker is loaded.

The sleeve may be provided with one or more projections which are guided for vertical movement in a track provided on a carriage device, the carriage device being mounted on the support device for fore and aft movement in the approach direction of the tanker.

The carriage device may comprise a pair of plates arranged one at each side of the sleeve, each plate having at least one vertically extending slot therein, each slot receiving at least one peg projecting from the sleeve.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be mounted at one end of a boom which is pivotally mounted at the other end to permit vertical movement of the free end of the boom.

The boom may also be mounted for pivotal movement in the horizontal direction so that the sleeve can move sideways sufficiently to mate with the valve controlled outlet of the tanker even if the tanker has not been positioned centrally of the coupling device.

The sleeve may carry one or more outwardly inclined guides to engage with the valve controlled outlet and guide the sleeve and valve controlled outlet together.

The sleeve may be provided with a pipe for connection to a source of slurry.

The pipe may be detachable.

Preferably the coupling device is provided with wheel stops to engage the wheels of the tanker and hence limit the movement of the tanker towards the coupling device.

When the coupling device is for use with a tanker having a deflector plate at the spout outlet, for use in deflecting expelled slurry over a wide area, the coupling device may comprise means for automatically moving the deflector plate to expose the spout.

The invention includes a coupling device as defined above, in combination with a pressure tanker.

The invention includes an adaptor device for connection to the valve controlled rear opening of a pressure tanker, the adaptor device adapting the tanker for use with a coupling device according to the invention.

The adaptor device may comprise a movable deflector plate.

The adaptor device may comprise a short length of pipe having a deflector plate at one end, the other end being connectable to a rearwardly projecting spout on the tanker such that in one position the pipe forms an extension of the spout so that the tanker can be used in the conventional manner, and a second position in which the spout is exposed for connection to the coupling device.

The pipe may be pivotally connectable to the spout.

The adaptor device may be spring loaded into the second position, a cable or linkage control device being provided for holding the adaptor device in the one position, against the action of the spring loading.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of coupling device according to the invention, as a slurry tanker approaches; Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the coupling device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of part of the coupling device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of coupling device according to the invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of an embodiment of adaptor device according to the invention, in a first position; and Figure 7 is a side view of the adaptor device shown in Figure 6, in a second position.

The coupling device shown in Figures 1 to 3, which are not to scale, comprises a support device in the form of a generally rectangularframe 10 made up of lengths of box section welded toegether to provide uprights 11, side members 12, front members 13, and rear members 14.

The front of the frame has a pair of side projections 15, and a pair of channel members 16 are bolted to these members 15 in a releaseable manner so that the spacing between the channel members 16 can be adjusted. The channel members 16 are intended to act as guides to receive the wheels of a slurry tanker, and the distance between the channel members is adjustable so that the coupling device can be adapted to suit different sizes of tanker.

At each side of the frame there is a pair of angle irons 17, each providing a horizontally extending slidewayforoneoftwo metal plates 18.

The frame is completed by a pair of cross members 19, respectively arranged above and below the angle irons 17, and each carrying a bracket 20.

As best seen in Figure 3, the sleeve is positioned between the two plates 18. The sleeve has metal ends 21 and 22, and a flexible plastics intermediate portion 23. The end 22 is flared outwardly at 24.

Welded to each metal end is a pair of pegs 25 and each pair of pegs slides in a vertically extending slot 26 in one of the plates 18.

On the top and underside of the metal end 21 there is welded a bracket 27.

The coupling device is assembled by fitting the plates 18 over the pegs 25, sliding the plates into the angle irons 17, and attaching a pair of tension springs 28 between the brackets 20 and the brackets 27.

The plates 18 thus act as a horizontally slidable carriage for the sleeve, the carriage being spring loaded forwardly by the springs 28.

The sleeve is free to float up and down to a limited extent in the carriage, since the pegs 25 are spaced apart by a distance which is less than the length of the associated slot 26.

Mounted in each channel 16 is a wheel stop 29 which is adjustable along the length of the associated channel.

The coupling device shown in Figures 1 to 3 is intended for use with a slurry pressure tanker 30 of substantially conventional design. At the rear of the tanker there is a spout 31 leading from a valve controlled opening and a spring-loaded deflector plate 32 is positioned at the rear end of the spout.

When the tanker 30 contains slurry a pump on the tanker can be used to eject slurry through the spout 31. The slurry strikes the deflector plate 32 and is deflected upwardly and outwardly, for example to spray the slurry over a field.

The tanker is modified by the attachement of a rubber sealing ring 33 and bythe provision of a downwardly extending lever 34 on the deflector plate 32. The deflector plate 32 is provided with a very strong spring (not shown) which is sufficient to hold the deflector plate 32 against the spout 31 during slurry spreading, but which can be overcome by pressure on the lever 34 to pivot the deflector plate 32 downwardly away from the spout.

In use a projection 35 is attached to the coupling device between the channel member 16, for example buy a cross member (not shown) art a height where the projection 35 will be struck by the lever 34 when the tanker 30 backs towards the coupling device.

The coupling device may be arranged permanently near to a source of slurry, for example a fixed slurry tank, and a pipe 36 can be attached to the sleeve and dipped into the slurry. If a user of the tanker wishes to fill the tanker with slurry, it is merely necessary to back the tanker into the coupling device, open the valve of the tanker, which can be done without dismounting from a tractor towing the tanker, and then switch the pump of the tanker to the suction position.

As the tanker is backed towards the coupling device, engagement of the wheels of the tanker in the channel members 16 ensures that the spout 31 will be positioned centrally with respect to the sleeve. As the spout 31 approaches the flared portion 24 of the sleeve, the lever 34 strikes the projection 35 and the deflector plate 32 is pivoted out of the way.

The spout 31 then enters the flared portion 24 and the sealing ring 33 presses firmly against the inner wall of the flared portion 24, making a good seal. for any given tanker the position of the wheel stops 29 can be adjusted so that when the wheels of the tanker come up against the stops 29, the spigot 31 will have forced the sleeve back slightly, against the action of the springs 28, so that the energy stored in the springs 28 provides a firm sealing pressure between the spout and the sleeve.

As the tanker fills, it will tend to settle slightly on its suspension but this downward movement is accommodated by the sleeve, since the sleeve can float slightly in the vertical direction.

Once the tanker is fuli, it is merely necessary to switch of the pump, close the valve, and drive away.

The deflector plate 32 automatically returns to the position shown in Figure 1. Thus the entire loading operation can be carried out by a user of the tanker without dismounting from a towing tractor.

The coupling device may be provided as a fixed installation adjacent to a fixed slurry reservoir, and the pipe 36 may be permanently attached to the coupling device.

Alternatively, for certain special applications, the coupling device may be arranged to be portable, and the pipe 36 may be detachable. The coupling device may for example be mounted on small wheels.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown an alternative device comprising a pair of channels 40 arranged to receive the wheels 41 of a pressure tanker 42.

Each channel is adjustable towards and away from a central support 43 so that the distance between the channels may be varied to suit different lengths of tanker axle. The inner edge of each channel is provided with a guide flap 44 to assist in guiding each wheel 41 into the associated channel and reduce the risk of the tyre being damaged as a result of the tyre riding up on to the edge of the channel.

Mounted on the support 43 is a boom 45. The left hand end of the boom, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a vertically extending sleeve 46, which fits over a vertically extending stub axle 47 on the suppot 43, so that the boom is mounted for pivotal movement from side to side in a horizontal plane.

The part of the boom 45 immediately adjacent to the sleeve 46 is formed in two parts 48 and 49 hinged together about a horizontal pivot so that the free end 50 of the boom can pivot upwardly and downwardly, as well as from side to side.

The upward pivotal movement of the boom is limited by engagement of the boom with a transverse bridge member 51 which extends between two support frames 52. The boom is spring loaded into its uppermost position by two main springs 53 which extend respectivly between one of the frames 52 and a bracket 54 secured to the boom.

A central portion 55 of the boom is slidable telescopically with respect to the pivotally mounted end of the boom, but is urged towards the pivotally mounted end of the boom by means of two subsidiary springs 56.

The right hand end of the boom is telescopically slidable within the central portion 55, and can be secured in any desired position by means of a locking device 57 so that the length of the boom can be adjusted to suit different sizes of tanker.

Mounted at the free end 50 of the boom, on a vertically extending support 58, is a sleeve 59 wo which a slurry tank pipe 60 can be fitted. The support 58 is adjustable vertically within a bracket 61, again so that the position of the sleeve 59 can be adjusted to suit any particular dimensions of tanker.

The mouth 62 of the sleeve 59 is inwardly flared, and a pair of outwardly inclined guide arms 63 are attached to the sleeve, one at each side.

In order to utilise the device, with a particular size of tanker, the tanker is backed into the channels, until the wheels of the tanker are a few inches short of the closed ends of the channels. The length of the boom and the height of the sleeve 59 are then adjusted to position the inwardly flared end of the sleeve 59 within the outlet spout at the rear of the tanker. The device is then set up for use with that particular tanker. In order to fill the tanker, the tanker is backed fully until the wheels engage with the closed ends of the channels. This will cause the spout at the rear of the tanker to force the sleeve 59 rearwardly by a few inches, this movement being taken up by the central portion 55 of the boom (which carries the rear portion with it) moving rearwardly a few inches against the action of the springs 56.In other words tensioning of the springs 56 brings about a resilient pressure between the sleeve 59 and the spout of the tanker, thus ensuring a good seal.

Even if the tanker is not completely central, or is twisted slightly to one side, as the tanker reverses the spout will strike one of the arms 63 and the interaction of the spout and the arms 63 will cause the boom to pivot to one side slightly, automatically centring the sleeve 59.

As the tanker fills, it will settle slightly on its suspension, and its spout will lower slightly, but this movement will be accommodated by slight downward movement of the free end of the boom, against the action of the main springs 53.

Turning now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown an embodiment of the invention for use in adapting a conventional tankerfor use with the embodiment of connector device shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The adaptor device comprises a short length of pipe 70 to which a spreader plate 71 is fitted in a conventional manner. The pipe 70 is pivotally connected at 72 to the rear spout 73 of the tanker 42. The lugs 74 and 75 are fitted to the pipe 70 and spout 73 respectively and a tension spring 76 is connected between these lugs so that the pipe 70 is biased by the spring into the upper position shown in Figure 7 in which the spout 73 is free to mate with the sleeve 59.

Awire cable 77 is attached to one end to the sleeve 70 and then passes through a conduit 78 on the tanker to a handle 79 which, in the position shown in Figure 7, is retracted within a tube 80.

After the tanker has been filled, the driver of a tractor towing the tanker, without leaving his seat, can pull on the handle 79 to withdraw it from the tube 80. This applies tension to the cable 77 and pulls the pipe 70 down into the position shown in Figure 6, in which the tanker will operate normally, any slurry pumped out of the tanker passing through the spout 73, through the pipe 70 (which in this position forms a continuation of the spout) and on to the deflector plate to be spread over a wide area.

When the handle 79 has been withdrawn, a spring loaded ratchet tooth 81 emerges from the handle to engage against the end of the tube 80 and hence prevent the handle from being returned within the tube 80 until the spring loaded ratchet tooth is depressed.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. The coupling devices may for examples be portable, for example by applying wheels such as those shown at 82 in Figures 4 and 5.

The sleeve of Figures 1 to 3 may be spring loaded upwardly with respect to the plates 18.

Instead of the movement of the deflector plate 32 of Figures 1 to 3 being controlled totally by a spring, the deflector plate may be provided with a catch mechanism whih normally maintains the plate in the position shown in Figure 1, but which, when the tanker backs towards the coupling device, is tripped by a trip mechanism on the coupling device, causing the deflector plate to move clear of the end of the spout 31. The arrangement may be such that as the tanker moves away again, the catch mechanism is re-engaged to retain the deflector plate in the position shown in Figure 1 once again.

Claims (24)

1. A coupling device arranged for connection to a reservoir of slurry or like material, the device being such that when a pressure tanker having a valve controlled rear opening is backed up to the coupling device, the coupling device automatically seals on to the valve controlled rear opening so that after the valve has been opened, slurry or like material can be sucked out of the reservoir and into the tanker.

2. Acoupling device as claimed in Claim 1,for use with a tanker having a rearwardly projecting spout, the coupling device comprising a sleeve having a flared mouth to sealingly mate with the spout.

3. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the sleeve has an outwardly flared mouth, so that the spout is received within the sleeve.

4. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the sleeve is flared inwardly, so that it mates within the spout.

5. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, including a sealing ring forming seal between the spout and the sleeve.

6. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the sleeve is mounted on a support device.

7. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, in which the sleeve is spring loaded in the direction opposite to the direction of approach of the tanker so that as the spout engages the sleeve, the sleeve is forced back against the spring action to the provide sealing pressure between the sleeve and the spout.

8. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7, in which the sleeve is mounted for limited vertical movement to accommodate changes in vertical position of the spout, and hence the sleeve, as the tanker is loaded.

9. A coupling device as caimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8, in which the sleeve is provided with one or more projections which are guided for vertical movement in a track provided on a carriage device, the carriage device being mounted on a support device for fore and aft movement for the approach direction of the tanker.

10. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 9, in which the carriage device comprises a pair of plates arranged one at each side of the sleeve, each plate having at least one vertically extending slot therein, each slot receiving at least one peg projecting from the sleeve.

11. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 8, in which the sleeve is mounted at one end of a boom which is pivotally mounted to permit vertical movement of the free end of the boom.

12. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 11, in which the boom is also mounted for pivotal move ment in the horizontal direction, so that the sleeve can move sideways sufficiently to mate with the valve controlled outlet of the tanker even if the tanker has not been positioned exactly centrally of the coupling device.

13. A coupling device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 12, in which the sleeve is provided with a pipe for connection to a source of slurry.

14. A coupling device as claimed in Claim 13, in which the pipe is detachable.

15. A coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with wheel stops to engage the wheels of the tanker and hence limit the movement of the tanker towards the coupling device.

16. A coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, for use with a tanker having a deflector plate at the spout outlet, for use in deflecting expelled slurry over a wide area, the coupling device comprising means for automatically moving the deflector plate to expose the spout.

17. A coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a pressure tanker.

18. A coupling device constructed and arranged substantially as described herein, with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

19. An adaptor device for connection to the valve controlled rear opening of a pressure tanker, the adaptor device adapting the tanker for use with a coupling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

20. An adaptor device as claimed in Claim 19, comprising a removable deflector plate.

21. An adaptor device as claimed in Claim 20, comprising a short length of pipe having a deflector plate at one end, the other end being connectable to the rearwardly projecting spout on the tanker such that in one position the pipe forms an extension of the spout so that the tanker can be used in the conventional manner, and a second position in which the spout is exposed for connections to the coupling device.

22. An adaptor device as claimed in Claim 21, in which the pipe is pivotally connectable to the spout.

23. A adaptor device as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, spring loaded in the second position, a cable or linkage control device being provided for holding the adaptor device in the one position, against the action of the spring loading.

24. An adaptor device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.