An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism associated within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring or gas spring, connected to one end of a cable. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a non-circular pulley mounted to the container body, so that the cable is wound around the pulley as the arm pivots relative to the container body. As the arm pivots in a stowed direction, energy is stored by the compressible element, and releasing the stored energy causes the arm to pivot toward an extended or deployed position.

A system for remotely opening an access hatch of storage tank includes an elongate arm having a proximal end configured to be operatively coupled to a lid of the access hatch and a distal end extendable past an outer perimeter of the storage tank, and a pull cable attached to the arm at the distal end and being extendable toward a ground surrounding the storage tank. Pulling on the pull cable releases a latch that secures the lid to a base of the access hatch and allows the lid to pivot from a closed position to an open position.

An automated top door system is provided for selectively closing and opening a cargo container for top loading of cargo. The top door system includes: a door panel, a rotary actuator driven by a motor, and a coupling means connecting the door panel and the rotary actuator. The door panel is a self-supporting structural lightweight door panel, and the coupling means, which is a separate part or is part of said door panel, is configured to provide rotational movement of the door panel around a rotational axis of the rotary actuator, in response to the rotary movement provided by the rotary actuator, when in use. A top-loadable cargo container includes an automated top door system; and uses of the automated top door system in transport vehicles.

An automated top door system is provided for selectively closing and opening a cargo container for top loading of cargo. The top door system includes: a door panel, a rotary actuator driven by a motor, and a coupling means connecting the door panel and the rotary actuator. The door panel is a self-supporting structural lightweight door panel, and the coupling means, which is a separate part or is part of said door panel, is configured to provide rotational movement of the door panel around a rotational axis of the rotary actuator, in response to the rotary movement provided by the rotary actuator, when in use. A top-loadable cargo container includes an automated top door system; and uses of the automated top door system in transport vehicles.

Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

A receptacle is provided for holding a quantity of solid material. The receptacle includes a container having an open end, and a gate operably connected to the container so as to be rotatable to a closed position structured to prevent solid material from exiting the container through the open end. The gate includes a locking arm mounted thereon. A latching mechanism is operably connected to the container and includes a latch rotatable to a latched orientation structured to contact the locking arm to prevent the gate from being rotated out of the closed position. The locking arm is structured to move rearwardly and upwardly during rotation of the gate out of the closed position. The latch is structured so that contact between the latch and the locking arm when the latch is in the latched orientation prevents rearward and upward movement of the locking arm.

A receptacle is provided for holding a quantity of solid material. The receptacle includes a container having an open end, and a gate operably connected to the container so as to be rotatable to a closed position structured to prevent solid material from exiting the container through the open end. The gate includes a locking arm mounted thereon. A latching mechanism is operably connected to the container and includes a latch rotatable to a latched orientation structured to contact the locking arm to prevent the gate from being rotated out of the closed position. The locking arm is structured to move rearwardly and upwardly during rotation of the gate out of the closed position. The latch is structured so that contact between the latch and the locking arm when the latch is in the latched orientation prevents rearward and upward movement of the locking arm.

A storage tank includes a floor, a roof, a sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, an access hatch provided on the roof and having a base, a lid pivotably coupled to the base, and a latch configured to secure the lid to the base in a closed position, and a system for remotely opening and closing the access hatch. The system includes an elongate arm having a proximal end operatively coupled to the lid, a pull cable attached to a distal end of the elongate arm and extending toward a ground adjacent the storage tank, and a latching cable attached to the latch and extending toward the ground adjacent the storage tank, wherein pulling on the latching cable when the lid is in the closed position actuates the latch to secure the lid to the base in the closed position.

A storage tank includes a floor, a roof, a sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, an access hatch provided on the roof and having a base, a lid pivotably coupled to the base, and a latch configured to secure the lid to the base in a closed position, and a system for remotely opening and closing the access hatch. The system includes an elongate arm having a proximal end operatively coupled to the lid, a pull cable attached to a distal end of the elongate arm and extending toward a ground adjacent the storage tank, and a latching cable attached to the latch and extending toward the ground adjacent the storage tank, wherein pulling on the latching cable when the lid is in the closed position actuates the latch to secure the lid to the base in the closed position.