Rectangular pump attachment interface providing a portable fixed link between a pump line coupled to a mobile tank and a line disposed in a reservoir

Abstract

A portable and relocateable pump attachment interface provides a fixed link between a first line in communication with a fluid reservoir, and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pump of a pump truck. The interface includes an interface body that supports a fixed conduit entirely above ground. The front end of the conduit is for coupling to the first line, and the back end of the conduit is for coupling to the second line. The interface body has a fitting access space and a spill containment catch basin disposed under the fitting access space, and the second end of the conduit is located within the fitting access space and over the spill containment basin to catch any spillage from the second line when it is coupled to and uncoupled from the conduit. The interface body can be a concrete block, or be molded plastic filled with sand or water and is massive enough to substantially isolate line one from line 2. A metal conduit cover controls access to the front end of the conduit by enclosing the fixture access space.

Claims

1. A portable pump attachment interface for providing a fixed link between a first line having a remote end that is in direct communication with a fluid reservoir and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pumping mechanism, the interface comprising: an interface body having a substantially rectangular shape and having a bottom surface for resting upon a top surface of the ground; a conduit supported by the interface body to elevate and support the entire conduit above the ground, a back end of the conduit configured to be detachably coupled to the first line, and a front end of the conduit configured to be detachably coupled to the second line; and a spill containment catch basin formed below and in communication with a fitting access space, the fitting access space being formed within a top surface of the interface body, the front end of the conduit being disposed over the spill containment catch basin and disposed within the fitting access space, wherein the interface body is configured to be portably relocated from one location to another, while having sufficient mass by which to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line that would otherwise be of sufficient magnitude to reach the remote end, the substantial isolation being provided when the lines are attached to the conduit and the interface body is resting freely upon the top surface of the ground.

2. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the interface body is made of solid concrete.

3. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 further comprising a vacuum mechanism coupled between the conduit and the catch basin for removing spillage from the catch basin.

4. The pump attachment interface of claim 3 wherein the vacuum mechanism includes a vacuum valve coupled between the conduit and a vacuum line disposed in the catch basin, the flow of liquid through the conduit causing a vacuum within the vacuum line when the vacuum valve is open.

5. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the conduit is angled and supported by a sloping surface within a conduit space integrally formed within the sloping surface so that the front end of the conduit is at a higher level above the ground than the back end of the conduit.

6. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the interface body is made of hollow molded plastic and is configured to be filled with a weighting material to establish the sufficient mass.

7. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the conduit is substantially straight and supported by a conduit channel formed within the top surface of the interface body so that the front end of the conduit is at substantially the same height above the ground as the back end of the conduit.

8. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the spill containment catch basin is integrally formed with the interface body.

9. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 further comprising a conduit cover that encloses the fitting access space when closed.

10. The pump attachment interface of claim 9 wherein the conduit cover includes a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the fitting access space and the front end of the conduit.

11. The pump attachment interface of claim 10 wherein the conduit cover includes a hinge between a first and a second plate, the first plate and second plate capable of being hingedly opened independently of the other.

12. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the interface body includes lift channels for receiving fork lift blades on each side of the interface body.

13. The pump attachment interface of claim 1 wherein a front end surface of the interface body includes at least one recess for receiving a bollard that is disposed in the ground upon which the bottom surface of the interface body rests, to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line.

14. A portable pump attachment interface for providing a fixed link between a first line in communication with a fluid reservoir and a second line in communication with a mobile storage tank via a pumping mechanism, the interface comprising: an interface body having a substantially rectangular shape and having a bottom surface for resting upon the ground; a conduit supported by the interface body to elevate and support the entire conduit above the ground, a back end of the conduit configured to be coupled to the first line, and a front end of the conduit configured to be coupled to the second line, the conduit being disposed in a conduit space that is integrally formed within the interface body, the conduit space in communication with a fitting access space integrally formed in a top surface of the interface body; a spill containment catch basin integrally formed within the interface body and disposed under the fitting access space, the front end of the conduit being disposed over the spill containment catch basin and within the fitting access space; and a cover having a front plate, a guard plate and back plate, the cover fixedly attached to the top surface of the interface body at a hinge point between the front and back plates, the front plate and guard plate for completely covering the fixture access space, wherein the interface body is of sufficient weight by which to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line.

15. The pump attachment interface of claim 14 wherein the interface body is made of hollow molded plastic and is configured to be filled with a weighting material such that the interface body has sufficient weight to substantially isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line.

16. The pump attachment interface of claim 15 wherein a front end surface of the interface body includes at least one recess for receiving a bollard that is disposed in the ground upon which the bottom surface of the interface body rests to further isolate the first line from pulling forces exerted on the second line.

17. The pump attachment interface of claim 16 wherein the interface body has a first plug through which the weighting material may be introduced into the interface body, and a second plug through which the weighting material may be removed from the interface body.

18. The pump attachment interface of claim 14 further comprising a vacuum mechanism coupled between the conduit and the catch basin for removing spillage from the catch basin, the vacuum mechanism including a vacuum valve coupled between the conduit and a vacuum line disposed in the catch basin, the flow of liquid through the conduit causing a vacuum within the vacuum line when the vacuum valve is open.

19. The pump attachment interface of claim 14 wherein the conduit is angled and supported by a sloping surface within the conduit space so that the front end of the conduit is at a higher level above the ground than the back end of the conduit.

20. The pump attachment interface of claim 14 wherein the conduit is substantially straight and the conduit space is a conduit channel formed within the top surface of the interface body so that the front end of the conduit is at substantially the same height above the ground as the back end of the conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be more fully understood with reference to the Detailed Description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a pond or drill pit having one end of a line disposed therein, a first embodiment of the invention providing a fixed link thereto coupled to the other end of the line, and further providing a coupling to a pump line of a pump truck;

(3) FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a pond or drill pit having one end of a line disposed therein, a second embodiment of the invention providing a fixed link thereto coupled to the other end of the line, and further providing a coupling to a pump line of a pump truck;

(4) FIG. 2A is an oblique view of the front end of an embodiment of the invention when it is closed and locked up;

(5) FIG. 2B is an oblique view of the back end of an embodiment of the invention when it is closed and locked up;

(6) FIG. 3A is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 3B is a plan view of the top of the first embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIG. 3C is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention as viewed from the perspective of a pump truck operator;

(9) FIG. 3D is a backside view of the first embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 3E is a plan view of the bottom surface of an embodiment of the invention;

(11) FIG. 4A is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention;

(12) FIG. 4B is a plan view of the top of the second embodiment of the invention;

(13) FIG. 4C is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention as viewed from the perspective of a pump truck operator;

(14) FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a pump truck backing up to an embodiment of the invention that is closed and locked; and

(15) FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a pump truck that has been coupled to an embodiment of the invention that has been unlocked and opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1A illustrates a typical environment in which a first embodiment of the pump attachment interface 300 might be deployed. A cross-sectional view of a pond or drill pit 102 is shown, containing water 110 and covered by protective net 108 as supported by support members 112. Pond or drill pit 102 has a protective liner 106 that lines the bottom of drill pit 102 to prevent the water 110 from escaping into the ground. One end of a first line 104 is semi-permanently disposed through the netting (not shown) and into the pit 102, the other end being coupled to a back end 310 of a conduit 306 of the portable attachment interface 300 at coupling 308.

(17) In an embodiment, the conduit 306 is shown supported by a substantially horizontal elevated surface of interface body 304. The front end 312 of conduit 306 is shown having a coupling 314 disposed above a spill containment catch basin 302. Attachment interface 300 rests upon the surface of the ground 100, and is easily elevated for relocation using a fork lift and lift channels 321.

(18) A second line, pump line 103 of pump truck 101, is coupled to the upper coupling 314 of the fixed link of the invention 300. The pump line 103 is typically connected to tank 105 of pump truck 101 through a pumping mechanism (not shown). Water 110 can be pumped from the drill pit 102 and into tank 105 of pump truck 101, or from the tank 105 and back into drill pit 102, all through the fixed link of the invention 300.

(19) FIG. 1B illustrates the same environment as FIG. 1A, in which a second embodiment of the pump attachment interface 400 might be deployed. One end of a first line 104 is semi-permanently disposed through the netting 108 and into the pit 102, the other end being coupled to a back end 410 of a conduit 406 of the portable attachment interface 400 at coupling 408. In an embodiment, the conduit 406 is shown supported by a sloped surface internal to interface body 404. The front end 412 of conduit 306 is elevated by the sloped surface to a level substantially above the back end 410 and is shown having a coupling 414 disposed above a spill containment catch basin 402. The sloped surface of the interface body 404 stops before reaching the ground, thereby elevating the back end 410, and coupling 408 of the conduit 406 off of the ground 100 as well. Attachment interface 400 is completely above and resting on ground 100, and is easily lifted therefrom for relocation by way of lift channels 421.

(20) FIG. 2A is a view showing an oblique view of the front of attachment interface 300 when it is in a closed and locked configuration. Those of skill in the art will recognize that attachment interface 300 will have the same appearance as for attachment interface 400 from this perspective. Access to the front end 312 of conduit 306 is completely prevented by conduit cover 350, which can be locked using any known locking mechanism 358, such as a keyed entry, a combination entry, padlock or the like. Those of skill in the art will recognize that that any well-known locking mechanism can be used in combination with cover 350 to prevent unauthorized access to the front end 312 of conduit 306. Conduit cover 350 may be made of any appropriate material, including metal such as stainless steel or non-corrosive aluminum. It can be fixedly secured to the top surface 334 of interface body 304 at hinge point 356

(21) In an embodiment, the conduit 306 is shown supported by a substantially horizontal elevated surface of interface body 304. The front end 312 of conduit 306 is shown having a coupling 314 disposed above a spill containment catch basin 302. The sloped conduit channel 320 of the interface body 304 stops before reaching the ground, thereby elevating conduit 306 off of the ground 100 as well. Attachment interface 300 rests upon the surface of the ground 100, and is easily elevated for relocation using a fork lift and lift channels 321.

(22) FIG. 2B is a view showing an oblique view of the back of attachment interface 300 when it is in a closed and locked configuration. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the back of attachment interface 300 will have the same appearance as for the back of attachment interface 400 from this perspective, except that the exit opening for the coupling 408 at the back end 412 of conduit 406 from the back surface of interface body 404 will be at a lower point above ground 100 than that of interface body 304 of the first embodiment attachment interface 300. Strap 370 can be attached to the back surface 332 of interface body 304 and coupled to the back end 310 of conduit 306 to hold conduit 306 in place. The back half of conduit 306 is covered by back plate 354 of conduit cover 350. FIG. 2B shows a check valve coupling 500, which can prevent the back-flow of water through conduit 306 in the event that the line a failure occurs that would otherwise cause such back-flow to occur. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other such devices can also be used, such as a back-flow preventer, and the like.

(23) FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a side view of the first embodiment of the invention 300. Various internal components have been revealed in this view for illustrative purposes. Interface body 304 has a substantially horizontal surface formed by channel 320 that can be rounded to fit conduit 306. In an embodiment, the interface body 304 can be a cement block consisting of approximately one cubic yard of six sack concrete with fibermesh and can weigh approximately 3400 pounds. The weight and mass of the attachment interface 300 therefore provides a stable platform that can serve to isolate the semi-permanently disposed first line 104 (FIG. 1) from being pulled by the operator or the operator's truck. Attachment interface 300 therefore also provides a stable and elevated target for the pump truck operator to back up to. The front end 312 of the conduit 306 is also at a height that provides easy access to the operator.

(24) In an alternate embodiment, the interface body 304 can be made of a substantially non-reactive molded plastic or other suitable material that is corrosion resistant or substantially non-reactive. Because plastic does not provide the weight of concrete, the interface body 304 of such an embodiment can be hollow and filled with a weighting material such as water, sand, or any other suitable material by which to provide sufficient weight for stability of the attachment interface 300. In an embodiment, a fill plug 380a, FIG. 3D can be located in the top surface 334 that can be opened and used to introduce the weighting material interface to the body 304. A drain plug 380b, FIG. 3D located near the bottom of the interface body can be opened to drain the weighting material from the interface body 304 to make it easier to move. It will be obvious to those of skill in the art that additional plugs or other well-known means can be employed to fill and drain the interface body 304 of suitable weighting material.

(25) Conduit 306 is at least partially supported by the horizontal channel surface 320 and can be secured thereto by strap 370. In an embodiment, the conduit 306 can be disposed inside of channel 320 such that the conduit 306 is substantially recessed inside of channel 320 as illustrated. This permits the back plate 354 to completely cover conduit 306 and lie flush and even with top surface 334.

(26) In an embodiment, the conduit 306 can be made of a non-corrosive material such as aluminum. The conduit can be of a suitable diameter, such as four inches. In an embodiment, the width of the channel 320 can be just larger than the diameter of conduit 306 so that once conduit 306 is seated within channel 320 through slight deformation of the diameter of the conduit 306, the sides of channel 320 provide additional gripping force to help clamping means 370 retain the conduit 306 in channel 320. Clamping means 370 can be any suitable structure that might be employed to retain conduit 306 within channel 230, including a strap bolted to the back surface 332 of interface body 304 as shown, or brackets, ties, clamps, etc.

(27) In an embodiment, the front end 312 of conduit 306 extends from channel 320 into fitting access space 315 and over a spill containment space 302. Fitting access space 315 is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting 308 to facilitate coupling thereto decoupling therefrom, and allows front plate 352 of cover 350 to be flush and substantially even with top surface 334 when closed. Guard plate 356 extends perpendicularly to the front surface 330 from front plate 352 by a distance that is substantially equal to the depth of the fitting access space 315. Guard plate 356 thereby encloses the front of the fitting access space 315 that extends into the front surface 330 of interface body 304.

(28) Spill containment space 302 is integrally formed within interface body 304 and is of sufficient size to either form a spill containment catch basin itself, or to receive a spill containment catch basin component therein (not shown) that can be removably disposed under fitting 314 and within spill containment space 302. Spill containment space/basin 302 is disposed to catch any water that may spill from the pump line 103 as it is coupled and/or decoupled from the fitting 314. A catch basin component can be of any design, such as the Pumpkin spill containment system manufactured by Renegade Oilfield Products, LLC in Beaumont, Tex. Those of skill in the art will recognize that for embodiments where the spill containment space serves as the spill containment basin, it may be lined with a non-reactive material such as aluminum or stainless steel.

(29) A vacuum line 502 is disposed into the catch basin 302 and is coupled to conduit 306 through a control valve 504. A truck operator can open the control valve 504 while pumping water through the conduit 306, into or out of pit 102, to create a vacuum that will vacuum out any spilled water that has been collected into the basin through line 502 and into conduit 306. Thus, spillage of contaminated water into the catch basin 302 can be easily removed without it being necessary to handle the water in any way manually.

(30) FIG. 3B shows a plan view of the top of an embodiment of the pump attachment interface 300. The cover 350 has been removed for convenience of illustrating the components therein. Interface body 304 is shown, having top surface 334. The conduit channel 320 starts at the back surface 332 of the interface body 304 and runs toward the front surface 330, widening into fitting access space 315. The spill containment space/basin 302 is formed within the fitting access space 315. Rebar lifting rings 328 are provided in the top surface 334 so that the attachment interface 300 can be more easily lifted and placed into position by, for example, a fork-lift truck. Concave recesses 322 are integrally formed in interface body 304 by which to receive bollards (600, FIGS. 5A and 5B) that can be installed in the ground at a site to provide additional protection and stability to attachment interface 300.

(31) FIG. 3C is a front view of an embodiment of the pump attachment interface 300 as viewed from the perspective of a pumping truck operator. This view shows a front surface 330 that extends from the ground to the top surface 334, and shows coupling 314 of the upper end 312 of conduit 306 as it would appear to a pump truck operator. The cover 350 (not shown) is unlocked, opened and hingedly rotated away from the top surface 334 to reveal the fitting 314 and the vacuum mechanism that can include vacuum control valve 504 and vacuum line 502. Spill containment space 302 is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting 314.

(32) FIG. 3D shows a backside view of attachment interface 300 that shows the back end 310 of conduit 306, and fitting 308 which is coupled to the line 104 that is disposed in the pit 102. Strap 370 is bolted to the back surface 332 and holds the conduit in place. Cover 350 is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

(33) FIG. 3E shows the bottom surface 338 of interface body 304. Lift channels 321 are integrally formed in bottom surface 338 to facilitate lifting of the attachment interface, such as by fork lift from all sides of the interface body. The lifting channels are dimensioned to receive standard sizes of fork lift blades.

(34) FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a side view of the second embodiment of the invention 400 (FIG. 1B). Interface body 404 has two side surfaces 436, a back surface 432, a top surface 434, a front surface (not shown). A conduit space 420 is formed integrally therein that has a width that is just slightly wider than the diameter of conduit 406 and extends from approximately where the conduit becomes horizontal at the front end 412, to approximately where the conduit 406 becomes horizontal and exits the back surface 432 of the interface body 404. The conduit space can be substantially rectangular in shape, or it can follow the angle of the conduit 406 as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A.

(35) In an embodiment, the interface body 404 can be a cement block consisting of approximately 1 cubic yard of six sack concrete with fibermesh and can weigh approximately 3300 pounds. The weight and mass of the attachment interface 400 therefore provides a stable platform that can serve to isolate the semi-permanently disposed first line 104 (FIG. 1) from being pulled by the operator or the operator's truck. Attachment interface 400 therefore also provides a stable and elevated target for the pump truck operator to back up to. The front end 412 of the conduit 406 is also at a height that provides easy access to the operator.

(36) The sloping surface of conduit space 420 can be formed to support conduit 406 and is disposed inside of space 420 such that the conduit 406 is substantially located inside of interface body 404 as illustrated. This permits cover 450 to completely cover conduit 406 and to lie flush with top surface 434. In an embodiment, the conduit 406 can be made of a non-corrosive material such as aluminum. The conduit 406 can be of any suitable diameter, such as four inches for example.

(37) In an embodiment, the width of the channel 420 can be just larger than the diameter of conduit 406 and the interface body 404 can be formed with the conduit 406 positioned therein. Clamping means 470 can be used to provide additional support at the back end 410 of conduit 406 (FIG. 4C). Thus, clamping means 470 can be any suitable structure that can be employed to retain conduit 406 within space 420, including a strap bolted to the back surface 432 of interface body 404, or brackets, ties, clamps, etc.

(38) The benefit of the embodiment of FIG. 4A is that the back end 410 of conduit 406 exits back surface 432 at a lower position above the ground. This will place less stress on the coupling 408 when the line 104 is coupled thereto. As can be seen, the exit point of the back end 410 does not reach all the way to the ground 100, but ends at a point that is just above the ground 100. The exit point is of a height sufficient to elevate the back end 410 of conduit 406 above the ground 100 to make it easy to couple line 104 to fitting 408.

(39) In an embodiment, the conduit 406 can have an elbow bend at an angle substantially equivalent to the angle of the sloping surface of space 420 such that the portion of back end 410 of conduit 406, after the elbow bend, is roughly parallel to the ground 100 as illustrated. This makes adapter fitting 408 more easily accessible for coupling to the first line 104, the other end of which is disposed in a pond or drill pit 102. This also ensures that the coupling is not at or too near the ground 100 upon which the interface body 404 rests.

(40) In an embodiment, the front end 412 of conduit 406 extends from channel 420 into fitting access space 415 and over a spill containment space 402. Fitting access space 415 is deep enough to permit easy access to fitting 408 to facilitate coupling thereto, and allows front plate 452 of cover 450 to be flush and substantially even with top surface 434 when closed. Guard plate 456 is substantially the same length as the depth of the fitting access space 415 to thereby enclose the front of the fitting access space 415.

(41) Spill containment space 402 is of sufficient size to either form a spill containment catch basin itself that is integrally formed within interface body 404, or to receive a spill containment catch component therein (not shown) that can be removably disposed under fitting 414 and within spill containment space 402 to catch any water that may spill from the pump line 103 as it is coupled and/or decoupled from the fitting 414. A catch basin component can be of any design, such as the Pumpkin spill containment system manufactured by Renegade Oilfield Products, LLC in Beaumont, Tex.

(42) A vacuum line 502 is disposed into the catch basin 402 and is coupled to conduit 306 through a control valve 504. A truck operator can open the control valve 504 while pumping water through the conduit 406, into or out of pit 102, to create a vacuum that will vacuum out any water that has been collected into the basin through line 502 and into conduit 406. Thus, spillage of contaminated water into the catch basin 402 can be easily removed without it being necessary to handle the water in any way manually.

(43) FIG. 4B is a plan view of the top of attachment interface 400. The cover 450 has been removed for convenience of illustrating the components therein. Interface body 404 is shown, having top surface 434. The conduit space 420 starts at the back surface 432 of the interface body 404 and runs toward the front surface 430, widening into fitting access space 415. The spill containment space/basin 402 is formed within the fitting access space 415. Rebar lifting rings 428 are provided in the top surface 434 so that the attachment interface 400 can be more easily lifted and placed into position by, for example, a fork-lift truck. Concave recesses 422 are integrally formed in interface body 404 by which to receive bollards (600, FIGS. 5A and 5B) that can be installed in the ground at a site to provide additional protection and stability to attachment interface 400.

(44) FIG. 4C shows a backside view of attachment interface 400 that shows the back end 410 of conduit 406, and fitting 408 which is coupled to the line 104 that is disposed in the pit 102. Strap 470 is bolted to the back surface 432 and holds the conduit 406 in place. Cover 450 is not shown for simplicity of illustration.

(45) It should be noted that the front view of attachment interface 400 is virtually identical to that of attachment interface 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3C. Further, the bottom surface of attachment interface 400 is virtually identical to the bottom surface of attachment interface 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3E.

(46) FIG. 5A shows a scenario where a pump truck is backing up to attachment interface 300, which is closed and locked. Bollards 600 are disposed in the ground 100 and attachment interface body 304 is placed against bollards 600, which are received by concave recesses 322 (hidden, but shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D). It will be appreciated that attachment interface embodiment 400 is completely interchangeable with attachment interface embodiment 300 as shown.

(47) FIG. 5B shows a scenario where a truck operator has opened cover 350 by unlocking the locking mechanism 358, and rotating open front plate 552 and front guard 358 to expose the front end 312 of conduit 306. Pump line 103 is attached to fitting 314. It will be appreciated that attachment interface embodiment 400 is completely interchangeable with attachment interface embodiment 300 as shown.

(48) Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.