Patent ID: 7055440
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker, the tanker having a shell defining a chamber which receives transportable materials; the manhole cover comprising: a hollow neck having a side wall defining an opening and at least one locking member operatively mounted to said side wall to be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a cover pivotable about an axis of rotation between a closed position in which said cover closes said hollow neck and an opened position in which said cover is substantially clear of said neck opening; said cover including at least one radially extending locking flange positioned on said cover to be aligned with said neck locking member when said cover is in its closed position; a cover actuator operatively connected to said cover to move said cover between its opened and closed positions; a lock actuator operatively connected to said at least one locking member to move said locking member between its locked position in which said locking member engages said cover locking flange and its unlocked position in which said locking member is clear of said cover locking flange; a cover activator which, when energized, causes said cover actuator to move said cover between its opened and closed positions; a lock activator which, when energized, causes said lock actuator to move said at least one locking member between its locked and unlocked positions; and, a controller in communication with said cover activator and said lock activator and receiving communication from said cover actuator and said lock actuator denoting positions of the same; said controller energizing said cover activator separately from said lock activator and in sequence to move said cover between its opened and closed positions and to move said locking member between its locked and unlocked positions, and said controller having one or more lights indicating whether said cover is in an opened or closed position.