Patent GB-1203327-A (GB)
Title: Automatic bottom loading of fluid products into a tanker
Inventor: TILLEY FREDERICK HERBERT
IPC: B67D7/00
Filed: 1968-01-29
Abstract: 1,203,327. Loading tankers. TARMAC CIVIL ENG. Ltd. 13 Jan., 1969 [29 Jan., 1968], No. 4585/68. Heading B8E. [Also in Division F2] In the automatic bottom loading of fluids into a rail or road tanker T, a tubular loading lance 2, which is moved automatically into engagement with and locked by rotary action to the rotary plug of a tapered plug cock 1 located on the tanker, carries an earthing probe 19 which is a push-fit in an earthing socket 8 mounted on the tanker to ensure that filling of the tanker cannot take place until a satisfactory earth connection is made. The lance comprises inner and outer tubes 21 and 2 respectively, the inner tube mounting a lever 41 for rotating the lance and guide vanes for transmitting rotation of the inner tube to the outer tube whilst permitting telescopic movements therebetween. The outer tube is provided with a piston 44 sliding in an outer casing 12 having pneumatic supply lines for extending the lance nose into engagement with the plug of the cock. The nose of the lance has a bayonet slot for locking engagement with a cross-bar 3 of the plug, Fig. 2 (not shown), on rotation of the lance. Continued lance rotation rotates the plug and permits fluid to be loaded into the tanker. The earthing probe comprises telescopic tubes 19 and 24, the latter being mounted on the lance casing. The nose of the probe is supported on the lance by a guide plate 20 with a compression and torsion spring 21 acting between the guide plate and a reaction plate carried by the lance so that the probe may engage the socket prior to the lance nose being locked to the plug cock whilst permitting further extension and rotation of the lance. The lance is carried by a rail - mounted carriage 28 on trunnions 16 at one end of the lance, which are mounted in a vertical slide between bellows or pneumatic jacks 17, 18, and on an intermediate pneumatic jack 39 to permit the lance nose to orient itself to the plug cock socket before and during loading and to permit the lance to move to a self-draining position after filling operations have been complete. To effect loading, the tanker is moved on railtrack section 30 mounted on load cells 31, and a scanner 32 locates the carriage carrying a number of lances to bring the appropriate lance in alignment with the tanker plug cock by centering on an alignment mark 36, Fig. 8 (not shown), and code mark on the tanker identification plate. The probe and lance are then moved into the relevant socket and plug and the plug rotated on rotation of the lance. The probe carries air or electric lines 26 for actuating digital counters 9 mounted on the tanker, and pulses are initially sent from a central computer system down the lines to clear the counters. The central computer system then feeds the requisite quantity of the desired fluid into the tanker and records the type and quantity of the fluid loaded on the counters by appropriate signals sent along lines 26. When the required quantity has been loaded, a metered valve V, Fig. 9 (not shown), and delivery pump are shut off, and the lance and probe dis-engaged thereby closing the plug cock of the tanker and permitting non-return valves in the earth socket to close and seal the counters 9. Retraction and draining of the lance is finally effected by lowering the lance nose. Prior to disconnection of the lance, an air pressure pulse may be passed through the lance to force the last portion of fluid in the loading lance into the tank. The whole loading system may be automatic and computerized.