Patent Publication Number: US-11661291-B2

Title: Support apparatus for proppant storage containers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/928,784, filed on Oct. 31, 2019. The entire disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates a proppant discharge system for delivering proppant from a bulk storage container, and more particularly relates to a support apparatus configured to locate one or more modular proppant containers in an elevated position, deliver proppant to a feed station and accommodate various functional systems for efficient proppant delivery. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     In the past several years, efforts have been made to improve logistics associated with the transportation, storage and delivery of proppant and other materials used onsite for fracturing operations at an oil/gas well, namely a fracturing site. In any hydraulic fracturing operation, a large amount of such proppant is required. Historically, it was been difficult to effectively transport and store the proppant at the fracturing sites. As a result, efforts have been made to load proppant into a modular container at a sand mine or transload facility, then transport the proppant-filled container to the fracturing site. Once onsite, the proppant-filled containers may be queued up at the fracturing site and proppant dispensed from the containers for use in the fracturing operation. Once emptied, the container may again be queued up at the fracturing site to transported back to the transload facility. Once proppant is material logistics and inventory management systems may be used to provide real-time, accurate information pertaining to the volume/inventory of proppant accessible to a user in a particular region or at a particular location. 
     Proppant conventionally used in fracturing operations must meet strict specification including moisture and turbidity requirements that require post-mining processes such as washing, screening and drying of the mined frac sand. Once so processed, proppant is relatively “slippery” and can be readily conveyed through handling equipment. Recent efforts to improve fracturing operations have focused on minimizing the post-mining processes of the fac sand by easing the specification for a suitable proppant. Therefore, there is a need to provide improved material handling equipment that is capable of conveying proppant having various characteristics. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     A support apparatus for unloading a modular proppant container is disclosed herein. In one aspect the support apparatus includes a frame assembly having a base frame section, a plurality of posts extending upwardly from the base frame section and an upper frame section fastened to the plurality of posts in spaced relationship to the base frame assembly. The upper frame section provides an elevated load surface configured to support the modular proppant container in a position above a ground level. The base frame section includes a recessed region beneath the upper frame section providing a feed station. The support apparatus also includes a chute assembly supported by the frame assembly beneath the elevated load surface. The chute assembly includes a funnel section formed by a wall tapering from an inlet at a top of the wall subjacent to the elevated load surface to an outlet below the inlet, and a chute section extending downwardly from a first end at the outlet of the funnel section to a second end opposite the first end and terminating above the recessed region. The support apparatus further includes a gate actuator having a coupling configured to engage with a gate assembly of the modular proppant container supported on the elevated load surface and a drive mechanism extending between the frame assembly and the coupling to selectively position the coupling for adjusting the gate assembly. 
     In another aspect, the support apparatus a frame assembly includes an upper frame section and a plurality of posts fastened to the upper frame section in spaced relationship and extending downwardly therefrom. The upper frame section provides an elevated load surface configured to support the modular proppant container in a position above a ground level. The support apparatus also includes a chute assembly supported by the frame assembly beneath the elevated load surface. The chute assembly includes a funnel section formed by a wall tapering from an inlet at a top of the wall subjacent to the elevated load surface to an outlet below the inlet, and a chute section extending downwardly from a first end at the outlet of the funnel section to a second end opposite the first end and terminating at a feed station below the elevated surface. The support apparatus further includes a gate actuator including a coupling configured to engage with the gate assembly of a modular proppant container supported on the elevated load surface and a drive mechanism extending between the frame assembly and the coupling to selectively position the coupling for adjusting the gate assembly. The support apparatus further includes an on-board subsystem attached to the frame assembly for operating the support apparatus in a stand-alone mode. The on-board subsystem includes a controller configured to switch between a Sleep Mode in which the on-board subsystem is not operational and consumes little to no power and an On Mode in which the on-board subsystem is fully powered and operational. 
     In another aspect, the support apparatus includes a frame assembly having an upper frame section and a plurality of posts fastened to the upper frame section in spaced relationship and extending downwardly therefrom. The upper frame section includes two longitudinal beams and two cross beams forming a rectangular container bay configured to support the modular proppant container in a position above a ground level. The support apparatus also includes an in-situ weigh station configured to measure the weight of the modular proppant container supported on an elevated surface in the rectangular container bay. The in-situ weigh station includes a scale located at each corner of the rectangular container bay. Each scale has a base plate rigidly attached to the upper frame section and a load cell positioned on top of the base plate. The in-situ weigh station also include a weighing platform having an upper plate resting on top of the load cell at each corner of the rectangular container bay and a rectangular frame extending between the upper plate of adjacent load cells. The in-situ weigh station further includes a load cell processor configured to receive an input data signal from each load cell representing the vertical load between the base plate and the upper plate, compute a total weight on the in-situ weigh station and send an output data signal representing the total weight. The support apparatus further includes a chute assembly supported by the frame assembly beneath the elevated load surface. The chute assembly has a funnel section formed by a wall tapering from an inlet at a top of the wall subjacent to the elevated load surface to an outlet below the inlet and a chute section extending downwardly from a first end at the outlet of the funnel section to a second end opposite the first end and terminating at a feed station below the elevated surface. The support apparatus additional includes a gate actuator having a coupling configured to engage with the gate assembly of a modular proppant container supported on the elevated load surface and a drive mechanism extending between the frame assembly and the coupling to selectively position the coupling for adjusting the gate assembly. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a front-left perspective view showing a support apparatus with a plurality of proppant containers located in an elevated position on the support apparatus; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a frame assembly for the support apparatus with  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  showing details of joint configuration at various locations (A-C) of the frame shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view of the frame shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the frame shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a right elevation of the frame shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a detail view of a diagonal frame member; 
         FIG.  7    is a front perspective view of the support apparatus according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of the support apparatus shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a rear-right side perspective view of the support apparatus shown in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a front-left perspective view of the support apparatus shown in  FIG.  7     
         FIG.  11    is a rear-left perspective view of the support apparatus according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    is a front perspective view of the support apparatus shown in  FIG.  11     
         FIG.  13    illustrates a main control panel with on-board systems of the support apparatus; 
         FIGS.  14 - 15    illustrate a wireless vision subsystem for monitoring the operation of the support apparatus; 
         FIGS.  16 - 17    illustrate an electrical grounding system for the support apparatus; 
         FIGS.  18 - 21    illustrate a weigh scale system for measuring the weight of a proppant container supported on the support apparatus; and 
         FIGS.  22 - 24    illustrate a remote operator console for monitoring and operating the support apparatus. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a plurality of proppant containers  10  are shown supported on a support apparatus  12  in an elevated position above ground level. The proppant containers  10  provide for the bulk storage of proppant or fracturing sand and are readily transportable to and from a well site. A presently preferred embodiment of each proppant container  10  is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,809,381 to Oren et al., which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. As Oren et al. describe therein, each proppant container includes a gate assembly which is selectively positionable between a closed position and an open position for metering proppant sand from the proppant container. 
     The support apparatus  12  includes a frame assembly  14  defining an elevated load surface  16  for the proppant containers  10  and a chute assembly  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 ,  18 . 3  (collectively  18 ) located beneath for each of the proppant containers for directing proppant discharged from the proppant containers to a feed station. The feed station is a target site such as a blender hopper or proppant conveyor assembly for further handling of the proppant in the fracturing operation. One skilled in the art should recognize that the support apparatus  12  as described herein may be configured for one or more modular proppant containers. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the support apparatus  12  is configured with three bays or sections  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2 ,  12 . 3  for supporting three proppant containers  10 . 1 ,  10 . 2 ,  10 . 3  and therefore include three chute assemblies  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 ,  18 . 3 . 
     The support apparatus  12  also includes various on-board subsystems  20  associated with the frame assembly  14 . The on-board subsystems  20  may include power supply subsystem having solar panels and/or battery banks as well as power conditioning circuitry for electrically powering the support apparatus, a hydraulic subsystem having a hydraulic pump, a fluid storage tank and a hydraulic for manipulating components of the support apparatus, and a vision subsystem for remotely monitoring the operational state of the support apparatus. These on-board subsystem also include subsystem controllers for operating the on-board subsystems  20  of the support apparatus  12 . These on-board subsystems  20 , which will be described in greater detail below, enable the support apparatus  12  to be used in a stand-alone or self-sufficient mode of operation that does not require separate or remote utilities such as an external power supply or external pneumatic or hydraulic power source. In this way, the support apparatus  12  physically supports modular containers for discharging proppant to a feed station and also operationally supports the functions of the process by providing electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic power for the support apparatus  12 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  2 - 6   , the frame assembly  14  is fabricated using tubular steel members including vertical posts  30 , longitudinal beams  32  and cross beams  34  welded together in a three-dimensional rectangular configuration. Diagonal beams  36  extend between the vertical posts  30  and the upper longitudinal beams  32 . 1 ,  32 . 2 ,  32 . 3  (collectively referred to as  32 ) as well as the vertical posts  30  and the upper cross beams  34 . 1 ,  34 . 2 ,  34 . 3  (collectively referred to as  34 ) to enhance the rigidity of the frame assembly  14  by triangulating the joints between these tubular steel members. 
     An upper frame section includes upper longitudinal beams  32  and the upper cross beams  34  providing the elevated load surface  16  for supporting the proppant containers  10 . The lower longitudinal beams  32  and lower cross beams  34  define a base frame section or simply base  38  of the frame assembly  14 . The right and left bays  12 . 1 ,  12 . 3  include a pair of intermediate longitudinal beams  40   l  extending between the lower cross beams  34  to provide additional floor support at the base of the support apparatus  12 . As illustrated in the figures, the middle bay  12 . 2  includes a pair of intermediate cross beam  40  secured to a top surface of the lower longitudinal beams  32 . 2  and extending therebetween. The intermediate cross beams  40   c  are configured to receive a pair of forks extending from a fork lift vehicle for lifting and locating the support apparatus  12  at a well site. In another embodiment, the intermediate cross beams  40   c  may be secured to a bottom surface of the upper longitudinal beams  32 . 2  in the middle bay  12 . 2 . A sheet material  42  may be fastened to the base  38  on the top of the beams  32 ,  34 ,  40   l ,  40   c  forming a floor of the support apparatus  12 . As best seen in  FIG.  3   , the longitudinal beam  32 . 2  of the middle bay  12 . 2  is located inboard relative to the longitudinal beams  32 . 1 ,  32 . 3  of the right and left bays  12 . 1 ,  12 . 3  to provide a cut-out or recessed region  44  in the frame assembly  14 . This recessed region  44  is configured to receive a hopper for fracturing equipment such as a blender or similar equipment (not shown). In this regard, the recessed region provides a feed station for proppant being discharged from the proppant containers  10 . In other words, the frame assembly  14  has a recessed region  44  formed therein so that the support structure can be located at least partially above the feed station. 
     The frame assembly  14  may optionally include additional structural elements such as tabs  46  shown in detail  2 A and  2 B for attached items like sheet material  42  to the beams  32 ,  34  or cross members  48  to provide additional rigidity and/or attachment locations for the on-board subsystems  20  of the support apparatus  12 . As illustrated in the figures, the sheet material  42  is a metal flooring grid, however one skilled in the art will appreciate that the sheet material  42  may be formed with other materials such as a plastic or composite material and/or be configured in a manner other than a flooring grid such as a diamond plate or other anti-slip sheet material. As presently preferred, the frame assembly  14  further includes a pair of outriggers  50  extending from one of the lower longitudinal beams  32  beyond the base  36 . For example, as best seen in  FIGS.  8 - 9   , the outriggers  50  extend from the rear lower longitudinal rail of right and left bays  12 . 1 ,  12 . 3 . A leveling jack  52  is disposed at the end of each outrigger  50  and has a height adjustable foot  54  that can be positioned to stabilize and level the frame assembly in a stationary position. As illustrated, the leveling jacks  52  is hand operated to raising and lowering the foot  54  relative to the outrigger  50 . One skilled in the art should, however, recognize that the leveling jack may be motorized or hydraulically actuated for raising and lowering the foot  54 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  7 - 10   , the chute assembly  18  and the on-board subsystems  20  will be further described. As previously explained, there is a chute assembly  18 . 1 ,  18 . 2 ,  18 . 3  associated with each bay  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2 ,  12 . 3  respectively. The various structure and function of each chute assembly is sufficiently similar that each chute assembly will be described by reference to chute assembly  18 . 1  shown in  FIG.  8   . The chute assembly  18 . 1  includes a funnel section  56 , a chute section  58  and a gate actuator  60 . The funnel section  56  is formed by a wall  62  tapering from an inlet or opening  64  at the top of the wall subjacent to the elevated load surface  16  to an outlet  66  below the inlet  64 . As illustrated, the funnel section  56  forms an inverted, truncated pyramid but may be formed by other similar shapes that provide a funneling function from the inlet to the outlet. The chute section  58  extends downwardly from a first end  68  at the outlet  66  of the funnel section  56  to a second end  70  opposite the first end  68  and terminating above the recessed region  44  of the frame assembly  14 . As illustrated, the chute section  58  includes an upper chute  72  secured to the funnel section and a lower chute  74  slidably supported on the upper chute  72 . An actuator  76 , in the form of a mechanical slide, is operably coupled between the upper and lower chutes  72 ,  74  so that the overall length of the chute section  58  can be adjusted by sliding the lower chute  74  along the longitudinal axis of the upper chute  72 . One skilled in the art should recognize that the actuator  76  may take other forms such as a motor-driven slide, an electric ram, or a hydraulic or pneumatic or electric actuator. In these embodiments, the actuator  76  may include a limit switch for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower chutes  72 ,  74 . 
       FIGS.  11 - 12    illustrate an alternate embodiment of a support apparatus  12 ′ in which the chute section  58 ′ includes a cylindrical upper chute  72 ′ extending from the funnel section  56 ′ at the first end  68 ′ and a truncated conical lower chute  74 ′ extending from the upper chute  72 ′ and terminating at the second end  70 ′. As illustrated, the length of the chute section  58 ′ is not adjustable, but an angular orientation of the chute section  58 ′ relative to the funnel section  56 ′ may be adjustable by providing a bearing or similar rotating interface at the first end  68 ′ between the funnel section  56 ′ and the chute section  58 ′. 
     In some applications, proppant stored in the container  10  and dispensed with the support apparatus  12 ,  12 ′ may have a higher moisture or turbidity than conventional proppant that has been dried in post-mining operations. It may be beneficial to specifically configure the support apparatus for these circumstances. For example, portions of the support apparatus  12 ,  12 ′ may be fabricated using a stainless steel material or plastic for providing a slipperier surface than if fabricated using mild steel. In particular, the funnel section  56 ,  56 ′ and/or the chute section  58 ,  58 ′ may be fabricated from stainless steel or plastic. Alternately and/or additionally, the interior surfaces of these sections may be coated with a low friction coating such as a PTFE or similar non-stick coating for reducing the coefficient of friction of the interior surfaces. 
     Additional features may be used to promote gravity feeding proppant from containers  10  positioned on the support apparatus  12 ,  12 ′ to the feed station. One such feature includes a shaker or vibration mechanism  184  operably coupled between the frame assembly  14 ,  14 ′ and the funnel section  56 ,  56 ′ and/or the chute section  58 ,  58 ′ for gently vibrating these components as proppant discharged from the container  10 . For example, in an embodiment as shown in  FIG.  11   , the vibration mechanism  184  may include one or more actuators  186  operably coupled between the frame assembly  14 ′ and the funnel section  56 ′ for linearly, orbitally or rotationally vibrating the funnel section  56 ′ to shake loose any proppant that may have become lodged or stalled therein. While the vibration mechanism  184  is only illustrated in the center bay of frame assembly  14 ′, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the other bays of frame assembly  14 ′ or frame assembly  14  may be similarly equipped with a vibration mechanism. Likewise, in an embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  11   , an actuator  188  may be operably coupled between the frame assembly  14 ′ and the lower chute section  74 ′ to shake loose any proppant that may have become lodged or stalled therein. While actuator  188  is only illustrated in the center bay of frame assembly  14 , one skilled in the art should appreciate that the other bays of frame assembly  14  or frame assembly  14 ′ may be similarly equipped with a vibration mechanism. Alternately, the actuator  76 , which in reference to  FIGS.  7  and  10    is used to adjust the length of the chute assembly  58 , may also be actuated to vibrate the chute assembly  58  by moving the lower chute  74  relative to the upper chute  72 . Actuators  186 ,  188  may be an electro-mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic component. In such applications, the funnel section  56 ,  56 ′ and/or the chute section  58 ,  58 ′ may be resiliently supported from the frame assembly  14 ,  14 ′ to accommodate relative movement therebetween. The amount of shaking movement required may be determined based on the moisture content, turbidity and mesh size of the proppant being discharged from the support apparatus  12 ,  12 ′. 
     Another such feature may include an aeration mechanism  190  for injecting a quantity of compressed air or similar fluid stream into proppant being discharged from the container  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  12   , one or more air injectors  192  coupled to a source of compressed air  194  may be located adjacent the funnel section  56 ′ and/or in the chute section  58 ′ for transporting proppant being discharged from the container in a fluid stream. In so doing, proppant exiting the container  10  is fluffed up to reduce the density of the transported material thereby reducing the likelihood of clumping or clogging of proppant. Alternately, a feed mechanism  196  may be implemented along the proppant transport path from the container  10  to the feed station. For example, the feed mechanism  196 , represented by the broken line in  FIG.  11    may be configured in the funnel section  56 ′ of the support apparatus  12 ,  12 ′ and/or along the chute section  58 ′. In an embodiment, the feed mechanism  196  is an auger device that moves proppant discharged from the container  10  into and through the funnel section  56 ,  56 ′ and/or though the cute section  58 ,  58 ′ to the feed station. In other embodiments, a conveyor belt, paddle wheel, air stream or similar devices may be implemented for transporting proppant from the funnel section  56 ′ through the chute section  58 ′. While aeration mechanism  190  and the feed mechanism  196  are only illustrated in the center bay of frame assembly  14 ′, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the other bays of frame assembly  14 ′ or frame assembly  14  may be similarly equipped with an aeration mechanism or feed mechanism. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  10 - 11  and  15   , the gate actuator  60  is illustrated. The gate actuator  60  includes a coupling  78  supported on a slide or rail  80  positioned at or adjacent to the elevated load surface  16  extending over the funnel section  56 ,  56 ′. A linear actuator  82  is operably coupled between the frame assembly  14  and the coupling  78 . As best seen in  FIGS.  11  and  15   , the coupling  78  is configured as a receptacle having a slot  84  formed in the top end thereof. The slot  84  receives a pin (not shown) on the gate assembly of a proppant container  10  supported on the elevated load surface. With the gate assembly coupled to the coupling  78 , the actuator  82  functions as a drive mechanism for selectively positioning the coupling  78  (and its received pin) to adjust the gate assembly on the proppant container between the closed and opened position and meter proppant therefrom. 
     As mentioned above, the support apparatus  12  also includes various on-board subsystems  20  attached to the frame assembly  14 . Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 10  and  13   , the support apparatus  12  is provided with power supply system  22  which include two battery banks  86  rigidly secured to the sheet material  42 . The battery banks  86  include one or more batteries and power conditioning (not shown) that is electrically coupled to an electrical service panel  88  on a main control panel  90  supported at an end of the frame  14 . The service panel  88  may be electrically coupled to the electrical components of the support apparatus  12  for providing primary or auxiliary electrical power thereto. With reference now to  FIGS.  16 - 17   , the power supply system  22  also includes an assembly  114  to electrically ground the support apparatus  12 . The assembly  114  includes a grounding reel  116  with a retractable grounding wire  118  electrically connected to the support apparatus  12 . The assembly  114  also includes a portable grounding rod  120  that can be readily pounded into the ground adjacent the support apparatus  12 . A clamp or clip  122  attached to the end of the retractable ground with  118  can be releasably secured to the grounding rod  120  for electrically grounding the support apparatus  12 . 
     The power supply system  22  may further include one or more solar panels  92  with power conditioning  94  electrically coupled to the battery banks  86  and/or the electrical service panel  88  to provide electrical power thereto for charging the battery banks  86  and/or for generating primary or auxiliary power. In one embodiment, the solar panels  92  are positionable with respect to the frame  14  between a stowed position and a deployed position. For example, as seen in  FIG.  9   , the solar panel  92  is pivotally supported along an upper edge  94  on an axle  96  between structural members of the frame  14  such as vertical posts  30  or diagonal beams  35 . One or more supports  98  extend between the solar panel  92  and a lower portion of the frame  14 . The supports  98  are adjustable for moving the solar panels  92  between a stowed position vertically oriented between the vertical posts  30  and a deployed position angularly extending from the frame  14  as shown in the figures. The supports  98  are adjustable to affect this pivoting movement of the solar panels  98 . For example, the supports  98  may be a linear actuator for extending and retracting the length of the support. Alternately, the support  98  may be rotatably supported on the frame  14  and slidably supported on the solar panel  92 . Latch posts  100  extend upwardly from the base  38  and terminate at a latch  102  that cooperates with the solar panel  92  for securing it in the stowed position. Once the latch  102  is released, the support  98 , which in one embodiment is a pneumatic cylinder, may extend to deploy the solar panel  92 . 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the components used to deploy, operate and stow the various components of the support apparatus  12  may be manually adjustable (e.g., height adjustable foot  54 ), mechanically adjustable (e.g., chute actuator  76 ), electrically adjustable, hydraulically adjustable (e.g., gate actuator  82 ) or pneumatically adjustable (e.g., solar panel supports  98 ). When implementing an electrically adjustable component, such as an electrical actuator, it is electrically coupled to the electrical service panel  88  via control devices  104 . 1 ,  104 . 2 , which may be located locally on the main control panel  90  or remotely in a remote operator console  106 . When implementing a hydraulically adjustable component, such as a hydraulic actuator, it is hydraulically coupled to the other components of the hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump  100  in fluid communication with a hydraulic storage tank or sump  112  and a hydraulic system controller  108 . 
     The on-board subsystems  20  may include a vision subsystem  124  configured to visually monitor the state and operational status of the support apparatus  12 . As shown in  FIG.  14   , the vision subsystem  124  includes a camera assembly  126  for monitoring proppant being discharged from the chute assembly  18 . Camera assembly  126  includes a U-shaped support brace  128  extending from the upper chute  72 . 2  of the middle chute assembly  18 . 2 . A camera  130  is secured to the support brace  128  and aimed toward the recessed region  44  in the frame so that the second ends  70  of the lower chutes  74  and a hopper (not shown) positioned in the feed station are within a field of view of the camera  130 . As shown in  FIG.  15   , the vision subsystem  124  also includes a camera assembly  132  for monitoring the position of the gate actuator  60  in each of the container bays. Camera assembly  132  includes a support beam  134  extending between upper cross beams  34 . A camera  136  is secured to the support beam  134  and aimed toward the gate actuator  60  so that the coupling  76  and the end of the linear actuator  82  are within a field of view of camera  136 . In an embodiment, camera  130 ,  136  are weatherproof cameras electrically coupled to the power supply system  22  and configured to capture and wirelessly transmit live video from a low light scene to a remote display  138  (see  FIGS.  23 - 24   ). One skilled in the art will recognize that additional camera assemblies may be deployed on and around the support apparatus  12  to visually monitor the state and operational status of the support apparatus  12 . 
     The on-board subsystems  20  may include an in-situ weigh scale system  140  configured to measure the weight of the containers  10  supported on the support apparatus  12 . As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  18 - 21   , the weigh scale system  140  includes an in-situ weigh station  142 . 1 ,  142 . 2 ,  142 . 3  for each of the container bays  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2 ,  12 . 3 . It will be understood that each of the in-situ weigh stations  142  are substantially the same such that only one weigh station needs to be further described herein. The in-situ weigh station  142  includes four scales  144 , one located at each of the corner of the container bay  12 . With particular reference now to  FIGS.  18 - 21   , each scale  144  includes a lower support or base  146 , a weighing platform  148  and a load cell  150  positioned between the base  146  and the weighing platform  148 . The base  146  includes a base plate  152  rigidly secured between the upper longitudinal beams  32  and upper cross beams  34 , and a gusset plate  154  rigidly secured between the base plate  152  and the vertical post  30 . The load cell  150  is secured to the base plate  152  by bolts or another similar fastening technique. 
     The weighing platform  148  includes an upper plate  154  resting on top of the load cell  150 . A stacking cone  156  may be welded to the top of the upper plate  154  and configured to engage, locate and stabilize a container  10  loaded into the bay. A rectangular frame  158  includes angle iron members  160  having a horizontal flange that extends above the upper longitudinal beams  32  and the cross beams  34  and a vertical flange set inside the upper longitudinal beams  32  and the cross beams  34  between the upper plate  154  of adjacent load cells  150  within a given bay. In this way, the weighing platform  148  floats on top of the four scales  144  within the in-situ weigh station  142 . A retainer extends from the weighing platform  148  and is configured to prevent the upper plate  154  from lifting off of the load cell  150  when a container is removed from the support apparatus  12 . In an embodiment shown in  FIGS.  18 - 19   , the retainer is a J-shaped catch  162  extending downward from the frame  158  beneath the upper longitudinal and cross beams  32 ,  34  to impede any significant upward displacement of the weighing platform  148 . In an embodiment shown in  FIG.  20   , the retainer is a pin  164  extend downwardly from the bottom of the upper plate  154  and through a hole  166  in the base plate  152 . A stop  168  is formed on an end of the pin  164  opposite the upper plate  154  to impede any significant upward displacement of the weighing platform  148 . 
     Each of the load cells  150  in a given weigh station  142  generates a data signal based on the vertical load (i.e., weight) between the base  146  and the weighing platform  148 . These data signals are communicated to a load cell processor  170  in a junction box  172  that computes a total weight on a given weigh station  142 , which may be displayed locally at the weigh station  142  or communicated to a remote digital readout  174  (see  FIGS.  23 - 24   ). 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  22 - 24   , the support apparatus  12  may include a remote operator console  106  which is in wired and/or wireless communications with the other subsystems  20  previously described. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  22 - 24   , the remote operator console  106  includes a wheeled stand or dolly  176  supporting an enclosure  178  having a hood  180 . An umbilical cord  182  extends from the console  106  to the support apparatus  12  and may include electrical cords for providing electrical power to the enclosure  178  and/or data transmission cords for communicating data signals and control signal between the support apparatus  12  and the remote console  106 . As shown in  FIGS.  23 - 24   , the remote console includes a video display  138  for the vision subsystem  124 , the remote digital readout  174  for the weigh scale system  140 , a tablet  104 . 2  configured to remotely control the hydraulic system controller  108  and an onboard power supply  176 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the remote operator console may be equipped with additional systems used in the support of proppant delivery to a target site at a fracturing operation such as a radio for providing two-way communication, a laptop computer or other local computing device. 
     When deployed for a fracturing operation near an oil well site, the support apparatus  12  provides an efficient means for establishing the necessary infrastructure to deliver proppant to a hopper in the feed station. In this regard, the support apparatus  12  is located in a predetermined location using a field transport vehicle such as a fork lift truck. Specifically, the support apparatus  12  may be transported to the well site using conventional means such as a rail car or flatbed trailer-truck. The forks of the fork lift truck are positioned into cross beams  38  and the support apparatus  12  is removed and placed at the predetermined location. For example, the support apparatus  12  may be placed next to a blender apparatus such that the blender hopper (not shown) is located in the recessed region  44  of the frame  14 . Next the support apparatus  12  may be stabilized by extending the feet  54  from the leveling jacks  52  at the end of the outriggers  50  to level the support apparatus  12 . The chutes  18  are then positioned so that the second end  72  of the chute section  58  is above the blender hopper. The solar panels  92  may also be moved from the stowed position to the deployed position and the on-board subsystems  20  powered up and tested for proper functioning. 
     Once so positioned, the field transport vehicle may be used to retrieve a proppant container  10  and locate it on the elevated load surface  18  such that the pin of a gate assembly is received in the coupling  78 . Additional proppant containers  10  may be retrieved and located on the elevated load surface  18  until all the bays of the support apparatus  12  are occupied. The gate actuator  60  is remotely operated to selectively position the gate assembly for each proppant container  10 . Proppant for each container  10  is gravity-fed through the chute assembly  58  for delivery to the blender hopper. When a proppant container  10  has emptied all of the proppant stored therein, the empty proppant container  10  may be removed from the support apparatus  12  and replaced with a filled proppant container  10 . 
     Because the support apparatus  12  can be operated in a stand-alone mode, the various controllers associated with the on-board subsystems  20  can be configured to reduce power consumption by switching between a “SLEEP” mode in which subsystems are not operational and consume little to no power and an “ON” mode in which the subsystems are fully powered and operational. For example, the hydraulic system and particularly the hydraulic pump  100  consumes a significant amount of power when fully powered and operational. As such, the hydraulic system controller  108  may be configured go into SLEEP mode by shutting down the hydraulic pump  100  when hydraulic pressure is not needed to operate a hydraulic component. Once a control signal is received to operate a hydraulic component, for example when manipulation of the gate actuator  60  is requested, the hydraulic system controller  108  switches to the ON mode and turns on the hydraulic pump  100  to provide hydraulic pressure for operating the hydraulic component. In this way, the hydraulic system may be instantaneously activated to provide on-demand hydraulics, while conserving power when hydraulics are not needed. A similar on-demand activation may be implemented for other subsystems associated with the support apparatus  10 . 
     Various embodiments and methods have been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should, however, be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.