Abstract Movement of a fluid conduit member into and out of coupling engagement with a fill pipe or manifold of a storage tank is carried out rapidly by means of a power actuated coupling apparatus constructed and arranged to be deck-mounted on a deck surface or platform area of a ship or dock or other fluid-loading facility. The coupling apparatus is especially designed to handle oil loading hose of a relatively large diameter and weight as utilized in connecting a supply depot with an oil tanker storage tank. Included in the coupling apparatus is a hose retaining structure for supporting an end of the oil loading hose above a deck surface in a position of axial alignment with a fill pipe opening. The hose retaining structure is received on a reciprocating carriage mounted on the deck at one side of the fill pipe and adjustable to move the axially aligned end of hose into coupling engagement with the fill pipe. Means are provided in the hose retaining apparatus for releasably engaging an end of the hose as it is brought in over the side of a deck area of a dock or an oil tanker and pulling the end into the position of axial alignment noted.
A coupling apparatus for receiving and guiding an oil loading hose into connected relationship with a fill pipe which is vertically disposed in the deck of an oil tanker and which is formed with a curved upper extremity having a fill aperture lying in a vertical plane in spaced relation to the deck, said coupling apparatus including a carriage mounted for reciprocating travel toward and away from the fill pipe along the said deck of the oil tanker, hose retaining means mounted in the carriage for locating an end of the said oil loading hose in a position of axial alignment with the said fill aperture, power driving means for moving the said carriage and guiding the axial aligned hose end into abutting relation with the curved upper extremity of the fill pipe, and said hose retaining means comprising a rotatable cradle structure and an adjustable jaw mechanism supported in the rotatable cradle for engaging the oil loading hose when in a vertically disposed position at one side of the tanker, means for closing the jaw mechanism around the said hose and means for rotating the cradle structure and jaw mechanism about a horizontal axis of rotation to locate the end of the hose in said position of axial alignment with the fill pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A coupling apparatus for receiving and guiding an oil loading hose into connected relationship with a fill pipe which is vertically disposed in the deck of an oil tanker and which is formed with a curved upper extremity having a fill aperture lying in a vertical plane in spaced relation to the deck, said coupling apparatus including a carriage mounted for reciprocating travel toward and away from the fill pipe along the said deck of the oil tanker, hose retaining means mounted in the carriage for locating an end of the said oil loading hose in a position of axial alignment with the said fill aperture, power driving means for moving the said carriage and guiding the axial aligned hose end into abutting relation with the curved upper extremity of the fill pipe, and said hose retaining means comprising a rotatable cradle structure and an adjustable jaw mechanism supported in the rotatable cradle for engaging the oil loading hose when in a vertically disposed position at one side of the tanker, means for closing the jaw mechanism around the said hose and means for rotating the cradle structure and jaw mechanism about a horizontal axis of rotation to locate the end of the hose in said position of axial alignment with the fill pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for rotating the cradle structure consists in fluid pressure operated cylinders pivotally received in the reciprocating carriage and the means for closing the jaw mechanism consists in fluid pressure actuated cylinders pivotally received on the cradle structure at either side thereof.