Apparatus, system and method for loading and offlloading a bulk fluid tanker

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker. The apparatus to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker includes a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer. Additionally, the apparatus may include a compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank. The compressor may be powered by an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine. The apparatus also include a control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor. In a further embodiment, compressor may also include an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air.

1 . An apparatus to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer;   a compressor disposed within the housing, the compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank;   an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine, the auxiliary power generator configured to supply power to the compressor; and   a control module coupled to one of the compressor and the auxiliary power generator, the control module configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor further comprises an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary diesel engine configured to supply power to the compressor. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary gasoline engine configured to supply power to the compressor. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary power generator is further configured to supply electrical power to one or more auxiliary devices. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the control module further comprises an automatic throttle control configured to monitor a pressure level in the air reservoir tank, and to disengage the compressor and modify a throttle level of the auxiliary power generator in response to the air reservoir tank reaching a predetermined pressure level. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the control module further comprises a regulated line-feed pressure control configured to regulate a pressure level supplied by the air reservoir tank to an air conduit line. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the control module further comprises one or more safety controls configured to release pressure supplied to the air conduit line in response to an emergency event. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control module further comprises one or more monitoring instruments configured to provide status information to an operator. 
   
   
       10 . A system to load and offload a bulk fluid tanker, the system comprising:
 a bulk fluid tank configured to hold up to a predetermined volume of fluid;   a pump coupled to the bulk fluid tank, the pump configured to affect a flow of a fluid conveyed between the bulk fluid tank and an external tank; and   a bulk fluid drive unit configured to couple to at least one of the bulk fluid tank and the pump, the bulk fluid drive unit comprising:
 a housing configured to attach to at least one of a bulk fluid tanker tractor and a bulk fluid tanker trailer; 
 a compressor disposed within the housing, the compressor configured to supply pressurized air for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tank; 
 an auxiliary power generator coupled to the compressor, wherein the auxiliary power generator is independent of a primary tractor engine, the auxiliary power generator configured to supply power to the compressor; and 
 a control module coupled to one of the compressor and the auxiliary power generator, the control module a configured to provide control of the auxiliary power generator and the compressor. 
   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the compressor further comprises an air reservoir tank configured to hold a predetermined volume of compressed air, and wherein the air reservoir is configured to supply compressed air to drive the pump. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary diesel engine configured to supply power for driving the pump. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary power generator further comprises an auxiliary gasoline engine configured to supply power for driving the pump. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary power generator is further configured to supply electrical power to one or more auxiliary devices. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control module further comprises an automatic throttle control configured to monitor a pressure level in the air reservoir tank, and to disengage the compressor and modify a throttle level of the auxiliary power generator in response to the air reservoir tank reaching a predetermined pressure level. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control module further comprises a regulated line-feed pressure control configured to regulate a pressure level supplied by the air reservoir tank to an air conduit line. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control module further comprises one or more safety controls configured to release pressure supplied to the air conduit line in response to an emergency event. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control module further comprises one or more monitoring instruments configured to provide status information to an operator. 
   
   
       19 . A method for loading and offloading a bulk fluid tanker, the method comprising:
 supplying power to compress air, wherein the supply of power is provided independent of a primary tractor engine;   compressing air, wherein the compressed air drives the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank; and   providing control of a level of pressure of the compressed air and of the flow of fluid between the bulk fluid tank and the external tank.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises driving a fluid pump, wherein the fluid pump affects the flow of fluid between a bulk fluid tank and an external tank.