Apparatus for expandable storage and metering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for expandable storage and metering are disclosed. In some embodiments, the expandable storage and metering device comprises a body with a storage cavity therein, a chassis upon which the body is mounted, and at least one port in communication with the storage cavity, wherein the body is expandable and collapsible to change the internal volume of the storage cavity. Some method embodiments for operating the expandable storage and metering device comprise expanding the device and collapsing the device, wherein said expanding and said collapsing comprises utilizing actuators to raise/lower or extend/retract the walls of the device. In other method embodiments for operating the device, said expanding comprises removing the roof of the device and positioning at least one stackable module on top of the device and said collapsing comprises removing the at least one stackable module and replacing the roof.

1 . An expandable well servicing storage and metering device comprising:
 a body having an internal storage volume for receiving well servicing material;   a chassis upon which the body is mounted;   at least one port in communication with the internal storage volume; and   a metering device for metering material stored in the internal storage volume and exiting the port, wherein the body is expandable and collapsible to change the internal storage volume.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises walls that may be vertically raised and lowered to increase or decrease the internal storage volume. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises walls that may be horizontally extended and retracted to increase or decrease the internal storage volume. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a floor that may be horizontally extended and retracted to increase or decrease the internal storage volume. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises walls that may be both vertically raised and lowered and horizontally extended and retracted to increase or decrease the internal storage. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one landing leg connected to the body and/or the chassis, wherein the landing leg is extendable to support the device when the body is expanded and retractable when the body is collapsed. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises at least one actuator, wherein the actuator expands or collapses a structural member of the body to change the internal storage volume. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the internal storage volume is divided into two or more separate volumes. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein different well servicing materials are stored in the separate volumes. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a roof. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the roof is removable. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises one or more stackable modules. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a primary conveyor connected to the body and/or chassis and suspended below the at least one port for receiving well servicing material metered through the port. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an elevating conveyor connected to one end of the primary conveyor. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors associated with the device to sense the amount of material contained within the internal storage volume. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more sensors associated with the device to sense the amount of material metered through the port. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device in a retracted configuration meets standard size restrictions for over-road transport without need for special permitting or an escort vehicle. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the well servicing material comprises a proppant. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the chassis is supported on an off-shore vessel.