«2 United States Patent Eriksen BD ‘US007232: (10) Patent No. (4s) Date of Patent: US 7,232,525 B2 Jun, 19, 2007 6 os) ay ow an @y 63) (60) on) (32) 638) AUTOMATIC TANK CLEANING SYSTEM. Inventor: Frank Eriksen, Houston, TX (US) Assignee: MAI LLC, Houston, TX (US) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the team ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 1540) by 23 days. Appl. No.: 11/083,859 Filed: Mar. 18, 2008 Prior Publication Data US 200510205477 AL Sep. 22, 2005 Related U.S. Application Data Provisional application No, 60/554, 19, 2004, provisional upplication filed on Apr. 26, 2004, provisional application No. (60(620.377, fled on Oct. 20, 2004, provisional appli- cation No, 60/533, 766, filed on Dee. 7, 2004, Int. Cl. BOLD 2100 (200601) BOLD 21226 (200601) BOSE 9708: (200601) Coe 100 (200601) CORE 138 (200601) usc. 210/788; 2101803; 210/808; 210805: 210/806; 210-252; 210/288; 210/259: 210/204; 2108313; 210/512.1; 210/523; 2101532.1:, 134/10; 134/104.4; 134/109 Fleld of Classification Seareh 210788, 210803, 804, 805, 806, 252,258, 259, 204 ‘2100304, 313, 512.1, $23, 832.1; 134/10, 134/104.4, 109 See application file for complete search history: 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 466,154 8 * 81984 Ubon aos (OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ineroational Pretiminary Examioation Report issued in Inera- tional Application No. PCT USOS09437; dad Oct, 26, 2008, 7 pases * cited by examiner Primary Evaminer—David A. Reifinydee on ABSTRACT An automatic tank cleaning system includes a water recy cling nit having @ weir therein and a conically-shaped bottom, a cutting box having a portable weir therein, a bydroeyclonie separator, and a mud tank. Tanke slop is pumped from the mu tank to the wate reveling unit where Solids collect at the bottom, The solids are removed and collected in the cuting box. Water in the reeling unit may be pumped through the lydrocyclonic separator. Solids removed by the separator are collected in the cutting box and the water is directed ino a clean water compartment defined by the weir within the ecyeling unit. Water in the cutting box is collected by the portable weir therein and prnaped to the clean water compartment, Water from the clean water compartment is pumped ta one of more rotary jet heads ‘within the mod tank. Overflow from the water recyeling nit nay be directed t the euting box, Achemical inductor may De used to add cleaning chemicals tothe water prior to being Gireced through the wash nozzle. Turhulence preventers ‘may be included at the inlet of each flow line to prevent turbulence from occuring inthe tank to Which the Mud is iected 21 Claims, 5 Drawing SheetsUS 7,232,525 B2 Sheet 1 of § Jun. 19, 2007 U.S. Patent LoU.S. Patent Jun, 19, 2007 Sheet 2 of 5 US 7,232,525 B2 FIG. 2