초록 ▼

A cover secured to an opening in a tank may be safely removed by controlling a flow of material stored within the tank through the opening. A remotely controlled actuator is carried by a frame and attached near the opening. An arm connected to the actuator engages the cover for providing sufficient

A cover secured to an opening in a tank may be safely removed by controlling a flow of material stored within the tank through the opening. A remotely controlled actuator is carried by a frame and attached near the opening. An arm connected to the actuator engages the cover for providing sufficient force against the cover for preventing the cover from being dislodged so that the cover may be unsecured. The actuator is then remotely controlled for safely moving the cover from a closed position to an open position for controlling a flow of material from the tank. A guide may be employed for guiding the cover longitudinally outward from the opening along the arm.

대표청구항 ▼

That which is claimed is: 1. A method of removing a cover from a flange secured about an opening in a tank for safely controlling a flow of material stored within the tank through the opening, wherein the cover is secured to the flange by a plurality of pegs extending into the flange through apertu

That which is claimed is: 1. A method of removing a cover from a flange secured about an opening in a tank for safely controlling a flow of material stored within the tank through the opening, wherein the cover is secured to the flange by a plurality of pegs extending into the flange through apertures in the cover, the method comprising: vacating at least a portion of the plurality of pegs; rigidly attaching a frame to the flange proximate the opening using at least a portion of the apertures previously vacated by a portion of the plurality of pegs; attaching an actuator to the frame; extending an arm between the frame and the cover; connecting a proximal end of the arm to the actuator and connecting a distal end to the cover; operating the actuator for forcing the arm against the cover with sufficient force for preventing the cover from being dislodged from about the opening; unsecuring the cover from about the opening; and controlling the actuator for moving the cover from a closed position to an open position through a spacing therewith, wherein a distance for the spacing controls the flow of material from the tank. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a guide element, wherein the method comprises positioning the guide element for operably guiding the cover longitudinally outward from the opening along the arm. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein a the flange fully extends about a periphery of the opening, and wherein the method comprises removably attaching the cover to the flange. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the frame positioning comprises attaching the frame to the tank. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator controlling comprises remotely controlling the actuator. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the distal end connecting comprises welding the arm to the cover. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the distal end connecting comprises attaching a plate to the arm distal end and attaching the plate to a surface of the cover. 8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising extending a shield substantially about the opening for confining the material exiting the opening. 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising positioning a container proximate the opening and collecting the material in the container. 10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising removing the material from the container. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the material removing comprises pumping. 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the pumping comprises an auger. 13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising processing the material for improving a fluid flow thereof. 14. A method of removing a cover secured to a flange about an opening in a tank by a plurality of fasteners extending through apertures in the cover and into the flange, the method comprising: vacating at least a portion of the plurality of fasteners; securing a frame proximate the opening using at least a portion of the apertures previously vacated by the portion of the plurality of fasteners; attaching an actuator to the frame; connecting an arm between the actuator and the cover; operating the actuator for biasing the cover against the tank with sufficient force for preventing the cover from being dislodged therefrom; removing the fasteners from engagement with the cover; securing a guide pin for guiding a removing of the cover; and remotely controlling the actuator for moving the cover from the opening through a controlled spacing therefrom, thus controlling the flow of material from the tank. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the flange is carried by the tank about fully a periphery of the opening, and wherein the method comprises removably attaching the cover to the flange by the fasteners, wherein the fasteners comprise at least one of threaded studs, nuts, and bolts. 16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising elongate rods, wherein the guide pin securing comprises removing at least two fasteners from opposing sides of the cover and attaching the elongate rods in place of removed fasteners resulting from the fastener removing from engagement with the cover. 17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the frame positioning comprises rigidly attaching the frame to the flange. 18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the arm connecting comprises attaching a plate to the arm and attaching the plate to a surface of the cover. 19. A method according to claim 14, further comprising extending a shield about the opening for confining at least a portion of the material passing from the tank through the opening. 20. A method according to claim 14, further comprising: positioning a container for collecting material flowing from the tank through the opening; collecting the material in the container; processing the material for improving a fluid flow thereof; and pumping the processed material from the container. 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the processing comprises chopping the material. 22. A method of removing a manway cover from a flange extending about an opening in a storage tank, wherein the manway cover is secured to the flange by a plurality of pegs extending through apertures in the cover for securing the cover to the flange, the method comprising: removing a first portion of the plurality of pegs for exposing first apertures therein while maintaining the cover secured to the flange; rigidly attaching a frame to the flange using the first apertures for a fastening therewith; attaching an actuator to the frame; operably connecting an arm for engagement between the cover and the actuator; operating the actuator for providing sufficient force against the manway cover for preventing the manway cover from being dislodged from the flange; removing a second portion of the plurality of pegs for exposing second apertures; securing at least two guide pins to the flange for movement through the second apertures for guiding a removing of the manway cover therealong; removing a balance of the plurality of pegs; and controlling the actuator for moving the cover from a closed position to an open position through a spacing therewith longitudinally outward along the guide pins, wherein spacing the cover from the flange and thus the opening controls the flow of material through the opening. 23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising extending a containment shield about the flange for confining the material passing through the opening. 24. A method according to claim 22, further comprising: positioning a container for collecting the material flowing from the tank through the opening; collecting the material in the container; processing the material for improving a fluid flow thereof; and pumping the processed material from the container. 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the processing comprises chopping the material.