초록 ▼

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed f

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising: a. a closed first end; b. an open second end defining a tank sealing flange; c. a body extending between said closed first end and said open second end; d. a door coupled t

What is claimed is: 1. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising: a. a closed first end; b. an open second end defining a tank sealing flange; c. a body extending between said closed first end and said open second end; d. a door coupled to said open second end and configured to releasably seal said open second end; and e. a hydraulic powered door closer having (i) a cross bar rigidly attached to a center of said door, said cross bar having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar first end, a second end coupled to said body and a first pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, and (iii) a second linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar second end, a second end coupled to said body and a second pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, wherein when said first linkage assembly first pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said first linkage second end and said body, when said second linkage assembly second pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said second linkage second end and said body, said door is in a locked position and will not open until said first and second pivot points are rotated above the coupling of their respective linkage assembly second ends to said body, and said hydraulic powered door closer provides a closing force at said center of said door so that said closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of said door. 2. The collection tank of claim 1, said automated door closer further comprising a shaft defining a first end rigidly connected to said first linkage assembly second end and a second end rigidly connected to said second linkage assembly second end, wherein when one of said first and second linkage assemblies is actuated, the other of said first and second linkage assemblies is also actuated to move said tank door between an open first position and a closed second position. 3. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 2, said automated door closer further comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod in driving engagement with one of said first and second linkage assemblies, said at least one hydraulic cylinder configured to move said door between said open first position and said closed second position. 4. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 1, wherein said door has a generally circular-shaped door panel having an outer circumference. 5. The cylindrical collection tank of claim 4, wherein said generally circular-shaped door panel is dome-shaped. 6. The collection tank of claim 1, wherein said automated door closer may be remotely actuated. 7. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising: a. a closed generally circular first end; b. an open generally circular second end defining a tank sealing flange thereon; c. a generally cylindrical body extending between said closed first end and said open second end; d. a door coupled to said open second end and having a generally circular-shaped door panel configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and e. a cross-bar coupled to a center of said generally circular shaped door, said cross-bar having a first end and an opposite second end, and f. at least one linkage assembly coupled to said cross-bar first and second ends to apply a closing force to said door, wherein said closing force is applied to a center of said door so that said closing force is distributed equally around the periphery of said door, and wherein when said at least one linkage assembly rotates to a position beyond overcenter, said door is maintained in a closed and locked position, further comprising g. a first lower linkage arm coupled to said cross-bar first end, h. a second lower linkage arm coupled to said cross-bar second end, i. a shaft rigidly connected to said first lower linkage arm and said second lower linkage arm, wherein when one of said first and second lower linkage arms is actuated, the other of said first and second lower linkage arms is also actuated to move said tank door between an open and closed position said at least one linkage assembly further comprising a first pivot point on said first lower linkage arm and a second pivot point on said second lower linkage arm, wherein when said first pivot point and said second pivot point are positioned below a center axis of said shaft, said door is in said locked position. 8. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising: a. a closed generally circular first end; b. an open generally circular second end defining a tank sealing flange thereon; c. a generally cylindrical body extending between said closed first end and said open second end; d. a door coupled to said open second end and having a generally circular-shaped door panel configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and e. a cross-bar coupled to a center of said generally circular shaped door, said cross-bar having a first end and an opposite second end, and f. at least one linkage assembly coupled to said cross-bar first and second ends to apply a closing force to said door, wherein said closing force is applied to a center of said door so that said closing force is distributed equally around the periphery of said door, and wherein when said at least one linkage assembly rotates to a position beyond overcenter, said door is maintained in a closed and locked position further comprising a first threaded connection between said at least one linkage assembly and said cross-bar first end and a second threaded connection between said at least one linkage assembly and said cross-bar second end, wherein said first and said second threaded connections can be adjusted to increase or decrease said closing force applied to said door. 9. A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, said collection tank comprising: a. a closed first end; b. an open second end defining a tank sealing flange; c. a body extending between said closed first end and said open second end; d. a door moveably coupled to said tank open second end and defining a sealing flange about a periphery thereof, said door configured to releasably seal said tank open second end; and e. a powered door closer and lock having (i) a cross bar rigidly attached to a center of said door, said cross bar having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar first end, a second end coupled to said body and a first pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, and (iii) a second linkage assembly having a first end coupled to said cross bar second end, a second end coupled to said body and a second pivot point intermediate said first and said second ends, wherein when said first linkage assembly first pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said first linkage second end and said body and when said second linkage assembly second pivot point rotates to a point below the coupling of said second linkage second end and said body, said door is in a locked position. 10. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein said first linkage assembly is rotatably coupled to said second linkage assembly so that said first and said second linkage assemblies move in tandem. 11. The collection tank of claim 10, further comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end being rotationally fixed to said first linkage assembly second end and said second end being rotationally fixed to said second linkage assembly second end. 12. The collection tank of claim 10, further comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder coupled between said tank and one of said first and said second linkage assemblies for moving said door between a first open position and a closed second position, said at least one hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod in driving engagement with said one of said first and second linkage assemblies. 13. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein said automated door closer can be remotely operated. 14. The collection tank of claim 9, wherein when said door is moved to said locked position, said door sealing flange engages said tank sealing flange to create an airtight seal and said closing force is equally distributed about said periphery of said door. 15. The collection tank of claim 9, further comprising a first threaded connection between said first linkage assembly first end and said cross bar first end and a second threaded connection between said second linkage assembly first end and said cross bar second end, wherein said first and said second threaded connections may be adjusted to change a closing force applied to said center of said door.