US3924666A

US3924666A - Suspended suction or fill pipe for handling fluid products or the like

Info

Publication number: US3924666A
Authority: US
Inventors: Michel Raison
Original assignee: Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
Current assignee: Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme SA
Priority date: 1971-10-11
Filing date: 1972-10-11
Publication date: 1975-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-09
Also published as: DD101132A5; IT975215B; DE2249404B2; DE2249404A1; FR2156943A5; NL171089B; GB1397815A; BE789834A; NL7213733A; LU66255A1; NL171089C; ES407555A1

Abstract

A suction or fill pipe for handling or operating, at a large rate of output, fluid products or the like, comprising two telescopic elements being movable, jointly or separately, with respect to a common fixed support in a manner such that, in the position of rest thereof, the rod has a total length that is substantially shorter than the travel or course thereof. The internal element is connected to a flexible conduit for establishing communication with the fixed piping of the installation; the external element is suspended at a horizontally displaceable means.

Description

United States Patent [191 Raison SUSPENDED SUCTION OR FILL PIPE FOR HANDLING FLUID PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE [75] Inventor: Michel Raison,

Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines, France [73] Assignee: Compagnie Generale dAutomatisme, France [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,611

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 11, 1971 France 7136492 [52] US. Cl. 141/231; 137/592; 193/30 [51] Int. Cl. B65B 3/04; B65G 1l/14 [58] Field of Search 137/592;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l973 Kinzler et al. 214/18 PH Dec.9,1975

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,170,323 11/1961 Germany 141/387 Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt Attorney, Agent, or FirmCraig & Antonelli [57] ABSTRACT A suction or fill pipe for handling or operating, at a large rate of output, fluid products or the like, comprising two telescopic elements being movable, jointly or separately, with respect to a common fixed support in a manner such that, in the position of rest thereof, the rod has a total length that is substantially shorter than the travel or course thereof. The internal element is connected to a flexible conduit for establishing communication with the fixed piping of the installation; the external element is suspended at a horizontally displaceable means.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patcant Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 1 of 4 3,924,666

FIG/l US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,924,666

U.S. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet4 0f4 3,924,666

FIG.4

SUSPENDED SUCTION R FILL PIPE FOR HANDLING FLUID PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE The present invention relates to an improved arrangement which serves for the dispensing or drawing out at a great rate of flow of fluid products of any type, or analogous products, such as pulverulent products, for example, and more particularly, to an arrangement in the form of a telescoping tubular member which may serve for loading or for unloading trucks or tank wagons, or also any other machine or apparatus having a container for such material.

In the known devices of this kind, the suction or fill pipes are generally displaceable along a vertical support between a high position disengaging entirely from the tank of the vehicle to be loaded and a low position which is the working position of the pipe, where'inthe lower portion thereof is, in this case, essentially at the level of the bottom of the tank of the vehicle.

One may make up what is referred to as handling stations by grouping together several pipes, with the different guiding supports of these pipes being secured to a common superstructure, or frame. In any event, it is evident that the height of this frame abovethe height of the tank vehicles or containers to be loaded or unloaded must at least be equal to the length or stroke of the pipes. Thus, one ends up, in actual practice, with handling stations which have a relatively great height and which are consequently quite costly.

The present invention is designed particularly to eliminate this drawback. It is directed to a pipe arrangement of the telescopic type which, in the position of rest, has a length substantially shorter than the total length or stroke thereof, so as to thereby reduce the mandatory height of the overall arrangement.

This object is obtained more particularly, according to the present invention, by rendering movable not only the gliding portion of the support arrangement for the pipe having the usual telescopic configuration, but also by rendering movable the normally fixed or stationary part of such a pipe.

For this purpose, the single pipe, or group of telescopic pipes, according to the present invention, is suspended at an arm carried by the frame, whichsuspension may be achieved with any known means This implies, on the other hand, that the connecting piping of thesuction or fill pipe communicating with the remain der of theinstallation will of necessity be joined or assembled at the upper end of one of the elements of the telescopic group or unit constituting the pipe,and this connection is moreover arranged in a manner such as to be adapted to conveniently follow all of its displacements, and specifically the vertical ones in anascending or descending direction, as well as :the horizontal ones in either a longitudinal or transverse direction. Toward this end, one will preferably have, recourse to a unit or group of arms being articulated. at rotating joints, but telescopic arms, or also flexible connecting pipes may likewise be employed, and mixed solutions are equally possible.

According ,to the present invention, -it is the upper end of the external telescopic element of the suction or fill pipe to which the suspension means thereof, for example cables, will become fixed or secured, and these cables are associated with as many pulleys or other winding members-equipped with appropriate control devices.

, Disposed at the lower end of the aforementioned externaltelescopic element is preferably a mouthpiece, or strainer, designed inter alia in the case of fill pipes to assure the fluid-tightness thereof at the end of their ascending course or stroke. I

As far-as the internal telescopic part of the pipe is concerned, the part which is connected to the remainder of the installation, as has been set forth hereinabove, rest entirely, in the high position, by way of its lower end, on the strainer which is integral with the aforementioned external telescopic part and, as a consequence, follows the descending movement of the latter over a part of its course or travel until a fixed stop or abutment provided for this purpose stops this internal telescopic part, while still allowing for the external part being suspended at its cables to continue its descending movement to the lowest point of the travel or stroke thereof. I

When the suction or fill pipe is raised again, the procedure takes place in the opposite fashion, namely itis the external telescopic part of the rod alone which, influenced or urged on by the suspension thereof, starts to rise until it comes up against a stop or an abutment which is integral with the internal telescopic part of the pipe, which part will then be carried along in its turn in the ascending movement of the group or unit, andrthus continues until the pipe has totally disengaged from the tank of the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded.

The telescopic pipe according to the present invention also comprises, in addition to the essential elements referred to hereinabove, some auxiliaryfor accessory elements which are designed to assure the good or perfect operation thereof. Thus, a collet or flange which is coaxial with respect to the intemal telescopic element is rigidly secured to the upper part of the latter. A second collet which is parallel and coaxial with respect to the first one, but capable of freely gliding on the internal telescopic element of the-pipe, is elastically connected to the first collet.

This unit or group is completed by a closing sleeve or bowl which is coaxial with respect to the two aforementioned collets and glides freely on the external telescopic element of the pipe. In the position of rest, this bowl is supported by the strainer with theaid of appropriate supporting members, for example, shoulder portions. The bowl has at the lower part thereof an outside diameter which allows it to penetrate axially into the dome of the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded. The bowl comprises moreover an element that is suscepti ble to be supported upon the upper .circular edge of the dome of the vehicle, for example an external concentric crown, the element thus obturatin g the latter. Provided on this external supporting element is adetecting member of a known type, for example an electric switch, which is susceptible to teletransmit a signal for confirming the effective contact between this element and the dome of the container or'receptacle.

Forits part the second collet is arranged in such a manner as to be adapted to be placed on the bowl and in its turn to obturate the latter.

The operation of the three members above is as follows. v "When, starting from the position of rest thereof, the rod begins its descending movement, the bowl supported by the strainer at the beginning of the movement is stopped at the passageby thedome of the tank, whereas the suction or fill pipe continues its descent.

mentioned When the lid, which is still suspended at the flange and consequently at the internal telescopic element of the pipe, comes into contact with the bowl that is assumed to have already taken support on the dome of the vehicle, it is obturated by the lid. Thus, having been stopped in its travel, the lid in turn stops the flange and consequently the entire internal element of the pipe, and specifically by means of the previously mentioned elastic connection. As will be described hereinbelow, this elastic connection also aids when it is necessary to proceed with the opening of the strainer of the pipe.

From the instant when the lid comes into contact with the bowl, the external telescopic portion of the pipe continues alone in its descent until the strainer has reached the bottom of the tank. Thereafter, there will be produced a stopping of the driving device by virtue of which the unwinding of the suspension cables is brought about. This stopping may be obtained, for example, by means of a system that detects the slack being produced in one of the suspension cables immediately after the strainer has touched the bottom of the tank. If necessary, it is also possible to bring about, as is equally known in the art, a slight raising of the exter nal part of the rod after the detection of the bottom by reversing the direction of travel or operation of the driving device, consequently retarding, on the other hand, the moment of stopping thereof.

In the case of a filling pipe serving for loading, the outlet orifices of the product are disposed at the lower portion of the external telescopic element of the pipe in immediate proximity of the strainer which may comprise, in a manner known per se, a central deflector designed for laterally deflecting the stream of the product to be loaded, and this is a provision that is particularly important in the case of a liquid product.

It is understood that the fluid-tightness between the two telescopic elements of the pipe will be assured and, more particularly at the high part of the external element, for it is at this point alone that the fluid-tightness between the two elements must be assured at the bottom of the course of travel of the pipe.

The group or unit consisting of the suction or fill pipe and the accessories thereof may be advantageously mounted inside a protective cage which also serves for fuiding the descending movement of the interior element of the pipe in the upper part of the descending course or travel thereof.

The group or unit consisting of the pipe and the protective and guiding cage thereof may furthermore be rendered horizontally movable, for example in two orthogonal directions, one parallel to the direction of displacement of the vehicle, and the other transversely directed with respect thereto. This mobility may advantageously be assured with the aid of a carriage supporting the suspension and control members of the pipe, which carriage is arranged in such a manner as to be adapted to become transversely displaced along an appropriate arm. This arm in turn could be fixed or secured to a frame capable of moving longitudinally over a certain length.

It is understood that the connecting piping of the suction or fill pipe communicating with the remainder of the installation must be arranged so as to be adapted to conveniently follow the displacements of the pipe in all directions.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the inven- 4 tion, given solely by way of illustration and not meant to be limitative in any way, and taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a suction or fill pipe according to the present invention, in the extreme high position thereof, serving for loading a liquid product;

FIG. 2 represents the same pipe, essentially at half its descending course stroke;

FIG. 3 represents the same pipe at the lower end of its course or stroke; and

FIG. 4 represents a detail of a particular embodiment for interlocking, linking or joining together the two elements of the telescopic rod.

In the various figures, the same elements have been designated with the same reference numerals.

Visible at 1 is the tank which has to be loaded or unloaded and whose dome is shown at 2. The suction or fill pipe which will be further described hereinbelow is suspended by means of the carriage 3 at the transverse arm 4, which is itself secured to a frame 5 that is adapted to be displaced parallel to the direction of movement of the vehicles to be loaded, in this case perpendicular to the plane of the figure. Rollers 6, rolling on a rail 7 having an appropriate shape and being integral with the frame of the station, allow for guiding this movement under control of the motor 8.

The carriage 3 comprises rollers 9 which support the pipe arrangement for rolling movement on the rails 10 of the arm 4. However, one may equally envisage mounting two or more pipe arrangements on a single carriage. The carriage in question comprises two pulleys 11 which are controlled by a common motor 12 to extend or retract the telescoping suction or fill pipe. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a differential device (not shown herein) by virtue of which it is possible, at the time of stopping, or even in the course of the operation, to make up for the difference that may possibly be found between the lengths of the two cablesupports 13 of the pipe.

The cables 13 support the external telescopic element 14 of the pipe essentially on a diameter of the transverse cross section thereof. This telescopic pipe element consists preferably of a flexible material, for example neoprene. The operation of the pipe would nevertheless be exactly the same in case this element were made up of a rigid material. Outlet orifices 15 are provided at the lower portion of the tubular element 14 in the very proximity of the end strainer 16 of the pipe, this strainer being integral with the external element 14.

The internal telescopic element 17 of the pipe element is articulated or pivoted at the upper part thereof at the tubulure 18. A collet or flange 19 is rigidly connected to the tubular element 17, and'elastic connection or linkage members 20 are provided between the collet or flange 19 and a disc-lid 21. The members 20 are spring shock absorbers, for example. The disc 21 comprises two lateral arms 22 each equipped with a roller 23 which is displaced on a rail 24 that is part of the protective and guiding cage 25 of the pipe arrangement.

In order to ensure the fluid-tightness between the two telescoping elements of the pipe, a pair of seals 26 are provided therebetween. Also, a closing sleeve, or bowl, 27 is provided whose shoulder portion 28 will come to rest upon the circumference of the deflector 29 of the strainer 16 of the pipe. The crown 30 in the closing position thereof will come to rest upon the edge 31 of the dome 2 of the tank to be loaded. The piping 32 originates on the lateral wall of the bowl 27 and serves for the evacuation of vapors which might be present in the tank during the loading or unloading operation.

It is seen from FIG. 1 that in the state of rest, the group or unit of the suction or fill pipe disengages from the tank of the vehicle to be loaded. FIG. 2 represents the pipe essentially in mid-course and shows the manner in which the bowl 27 comes to be engaged in the dome of the vehicle, then serves as a support for the lid 21 which stops the flange 19 and consequently the element 17 of the pipe during the descending movement thereof. However, nothing opposes the external element 14 of the pipe from continuing its descent, since the cables 13 freely traverse the flange 19 and the lid 21 by virtue of the

respective orifices

33 and 34.

A contact detector 54, for example an electric switch, is disposed at the lower portion of the crown 3O surrounding the bowl 27, this detector being designed for teletransmitting a confirmation signal of the effective contact between the crown of the bowl and the dome of the receptacle.

FIG. 3 shows the pipe at the bottom of the course thereof, the strainer touching the bottom of the tank, and the fluid-tightness of the unit being assured by virtue of the seals 26. The seal 35 disposed on the circumference of the deflector 29 of the strainer is designed to assure the sealing of the pipe when, at the end of the rise, the strainer comes to abut against the lower end of the tubular element 17 which is driven by the external element of the pipe in the ascending movement thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a particular embodiment of the inventive device which serves to maintain, during the entire phase of the descending movement of the pipe, the internal element 17 in locked engagement with the external element 14 thereof. This locking is obtained with the aid and by means of a cam 36 which is disposed at the end of the rod 37 of a jack 38 which is itself placed between the flange 19 and the lid 21 essentially at the same level as the shock absorbers 20. A second identical jack could be disposed, for reasons of symmetry, essentially at the other end of the diameter of the affected section of the pipe.

The cam 36 is pivoted on an axle 39 provided on the cap 40 of the rod 37. A spiral spring 41 permanently exerts on the cam 36 a pressure or thrust which urges this cam, in pivoting around the axle 39, in the counterclockwise direction in the case of the figure in such a manner as to cause the tapered edge or ridge 42 of the cam to penetrate into the interior of the notch 43 disposed for this reason at a good height in proximity to the upper end of the external element 14 of the pipe.

The unlocking is produced automatically at the moment when, at the end of the first phase of the descent of the pipe, the crown 30 of the bowl comes to abut on the edge 31 of the dome, whereas the element 17 and the flange 19 thereof still continue their descending movement until the lid 21 will cover the bowl 27. The contact of the flange 19 with the lid 21 will then produce the abutment of the projection 44 of the cam 36 on a seat 45 provided for this purpose at the inside of the bowl 27 For the requirements arising in actual practice, it is suitable to provide for means permitting adjustment, at the moment of starting of the device, of the effective course of travel of the pipe so as to take into account superposition of a certain number of rings 46, stacked at the upper end of the external element 14 of the pipe unitl it comes to abut against the lid 21. V

A device of known type adjoins the pipe so as to allow for the detection of the slack which is produced on the suspension cables 13 thereof immediately after the strainer has touched the bottom of the tank. A signal emitted by this device causes the stopping of the control motor to prevent further movement of the pipe, unless it is preferred to reverse, by virtue of this signal, the direction of operation of the motor with a view toward obtaining a slight re-rising of the pipe.

The succession of the different operating phases of the invention will now be described. Starting from the highest point of the course of travel of the pipe, which is the position in which the spring shock absorbers 20 are compressed and the jacks 38 blocked so as to maintain the spacing between the

discs

19 and 21 constant, the descending movement of the pipe is started. The group of the two elements of the pipe, which are still locked with respect to each other, is placed in movement, sustained by the suspension cables 13. The bowl 27 supported by the strainer 16 by virtue of its shoulder portion 28 descends with this strainer until it comes to contact the dome of the tank when the pipe penetrates into the latter.

The detector 54 at the moment the bowl enters into contact with the dome emits a signal which is utilized particularly for the control of the correct penetration of the pipe into the dome. A little before the lid 21 comes into contact with the bowl, the cam 36 enters into contact with the shoulder portion 45 of the bowl, which will unlock the two

elements

14 and 17 of the pipe with respect to each other. Since the internal element 17 has been stopped in its source or travel, this stopping being damped by the springs 20, the external element of the pipe continues alone in its descent until it comes into contact with the bottom of the tank, as has already been described hereinabove.

The remounting movement is started by the external part 14 alone and is continued thus in this manner until the first of the rings 46 is positioned at the upper part of the stack serving for the regulation of the course or travel of the pipe come to abut against the lower surface of the lid 21. The latter will then be raised in turn and, by means of the spring shock absorbers 20, drives or carries along the disc 19' and, consequently, the internal element 17 of the pipe as well. This driving or carrying along is equally damped or absorbed, but in the opposite direction, by virtue of the action of the springs 20.

When the strainer 16 comes into contact with the shoulder portion 28 of the bowl, the latter is likewise driven or carried along in the ascending movement. No locking or blocking is necessary during the remounting or rising operation, except at the end of this movement when, the internal element 17 having been stopped by a convenient means, the external element 14 continues to rise for a short duration by compressing the springs 20 up to a position such that the jacks 38 have arrived at their blocking position.

The orifices 15 for the flow of the product remain open during the entire ascending travel of the pipe and are reclosed only during the entire last phase of this movement by contact between the lower edge of the element 17 and the fluid-tight circular seal 35 disposed 7 oppositely on the deflector 29 of the strainer. In this position, the notch 43 of the element 14 will come to be placed opposite the cam 36 which may then penetrate therein due to the action of the spring 41, thus bringing about the locking between the

elements

14 and 17 of the pipe. The cycle may then recommence.

It is understood that the preceding description has been given only by way of exampleand is not limitative of the present invention. Other modifications could well be applied thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and without exceeding the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A telescopic suction or fill pipe arrangement for conveying into a tank to be loaded or unloaded fluid products or the like at a great flow rate, the arrangement comprising: a product conducting pipe including an external pipe element and an internal pipe element slidable within said external pipe element, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being insertable into the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element each having upper and lower end portions, said pipe having an initial retracted position with the lower end portions of said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being in alignment and an extended position with the lower end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the bottom of the tank and the upper end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the lower end portion of said internal pipe, supporting means for supporting said pipe including means for effecting movement of said internal and external pipe elements together or separately with respect to said supporting means in a vertical direction, said pipe in said initial retracted position having a total length which is essentially shorter than the total length of a movement stroke of the pipe to the extended position, drive means connected with said means for effecting movement and with said pipe for selectively driving said pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position and from said extended position to said retracted position, said drive means successively effecting first a relative movement of said external pipe element and said internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means and second a relative movement of said external pipe elementwith respect to said internal pipe element, said external pipe element being slidably guided on said internal pipe element for movement substantially along the entire length thereof from said intial retracted position to said extended position, and a protective and guiding cage surrounding said pipe and supported at a constant level by said supporting means including at least a pair of tracks, and guide means on said external pipe element for assuring the correct bearing of the internal element on said tracks provided on said cage.

2. A pipe arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a storage means is provided for supplying or receiving an evacuated product, a flexible duct is connected to said storage means, said internal pipe element is connected at said upper end portion thereof to said flexible duct for the supply or evacuation of the product to be handled, and in that the pipe arrangement further comprises means disposed between said intemal pipe element and said external pipe element for obtaining a fluid tight seal between said internal and external pipe elements and means for locking said internal pipe element with the external pipe element during the course 8 of at least a portion of the movement of the external pipe element and internalpipe element with respect to said supporting means.

3. A pipe arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said external pipe element comprises at the lower end portion thereof orifices for establishing communication with the outside and strainer means attached thereto, said strainer means sealingly engaging the lower end portion of said internal pipe element for rendering the same completely fluid-tight when said pipe is in said initial retracted position.

4. A pipe arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said supporting means includes suspension means for suspending said external pipe element at an arm support whose level is maintained constant, said strainer thus being moved over the entirety of the movement strokeof the pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position by virtue of the operation of said suspension means alone.

5. A pipe arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said internal pipe element comprises adjacent the upper end portion thereof a disc which is coaxial with respect thereto and integral with the latter, said disc including openings yielding passage to said suspension means connected to said external pipe element.

6. A telescopic suction or fill pipe arrangement for conveying into a tank to be loaded or unloaded fluid products or the like at a great flow rate, the arrangement comprising: a product conducting pipe including an external pipe element and an internal pipe element slidable within said external pipe element, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being insertable into the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element each having upper and lower end portions, said pipe having an initial retracted position with the lower end portions of said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being in alignment and an extended position with the lower end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the bottom of the tank and the upper end portions of said external pipe element disposed at the lower end portion of said internal pipe, supporting means for supporting said pipe including means for effecting movement of said internal and external pipe elements together or separately with respect tosaid supporting means in a vertical direction, said pipe in said initial retracted position having a total length which is essentially shorter than the total length of a movement stroke of the pipe to the extended position, drive means connected with said means for effecting movement and with said pipe for selectively driving said pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position and from said extended position to said retracted position, said drive means successively effecting first a relative movement of said external pipe element and said internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means and a second relative movement of said external pipe element with respect to said internal pipe element, said external pipe element being slidably guided on said internal pipe element for movement substantially along the entire length thereof from said initial retracted position to said extended position, a storage means ,for supplying or receiving an evacuated product, a flexible duct connected to said storage means, said internal pipe element connected at its upper end portion to said flexible duct for the supply or evacuation-of the product to be handled, means disposed between said internal pipe element and said ex- 9 ternal pipe element for obtaining a fluid tight seal between said internal and external pipe elements, means for locking said internal pipe element with the external pipe element during the course of at least a portion of the movement of the external pipe element and the internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means, orifices provided at the lower end portion of said external pipe element for establishing communication with the outside and a strainer means attached thereto, said strainer means sealingly engaging the lower end portion of said internal pipe element for rendering the same completely fluid-tight when said pipe is in said initial retracted position, said supporting means includes suspension means for suspending said external pipe element at an arm support whose level is maintained constant, said strainer being moved over the entirety of the movement stroke of the pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position by virtue of the operation of said suspension means alone, a disk provided adjacent the upper end portion of said internal pipe element which is coaxial with respect thereto and integral therewith, said disk including openings yielding passage to said suspension means connected to said external pipe element, and a protective and guiding cage surrounding said pipe and supported at a constant level by said supporting means including at least a pair of tracks, and guide means on said external pipe element for assuring the correct bearing of the internal element of said tracks provided on said cage.

7. A pipe arrangement according to claim 6 wherein a second disc is positioned below said first disc to freely glide on said internal pipe element, said second disc being elastically suspended at said first disc, said second disc supporting said guide means including lateral arms cooperating with the tracks on said cage to effect a correct guiding thereof.

8. A pipe arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the means by which the second disc is suspended elastically below the first disc consists of spring shock absorbers.

9. A pipe arrangement according to claim 8, further including a closing bowl disposed at the lower end of the pipe which is mounted to be freely slidable with respect to said external pipe element, the lower part of said bowl being arranged in such a manner so as to be capable of penetrating into the inside of a dome of the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said bowl comprising at the outer periphery thereof a coaxial rim disposed to be supported on the edge of the dome, the closing how] further comprising at the inside thereof a shoulder portion serving as an abutment for maintaining the lower end portions of the internal and external pipe elements of said pipe in alignment when said pipe is in said initial retracted position, said shoulder portion also serving as a seat means for engaging said strainer means to carry said closing bowl when said pipe is moved from said extended position to said initial retracted position, the upper part of the bowl being closed by said second disc in said initial retracted position.

10. A pipe arrangement according to claim 9 wherein at least one locking and blocking jack is disposed between the two discs thereof essentially at the same level as the spring shock absorbers, said jack being adapted to be blocked automatically at the end of a return movement of said pipe from said extended position to said initial retracted position, the unblocking being effected at the moment of the establishing of contact of the second disc with said bowl.

11. A pipe arrangement according to claim 10 wherein said means for locking the internal element on said external element consists of a pivoting cam disposed at the lower part of the locking and blocking jack, said cam being permanently biased in the direction of a notch provided at the upper part of said external pipe element, said cam being adapted to be actuated by the internal shoulder portion of said bowl in a direction opposite to said biasing influence.

12. A pipe arrangement according to claim 11 wherein means are provided for adjusting the length of travel of the pipe, said means being interposed between the upper part of said external pipe element and said second disc.

13. A pipe arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said adjusting means is provided as one or more rings coaxial with said pipe and having a mean diameter essentially equal to that of said external pipe element.

14. A pipe arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the arm support of the pipe is a bracket which is displaceable horizontally, parallel to the axis of movement of the tanks to be loaded or unloaded, said bracket comprising moreover a carriage horizontally displaceable on the bracket in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said tanks, said carriage constituting the support of said pipe and comprising particularly the drive means for operating and suspending the external pipe element thereof.

Claims

1. A telescopic suction or fill pipe arrangement for conveying into a tank to be loaded or unloaded fluid products or the like at a great flow rate, the arrangement comprising: a product conducting pipe including an external pipe element and an internal pipe element slidable within said external pipe element, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being insertable into the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element each having upper and lower end portions, said pipe having an initial retracted position with the lower end portions of said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being in alignment and an extended position with the lower end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the bottom of the tank and the upper end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the lower end portion of said internal pipe, supporting means for supporting said pipe including means for effecting movement of said internal and external pipe elements together or separately with respect to said supporting means in a vertical direction, said pipe in sAid initial retracted position having a total length which is essentially shorter than the total length of a movement stroke of the pipe to the extended position, drive means connected with said means for effecting movement and with said pipe for selectively driving said pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position and from said extended position to said retracted position, said drive means successively effecting first a relative movement of said external pipe element and said internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means and second a relative movement of said external pipe element with respect to said internal pipe element, said external pipe element being slidably guided on said internal pipe element for movement substantially along the entire length thereof from said intial retracted position to said extended position, and a protective and guiding cage surrounding said pipe and supported at a constant level by said supporting means including at least a pair of tracks, and guide means on said external pipe element for assuring the correct bearing of the internal element on said tracks provided on said cage.

2. A pipe arrangement according to claim 1 wherein a storage means is provided for supplying or receiving an evacuated product, a flexible duct is connected to said storage means, said internal pipe element is connected at said upper end portion thereof to said flexible duct for the supply or evacuation of the product to be handled, and in that the pipe arrangement further comprises means disposed between said internal pipe element and said external pipe element for obtaining a fluid tight seal between said internal and external pipe elements and means for locking said internal pipe element with the external pipe element during the course of at least a portion of the movement of the external pipe element and internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means.

4. A pipe arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said supporting means includes suspension means for suspending said external pipe element at an arm support whose level is maintained constant, said strainer thus being moved over the entirety of the movement stroke of the pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position by virtue of the operation of said suspension means alone.

6. A telescopic suction or fill pipe arrangement for conveying into a tank to be loaded or unloaded fluid products or the like at a great flow rate, the arrangement comprising: a product conducting pipe including an external pipe element and an internal pipe element slidable within said external pipe element, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being insertable into the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said internal pipe element and said external pipe element each having upper and lower end portions, said pipe having an initial retracted position with the lower end portions of said internal pipe element and said external pipe element being in alignment and an extended position with the lower end portion of said external pipe element being disposed at the bottom of the tank and the upper end portions of said external pipe element disposed at the lower end portion of said internal pipe, supporting means for supporting said pIpe including means for effecting movement of said internal and external pipe elements together or separately with respect to said supporting means in a vertical direction, said pipe in said initial retracted position having a total length which is essentially shorter than the total length of a movement stroke of the pipe to the extended position, drive means connected with said means for effecting movement and with said pipe for selectively driving said pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position and from said extended position to said retracted position, said drive means successively effecting first a relative movement of said external pipe element and said internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means and a second relative movement of said external pipe element with respect to said internal pipe element, said external pipe element being slidably guided on said internal pipe element for movement substantially along the entire length thereof from said initial retracted position to said extended position, a storage means for supplying or receiving an evacuated product, a flexible duct connected to said storage means, said internal pipe element connected at its upper end portion to said flexible duct for the supply or evacuation of the product to be handled, means disposed between said internal pipe element and said external pipe element for obtaining a fluid tight seal between said internal and external pipe elements, means for locking said internal pipe element with the external pipe element during the course of at least a portion of the movement of the external pipe element and the internal pipe element with respect to said supporting means, orifices provided at the lower end portion of said external pipe element for establishing communication with the outside and a strainer means attached thereto, said strainer means sealingly engaging the lower end portion of said internal pipe element for rendering the same completely fluid-tight when said pipe is in said initial retracted position, said supporting means includes suspension means for suspending said external pipe element at an arm support whose level is maintained constant, said strainer being moved over the entirety of the movement stroke of the pipe from said initial retracted position to said extended position by virtue of the operation of said suspension means alone, a disk provided adjacent the upper end portion of said internal pipe element which is coaxial with respect thereto and integral therewith, said disk including openings yielding passage to said suspension means connected to said external pipe element, and a protective and guiding cage surrounding said pipe and supported at a constant level by said supporting means including at least a pair of tracks, and guide means on said external pipe element for assuring the correct bearing of the internal element of said tracks provided on said cage.

9. A pipe arrangement according to claim 8, further including a closing bowl disposed at the lower end of the pipe which is mounted to be freely slidable with respect to said external pipe element, the lower part of said bowl being arranged in such a manner so as to be capable of penetrating into the inside of a dome of the tank to be loaded or unloaded, said bowl comprising at the outer periphery thereof a coaxial rim disposed to be supported on the edge of the dome, the closing bowl further comprising at the inside thereof a shoulder portion servinG as an abutment for maintaining the lower end portions of the internal and external pipe elements of said pipe in alignment when said pipe is in said initial retracted position, said shoulder portion also serving as a seat means for engaging said strainer means to carry said closing bowl when said pipe is moved from said extended position to said initial retracted position, the upper part of the bowl being closed by said second disc in said initial retracted position.