US 12,297,050 B2
System for storing, transporting and dispensing wet sand to a hydraulic fracturing operation at a well site
George Garcia, Katy, TX (US); Casey Taylor, Katy, TX (US); Derek Ussery, Katy, TX (US); and Chad Trueheart, Katy, TX (US)
Assigned to SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC, Katy, TX (US)
Filed by SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC, Katy, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/078,733.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/268,277, filed on Feb. 20, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/265,253, filed on Dec. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0183022 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 47/19 (2006.01); B65D 88/54 (2006.01); B65G 3/04 (2006.01); B65G 41/00 (2006.01); B65G 47/82 (2006.01); E21B 43/26 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/19 (2013.01) [B65D 88/546 (2013.01); B65G 3/04 (2013.01); B65G 41/003 (2013.01); B65G 47/82 (2013.01); E21B 43/2607 (2020.05)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for conveying wet sand, the system comprising:
a plurality of containers having wet sand stored therein, each of the containers comprising:
a plurality of side walls forming the container;
an interior surface having a slip coating thereon;
a bottom portion for storing the wet sand, the bottom portion having an outlet formed therein to facilitate removal of the wet sand from the container; and
a top portion terminating at the plurality of side walls and forming an inlet to the interior surface;
a conveyor system comprising:
a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt formed to receive wet sand and carry the wet sand away from the conveyor system;
a conveyor support structure;
a hopper assembly, comprising:
a hopper comprising a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, an interior wall extending from a top of the hopper to a bottom of the hopper, and an outlet, wherein the hopper receives the wet sand from one or more of the plurality of containers,
wherein the interior wall extends at an angle such that an area of the outlet is reduced;
a flow gate configured over the outlet and movable in a direction for controlling discharge of wet sand from the hopper onto the conveyor belt,
upper supports extending across a top of the hopper between the pair of end walls, and
a gate actuator supported on the upper supports, the gate actuator comprising a pair of pickle forks extending upwardly for engaging and selectively positioning a slide gate on an adjacent container positioned over the hopper assembly;
one or more vibration systems coupled to an exterior surface of the hopper assembly for generating a shaking force that is transmitted to the hopper assembly; and
a discharge assembly located at an end of the conveyor system for directing the wet sand from the conveyor belt.