US 12,116,224 B2
Bulk material unloading systems and methods
Wesley John Warren, Duncan, OK (US); Chad A. Fisher, Duncan, OK (US); Austin Carl Schaffner, Duncan, OK (US); and Cameron Michael Kramer, Duncan, OK (US)
Assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/543,080.
Prior Publication US 2023/0174326 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 65/23 (2006.01); B01F 35/21 (2022.01); B01F 35/221 (2022.01); B01F 35/71 (2022.01); B65G 69/20 (2006.01); B01F 101/49 (2022.01)
CPC B65G 65/23 (2013.01) [B01F 35/2111 (2022.01); B01F 35/2211 (2022.01); B01F 35/71705 (2022.01); B01F 35/7173 (2022.01); B01F 35/71775 (2022.01); B65G 69/20 (2013.01); B01F 2101/49 (2022.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bulk material unloading system, comprising:
a bulk material container containing a bulk material; and
an unloading device;
wherein:
the bulk material container includes one or more engagement elements;
the unloading device includes one or more engagement elements;
the one or more engagement elements of the unloading device are configured to engage the one or more engagement elements of the bulk material container;
the one or more engagement elements of the unloading device comprise a set of forks or prongs or a locking mechanism;
the unloading device is configured to engage the bulk material container, to lift the bulk material container above a hopper, and to at least partially invert the bulk material container;
the one or more engagement elements of the bulk material container comprise a first engagement element and a second engagement element, and wherein the first engagement element differs from the second engagement element; and
the first engagement element is configured for engagement by a transportation device, and the second engagement element is configured for engagement by the unloading device.