IP Library Granted Patent US 11,414,282
Granted Patent B2
US 11,414,282 · App. 17/182,427 · Granted Aug 16, 2022

System for conveying proppant to a fracking site hopper

Inventors: Joshua Oren (Houston, TX); Marty Boros (Houston, TX); Pete Berveiler (Houston, TX); Dave Hansen (Houston, TX); Colin Campbell (Houston, TX); Mike Edwards (Houston, TX); Thomas Massalone (Houston, TX)
Assignee: SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC
B65G69/181B01F33/5021B65C11/00B65G11/00B65G15/00B65G53/24B65G53/26B65G65/42B65G69/182E21B41/00E21B43/26E21B43/267
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,414,282
App. No.
17/182,427
Granted
Aug 16, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute. The hood assembly includes a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

Claims (8)

1. A proppant delivery assembly to receive and support a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein, the proppant delivery assembly comprising:

a cradle having a top surface to receive and to support the plurality of containers when positioned thereon, the cradle enabling the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein;

a proppant mover positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle and aligned with the plurality of containers having proppant stored therein to receive the proppant from the plurality of containers, the proppant mover carrying the proppant away from the plurality of containers;

a chute coupled to the cradle for receiving the proppant from the proppant mover and directs the proppant to a blender hopper; and

a hood assembly disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute, the hood assembly including a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

2. The proppant delivery assembly of claim 1 , further comprising conduit supports coupled to a shroud positioned to surround the proppant mover, the shroud arranged around an inclined portion of the proppant mover to block dust particles from escaping to the atmosphere while the prop pant is being moved along the proppant mover.

3. The proppant delivery assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proppant mover comprises an endless conveyor that receives proppant on a surface thereof and extends beyond a length of the cradle and having an inclined portion that moves the proppant above the top surface of the cradle, the conveyor dispensing the proppant into the chute as the conveyor turns over on a set of rollers to return to the plurality of containers.

4. The proppant delivery assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more actuators that align with plurality of gates arranged adjacent a bottom of each of the plurality of containers, the one or more actuators arranged to move the one or more gates between an open position to enable proppant to flow out of the one or more containers and a closed position to block the proppant from exiting the containers.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Jul 31, 2024
From: SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068236/0081 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2021
From: OREN, JOSHUA; EDWARDS, MIKE; MASSALONE, THOMAS; HANSEN, DAVE; CAMPBELL, COLIN
To: SANDBOX ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055365/0671 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 15929361 · Apr 28, 2020
Continuation 15926147 · Mar 20, 2018
Continuation 15497256 · Apr 26, 2017
Continuation 15463278 · Mar 20, 2017
Continuation 15463201 · Mar 20, 2017
Continuation 15398950 · Jan 5, 2017
Continuation 15398835 · Jan 5, 2017
Related Publication 20210171298A1 · Jun 10, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,643,750