Airtight tank truck filling connection

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of closed tank car oil filling connecting devices, it includes the tank mouth sealing plate of fixed liquid inlet pipe, liquid inlet pipe is connected with liquid inlet bend pipe on the upper end of tank mouth sealing plate, and import universal joint assembly is contained in liquid inlet bend pipe;Tank mouth sealing plate lower end is also fixed with defoamer and float ball slide, and defoamer is connected with oil-gas separator through oil gas escape bend pipe in the upper end of tank mouth sealing plate;Liquid level display rod fixed in the upper end of tank mouth sealing plate is equipped with sliding scale, and sliding scale is connected with float ball placed in float ball slide and can move with the movement of float ball.The utility model structure is simple, and manufacturing cost is low, and it also has safe liquid level display function and oil-gas separation function, can satisfy the need of tank car oil filling.The utility model is applicable to the oil filling operation of single well tank, gathering and transferring station, joint station and other links, using the device can realize the closed loading of crude oil, effectively reduce oil product volatilization and leakage in the process of oil filling, with remarkable use effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of oil loading connection devices, specifically a sealed tank truck oil loading connection device. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of transferring crude oil from a single well in an oilfield, manual opening of the tanker truck is typically used for filling. However, this traditional method of oil transportation has the following prominent problems: 1. High safety risks for personnel observing the liquid level inside the tank: During the filling process, gases generated by crude oil volatilization accumulate around the filling port of the tanker truck, posing risks of fire, explosion, and poisoning of loading and unloading workers (especially in wells containing hydrogen sulfide). Currently, for single-well oil transportation, operators need to repeatedly climb onto the truck to observe the liquid level inside the tank during loading. During this time, operators are directly exposed to a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide, benzene compounds, and flammable gases. Due to the large loading capacity of the tanker truck, operators need to climb onto the truck multiple times to open the tanker and observe the liquid level, posing risks of poisoning and falls, as well as safety and environmental hazards caused by the release of oil and gas during the loading process. There are also issues of energy waste and environmental pollution caused by the release of oil and gas.

[0003] 2. Repeatedly climbing the vehicle is physically demanding and labor-intensive. Traditional operations lack real-time liquid level monitoring, relying solely on manual experience to judge oil levels; this easily leads to overflowing, underfilling, or spillage, wasting resources and causing environmental pollution. Manual observation for oil level monitoring has low accuracy and cannot achieve safe and controllable oil loading operations throughout the entire process.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of oil-pulling device that can achieve closed-loop operation while also ensuring oil-gas separation and safety and environmental protection.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, several innovative patented technologies have emerged in the field of oil tanker loading in recent years. These technologies aim to improve the safety, automation level, and environmental performance of the oil loading process. The following are some representative patented technologies: 1. Patent publication number CN112794274A discloses a safety monitoring method and system for the bottom loading port of an oil tanker. This system features a sealing device on the top of the tanker to prevent oil and gas leakage; an automatic sealing device at the loading port to ensure airtightness during the loading process; and real-time monitoring of oil and gas concentration during loading, with automatic alarms when levels exceed limits. The advantages of this device are that it effectively reduces oil and gas evaporation, lowering the risk of environmental pollution; and the sealing device design improves the safety of the loading process. However, this device also has some drawbacks: the complex structure of the invention increases manufacturing and maintenance costs; the sealing performance may be affected in high-temperature environments, leading to oil and gas leakage; the high degree of automation requires highly skilled operators; the accuracy of image recognition is limited by the quality of the video acquisition equipment and ambient lighting conditions; and the need for high-performance hardware support and professional technical maintenance increases the system's complexity and cost.

[0006] 2. The fully enclosed oil loading system disclosed in the authorization announcement number CN223150283U includes a control module and a loading module. The control module can remotely control the loading module and transmit communication signals. The loading module consists of an oil delivery component and an air intake component. The oil delivery component includes an oil delivery pipeline, an oil pump, a first manual valve, a liquid mass flow meter, a pneumatic V-type control valve, and an anti-static grounding clamp. The oil pump, the first manual valve, the liquid mass flow meter, and the pneumatic V-type control valve are all installed on the oil delivery pipeline.

[0007] The advantages of the aforementioned loading system are that it can be remotely operated via a control module, enabling automated control of the loading process and reducing manual intervention; however, it also has some drawbacks: Relying on remote control modules and multiple sensors, the system is highly complex, with high risks of equipment failure and maintenance costs. Although it achieves monitoring of oil delivery volume and speed, it does not adequately consider on-site safety operations, such as manual observation of liquid levels and oil and gas leakage.

[0008] Authorization announcement number CN115504427B discloses a closed loading and unloading device for crude oil tank trucks. This device connects the loading and unloading pipeline to the tank truck opening via a quick connector and is equipped with an oil and gas recovery channel to reduce oil and gas volatilization and environmental pollution during the loading process. It has been piloted in some oil depots in China. Its purpose is to achieve closed loading of oil in tank trucks and to recover oil and gas, meeting increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements.

[0009] However, this existing technology still has the following shortcomings: it is complex in structure, has high manufacturing costs, and is relatively bulky.

[0010] In conclusion, there is still room for improvement in the technical solutions disclosed above. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sealed tank truck oil loading connection device that is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, and simultaneously functions as an oil-gas separator and a liquid level display. This simplifies the oil loading operation steps and process, reduces the labor intensity of operators, protects their health, reduces oil and gas loss, and protects the environment.

[0012] The technical solution of this utility model is: a sealed tank truck oil loading connection device, including a tank opening sealing plate with a liquid inlet pipe fixed thereon, wherein: the liquid inlet pipe is connected to a liquid inlet bend at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate, and an inlet universal joint assembly is installed in the liquid inlet bend; a defoamer and a float carriage are also fixed at the lower end of the tank opening sealing plate, and the defoamer is connected to an oil-gas separator at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate through an oil-gas escaping bend; a sliding indicator is provided in the liquid level display rod fixed at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate, and the sliding indicator is connected to a float placed in the float carriage and can move with the movement of the float.

[0013] Preferably, the liquid level indicator rod has an I-shaped track in its rod body, and the lower part of the slider has an I-shaped structure and can slide in the I-shaped track.

[0014] Preferably, the liquid level indicator rod has a dovetail-shaped track in its rod body, and the lower part of the slider has a dovetail-shaped structure and can slide in the dovetail-shaped track.

[0015] Preferably, the liquid level indicator rod is supported and fixed by a support block fixed to the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate. The upper end of the support block is a slope with the left side lower and the right side higher, which facilitates the sliding of the slider in the track. The upper body of the slider is higher than the track set in the liquid level indicator rod body. The upper body of the slider is coated with a conspicuous pigment layer or a film or plate made of reflective material is pasted or coated with reflective paint on both sides.

[0016] Preferably, the sliding buoy and the float are connected by a steel wire rope, which passes through a rope hole in the tank opening sealing plate; the tank opening sealing plate is also equipped with a breather valve and has a fixing slot on the outer edge of the tank opening sealing plate, the fixing slot matching the number of threaded blind holes in the tank opening.

[0017] Preferably, the float carriage is composed of two or more rods, the upper end of the rods of the float carriage is fixed or welded to the lower end face of the tank opening sealing plate with the rope through hole as the center, and the inner circle formed by the rods of the float carriage is larger than the outer circle of the float.

[0018] Preferably, the defoamer is a cylindrical body with a flange at the upper end and densely covered with defoaming holes at the lower part of the cylindrical body. The flange at the upper end of the defoamer can be bolted to the flange of the oil and gas escaping bend. An escaping port universal joint assembly is installed in the oil and gas escaping bend between the defoamer and the oil and gas separator.

[0019] Preferably, the oil-gas separator is provided with an upper connecting plate, a lower connecting plate, oil-gas adsorption blades, and an upper cover plate. Both the upper and lower connecting plates are flange bodies. The oil-gas adsorption blades are staggered and fixed in the cylinder between the upper and lower connecting plates. The upper cover plate is provided with an air outlet and can be connected to the upper connecting plate.

[0020] Preferably, the cylinder of the oil-gas separator is also filled with activated carbon; the inlet pipe is made of aluminum alloy and has a flow aid hole in the lower end of the pipe.

[0021] Preferably, an inlet universal joint assembly for connection can be installed between the lower end of the inlet bend and the inlet pipe; or: a positioning platform with an inner circle smaller than the flange bolt hole formed by the flange of the inlet pipe is machined at the lower end of the inlet bend, and the positioning platform is installed in a connecting plate with a positioning cavity in the middle and a connecting flange at the bottom, and the positioning platform can rotate in the positioning cavity of the connecting plate; a sealing element is installed between the inlet bend and the connecting plate, and the connecting flange of the connecting plate is connected to the flange at the upper end of the inlet pipe by bolts.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the significant advantages of this utility model are as follows: This utility model has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost, and also has a safe liquid level display function and an oil-gas separation function, which can meet the needs of tank truck oil loading.

[0023] This invention incorporates a defoamer and an oil-gas separator. First, when bubbles rise from the foam surrounding the vent on the liquid surface at the top of the tank, the defoamer punctures them, allowing the gas to pass through the oil-gas separator for further separation, thus improving the separation efficiency. Before the oil and gas escape from the tank, residual oil mist is separated, ensuring the purity of the discharged gas. The separated gas is then discharged through the oil-gas vent bend and the oil-gas separator. This device utilizes a universal joint assembly at the vent, allowing adjustment of the exhaust direction according to the site environment, increasing the exhaust height, achieving high-level emission, and enhancing emission safety. It reduces the risk of oil and gas accumulation, effectively preventing poisoning, fires, and explosions, and reducing atmospheric pollution.

[0024] This invention relates to an oil loading connection device that combines oil-gas separation, safe discharge, and protective functions. Tests conducted at single-well oil extraction stations in oilfields, as well as oil depots and gathering and transportation stations, have demonstrated its safe and stable operation. This device can handle the loading of different oil products, such as crude oil, refined oil, and light oil.

[0025] This invention achieves fully sealed operation through a tank opening sealing plate and is equipped with a breather valve to regulate the pressure inside and outside the oil tank, thus preventing negative or overpressure in the tanker truck.

[0026] The liquid level indicator rod in this device changes the way liquid level detection relies on manual observation, eliminates the defects of oil filling errors and repeated loading and unloading. Operators can monitor the liquid level in real time and intuitively in a safe area from the ground, reducing labor intensity and improving oil filling efficiency and effectiveness.

[0027] The inlet pipe of this device is made of aluminum alloy, which is not only lightweight and easy to install, but also has good corrosion resistance and antistatic properties, thus improving the applicability and safety of the device.

[0028] This utility model is applicable to oil loading operations in single-well tanks, gathering and transportation stations, and combined stations. Using this device can achieve closed loading of crude oil, effectively reducing oil evaporation and leakage during the loading process, and has significant effects. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of an oil-gas separator.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A top-down plan view.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Inlet universal joint assembly; 2. Tank opening sealing plate; 3. Liquid inlet pipe; 4. Float ball; 5. Float ball slide; 6. Defoamer; 7. Breathing valve; 8. Liquid level indicator rod; 8-1. Slide indicator; 9. Escape port universal joint assembly; 10. Oil-gas separator; 10-1. Upper connecting plate; 10-2. Lower connecting plate; 10-3. Oil-gas adsorption blades; 10-4. Upper cover plate. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The accompanying drawings are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. The technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] See Figures 1-5 A sealed tanker oil loading connection device includes a tank opening sealing plate 2 with an inlet pipe 3 fixed thereon. The inlet pipe 3 is connected to an inlet bend at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate 2, and an inlet universal joint assembly 1 is installed in the inlet bend. A defoamer 6 and a float slide 5 are also fixed at the lower end of the tank opening sealing plate 2. The defoamer 6 is connected to an oil-gas separator 10 at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate 2 through an oil-gas escaping bend. A level indicator rod 8 fixed at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate 2 is provided with a slider 8-1. The slider 8-1 is connected to a float 4 placed in the float slide 5 and can move with the movement of the float 4.

[0036] In order to overcome the shortcomings of existing tank truck oil loading connection devices, which have complex structures and high manufacturing costs, this utility model simplifies the device structure while having liquid level display function and oil-gas separation function.

[0037] To facilitate the connection of this device with the oil pipeline, an inlet universal joint assembly 1 is installed in the inlet bend at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate 2, which significantly facilitates the connection operation between this device and the oil pipeline.

[0038] To protect the health of operators from harmful gases, and to reduce oil and gas losses and protect the environment, this device includes an oil-gas separator 10 connected to the defoamer 6 via an oil-gas escaping bend. The defoamer 6 punctures the foam floating around the escaping port of this device, allowing gas from the oil in the tank to enter the oil-gas separator 10 through the oil-gas escaping bend. Further oil-gas separation occurs in the oil-gas separator 10, and the separated oil droplets flow back into the tank along the oil-gas escaping bend. The separated gas is released into the atmosphere, protecting ground-based operators from harmful gases, while also recovering some oil, reducing oil and gas losses, and protecting the environment.

[0039] Based on the above embodiment 1, the present invention also has the following embodiments: a preferred embodiment: the body of the liquid level display rod 8 is provided with an I-shaped track, and the lower part of the slider 8-1 has an I-shaped structure and can slide in the I-shaped track.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid level indicator rod 8 has a dovetail-shaped track in its rod body, and the lower part of the slider 8-1 has a dovetail-shaped structure and can slide in the dovetail-shaped track.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment: the liquid level indicator rod 8 is supported and fixed by a support block fixed to the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate 2. The upper end of the support block is an inclined surface with the left side lower and the right side higher, which facilitates the sliding of the slider 8-1 in the track after oil unloading. The upper body of the slider 8-1 is higher than the track set in the rod body of the liquid level indicator rod 8. Both sides of the upper body of the slider 8-1 are coated with a conspicuous pigment layer or have a film or plate made of reflective material pasted on or coated with reflective paint. The conspicuous pigment layer includes: red, green or yellow, etc.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the slider 8-1 and the float 4 are connected by a steel wire rope, which passes through a rope hole in the tank opening sealing plate 2. The tank opening sealing plate 2 is also equipped with a breather valve 7 and has a fixing slot on its outer edge, the number of which corresponds to the number of threaded blind holes in the tank opening. The tank opening sealing plate 2 is connected and fixed to the threaded blind holes in the tank opening using the fixing slot and bolts. The steel wire rope connecting the slider 8-1 and the float 4 is made of thin steel wire, allowing it to both push the slider 8-1 upwards and move downwards as the float 4 moves downwards.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the float slide 5 consists of two or more rods. The upper ends of the rods of the float slide 5 are fixed or welded to the lower end face of the tank opening sealing plate 2 with the rope perforation as the center. The inner circle formed by the rods of the float slide 5 is larger than the outer circle of the float 4. When the oil level in the tanker truck rises, the float 4 pushes the wire rope upward with the rise in oil level, causing the slider 8-1 to slide in the track. Ground personnel can easily observe the changes in the liquid level in the tank without having to climb the tank or the top to observe the liquid level.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment: the defoamer 6 is a cylindrical body with a flange at the upper end and densely covered with defoaming holes at the lower part of the cylindrical body. The flange at the upper end of the defoamer 6 can be bolted to the flange of the oil and gas escaping bend. An escaping port universal joint assembly 9 is installed in the oil and gas escaping bend between the defoamer 6 and the oil and gas separator 10 to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of the oil and gas separator 10.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the oil-gas separator 10 is provided with an upper connecting plate 10-1, a lower connecting plate 10-2, oil-gas adsorption blades 10-3, and an upper cover plate 10-4. The upper connecting plate 10-1 and the lower connecting plate 10-2 are both flange bodies. The oil-gas adsorption blades 10-3 are staggered and fixed in the cylinder between the upper connecting plate 10-1 and the lower connecting plate 10-2. The upper cover plate 10-4 is provided with an air outlet and can be connected to the upper connecting plate 10-1.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder of the oil-gas separator 10 is also filled with activated carbon. The activated carbon in the cylinder can further adsorb and adhere harmful substances. After separation, the oil droplets fall into the oil tank, and the gas is dispersed through the upper cover plate 10-4 with an outlet hole. The inlet pipe 3 is made of aluminum alloy and has a flow aid hole in the lower end of the pipe. The flow aid hole can improve the filling speed of the oil.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment: an inlet universal joint assembly 1 for connection can be installed between the lower end of the inlet bend and the inlet pipe 3; or: a positioning platform with an inner circle smaller than the flange bolt hole formed by the flange of the inlet pipe 3 is machined at the lower end of the inlet bend, and the positioning platform is installed in a connecting plate with a positioning cavity in the middle and a connecting flange at the bottom, and the positioning platform can rotate in the positioning cavity of the connecting plate; a sealing element is installed between the inlet bend and the connecting plate, and the connecting flange of the connecting plate is connected to the flange at the upper end of the inlet pipe 3 by bolts.

[0048] Both installing an inlet universal joint assembly 1 between the lower end of the inlet bend and the inlet pipe 3, and machining a positioning platform at the lower end of the inlet bend, allow the entire inlet bend to rotate circumferentially, making it easier to connect the device to the oil pipeline.

[0049] The working principle of this device is as follows: In practical applications, the operator installs the tank opening sealing plate 2 at the tanker opening of the tanker truck to create a sealed environment. Oil is injected into the tanker truck's oil tank through the inlet universal joint assembly 1 and the inlet pipe 3. As the oil level rises, the float 4 floats along the float slide 5 and drives the slider 8-1 in the liquid level indicator rod 8 to move to the right, indicating the liquid level.

[0050] The oil vapors and foam generated during the oil filling process first enter the defoamer 6, where most of the oil mist flows back into the oil tank. The gas treated by the defoamer 6 then undergoes further separation through the oil-gas separator 10, achieving deep separation and recovery of oil vapors. Throughout the entire oil filling process, the oil tank opening remains sealed to prevent oil vapors from being directly released into the environment.

[0051] The embodiments described above are merely typical examples, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make modifications without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the inventive spirit and concept of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope is not limited to the above description.

Claims

1. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device, comprising a tank opening sealing plate with a liquid inlet pipe fixed thereon, characterized in that, The inlet pipe is connected to the inlet bend at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate, and the inlet bend contains the inlet universal joint assembly; the defoamer and float carriage are also fixed at the lower end of the tank opening sealing plate, and the defoamer is connected to the oil-gas separator at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate through the oil-gas escaping bend; the liquid level indicator rod fixed at the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate is equipped with a slider, which is connected to the float placed in the float carriage and can move with the movement of the float.

2. The sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid level indicator rod has an I-shaped track in its body, and the lower part of the slider has an I-shaped structure and can slide in the I-shaped track.

3. The sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid level indicator rod has a dovetail-shaped track in its rod body, and the lower part of the slider has a dovetail-shaped structure and can slide in the dovetail-shaped track.

4. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The liquid level indicator rod is supported and fixed by a support block fixed to the upper end of the tank opening sealing plate. The upper end of the support block is a slope with the left side lower and the right side higher, which facilitates the sliding of the slider in the track. The upper body of the slider is higher than the track set in the liquid level indicator rod. The upper body of the slider is coated with a conspicuous pigment layer or a film or plate made of reflective material is pasted or coated with reflective paint on both sides.

5. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The sliding buoy and the float are connected by a steel wire rope, which passes through a rope hole in the tank opening sealing plate. The tank opening sealing plate is also equipped with a breather valve and has a fixing slot on the outer edge of the tank opening sealing plate. The number of the fixing slot matches the number of threaded blind holes in the oil tank opening.

6. The sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The float carriage consists of two or more rods. The upper end of the rods of the float carriage is fixed or welded to the lower end face of the tank opening sealing plate with the rope through hole as the center. The inner circle formed by the rods of the float carriage is larger than the outer circle of the float.

7. A sealed tanker truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The defoamer is a cylindrical body with a flange at the top and numerous defoaming holes at the bottom. The flange at the top of the defoamer can be bolted to the flange of the oil and gas escaping bend. An escaping port universal joint assembly is installed in the oil and gas escaping bend between the defoamer and the oil and gas separator.

8. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The oil-gas separator is provided with an upper connecting plate, a lower connecting plate, oil-gas adsorption blades, and an upper cover plate. Both the upper and lower connecting plates are flange bodies. The oil-gas adsorption blades are staggered and fixed in the cylinder between the upper and lower connecting plates. The upper cover plate is provided with an air outlet and can be connected to the upper connecting plate.

9. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The cylinder of the oil-gas separator is also filled with activated carbon; the inlet pipe is made of aluminum alloy and has a flow aid hole in the lower end of the pipe.

10. A sealed tank truck oil loading connection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, in Alternatively, an inlet universal joint assembly for connection can be installed between the lower end of the inlet bend and the inlet pipe, or: a positioning platform with an inner circle smaller than the flange bolt hole formed by machining a smaller diameter than that of the inlet pipe can be machined at the lower end of the inlet bend. This positioning platform is installed in a connecting plate with a positioning cavity in the middle and a connecting flange at the bottom, and the positioning platform can rotate in the positioning cavity of the connecting plate; a sealing element is installed between the inlet bend and the connecting plate, and the connecting flange of the connecting plate is connected to the flange at the upper end of the inlet pipe by bolts.

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