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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable storage racks that can transport multiple tanks. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved tank that is transportable upon a rack and wherein the tank has a structurally robust construction that resists damage and including a specially configured alcove and sight glass arrangement and including protected piping.
2. General Background of the Invention
Exploration for oil and gas in an offshore environment requires transportation of liquid material to and from an offshore platform. Various liquids are used in the exploration process. Patents have issued that relate to racks that have been used to transport multiple modules such as tanks to the offshore oil and gas well drilling production platforms. Examples include the Ness U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,915,815; 6,983,704; 7,520,707; 7,552,687; 7,997,214; 8,079,791; and 8,104,501.
Other patents have issued for tank constructions. These include for example, the patents contained in the following table.
The following patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference:
The present invention provides a liquid storage tank apparatus. The present invention also provides a transport apparatus that includes a rack that is configured to carry multiple liquid storage tanks at the same time.
The liquid storage tank apparatus provides a tank vessel having a top wall, bottom wall, side walls and tank corners at the interface of each pair of adjacent side walls. Each side wall is preferably generally flat, defining a wall plane.
One of the tank walls has a tank alcove that provide a recess that is spaced from a tank corner, but offset from a side wall center. The alcove is thus closer to one corner than it is to another tank corner.
The alcove provides a recessed portion of the tank wall that extends inwardly of the tank wall plane.
The alcove includes an alcove wall, an alcove top and alcove bottom.
The sight glass gage is contained within and mounted within the alcove space. The sight glass gage is contained below the alcove top and above the alcove bottom and inwardly of the tank wall plane.
A protective screen can be provided that occupies a position in or next to the wall plane. The screen extends between the alcove top and alcove bottom, thus protecting the sight glass gage while enabling a user to view the gage.
The present invention thus provides a liquid storage tank that includes a tank vessel having a top wall, bottom wall, side walls, and tank corners at the interface of each pair of adjacent side walls, each side wall defining a wall plane.
A tank alcove provides a recess that is spaced from a tank corner. The alcove provides a recess portion of a tank wall that extends inwardly of the tank wall plane to provide an alcove space.
The alcove includes an alcove wall, an alcove top and an alcove bottom.
A sight glass gage is contained within the alcove space, below the alcove top, above the alcove bottom and inwardly of said tank wall plane.
An optional screen that occupies a said wall plane, the screen extending between a position next to the alcove top and a position next to the alcove bottom.
In one embodiment, the sight glass gage has an upper valve near the alcove top.
In one embodiment, the sight glass gage has a lower valve near the alcove bottom.
In one embodiment, the alcove is spaced below the top wall.
In one embodiment, the alcove is spaced above the bottom wall.
In one embodiment, the upper valve is below an upper welded connection that joins the top wall to a side wall.
In one embodiment, the lower valve is above a lower welded connection that joins the bottom wall to a side wall.
In one embodiment, lifting eyes are provided that attach to the tank body above the alcove.
In one embodiment, a vertical weldment connects each tank corner to a tank side wall.
In one embodiment, a vertical weldment connects each tank corner to the alcove panel.
In one embodiment, the alcove is spaced away from each vertical weldment.
In one embodiment, the screen is spaced below the upper valve.
In one embodiment, the screen is spaced above the lower valve.
In one embodiment, the upper valve is below an upper welded connection that joins the top wall to a side wall.
In one embodiment, the lower valve is above a lower welded connection that joins the bottom wall to a side wall.
The present invention includes a liquid storage tank comprising a tank vessel having a top wall, bottom wall, a plurality of tank side walls, and tank corners at the interface of each pair of adjacent side walls, each tank side wall defining a wall plane. One of the tank side walls has multiple panels including a larger panel and an alcove panel that includes multiple bends. The alcove panel can be a part of a tank alcove, the alcove can provide a recess that is in between the larger panel and a tank corner. The alcove panel can provide a recess portion of a tank wall that extends inwardly of a tank side wall plane to provide an alcove space. The alcove includes the alcove panel, an alcove top wall, and an alcove bottom wall. A sight glass gage can be contained within the alcove space below the alcove top and above the alcove bottom and inwardly of a tank side wall plane.
In one embodiment, the sight glass gage has a valve.
In one embodiment, the third panel has four bends.
In one embodiment, the valve is next to and below an upper welded connection that joins the top wall to a side wall.
In one embodiment, the valve is next to and above a lower welded connection that joins the bottom wall to a side wall.
In one embodiment, a screen at least partially covers the sight glass.
In one embodiment, one of the valves is an upper valve and the screen is spaced below upper valve.
In one embodiment, one of the valves is a lower valve and the screen is spaced above the lower valve.
The present invention includes liquid storage tank comprising a tank vessel having a top wall, bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and tank corners at the interface of each pair of adjacent side walls, each side wall defining a wall plane. One of the tank side walls has a vertical centerline, multiple panels including a first larger panel and a second panel includes multiple bends. The second panel can be a part of a tank alcove that provides a recess that is in between the larger panel and a tank corner, the alcove being offset from the vertical centerline. The alcove can provide a recess portion of a tank wall that extends inwardly of a tank side wall plane to provide an alcove space. The alcove includes the second panel, an alcove top, and an alcove bottom. A sight glass gage contained within the alcove space, below the alcove top, above the alcove bottom and inwardly of a tank wall plane.
In one embodiment, a vertical weldment connects a tank corner to the second, smaller panel.
For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
Tank 11 has corner lifting fittings 26 that can be welded to top 36. Corner lifting fittings 26 can extend above top 36 for example about 3.5 inches (9 cm), and can be for example about 7 inches (18 cm) wide. Fittings 26 can be rigged with shackles (not shown) for attaching slings (not shown) or other rigging to tank 11. For example, a plurality of four slings can be used, each sling attached to a lifting eye (not shown) which would then be connected to a lifting device such as a crane. Each of the four slings would be attached to a different one of the corner lifting fittings 26 using a shackle or other rigging or fitting.
Tank 11 has effluent or outlet 16 which can be fitted with pipe joint 30, elbow 32, valve 33 having valve handle 34 and a cover or cap 35. Effluent or outlet 16 can be located for example about 9¾ inches (25 cm) from side wall 13. Valve 33 can be opened or closed using handle 34. Manway or entry 22 and cover 23 are spaced inwardly of fittings 26.
Alcove 40 is provided on front wall 12 and can be for example about 60 inches (152 cm) long, about 8 inches (20 cm) wide and about 7 inches (18 cm) deep. Alcove 40 is offset from vertical centerline 57 of panel 12 as seen in
Alcove 40 has a recess 56 that is occupied by sightglass 50. Recess 56 can be partially covered with screen 51. Screen 51 can be for example about 50 inches (127 cm) long. Sightglass 50 has upper valve 52 and lower valve 53. Valve 52 can be located below top wall 36 for example about 2 inches (5 cm). Valve 53 can be located above bottom wall 37 for example about 2 inches (5 cm). Valves 52, 53 can be located a distance away from each other, for example about 56 inches (142 cm). Each valve 52, 53 has a valve handle 39 that enables a user to open or close a valve 52 or 53. Screen 51 has an upper end portion that is below sightglass upper valve 52 (see
A pair of spaced apart fork lift channels 60, 61 are provided. Plate 62 extends between the channels 60, 61, connecting to bottom 37 and lower beam 63.
The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:
All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
This is a non provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,443, filed 1 Jun. 2012. Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,443, filed 1 Jun. 2012, hereby incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.
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Entry |
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Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2013/043349, Oct. 2, 2013. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20140021209 A1 | Jan 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61654443 | Jun 2012 | US |