AU756711B2

AU756711B2 - Storage tank

Info

Publication number: AU756711B2
Application number: AU12136/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Malcolm Avetoom Ellis; Michael Ian Hutson
Original assignee: WESTDEK Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WESTDEK Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-16
Filing date: 1999-01-18
Publication date: 2003-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-18
Also published as: AU1213699A

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT eq 6 6 *6 C

CC..

6* Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors Westdek Pty Ltd Michael lan Hutson and James Malcolm Avetoom Ellis WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Address for service is:

OQ

Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Storage Tank" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PP1361 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 7, NOV. 2002 16:32 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 3 -2- "Storage Tank" Field of the Invention This invention relates to a storage tank.

Background Traditionally, storage tanks have been supplied in a constructed form. Whilst this is acceptable for small storage tanks, the difficulty and cost of transporting a medium to large tank has created a need for an alternative approach for such 9 tanks. Australian patent 631410 describes one such alternative, in which tanks are assembled in situ from sheets of material with holes punched therein. The tank is constructed in a series of rings stacked one atop the other. Each ring :partially overlaps the outside of the ring beneath it to form a vertical wall. Patent 631410 describes the need to increase the distance (referred to as 'circumferential displacement) between the holes formed in the sheets of material that form each ring. The circumferential displacement accommodates the slightly increased diameter of each ring compared to the ring beneath it, due to the thickness of the sheets of material.

Whilst providing a useful alternative to preforming the tanks, the need to increase the distance between holes in sheets of adjacent rings complicates the manufacturing process. Indeed, the sheets used in each ring of a tank have different hole spacings, requiring recalibration of the hole punching machinery. In addition the result is the need to provide a number of sets of different sheets to enable a tank to be assembled.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any where in the world as at the priority date of the application.

7. NOV. 2002 16:32 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 4 -3- Disclosure of the Invention It has been discovered that by forming each ring with slightly inclined walls, the need to circumnferentially displace the holes in the sheets of material of adjacent rings is eliminated, simplifying the manufacturing process.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "9comprises or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Accordingly, the invention resides in a storage tank having a wall formed from a 10 plurality of rings, each ring formed from a one or more sheets of material interconnected in an end to end relationship with the end edges overlapping, :wherein each ring is substantially of the same dimensions and is of a frusto- 0V 0 0:conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial end faces of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness of the material, wherein said rings are interconnected in end to end relationship with the adjacent ends .t overlapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end of the adjacent ring.

Accordingly the invention also resides in a method of forming a storage tank comprising forming a plurality of rings, each ring from a one or more sheets of 00.. 20 material interconnected in an end to end relationship with the end edges overlapping, wherein each ring is substantially of the same dimensions and is of a frusto-conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial end faces of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness of the material, interconnecting the in an end to end relationship with the adjacent ends overlapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end of the adjacent ring.

Accordingly the invention also resides in a storage tank assembly kit comprising a number of sheets, the ends of the sheets being adapted to be interconnectable to form a ring of a frusto-conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial end faces of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness 7, NOV. 2002 16:32 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. -4of the material, the number of sheets being sufficient to form at least two rings of substantially the same dimension, said rings being capable of being interconnected in an end to end relationship with the adjacent ends overlapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end of the adjacent ring.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, each sheet of material has at least one row of holes provided therein adjacent each end thereof, each row of holes being inclined to a line extending transversely across said sheet.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the rows at one end of each 10 sheet are inclined and equal and opposite amount to the rows at the other end.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the rows are inclined towards the centre of the sheet.

According to a preferred feature of the invention each ring is be formed from at least two sheets.

15 According to a preferred feature of the invention the narrower end of each ring is uppermost.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the narrower end of each ring is lowermost.

According to a preferred feature of the invention each ring is formed from at least two sheets.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the sheets are of substantially the same dimensions.

The invention will now be described with reference to several embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings 25 The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 7. NOV. 2002 16:33 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 6 Figures 1A, 1 B 'and 10 are plan views of sheets of material in the upper, middle and lower rings of a storage tank according to the embodiment, respectively; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of one end of the sheet of material shown in Figure 1 C illustrating the inclined rows of holes; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of part of the storage tank according to the embodiment illustrating the inclined walls of each ring; Figure 4 is a plan view of the storage tank of the embodiment; and Figure 5 is an exploded view of the roof of the storage tank of the embodiment.

Description of the Embodiment °Oo S: 10 The first embodiment is directed towards a storage tank 10 formed of three substantially identical rings 12a, 12b and 12c which are each formed of a number of sheets of material 14a, 14b and 14c, respectively. The rings 12a, 12b and 12c correspond with the upper, middle and lower rings respectively of the storage tank 10. In the case of the first embodiment The rings 12a, 12b and 12c are each 15 formed from eight sheets of material where the sheets which form each ring are 9 substantially identical.

Each sheet of material 14a, 14b and 14c is corrugated, with the corrugations extending longitudinally along each sheet between the ends, and has an array of holes 16 formed therein. The holes are 16 provided in the crest of the corrugations. The array of holes 16 comprises a first row of holes 18a and 18d provided adjacent each end 20a and 20b of each sheet, and a second row of holes 18b and 18 c provided parallel and inward of the first row of holes 18a and 18d at each end where the first and second rows extend transversely across the sheet. The first and second row of holes 18a,18b and 18c,18d at each end are substantially parallel and the spacing between the adjacent rows are substantially the same for all sheets. The array further comprises a third row of holes provided parallel and adjacent one or both side edges 20c and 20d of each sheet. In each sheet the number and position of the holes of the first row at one end 7. NOV. 2002 16:33 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 7 -6correspond with'the number and position of the holes of the second row of holes at the other end. However, the array of holes in the sheets which form each ring differ between rings. Each sheet of material 14a which forms the upper ring 12a has one second row 18b at one end and one first row 18d at the other end which each comprise a hole adjacent each edge while the other second row 18c at the other end and first row 18 Ba at one end each comprise a hole located at each crest. Each sheet of material 14b which forms the middle ring 12b has one second row 18b at one end and one first row 18d at the other end which each comprise a row of holes which extend approximately half-way across the sheet from the side edge which is to be lowermost while the other second row 18c at the other end and first row 18a at one end each comprise a hole located at each 0. crest. In each sheet of material 14c which forms the lower ring 12b each of the *'p"p first and second rows 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d comprise a hole located at each crest.The variation of the array of the holes in the sheets which form the rings is 15 to cater for the variation in water pressure which will be applied to the rings depending upon their depth in the tank.

The axis of each pair of rows 18a, 186 and 18c, 18d at each end of each sheet is *•22 -oblique to the transverse axis ofeach sheet 14a, 14b and 14c such that the axes of the pairs of rows are convergent. The magnitude of the offset of the axes to 20 the transverse axis is such the rings which are formed from the sheets are generally frusto-conical where the difference in the radius between the axial faces is substantially equal to the thickness of the sheet material. In the case of an example of the first embodiment the sheets 14a, 14b and 14c of the embodiment were 3.11 m in length, and the difference in the spacing between the holes at the side edges of one first row 18a and the second row 18 c at the opposed end of the sheet was 4mm.

Figure 4 shows the assembled tank 10 according to the first embodiment. It should be noted that the hole patterns shown in Figure 4 are reversed compared to those shown in Figures la, lb and ic. This is because Figure 4 is shown from the outside of the tank 10, whilst Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are shown from the inside of the tank 7. NOV. 2002 16:33 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 8 -7- Each sheet 14c in the lower ring 12c overlaps the adjacent sheet forming the lower ring such that the holes in the first row 18a at one end of each sheet are aligned with the holes 18c of the second row at the opposed end of the adjacent sheet and the holes in the second row 18b at one end of each sheet are aligned with the holes of the first row 18d of the first row of the opposed end of the adjacent sheet. Suitable fasteners such as bolts are provided in the aligned holes to fix the sheets together.

The sheets 14b in the middle ring are then partially overlapped with the sheets 14c in the lower ring, such that the lowermost holes in the first and second rows of the sheets 14b which form the second ring are aligned with the two uppermost :holes in the first and second rows of the sheets 14c which form the lower ring. In addition, the third row of holes 16 at the lower edges of the middle ring are aligned with the third row of holes at the upper edge of the lower ring and suitable fasteners are applied to the aligned holes. The sheets 14b of the middle ring are 15 interconnected in a similar manner to the sheets of the lower ring and as described above. The upper ring 12a is applied to the middle ring 12b in a similar manner.

As shown in Figure 3 in an exaggerated manner, each sheet 14a, 14b and 14c in the rings 12a, 12b and 12c is slightly inclined to vertical, such that each ring 12a, 12b and 12c has a frusto-conical shape with a narrow end 24 and a wider end 26.

The inclination need only be sufficient such that the radius of the narrow end 24 of each ring is smaller than the radius of the wider end 26 of the ring above it by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the sheet material. This is sufficient to allow the ring above it to be fastened to the outside of the ring without needing to adjust the spacing between the holes in each sheet. Furthermore, the outside diameter of the tank 10 does not increase beyond that of greatest outside diameter of each of the rings.

Figure 5 shows a roof 28 of the tank 10 in exploded form. The roof 28 comprises a truss 30 extending diametrically across the top of the tank 10 and affixed thereto. The truss 30 includes a hollow central post 32 arranged to receive a support ring 34 therein. The support ring 34 is secured to the post 32 via a bolt 1. NOV. 2002 16:34 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 9 -8- 36 passing through holes provided in both the post 32 and the support ring 34.

Holes are provided in the support ring 34 at a plurality of spaced apart locations along its length to allow the height of the support ring 34 to be adjusted relative to the truss 6 A plurality of panels 38 extend radially from the support ring 34 to the upper edge of the tank 10. The panels 38 have upturned edges 42. Adjacent panels are connected together with a cleat 44, A conical hat 46 sits atop the panels 38 and is affixed to the support ring 34 using a threaded fixing rod 48. A mesh 50 is provided between the hat 46 and the panels 38 to exclude insects from the inside of the According to a further embodiment all of the sheets which are used to form a tank can be formed to conform with the sheets 14c of the first embodiment which are used in the lower ring of the first embodiment.

The arrangement according to the both of the embodiments, in regard to the spacing of tihe holes from each other avoids the need to adjust the spacing of the hole punching machinery during manufacture of the sheets. Furthermore the capacity of a tank can be varied by varying the number of rings and the number of the sheets which form the rings.

Each of the embodiments reduce the number of types of sheets that need to be produced by a manufacturer in order to form a tank when compared to the disclosure contained at Australian patent 631410.

For example, in other embodiments, the rows of holes may be provided slightly inclined away from the centre of each sheet. Furthermore in other embodiments, the number of holes and rows may be varied according to engineering requirements without departing from the invention. Additionally in other embodiments, the number of rings in the tank may be varied as required.

It should be appreciated that the scope of this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above.

Claims

7. NOV. 2662 16:34 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 16 Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A storage tank having a wall formed from a plurality of rings, each ring formed from a one or more sheets of material interconnected in an end to end relationship with the end edges overlapping, wherein each ring is substantially of the same dimensions and is of a frusto-conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial end faces of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness of the material, wherein said rings are interconnected in end to end relationship with the 10 adjacent ends overlapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end of the adjacent ring. 2. A storage tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein each sheet of material has at least one row of holes provided therein adjacent each end thereof, each row of holes being angularly off set from the transverse axis of th sheet. 3. A storage tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one row at one end of each sheet are angularly off set from the transverse axis to an equal and opposite degree to the at least one row at the other end. 4. A storage tank as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one row at each end of the sheet are convergent. 5. A storage tank as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the narrower end of each ring is uppermost. 6. A storage tank as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the narrower end of each ring is lowermost. 7. A storage tank as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein each ring is formned from at least two sheets. 7. NOV. 2002 16:34 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 11
8. A storage tank as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the sheets are of substantially the same dimensions.
9. A storage tank substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. A method of forming a storage tank comprising forming a plurality of rings, each ring from a one or more sheets of material interconnected in an end to end relationship with the end edges overlapping, wherein each ring is substantially of the same dimensions and is of a frusto-conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial end faces 10 of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness of the material, to interconnecting the in an end to end relationship with the adjacent ends o~o*.:overlapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end to.: of the adjacent ring. 9e
11. A method as claimed at claim 10 wherein at least one row of holes is formed at each end of each sheet of material has, each row of holes being '.:angularly off set from the transverse axis of the sheet, said method .00* comprising aligning the holes provided at the overlapping ends of the .00.0:sheets forming each ring an applying fixings through said holes. @99009 :00*0012. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one row at one end 0to 20 of each sheet are angularly off set from the transverse axis to an equal and opposite degree to the at least one row at the other end.
13. A methoid as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one row at each end of the sheet are convergent.
14. A method as claimed at any one of the claims 10 to 13 wherein the narrower end of each ring is located uppermost. A method as claimed at any one of the claims 10 to 13 wherein the narrower end of each ring is located lowermost. 7. NOV. 2002 16:34 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 12
16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein each ring is formed from at least two sheets.
17. A method as claimed at any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the sheets are of substantially the same dimensions.
18. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. A storage tank assembly kit comprising a number of sheets, the ends of the sheets being adapted to be interconnectable to form a ring of a frusto- conical configuration wherein the difference in radius between the axial 10 end faces of each ring is approximately equal to the thickness of the material, the number of sheets being sufficient to form at least two rings of :substantially the same dimension, said rings being capable of being interconnected in an end to end relationship with the adjacent ends overiapping and the narrower end of one ring received within the wider end of the adjacent ring. *0 O 00.0.20. A storage tank assembiy kit as claimed in claim 19, wherein each sheet of material has at least one row of holes provided therein adjacent each end *:.&*:thereof, each row of holes being angularly off set from the transverse axis of the sheet.
21. A storage tank assembly kit as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one row at one end of each sheet are angularly off set from the transverse axis to an equal and opposite degree to the at least one row at the other end.
22. A storage tank assembly kit as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the at least one row at each end of the sheet are convergent.
23. A storage tank assembly kit as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the sheets are of substantially the same dimensions. 7. NOV. 2002 16:35 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 240 P. 13 -12-
24. A storage tank assembly kit as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein each ring is to be formed from at least two sheets. A storage tank assembly kit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this fourth day of November
2002. WESTDEK PTY LTD Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s) S S S S 5 S 0 S 0 S SS* 0 S 09 0 0 *0 oooo 00 oooo o*o *ooooo* ooo* *°ooo o