CA2055760A1 - Joint for turbine enclosure in underground tanks - Google Patents

Joint for turbine enclosure in underground tanks

Info

Publication number
CA2055760A1
CA2055760A1 CA 2055760 CA2055760A CA2055760A1 CA 2055760 A1 CA2055760 A1 CA 2055760A1 CA 2055760 CA2055760 CA 2055760 CA 2055760 A CA2055760 A CA 2055760A CA 2055760 A1 CA2055760 A1 CA 2055760A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
collar
turbine
flange
tank
degrees
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2055760
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William A. Schneider
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Owens Corning
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2055760A1 publication Critical patent/CA2055760A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A storage tank suitable for underground containment of liquids comprises a tank wall having a bore therethrough, an upwardly protruding collar mounted on the tank and having a radially inwardly flaring flange which turns upwardly, the flange being at an angle to the vertical within the range of 5 to 75 degrees.

Description

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SPECIFICATION

TO A~L WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Be it known thak I, WILLIAM A. SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States of America, resident of Conroe, County of Montgomery, State of Texas, have invented a new and use~ul improvement in JOINT FOR TURBINE
ENCLOSURE IN UNDERGROUND TANKS which invention is ~ully set forth in the following speci~ication.
TEC~NICAL FIELD
This invention pertains to storage tanks suitable ~or the storage o~ liquids. More particularly, ~his invention relates to tanks which are suitable for storing such liquids as gasoIine underground.
5~iGROUND ART
Undergrou;nd~stora~e tanks are widely used for storing gasoline and~other fuels. Typically,~hese tanks are made from fiberglass reinforced plastic of ~he type which is~chemically resis~ant~to fuels and other similar liquids. Such~tanks have received widespread use in gasol~ine~servLce~stations throughou~ the country. Tanks sized fo~the~storage of yasoline in service stations 3~0~ usually have a capacity of lO~000~gallons or more. The tanks~;~are~t~pically made by applying glass strands~ or choppe~ glass~ibers~along with liquid resin to a rotating mandrel. ~f~er~the resin curés, the~mandrel i~ removed, resulting~in~a generally cylindrical tank. Ribs are added or~structural strength~

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Underground storage tanks have one or more openings along the top of the tanks to allow fuel to be pumped into and out of the tank. Openings are also provided for monitoring the level of liquid within the tank. In order to provide access to the tank, and to house piping, pumps and level monitoring equipment for the ~low of liquids into and out of the tank, a chamber or enclosure is positioned directly above the tank. This equipment enclosure chamber is frequently referred to as a turbine, or a turbine enclosure. T~e turbine is generally a cylindrically-shaped fiberglass reinforced plastic piece which is positionad over an opening in the top wall of the tank. Typically, the tank is fitted with a collar which surrounds the openingj and which is attached with a water-tight joint to the top wall of the tank.
The turbine enclosure serves several purposes.
First, it provides a sump to collect any small amounts o~
~uel which may leak ~rom the pumps or piping system dire~tly above the t~nk, or other secondary containment s~stems such as double wall pip which is con`nected so that it drains into the sumpO Second, it shields the pumps and piping system from dirt or other back~ill materials. Also, it keeps~ground water~from reaching the pumps and piping system O
In order to provide a water-tight joint between 3~0~ the cylindrically shaped turbine and the cylindrically shaped collar, the turbine is typically provided with an outwardly-flared bottom edge or beIl, which is larger in diameter~than`the collar, in order to make a bell and spigot joint connection. The~bell and spigot joint does ~not provide a positive seat for the turbine, and misali~nment o~thé~turbine is a possibility. During ::: : :

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installation of the tank and the turbine enclosure, the turbine is placed over the collar and a field application of a sealing material or adhesive must be made to the connection between the turbine and the collar. The bell and spigot joint is oriented so that the crack or joint formed between the turbine and the collar points downwardly, thereby preventing ground water from running directly down into the joint. The downwardly oriented cracX is difficult to fill with adhesive in the field.
Also, after the turbine is applied to the collar, the backfill operation must be delayed until the joint is sealed. Further, the seal is not visible during the useful operation of the tank since the joint is buried by the backfill.
An additional problem with the ~ield joint which is pointing downwardly outside o~ the turbine enclosure is that being on the outside surface, it is difficult to apply heat to the adhesive material in cold weather in order to accelerate the hardening or curing o~ the adhesive. Finally, the joint, being on the outside of the turbine, is exposed to the elements during the curing process, rather than being something readily covered up to prevent its being affected by weather elements.
There is a need for a turbine enclosure joint ; which provides a watertight ~eal and can be readily 30~ applied. Further, the joint should be positioned so that ; ~it ca~ be readily inspected for possible failure during the liPe of the tank. Also, the joint should be one that establishes~a positive seat ~or the turbine wall on the collar, to avoid the situation of misalignment of the turbine wall on the collar.

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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A11 of the above outlined problems in providing a turbine enclosure on top of an underground storage tank can be overcome by using a joint in which the collar has ; an upwardly and radially inwardly flaring flange so that the joint is made on the inside of the turbine enclosure, rather than on the outside of the turbine enclosure. The upwardly and radially inwardly flaring flange and the turbine wall define an annular crack or space having a v-shaped cross-section. This crack can be filled with adhesive material to provide the seal, thereby preventing liquids from traveling into or out of the turbine enclosure. The ssal also provides structural rigidity to the turbine wall.
Since the crack is facing upward and inward, the joint can be readily inspected during the life of the tank. Also, since the join~ is applied within the turbine ' enclosure, the installation process and the sealing of the joint is greatly facilitated for the following rea~ons:
the joint can be sealed after the backfill operation has been concluded; the joint faces upward, thereby making it easy to apply the adhesive into the crack;~the joint is completed in an e~closed spac~, thereby making it easy to apply heat to~the joint when ambient temperatures are below~the recommended temperature range for the adhesive;
30~ and, the turhina can be readily covered during curing of the adhesive to limit the effects of weather characteristLcs~ The joint for the turbine enclosure of the invention~also includes a flat, upwardly facing surface adapted to receive the bottom edge of the turbine 3$~ ~in~order to~provide~a positive seating of the turbine wall on the collar.

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According to this invention, there is provided a storage tank suitable for underground containment of liquids comprising a tank wall having a bore therethrough, an upwardly prot~uding collar mounted on the tank and circumscribing the bore, the collar having at its upward end a flange which turns inwardly toward the interior of the collar, the flange being at an angle to the vertical within the range of ~rom about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, the collar and flange being suitable for mating with a turbine to form a turbine enclosure.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the collar has an upwardly facing surface adapted to receive the bottom edge of a turbine. Preferably, the upwardly facing surface is positioned where the flange is attached to the collar.
According to this invention, there is provided, in combination, a turbine and a storage tank suitable for underground containment of liquids, the tank comprising a tank wall having a bore therethrough, an upwardly prokruding collar mounted on the tank and circumscribing 25~ the bore, the collar having at its upward end a flange ; ~ which turns inwardly toward the interior o~ the collar, the flange~being at an angle to the vertical within the range of~from about 5~degrees to a~out 75 degrees, the collar and flange being suitable ~or mating with a turbine 30~ to f~orm a turbine enclosure, the turbine being positioned on the~collar so that the flange is positioned within the turbine, and~a sealing material placed~within the space between the flange and the turbine.
In a preferred~embodiment of the invention, the 35~ ooIlar and the turbine are circular, and the flange and " :

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turbine define an annular space having a v-shaped cross-section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic view in cross-section of a storage tank and turbine enclosure according to the 1 principles of the invention~
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section of the - ~ turbine enclosure of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic view in cross-section of the joint between the collar and the turbine sidewall, with the joint space being filIed by adhesive, according to the principles of the invention.
BE.~T MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
As shown in Fig~re 1, the storage tank is comprised of tank wall 10, having bore or tank opening 12 positioned in the top portion of the tank wall. The tank can be o~ any suitable design, such as a fiberglass reinforced tank, preferably with ribs 14 for rein~orcement. The tank can be a double wall tank or a single wall tank. Cir~umscribing ~the tank opèning is collar 16. Preferably, the tank opening and the collar are circular. The~collar protrudes upwardly from the top of the~tan~.~ As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the collar has~ flange 18 a~its~upward end which turns radially-inwardly toward the interior of the collar.
30~ ~Positioned on~the~collar is~turbine 20, comprised of cy1indrica`1 turbine sidewall 22. Turbine top 24 can ~lso be positioned~on~top o~ the turbine sidewall. The ~ circular or annuIar turbine sidewall defines the turbine s~ enclosure 26. ~Preferably, the turbine is made of S~ fiberglass rein~orced plastic mate~ial. Such turbines are well known in~the art.

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As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the collar has an upwardly facing surface, such as alignment step 28, adapted to receive the bottom edge 30 of the turbine.
This assures that the turbine sidewall is positively seated on the collar. Preferably, this surface is flat to evenly mate with the turbine bottom edge. Also, the alignment step is of the same diameter as the bottom edge of the turbine.
The collar is adapted with vertical alignment surface 36 which mates with turbine lower inner surface 38 of the turbine to form a snug fit. Thase mated vertical seGtions -- the alignment surface and the bottom inner surface -- prevent the turbine from rocking upwards on one i side when downward pressure is applied to the other side, such as when someone is climbing out of the tank opening i 20 during or after installation.
As can be~seen, the inner flange and the turbine sidewall define annular joint space 32, which has a v-shaped cross-section. The joint space can also be viewed às an annular crack running all the way around the turbine ~;25~ sidewall. To complete the installation of the joint, ; adhesive 34 is appIied into the joint space, as shown in Fiyure 3. The preferred adhesive is CL-200 by Fibercast Company, Sand Spring, OK, modified by a 50% addition of a vin~l ester resin for greater flowability.
30~ The inner flange is oriented at an angle to the vertical or to the turbine sidewall. This angle is within the ~angé of~from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, and preferably within the range of from about 10 degrees to about 4;5 degrees. Most preferably, the inner flange is at 35~ an angle of about 20 degrees to tha vertical. Also, the ~: :

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alignment step is preferably positioned where the flange is attached to the collarO
Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and described without departing from the scope of the invention.as set.forth in the following claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
This invention will be found to be useful in the manufacture and installation of fiberglass reinforced plastic underground storage tanks for the storage of liquids.

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Claims (17)

1. A storage tank suitable for underground containment of liquids comprising a tank wall having a bore therethrough, an upwardly protruding collar mounted on the tank and circumscribing the bore, the collar having at its upward end a flange which turns inwardly toward the interior of the collar, the flange being at an angle to the vertical within the range of from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, the collar and flange being suitable for mating with a turbine to form a turbine enclosure.
2. The storage tank of Claim 1 in which the tank wall and the collar are comprised of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
3. The storage tank of Claim 1 in which the collar has a vertical alignment surface adapted for contact with the lower inner surface of a turbine.
4. The storage tank of Claim 1 in which the collar has a flat, upwardly facing surface adapted to receive the bottom edge of a turbine.
5. The storage tank of Claim 4 in which the upwardly facing surface is positioned where the flange is attached to the collar.
6. The storage tank of Claim 4 in which the flange is at an angle to the vertical within the range of from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.
7. The storage tank of Claim 4 in which the tank wall and the collar are comprised of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
8. The storage tank of claim 5 in which the collar has a vertical alignment surface adapted for contact with the lower inner surface of a turbine.
9. In combination, a turbine and a storage tank suitable for underground containment of liquids, the tank comprising a tank wall having a bore therethrough, an upwardly protruding collar mounted on the tank and circumscribing the bore, the collar having at its upward end a flange which turns inwardly toward the interior of the collar, the flange being at an angle to the vertical within the range of from about 5 degrees to about 75 degrees, the collar and flange being suitable for mating with a turbine to form a turbine enclosure, the turbine being positioned on the collar so that the flange is positioned within the turbine, and a sealing material placed within the space between the flange and the turbine.
10. The combination of Claim 9 in which the collar has a vertical alignment surface which is in contact with the lower inner surface of the tubine.
11. The combination of Claim 9 in which the tank wall and the collar are comprised of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
12. The combination of Claim 9 in which the collar and turbine are circular, and in which the flange and turbine define an annular space having a v-shaped cross-section.
13. The combination of Claim 12 in which the collar has an upwardly facing surface adapted to receive the bottom edge of the turbine.
14. The combination of Claim 13 in which the collar base has a vertical alignment surface which is in contact with the lower inner surface of the turbine.
15. The combination of Claim 14 in which the upwardly facing surface is positioned where the flange is attached to the collar.
16. The combination of Claim 12 in which the flange is at an angle to the vertical within the range of from about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.
17. The combination of Claim 13 in which the tank wall, the turbine and the collar are comprised of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
CA 2055760 1990-11-19 1991-11-18 Joint for turbine enclosure in underground tanks Abandoned CA2055760A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61555890A 1990-11-19 1990-11-19
US615,558 1990-11-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2055760A1 true CA2055760A1 (en) 1992-05-20

Family

ID=24465914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2055760 Abandoned CA2055760A1 (en) 1990-11-19 1991-11-18 Joint for turbine enclosure in underground tanks

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2055760A1 (en)

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