EP3802365B1 - Tank container arrangement - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tank container with a tank and a cuboid-shaped framework which accommodates the tank via end frames, wherein the framework comprises lateral lower longitudinal beams and transfer skids running between them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tank containers are generally known that have a framework and a container. These are usually designed and coupled in such a way that they can withstand certain operating loads over the long term. External loads that act on the container corner fittings are absorbed by the framework and the container itself. The load is usually transferred between the frame and the container via a saddle, in which a ring-shaped container element - e.g. an extended shell section - is coupled to the frame. This is also referred to as a so-called ring saddle, which can be designed to be particularly robust and weight-saving if the operating loads act exclusively on the front frame and in particular in the corner fittings.

Different operating loads occur. There are load cases in which the forces act in the area between the front sides of the container. These are primarily vertical forces acting from below, which occur during transport on road vehicles. One load case for tank containers is that they are supported on the main beams of the vehicle in so-called intermediate load transfer areas in addition to the coupling points on the corner fittings.

Another load case concerns the use of tank containers as roll-off containers. When loading and unloading the tank container using a hook lift system, the container rolls over longitudinal beams designed as roll-off profiles or transfer skids over rollers of a special vehicle. These profiles are essentially subjected to vertically upward moving point loads.

For such load cases, a conventional front saddle alone may not be sufficient. Known solutions consist of extremely rigid and stiff frame constructions which, by doubling or reinforcing the rolling profiles, reduce their deflection so much that they absorb the forces that occur when rolling up and down without using the load-bearing capacity of the container. However, such solutions usually require reinforcement of the handling skids, which has a negative impact on the overall height of the container.

Another approach is to couple the tank in the base area with the profiles running in the base area (turn-over profiles) using suitable metal saddle elements in such a way that they are supported on the tank itself and the tank can absorb part of the loads. However, there is a risk that moving point loads can lead to fatigue phenomena on the tank itself.

From the EP 0 733 511 A2 A tipping trough with an arched cross-section is known, which is provided with a reinforcing shell in the floor area that follows the contour of the trough and runs between two longitudinal frame parts that rest on the longitudinal beams of a vehicle. The reinforcing shell serves as impact protection for rubble stones to be transported in the trough.

From LTSP 1,848,191, a vehicle structure for a cylindrical tank is known in which the completely insulated tank is supported over a large area by two axially extending curved shell elements which follow the outer contour of the tank and are connected to one another via transverse ribs adapted to the tank contour.

The known solutions can have particular disadvantages, particularly in the case of insulated tank containers. For example, the usable volume of the container, which is already reduced by the thickness of the insulation layer, is further restricted by rigid and therefore high floor profiles if the floor profiles are to run completely outside the insulation.

For floor profiles that are connected to the tank, the insulation must be interrupted in the connection areas. This creates additional thermal bridges. This severely impairs the insulating effect and increases the manufacturing effort and the tare weight considerably.

A different approach according to EP 1 382 548 B1 consists in providing an edged or curved shell element which runs between the transfer skids and connects them to one another and is particularly welded to them. The shell element is part of the insulation and at the same time a load-bearing frame element which is intended to have a positive influence on the bending properties of the transfer skids. However, this means that dynamic loads are introduced into the insulation or the insulating cover during transfer (loading and unloading) and deformations at the connecting joints can lead to leaks in the insulating cover or fatigue problems in the zones in which an insulating material running between the tank and the insulating cover is deformed too much, fatigues and possibly loses its insulating properties.

If the insulating material is also intended to provide a supporting effect between the tank and the frame (via the shell element), this supporting effect can also be reduced due to fatigue of the insulating material and the structural strength can decrease.

DE 31 00010 A1 discloses a support frame with a built-in tank, which is designed as a frame construction that complies with the ISO container standard. The tank is arranged on supports in a support frame. The support frame is provided with roll-off rails on its underside and with a support bracket at the front end so that the support frame can be picked up by a roll-off tipper vehicle.

EP 2 088 094 A1 discloses a loading unit for intermodal transport and handling of goods, which can be adapted to different transport and handling requirements using adapters and other elements. A tank container can be fixed within the frame module. Furthermore, a roll-off container adapter can be detachably attached to the underside of the frame module.

The object of the present invention is to provide a tank container with an improved floor frame structure, in particular to realize a lightweight and easy-to-manufacture floor frame assembly with transfer skids, which can absorb corresponding operating loads without impairing the structural properties of the tank and without a dynamic load transfer between the tank and the floor frame taking place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solution to this problem according to the invention is specified in claim 1. According to a first aspect, the present invention is characterized in that the longitudinal beams of the tank container and the transfer skids are coupled to one another via cross struts passing through the transfer skids. This makes it possible to initially absorb part of the moving point load that occurs during transfer via the transfer skids and then to transfer it to the longitudinal beams via the cross struts. Due to the load transfer to the outside, it is therefore not necessary for the transfer skids to be changed by changing their profile in such a way that the overall height is lost. The available space for the tank and the transport volume remain constant and can be maximized.

Further aspects and features of the present invention emerge from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments.

In a design in which the cross struts are designed as square profiles or square tube profiles, particularly light and bend-stable structures can be realized.

In a design in which the end faces at the ends of the cross struts are attached to the inner flanks of the longitudinal beams, the coupling with the longitudinal beams is possible via straight and production-efficient cuts.

If the transfer skids are designed as rolling profiles, they can be used as transfer skids for standardized rolling systems without additional post-processing steps.

In an embodiment in which a front frame arrangement is provided at each end of the tank, each having a lower cross member, the undersides of which are each coupled to the upper sides of the transfer skids, the ends of the transfer skids are also firmly integrated into the frame structure, in particular into a floor frame structure, and contribute to stabilization.

In an embodiment in which insulation and an insulating cover are provided, and turning skids and cross struts are arranged in relation to one another in such a way that a distance (D) is formed between a sole line of the insulating cover and an upper side of the cross struts or turning skids, a bending of the turning skids and the floor structure due to turning can be tolerated without contact between the cross struts or turning skids.

The same applies to a design in which a tank is constructed without insulation and the distance (D) is then formed between a bottom line of the tank and the upper side of the cross struts or the transfer skids.

This ensures that no stresses during handling (loading and unloading from a hook lift vehicle) have an impact on the insulation or the tank. Reinforcing elements or support elements can therefore be avoided.

In a design in which a handling eyelet is provided and a front face at the end of a jacket guard is arranged in one plane, and a front face of a lower cross member facing the tank runs in this plane, and a front face of an upper cross member facing away from the tank also runs in this plane, a connection can be created between the back of the lower cross member and the front of the upper cross member. This is done with a connecting plate located in the connection plane (front face of the jacket guard). At the same time, the upper cross member is set back behind the lower cross member (in the direction of the tank) so that additional space can be created for a hook lift system or another handling arrangement, and the two cross members can still be coupled together in the connection plane of the tank.

In one embodiment, support profiles are provided between which a handling eyelet is arranged and between the support profiles a flat locking plate is arranged which is arranged in the plane so that there is a free space between the support profiles and the locking plate for receiving a hook lift arrangement.

In another arrangement, the closure plate is designed in such a way that its upper section runs in the tank connection plane and its lower section runs in a connection plane offset from this plane towards the end of the tank, so that an enlarged free space is formed in the upper section of the handling eyelet. The closure plate is designed to be cranked.

There are designs in which a folding railing arrangement is provided, which can be raised and/or unlocked via an operating arrangement that can be operated from a ladder. It can be ensured that the folding railing can be operated from a safe position on the ladder and that the tank only needs to be climbed when the folding railing is in the upright position.

The operating arrangement, which can be used simultaneously to raise and unlock the folding railing, makes it possible to carry out the functions of the folding railing with a simple, intuitive operating device.

There are designs in which the folding railing is provided with additional extendable or foldable elements, which additionally cover an area of a walkway arrangement or an operating platform that is only partially covered by the folding railing.

There are even designs in which the upper tank container can be completely secured with folding and/or collapsible or insertable railing elements.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Tankcontainers;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg unten des in Figur 1 dargestellten Tankcontainers;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Längsschnittdarstellung des in Figur 1 und 2 dargestellten Tankcontainers und

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Geländeranordnung.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a tank container according to the invention;

Fig.2

a perspective view from below of the Figure 1 tank container shown;

Fig.3

a perspective longitudinal section of the Figure 1 and 2 shown tank container and

Fig.4

a section of a railing arrangement.

The tank container 1 comprises a box-shaped tank 2, which is connected at each end to two end frames 3 and 4. The connection is made via the end edges at the ends of the shell section 5 ( Figure 3 ) with the front frames 3 and 4.

The front frame 4 is designed as an intermediate frame and, together with another end frame 6, defines a receiving area 7 which is intended to accommodate units such as pumps, water treatment systems, energy supplies, spare parts, etc. The tank 2 is shorter than the tank container 1.

All front frames 3, 4 and 6 include corner supports 8, diagonal braces 9 and, if necessary, additional so-called "suitcase plates" 10 and lower cross members 11, as well as upper cross members 12, which can also serve to accommodate the tank 2. The outer front frames 3 and 6 have Each has 4 corner fittings 13, which are used for transporting and handling the tank container 1. Two upper longitudinal beams 14 connect the upper corner fittings 13 and two lower longitudinal beams 15 run between the corner supports 8 of the front frames 3 and 6, directly above the corner fittings 13, to which they are connected via node elements 16 for better force introduction.

The front frame 3, which is at the front in relation to the direction of travel, comprises two inner vertical supports 17, between which a handling bracket 18 is arranged, which is received by a hook belonging to a hook lift in order to load the tank container 1 onto or unload it from a suitably equipped handling vehicle.

A cranked bulkhead plate 19 runs between the vertical supports 17 and closes off the space between the vertical supports 17, the upper cross member 12 and the lower cross member 11. The upper cross member 12 is notched accordingly in a central section and the bulkhead plate 19 is flush with the front face 20 of the notch. The front face 20 runs in the same plane as the face 21 of the lower cross member 11 facing the tank. In this way, the upper part 19a of the bulkhead plate 19 can run in the tank connection plane and at the same time serve to couple to the tank 2 and increase the available space in the area of the folding bracket. In contrast, the lower part 19b of the bulkhead plate 19 is welded to the top of the lower cross member 11. This creates a robust receiving and guiding space between the vertical supports 17, which can accommodate the larger hook on the one hand and the slimmer hook arm of the hook lift system on the other. In a design not shown, the bulkhead plate can also be designed as a flat component without being bent and can also be used in the lower area for coupling to the tank 2 or to the front end of the jacket section 5.

Longitudinal beams designed as transfer skids 22 also run along the underside of the tank container 1. These run longitudinally parallel to the lower longitudinal beams 15 and between the front frames 3 and 6 and are each connected to a lower cross beam 11 of the front frame 4. The distance between the transfer skids 22 and their profile are selected so that they are compatible with a hook lift system. In the example, the corresponding dimensions are selected so that they fit, for example, a hook lift system in accordance with DIN 30722. In the transport state, the two transfer skids 22 rest on corresponding chassis beams of a vehicle.

When unloading the tank container 1 from the vehicle, the hook lifts the container over the bracket 18 and pushes it over the transport rollers over the rear of the vehicle by means of the hook lift until the rear front frame 6 touches the ground. Until the rear front frame 6 is placed on the ground, relatively high point loads (arrows P) are introduced into the transfer skids via the transport rollers. The point loads P move longitudinally along the transfer skids 22 in accordance with the forward movement of the tank container 1.

The vehicle then drives out from under the tank container 1 hanging on the hook until the front end frame 3 is behind the rear of the vehicle and is also placed on the ground there by the hook lift. When the tank container 1 rolls off, the transfer skids 22 move on the transport rollers, which then apply a vertical force component to the transfer skids 22 that depends on the position of the container on the vehicle.

The transfer skids 22 are subjected to bending stress during the loading and unloading process. The top of the transfer skids 22 is subjected to tensile stress and the bottom to compressive stress. The transfer skids shown have a double-T-like profile; other suitable profiles for taking up such loads are T, C, U or rectangular tube profiles (not shown).

In order to reduce the bending stress and deflection of the transfer skids 22, these are coupled to the lower longitudinal beams 15 in the area of the tank 2 via cross struts 23. The cross struts 23 run through corresponding recesses 24 on the top of the transfer skids 22, penetrate them and end with their front surfaces on the inner flanks 25 of the lower longitudinal beams 15. The tops of the cross struts 23 end flush with the tops of the transfer skids 22. The transfer skids 22 are thus connected to the lower longitudinal beams 15 between the two end frames 3 and 4 and supported on them in such a way that the loads P occurring there in this area can be absorbed not only via the transfer skids 22 and the lower cross beams 11, but also via the cross struts 23 and the lower longitudinal beams 15. As a result, the deflection of the transfer skids 22 in the tank area is reduced to such an extent that the bottom area of the tank 2 is not touched by this floor structure.

The tank 1 is supported by the end frames 3, 4 in such a way that the sole line of the insulating cover 26 runs at a distance D from the top of the cross struts 23 (facing the tank). Due to the design of the floor structure formed by the lower longitudinal beams 15, the cross struts 23, the transfer skids 22 and the lower cross struts 11, the distance D can be selected to be minimal, namely just such that the deflection of the transfer skids 22 when loading and unloading the tank container 1 is less than the distance D. This prevents the tank container 1 or the insulating cover 26 of the tank 2 from being touched in the floor area during loading and unloading.

This means that the tank 2 itself can be designed with the smallest possible wall thickness, which is only determined by any internal pressure load that may occur or other factors (specific weight of the load, dangerous goods regulations, etc.), but which can thus be completely independent of the vertical loads (point loads P) when using the tank container 1. In an uninsulated tank container 1, the distance D between the top of the floor structure and the bottom line of the tank 2 is available.

The tank container is provided with an insulating cover 26 and an insulation 28 is provided between the insulating cover 26 and the shell section 5. The insulating cover 26 is fixed around the shell section 5 by means of tensioning straps 29. At the ends, the insulation is provided between the tank bottoms 30 and the end frames 3 and 4, which are closed by covers.

In the area of the receiving area 7, cover panels 31 are provided towards the tank, which define the space for the insulation on the back towards the floor 30 and close and protect the receiving area 7 on the outside. The cover panels 31 are made of a sandwich material in which a stabilizing, insulating layer is arranged between two metal layers (foam structure, honeycomb structure, etc.). The light floor structure and the light cover panels 31 enable a tare weight of around 3,000 kg for the 20' tank container shown.

Figure 4 shows a walkway area 32 arranged on the top of the tank container 1, which can be secured with a so-called "folding railing" 33. The folding railing 33 is provided with an operating handle 35, which can be operated and raised by an operator standing on the ladder 34. The operating handle 35 can also be used to simultaneously operate an unlocking mechanism for the folding railing 33. An optional extendable and fixable extension 36 is provided at one end of the folding railing 33, so that the work area can be secured completely along one long side of the tank container 1. Additional railing elements can be provided if necessary.

In addition to the case-shaped cross-section shown, the tank 2 can also have an oval, cylindrical or other suitable cross-section. The tank 2 can also extend between the outer end frames 3 and 6 without the intermediate frame 4 if the receiving area 7 provided for the additional units is not required. The invention can also be used for tank containers 1 that are not to be handled using roll-off systems, but in which the base frame assembly in standardized load transfer zones (intermediate load transfer areas according to ISO 14963) can absorb local vertical loads in the area of the longitudinal beams. 22. In this case, the transfer skids can also be designed as normal longitudinal beams 22 without the required transfer skid profiling.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1

Tank container

2

tank

3

Front frame

4

Intermediate frame

5

Coat shot

6

End frame

7

Recording area

8th

Corner supports

9

Diagonal braces

10

Case panels

11

Lower crossbar

12

Upper crossbar

13

Corner fittings

14

Upper longitudinal beam

15

Lower longitudinal beam

16

Node elements

17

Vertical supports/support profile

18

Envelope eyelet

19

Bulkhead plate

19a

upper part

19b

lower part

20

Front face of the notch

21

Front surface facing the tank

22

Transfer skids

P

Point loads

23.

Cross braces

24

Recess

25

Inner surface

26

Insulating cover

D

Distance

28

insulation

29

Tension strap

30

Floor

31

Cover panel

32

Catwalk area

33

Folding railing

34

Director

35

Control lever

36

Pull-out element

Claims (10)

1. Tank container (1) having a tank (2) and a cuboid framework which holds the tank (2) via end edges at the ends of a shell ring (5) and end frames (3, 4) connected thereto, the framework comprising lateral lower longitudinal bars (15) and transfer runners (22) extending therebetween, characterized in that the longitudinal bars (15) and the transfer runners (22) are coupled to one another via cross members (23) penetrating the transfer runners (22).
2. Tank container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cross members (23) are designed as square tube profiles.
3. Tank container (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, in which the end faces at the ends of the cross members (23) are attached, in particular welded, to inner flanks of the longitudinal bars (15).
4. Tank container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the transfer runners (22) are designed as roll-off profiles.
5. Tank container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which an end frame arrangement is provided at each end of the tank (1), each arrangement having a lower crossbar (11), the lower sides of which are respectively coupled, in particular welded, to the upper sides of the transfer runners (22).
6. Tank container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank container (1) has an insulation (28) and an insulation cover (26), and tank (2), transfer runners (22) and cross members (23) are arranged relative to one another in such away that a distance (D) is formed between a bottom line of the insulation cover (26) and an upper side of the cross members (28) or the transfer runners (22).
7. Tank container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an end frame (3) provided with a transfer lug (18) is designed in such a way that an end face at the end of the shell ring (5) is arranged in a plane and an end face (21) of a lower crossbar (11) that faces the tank extends in this plane and an end face (20) of an upper crossbar (12) that faces away from the tank also extends in this plane.
8. Tank container (1) according to claim 7, wherein the end frame (3) has two support profiles (17) connecting the upper and lower crossbars (12, 11), between which the transfer lug (18) is arranged, and a locking plate (19) is arranged between the support profiles (17), which locking plate is arranged in the plane so that a free space for holding a hook-lift arrangement is arranged between support profiles (17) and locking plate (19).
9. Tank container according to claim 7, wherein the end frame (3) has two support profiles (17) connecting the upper and lower crossbars (12, 11), between which the transfer lug (18) is arranged, and a locking plate (19) is arranged between the support profiles (17), which locking plate extends with an upper region (19a) in the plane and with a lower region (19b) in a connection plane offset from the plane in the direction of the end of the tank, so that an enlarged free space is formed in the region of the transfer lug (18).
10. Tank container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a folding railing arrangement (33) is provided, which can be erected and/or unlocked via an actuating arrangement (35) that can be operated from a ladder (34).

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