FR2643344A1 - Variable capacity tank of the folding and unfolding bellows type - Google Patents

Abstract

Variable capacity folding tank of the folding and unfolding bellows type made of flexible materials for containing liquids, gases, powder or granular products... in order to transport them from one place to another, where the tank is folded during the return in order to assume a small volume on the means of transport (lorry, train, ship), using the rest of the volume (already) used for transporting other products. The folding tank is constituted by a reservoir 1, provided with a peripherally incorporated reinforcement frame 25, and by fixed 3, 5 and detachable 7, 5', 35, 35', 39 and 39' rigid supports having an internal face provided with reliefs cooperating with the tank in its deployed condition in order to ensure its stabilisation and that of the transported products. The folding tank according to the invention is particularly intended for use on vehicles, trains and ships.

Description

 The present invention relates to a collapsible tank for containing; fluids such as fuel, water, oil, and alcohol ...., gases, either liquid, or gas under pressure, possibly liquefied ..., and chemical solutions ....

 But also on the other hand, to contain ---- powdered or grain products such as flour, and cement, etc., of the rice, wheat, cereal type, and mineral products such as phosphate. .. and its analogues ....

 Thus, the object of the invention is to contain and transport all of these products.

 Traditionally, the transport of these products from one region to another is carried out by tankers (with or without trailer), trains (tank wagons), oil tankers (tankers, gas ships), and sometimes in case of 'emergency or necessity by planes or submarines ....

 Currently, these means which transport these products mainly comprise metal tanks or cisterns provided with at least one opening for filling them, and at least one orifice for emptying them, and have a volume greater than the volume contained.

 For example, the oil-producing countries export this by essentially (metallic) tanker trucks, and at the same time, these countries import goods such as vegetables and mined water ..., these goods circulate in opposite direction on other trucks (freight trucks) to reach these countries.

 These exports of petroleum products can be made to distant countries by tankers (tankers), while at the same time, goods are imported from these countries, and then said tankers return empty to their starting point.

 The same is true for transport by tank trains.

It also means that only half the
duration of use of these means of transport is useful.

Although the burden and cost of these means for the
second half of their useful life remains the same, either for the driver of a truck or a train
or for the crew of an oil tanker, and for consumption
fuel, or for normal machine wear
in this empty return.

The object of the present invention is to remedy
to this fault. According to this invention, it is possible
to use the means of transport of the products already
cited: tank trucks, tank trains, and tankers ...

without a use analogous to that of other means
of transport without incompatibility with the characteristics
ticks of the products transported.

The invention relates according to a first character
ristic, a collapsible and unfolding tank made of material
deformable such as rubber or composite materials
sites for example to fill it with products like the
fuel or other products already mentioned, in order to
transport from one place to another, whatever the
means of transport: tanker truck, tanker train, or tanker ...

And so instead of these means of transport returning empty and causing unnecessary expenses
The tank according to the invention folds during
back to take a very small volume on the way to
transport using the rest of the volume (already used
before folding), to transport other items or
products generally different from those already transported.

 In this case, we benefit from the same means of transport, usefully twice; one to go, loaded with proauits, and the other to return loaded also.

 Therefore, the folding tank according to the invention which has a variable capacity of the folding and folding bellows type made of flexible materials to contain liquid, gas, chemical solutions, and powder or grain products and its analogues ... , in order to transport them from one place to another, where the folding tank folds during the return to take up a small volume on the means of transport, (truck, train, and tank vessel), using the rest of the volume (already) used before folding to transport other articles or products.

 According to a first characteristic, and with reference to the drawings, this folding tank consists on the one hand, at least one tank (1), provided with an incorporated frame (25), at its wall, spreading circumferentially on its periphery to ensure its stability during its deployment, and on the other hand, rigid rigid supports (3) 1 and (5), and removable (7), (5), (35), (35), (39), and (59 ), having an inner face having a relief cooperating with the tank in its deployment situation, therefore filled to ensure the maintenance thereof for stabilization.

According to - other characteristics:
- As regards the reinforcement which reinforces the periphery of the folding tank, it consists either of successive circular metal rings (25-B), arranged on the large radius of the folds of the tank, or in the form of a coiled, holicoidal and continuous wire (25-C), inserted into the material of the wall (9), of the collapsible tank.

 As regards the wall of the collapsible tank, this has folds (9), (14), with flat faces, angularly arranged, or with convexly convex faces.

 As regards the fixed walls, they are arranged at the bottom and at the front, and as regards the rigid walls, which surround the folding tank, they are removable at the top (7), and on the lateral sides (39 ), (39), these being fixed to the frame (3), on the one hand, and to the front wall (5), on the other hand, and finally, to the upper wall (7).

 According to a variant, the folding tank according to the invention is surrounded laterally and in the upper part by two curved panels articulated left (35), and right (35), metallic formed internally of a corrugated wall and covered with a flat sheet externally defining alleviation cells.

 These panels are connected in the lower part u chassis (3), and this by joints (36), and (36), which are provided with two removable pins (37), and (37).

the two panels are fixed at the top by flanges
receiving one / several screws (38), of assemblaOe.

 And in that the two panels (35), and (35), are provided with sealing means at the flanges and the joints.

 Similarly, the supports (7), (5), (5), and (2), which surround the folding tank according to the invention, are provided with sealing means arranged between their different walls.

Finally, provision is made for the presence of a metallic means which can be used manually or automatically, for guiding, facilitating sliding during deployment and folding, consisting of shoes (33), (33), and (33), arranged at the end of the lower wall of the folds (14), from the bottom of the folding tank, and which slide in longitudinal grooves (34), (34), and (34), of the lower panel (2), the latter is fixed to the frame (3).

It should also be noted that:
The ease of manufacture of the collapsible tank is greater than that which currently exists, since it may otherwise be obtained directly by molding.

 In the traditional case, it is difficult to change the utility or the application of a means of transport, because it is frozen as soon as it is built in the factory or in the shipyard.

 Thus, it is not possible to easily change the cargo compartments of an oil tanker or tank car, similarly, for the tank truck. But thanks to the use of a folding tank, it is enough to remove the tank easily, because it is detachably arranged from the origin, it means that we have the freedom to adapt the means of transport to the circumstances, either for the prices, or for the time.

On the contrary, if the oil market falls, the tankers remain frozen, so it is the case of the oil tankers after the fall in fuel consumption which then no longer has utility for some of them, and which require for transform them into freight ships with long months of work
In addition, this operation is expensive and because of the
time shift due to the transformation time, may no longer be suitable for its destination at the end of it.

While with the use of the folding tank
whatever the means of transport, this problem does not arise
more, because the transformation takes place in very few
time: for the tanker truck, and a few hours for a tanker ship, for example by removing the tanker to be foldable so that the cargo compartments are freed / ready to receive the goods.

Another advantage is that for example for a farmer
who has to deliver his harvest, and bring back fuel for
his machines, he just needs to install in a few minutes
the folding tank according to the invention on the vehicle
responsible for harvesting, the collapsible tank being folded,
and when he returns, he unfolds the folding tank by filling it
running out of fuel.

 Thus, the folding tank according to the invention can be installed quickly on any means of transport even if it is not dedicated to forming a tank vehicle.

 As regards the materials which make up the folding tank according to the invention, it is possible, for example, to use any suitable material, alone or compound such as rubber (natural and / or artificial), plastic such as, for example, polymers and polyester. ...

reinforced with fabric or fibers such as carbon or glass fibers, or "EEVLAR" ....

 It is clear that the folding or unfolding of a folding tank (either on the truck, the train, or the ship ...) can be carried out either manually or motorized: hydraulically or electrically by motor or cylinder ...

 The ribs which support the folding tank according to the invention can be fixed or movable so that, for example with one / or several small levers, they are grouped together when the folding tank is not used, or else when it is empty and folded .

 large tanks, moreover, do not stabilize the liquid contained against rolling or pitching movements due to waves and agitation, as well as to the effects of acceleration and braking due to the huge amount of fluid in these tanks.

But with the folding tank according to the invention, which
is always provided with a metal support wall which
exactly conforms to the folds of the tank when
it is filled, this wall enclosing the tank of
all sides, and that make up an essential part of
the folding tank according to the invention.

These metal walls then protect the fluid against
inertia effects due to agitation, accelerations,
and the waves, the fluid being contained by walls
toothed metal whose raised parts penetrate
inside the liquid medium and constitute
obstacles to the movements of it.

 On the other hand, these metal walls with their sealing means also protect the products transported by the collapsible tank against the effects of temperature.

In addition, the useful volume can be subdivided
in several juxtaposed tanks for example longitu
dinalet, which allows in the case of an oil tanker to deflect from the oration of significant pollution
limiting on the one hand the quantity released and ensuring a certain buoyancy if the density of the liquid con
held is weaker.

We know that the traditional tanker that returns
empty after being unloaded from its cargo of products
tankers, lack of stability, that's why we
fills one or more compartments supported by a
certain suitable amount of water that is discharged either
before, that is after arriving at the nort of loading, because it Qi 'iait - there is no other solution because / that its tanks cannot be filled by other thing.

 But with the use of the folding tank according to the invention, this gap can be avoided, by loading the huge spaces with different goods easily at the time of return.

 As an indication but not limiting, we give in the drawings and the drafting which follow, an embodiment of this device according to the invention described, it being understood that any modification of this embodiment which does not depart from the framework of the basic principle of realization of this device is to be considered as a variant of the present device.

 Likewise, the dimensions and the proportions which appear in the various figures to which reference will be made below, we have been chosen in order to make the drawings clear, and therefore are not necessarily the dimensions and proportions which will be adopted in real practice.

 On the other hand, the forms, and the arrangements of the various elements may vary within the limit of equivalents, as moreover the materials used or / and for their manufacture, without changing the general conception of the invention for this.

By way of illustration the drawings are attached:
- Figure 1 shows the folding tank according to the invention deployed on the chassis of a motor vehicle.

 - Figure 2 shows the folding tank in its folded configuration at the bottom of the vehicle chassis leaving a large volume for other goods to transport.

 This figure shows the supporting and retaining ribs (12) of the folds of the folding tank (1), at the top (a little spaced apart), we also see the ribs at the bottom (2), on the chassis of the vehicle (3 ).

 - Figure 3 shows the folding tank folded at the bottom of the vehicle chassis, devoid of ribs, these having been removed.

 Figure 4 shows a cross section of the removable rigid supports which surround the folding tank.

 Figure 5 shows the folding tank, deployed, located on a trailer, or on the vehicle chassis, looking at it from above.

 - Figure 6 shows the metal frame (25), which supports the periphery of the folding tank, for example of circular discontinuous type (B), and helical continuous (C).

 The enlarged view (A) shows in section, the frame (25), arranged in housings of the wall of the folding tank according to the invention.

 Figure 7 shows the collapsible tank mounted and unfolded on a railway tank car.

 Figures 8 and 9 show the unfolded folding tank. In these figures; each fold of the peripheral circumference has a domed configuration roughly in a semicircle. For Figure 8, it is mounted on a trailer with rounded ends, while that of Figure 9, on a truck, with flat ends.

 FIG. 10 shows the means for guiding the folding tank in its movement on the chassis of the vehicle.

 Figure 11 shows the folding tank according to the invention, mounted on a railway wagon, where the folds are each arranged in a horizontal plane.

 Figure 12 shows the folding tank according to the invention, mounted in a ship (tanker), the folding tank is in the deployed situation.

Figure 13 shows several folding tanks mounted on a tanker. Each folding tank is in a folding situation in order to have the others
goods in the empty spaces that are ready to
receive goods.

Figure 14, shows the collapsible folding tank
on a tanker, it is in a situation of
collision, where at least one collapsible tank is
damaged.

The figure shows three cases of cutting an oil tanker using the folding tank according to the invention, one at
center, the others back and forth, in all of these
case, the amount of oil spilled is limited to the
capacity of a single tank, which limits the risks
oil spill.

Figures 15 and 16 show in section
transverse, a variant of the tank support
folding according to the invention.

According to FIG. 1, the folding tank (1),
East
according to the invention, / located in deployment situation
on the chassis (3) of a motor vehicle, which is already prepared to receive the folding tank.

In the drawing is the partition (8), which
separates the driver's compartment, and that keeps
at the same time the front support (5), which conforms by
rear surface (15), at the convexity of the outer wall
ieure before (11), of the folding tank (1).

the front support (5), extends below by a
inclined overhang (10), to support the folding tank (1)
in this area. The front support (5) is fixed and arranged
opposite the rear support (5), which is movable and
detachable by the joint (4), at the bottom and / or the
screw (6), top.

- The rear support (5), like the front support
(5), is also shaped according to the convexity of the wall
rear (li), of the folding tank (1), by its support
(16).

 - In the drawing of this figure, we see the folds of the folding tank which are numbered at the top by (9), and which are surrounded at the top by the detachable support from the top (7), by its wall (12), of interior shape corresponding to the folds (9) of the collapsible tank. Similarly, ribs (2) are provided at the bottom defined by their successively inclined walls of opposite direction (13), located on the frame (3), which conform to the wall (14), of the collapsible tank (1 ).

 - The top support (7) is detachable by the screw (s) (6), in front, and the screw (s) (6), in the back.

 - In this figure we also see the side folds (22) of the collapsible tank, looking at them laterally.

 According to Figure 2, the folding tank according to the invention is folded at the bottom of the vehicle chassis, leaving a large volume for the other goods to be loaded.

- In this figure, we see that the top support (7) is lifted a little by looking at the screws (6), and
(6), so that the collapsible tank (1) folds and moves forward easily. triangular section supports
- We also see that / (18), alloy
of light metals, or rigid plastic, are fixed
on the cracks (2), in order to stabilize the folding tank in the folded configuration, while the cracks
(2), which are also made of light metals or rigid plastic, remain on the chassis (3) of the vehicle if
these do not bother other suscep goods
tibles to be charged.

- Figure 3 shows the folding tank according to
the invention folded back into the chassis of the vehicle,
(like figure 2, previous). But here the nerfs
(2), the top support (7), and the rear support
are removed and therefore do not exist here, and this if (at
return of the tank truck) the transport of the other marches
ndises requires this provision.

 FIG. 4 represents a cross-section of the removable rigid supports which surround the folding tank according to the invention, consisting on the one hand of an upper wall (7), which is supported on side panels (39), and (39 ), which are themselves supported on the lower panels (2), fixed to the chassis (3), of the vehicle.

Let us quote that the folding tank according to the invention can be respectively of oblong section with rounded angles, as presented, but can also be:
- of polyginale section with 8 sides.

 - rectangular section with rounded angles.

 - square section with rounded angles.

 - of oval section.

 - of elliptical section .....

FIG. 5 represents a section, looking at it from above, of the folding tank (1), according to the invention, unfolded, located on a trailer, a semi-trailer, or a chassis (3), of a vehicle, where we see the front wall (11), and the rear wall (11), and the folds (22)
Figure (6) shows the metal frames (25), which support and strengthen the periphery of the folding tank according to the invention.

The figure shows as an example, two types of these reinforcements; (B), circular seéSzarées) and (A), continuous helical, if the collapsible / revolving tank,
circular or oblong for example.

 In this figure; (C), shows in detail in section, the metal frames (25), arranged in their housing in the wall (9), of the collapsible tank, for example integrated during molding.

It should be noted that, in accordance with FIG. -10, representing a nonlimiting example of a means for guiding the folding tank according to the invention, during its aeplolement or its folding, 7 oE is seen a central metal shoe ( 33), in the recess (34), of a shape corresponding to the latter, and which is always lubricated in order to avoid friction of the wall (14), of the folding tank with the transverse ribs (2), which exist planned
on the lower panel of the vehicle, are also / on these walls, side shoes (33), and (33), with their corresponding housings (34), and (34), in the panel (2).

 According to Figure 12, the collapsible tank according to the invention is mounted in a ship (tanker), where there is at least one collapsible tank-in a cargo compartment.

In this figure we see the folding tank
when deployed with the partitions (30),
each cargo compartment, the folds (22), finally
the front partition (29), and the rear (30), limiting
at the front and at the rear the part reserved for the
cargo.

- Figure 13 shows a corresponding view
to that of figure 12, but here the folding tank
according to the invention is, in each compartment (31),
cargo, folded in order to install the other goods
say in the new place (31), which has become
available.

- Figure 14 shows the folding tank according to the invention, mounted on a tanker, it is
(as an example), in a collision situation,
where at least one of the folding tanks is damaged,
and the contained liquid spilled over the sea.

 The figure shows three cases of cutting an oil tanker using the folding tank, one in the center, the others in front and aft, and in all these cases, the oil spill from the ship is limited to a folding tank only, while the other collapsible tanks remain sealed, and as a result the tanker itself remains floating on the sea.

 Figures 15 and 16 show in cross section a variant of the support of the folding tank according to the invention.

 According to FIG. 15, the lateral retention of the tank is ensured by two articulated panels, left (35) and right (35), curved metal which enclose the folding tank by covering it.

 These two panels are connected ~ lower part to the chassis (3) of the vehicle by joints (36), and (36), provided with removable pins (37), and (37), fixed on said chassis.

 In said FIG. 15, the two curved panels are fixed together at the top by flanges (38), receiving one / several screws (38), to constitute with the chassis (3) of the vehicle a strong and solid holding mass around the folds of the collapsible tank taking into consideration the relics of it to ensure its stabilization and that of its contents.

On the other hand, these curved metal panels. outwardly
ribbed or wavy can be covered DOIe
flat in order to stiffen them in order to limit the weight
compared to a solid structure, for example molded,
this without reducing their strength.

Furthermore, a seal is provided between
the flanges (38), when they are applied one to the other, and at the joints (36), when the panels are closed, either on the folding tank,
or on other goods, the tank being folded.

Note that this seal protects the tank
folding, and other goods against the effects
temperature, sun, rain, or snow ...

 On the other hand, if the presence of these two panels (35), and (35), disturbs the installation of goods (during the return), in particular in cases where the goods are of large volume for example, it is possible in in this case, remove the pins (37), and (37), and move the two panels (35), and (55) aside, or on another (collapsible) tanker truck (if several tankers transport together products.

 Then, in the case of return, one of them is designated to carry all the panels of the other tankers.

FIG. 16 represents the variant of FIG. 15, where the two panels are in a spacing situation in order to give the folding tank the freedom of movement necessary for its folding and to give it the possibility of being housed at the bottom of the volume of storage,
In this regard, it should be mentioned that this variant illustrated for a vehicle can also be used in trains or ships.

 The folding tank according to the invention is particularly intended for use on vehicles, trains, and ships.

Claims (10)

 1) Folding tank with variable capacity of the folding and unfolding bellows type in flexible materials to contain liquids, gases, chemical solutions, and powdered products or grains and its analogs .... in order to transport them from one place to another, where the folding tank folds during the return to take up a small volume on the means of transport, (truck, train, and tank vessel), using the rest of the volume ( already) used before folding to transport other articles or products, characterized in that it consists on the one hand of at least one container (1), provided with an incorporated frame (25), on its wall, extending circumferentially around its periphery to ensure its stability during its deployment, and on the other hand, fixed rigid supports (3), and (5), and removable (7), (5), (35), (55 ), (39), and (39), having an inner face having a relief cooperating with the tank in its deployed situation, therefore filled to maintain it for the stabilization of the products transported.  2) folding tank according to claim 1, charac  terized in that the frame which reinforces the periphery of the folding tank is metallic, and consists of successive circular rings (25-B), arranged on the large radius of the folds.  3) Folding tank according to claim 1, because it is catered in that the frame which reinforces the periphery of the folding tank is metallic and in the form of a coiled, helical and continuous wire (25-C).  4) collapsible tank according to claim l, characterized  in that triangular section supports are provided  lairetl8), arranged on the ribs (2), at the part  front of the lower chassis to support the tank in the folded position.  5) Folding tank according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall of the folding tank has folds (9), (14), with flat faces, arranged angularly.  6) Folding tank according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall of the folding tank has folds (9), and (14), with convexly fallen faces.  7) Folding tank according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed walls are arranged  at the bottom and at the front, and in that the rigid walls which surround the folding tank are removable at the top (7), and on the lateral sides (39), (39), these being fixed to the frame (3 ), on the one hand, and to the front wall (5), on the other hand, and finally to 12 wall  upper (7).  defining lightening cells.  corrugated and covered with a flat sheet metal on the outside  metallic inside of a wall  curved articulated left (35), and right (35),  laterally and in the upper part by two panels  characterized in that the tank (1) is surrounded  8) folding tank according to claim 1,  which are provided with two removable pins (37), and (37).  to the chassis (3), by articulations (36), and (36),  These panels are connected at the bottom  The two panels are fixed at the top by flanges (38), receiving one / several screws (38).  flanges and joints.  are provided with sealing means at the level of  And in that the two panels (35), and (35),  9) folding tank according to claims 1, and 7,  characterized in that the supports (7, 5, 5, and 2,) which surround the collapsible tank are provided with sealing means arranged between their different walls.  10) Folding tank according to claim 1, characterized by the presence of a metallic means, usable manually or automatically, guiding, facilitating the sliding during deployment and folding, consisting of shoes (33), (33, and (33 ), arranged at the end of the lower wall of the folds (14), of the bottom of the tank, and which slide in longitudinal grooves (34), (34), and (34), of the lower panel (2), fixed on the chassis (3).