GB2168415A

GB2168415A - Improvements in and relating to container tanks

Info

Publication number: GB2168415A
Application number: GB08529967A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Ernest Fossey
Original assignee: CONTAINER ENGINEERING
Current assignee: CONTAINER ENGINEERING
Priority date: 1984-12-07
Filing date: 1985-12-05
Publication date: 1986-06-18
Also published as: GB8529967D0; BE903809A; IE55735B1; GB2168415B; IE842517L

Abstract

A container tank 1, (50 Figure 8) comprises a tank 2, (52 Figure 8) which is mounted between a pair of end frames 3, (53 Figure 8) by bearer units 4, (54 Figure 8) a each corner. In one embodiment there is one bearer unit 4 for each corner and each unit 4 comprises an upper web (15 Figure 3) and a lower web (16 Figure 3) interconnected by a longitudinal side wall (17 Figure 3) and a transverse side wall 18. A longitudinal portion (19 Figure 3) of the webs is welded to the tank 2 and a transverse portion 20 is welded to the end frame 3 through a mounting member 25 which is welded to the web portions 15,16 and respective end frame uprights 5. In another embodiment there are sixteen bearer units (54 Figure 8) arranged in pairs at each corner. Each bearer unit 54 is bolted respectively to a marking member (66 Figure 9) provided on the end frame 53 and a channel mounting member (65 Figure 8) on the tank 52. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to container tanks The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to containertanks, and in particular, to a bearer unit for mounting a tank to an end frame of a container tank.

According to the invention there is provided a bearer unit for mounting a tank to an end frame of a container tank, the bearer unit comprising a web having a longitudinal portion for securing to a tank or a mounting member on a tank and a transverse portion for securing to an end frame or a mounting member on the end frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the bearer unit includes a tank mounting flange extending from the longitudinal portion for securing to a tank or a mounting member on a tank.

Preferably the tank mounting flange is welded to a tank. Alternatively the tank mounting flange is provided with mounting means for securing the flange to a mounting member provided on the tank.

The mounting means may, for example, comprise a plurality of spaced-apart bolt holes for receiving bolts for bolting the tank mounting flange to a mounting member on a tank. In one embodiment of the invention the unit includes an end frame mounting member for securing the web to an end frame.

Preferably the web is welded to the end frame mounting member. Alternatively the web is provided with mounting means for securing the web to the end frame mounting member. The mounting means may for example comprise a plurality of spaced-apart bolt holes for receiving bolts for bolting the web to the end frame mounting member.

In one embodiment of the invention the web tapers in a longitudinal direction from one end towards the other.

In a preferred embodimerit of the invention the web includes an upper web portion and an interconnected lower web portion. Each web portion may be secured to the end frame mounting member for example by welding. Preferablythe upper and lower web portions are interconnected by a longitudinal side member and preferably also a transverse side member extending between the web portions.

In another embodiment of the invention the bearer unit is of channel section having a base and a pair of side flanges, one side flange forming the tank mounting flange and the base forming the web. In this case the ends of the chanel may be closed by cross members extending between the side flanges.

The invention also provides a container tank comprising a tank mounted between a pair of end frames, the tank being mounted to the end frames by eight bearer units, one at each corner of each frame.

In another embodiment of the invention the invention provides a container tank comprising a tank mounted between a pair of end frames, the tank being mounted to the end frames by sixteen bearer units, a pair of bearer units being provided at each corner. Preferably the bearer units of each pair are spaced-apart, and the side flanges of each unit project away from each other.

Typically each mounting member for mounting the bearer units to the tank are formed by a pair of channel members extending inwardly, substantially longitudinally from the end of the tank.

In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, end frame mounting members are provided at each corner of each end frame for mounting the bearer unit to the end frame, the end frame mounting members extending from each corner in a substantially diagonal direction.

Preferably, a bearer unit is secured to the side web of each end frame mounting member. The bearer units may be secured to the mounting member and the end frame mounting by nuts and bolts.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container tank according to one embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of a bearer unit according to the invention at a top corner of the container tank of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bearer unit at a bottom corner of the tank of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view, from the front, of the bearer unit of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a perspective view, from the rear, of the bearer unit of Figure 3, Figure 6 is a view of a bottom corner detail of the container tank, Figure 7 is an end view showing a detail of the container tank, Figure 8 is a perspective view of a container tank according to another embodiment of the invention, Figure 9 is a side view of a pair of bearer units according to another embodiment of the invention at the top corner of the container tank of Figure 8 and, Figure 10 is a perspective view of a pair of bearer units at a bottom corner of the tank of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a container tank according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The container tank 1 comprises a tank 2 mounted between a pair of end frames 3 by bearer units 4, also according to the invention. The end frames 3 comply with standard I.S.O. dimensions, and each end frame 3 comprises a pair of uprights 5 and top and bottom cross members 6 and 7 joined by standard I.S.O. castings 8.

Reinforcing webs 9 extend between the uprights 5 and cross members 6,7 at each corner to strengthen the end frames 3. A further reinforcing web 10 extends diagonally between the reinforcing webs 9 at each corner.

Eight bearer units 4 secure the tank 2 to the end frames 3. One bearer unit 4 is arranged at each corner of the end frame 3. Each bearer unit 4 comprises a web which in this case is formed from an upper web 15 and a lower web 16 which are spaced-apart and interconnected by a longitudinal side wall 17 and a transverse side wall 18. Each web portion 15 is formed with a longitudinal portion 19 for securing to the tank or a mounting member provided on the tank and a transverse portion 20 for securing to the end frame 3 or a mounting member on the end frame 3. In this case each of the web portions 15, 16 is provided with a tank mounting flange 21 which extends respectively upwardly and downwardly from the longitudinal portions 19 and are bent outwardly from the web 15, 16 to engage around portion of the end wall of the tank 2 as best illustrated in Figure 7.In use, the flanges 21 are welded to the side and end walls of the tank 2.

The transverse portions 20 of the webs 15, 16 are in this case welded directly to the diagonal webs 10 of the end frames 3. The bearer unit 4 also includes an end frame mounting member in this case formed by a corner piece 25 which is welded to the web portions 15, 16 and the respective end frame uprights 5.

It will be noted that the web portions 15, taper in a longitudinal direction from one end towards the other.

To facilitate the mounting of the tank 2 to the bearer units 4, the tank 2 is formed with two spaced-apart rings 27 which extend circumferentially around the tank adjacent the ends thereof and the transverse sidewall 18 of each bearer unit 4 is welded to the respective ring 27.

To assemble the container tank 1,the end frames 3 are positioned at each end of the tank 2 and the bearer units 4 are then welded to the end frame diagonal webs 10, the tank 2 and the rings 27 which are previously welded to the tank 2. The bearer units 4 may be formed in any suitable manner four example each of the web portions 15, 16 may be formed from plate material and the turned edges of each web plate form a central seam which is then seamwelded to form the bearer unit. The tank mounting flange 21 may be formed by bending up one longitudinal edge of a web plate or may be preformed and welded onto the longitudinal edge of the plate.

One advantage of the bearer unit according to the invention is that it is relatively simple and cheap to construct and install. We have found that the bearer unit of all welded construction such as that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7 has a particularly long useful life.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10 there is illustrated a container tank according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The container tank 50 comprises a tank 52 mounted between a pair of end frames 53 by bearer units 54, which are also according to the invention. The end frames 53 comply with standard I.S.O. dimensions and each end frame 53 comprises a pair of uprights 55 and top and bottom cross members 57 and 58 joined by standard I.S.O.

castings 59. Reinforcing webs 60 strengthen the end frames 53. In this case sixteen bearer units 54 secure the tank 52 to the end frames 53. The bearer frames 54 are arranged in pairs at each corner of the end frames 53. Each bearer unit 53 is of substantially channel shape section, which comprises a pair of side flanges 62, one of which forms a tank mounting flange 64 for securing to a mounting member 65, secured to the tank 52. The central web 63 of the channel forms a mounting portion for securing to an end frame mounting member 66, which is secured to the end frames 53. As can be seen in the drawings, and particularly Figure 9, the bearer unit tapers from one end to the other, and the side webs 62 converge from the end adjacent the end frame, inwardly.

Cross webs 67 close the ends of the channel of the bearer unit 54. The mounting member 65 is formed by a pair of channel members 68 and extends inwardly longitudinally from the end of the tank 52.

Webs 69 of the channel members 68 are secured to the tank by welding, and webs 70 are drilled to accomodate nuts and bolts 87 through corresponding holes in the flange 64 of the bearer unit. The end frame mounting member 66 is formed of metal plate bent at 80,81, 82 and 83, and is secured to the end frame by welding to the reinforcing webs 60. As can be seen the bends 80 and 83 cause the member to extend substantially diagonally, see Figures 8 and 10. Holes are provided in the mounting member 66 for securing to pair of bearer units 54, by bolts 85 through corresponding holes in the central web 63 of the bearer unit 54. Although it is not quite clear from the drawings, the end frame mounting members 66 do not extend beyond the reinforcing webs 60 of the end frames 53.

In this particular case support rings 74 are provided at each end of the tank 52. Mounting portions 75 on the rings 74 are also secured by nuts and bolts 88 to the bearer units 54.

A plurality of reinforcing rings 77 are also provided around the tank.

To assemble a container tank, the end frames 53 with the mounting members 66 are positioned at each end of the tank 52, the channel mounting members 65 having first been secured to the tank 52.

The bearer units are then secured to the mounting members 65 and the channel mounting members 66.

It will be appreciated that while a particular type of tank and end frames have been described, the invention could be used with any other construction of tank or end frame. In fact, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the end frames to conform with I.S.O. standards. Further, it is not necessary for I.S.O. castings to be used, although, this needless to say, has considerable advantages. While the tank has been described as having a plurality of support rings, and mounting portions on the support rings, all these may be dispensed with, in fact, it will be appreciated that the invention could be used with any construction of tank.

It will also be appreciated thatwhile the bearer units have been described as being connected to the end frames and tanks by particular types of mounting members any other suitable types of mounting members could be used. Further, it will be appreciated that bearer units of other shapes and construction could be provided. It is envisaged that in certain cases the bearer units may merely comprise a web for mounting to the end frame, and the sidewardly projecting flange for mounting to the tank.

Further, it will be appreciated that in certain cases the bearer units may be mixed in with other mounting means.

It will further be appreciated that the various mounting members and bearer units may be formed by casting, fabrication, hot or cold rolling or any other suitable means. Further, materials other than metal may be used.

It will also be appreciated that while the bearer units have been illustrated as mounted substantially at 45" to the horizontal and vertical, they could be mounted at any other suitable angle.

Claims

1. A bearer unit for mounting a tank to an end frame of a container tank, the bearer comprising a web having a longitudinal portion for securing to a tank or a mounting member on a tank and a transverse portion for securing to an end frame or a mounting member on the end frame.

2. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bearer unit includes a tank mounting flange extending from the longitudinal portion for securing to a tank or a mounting member on a tank.

3. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tank mounting flange is welded to the tank.

4. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tank mounting flange is provided with mounting means for securing the flange to a mounting member provided on the tank.

5. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 4wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of spacedapart bolt holes for receiving bolts for bolting the tank mounting flange to a mounting member on a tank.

6. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the unit includes an end frame mounting member for securing the web to an end frame.

7. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the web is welded to the end frame mounting member.

8. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the web is provided with mounting means for securing the web to the end frame mounting member.

9. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of spacedapart bolt holes for receiving bolts for bolting the web to the end frame mounting member.

10. A bearer unit as claimed in any claim wherein the web tapers in a longitudinal direction from one end towards the other.

11. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the web includes an upper web portion and an interconnected lower web portion.

12. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein each web portion is secured to the end frame mounting member.

13. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein each web portion is welded to the end frame mounting member.

14. A bearer unit as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the upper and lower web portions are interconnected by a longitudinal side member extending between the web portions.

15. A bearer unit as claimed in any of claims 11 or 14 wherein the upper and lower web portions are interconnected by a transverse side member extending between the web portions.

16. A bearer unit as claimed in any of claims 2 to 10 wherein the bearer unit is of channel section having a base and a pair of side flanges, one side flange forming the tank mounting flange and the base forming the web.

17. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the ends of the channel are closed by cross members extending between the side flanges.

18. A container tank comprising a tank mounted between a pair of end frames, the tank being mounted to the end frames by eight bearer units as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, one at each corner of each end frame.

19. A container tank comprising a tank mounted between a pair of end frames, the tank being mounted to the end frames by sixteen bearer units as claimed in claim 16 or 17, a pair of bearer units being provided at each corner.

20. A container tank as claimed in claim 19 wherein the bearer units of each pair are spacedapart, and the side flanges of each unit project away from each other.

21. A container tank as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein each mounting member for mounting the bearer units to the tank are formed by a pair of channel members extending inwardly, substantially longitudinally from the end of the tank.

22. A container tank as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein end frame mounting members are provided at each corner of each end frame for mounting the bearer units to the end frame, the end frame mounting members extending from each corner in a substantially diagonal direction.

23. A container tank as claimed in claim 22 wherein the bearer unit is secured to a side web of each end frame mounting member.

24. A container tank as claimed in claim 23 wherein the bearer units are secured to the mounting member and the end frame mounting by nuts and bolts.

25. A bearer unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

26. A container tank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A container tank comprising a tank mounted to an end frame by at last one bearer unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 or 25.

28. Any novel feature described herein or any novel combination of herein described features.