GB2345052A

GB2345052A - Transport and erection of vessels for storage of fluid materials

Info

Publication number: GB2345052A
Application number: GB9929480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Thomas John Jefferis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-19
Filing date: 1999-12-15
Publication date: 2000-06-28
Also published as: GB9827890D0; GB9929480D0

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting, laying out and folding away inflatable storage systems comprises a trailer 1 having a base 3 that supports a platform 6 on which a reel 7 for carrying the inflatable storage system is mounted by means of support members 8. The platform 6 may be mounted on the base 3 via a turntable 5 rotatable between a rest position in which the reel 7 is parallel to the base member 3 and a working position in which the reel 7 is transverse to the base member 3. The reel 7 can be allowed freely to rotate in one direction to unwind the storage system or it can be rotated in the other direction by a winding motor 11 to wind in the storage system. A roller guide bar (17 fig.3) may be provided behind the reel 7 when it is in the working position which may be adjusted by hydraulic means. A method for laying out and folding away an inflatable storage system involves attaching such a system to a reel 7 by detachable winding straps (14 fig.2). The winding straps (14 fig. 2) may be provided on either the storage system or the reel 7 and may be secured to the reel 7 or storage system, respectively, by a hook and eye mechanism.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TRANSPORT AND ERECTION OF VESSELS FOR STORAGE OF FLUID MATERIALS This invention concerns improvements in and relating to methods of transporting and erecting vessels for the storage of fluid materials, including fluids of varying viscosities.

Temporary storage facilities for fluid materials are required in a vast number of different applications. Presently such storage tends to be by means of rigid metal or fibreglass tanks conveyed to and temporarily located at the site where they are required. Once they have finished their useful life at the location they are moved on.

Such tanks face a number of disadvantages which restrict their use or, in a number of applications, make them impracticable.

By their nature rigid tanks are difficult to transport and the location may only be accessible to tanks of limited capacity, for instance narrow country lanes, off-road applications etc. Where capacity is limited due to the size, operations involving the tank are slowed or multiple tanks required at increased cost.

To overcome the problems associated with rigid storage, the applicants have invented a storage system comprising a storage vessel having an inlet and/or outlet and an inflatable containing frame which is transportable in its deflated form and can be used with minimum preparatory site work.

This storage system is disclosed in British Patent Application No. 9510336 to the applicants. A problem with the inflatable storage system is that owing to its large surface area it can be time consuming and labour intensive to lay out and also to deflate and fold away. The present invention aims to overcome this problem by providing transport means adapted to lay-out and fold-away the inflatable storage system.

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a transportable base member including a reel, adapted to carry an inflatable storage system, mounted on support means secured to the base and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, means for selectively rotating the reel in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and means for permitting the base member to be moved in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the reel.

The base member may be carried on any suitable means and may include wheels to permit movement of the member in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the reel.

Preferably the base member is located on a trailer for towing behind a vehicle and the means to support the reel is preferably carried on a turntable mounted on the base member for rotation between a rest position, wherein the reel is parallel to the lengthwise axis of the trailer, and a working position, wherein the reel is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trailer, and includes means to rotate the turntable between the rest and the working positions.

The base member preferably forms the deck of the trailer. Preferably means are provided to lock the turntable in one of its two positions. The means to lock the turntable preferably comprises a bolt.

The means for selectively rotating the reel may provide for the reel to rotate freely in one direction and to be driven to rotate in the opposite direction whereby the inflatable storage system may be withdrawn from the reel by tension applied to the storage system and rewound onto the reel when the reel is driven to rotate in the opposite direction.

The means for selectively rotating the reel may comprise a motor.

Alternatively the means for selectively rotating the reel may be an hydraulic means.

A roller guide bar may be provided situated behind the reel when it is in the working position. The roller guide bar prevents damage to the inflatable storage system by supporting it above the base member while it is being laid-out or reeled in. The roller guide bar also pushes out any liquid and air contained in the inflatable storage system as it is reeled in.

The roller guide bar is preferably secured to the turntable, alternatively it may be secured to the means to support the reel. The height of the roller guide bar is preferably adjustable and its height will vary depending on the amount of air and liquid to be expelled from the storage system.

Preferably the height of the roller guide bar is adjusted by a hydraulic means. The rest position of the roller guide bar is preferably its highest position.

The reel may be solid or alternatively it may comprise at least two bars secured between two end pieces.

The means to support the reel preferably comprises two support members, one positioned at either end of the reel to allow free rotation of the reel.

The inflatable storage system maybe provided with winding straps which can be secured to the reel, alternatively the reel may be provided with winding straps which can be secured to the storage system. The straps may be attached to the reel or to the storage system permanently or releasably. Hooks and suitable receiving means, such as eyes, are preferably used to secure the straps to the reel or storage system releasably.

According to a second aspect the present invention provides a method of reeling-in, transporting and laying out an inflatable storage system having a storage vessel provided with an inlet and/or outlet and an integral inflatable containing frame using the transportable base member of the present invention comprising the steps of: providing winding straps for attachment between the reel carried by the base member and the said storage system; causing the means for rotating the reel to rotate in a first direction whereby the storage system is wound onto the reel; transporting the base member and reel containing the storage system to a required site; causing the means for rotating the reel to permit the reel to rotate freely; securing the free end of the storage system to the ground; moving the base member in a direction away from the secured end of the storage system whereby the storage system is transferred to the ground; and disconnecting the winding straps.

In using the preferred form of transportable base member in which the reel is mounted on a turntable carried on a trailer, the turntable is first rotated into the working position and the storage system is wound onto the reel by providing winding straps between the reel and the storage system and causing the means for rotating the reel to rotate in a first direction.

The turntable is then rotated into the rest position for transport to the required site.

At the site the turntable is rotated into the working position and the storage system is transferred to the ground by: causing the means for rotating the reel to permit the reel to rotate freely; securing the free end of the storage system of the ground; towing the trailer in a direction away from the secured end of the storage system to transfer the storage system to the ground; and disconnecting the winding straps.

To recover the storage system when it is no longer required on site, the system is wound onto the reel as described above. Where a roller guide bar is provided passage of the storage system over the bar will cause any residual liquid in the system to be squeezed out.

This method of reeling-in, transporting and laying out an inflatable storage system can be performed by one person, and is quick and safe.

The free end of the storage system is preferably secured to the ground by pegs, alternatively ropes may be used.

A protective groundsheet or blanket may be laid out underneath the storage system preferably to provide a low friction surface and to prevent puncturing of the storage system.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention which is not intended to be limiting and which refers to the figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a trailer base including a reel to contain an inflatable storage system; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the trailer base with the reel in its working position and an inflatable storage system laid on the ground behind it; and Figure 3 shows a side view of the trailer base of Figure 2 with the reel in its working position reeling in the inflatable storage system.

In Figure 1 a trailer 1 comprises wheels 2, base 3 and towing bar 4. A turntable 5 is mounted in the centre of the base 3 and supports a platform 6 on which is mounted a reel 7 by means of support members 8. The reel comprises two end pieces 9 pivotably secured to the members 8 and three horizontal bars 10 running between the two end pieces 9. The rotation of the reel 7 is controlled by the winding motor 11 mounted on the platform 6.

The turntable is locked in its rest or working position by means of locking bolts 22 passing through an aperture of an extension 23 of the platform 6 and also when in the rest position passing through an aperture in extension 24 on the base 3 and when in the working position passing through an aperture in extension 25 on the base 3.

In Figure 2 and 3, in which like numbers indicate like features, the platform 6 and reel 7 are transverse to the trailer base 3 in the"working" position. Storage vessel 12 inside an integral inflatable containing frame 13 is shown on the ground behind trailer 1 with the containing frame 13 secured to the reel 7 by winding straps 14. A roller guide bar 17 is secured to the platform 6 such that the frame 13 and vessel 12 pass over it when being laid out or wound in (as shown in figure 3 in particular).

To load the storage system into the transportable base member for transport the storage system is secured to the reel 7 by means of winding straps 14 and the winding motor 11 is actuated to rotate the reel 7 in one direction (anti-clockwise) and reel in the storage system ready for transportation to the required site.

When the required site is reached a protective groundsheet or blanket (not shown) is preferably laid out to receive the storage system ensuring provision of a low friction surface and preventing punctures.

To lay out the containing frame 13 and storage vessel 12 straps turntable 5 is unlocked and rotated until the reel 7 and platform 6 are transverse to the trailer base 3, in its working position, and the turntable 5 is locked in that position as shown in figure 2. The reel 7 is allowed to freewheel (rotate clockwise) by disconnecting the drive from the winding motor 11 and the free end of the containing vessel 13 is secured to the ground by pegs 15 and ropes 16. The trailer 1 is then towed slowly away from the secured end of the containing frame 13 by the vehicle 18 until the frame 13 and vessel 12 are transferred to the protective groundsheet or blanket on the ground. The winding straps 14 can then be disconnected and the frame 13 inflated using a pump operated by the winding motor. The trailer may then be towed away and the vessel 12 filled with the liquid to be stored therein.

When the storage vessel is no longer required it is first emptied by means of outlet 21 which passes from the storage vessel 12 through a wall of the frame 13. Industrial zips 20 provide inspection areas so that the storage vessel can be checked to ensure that it does not contain an amount of liquid or sludge that may hinder rewinding of the storage system onto the reel. Trailer 1 is towed to the site, turntable 5 is unlocked and rotated from its rest position into the working position and locked in that position. The inflatable frame 13 and vessel 12 are deflated and secured to the winding straps 14, passing over the roller guide 17, the winder motor 11 is then actuated to rotate the reel and wind in the frame 13 and vessel 12. As the frame 13 and vessel 12 pass over the roller guide bar 17 any excess air or liquid are forced out. When the frame 13 and vessel 12 have been wound onto the reel the winding motor 11 is stopped and the reel 7 locked. The turntable 5 is unlocked and rotated until it is parallel with the trailer base 3, in the rest position, and locked in that position ready for transportation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An apparatus used to transport an inflatable storage system comprising a base member including a reel adapted to carry an inflatable storage system and mounted on support means secured to the base for rotation about its longitudinal axis, means for selectively rotating the reel in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and means for permitting the base member to be moved in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the reel.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base member includes wheels to permit movement of the member in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the reel.
3. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the base member is located on a trailer for towing behind a vehicle.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means to support the reel is carried on a turntable mounted on the base member for rotation between a rest position, wherein the reel is parallel to the lengthwise axis of the trailer, and a working position, wherein the reel is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trailer, and includes means to rotate the turntable between the rest and the working positions.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the base member forms the deck of the trailer.
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 and 5 wherein means are provided to lock the turntable in one of its two positions.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the means to lock the turntable comprises a bolt.
8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for selectively rotating the reel provides for the reel to rotate freely in one direction and to be driven to rotate in the opposite direction whereby the inflatable storage system is withdrawn from the reel by tension applied to the storage system and rewound onto the reel when the reel is driven to rotate in the opposite direction.
9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a roller guide bar is provided situated behind the reel when it is in the working position.
10. The apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the height of the guide bar can be adjusted by hydraulic means.
11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means to support the reel comprises two support members, one positioned at either end of the reel.
12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the inflatable storage system is provided with winding straps which can be secured to the reel.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-11 wherein the reel is provided with winding straps which can be secured to the storage system.
14. The apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the straps are provided with hooks for securing the straps to the reel.
15. The apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein the straps are provided with hooks for securing the straps to the storage system.
16. The apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the hooks are received by corresponding eyes on the reel.
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the holes are received by corresponding eyes in the storage system.
18. A method of reeling-in, transporting and laying out an inflatable storage system having a storage vessel provided with an inlet and/or outlet and an integral inflatable containing frame using the apparatus of claim 1 comprising the steps of :- causing the means for rotating the reel to rotate in a first direction whereby the storage system is wound onto the reel; transporting the base member and reel containing the storage system to a required site; causing the means for rotating the reel to permit the reel to rotate freely; securing the free end of the storage system to the ground; and moving the base member in a direction away from the secured end of the storage system whereby the storage system is transferred to the ground.
19. The method of Claim 18 further comprises attaching winding straps between the reel carried by the base member and the said storage system.
20. The method of Claim 19 further comprises disconnecting the winding straps when the storage system has been transferred to the ground.
21. The method according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the reel is mounted on a turntable on the base member carried on a trailer, the turntable is first rotated into the working position and the storage system is wound onto the reel by attaching the winding straps between the reel and the storage system and causing the means for rotating the reel to rotate in a first direction; the turntable is then rotated into the rest position for transport to the required site; at a site the turntable is rotated into the working position and the storage system is transferred to the ground.
22. The method according to any one of Claims 18-21 wherein the free end of the storage system is secured to the ground by pegs or ropes.
23. The apparatus used to transport an inflatable storage system according to any one of Claims 1-17 substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.
24. The method according to any one of Claims 18-22 substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.