GB487774A - Improvements in or relating to storage tanks for volatile spirits and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

487,774. Tanks. HOLLIS, H. H. Nov. 24, 1936, No. 32131.. [Class 69 (i)] In a sealing device for the floating roof or raft of a tank for volatile spirits and the like, of the type comprising a rubbing element 4 engaging the tank walls and mounted for inward and outward movement on the raft 1, together with means such as a curtain for sealing the joint between the element 4 and the raft, the element 4 is carried by the resiliently-supported mountings 7 of rollers 10 which ensure uniform pressure on the element and may also guide the raft. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the mountings 7 of the rollers 10 are carried by spindles 11 slidable in bearings 12, 14 secured to the raft and pressed outwardly by springs 15. Attached to the mounts 7 is a carrier member 6 formed of butt-jointed sections of angle iron to allow for expansion, to which is secured the rubbing element 4. This may comprise one or more pieces of flexible material such as synthetic rubber or fibre, and may be solid, cellular, corrugated, vaned, or built of layers of material with or without reinforcing means. That shown is formed of sections of synthetic rubber with spaced horizontally-projecting vanes 5 and with scarf joints 9 between them to provide a continuous seal whilst allowing for expansion. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the sealing element comprises fibre or other flexible sealing rings 18 spaced by timber or other packing rings 19, and carried by a ring 20 attached to the mountings 7. One of the vanes 5 of the element 4, or one of the rings 18, can be deformed when riding over rivets or other projections without destroying the sealing effect of the other vanes or rings. In modifications, the rollers and carrier members for the rubbing elements are mounted on bell-crank levers pivoted on the raft and acted on by springs or weights to urge the rollers and rubbing-elements against the tank wall.