NL2016531B1

NL2016531B1 - A tank container provided with a swash/surge baffle and method for installing such a swash/surge baffle in such a tank container.

Info

Publication number: NL2016531B1
Application number: NL2016531A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Van Opstal Jan; Howard William Smith Damian
Original assignee: Flax Field Trading B V
Priority date: 2016-04-01
Filing date: 2016-04-01
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: NL2016531A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tank container including a cylindrical tank shell in which at least one baffle is arranged transversely to a longitudinal direction of the tank shell. The baffle includes a baffle plate and a joining saddle for joining the baffle plate to the tank shell, and the joining saddle joins exactly one side of the baffle plate to a baffle joining surface of the tank shell. The joining saddle includes a shell joining surface delimited by at least one shell joining edge and a groove with a groove opening delimited by at least one groove edge for receiving the joining side of the baffle plate. The baffle joining surface has an area and a curvature substantially that of the shell joining surface. The present invention further relates to a method for installing such a surge/swash baffle in such a tank container.

Description

A tank container provided with a swash/surge baffle and method for installing such a swash/surge baffle in such a tank container.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tank container provided with a swash/surge baffle and method for installing such a swash/surge baffle in such a tank container.

Background

Freight transport, also referred to as intermodal freight transport is often international, in which a tank container is transported on the road and/or over water. During such transport, a tank container is carried by transport means e.g. a truck or a ship. En route, the container often contains liquids, e.g. semi-finished products for the chemical industry or food industry.

One problem encountered with transporting large volumes of liquids in a tank container is the swashing/surging of the liquids in the tank. Swash/surge is caused by tank motions during travel and results in the production of forces that can affect tank container stability and control. If the liquid is allowed to swash/surge freely in the tank, the moving liquid can have an adverse effect on the road-holding of the tank container. For example, exciting the liquid to slosh can result in oscillating, pendulum-like forces that can change the stability of the overall dynamic system of the tank container. Moreover, when the level of liquid in the tank is less than full, such forces are amplified to a much greater degree.

One way to diminish or dampen swashing/surging is to dispose within the tank one or more baffles. Tanks used in transportation of liquids are typically elongated tubular shells with a series of internal baffles spaced longitudinally along the axis of the shell and oriented transversely to this axis.

The baffles break the motion of the liquid, which in turn decreases the forces generated by swashing/surging. Some baffle types are fixed to the tank. Such baffles have to be securely fixed to the tank wall with sufficient strength to withstand the forces generated by the swashing/surging. A tank container comprising a baffle is for example known from U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,308, which discloses a transport tank for mounting to a truck. A baffle is removable connected to the inner surface of the tank body.

Existing baffles joined to the inner surface of the tank shell or other internal structure may suffer cracks and early failure, primarily due to stresses induced by liquids impacting the baffle surface, and stresses resulting from uneven fluid distribution inside the tank. When the tank is made of metal, it is usual to weld the edge of the baffle directly to the wall of the tank. However, when the tank is not made of metal, a direct welding, in the same manner as for metal tanks, can lead to zones of stresses at the weld which ultimately may break off the connection between the baffle and the tank when the baffles are subjected to the sloshing forces.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to provide a baffle for suppressing swash/surge in a tank container that can sufficiently suppress swash/surge, while at the same time providing weight, material, and cost savings over existing baffles. A further object of the invention is to provide a method for installing such a baffle in a tank container.

Summary of the Invention

This object is achieved by a tank container including a cylindrical tank shell in which at least one surge/swash baffle is arranged transversely to a longitudinal direction of the tank shell. The baffle includes a baffle plate and a joining saddle for joining the baffle plate to the tank shell, and the joining saddle joins exactly one side of the baffle plate to a baffle joining surface of the tank shell, defining a joining side and a loose end. The joining saddle includes a shell joining surface delimited by at least one shell joining edge. The shell joining surface has an area and a curvature that substantially matches an area and a curvature of the baffle joining surface.

The joining saddle functions as an intermediate transitional body between the baffle plate and the tank shell, providing a single-sided connection of the baffle plate to the tank shell.

In comparison with prior art baffle plates, the invention allows by providing a joining saddle at one edge of the baffle plate that the baffle plate interfaces with the tank shell over only the width of the connected edge of the baffle plate.

According to an embodiment, the invention relates to the tank container as described above, wherein the joining saddle monotonically widens from the joining side towards the at least one shell joining edge.

By widening towards the tank shell, the contact surface of the saddle with the tank shell is larger than the contact surface between the saddle and the baffle plate. Advantageously, such a transition provides a relatively strong connection between the baffle plate and the tank shell, while the level of mechanical stress at the second contact interface will be smaller than at the first contact interface, typically by a factor equal to the ratio of the surfaces of the two interfaces. Thus, invention provides that in the construction risks of deformation and/or fatigue of the tank shell at the location of the connection are reduced.

Advantageous embodiments are further defined by the dependent claims.

Brief description of Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings in which illustrative embodiments thereof are shown. They are intended exclusively for illustrative purposes and not to restrict the inventive concept, which is defined by the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tank container for use in container goods in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a surge/swash baffle in a tank container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a joining saddle of a surge/swash baffle provided on a tank shell of a tank container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a joining saddle of a surge/swash baffle provided on the tank shell of the tank container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of two surge/swash baffles provided in a tank container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tank container for use in container goods. The tank container is a container with substantially circular cross-section for containing liquids. The tank container for use in container goods transport comprises an elongate or substantially cylindrical tank shell 1 and an anchoring frame.

The tank shell 1 is provided with at least one manhole for entering the tank container, wherein the at least one manhole has a diameter d. The diameter d can for example be 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm or any other appropriate size for allowing a normal sized person to enter the tank container.

The anchoring frame is provided with a fastening construction, wherein the fastening construction is attached to the tank shell 1 of the tank container in such a manner that the tank shell 1 is anchored in the frame.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the tank shell of the tank container can comprise composite material. The composite material is hereby defined as a reinforced plastic, such as fiber-reinforced polymer.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a surge/swash baffle in the tank container of Figure 1. The surge/swash baffle is joined to a tank shell 1 of the tank container at a baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1. The surge/swash baffle comprises a baffle plate 3 and a joining saddle 2 for joining the baffle plate 3 to the tank shell 1.

In an embodiment of the invention, the surge/swash baffle is provided as an integral one-piece element. The integral one-piece element can be introduced in the tank container via the at least one manhole.

The joining saddle 2 joins exactly one side of the baffle plate 3 to the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1. The joining saddle 2 is provided as an intermediate transitional body between the baffle plate 3 and the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1. For example, the joining saddle can be welded, glued or ultrasonic welded to the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1.

The baffle plate 3 comprises a joining side 3a and a loose end 3b. The joining side 3a is received in the groove 6 of the joining saddle 2 and oppositely facing the loose end 3b remains free.

In an embodiment of the invention, the joining side 3a is a short side of the baffle plate 3. In an embodiment of the invention, a plate thickness of baffle plate 3 monotonically increases from the loose end towards the joining side 3a.

In an embodiment of the invention, a plate width of baffle plate 3 monotonically increases from the loose end towards the joining side 3a.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plate width and the plate thickness are smaller than the diameter d of the manhole of the tank container.

In an embodiment of the invention, the baffle plate 3 has a substantially rectangular geometry.

In an embodiment of the invention, the baffle plate 3 has an airfoil cross-sectional geometry or an airfoil longitudinal section geometry. In this embodiment, the baffle plate 3 can be formed as a truss support structure covered with a lightweight fiberglass or hardened fabric skin attached to and fitted on the support structure forming the baffle plate 3.

In an embodiment of the invention, the surge/swash baffle comprises composite material. The composite material is hereby defined as a reinforced plastic, such as fiber-reinforced polymer.

The surge/swash baffle, as described above, can be installed in a tank container according to a method comprising the following steps.

In an initial step according to the method, the surge/swash baffle is provided in the tank shell of the tank container. The baffle comprises the baffle plate 3 and the joining saddle 2.

In a next step, the shell joining surface 5 of the joining saddle 2 is positioned to coincide with the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1, and the groove 6 for receiving the baffle plate 3 is arranged transversely to a longitudinal direction of the tank container.

In a subsequent step, the surge/swash baffle is connected by exactly one side of the baffle plate to the tank shell 1 of the tank container by means of joining the joining saddle 2 to the tank shell 1 by joining the shell joining surface 5 to the baffle joining surface 4.

The method further comprises the step of introducing a joining side 3a of the baffle plate 3 in the groove 6 of the joining saddle, and joining the baffle plate 3 to the joining saddle 2. According to an embodiment, the baffle plate 3 is already joined to the joining saddle, before the step of positioning the joining saddle 2.

The joining saddle 2 can be joined to the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1 by gluing or welding the saddle to the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell. A metal saddle can be glued or welded to the tank shell.

In case the saddle and the baffle joining surface both consist at least partially of a composite material (i.e., the shell joining surface of the saddle and the baffle joining surface each comprise a composite material layer), the joining saddle is preferably glued or welded ultrasonically to the tank shell.

In an embodiment of the invention, when gluing is applied to join the saddle to the tank shell, the method further comprises the step of roughening the joining surface of the baffle and/or the tank shell before gluing.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a joining saddle of a surge/swash baffle provided on the tank shell of the tank container of figure 1. The joining saddle 2 can be used for joining a baffle plate 3 of the surge/swash baffle to an baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1.

The joining saddle 2 comprises an shell joining surface 5 delimited by at least one shell joining edge 5’ and a groove 6 with a groove opening delimited by at least one groove edge 6’ for receiving the joining side 3a of the baffle plate 3. According to the invention, the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1 and the shell joining surface 5 of the joining saddle 2 have substantially an area and a curvature of a similar size.

The joining saddle connects with the shell joining surface 5 to the baffle joining surface 4 of the tank shell 1, and with the groove 6 to the joining side 3a of the baffle plate 3. The groove 6 is configured to receive fixing means for fixing the joining side 3a of the baffle plate 3 in the groove 6 of the joining saddle 2. The fixing means can for example be a glue.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the joining saddle of figure 3. In this embodiment, the joining saddle 2 monotonically widens from the at least one groove edge 6’ towards the shell joining surface 5. The joining saddle 2 may further comprise oppositely facing concave longitudinal sides 7’, 7”.

In another embodiment, the joining saddle 2 can comprise oppositely facing convex longitudinal sides 7’, 7”.

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of two surge/swash baffles provided in a transverse plane of a tank container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The two surge/swash baffles are positioned symmetrically with respect to a symmetry axis S of the tank shell 1 in the transverse plane. Each longitudinal direction of the two surge/swash baffles are parallel to the symmetry axis S. In this embodiment, longitudinal direction of each of the two surge/swash baffles is positioned under a non-zero angle with respect to a radial axis R in the transverse plane. In other words, the longitudinal directions do not extend in a radial direction of the tank shell 1, and as such do not comprise a center O. The center 0 is the center of the tank shell geometry in the transverse plane.

Other alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the present invention are conceivable within the idea of the invention, as will be clear to the person skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

List of reference signs 1. Tank shell 2. Joining Saddle 3. Baffle plate 3a. Joining Side 3b. Loose End 4. Baffle joining surface 5. Shell joining surface 5 ’. Shell jo ining edge 6. Groove 6’. Groove Edge 7 ’ ,7 ”. Longitudinal sides S. Symmetry Axis R. Radial Direction 0. Origin

Claims

A tank container comprising a cylindrical tank wall (1) in which at least one corrugated bulkhead is arranged transversely of a longitudinal direction of the tank wall (1); the at least one golf ball baffle comprises a baffle plate (3) and a connecting saddle (2) for connecting the baffle plate (3) to the tank wall (1), wherein the connecting saddle exactly one side of the baffle plate (3) with a baffle connecting surface ( 4) connects from the tank wall (1), one side defining a connecting side (3a), and the baffle plate (3) having a loose end (3b) opposite the connecting side (3a); the connecting saddle (2) comprises a wall connection surface (5) bounded by at least one wall connection edge (5 '), wherein the wall connection surface (5) has an area and a curvature that substantially corresponds to an area and a curvature of the bulkhead connection surface (4) )

The tank container according to claim 1, wherein the connecting saddle (2) widens monotonously from the connecting side (3a) to the at least one wall connecting edge (5 ').

Tank container according to claim 2, wherein the connecting saddle (2) further comprises oppositely directed concave longitudinal sides (7 ", 7").

The tank container according to claim 1, wherein a plate thickness of the baffle plate (2) increases monotonously from the loose end (3b) to the connecting side (3a).

A tank container according to claim 1, wherein a plate width of the baffle plate (2) increases monotonously from the loose end (3b) to the connecting side (3a).

Tank container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate width W and the plate thickness are smaller than a diameter d of a manhole of the tank container.

Tank container according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the baffle plate has a wing profile cross-sectional geometry or a wing profile cross-sectional geometry.

Tank container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting saddle (2) is solidly formed from a selected from a group comprising a metal or a composite.

Tank container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle plate (2) is solidly formed from a selected from a group comprising a metal or a composite.

A tank container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of golf / klots baffles is at least two.

A tank container according to claim 10, wherein the at least two corrugated / bulkhead baffles transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tank wall. (1) are arranged in a transverse plane of the tank wall (1).

12. Tank container according to claim 11, wherein the at least two corrugated bulkheads are positioned symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry S of the tank wall.

The tank container of claim 10, wherein the number of golf / klots baffles is at least three.

A tank container according to claim 13, wherein the at least three corrugated bulkheads are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tank wall (1) in a transverse plane of the tank wall (1).

Tank container according to claim 14, wherein the at least three corrugated bulkheads are positioned symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry S of the tank wall.

Tank container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a longitudinal direction of the baffle plate (2) is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to a radial direction R of the tank wall.

Tank container according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, wherein the one side (3a) of the baffle plate (2) is a short side of the plate.

A tank container according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 17, wherein the baffle plate is substantially rectangular.

A method for installing a golf ball baffle in a tank container, comprising the following steps in an appropriate order: a) providing a golf / golf baffle plate (2) consisting of a baffle plate (2) and a connecting saddle (2); b) positioning a wall connecting surface (5) of the connecting saddle (2) to coincide with a bulkhead connecting surface (4) of a tank wall (1), and arranging a groove (6) for receiving the baffle plate (2) transversely of a longitudinal direction of the tank container; c) connecting the connecting saddle (2) to the tank wall (1) by connecting the wall connecting surface (5) to the bulkhead connecting surface (4); the method further comprising a step of inserting a connecting side (3a) of the baffle plate (2) into the groove (6) of the connecting saddle and connecting the baffle plate (2) to the connecting saddle (2).

A method according to claim 19, wherein the step of introducing a connecting side (3a) of the baffle plate (2) into the groove (6) of the connecting saddle connecting the baffle plate (2) to the connecting saddle (2), or before or after step c).

Method according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising for step c) the step of roughening the wall connection surface (5) and / or the bulkhead connection surface (4).