US1885601A - Container - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 1, 1932.

G. T. HoRToN CONTANER Filed May 23, 1931 Y 6 Il. l y eo 7e H07 fon,

Nov. 1, 1932'T G. T. HoRToN CONTAINER Filed May 23, 1931 4 Sheets-'Sheet 2 G. T. HoRToN CONTAINER Filed May 23. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet Nov. 1, 1932.

Nov. l, 19322. G. T. HoR'roN 1,885,601

l CONTAINER Filed May 25, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 15 sphere.

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE GEORGE '.l. HORTON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO BRIDGE AND IRON COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I CONTAINER i Application led 'May 23, 1931. Serial No. 539,578.

This invention relates to improvements in containers and, more especially, a closed hquid container.

,J n l n n My invention is especiallyl useful in connection with containers for the storage ofy volatile liquids, such as gasoline, petroleum,

and the like, in which it is desired to maintain a certain amount of pressure for the purpose of preventing or lessening losses by evaporatio My improved container is generally in-the shape of a solid of revolution about a vertical axis and may be described, in general, as being a spheroid, oblate sphere or flattened I have found that a container of this lshape is particularly well adapted for holding liquids' of the character described, since with a normal liquid and a normal pressure, it can be so designed as to carry the liquid Weight and internal gas pressure using material, such as sheet metal, of substantial-A ly uniform thickness throughout.

The container is preferably provided with a curved bottom, the curvature of which may vary somewhat from that used in the body of the container. For example, -the curvature of the bottom may be spherical.

Some of the features of a container of the shape above described are more particularly pointedl out in my United States Patents, No. 1,622,787 of March 29, 1927 and No. 1,778,944, of October 21, 1930.

As stated above, a container of the shape mentioned is preferably desi ed for holding a given or normal amoun of a given or normal liquid and a given or normal intern al gas pressure. When all of these factors are normal, the shape, size and curvature of the .container may be such that it is substantially self-supporting by its shell alone without the use of any additional supporting or bracing members. A container of the kind referred to, however, cannot practically always be used under such normal conditions. `At times, the container will contain more or less liquid than the normal amount. Also, the weight of the liquid stored and the internal gas or vapor pressure may vary from the normal. For this reason, I have Ifound it necessary or desirable to provide bracing means for a container of the kind referred to.

The principal feature of the present invention is the provision of such bracing means.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of bracing means for the container that can be used for supporting the curved bottom in a raised position during the construction or erection of the container to permit testing of such bottom.

Other features and advantages of my invention ,will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification. r

In 'those formsl of devices embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings-' Figure is a view in side elevation of a container; Fig. 2 v1s an enlarged vertical sectional view of the bracing means; Fig. 3 is a view similar. to Fig. 2 taken at another place; Fig. is'a viewr in side elevation of the bracing means; Fig. 5 is aview 'taken as indicated by the .line 5 of 2; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modified form; Fig. 7 1 s a view'talen as indicated by the line 7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a view taken' as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a view similarv to F1g. 4 showing another modification; Fig. 10 is a view taken as indicated by the l1n e 10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a view taken as indicated by the line 11 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view, showing: the use of the bracing means during the procly ess of erection or construction of the container.

As shown in the drawings, the container is indicated, in general, by 10 and is here shown 1n the form of a spheroid, oblate sphere or :fiattened sphere preferably made of sheet i metal f ormedof separate pieces 10a, 10a suitably riveted, welded or otherwise fastened together. The .bottom of the container, as here shown, is indicated by 10". The curvature of this bottom may follow the curvature employed in the body of the container or may vary somewhat therefrom. For eXample,-the

curvature of the bottom portion 10b may be spherical. l

I shall first describe the bracing shown in lilo Figs. l to 5, inclusive. As here shown, 11 indicates an external circular flat rigid bracing member attached to the shell of the container. This circular bracing member 11 is preferably located adjacent the periphery of the bottom 10h of the container; that is, substantially at the place where' the bottom of the container lnay be said to join the body thereof. As here shown, such bracing member is substantially at the ground level. This circular bracing member is virtually a rigid flat ring adapted to rest on a suitable foundation, for example, tamped or packed sand, concrete or the like, indicated by 12. The bottom 1()b of the tank itself may also rest on similar foundation material under the same, indicated by 12a.

Various means may be provided for attaching the bracing ring 11. to the shell 10a. As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, such means includes vertical radial gusset plates or brackets 13 and 14. The brackets 13 are somewhat. larger than the brackets 14 and alternately arranged with respect thereto. The outer edges of the brackets 13 and 14 are bent over t-o form stiffening flanges 132L and 14a.

Various means may be provided for attaching the parts together. For example, as here shown, the upper edges of the brackets 13 are attached to the shell 10a means of the angle irons 15 and the brackets v14, likewise attached by means of the angle irons 16. The lower edges of the brackets 13 are attached to the ring 11 by angle irons 17 and the lower edges of the brackets 14 similarly attached by angle irons 18.

The outer edge of the ring 11 may be stiffened by means of an angle iron 19. 20 indicates vertical stiffening angle irons attached to the brackets 13, the lower ends of the same being fastened to the angle iron 19. The

inner edge of the ring 11 may be stiffened by an angle iron 21 on the underside of the same. 22 indicates diagonal bracing members extending from the lower edges of the brackets 13, attachment at the upper ends being accomplished by means of the rectangular plates 23.

I shall now describe a modified form of bracing shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. As here shown, there is provided a ring 111 similar to the ring 11 above described. This ring is attached to the shell 10'* by means of vertical radial brackets -or gusset plates 114, such plates here being shown as of the same size andy shape. Attachment of the upper edges of these plates to the shell is effected by means of the angle irons 116. The outer edges of the brackets 114 are joined by rectangular plates 117, attachment being accomplished by means of the angle irons 118. The lower edges of the plates 114 are attached to the ring 111 by means of the angle irons 119.

I shall now describe the form of bracing shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. As here shown,

there is also a ring 211 corresponding to the ring 11 above described. This ring is attached to the shell 10a by means of diagonally arranged vertical brackets or gusset plates I 214, 214. The outer edges of these plates are i fastened together at 215, the connection being accomplished by means of an angle iron 216 on the interior angle. The edges of the plates 214 are attached to the shell 10n by the angle irons 217 and their lower edges similarly atr the process of erection. As here shown, the n bottom 1()b is first constructed in an elevated position and supported at its periphery by the ring 11 which is mounted on suitable raised ,piers or supports 24, 24. `When in this position, the bottom 10b may be riveted and caulked, and filled wit-h water, oil, or other suitable liquid 25, for the purpose of testing the same.

Afterv the container is completed and in final position, the ring 11, or the rings 111 or 211 of the modified forms, serve as ground girders and are adapted to take some of the weight of the container and reinforce, strengthen or stifien the same. Such reinforcement is particularly useful in the case of abnormal loadings of the container.

Although I have shown riveting in the construction of the girder, it is obvious that other methods of joining the parts, for example, welding,'may be used.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

Thebracingmeans referred to is preferablylocated outside of and adjacent to the periphery (if the bottom that is. substantially at the place where the bottom of the container may be said to join the body thereof. It has been found that in containers of the character mentioned that distortion is likely to occur at this point when the tank is abnormally located. For example, if the weight ofl the liquid is too great or' the internal gas pressure too low there is a tendency for the shell to bend at points adjacent the attachment of the shell to the periphery of the bottom. That is, the shell tends to flatten out causing a straightening or flattening of the curvature of the shell near where it is attached to the'botto'm. On the other hand, if the weight of the liquid is too little or if the gas pressure inside is too great there is a tendency for the shell to round up and :approach a spherical shape. This tendency to deformation or distortion of the shell is greatest also at points adjacent the attachmentof the shell to the bottom. Consequentfly, I'have shown the bracing means attached to the shell just outside of the periphery of the bottom, such bracing means thereby serving to prevent distortion o1,` deformation ofv the shell in this area. What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A closed liquid container of the character described, substantially in the shape of a spheroid, provided with external bracing means; said means including a circular member attached to the shell by means of vertical radial brackets with their upper edges fastened to the shell at a plurahty of se arated points and their lower edges attache to the circular member to prevent distortion of the f v shell adjacent said circular member.

2. A. structure vas claimed in claim 1 in which .the circular member comprises a broad flat ring. e

3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the circular member is located outside of and adjacent the periphery of the bottom -of the container.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set ao rlhagid and seal, this. 19th day of May,

' GEORGE 'r. HoR'roN."

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