US2402253A - Sectional tank of the knockdown type - Google Patents

Description

2 SheetS-Sheetl June E39 R946., D K, MAWLEoD SECTIONAL TANK oF THE KNocKDowN TYPE Filed sept. 15, 1945 m e 18, i4. D. K. MAcLEoD SECTIONAL TANK OF THE KNOCK-DOWN TYPE Filed sept. 15, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1946 2,402,253 SECTIONAL TANK OF THE KNOCKDOWN TYPE Donald Keith Macleod, Wooster, Ohio, assignor to United Steel Fabricators, Inc., Wooster, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 15, 1943, Serial No. 502,417

9 Claims.

This invention relates to sectional or knockdown tanks particularly adapted for containing volatile uids, such as gasoline.

Sectional tanks for this purpose should not only be strong and rugged and capable of relatively quick assembly and installation, but they should be proof against leakage of volatile iuid stored therein, and the sections or segments should be nestable for compact shipment and storage. Paramount problems in the construction of such tanks, particularly when used for underground storage, include the provision of joints between contiguous sections which are absolutely leakproof throughout the life of the tank and which at the same time permit assembly of the sections expeditiously and without requiring special tools such as torsion wrenches and unusual care or skilled labor.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a. gas tank made up of nestable sections so constructed as to materially facilitate assembly of the respective sections while at the same time ensuring against leakage of gas or volatile uid from the tank through the joints between the sections.

Another object is to provide joints between the respective sections of knock-down tanks which are uniformly leak-proof and yet at the same time require no special tools or skill in properly connecting the sections.

Another object is to provide a gas tank for volatile fluids made up of nestable sections or segments having specially shaped integral anges, the anges of one Section when connected to the flanges of an adjacent section automatically providing grooves for gasket material of uniform construction throughout the tank which prevent movement or displacement of the gaskets under internal or external fluid or hydraulic pressure, there being no bolt holes passing from the interior to the exterior of the tank.

A further object is to provide a nestable section for knock-down gas tanks capable of ready manufacture from materials such as pressed steel and which at the same time has certain inherent advantages with respect to assembly and leakproof construction.

Still further objects include, the provision of a sectional tank which is adapted for a variety of uses, for example, underground storage in the field, permanent installations in the area of reneries, or even as a fuel tank for vehicles and airplanes; a sectional tank having joints which are leak-proof and which at the same time permit limited expansion of the gases; and to generally improve and simplify tanks of the sectional type.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages Will become apparent in View of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of atank constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2, an end elevation;

Figs. 3 and 4, enlarged sections on lines 3-3 and 4-4, Figs. 1 and 2, respectively.

Fig. 5, a detail perspective of one of the tank sections;

Figs. 6 and 7, sectional views illustrating the action which takes place during the assembling operation when the flanges or adjacent sections are drawn together with the gasket therebetween;

Fig. 8, a view similar to Fig. '7 but illustrating a special type of clamp member for the section iianges to reinforce the tank against exceptionally high internal pressures;

Fig. 9, a section on line 9 9, Fig. 7;

Fig. 9e, a detail View of the gaskets of Fig. 9;

Fig. l0, a` section on the line l-l, Fig. 1; and

Figs. 11 and 12, detail views of alternate types of gaskets.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 and 2, the cylindrical body of the tank is made up of a plurality of arcuate nestable sections generally indicated at 5, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 5.

Each section as here shown is made up of a pressed steel blank formed with side and end anges 6 of similar construction each flange being deformed to provide a semi-channel or recess 1, the metal inwardly from the recess being reversely turned as at 8 and merging with the body of the section.

In Fig. 6 the mating flanges and recesses are given similar reference characters except that a prime has been added.

The flanges are formed with bolt holes 9 through which bolts I0 are projected, the latter being provided with nuts Ille.

When the flanges are mated as illustrated in Fig. 6, they form a series of complete, substantially cylindrical and longitudinal gasket grooves or channels II which are open toward the inner side of the tank, and within these channels are disposed compressible preformed gasket members l2 and I2', preferably round in cross section, which may consist of synthetic rubber or other suitable material. The gaskets indicated at I2 extend circumferentially of the tank and those indicated at I2 extend longitudinally of the tank.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the action which takes place when the sections are assembled, the gaskets I 2, I 2 being disposed loosely in the channels II when the sections are mated as shown in Fig. 6, whereupon the bolts are tightened down as in Fig. '7. Note that the flanges 6 having now been brought together, the channels II are somewhat smaller than the gaskets, the latter now being compressed to a point where a portion I2a thereof projects outwardly into the clearance space between the bends 8, It will thus be seen that all of the flanges may be tightened down to a point where they come together, and when this point is reached, there need be no fear that insufficient or excessive pressure has been applied to the gasket. In other words, it is impossible to tighten the sections beyond a certain point, and when that point is reached, the gasket has been effectively seated under predetermined pressure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a reinforcement for the flanges comprising clamping lugs I3 and I3a which are tightened down by bolts I4 and nuts Ma. These lugs ensure against undue expansion of the joints when extreme pressure takes place within the tank.

Each tank is provided with a head or end cap I5, note Figs. 2 and 4, the cap being made of halfsegments or sections I5EL formed with joint flanges I6, I6 having exterior oppositely extending reinforcing portions Ilia, Ilia. Inwardly from the flanges I6, I6 the metal is deformed at I'I, II to provide a channel I8 adapted to receive a preformed gasket I 9. Angle members are preferably welded to the inner sides of the section over the face of the joint to avoid undue deformation of the metal at I'I, I'I in forming the gasket channel, a space 2I being left open between said members to permit expansion of the gasket inwardly when the flanges I6, I6' are tightened down. It will also be noted that the gasket expands fully into the channel I8 between the members 20, the latter also serving to reinforce the head.

To further reinforce the head I5, radial bars or the like 22 may be welded to the sections I 5e, note Fig. 2, and at their rear ends anchored beneath a center disc or cap 23, the latter being secured to the respective sections I5.

Fig. 3 shows the construction at the point where the cap I5 is bolted to the ends of the tank. At this point, an arcuate shaped flanged ring 24 is located between the outer edges of the head sections I5a and the flanges 6 of the adjacent body sections and secured in place by bolts 25 provided with nuts 25a. A gasket 26 is disposed in the channel provided between the recess 'I of the adjacent body sections and the head I5, the action being substantially the same as in the joints heretofore described and the same type of gasket being used.

The tank is provided with a man hole 2l, note Figs. 1 and 10, a cover 28 being secured over the man hole by means of stud bolts 29 and nuts 29a. A ring 30 is welded to the outer surface of the barrel at this point, and the cover 28 seats thereon, the studs 29 projecting from said ring. Inwardly from the ring 3U is an additional ring 3I which serves as a gasket retainer. The ring 3l may be welded to the inner surface of the cover 28, a gasket 32 being disposed in the space 33 provided between the outer and inner rings 30 and 3l.

It will be noted that the ring 3| is round in cross section, thereby leaving crevices 34 within which the gasket material is compressed when the cover is tightened down, see Fig. 10.

Fig. 9 illustrates the action which takes place at the juncture of the longitudinal and circumferential gaskets. At this point the longitudinal gaskets are projected slightly beyond their channels, the effect of tightening the flanges of the joint being to force the abutting gaskets into all available crevices.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate alternate types of gaskets with respect to those shown in Figs. 9 and 9a, the change being directed primarily to the T-joint where thelongitudinal and circumferential gaskets abut one another. A molded T section may be used as shown in Fig. l1, said section being indicated at 35 and consisting of a solid member adapted to seat in the gasket channels and abut gaskets 36 and 3'I which correspond to the gaskets I2 heretofore described.

In Fig. 12 the T section is indicated at 38 and is also solid but is formed with end projections 39 adapted to be inserted within the hollow ends of gaskets 40, 4I)a and 40h.

These special Ts may be of advantage in certain installations, but actual experience indicates that in the majority of cases the simple type of joint illustrated in Fig. 9 is entirely reliable, and it has the advantage of reducing the number of parts. The T-memlbers of Figs. 11 and 12 may also be made of synthetic rubber or other suitable material.

The nestable sectional tank herein disclosed has been found satisfactory both for underground use and for other types of installation. It can be used for transfer of gasoline from tanker to shore, in which event it is desirable to anchor tow hooks or eyes tothe end discs or caps 23; or it can be used for transportation alone, or even as an emergency fuel tank for vehicles and aircraft.

The manner in which the sections may be assembled will be obvious from the foregoing description Itaken in conjunction with the drawings. The gaskets I2, I2', I9, 26 and 32 may be furnished in standard sizes according to tank specifications. Thus the circumferential gaskets may be furnished in lengths corresponding to specified diametersy and the longitudinal gaskets in specied lengths; and during the assembling opera tion these gaskets may be readily inserted in the channels provided therefor prior to tightening down the joint flanges. When the said flanges are clamped together, the gaskets will be subjected to a predetermined pressure which prevents movement or displacement of the gaskets either from external or internal hydraulic pressure. No special care or tools are necessary in the assembling operation, since the proper pressure is reached when the joint flanges are brought together.

The material from which the gaskets are made should obviously be selected in accordance with 'the type of volatile fluid to be contained in the tank. For aromatic gasoline, hycar, neoprene or like synthetic rubber has been found satisfactory. However, the gasket material should -be selected with a view toward resistance to decay, controlled degree of expansion, retention of elasticity and reliability under extreme temperature ranges.

The tank segments or sections may be made from pressed steel, the flanges and their coacting gasket grooves being so designed as to permit a pressing operation without undue drawing of the metal in this region. The tank heads may be of different types to suit different types of tank bodies. rIhe head used for the purpose of illustration in the present instance has been found satisfactory while` for larger diameters a dished head with or without reinforcing angles has been used.

No attempt has been made herein to illustrate or describe in detail the various modifications and obvious changes in structure necessary to adapt the tank section to different types of installations, such being considered as falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A tank particularly adapted for the storage of volatile fluids, including a plurality of nestable sections having outwardly projecting flanges along the marginal edges thereof each of which is formed with a generally arcuate recess extending longitudinally of the flange so constructed that when a pair of flanges are clamped together during assembly of the sections channels are defined therebetween by opposed recesses which are open toward the interior of the tank but are closed toward the exterior of the tank, and rounded compressible gaskets disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when the flanges are clamped together in assembled relation, the gaskets being thus compressed when the flanges are drawn together during assembly of the sections and the excess gasket material being crowded into the space between the inner opposed walls of the channels.

2. A tank particularly adapted for the storage of volatile fluids including a series of sections each of which is formed with outwardly projecting clamping flanges at the marginal edges thereof, said flanges each being formed with an arcuate recess extending longitudinally of the flange, the flanges being so shaped and the recesses of the respective flanges being of such depth that when the flanges of contiguous sections are mated and clamped together gasket channels are defined by opposed recesses which are open toward the interior of the tank but are closed toward the exterior of the tank, and preformed gaskets of rounded contour disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when opposed flanges are clamped together, the gaskets being subjected to predetermined pressure when the flanges are drawn together during the clamping operation and the material of the gaskets in excess of that required to completely fill the channels being forced into the open portions of the channels toward the interior of the tank.

3. A tank particularly adapted for the storage of volatile fluids including a plurality of arcuate nestable sections each of which is formed of substantially rigid but deformable sheet material, each section being provided with outwardly projecting flanges along the marginal edges thereof, said flanges inwardly toward the body of the section each being deformed to provide an arcuate recess extending longitudinally of the flange, means for clamping opposed flanges of contiguous sections together exteriorly of the tank, the opposed recesses of each pair of mating flanges coacting to form a gasket channel which when the flanges are clamped together is substantially closed outwardly of the tank but is open toward the interior of the tank, and compressible gasket material disposed in the channels defined by said recesses, said material when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area, than said channels when the flanges are clamped together, the gasket material being thus subjected to pressure when the flanges are connected to one another during assembly of the sections and the material in excess of that required to completely lill the channels being crowded inwardly into the open portion of each channel.

4. A tank of the class specified having a substantially cylindrical body made up of a series of arcuate nestable sections of relatively heavy gage sheet material, said sections each having outwardly projecting marginal flanges, the opposed flanges of contiguous sections being clamped together defining a series of joints extending longitudinally and circumferentially of the said body, each of said flanges having an arcuate recess extending along the base thereof, the opposed recesses of each pair of mating flanges combining to define a gasket channel for each joint which when the flanges are clamped together is closed outwardly of the tank but is open toward the interior of the tank, and a series of rounded preformed gaskets disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when the flanges are clamped together in assembled relation, the gaskets being subjected to pressure when mating flanges are clamped together and the material in excess of that required to fill the channels being crowded inwardly into the open portion of each channel and the ends of the gaskets of the longitudinal joints abutting and embedding themselves in the body portions of the gaskets of the circumferential joints.

5. A tank of the class specified having a substantially cylindrical body made up of a plurality of arcuate nestable sections of relatively heavy gage sheet material, each section being formed with marginal flanges projecting outwardly of the tank body having bolt holes therethrough to receive bolts for detachably connecting opposed flanges of contiguous sections to one another along joints extending longitudinally and circumferentially of the body, each flange inwardly of the bolt holes being laterally offset and formed with a recess extending longitudinally and facing outwardly of the flange, the arrangement being such that when a pair of opposed flanges are bolted together a gasket channel is defined therebetween which is closed exteriorly of the tank but is open to the interior of the tank, a series of rounded preformed gaskets disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when the flanges are clamped together, the gaskets being compressed when the flanges are drawn together, the material in excess of that required to fill the channels being forced into the open spaces between the inner opposed walls of the channels and the ends of the gaskets of the longitudinal joints abutting and embedding themselves in the body portions of the gaskets of the circumferential joints.

6. In a tank of the sectional knock-down type, a plurality of sections having marginal flanges projecting outwardly of the tank and joined together in mated pairs, said flanges being provided with arcuate recesses extending longitudinally of the flanges defining gasket channels between opposed mated flanges adapted to receive gasket material, and rounded preformed compressible gaskets disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when the anges are clamped together so that the gaskets are subjected to pressure when the anges are brought together in assembled relation, the opposed converging walls of each of said channels adjacent the interior of the tank being spaced apart to provide a space into which the material in excess of that required to ll the channel is projected.

'7. In a tank of the sectional knock-down type, a plurality of sections having marginal flanges projecting outwardly of the tank and formed with bolt holes to receive bolts for clamping opposed flanges of contiguous sections together in mated pairs, the inner or base portions of said flanges being provided with arcuate recesses extending longitudinally of the anges so that gasket channels are dened between the mated flanges adapted to receive gasket material, rounded preformed fcompressible gaskets disposed in said channels, said gaskets when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channels when the anges are bolted together, the gaskets thus being subjected to predetermined pressure when the flanges are bolted together in assembled relation, the opposed converging Walls of each of said channels adjacent the interior of the tank being spaced apart to provide a space into which the material in excess of that required to completely fill the channels is projected, and clamp members disposed on opposite sides of opposed mated anges and engaged by said bolts and having inwardly extending portions engaging over the channeled portions of said sections to reinforce the latter.

8. In a sectional gas tank, a substantially cylindrical body made up of a plurality of sections, heads secured to opposite ends of said body, said heads `being also made up of a plurality of sections joined to one another, the head sections along the lines of jointure being formed with outwardly projecting flanges, means connecting said flanges in opposed surface-to-surface contact with one another, each iiange being formed with an arcuate portion defining a recess extending longitudinally of said flange, the opposed recesses of the connected sections defining a gasket channel closed by th'e contacting surfaces of the anges but open toward the interior of the tank and adapted to receive gasket material for sealing the joint between the sections, and a rounded performed compressible gasket disposedfin said channel, said gasket when in an uncompressed state being of greater cross-sectional area than said channel when the flanges are connected in assembled relation, the gasketbeing thus subjected to predetermined pressure when the sections are connected to one another and the material in excess of that required to completely fill the channel being crowded into the openportion of the channel.

9. In a sectional gas tank, a substantially cylindrical body made up of a plurality of sections, heads secured to opposite ends of said body, the body sections at said ends being formed with circumferentially projecting flanges formed with arcuate reecsses in the outer faces thereof dening a seat for gasket material for sealing the joint between the head and body, a rounded compressible gasket disposed in said recess, said gasket when in an uncompressed state being of ma# terially greater cross-sectional area than its seat, the peripheral margina1 edge of each of said heads being secured to said body end section flanges beyond said down to compress the gasket between its seat and said head, there being a space left between the inner portion of the gasket seat and the contiguous surface of the head to accommodate the excess gasket material, and an annular reinforcing ring disposed between the periphery of the head and said section anges, the inner edge of said ring forminggpart of the outer wall'of the gasket seat.

DONALD KEITH MACLEOD.

gasket recess and tightened

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