US2492961A

US2492961A - Gasholder

Info

Publication number: US2492961A
Application number: US639439A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry C Boardman
Original assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
Current assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
Priority date: 1946-01-05
Filing date: 1946-01-05
Publication date: 1950-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 1967-01-03

Description

Patented Jan. 3, 1950 Harry C. Boardman, Chicago, Ill.,

assignor to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, a corporation of Illinois Application January 5, 1946, Serial No. 639,439 4 claims. (C1. is-476i This invention relates to a gas holder for the storage of gases under pressure.

The gas holder of the present invention comprises a substantially rigid portion having an open top and serving as the principal gas storage portion, a bendable closure for the top that is movable toward and away from the rigid portion and designed to rest on the open top when the holder is substantially empty, and a flexible sealing member sealing the area between the edge of the open top and the closure. The closure is deformable under the pressure of gas within the gas holder to increase the capacity of the gas holder. One of the chief advantages of this construction is that when the gas holder is being filled with gas the closure moves outwardly to the full extent of the fiexible sealing member and then bends outwardly to accommodate a greater quantity of gas. Thus the gas holder can occupy a relatively small space when empty, but yet be capable of holding a considerable quantity of gas.

The invention will be described as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a, fragmentary plan view of a tank embodying the invention with portions broken away; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially through the center of a gas holder with the holder full of gas; Fig. 3 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 showing the gas holder substantially empty; Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 showing an alternate form of gas holder; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3 showing the gas holder substantially empty.

The gas holder shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a cylindrical portion I having a flat bottom I I and an open top I2. Across the open top of the cylinder lll there is positioned a closure I3 which also serves as a weather roof. Between the top edge of the cylinder I0 and the closure I3 there is located a flexible sealing member I4 serving to close the area between the top edge I2 of the cylinder Ill and the closure I3. This flexible sealing member may be made of fabric impregnated with a flexible material that is impervious to gas.

In order to eliminate stress from the sealing member I4 when the closure I3 is in fully extended position there is provided a plurality of spaced chains I attached to the top edge of the cylinder Ill and to the closure I3. Each chain I5 has an effective length substantially equal to the effective width of the sealing member I4.

The closure I3 has its edge extending beyond the cylinder Ill. On this edge there is provided a downwardly extending weather skirt I6 serving to protect the sealing member I4 from rain, snow, and the like.

The closure I3 is made bendable so that it will have an outwardly concave shape (Fig. 3) when the gas holder is empty, but will bend so as to have an outwardly convex shape (Fig. 2) when the holder is full of gas. This serves to increase the storage capacity of the gas holder.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the sealing member I4 has its top edge fastened to the closure I3 along a circle having a diameter considerably smaller than the diameter of the cylinder Ill. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the top edge of the sealing member Il is fastened to the weather skirt I6. In both embodiments the top edge of the sealing member is fastened to the closure by means of bolts I1, while the bottom edge of the sealing member is fastened to the top edge of the cylinder I0 by means of bolts I9.

The gas holder shown provided with any type of stabilizing apparatus to maintain the roof level and to guide it during its travel. It will also be provided with the usual gas flow conduits, valves, and safety valves. All this apparatus is well known in the art.

Having described my invention as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A gas holder or the like comprising a suband described may be leveling, guiding, and

stantially cylindrical portion having an open top,v

a flexible closure for said top having its edge portion resting on the top edge of the cylinder when the holder is substantially empty of gas, a iiexible sealing member attached to the closure and to the cylinder for sealing the area between the open top and the closure, and a plurality of flexible strengthening members extending from the top of the cylindrical portion to the closure and positioned about the gasholder immediately exterior of the sealing member, said strengthening members having .an effective length substantially equal to the effective width of the flexible sealing member and being adapted to back up said sealing member when the gasholder is under maximum pressure, said closure being movable in its entirety away from the cylindrical portion and being outwardly concave when the holder is under no gas pressure and being outwardly convex when the holder is under maximum gas pressure.

2. The gas holder of claim 1 wherein the flexible sealing member is annular, having one edge attached to the inner side walls of the cylinder and having the other edge attached to the closure along a circle having a diameter less than the diameter of the cylinder.

3. A gas holder or the like comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having an open top, a. closure for said top having its edge portion resting on the top edge of the cylinder when the holder is substantially empty of gas, a iexible sealing member attached to the closure and to the cylinder for sealing the area between the open top and the closure, and a plurality of ilexible strengthening members extending from the top of the cylinder to the closure and positioned about the gasholder immediately exterior of the sealing member, said strengthening mem- 4 bers having an effective length substantially equal to the eiective width of the exible sealing member and being adapted to back up said sealing member when the gasholder is under maximum pressure, said closure being movable in its entirety away from the cylinder.

4. The gas holder of claim 3 wherein the closure extends beyond the cylindrical portion, the closure is provided with a, downwardly extending weather skirt substantially at its periphery, and the sealing member is attached to the closure within said periphery.

HARRY C. BOARDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS