US3363795A - Elevated storage tank - Google Patents

Elevated storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
US3363795A
US3363795A US511884A US51188465A US3363795A US 3363795 A US3363795 A US 3363795A US 511884 A US511884 A US 511884A US 51188465 A US51188465 A US 51188465A US 3363795 A US3363795 A US 3363795A
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Prior art keywords
column
shell
storage tank
zone
elevated storage
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US511884A
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Iii Reece Stuart
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PITTSBURGH-DES MOINES Corp
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Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co
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Assigned to PITTSBURGH-DES MOINES CORPORATION reassignment PITTSBURGH-DES MOINES CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PITTSBURGH-DES MOINES STEEL COMPANY
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B11/00—Arrangements or adaptations of tanks for water supply
    • E03B11/10—Arrangements or adaptations of tanks for water supply for public or like main water supply
    • E03B11/12—Arrangements or adaptations of tanks for water supply for public or like main water supply of high-level tanks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/30—Water-towers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use

Definitions

  • the storage tank includes a tubular vertical column, the upper part of which is surrounded by a shell having its top and bottom edges attached to spaced circumferences of the column and solely supported thereby.
  • the shell has a plurality of vertically defined zones that progressively increase in curvature from top to bottom along a line defined by the intersection of the shell and a vertical plane containing the axis of the column.
  • an elevated storage tank of the type described in which substantially the entire shell structure (except at the extreme top and bottom where the shell is attached to the column and local bending forces are involved) may be made of relatively thin metal plates, the thickness of which is determined solely by the tension stresses involved.
  • the shell structure is so designed as to eliminate any compression stresses that are of such a magnitude as to require that the plates be made thicker to prevent elastic buckling.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation of the storage tank
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical section of the tank shown in FIG. 1.
  • the present invention is predicated on the discovery that the objects of the invention can be attained by designing the shell portion of the storage tank, where the water or other liquid is actually stored, so that the shell will have a certain defined shape that is a modification of the shape assumed by an elastic membrane when filled with liquid and supported at top and bottom, respectively, from upper and lower circumferences of the upper portion of a vertical column. Because a pure elastic membrane, having no compressive strength, would assume a complicated shape that would not be commercially economical to make, the shell of the present invention represents a practical modification of such an ideal shape.
  • the elevated storage tank includes a substantially cylindrical tubular column 1 having a flared base 2 resting on a base ring 3.
  • the latter is adapted to be secured to foundations (not shown) in the ground.
  • a shell 4 Surrounding the upper portion of the column is a shell 4, which is wholly supported by the column and is connected thereto along the top and bottom edges of the shell.
  • the shell is composed of three vertically defined sections or zones. From top to bottom they are a first or upper zone 6 in the form of a frustum of a cone, a second or central zone 7 in the form of a section of a sphere,- and a third or bottom zone 8 in the form of a toroidal section.
  • the shell is made of metal plates that are welded together.
  • the first or upper zone 6 extends downwards and outwards, preferably at a slope of around 45 degrees, although the slope may vary for different designs, and terminates slightly above the level of the maximum height of liquid normally present in the tank, as controlled, for example, by an overflow pipe (not shown).
  • the second or central zone 7 is tangent to the upper zone 6 and is welded along its top edge to the bottom edge of the upper zone to form the seam 9.
  • the central zone is likewise tangent to the third or lower zone 8 and is welded along its bottom edge to the top edge of the lower zone to form the seam 11.
  • the column 1 is reinforced by a heavier plate or ring 12 in the region where the bottom edge of the shell is attached to the column.
  • the three zones of the shell may be defined as surfaces of revolution generated by revolving a given line around the axis of the column.
  • that line corresponds generally to the elevation profile of the shell, which is generally characterized by 1) a straight line segment 13 that generates the upper conical frustum zone 6; (2) a first arcuate segment 14 having a radius R1 equal to the plan radius of the tank with its center 15 on the axis of the column, which generates the central spherical zone 7; and (3) a second arcuate segment 1'6 having a shorter radius R2 with its center 17 on the wall of the column, which generates the lower toroidal zone 8.
  • the surface of this last zone where it meets the wall of the column is substantially perpendicular thereto.
  • the top of the column 1 is preferably fitted with a circular top plate 18, which may be provided with a manhole 19 and a removable cover 21. Similar openings are provided in the column walls at suitable locations, as shown in the drawings; and fixed ladders 22 are mounted inside the column and shell to permit service and maintenance personnel to gain access to all parts of the structure.
  • An inlet pipe 23 extends from the bottom of the shell to below grade, where it is connected to suitable pumping and distribution lines (not shown). The pipe is preferably covered with suitable insulating material 24.
  • the shell portion of the tank the governing design stresses are predominantly tensile.
  • the shell is essentially a membrane, the thickness of which does not have to be governed by consideration of elastic buckling loads from compression stresses.
  • the center column can carry the compression load efliciently, because its comparatively small radius of curvature can resist high compression stresses without danger of elastic buckling.
  • Such construction permits a considerable saving in material, or a larger capacity tank at lower cost.
  • a further advantage is that the shell can be substantially assembled around the column at or shortly above ground level, thereby eliminating the need for extensive and costly scaffolding; and the assembled shell can then be raised to the top of the column by using the column as an erection mast.
  • An elevated tank for the storage of liquid under substantially atmospheric pressure comprising a tubular vertical column, and a shell surrounding the upper part of the column and having its top and bottom edges attached thereto and being solely supported thereby, the shell having a plurality of vertically defined zones that progressively increase in curvature from the top to the bottom of the 3 shell along a line defined by the intersection of the shell and a vertical plane containing the axis of the column, said zones including from top to bottom a frustu'm of a cone, a spherical section, and a toroidal section.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the portion of said line that lies within the frusto-conical zone is tangent to the adjacent portion of said line that lies in the spherical zone, and in which those portions of said line lying in the spherical and toroidal zones meet at a point 4 at which a single straight line can be drawn tangent to both said portions.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Description

Jan. 16, 1968 R. STUART 'ELEVATED STORAGE TANK Filed Dec. 6) 1965 1N VENTOR. AEECE STU/1R7, E BY ATTO/P/VEVS.
United States Patent 3,363,795 ELEVATED STORAGE TANK Reece Stuart III, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 511,884 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-1) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an elevated storage tank for use as a water reservoir and, more particularly, to such a tank having a vertical column supported by the ground and a storage shell surrounding the upper portion of the column and supported solely thereby. In accordance with the present invention, the storage tank includes a tubular vertical column, the upper part of which is surrounded by a shell having its top and bottom edges attached to spaced circumferences of the column and solely supported thereby. The shell has a plurality of vertically defined zones that progressively increase in curvature from top to bottom along a line defined by the intersection of the shell and a vertical plane containing the axis of the column.
It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an elevated storage tank of the type described, in which substantially the entire shell structure (except at the extreme top and bottom where the shell is attached to the column and local bending forces are involved) may be made of relatively thin metal plates, the thickness of which is determined solely by the tension stresses involved. In other words, the shell structure is so designed as to eliminate any compression stresses that are of such a magnitude as to require that the plates be made thicker to prevent elastic buckling.
The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in connection with the attached drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an elevation of the storage tank; and
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical section of the tank shown in FIG. 1.
The present invention is predicated on the discovery that the objects of the invention can be attained by designing the shell portion of the storage tank, where the water or other liquid is actually stored, so that the shell will have a certain defined shape that is a modification of the shape assumed by an elastic membrane when filled with liquid and supported at top and bottom, respectively, from upper and lower circumferences of the upper portion of a vertical column. Because a pure elastic membrane, having no compressive strength, would assume a complicated shape that would not be commercially economical to make, the shell of the present invention represents a practical modification of such an ideal shape.
Referring to the drawings, the elevated storage tank includes a substantially cylindrical tubular column 1 having a flared base 2 resting on a base ring 3. The latter is adapted to be secured to foundations (not shown) in the ground. Surrounding the upper portion of the column is a shell 4, which is wholly supported by the column and is connected thereto along the top and bottom edges of the shell. The shell is composed of three vertically defined sections or zones. From top to bottom they are a first or upper zone 6 in the form of a frustum of a cone, a second or central zone 7 in the form of a section of a sphere,- and a third or bottom zone 8 in the form of a toroidal section. The shell is made of metal plates that are welded together.
3,363,795 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 The first or upper zone 6 extends downwards and outwards, preferably at a slope of around 45 degrees, although the slope may vary for different designs, and terminates slightly above the level of the maximum height of liquid normally present in the tank, as controlled, for example, by an overflow pipe (not shown). The second or central zone 7 is tangent to the upper zone 6 and is welded along its top edge to the bottom edge of the upper zone to form the seam 9. The central zone is likewise tangent to the third or lower zone 8 and is welded along its bottom edge to the top edge of the lower zone to form the seam 11. Preferably, the column 1 is reinforced by a heavier plate or ring 12 in the region where the bottom edge of the shell is attached to the column.
The three zones of the shell may be defined as surfaces of revolution generated by revolving a given line around the axis of the column. In the illustrated embodiment, that line corresponds generally to the elevation profile of the shell, which is generally characterized by 1) a straight line segment 13 that generates the upper conical frustum zone 6; (2) a first arcuate segment 14 having a radius R1 equal to the plan radius of the tank with its center 15 on the axis of the column, which generates the central spherical zone 7; and (3) a second arcuate segment 1'6 having a shorter radius R2 with its center 17 on the wall of the column, which generates the lower toroidal zone 8. It will be noted that the surface of this last zone where it meets the wall of the column is substantially perpendicular thereto.
The top of the column 1 is preferably fitted with a circular top plate 18, which may be provided with a manhole 19 and a removable cover 21. Similar openings are provided in the column walls at suitable locations, as shown in the drawings; and fixed ladders 22 are mounted inside the column and shell to permit service and maintenance personnel to gain access to all parts of the structure. An inlet pipe 23 extends from the bottom of the shell to below grade, where it is connected to suitable pumping and distribution lines (not shown). The pipe is preferably covered with suitable insulating material 24.
It is among the advantages of the present invention that, in the shell portion of the tank, the governing design stresses are predominantly tensile. As a result, the shell is essentially a membrane, the thickness of which does not have to be governed by consideration of elastic buckling loads from compression stresses. Conversely, the center column can carry the compression load efliciently, because its comparatively small radius of curvature can resist high compression stresses without danger of elastic buckling. Such construction permits a considerable saving in material, or a larger capacity tank at lower cost. A further advantage is that the shell can be substantially assembled around the column at or shortly above ground level, thereby eliminating the need for extensive and costly scaffolding; and the assembled shell can then be raised to the top of the column by using the column as an erection mast.
According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
I claim:
1. An elevated tank for the storage of liquid under substantially atmospheric pressure, comprising a tubular vertical column, and a shell surrounding the upper part of the column and having its top and bottom edges attached thereto and being solely supported thereby, the shell having a plurality of vertically defined zones that progressively increase in curvature from the top to the bottom of the 3 shell along a line defined by the intersection of the shell and a vertical plane containing the axis of the column, said zones including from top to bottom a frustu'm of a cone, a spherical section, and a toroidal section.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the slope of the cone frustum is around 45 degrees.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the maximum height of liquid in the tank does not rise substantially above the bottom of the frustum of the cone.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the column is generally cylindrical in cross section.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the portion of said line that lies within the frusto-conical zone is tangent to the adjacent portion of said line that lies in the spherical zone, and in which those portions of said line lying in the spherical and toroidal zones meet at a point 4 at which a single straight line can be drawn tangent to both said portions.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which that portion of said line lying in the toroidal zone and constituting a circular arc has the center of said are on the surface of the column.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 73 8, 148 2/1905 Snow 220-1 1,622,787 3/1927 Horton 2201 1,947,515 2/ 1934 Blackburn 220-1 2,264,668 12/ 1941 Horton 220-1 2,657,819 11/1953 Blackburn 220-1 RAEHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Primary Examiner.
US511884A 1965-12-06 1965-12-06 Elevated storage tank Expired - Lifetime US3363795A (en)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4486989A (en) * 1982-07-12 1984-12-11 Desrochers Donald J Elevated storage tank
US6161719A (en) * 1999-08-23 2000-12-19 Madison; Charles D. Liquid storage tank apparatus and method of forming same
US6318034B1 (en) * 2000-03-08 2001-11-20 Tindall Corporation Elevated storage tank
FR2878552A1 (en) * 2004-11-30 2006-06-02 Bertrand Vasconi Water tower safety device for e.g. urban area, has closure unit extending in extension of access well until it reaches beneath roof that covers drinking water tank, so that interior of tank is isolated from well and roof hatch
US20080060287A1 (en) * 2006-09-12 2008-03-13 Glenn Roy D Water tank
US20090308006A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2009-12-17 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US20100139185A1 (en) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Tank Connection, L.L.C. Elevated water tank including bolted panel support pedestal
US20140345218A1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2014-11-27 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Transition structure for a wind turbine tower
US20230220698A1 (en) * 2022-01-07 2023-07-13 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group Elevated tank tower

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US738148A (en) * 1902-12-26 1903-09-08 Baxeres Gold Extraction Company Ltd Apparatus for extraction of precious metals from their ores.
US1622787A (en) * 1925-11-05 1927-03-29 George T Horton Container
US1947515A (en) * 1933-09-21 1934-02-20 R D Cole Mfg Co Elevated tank
US2264668A (en) * 1940-05-04 1941-12-02 George T Horton Elevated tank
US2657819A (en) * 1950-10-25 1953-11-03 R D Cole Mfg Co Elevated storage tank

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US738148A (en) * 1902-12-26 1903-09-08 Baxeres Gold Extraction Company Ltd Apparatus for extraction of precious metals from their ores.
US1622787A (en) * 1925-11-05 1927-03-29 George T Horton Container
US1947515A (en) * 1933-09-21 1934-02-20 R D Cole Mfg Co Elevated tank
US2264668A (en) * 1940-05-04 1941-12-02 George T Horton Elevated tank
US2657819A (en) * 1950-10-25 1953-11-03 R D Cole Mfg Co Elevated storage tank

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4486989A (en) * 1982-07-12 1984-12-11 Desrochers Donald J Elevated storage tank
US6161719A (en) * 1999-08-23 2000-12-19 Madison; Charles D. Liquid storage tank apparatus and method of forming same
US6318034B1 (en) * 2000-03-08 2001-11-20 Tindall Corporation Elevated storage tank
FR2878552A1 (en) * 2004-11-30 2006-06-02 Bertrand Vasconi Water tower safety device for e.g. urban area, has closure unit extending in extension of access well until it reaches beneath roof that covers drinking water tank, so that interior of tank is isolated from well and roof hatch
US20080060287A1 (en) * 2006-09-12 2008-03-13 Glenn Roy D Water tank
US7487619B2 (en) 2006-09-12 2009-02-10 Glenn Roy D Water tank
US8322093B2 (en) * 2008-06-13 2012-12-04 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US8734705B2 (en) 2008-06-13 2014-05-27 Tindall Corporation Method for fabrication of structures used in construction of tower base supports
US20090308019A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2009-12-17 Tindall Corporation Method and apparatus for fabrication of structures used in construction of tower base supports
US20160002945A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2016-01-07 Tindall Corporation Base structure for support tower
US20090308006A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2009-12-17 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US8458970B2 (en) 2008-06-13 2013-06-11 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US8516774B2 (en) 2008-06-13 2013-08-27 Tindall Corporation Methods for constructing a base structure for a support tower
US20090307998A1 (en) * 2008-06-13 2009-12-17 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US8782966B2 (en) * 2008-06-13 2014-07-22 Tindall Corporation Base support for wind-driven power generators
US20100139185A1 (en) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Tank Connection, L.L.C. Elevated water tank including bolted panel support pedestal
US20140345218A1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2014-11-27 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Transition structure for a wind turbine tower
US9249784B2 (en) * 2011-08-30 2016-02-02 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Transition structure for a wind turbine tower
US20230220698A1 (en) * 2022-01-07 2023-07-13 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group Elevated tank tower
US12486689B2 (en) * 2022-01-07 2025-12-02 Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group Elevated tank tower

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