US3712250A - Tank structure - Google Patents

Tank structure Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3712250A
US3712250A US00048730A US3712250DA US3712250A US 3712250 A US3712250 A US 3712250A US 00048730 A US00048730 A US 00048730A US 3712250D A US3712250D A US 3712250DA US 3712250 A US3712250 A US 3712250A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tank
tank structure
end heads
center
heads
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00048730A
Inventor
W Geyer
R Randolph
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ACF Industries Inc
Original Assignee
ACF Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ACF Industries Inc filed Critical ACF Industries Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3712250A publication Critical patent/US3712250A/en
Assigned to NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK USA, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION, 175 WATER STREET, NEW YORK NEW YORK reassignment NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK USA, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION, 175 WATER STREET, NEW YORK NEW YORK SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ACF INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Assigned to ACF INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED reassignment ACF INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED RECONVEYS ALL LETTERS PATENTS BACK TO BORROWER RECITED IN REEL 4307FRAMES 396 AND 397 RECORED OCT. 2, 1984 (LOAN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL) Assignors: NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK USA, AS AGENT
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D7/00Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation
    • C21D7/02Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation by cold working
    • C21D7/10Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation by cold working of the whole cross-section, e.g. of concrete reinforcing bars
    • C21D7/12Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation by cold working of the whole cross-section, e.g. of concrete reinforcing bars by expanding tubular bodies
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61DBODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D5/00Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
    • B61D5/06Mounting of tanks; Integral bodies and frames

Definitions

  • the tank structure comprises elliptical end heads having their major axes extending in a horizontal direction and a circular center portion, with the tank shell changing its shape gradually from the elliptical heads to the circular center and the tank bottom sloping gradually downwardly from the end heads to the center.
  • the tank structure is formed by welding end heads of an elliptical shape to an open ended cylindrical tank shell which has been deformed at its ends to match the elliptical end heads.
  • the enclosed tank structure thus formed is pressurized to an internal pressure exceeding the yield of the material from which the tank shell is formed, while the end heads are held against any deformation.
  • the tank shell is thereby deformed by the internal fluid pressure into a circular center portion with the tank portion between the elliptical end heads and the center having a bottom which slopes gradually downwardly.
  • tank structures such as employed in railway tank cars, with a sloping bottom to provide an adequate drainage of liquid from a bottom outlet usually at the center of the tank structure.
  • Sloping bottoms for tank structures have been provided heretofore in several different manners. For example, conically shaped portions have been provided for drainage purposes.
  • a bottom sump formed from two bottom plates have been secured within bottom openings of cylindrical tank sections to provide a sloping bottom or trough to the center of the tank for discharge.
  • the present invention provides an elongate tank structure comprising a pair of ellipsoidal end heads having their major axes extending horizontally, a main body extending between the end heads and having outer ends of an elliptical shape secured to the end heads, the main body having a circular center portion and a bottom sloping downwardly from the end heads at a generally constant and gradual slope to the circular center portion to provide adequate draining of any liquid within the tank to the center of the tank structure for discharge.
  • the method of the present invention for forming the tank structure comprises forming a generally cylindrical tank shell having open ends, deforming the open ends of the tank shell into an elliptical shape, welding heads of an elliptical shape to the elliptical ends to form the enclosed tank, pressurizing the interior of the tank beyond the yield of the material forming the tank shell to provide a yield or increase in the circumference of the shell at the center thereof of around 2 percent while restraining any deformation in the ellipsoidal end heads whereby a tank structure having elliptical ends and a circular center portion is provided and the bottom of the tank structure slopes downwardly from the elliptical ends to the circular center whereby liquids may easily drain from a bottom discharge outlet at the center of the tank structure.
  • the tank structure is preferably employed with a railway tank car for the transit of liquids and effects a drainage of practically all the liquid content within the tank car.
  • the method employed is inexpensive and simple in operation.
  • FIG. I is a side elevation of one embodiment of the tank structure forming the present invention having a bottom sloping downwardly from the ends thereof to the center of the tank;
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the tank structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a section taken generally alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a section taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a section taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the tank structure of FIGS. 1-6 being formed by pressurizing the interior of the tank structure;
  • FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the tank structure of FIG. 7 illustrating means to restrain the deforming of the ellipsoidal end heads upon pressurizing of the interior of the tank structure;
  • FIG. 9 is a side elevation illustrating the tank structure of FIGS. 1-6 mounted on a railway tank car for the transport of liquids and the like;
  • FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a separate modification of the present invention in which a center cylindrical ring is provided and adjacent tank shell portions are welded thereto;
  • FIG. 11 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 12 is an end elevation of a tank structure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;
  • FIG. 13 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention in which a tapered center ring is provided to provide a flat top or upper surface in the completed tank structure;
  • FIG. 14 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 15 is an end elevation of the tank structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
  • a tank structure comprising the present invention is generally indicated 10 and includes end heads 12 of an ellipsoidal shape having a major axis X extending horizontally and a minor axis Y extending vertically as shown particularly in FIG. 3.
  • Tank portions 14 and 16 are welded at weld seams 1.8 to ellipsoidal heads 12 and are welded .to each other along weld seam 20 which forms the center of tank structure 10.
  • the center portion is circular as shown in FIG. 4 with the inner endsof tank portions 14 and 16 being of a circular shape.
  • each tank portion 14 and 16 is of the same shape as end head 12 and is illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the shape of tank portions 14 and 16 gradually changes from the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 6 to the circular shape shown in FIG. 4 and the tank portions 14 and 16 between the center portion of the car and the e-nds of tank structure 12 are non-circular, such as illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • a slope bottom indicated 22 in FIG. I is provided sloping downwardly from end heads 12 to the center of the tank structure 10.
  • a slope S of around V4 inch per foot of tank structure 10 is provided to provide a total slope, for example, in a tank structure 10 having alength ofaround 60 feet, of around 6 inches.
  • the arrangement of bottom slope S permits an adequate drainage of liquids from the ends 12 to the center of tank structure 10.
  • the top or upper surface of :tank'structure 10 is indicated ,at 24 for tank portions 14 and 16 and has a slope indicated at S1 equal to slope S of bottom 22.
  • S1 slope of slope S of bottom 22.
  • Slope S2 is equal to slopes S and S1.
  • the critical diameter for AAR (Association of American Railroads) clearance limits in railway tank cars is at the center of the car.
  • the major axes of the ellipsoidal heads 12 may be greater than the diameter of the circular end heads conventionally employed in tank structures of railway tank cars. This compensates for the somewhat smaller minor axes of ellipsoidal heads 12.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 a novel method for forming the tank structure shown in FIGS. 1-6 is illustrated.
  • the ellipsoidal heads 12 are formed by pressing in the conventional manner.
  • preformed tank portions 14A and 16A are initially formed by rolling and welding sheets into a cylindrical tank shell portion having open outer ends.
  • the circumference of the preformed tank shell portions 14A and 16A is made equal to the circumference of the pressed elliptical heads 12.
  • preformed tank shell portions 14A and 16A are deformed to match the elliptical shape of end heads 12 and the heads 12 are welded in place along weld seams 18 to provide a tank of an elliptical cross section since, at this stage of fabrication, the center of the tank structure is at least of a partial elliptical shape resulting from the deforming of the outer ends to match the ellipsoidal heads.
  • the tank structure thus formed is then placed on intermediate support cradles 25.
  • an end restraining ring 26 having an inner opening 27 therein and conforming in shape to the shape of end heads 12 is positioned over each end of tank structure 10A as shown in FIG. 7.
  • an opening is cut in one of the end heads 12 and a water line 28 is connected to the opening.
  • a suitable hydraulic pump 30 supplies water to the interior of the preformed tank structure 10A to pressurize tank structure 10A.
  • a tank structure 10A is provided having a length of 60 feet and a capacity of around 24,000 gallons while being adapted particularly for use with a railway tank car.
  • Structure 10A is formed of carbon steel having a thickness of one-half inch and a circumference of around 340 inches which is equal to the circumference of end heads 12.
  • An internal fluid pressure of around 300 psi (pounds persquare inch) is provided by pump 30 and results in around a 2 percent yield or increase in the circumference of tank structure 10A at its center, or a total increase in circumference of around six inches thereby resulting in a circular or substantially circular center.
  • tank structure 10A adjacent end heads 12 do not deform as end heads 12 and end rings 26 prevent any yielding of the ends of tank structure 12A thereat.
  • the increase in the circumference of tank structure 10A between the center and the ends is proportional to the length. For example, the yield or increase in circumference of /4 of the length of the tank structure would be around 1 percent.
  • the diameter of the center of the completed tank structure 10A after being yielded being around 110 inches, the major axis of end heads 12 would be around I22 inches and the minor axis would be around 98 inches. Therefore, the total capacity of tank structure 10A would besubstantially the same as a cylindrical tank structure having a uniform diameter of 110 inches.
  • the shape of structures 14A and 16A along its length changes gradually from an elliptical shape at its outer end to a circular shape at its inner end adjacent the centertof tank structure 10A and results in a total slopeS of around 6 inches.
  • Tank structure 10A thus formed is preferably employed as a railway tank car generally indicated at 36 in FIG. 9.
  • Suitable fixtures such as a bottom discharge outlet valve 38 adapted for the unloading of liquid lading is secured by cutting a suitable opening in tank structure 10A.
  • a suitable upper valve 40 is provided for the loading of liquid within tank shell 10A.
  • Shell 10A is mounted on cradle structures 42 which form part of an underframe including center sill 44.
  • the underframe is mounted on wheeled trucks 46 adapted for travel along a railway track. Liquid lading will easily drain from the ends of railway tank car 36 to bottom discharge valve 38 adjacent the center of the car for discharge.
  • FIGS. 10-12 another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which a cylindrical center ring 50 is provided between tank portions 148 and 16B.
  • Cylindrical rings 50 may be between around one to four feet in length and is of generally the same thickness as the tank portions 148 and 168.
  • the tank structure 10B is formed in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9 and provides a slope bottom 228 having a slope S4 equal to slope S in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.
  • FIGS. 13-15 a further modified tank structure 10C is illustrated in which a tapered center ring 54 is provided.
  • Ring 54 has a taper, of an amount sufficient to provide a flat horizontal top in tank structure 10C.
  • End heads 12C are ellipsoidal with the major axes thereof extending in a horizontal direction.
  • a slope bottom 22C is provided which has a slope S5 double or twice the slope in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6.
  • the tank structure of FIGS. 13-15 is formed in a manner similarly to that of the tank structure of FIGS. 1-9 with tapered ring 54 being of substantially the same thickness as tank portions 14C and 16C and welded thereto along weld seams 56.
  • bottom 22C slopes downwardly from end heads 12C to center ring 54 for the discharge of liquid lading and provides a highly effective drainage.
  • a novel tank structure and method of forming same have been provided employing ellipsoidal heads and a circular center with the intermediate portions of the tank structure gradually changing from an elliptical shape to a circular shape.
  • the tank structure is easily formed from cylindrical tank portions by the employment of internal fluid pressure and provides a slope bottom which may be formed in a minimum of time by the internal pressure. This eliminates the necessity for forming truncated conical sections or other types of odd shaped sections in order to have a slope bottom tank.
  • a railway tank car comprising, an underframe, a tank structure mounted on the underframe, said tank structure comprising a pair of ellipsoidal end heads having their major axes extending horizontally and their minor axes extending vertically, a main body extending between the ellipsoidal end heads and having outer ends of an elliptical shape secured to the end heads, said main body having a circular center portion and a bottom sloping downwardly from the end heads at a constant and even slope to the circular center to provide an adequate drainage of the tank structure, and
  • a railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises, a generally circular center ring tapering outwardly from the top of the tank structure to the bottom thereof, and a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to the tapered center ring and the adjacent end head, the taper of said center ring being of an amount to provide a flat horizontal top in said tank portions whereby said tank structure has a flat upper surface.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

An elongate tank structure having a sloping bottom to provide adequate drainage of liquids, and the method of making same. The tank structure comprises elliptical end heads having their major axes extending in a horizontal direction and a circular center portion, with the tank shell changing its shape gradually from the elliptical heads to the circular center and the tank bottom sloping gradually downwardly from the end heads to the center. The tank structure is formed by welding end heads of an elliptical shape to an open ended cylindrical tank shell which has been deformed at its ends to match the elliptical end heads. The enclosed tank structure thus formed is pressurized to an internal pressure exceeding the yield of the material from which the tank shell is formed, while the end heads are held against any deformation. The tank shell is thereby deformed by the internal fluid pressure into a circular center portion with the tank portion between the elliptical end heads and the center having a bottom which slopes gradually downwardly.

Description

Geyer et a1.
[451 Jan. 23, 1973 1 1 TANK STRUCTURE [751 Inventors: Wallace '1. Geyer, Des Peres. Mo.; Robert W. Randolph, St. Charles. Mo.
[73] Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated, New
York, NY.
[22] Filed: May 14,1970
[21] Appl. No.: 48,730
Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 794,920, Jan. 29, 1969, Pat. No.
[52] U.S. Cl ..105/360, 220/5, 280/5 C [51] Int. Cl. ..B61d 5/00 [58] Field of Search....220/5; 280/5 C, 5 R; 105/358, 105/360 [56 I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,474,740 10/1968 Varnes ..lO5/36O D138,245 7/1944 Bradley ....280/5 C 3,228,466 1/1966 Carleton ..lO5/360 3,379,478 4/1968 Aller et a1 ..105/358 3,479,724 11/1969 Kruizenga et a1 105/358 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bcrtsch Attorney-Eugene N. Riddle An elongate tank structure having a sloping bottom to provide adequate drainage of liquids, and the method of making same. The tank structure comprises elliptical end heads having their major axes extending in a horizontal direction and a circular center portion, with the tank shell changing its shape gradually from the elliptical heads to the circular center and the tank bottom sloping gradually downwardly from the end heads to the center. The tank structure is formed by welding end heads of an elliptical shape to an open ended cylindrical tank shell which has been deformed at its ends to match the elliptical end heads. The enclosed tank structure thus formed is pressurized to an internal pressure exceeding the yield of the material from which the tank shell is formed, while the end heads are held against any deformation. The tank shell is thereby deformed by the internal fluid pressure into a circular center portion with the tank portion between the elliptical end heads and the center having a bottom which slopes gradually downwardly.
ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH23 I973 3,712,250
SHEET 3 0F 5 FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.
TANK STRUCTURE This is a division of application Ser. No. 794,920 filed Jan. 29, I969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,115.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is desirable to have tank structures, such as employed in railway tank cars, with a sloping bottom to provide an adequate drainage of liquid from a bottom outlet usually at the center of the tank structure. Sloping bottoms for tank structures, have been provided heretofore in several different manners. For example, conically shaped portions have been provided for drainage purposes. Also, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,228, a bottom sump formed from two bottom plates have been secured within bottom openings of cylindrical tank sections to provide a sloping bottom or trough to the center of the tank for discharge.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The present invention provides an elongate tank structure comprising a pair of ellipsoidal end heads having their major axes extending horizontally, a main body extending between the end heads and having outer ends of an elliptical shape secured to the end heads, the main body having a circular center portion and a bottom sloping downwardly from the end heads at a generally constant and gradual slope to the circular center portion to provide adequate draining of any liquid within the tank to the center of the tank structure for discharge.
The method of the present invention for forming the tank structure comprises forming a generally cylindrical tank shell having open ends, deforming the open ends of the tank shell into an elliptical shape, welding heads of an elliptical shape to the elliptical ends to form the enclosed tank, pressurizing the interior of the tank beyond the yield of the material forming the tank shell to provide a yield or increase in the circumference of the shell at the center thereof of around 2 percent while restraining any deformation in the ellipsoidal end heads whereby a tank structure having elliptical ends and a circular center portion is provided and the bottom of the tank structure slopes downwardly from the elliptical ends to the circular center whereby liquids may easily drain from a bottom discharge outlet at the center of the tank structure. I
The tank structure is preferably employed with a railway tank car for the transit of liquids and effects a drainage of practically all the liquid content within the tank car. The method employed is inexpensive and simple in operation.
The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.
In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,
FIG. I is a side elevation of one embodiment of the tank structure forming the present invention having a bottom sloping downwardly from the ends thereof to the center of the tank;
FIG. 2 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the tank structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a section taken generally alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a section taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a section taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the tank structure of FIGS. 1-6 being formed by pressurizing the interior of the tank structure;
FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the tank structure of FIG. 7 illustrating means to restrain the deforming of the ellipsoidal end heads upon pressurizing of the interior of the tank structure;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation illustrating the tank structure of FIGS. 1-6 mounted on a railway tank car for the transport of liquids and the like;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a separate modification of the present invention in which a center cylindrical ring is provided and adjacent tank shell portions are welded thereto;
FIG. 11 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an end elevation of a tank structure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;
FIG. 13 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention in which a tapered center ring is provided to provide a flat top or upper surface in the completed tank structure;
FIG. 14 is a top plan of the tank structure shown in FIG. 13; and
FIG. 15 is an end elevation of the tank structure shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings of this invention.
Referring to the drawings and more particularly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, a tank structure comprising the present invention is generally indicated 10 and includes end heads 12 of an ellipsoidal shape having a major axis X extending horizontally and a minor axis Y extending vertically as shown particularly in FIG. 3. Tank portions 14 and 16 are welded at weld seams 1.8 to ellipsoidal heads 12 and are welded .to each other along weld seam 20 which forms the center of tank structure 10. The center portion is circular as shown in FIG. 4 with the inner endsof tank portions 14 and 16 being of a circular shape.
The outer end of each tank portion 14 and 16 is of the same shape as end head 12 and is illustrated in FIG. 6. The shape of tank portions 14 and 16 gradually changes from the elliptical shape shown in FIG. 6 to the circular shape shown in FIG. 4 and the tank portions 14 and 16 between the center portion of the car and the e-nds of tank structure 12 are non-circular, such as illustrated in FIG. 5. As the minor axes of ellipsoidal heads 12 extend in a vertical direction, a slope bottom indicated 22 in FIG. I is provided sloping downwardly from end heads 12 to the center of the tank structure 10. A slope S of around V4 inch per foot of tank structure 10 is provided to provide a total slope, for example, in a tank structure 10 having alength ofaround 60 feet, of around 6 inches. The arrangement of bottom slope S permits an adequate drainage of liquids from the ends 12 to the center of tank structure 10.
The top or upper surface of :tank'structure 10 is indicated ,at 24 for tank portions 14 and 16 and has a slope indicated at S1 equal to slope S of bottom 22. Referring toFlG. 2, an inward slope S2 along the sides of tank structure is obtained as the major axes of ellipsoidal heads 12 extend horizontally. Slope S2 is equal to slopes S and S1. Normally, the critical diameter for AAR (Association of American Railroads) clearance limits in railway tank cars is at the center of the car. Thus, the major axes of the ellipsoidal heads 12 may be greater than the diameter of the circular end heads conventionally employed in tank structures of railway tank cars. This compensates for the somewhat smaller minor axes of ellipsoidal heads 12.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a novel method for forming the tank structure shown in FIGS. 1-6 is illustrated. First, the ellipsoidal heads 12 are formed by pressing in the conventional manner. Then, preformed tank portions 14A and 16A are initially formed by rolling and welding sheets into a cylindrical tank shell portion having open outer ends. The circumference of the preformed tank shell portions 14A and 16A is made equal to the circumference of the pressed elliptical heads 12. Then, preformed tank shell portions 14A and 16A are deformed to match the elliptical shape of end heads 12 and the heads 12 are welded in place along weld seams 18 to provide a tank of an elliptical cross section since, at this stage of fabrication, the center of the tank structure is at least of a partial elliptical shape resulting from the deforming of the outer ends to match the ellipsoidal heads. The tank structure thus formed is then placed on intermediate support cradles 25. Then, an end restraining ring 26 having an inner opening 27 therein and conforming in shape to the shape of end heads 12 is positioned over each end of tank structure 10A as shown in FIG. 7. Then, an opening is cut in one of the end heads 12 and a water line 28 is connected to the opening. A suitable hydraulic pump 30 supplies water to the interior of the preformed tank structure 10A to pressurize tank structure 10A.
As a specific, but non-limiting example, a tank structure 10A is provided having a length of 60 feet and a capacity of around 24,000 gallons while being adapted particularly for use with a railway tank car. Structure 10A is formed of carbon steel having a thickness of one-half inch and a circumference of around 340 inches which is equal to the circumference of end heads 12. An internal fluid pressure of around 300 psi (pounds persquare inch) is provided by pump 30 and results in around a 2 percent yield or increase in the circumference of tank structure 10A at its center, or a total increase in circumference of around six inches thereby resulting in a circular or substantially circular center. The outer ends of tank structure 10A adjacent end heads 12 do not deform as end heads 12 and end rings 26 prevent any yielding of the ends of tank structure 12A thereat. The increase in the circumference of tank structure 10A between the center and the ends is proportional to the length. For example, the yield or increase in circumference of /4 of the length of the tank structure would be around 1 percent. With the diameter of the center of the completed tank structure 10A after being yielded being around 110 inches, the major axis of end heads 12 would be around I22 inches and the minor axis would be around 98 inches. Therefore, the total capacity of tank structure 10A would besubstantially the same as a cylindrical tank structure having a uniform diameter of 110 inches. The shape of structures 14A and 16A along its length changes gradually from an elliptical shape at its outer end to a circular shape at its inner end adjacent the centertof tank structure 10A and results in a total slopeS of around 6 inches.
While the increase in circumference or yield at the center of the tank structure in the above example was around 2 percent, yields between around percent and 6 percent would function adequately, the specific yield depending on the total diameter of the tank structure and the type of material employed in the construe tion of the tank structure. The fluid pressure to provide a yield in the tank structure is dependent on the thickness of the material and the specific material employed. For thicknesses of a majority of the steels between one-fourth inch and seven-eighths inch, an internal minimum fluid pressure of between psi, and 450 psi would function adequately, the specific pressure dependent on the thickness and type of material employed.
Tank structure 10A thus formed is preferably employed as a railway tank car generally indicated at 36 in FIG. 9. Suitable fixtures such as a bottom discharge outlet valve 38 adapted for the unloading of liquid lading is secured by cutting a suitable opening in tank structure 10A. A suitable upper valve 40 is provided for the loading of liquid within tank shell 10A. Shell 10A is mounted on cradle structures 42 which form part of an underframe including center sill 44. The underframe is mounted on wheeled trucks 46 adapted for travel along a railway track. Liquid lading will easily drain from the ends of railway tank car 36 to bottom discharge valve 38 adjacent the center of the car for discharge.
Referring to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which a cylindrical center ring 50 is provided between tank portions 148 and 16B. Cylindrical rings 50 may be between around one to four feet in length and is of generally the same thickness as the tank portions 148 and 168. The tank structure 10B is formed in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9 and provides a slope bottom 228 having a slope S4 equal to slope S in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.
Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, a further modified tank structure 10C is illustrated in which a tapered center ring 54 is provided. Ring 54 has a taper, of an amount sufficient to provide a flat horizontal top in tank structure 10C. End heads 12C are ellipsoidal with the major axes thereof extending in a horizontal direction. A slope bottom 22C is provided which has a slope S5 double or twice the slope in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6. The tank structure of FIGS. 13-15 is formed in a manner similarly to that of the tank structure of FIGS. 1-9 with tapered ring 54 being of substantially the same thickness as tank portions 14C and 16C and welded thereto along weld seams 56. Thus, bottom 22C slopes downwardly from end heads 12C to center ring 54 for the discharge of liquid lading and provides a highly effective drainage.
From the foregoing, it will be understood that a novel tank structure and method of forming same have been provided employing ellipsoidal heads and a circular center with the intermediate portions of the tank structure gradually changing from an elliptical shape to a circular shape. The tank structure is easily formed from cylindrical tank portions by the employment of internal fluid pressure and provides a slope bottom which may be formed in a minimum of time by the internal pressure. This eliminates the necessity for forming truncated conical sections or other types of odd shaped sections in order to have a slope bottom tank.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained.
What is claimed is:
1. A railway tank car comprising, an underframe, a tank structure mounted on the underframe, said tank structure comprising a pair of ellipsoidal end heads having their major axes extending horizontally and their minor axes extending vertically, a main body extending between the ellipsoidal end heads and having outer ends of an elliptical shape secured to the end heads, said main body having a circular center portion and a bottom sloping downwardly from the end heads at a constant and even slope to the circular center to provide an adequate drainage of the tank structure, and
a bottom outlet at the circular center portion to permit discharge ofa liquid therefrom.
2. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to each other at the center of the tank structure.
3. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises a generally circular center ring and a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to the center ring and the adjacent end heads.
4. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises, a generally circular center ring tapering outwardly from the top of the tank structure to the bottom thereof, and a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to the tapered center ring and the adjacent end head, the taper of said center ring being of an amount to provide a flat horizontal top in said tank portions whereby said tank structure has a flat upper surface.

Claims (4)

1. A railway tank car comprising, an underframe, a tank structure mounted on the underframe, said tank structure comprising a pair of ellipsoidal end heads having their major axes extending horizontally and their minor axes extending vertically, a main body extending between the ellipsoidal end heads and having outer ends of an elliptical shape secured to the end heads, said main body having a circUlar center portion and a bottom sloping downwardly from the end heads at a constant and even slope to the circular center to provide an adequate drainage of the tank structure, and a bottom outlet at the circular center portion to permit discharge of a liquid therefrom.
2. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to each other at the center of the tank structure.
3. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises a generally circular center ring and a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to the center ring and the adjacent end heads.
4. A railway tank car as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main body comprises, a generally circular center ring tapering outwardly from the top of the tank structure to the bottom thereof, and a pair of generally symmetrical tank portions welded to the tapered center ring and the adjacent end head, the taper of said center ring being of an amount to provide a flat horizontal top in said tank portions whereby said tank structure has a flat upper surface.
US00048730A 1969-01-20 1970-05-14 Tank structure Expired - Lifetime US3712250A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US79492069A 1969-01-20 1969-01-20
US4873070A 1970-05-14 1970-05-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3712250A true US3712250A (en) 1973-01-23

Family

ID=26726471

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00048730A Expired - Lifetime US3712250A (en) 1969-01-20 1970-05-14 Tank structure

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3712250A (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4204492A (en) * 1978-07-17 1980-05-27 Levi Strauss & Co. Apparatus for hemming fabric pieces
FR2496821A1 (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-06-25 Kaessbohrer Fahrzeug Karl Welded pressure tank of non-cylindrical shape - has upper and lower sections with intermediate gusset
DE3316803A1 (en) * 1983-04-23 1984-10-31 Pohle + Rehling Gmbh, 4353 Oer-Erkenschwick Underground tanker vehicle
US6213028B1 (en) * 1997-12-18 2001-04-10 Trn Business Trust Increased capacity railway car
US20080061066A1 (en) * 2006-07-07 2008-03-13 Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg Fuel tank
US20090304962A1 (en) * 2006-02-17 2009-12-10 William Rodgers Articles of Composite Construction and Methods of Manufacture Thereof
CN103600341A (en) * 2013-11-22 2014-02-26 西安轨道交通装备有限责任公司 Method for using magnetic suspension needles to perform secondary tank lineation
CN104526674A (en) * 2014-12-30 2015-04-22 山东豪迈机械制造有限公司 Four-axis numerically controlled dotting and scribing machine
USD819778S1 (en) * 2014-05-08 2018-06-05 JWF Industries Vertical fluid storage tank
US20190061597A1 (en) * 2017-08-29 2019-02-28 The Modern Group, Ltd. Low Center-of-Gravity Tank Trailer
US11091317B2 (en) * 2014-05-06 2021-08-17 Jwf Industries, Inc. Vertical fluid storage tank with connecting ports

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228466A (en) * 1964-04-24 1966-01-11 Union Tank Car Co External heating arrangement for a storage tank
US3379478A (en) * 1966-02-16 1968-04-23 Gen Am Transport Railway cars for transporting pulverulent material ladings
US3474740A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-10-28 Union Tank Car Co Railway freight car
US3479724A (en) * 1967-08-01 1969-11-25 Union Tank Car Co Method of expanding a railway tank car by lengthening same

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3228466A (en) * 1964-04-24 1966-01-11 Union Tank Car Co External heating arrangement for a storage tank
US3474740A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-10-28 Union Tank Car Co Railway freight car
US3379478A (en) * 1966-02-16 1968-04-23 Gen Am Transport Railway cars for transporting pulverulent material ladings
US3479724A (en) * 1967-08-01 1969-11-25 Union Tank Car Co Method of expanding a railway tank car by lengthening same

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4204492A (en) * 1978-07-17 1980-05-27 Levi Strauss & Co. Apparatus for hemming fabric pieces
FR2496821A1 (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-06-25 Kaessbohrer Fahrzeug Karl Welded pressure tank of non-cylindrical shape - has upper and lower sections with intermediate gusset
DE3316803A1 (en) * 1983-04-23 1984-10-31 Pohle + Rehling Gmbh, 4353 Oer-Erkenschwick Underground tanker vehicle
US6213028B1 (en) * 1997-12-18 2001-04-10 Trn Business Trust Increased capacity railway car
US6865992B1 (en) * 1997-12-18 2005-03-15 Trn Business Trust Increased capacity railway car
US11059665B2 (en) 2006-02-17 2021-07-13 Omni Tanker Technology Pty Ltd (Acn 135 294 772) Articles of composite construction and methods of manufacture thereof
US20090304962A1 (en) * 2006-02-17 2009-12-10 William Rodgers Articles of Composite Construction and Methods of Manufacture Thereof
US11713187B2 (en) 2006-02-17 2023-08-01 Omni Tanker Technology Pty Ltd (Acn 135 294 772) Articles of composite construction and methods of manufacture thereof
US20080061066A1 (en) * 2006-07-07 2008-03-13 Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg Fuel tank
US7810666B2 (en) * 2006-07-07 2010-10-12 Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg Fuel tank seam with lead-through means
CN103600341A (en) * 2013-11-22 2014-02-26 西安轨道交通装备有限责任公司 Method for using magnetic suspension needles to perform secondary tank lineation
CN103600341B (en) * 2013-11-22 2015-10-28 西安轨道交通装备有限责任公司 A kind of method utilizing magnetcisuspension pin to carry out secondary tank line
US11091317B2 (en) * 2014-05-06 2021-08-17 Jwf Industries, Inc. Vertical fluid storage tank with connecting ports
USD819778S1 (en) * 2014-05-08 2018-06-05 JWF Industries Vertical fluid storage tank
CN104526674A (en) * 2014-12-30 2015-04-22 山东豪迈机械制造有限公司 Four-axis numerically controlled dotting and scribing machine
US20190061597A1 (en) * 2017-08-29 2019-02-28 The Modern Group, Ltd. Low Center-of-Gravity Tank Trailer
US10576865B2 (en) * 2017-08-29 2020-03-03 The Modern Group, Ltd. Low center-of-gravity tank trailer

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3712250A (en) Tank structure
US3509827A (en) Aluminum railway hopper car
US3277843A (en) Railway tank cars
US3645213A (en) Support structure for tank car
US3540115A (en) Method of making a tank structure
US3308769A (en) Railway tank car
US2907284A (en) Railway tank car
US3742866A (en) Tank car having sloping bottom
RU173545U1 (en) Tank car for transportation of highly corrosive goods
US3766862A (en) Railroad tank car
NO124525B (en)
US3557708A (en) Articulated railway tank cars
US3277842A (en) Railroad tank car
US4284012A (en) Railway tank car cradle support
US3467027A (en) Tank car
US2006669A (en) Truck tank construction
US4257332A (en) Railway tank car cradle support
US4356774A (en) Truck bolster flange and wear ring
US3662692A (en) Support structure for tank car
GB1161518A (en) Railway Freight Car
US3626867A (en) Railway tank car and external support ring therefor
US1699649A (en) Multiunit-tank car
RU2124994C1 (en) Railway tank car for liquid loads
US2191718A (en) Transporting tank
US935210A (en) Tank-car.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK USA, A NATIONAL BANKING

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ACF INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:004307/0396

AS Assignment

Owner name: ACF INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED, 750 THIRD AVENUE, NE

Free format text: RECONVEYS ALL LETTERS PATENTS BACK TO BORROWER RECITED IN REEL 4307FRAMES 396 AND 397 RECORED OCT. 2, 1984 (LOAN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL);ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK USA, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:004365/0266

Effective date: 19841220