WO1992014672A1

WO1992014672A1 - Method and apparatus for producing a filament wound tank shell

Info

Publication number: WO1992014672A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/008877
Authority: WO
Inventors: John W. Boyd
Original assignee: Boyd John W
Priority date: 1991-02-19
Filing date: 1991-11-27
Publication date: 1992-09-03
Also published as: AU9108391A

Abstract

A filament winding apparatus is provided for producing a filament wound tank shell and a method for producing the same, including a main frame (3), a drive ring (7), a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes (8), center shaft plate (11) and a center shaft (9), and a mandrel (14) comprising a plurality of mandrel sections (15) mounted upon outer edges (10) of the drive spokes (8).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A FILAMENT WOUND TANK SHELL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to manufacturing large capacity storage tanks and more specifically relates to manufacturing filament wound tank shell sections by the use of transportable equipment.

The use of large tanks for industrial use is common. A need for such large capacity tanks on a job site also exists, as does a need for filament wound tanks, as such tanks are commonly used for the storage of chemicals. These tanks also must be corrosion resistant to the chemicals which they store. Due to shippin'g restrictions, it has become increasingly difficult in recent years to transport such large capacity storage tanks. As a result, a need for portable equipment for manufacturing such a large capacity tank on a job site exists. U.S. Patent No. 3,470,656 discloses one such machine, however, the machine it discloses is complex in construction and utilizes air pressure to help manufacture a complete tank. U.S. Patent No. 3,956,816 discloses a method of transportation and construction of tanks, but teaches forming a member at a first location and then transporting it to a second location. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transportable machine for producing a filament wound tank shell on a job site. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a machine that is transportable and is constructed so as to be easily assembled and disassembled.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a machine with certain adjustable components so that tank shells of various sizes can be produced.

These as well as other objects are accomplished by a filament winding apparatus which is transportable and includes a main frame having a long rectangular section and a cross support section; a drive ring; a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes extending radially from a center shaft; a first and second center shaft plate, each defining a center opening; and a mandrel comprising a plurality of mandrel sections attached consecutively together with each mandrel section supported on an outer edge of the drive spokes. Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment along with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partial assembly of a filament winding apparatus.

Figure 2 is a perspective view in part section showing a mandrel supported on winder drive spokes in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 is a close-up side view of an angle supporting a mandrel section in accordance with this invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the filament winding apparatus showing a filament shell being wound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with this invention, it has been found that a filament winding apparatus can be provided which is transportable, assembled with ease in order to produce a filament wound tank shell, and likewise easily disassembled leaving the tank shell. The problems encountered in transporting a pre-manufactured tank are thus eliminated. It has also been found with the present invention that filament wound tank shells of various sizes and shapes of tanks can be produced on a job site. Further advantages and features will become apparent from a reading of the description given with reference to the various figures of drawings.

As seen in figure 1, a filament winding apparatus in accordance with this invention includes a main frame 3 having a long rectangular section. Main frame 3 also includes a cross support section 4. Casters 5 are mounted on main frame 3. Also mounted on main frame 3 is a slidable mini-frame 6. In another embodiment, mountable rollers are provided so as to roll a filament winding apparatus. A drive ring 7 rotably mounts on casters 5, said drive ring 7 having quarter sections and joint sections detachably joined together. Supported by and mounted against drive ring 7 are a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes 8. Each drive spoke 8 extends radially from a center shaft 9, and has a top, a bottom and an outer edge 10.

A center shaft plate 11 mounts adjacent the bottom of said drive spokes 8, and a second center shaft plate 12 mounts adjacent the top of said drive spokes 8. Each center shaft plate 11 and 12 defines a center opening 13 through which center shaft 9 passes.

A mandrel 14 comprised of a plurality of mandrel sections

15 attached consecutively together is also part of the present invention. Each mandrel section 15 is supported on one of the outer edges 10 of said drive spokes 8. Means for rotating mandrel 14 is included so as to wind a tank shell.

A traverse 16 is shown in figure 1 as a means for guiding application of fiber. In another embodiment, this invention may include an additional traverse and means for moving it.

As a feature of this invention, drive spokes 8 may be adjusted and used with various sizes of drive rings 7 and mandrels 14 to produce various sizes of filament wound tank shells.

Figure 2 illustrates a mandrel 14 supported on outer edges 10 of winder drive spokes 8. Center shaft plates 11 and 12 are also shown mounted adjacently below and above drive spokes 8 respectively, each defining a center opening 13 through which center shaft 9 passes. Drive ring 7 is also partially illustrated as it supports drive spokes 8.

Further illustrated in figure 2 are angles 18 better seen in figure 3, which are provided in one embodiment of the invention to give bracing to the mandrel sections 15. Jack screws 20 are used in one embodiment to interconnect mandrel sections 15. The jack screws 20 enable the spacing between mandrel sections 15 to be fine-tuned. Turnbuckles 19 also may be used to further assist in maintaining mandrel sections 15 in position and in releasing them after a tank shell has been formed so the shell may be easily removed without completely disassembling a filament winding apparatus.

Figure 3 illustrates an angle 21 in greater detail, which is used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Angle 21 provides bracing to mandrel section 15, as angle 21 is shown mounted to mandrel section 15 at one end and mounted to a center shaft plate 12 at the other end. Angle 21, as shown, also includes a built-in turnbuckle 22 which assists in maintaining mandrel section 15 in position and in releasing it after a tank shell has been formed so that the shell may be easily removed without completely disassembling a filament winding apparatus. Center shaft 9 and drive spoke 8 are also shown in figure 2. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for producing a filament wound tank shell. The filament winding apparatus as described herein can be transported to a job site. Once there, the mini-frame 6 is mounted to the main frame 3. The drive rings sections and joint sections, as seen assembled at 7 in figure 1, are then attached together, preferably by bolting means. This, drive ring assembly 7 is rotably mounted upon the casters 5 which are on the main frame 3. The first center shaft plate 11 is then mounted against the bottom of the drive spokes 8 and the second center shaft plate 12 against the top of the drive spokes 8. These drive spokes

8 are then mounted upon the drive ring 7 and the center shaft

9 can be inserted through the center openings 13 in the center shaft plates.

The mandrel sections 15 may now be mounted upon the drive spokes 8, preferably bolted to them, each section resting upon an edge 10 of the drive spokes. The mandrel sections 15 themselves are then attached consecutively together. Jack screws, 20 in figure 2, may be used to interconnect the sections 15 and thus used to fine tune the spacing between the sections. In a preferred embodiment, angles, 18 in figure 2, are used to brace the mandrel sections 15, being attached to the second center shaft plate 12 and to the mandrel sections 15. Also in a preferred embodiment, these angles 18 include turnbuckles 19 built into the angles 18. In one embodiment of the invention, a traverse 16 is mounted upon the slidable mini-frame 6 and a means for moving the traverse is included. Two such traverses can be used in a preferred embodiment.

To wind a filament shell, a fiber source 24 is attached to the traverse 16, referring to figure 4 of the drawings. Traverse 16 is mounted on a mini-frame (not visible) , and the mini-frame is mounted upon the main frame 3. Cross support section 4 is included in and supports the main frame 3. Traverse 16 is capable of moving the fiber source 24 up and down. The fiber 28 itself is attached to mandrel 14. Mandrel

14 rotates around center shaft 9 with the fiber 28 attached to the mandrel 14 while the traverse 16 simultaneously moves up and down, thereby winding a filament shell around the mandrel 14. A partially wound filament shell 26 is shown in figure 4. After the filament shell has been wound, the turnbuckles 19 as seen in figure 2 can be used to loosen the mandrel sections

15 from the filament wound tank shell, and the shell can then be removed. As discussed earlier, various sizes of drive rings and mandrels can be used to produce various sizes of filament wound tank shells. It is thus seen that the invention provides a novel filament winding apparatus for producing a filament wound tank shell and a method for producing the same. The present invention is transportable and easily assembled on a job site. The problems encountered with transporting a pre-manufactured tank to a job site are therefore eliminated. A filament wound tank shell can be simply produced on a job site and the filament wound tank shell can be removed without necessarily disassembling the entire winding apparatus. Many variations are apparent to those of skill in the art, and such variations are embodied within the spirit and scope of the present invention as measured by the following appended claims.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. A filament winding apparatus comprising: a main frame having a long rectangular section and a cross support section; casters mounted on said long rectangular section; a slidable mini-frame mounted on said main frame; a drive ring having quarter sections and joint sections detachably joined together, said drive ring being rotably mounted on said casters; a center shaft; a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes mounted against and supported by said drive ring, each of said drive spokes extending radially from said center shaft and having a top, a bottom and an outer edge; a first center shaft plate defining a center opening through which said center shaft passes, said first center shaft plate mounted adjacent the bottom of said drive spokes; a second center shaft plate defining a center opening through which said center shaft passes, said second center shaft plate mounted adjacent the top of said drive spokes; a mandrel comprising a plurality of mandrel sections attached consecutively together, said mandrel sections each supported on one of said outer edges of said drive spokes;

2. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mandrel includes jack screws interconnecting said mandrel sections.

3. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of angles attached to said second center shaft plate and extending toward said mandrel sections.

4. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 3 further including a plurality of turnbuckles attached to said angles and to said second center shaft plate.

5. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 including a traverse mounted on said slidable mini-frame and means for moving said traverse.

6. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 5 further including an additional traverse and means for moving said additional traverse.

7. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for rotating said mandrel.

8. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said main frame includes mountable rollers to roll said filament winding apparatus.

9. A method for producing a filament wound tank shell on site comprising the steps of: providing a filament winding apparatus, comprising; a main frame having a long rectangular section with casters mounted thereon and a cross support section, a slidable mini-frame, a drive ring having quarter sections and joint sections, a center shaft, a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes each having an outer edge, a first center shaft plate defining a center opening, a second center shaft plate defining a center opening, a mandrel comprising a plurality of mandrel sections, providing fiber and means for supplying said fiber; mounting said slidable mini-frame to said main frame; attaching said drive ring sections and joint sections together and rotably mounting said drive ring to said casters mounted on said main frame; mounting said first center shaft plate against the bottom of said drive spokes; mounting said plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes against said drive ring, said drive spokes extending radially from said first center shaft plate; mounting said second center shaft plate against the top of said drive spokes above said first center shaft plate; attaching said center shaft through said center opening of said first and second center shaft plates; mounting said mandrel sections on said outer edges of said drive spokes; consecutively attaching said mandrel sections together so a complete mandrel is formed; connecting said fiber to said mandrel; rotating said mandrel thereby winding said fiber about said mandrel and forming a shell; collapsing said mandrel; removing said shell. 10. A method for producing a filament wound tank shell on site according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of various sized drive rings and mandrels are utilized to produce various sizes of filament wound tank shells.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 22 April 1992 (22.04.92); original claims 1 and 9 amended; other claims unchanged (4 pages)]

1. A filament winding apparatus comprising: a main frame having a long rectangular section and a cross support section; upward casters mounted on said long rectangular section; a slidable mini-frame mounted on said main frame; a traverse carried by said mini-frame; a filament winding means secured by means adjustable to said traverse; a drive ring having quarter sections and joint sections detachably joined together, said drive ring being rotably mounted on said casters; a center shaft; a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes mounted against and supported by said drive ring, each of said drive spokes extending radially from said center shaft and having a top, a bottom and an outer edge; a first center shaft plate defining a center opening through which said center shaft passes, said first center shaft plate mounted adjacent the bottom of said drive spokes; a second center shaft plate defining a center opening through which said center shaft passes, said second center shaft plate mounted adjacent the top of said drive spokes; and a mandrel comprising a plurality of mandrel sections attached consecutively together, said mandrel sections each supported on one of said outer edges of said drive spokes.

3. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of angles attached to said second center shaft plate and extending toward said mandrel sections. 4. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 3 further including a plurality of turnbuckles attached to said angles and to said second center shaft plate.

5. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 including means for moving said traverse. 6. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 5 further including an additional traverse and means for moving said additional traverse.

7. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for rotating said mandrel. 8. A filament winding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said main frame includes mountable rollers to roll said filament winding apparatus.

9. A method for producing a filament wound tank shell on site comprising the steps of: providing a filament winding apparatus, comprising; a main frame having a long rectangular section with casters mounted thereon and a cross support section, a slidable mini-frame, a traverse carried by said mini-frame; a drive ring having quarter sections and joint sections, a center shaft, a plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes each having an outer edge, a first center shaft plate defining a center opening, a second center shaft plate defining a center opening, and a mandrel comprising a plurality of mandrel sections, providing fiber and means for supplying said fiber; mounting said slidable mini-frame to said main frame; attaching said drive ring sections and joint sections together and rotably mounting said drive ring to said casters mounted on said main frame; mounting said first center shaft plate against the bottom of said drive spokes; mounting said plurality of adjustable winder drive spokes against said drive ring, said drive spokes extending radially from said first center shaft plate; mounting said second center shaft plate against the top of said drive spokes above said first center shaft plate; attaching said center shaft through said center opening of said first and second center shaft plates; mounting said mandrel sections on said outer edges of said drive spokes; consecutively attaching said mandrel sections together so a complete mandrel is formed; connecting said fiber to said mandrel; rotating said mandrel thereby winding said fiber about said mandrel and forming a shell; collapsing said mandrel; and removing said shell.

10. A method for producing a filament wound tank shell on site according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of various sized drive rings and mandrels are utilized to produce various sizes of filament wound tank shells.

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1)

The replacement page for page 9 of the application amends claim 1 by adding a traverse carried by the mini-frame, and also adds a filament winding means secured by means adjustable to the traverse. The only other amendments to page 9 are per the stated suggestions.

The reference of Siilats, U.S. Patent No. 4,288,277, is cited as a document considered relevant to claim 1 in the present application. Siilats fails to teach important aspects of the present invention. Siilats teaches a molding system apparatus which must be placed "below ground level so that the top of the mold is more or less flush with the ground, ..." (column 2, lines 67-68 and figure 1) . Accordingly, a track mounted gantry spanning the pit is needed to remove the shell and molding components. Siilats thus teaches a separate track, crane, rotating mold and adjacent ram, all of which require an excavation pit for operation. This is in contrast to Applicant's subject matter which is directed to a method and apparatus which can be easily assembled and disassembled for transport. As amended. Applicant's apparatus now specifically claims a traverse carried by the mini-frame and a filament winding means secured by means adjustable to the traverse. The mini-frame is specifically mounted on a main frame which has a long rectangular section and a cross support section.

Also added to claim 1 as reflected in the replacement page for page 9 is the word "upward" in front of the casters to more particularly claim Applicant's winding apparatus and to distinguish over Siilats. Siilats teaches a pit mounted turntable which includes casters that run on a circular track, and the circular track is mounted on the ground of the pit. Applicant, however, now distinguishably claims a winding apparatus wherein a drive ring rotates on upward casters mounted on the long rectangular section of the main frame. Applicant's winding apparatus therefore is transportable and differs in structure from the molding system of Siilats which fails to teach a winding apparatus utilizing a drive ring rotating on upward casters mounted on a long rectangular section of a main frame as claimed by Applicant. The replacement page for 10 merely adds the suggested amendment and amends claim 5 by deleting "a traversed mounted on said slidable mini-frame and" as necessary in view of the previous amendment to claim 1.

The replacement page for page 11 amends claim 9 by adding a traverse carried by the mini-frame to the method claim. The other amendment to claim 9 on page 11 merely inserts the word "and" as suggested.

The replacement page for page 12 merely adds the word "and" at the end of line 35.

In light of the above amendments, it is submitted that this application is in proper condition for allowance.