Storage tank containment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10876686-B2
Application number	US-201816117281-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2018
Priority date	Aug 31, 2017
Publication date	Dec 29, 2020
Grant date	Dec 29, 2020

Abstract

An example tank can be used to contain, transport, and/or store fluids, e.g., one or more liquids and/or gases. In one embodiment, the tank includes a plurality of segments collectively defining an interior chamber that retains the fluid(s), each of which includes opposing ends defining beveled mating surfaces. The tank also includes a plurality of endcaps positioned between, and in engagement with, adjacent segments, as well as a plurality of webs that include a series of first webs having a first configuration and a series of second webs having a second, different configuration. The first webs are positioned within the plurality of segments between the ends thereof, and the second webs are positioned within the endcaps. In an alternate embodiment, the tank is devoid of the endcaps, and instead, includes segments defining beveled mating surfaces that intersect at junctures to define four corner sections of the tank.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tank comprising:
a plurality of segments in fluid communication and collectively defining an interior chamber configured and dimensioned to retain a fluid therein, each of the segments including opposing ends, each of the opposing ends defining a first mating surface having a beveled configuration;
a plurality of endcaps in engagement with the plurality of segments, each of the endcaps being positioned between adjacent segments; and
a plurality of webs each defining an aperture configured and dimensioned to permit flow of the fluid through the aperture, the plurality of webs including a series of first webs having a first configuration and a series of second webs having a second, different configuration, the first webs being positioned within the plurality of segments between the opposing ends thereof, and the second webs being positioned within the endcaps.

2. The tank of claim 1 , wherein the second webs and the endcaps correspond in number, each endcap including a second web positioned therein.

3. The tank of claim 2 , wherein the first webs are approximately annular in configuration, and the second webs are approximately elliptical in configuration.

4. The tank of claim 3 , wherein the endcaps define a configuration that is approximately quarter-spherical.

5. The tank of claim 4 , wherein each of the opposing ends further define a second mating surface, the first mating surface extending at a first angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding segment, and the second mating surface extending at a second, different angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding segment.

6. The tank of claim 5 , wherein each of the endcaps define mating surfaces configured and dimensioned in correspondence with the second mating surfaces defined by the opposing ends of the adjacent segments.

7. The tank of claim 6 , wherein the first angle is approximately 45°.

8. The tank of claim 7 , wherein the second angle is approximately 90°.

9. The tank of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments includes a first pair of segments each defining a first length, and a second pair of segments each defining a second length, and
wherein the first and second lengths are approximately equal such that the tank defines an approximately square-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration.

10. The tank of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments includes a first pair of segments each defining a first length, and a second pair of segments each defining a second length, and
wherein the second length is greater than the first length such that the tank defines an approximately rectangular transverse cross-sectional configuration.

11. The tank of claim 1 , wherein each segment defines a midpoint, the tank being configured such that each of the midpoints lies in a single geometric plane.

Assignees

• Altair Eng Inc

Inventors

• Ramoo Regu
• Lamb Thomas

Classifications

• F17C2270/011

  Barges · CPC title

• F17C2270/0105

  Ships · CPC title

• F17C2265/066

  for feeding engines for propulsion · CPC title

• F17C2223/033

  Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas · CPC title

• F17C2223/0161

  cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG · CPC title