US2009606A - Tank construction - Google Patents

Description

July 30, 1935. B. F. DIFFENDERFER 2,009,606

TANK CONSTRUCTION July 30, 1935. B. F. DIFFENDRFER 2,009,505

TANK CONSTRUCTION Filed April 18, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 3U, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to tank structure and to the method of manufacture thereof, and is believed to have its best application with the structure and manufacture of large tanks for storing corrosive liquids and substances, the tanks being either open or closed at the top and suited to service under internal pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.

A purpose of the invention is to secure lightness and strength and to permit the convenient use, in Walls of tanks, of sheets of expensive corrosion resistant materials, such as ferrous alloys like chrome steel or iron, stainless steel or iron, nickel steel or iron, etc., nonferrous metals or d alloys like aluminum, tin, copper, nichrome, etc.,

and cladded metals like chrome clad, nickel clad, stainless steel clad, copper clad, alloy clad, etc. In some cases, carbon steels may be used.

A further purpose is to provide a composite cage for the effective support of a thin sheet tank.

A further purpose is to secure easy access to the seams of a thin sheet externally supported tank by making the external support in the form of a composite cage, locating and/or making removable and adjustable the structural members of the cage to wholly or partially disclose the seams.

In manufacture I usually make the inner tank walls of large relatively thin sheets of corrosionresistant material, as of stainless, or other chrome, iron or steel, or other suitable material as set forth above, and the initial seams between the sheets that together make up the walls of the inner tank may require repeated testing and subsequent fixing at one or more points before being satisfactorily perfect. 'Iherefore a purpose of the invention is to give easy access to the seams of the inner tank everywhere for a cut and try correction of the faults originally present in the seams.

A further purpose is to secure a freedom from external structural members along the corner portions of large thin sheet tanks, that is, along the common edges of the contiguous sides of the tank.

A further purpose is to externally support a thin metal cylinder tank by longitudinal circumferentially spaced edgewise strips and composite circumferential longitudinally spaced bands, making the respective bands of arcuate sections intermediate and removably fastened together at the successive strips.

A further purpose is to externally support the flat portions of a thin metal tank with a. webbed grid open along the seams of the tank.

A further purpose is to obtain intimate supporting contact between a relatively light tank wall and a supporting cage.

A further purpose is to secure a close supporting iit between a closed thin metal tank and a 5 supporting composite external cage by expanding the tank by fluid pressure into close engagement with the inwardly presented surfaces of the cage while the cage is internally abnormally large because of untightened connections between its 10 members, subsequently contracting the cage by tightening its connections.

A further purpose is to provide different embodiments of the invention for respectively cylindrical and rectangular tanks.

A further purpose is to include a rectangular thin and preferably corrugated sheet tank, within a structural framework, making the framework preferably comprise spaced frames of I-beams and removable cross connections, suitably angle 20 members.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have elected to show two only of the different forms of my invention, selecting forms however 25 that are practical and eilicient in operation and which well illustrate the principles involved.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a closed cylindrical tank and are respectively side and end elevations of structure embodying a desirable form of my 30 invention.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an open rectangular tank, being views corresponding respectively to Figures 1 and 2, but showing another desirable form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a detail section to enlarged scale taken upon the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail section to enlarged scale taken upon the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 'l is a detail section taken upon the line 40 1-1 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged scale detail section upon the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section through an alternative form of joint which may be used in 45 my invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:-

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and-2, a thin 50 sheet metal container I5 is supported Within a supporting cage structure I6.

The container I5 will be usually for the storage of corrosive liquids and therefore may be of large size, having its walls made up of any requisite 55 number of large sheets of corrosion-resistant material.

These sheets are suitably of stainless steel" or other chrome iron or steel, of nickel steel, nickel chrome steel, aluminum, tin, copper, nichrome, or of chrome clad, nickel clad, "stainless steel clad, copper clad or other clad material, and therefore of a material very expensive as compared to ordinary iron or steel of which the cage structure may be made, for which reason the container walls are preferably f as light gauge as may be consistent with the intended duty. In special cases ordinary carbon steel may be used for the sheets.

The circumferential and end walls of the container I5 are seamed together along circumferential fianges Il of the end walls and may be each made up of a plurality of large sheets seamed together.

In the illustration the end walls are alike, each made up of two semi-circular pieces seamed together at I8 diametrally of the composite end wall, and the circumferential wall is made up of a number of large rectangular sheets, the connecting seams extending in longitudinal and circumferential directions, such seams being indicated at I9 and 20 respectively.

The cage I6 is constructed for repeated and easy access to the seams, these seams being illustrated as circumferential seams at I'I, diametral end seams at I8 and relatively perpendicular longitudinal and arcuate seams I9 and 20 of the circumferential wall.

The cage includes circumferential and end portions to iit and externally support the corresponding portion of the container, and also to permit ready and repeated access to the seams I1, I8, I9 and 20 of the container.

'I'he circumferential portion of the cage comprises fiat bars 2| presented edgewise to the circumferential wall of the container along the length thereof and arcuate pieces 22 at longitudinal intervals between the bars.

The arcuate pieces 22, in cooperation with connecting bolts 23 and intermediate portions of the flat bars form composite circumferential bands at longitudinal intervals of thecontainer, the arcuate sections 22 being individually readily removable for temporary access to any portion of any seam I9 normally crossed by the section. The ends of the arcuate pieces 22 are bent tangentially to the arcuate portions of the pieces at 22', for convenient attachment to the bolts, and carry'openings 222 through which the bolts pass.

'I'he composite bands of the cage are preferably located to avoid altogether the arcuate seams 20 and the circumferential seams at II.

In the same way the flat bars 2| are located to altogether avoid the longitudinally extending seams I9 of the container.

The seams I9, being of considerable length and transverse to the composite bands, must each cross a number of these bands, but do so at individually removable sections 22 that may also be preferably outwardly recessed or outwardly depressed as at 24, Figure 5, to bridge the seam, permitting seam inspection under the section without removing the section and, in case of need, easy access by removal of the section, such access being for the more easy correction of any fault of the seam.

'I'he arcuate pieces 22 may be either cast or pressed from fiat stock and may have individual modification as t0 form, to better suit local characteristics or needs of the container.

Thus the pieces over the seams I9 are preferably formed to Well clear the seams, as shown at 24., Figure 5. The arcuate pieces 22 at any pipe fittings 25 or 26 into the container are perforated, as at 21, Figure 5, to surround and pass the respective fittings. The arcuate pieces that receive the supporting legs 28 are provided with downwardly directed pillow or pad portions 29 suitably welded to the arcuate pieces 22 and 'formed to flt the caps 30 of the vertically adjustable legs.

One of the cage ends is shown with manhole and manhole cover structure at 3| for admission into the interior of the container. Otherwise the ends of the cage may be alike so that a description of one will suillce for both.

As illustrated, each end member comprises a rigid unit made up of nearly semi-circular webs or plates 32 and 33, inner and outer circular ribs 34 and 35 and radial ribs 36, preferably secured together by welding.

The web or plate portions 32 and 33 are relatively spaced to disclose the seam I8 and have an external circumference at 31 somewhat inwardly from the outer circumference of the container, in order to give better access to the circumferential seam at I'I.

The radial ribs 36 are located to register with the bars 2| of the circumferential portion of the cage, being connected to the ends of the bars 2| by preferably removable knee members 38. These are bolted at 39 and 48 respectively to the ribs 36 and the bars 2|.

The radial ribs 36 suitably extend radially outward a little distance beyond the web members 32 and 33 and about to the circumference of the inner container.

In manufacture the cage is assembled at first somewhat loosely around the container, leaving the bolts between the composite members of the cage initially untightened. I then subject the container to considerable internal uid pressure, preferably tightening up the bolts of the cage while subjecting the container to the internal pressure, and thereby secure a very perfect fit between the cage and container.

The inner tank wall I5 is sufficiently flexible to expand slightly under the fluid pressure, and, when the bolts 23 are tightened, the wall I 5 is tightly gripped and supported by the cage structure.

'I'he seams of the container may be of a usual rivet and weld type and in manufacture such seams usually have initial faults, for which reason a container may have to be subjected to repeated testing with intermediate corrections of faults in one or more of the seams before the seams can be made everywhere perfect, and important features of the present invention are directed to the provisions for easy access to the different seams in order to permit more easy correction of the initial faults thereof. The ready access of the seams is also important to permit subsequent inspection of the tank at periodic intervals.

The circular ribs 34 and 35 are preferably outwardly recessed at 4I where they pass the seam I8, to give ready access to this seam.

'I'he seam I8 is open to view and to access for correction of any fault throughout its entire length, the bridging of the circular ribs 34 and 35 over this seam being such as to permit adequate clearance for easy correction of any faults at the same portions under these ribs.

Likewise the circumferential seams at I'I are accessible for correction of any initial faults even at the portions of the seams directly under the ends of the bars 2l and the knee members 38, since the knee members and bars are both readily removable, and, even without removal of the bars, the bars have suitable bridging recesses at the seams.

The seams are also accessible for correction of any initial faults even under the bars 2 I, either by temporary removal of the bars or by providing the bars with seam bridging recesses, as indicated at 42, Figure l, and the seams I9 are everywhere accessible, even under the arcuate plates 22, since these plates are readily removable.

While my invention finds its best use in a closed cylindrical tank, certain features thereof may be used also in tanks which are not cylindrical and in tanks which are open.

A container 43 of thin preferably corrugated sheet corrosion resistant material, suitably stainless steel or other chrome iron or steel, is enclosed by and supported within a cage 44.

The container 43 will be usually of relatively large size, with the walls and bottom therefore each made up of any requisite number of large sheets seamed together, the walls and bottom being themselves seamed together along the horizontal and vertical corners of the container.

The upper edges of the walls flange at 45 outwardly over and connect to the top of the cage preferably upon a thin strip 46 of corrosion resistant material which serves to protect the top structural members from direct contact with the corrosive liquid of the container.

The cage includes a grille work floor and grille work sides and ends, removably tied together into a cage having structural members, that may cross, but do not longitudinally cover, any one or more of the seams of the container, and the inner flat surfaces of the structural members of the cage being presentedI flat against the adjoining bottom, side or end of the container.

The cage floor comprises a structural grille work made up of angle sides 41, angle ends 48, spaced I-beams 49 and short angles 50 at intervals'between the I-beams, with the top surfaces of all these members in a common plane.

The side and end angles 41 and 48 present their vertical flanges outwardly and downwardly, have their upper and horizontal flanges beveled away at 5I and are removably fastened together by suitable angle clips 52 connecting the adjoining ends of the vertical flanges.

The I-beams 49 are at intervals between the angle ends 48 and have suitably a total length equal to the distance between the vertical flanges of the side angles 41, with their top flanges cut away at their ends to pass the horizontal fianges of the angles 41. Suitable angle clips 53 riveted to the webs of the I-beams and preferably bolted to the vertical fianges of the angles 41 connect the I-beams 49 and side angles 41 together.

The short angle members 50 have total lengths to t between the vertical anges of the opposing I-beams 49, and have theirflat top anges cut away at the ends to permit presentation of the remaining portions of their horizontal top flanges between the corresponding flanges of the opposing I-beams. The short angles 50 are held at their ends (preferably removably) to the adjoining I-beams by angle clips 53'.

- The outside line of the rectangular container is at the inside line of the rectangular frame made by the angle members 41 and 48.

Spaced at successive intervals above the rectangular frame formed by the outside angles 41 and 48 of the grille floor, I provide aheavy rectangular horizontal frame of side and end I- beams 54 and 55. a somewhat lighter rectangular horizontal frame of side and end I-beams 56 and 51 and a relatively light top horizontal frame of side and end angles 58 and 59.

The side andend members of these frames are connected together at their ends, preferably removably by angle clips as already described, and the frames are connected to one another at horizontally spaced intervals by short vertical angles 60, 6I and 62 respectively from the floor to the heavier I-bearn frame, between the heavier and lighter I-beam frames, and from the lighter I-beam frame to the angle frame around the top.

The angles 60, 6| and 82 are appropriately notched at their ends for a presentation of their inner faces into the common vertical plane of the inner faces of the frame members to which they connect, and are fastened to place by suitable angle clips 63.

It will be seen that any one of the sides and ends of the cage may be readily removable as a unit without disturbing the others.

Making the container of corrugated sheet permits relatively wide spacing between the vertical and horizontal structural members of the cage, so that the seams are exposed to View except for short distances at relatively widely spaced intervals where they are crossed by structural members of the cage, that is, exposed to view, throughout nearly their entire lengths.

The corrugations of the container plates are preferably longitudinal of the plates and the seams thereof along the edges of the plates may include nesting overlaps of the corrugations of the adjoining sheets, as indicated at 64, Figure l7.

Where the seams are transverse to the corrugations, that is, where the seams are between the ends of adjoining-plates, the portions to overlap are preferably attened so as to remove the corrugations.-

In the seams across the bottom, the sheets are shown overlapping at 65 and 66.

All of the seams may be Welded and/or riveted, and in manufacture the seams are usually made perfect only after repeated testing with intermediate elimination of the initial faults disclosed by the testing, and my external cage not only makes the tanks light and strong but also makes the seams open to inspection for leakages throughout their entire lengths, and provides easy access to seam faults needing correction.

The corrugation of the sheets makes the seams open for inspection even where they cross structural members of the cage.

It will be evident that the inner tank wall is resilient, and that the cage supports the wall at intervals in two directions, longitudinally and laterally.

It will also be evident that the type of joint between the sheets is not important to my invention. While I have generally shown lapped joints, the joints may be lapped or butted. Also, while I have generally shown joints of the type which would be riveted, the joints may also be Welded. In Figure 9 I show a butt Welded joint, having Weld material at 61 joining the sheets 63 and 69.

In view of my invention and disclosure, variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A tank comprising a. container made up of 4 a plurality of thin metal sheets seamed together Ymetal inner wall, a cage comprising a plurality of members extending longitudinally of the inner wall in contact with it and circumferentially spaced around the inner wall and a plurality of members extending circumferentially of the inner wall in contact with it and longitudinally spaced along the inner wall and means for circumferentially tightening the circumferential members on the inner wall to insure rm support of the inner wall.

3. In a tank structure, a cylindrical container comprising a plurality of thin metal sheets seamed together along contiguous edges and a composite cage enclosing and externally tting the container and including bars edgewise along the cylinder and spaced from one another circumferentially around the cylinder and removable arcuate sections intermediate the bars at spaced intervals o1 the cylinder length and, in cooperation with the bars and one another, forming composite bands around the cylinder.

4. In tank structure, a closed cylindrical container having walls that include large thin sheets seamed together along contiguous edges and a cage enclosing and externally iitting the container, the cage including circumferential and end portions spaced respectively longitudinally inwardly and radially inwardly from the annular end corners of the cylinder and having, at spaced circumferential intervals, supporting connections one to the other across the corners.

BENJAMIN F. DIFFENDERFER.

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