Tank outlet fitting with flange

Abstract

An integral metallic fitting for affixing to a liquid retention tank orifice that serves to drain the tank as needed via a bottom wall orifice. The fitting comprises a tubular conduit for liquids outflow of a first diameter, a threaded segment covering the first depending end of the conduit suited for interruptible locking with a separate drain line, and a hollow core, flanged other end provided with an annular ridge disposed about the core which projects into the tank orifice and which ridge is hermetically bonded to the tank wall for safe draining.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE to OTHER APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large holding tanks for liquid commodities, such as tank trailers, are often provided with one or more outlet ports, sometimes located in the lower margin of the sidewalls of the tank, but usually located in the tank bottom wall itself. These liquid outlets serve to drain the contained liquid via a flexible hose at a destination site, so as to funnel the tank commodity to another processing step or perhaps to an approved waste disposal. The link between the tank outlet orifice and the extended drainage conduit usually requires a two or three piece combined aluminum and steel fitting, one flanged piece being positioned internally as an anchor plate by overlapping the bottom wall, tied to a depending threaded sleeve bonded at one end to the central core of the anchor plate, and a depending connecting nipple, which is threaded on both longitudinal ends, and is then threaded into the overlying sleeve. With one coupling end being mated to the short sleeve via the internal tapping, and the other coupling piece depending below the bottom having its threaded longitudinal end, adapted to connect with a standard liquid conduit such as a flexible hose.

To effect this tank outlet orifice and the transport hose interlinking, such requires the sizing and machining of three metal elements, adding significant cost to this necessary means for coupling a tank orifice and a local off load transport hose.

It would be a useful improvement over the common tri-element fitting described now used, to substitute a single integral fitting, that provides the features of tank bottom anchoring, by overlapping steel elements for the tank bottom, and also a threaded, depending longitudinal end for the flow conduit, which end is adapted to connect functionally with an attachable/detachable drain conduit and/or hosing.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a one piece, coupling/fitting means for connecting the tank coupling and drain line, which coupling eliminates the need for a tapped steel nipple to be first joined with a flange plate/sleeve anchoring element, which means providing more facile means to dump liquid tank contents.

Another object is to provide a fitting with a shorter mounting length, limiting the fabricating of materials needed for an effective outflow fitting/coupling means.

Still another object is to provide an integral fitting having a smooth peripheral inner bore, which then minimizes residual deposit of tank contents during the drainage step, and thus decreases residual persistence of the sometimes acrid odors to those working around tank contents being off-loaded.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a single metal, integrally-fitting, readily machined, which placement in the upon tank bottom orifice, provides for ready weldability of the upper flange element of the fitting to the tank outlet, and that serves to eliminate liquid linkage at the interface of tank bottom wall and outlet fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is now provided an integral fitting, now machinable from stock aluminum, and usually having a shorter overall length, a smaller central bore, a circumferential ridge on the flanged upper surface of the fitting, also located coincident with the central bore periphery. Such ridge is sized to seat snugly on the periphery of the tank outlet port. It is preferably a chamfered periphery on the projecting ridge, and also has a depending, threaded longitudinal end (nipple), which is adapted to engage hermetically the variable pipe or hose couplings that connect to the tank bottom fitting for purposes of drainage thereof.

Accordingly, here is proved an integral fitting for a liquid retention tank adapted for sealing engagement with a tank outflow orifice normally provided in a tank lower wall comprising: (a) a generally tubular, rigid conduit means dimensioned to allow flow of viscous fluids therethrough, said conduit means having a first diameter; (b) an externally threaded, first segment abutting the first longitudinal end of the conduit means, with such threading adapted for an interruptible locking engagement with a separate drain line; (c) a hollow core and flanged second segment integral with the second longitudinal end of the conduit means, the flange of the second segment also dimensioned to engage and substantially overlap the tank lower wall about the outlet orifice with the hollow core of the flange having a second diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the conduit means; (d) an annular ridge, centrally located upon the upper surface of the second segment, such ridge is dimensioned so as to project a predetermined height into the tank orifice, thereby to seat tightly therein and also to effect a substantially flush contact with the lower wall of the tank, further with the interface of the annular ridge sidewalls and the orifice sidewall being adapted to effect their permanent engagement during tank usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a liquid contents mobile tank, coupled with the external depending conduits for drainage of a liquified tanker contents; (PRIOR ART)

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, done longitudinally of the trailer bottom plate, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, depicting a representative location of the integral outflow fitting of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view (tipped for viewing), of the prior art three elements conjoined as are commonly used to connect the tank bottom drainage orifice with an external outflow conduit positioned below the tank bottom itself; (PRIOR ART)

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the novel integral fitting of the present invention (tipped on its side for purposes of viewing clarity), as to the annular ridge element;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the fitting of the present invention oriented in the position in which it would be inserted into the tank orifice (not seen);

FIG. 6 is a top end view of the present fitting depicting the projecting annular ridge, which ridge is coincident with the smooth bore of the tubular conduit segment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom end view of the present fitting depicting the externally tapped nipple segment of the fitting as it would present to a worker, seeking to engage the free longitudinal end of a drainage hose to the bottom of the depicted fitting itself;

FIG. 8 is another side elevational (sectional) view, like that of FIG. 4 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5 depicting the typical dimensions of the present fitting for a preferred embodiment; and,

FIG. 9 is a broken out, enlarged elevational view of the conjoined fitting and tank orifice better depicting the annular welding bead that bonds them together

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is depicted the trailer component 10 of a standard tractor trailer rig, used for over the road liquid transport. The static trailer 10, depicts three sites, along the bottom wall 14, at which such sites, outflow orifices, 12A, B, and C, are functionally positioned. It is within the skill of the art of trailer building, to provide as many such tank bottom outlets as the customer requires. The fitting is useful with any cargo of fluidized nature, which can by gravity also, dump its contents via an outlet hose connected thereto (not shown). As indicated, dependent on the capacity and cargo viscosity, there may be a number of outlet ports on the tank using the present invention.

In the broken away, vertical sectional view of FIG. 2, the bottom wall 14 of an elongate trailer is seen, also being provided with underlying, five hollow transverse beams, 18 A, B, C, D, and E, which beams bolster trailer bottom wall 14 for the trailer load under its cargo weight. An exemplary outlet fitting 20, of the present invention, is schematically depicted.

By way of depicting the coupling means for such mobile tanks, the perspective view of FIG. 3 describes a currently used, three piece coupling 21, consisting of a thick aluminum plate 22 of squared peripihery provided with a circular core hole 24, into which is fitted an intermediate length of a tubular sleeve 26.

The union of plate 22 and sleeve 26 presents a flange-like, upper component 21 for this prior art fitting. Such flanged plate 21 seats on the inner surface of the tank bottom wall 14 of FIG. 2, depending therethrough as at least one drainage orifice. A discrete nipple 28 is threadingly mated to the free end of the sleeve 26 via external threading 30. The opposing (depending) longitudinal end 32 of the nipple 28 is likewise threaded 34, so as to receive and retain a coupling hose or pipe (not shown), that will serve as a liquids content outflow conduit. Each of the depicted prior art pieces must be fabricated and sized to meet the configuration of a specific dimension outlet orifice.

In the perspective view of FIG. 4, there is shown an integrally fabricated fitting 36 of the present invention (one piece) with the tank bottom wall engaging configuration seen to the right side. Flanged element 38 thereof is provided with an annular ridge 40, the inner periphery of which is preferably coincident with that of the circular bore 41 of the sleeve component 42. The margin 44 of flange 38 itself is of sufficient width to insure reinforcing contact with the tank bottom wall 14 of FIG. 2 about the drain orifice 12.

The integrated distal end 46 of fitting 36 is a generally tubular rigid conduit means 42 (sleeve-like), that provides the depending extension of the fitting 36, such end being adapted to couple with a drain hose or line. The free longitudinal end of sleeve element 42 is provided with a standard threading 48 at its distal end. The threading is chosen to mate with the internal tapping of customer hose headings. The entire fitting 36 is an integral one, being machined from aluminum stock #6061, with the typical dimensions to be described below.

In the side elevational view of the fitting of FIG. 5, it is configured in the position in which it would be inserted into the bottom wall orifice 14 of FIG. 2. The upward projecting annular ridge 40 can be seen, oriented to fit tightly into the tank bottom wall orifice (not shown). For ease of manual handling, the upper flanged end perimeter is provided with a beveled periphery 50, which abuts the rounded periphery 52 of the union of the flange outer surface 54 and the upper outer end of sleeve-like segment 42.

In the top end view of FIG. 6, is seen a hollow chamber 41 of the fitting 36, with the annular ridge 40 being integral therewith, and the ridge being of substantially the same diameter as the sleeve hollow core. This facilitates the smooth fluid flow through the fitting 36, when it is positioned and bonded into the tank lower wall. The annular ridge 40 itself is preferably machined to provide a planar upper surface 56. The mating of ridge 40 with the orifice sidewalls establishes a peripheral channel 58 (FIG. 9) in the tank bottom wall, located between the orifice sidewall and that of the annular ridge 40 itself. Such channel is adapted to mechanical inter-bonding of the tank bottom wall andn fitting 36 itself, typically via a welding bead.

In the bottom end view of FIG. 7, the fitting 36 depicts the depending circular sidewall 42 of sleeve element 48. Note the smooth continuity of the hollow core 41 sidewalls throughout. It is this externally threaded segment that would present to an upward looking worker seeking to engage the free end of a drainage hose (not seen) to the fitting 36 free end nipple.

In FIG. 8, there is another elevational vertical section, view of the present fitting 36, better depicting the physical dimensions of its elements. Clearly seen is the beveled outer periphery 50 of flange 44, and also its rounded union 52 with the dependent sleeve segment 42. Note also, the slightly inward, taper of threaded sleeve element 48, which will be functionally engaged with an independent drain line upon the event of liquid contents drainage. The technical parameters of such fittings made per the present invention, are set forth below.

In the broken out, enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 9, drawn from the vertical sectional view of FIG. 8, the nature of the bonding of the present fitting to a tanker lower wall is better seen. A welding bead 60 fills the channel 58 (FIG. 8) and serves to retain permanently, the fitting 36 in operational position and welded to orifice 41 side wall. Also, a second external annular bead 62 secures flange periphery 50 to the tank bottom wall 64.

The specially configured fitting of the present invention can be readily fabricated (preferably machined from aluminum stock) by those skilled in the art, so as to have a side wall depending, circular diameter adapted to the particular trailer bed bottom wall configuration, and to the viscosity of the contained contents. The invention can provide fittings, 30A,B, and C, respectively, having hollow bores of 2″, 3″, or 4″ in diameter. For the 2″ diameter bore embodiment, the projecting annular ridge 42 on the upper planar surface of the flange is typically 0.25″ in thickness, and has a nominal core diameter, which is substantially coincident with the specific bore diameter chosen. Such an annular ridge is preferably chamfered (58) on its periphery to provide an annular channel 60, when the fitting 36 itself is inserted firmly into the tank bottom orifice. Such an annular channel will then admit of bonding means like a beading material, such as can be introduced by welding, to bond the flange plate to the orifice sidwall, so that the plate is secured to the tank orifice throughout repetitive hose couplings.

The flange element 44 with a 2″ bore has an overall transverse diameter of 5″. The optional larger bores fittings will have proportionately larger, overall diameters and lengths needed to seat the fitting 36 flush with the floor 14 of the tank, and thus to provide the annular channel for welding installation.

As to vertical length of the fitting 36, with the 2″ diameter bore embodiment, the fitting is 4″ in height, with the beveled flange thickness being 0.75″ in width. The external threading on the depending segment end is about 1.5″ in depth.

Claims

1. An integral fitting for a liquid retention tank adapted for sealing engagement with a tank outflow orifice that is normally provided in a tank lower wall comprising:

(a) a generally tubular, rigid conduit means dimensioned to allow flow of viscous fluids therethrough, said conduit means having a first diameter;

(b) an externally threaded, first segment abutting a first longitudinal end of the conduit means, with such threading being adapted for an interruptible locking engagement with a separate drain line;

(c) a hollow core and flanged second segment integral with a second longitudinal end of the conduit means, the second segment also dimensioned to engage and substantially overlap the tank lower wall about the outlet orifice thereof, with the hollow core of the second segment having a second diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the conduit means; and,

(d) an annular ridge, centrally located upon the upper surface of the second segment, such ridge being dimensioned so as to project a predetermined height into the tank orifice, so as to seat firmly therein and thereby to effect a substantially flush contact with the lower wall of the tank, further with the interface of the annular ridge sidewalls and the orifice sidewalls being adapted to effect their permanent engagement during tank usage.

2. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the annular ridge element of the fitting is provided with an outer edge, peripheral chamfer, which chamfer serves upon insertion of the fitting in the orifice periphery to establish an annular channel in the tank bottom wall between the orifice sidewalls and the sidewalls of the ridge, such channel further being adapted to mechanical inter-bonding of the bottom wall and annular ridge.

3. The fitting of claim 2 wherein a mechanical bonding of tank lower sidewall and fitting sidewalls is effected by a welding bead, provided in the annular channel established between the outflow orifice and the annular ridge element sidewalls.

4. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the first longitudinal end of the conduit means is oriented in the depending configuration and the second longitudinal end of said means is oriented in the upward direction while positioned in the tank lower wall.

5. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the inner periphery of annular ridge is substantially coincident with the periphery of the hollow core of the externally threaded, first segment.

6. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the tank orifice and an associated fitting are located at plural sites in a bottom wall of the liquids retention tank.