INTERNAL SURGE DAMPENING BAFFLES FOR FLEXIBLE TANKS AND TANKS HAVING SUCH BAFFLES
An internal baffle apparatus for use within tanks, in particular flexible tanks, for liquids for dampening surges of liquid, and tanks having such baffle apparatus, wherein the baffle apparatus comprising a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane, and each panel member having a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel includes first connector means operable for connecting the bottom edge at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion includes second connector means located remote from the axis that are operable to connect the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.
The present invention generally relates to flexible tanks for liquids, and more particularly to flexible storage tanks of the type comprised of a fluid resistant fabric material which when filled may be transported by vehicle or air carrier to a desired location and when emptied may be rolled and/or folded into a compact size for return transport and refilling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFlexible containers are used for the handling, storage and transportation of large volumes of liquids, such as water or fuel, to remote sites where such liquids are needed. These containers are commonly referred to as bladder or pillow tanks, and they are typically rectangular so that they can be efficiently loaded onto vehicles or airplanes for transportation. Examples of some prior art flexible liquid containers are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,573,508 to Knaus and 5,499,743 to Blumenkron. The containers found in Knaus and Blumenkron are relatively lightweight and compactable when not filled with a liquid as they have no frame or rigid supports. These containers are formed of a flexible fiber reinforced elastomeric material and have inlets or nozzles at the sides for filling and draining purposes.
While pillow tanks provide an efficient means of transporting large volumes of liquid, these kinds of flexible tanks have an inherent tendency to allow the free flow of liquid within them, which can lead to liquid surges as a result of the acceleration and deceleration of the liquid. It has long been recognized that free flowing liquids can be dangerous to the balance and control of vehicles. For example, the liquid weight may shift quickly and dramatically to the outside of a tank during a turn, which can upset the balance of the supporting vehicle. At best, this hinders proper vehicle control; at worst, the shifting weight can cause the vehicle to roll over.
Accordingly there is a need for a flexible tank for liquids having an apparatus by which the wave or liquid current forces may be dampened. The devices of the present invention are provided to fulfill this need as will be understood from the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe above shortcomings may be addressed by providing, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a flexible tank for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle includes a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis, and the panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane. Each panel member has a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, and the bottom edge of each panel is connected at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion further includes connector means located remote from the axis that connects the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank. The connector means may be a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop connected to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop. The top edge portion may include floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. In some embodiments, the flotation means comprises a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member. In some embodiments, the bottom edge of each panel member is connected along its entire length to the bottom wall of the tank.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a flexible container for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises a flexible rectangular first panel sheet and a flexible rectangular second panel sheet, each having a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion. The bottom edge portion of each panel is connected along its length to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion of each panel is connected to an upper part of the tank at two locations along the length of the top portion remote from each other. The first flexible panel sheet and second flexible panel sheet are connected to each other along a transverse midline in a manner that the panel sheets are able to define an X shape configuration when viewed from above. The top edge portion may include floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. In some embodiments, the panel sheets are made of a thermoplastic-coated fabric such as a heavy duty PVC-coated nylon fabric.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an internal baffle apparatus for use within a tank for liquids for dampening surges of liquid comprising a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis, and the panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane. Each panel member includes a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis. The bottom edge of each panel includes first connector means operable for connecting the bottom edge at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion includes second connector means located remote from the axis that are operable to connect the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank. Some embodiments may include floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank, and the flotation means may comprise a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member. The connector means may comprise a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop that is connectable to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop. In some embodiments, the baffle has four rectangular flexible panels that are connected along the central connection line.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention.
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The baffle panel sheets 12 and 14 are primarily constructed from a heavy-duty polymer coated fabric such as, for example, vinyl or urethane coated fabric; specifically, in some embodiments the heavy-duty polymer coated fabric may be a polyurethane coated polyester fabric. The seams during manufacture are either sewn or radio frequency (RF) welded together. However it is contemplated that other suitable material or fabrics may be used in accordance with the present invention and other suitable methods of joining the material or fabrics may be used as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art.
Each of the baffle panel sheets 12 and 14 have a bottom edge 20, remote or side edges 22 that are remote from the central weld 18, top edge portions 24 and top corner portions 23 that are defined by the top edges and side edges. A central aperture 26 is provided along the bottom edge 20 spanning the midline of the baffle panel to allow a reduced flow of liquid between sections during filling and emptying of the tank. A strap 30 made of a webbing material is sewn onto each top corner portion 23 and the free and of the strap 30 is connected to a D-ring 32. Along the top edge portion 24 is include floatation means such as floats 36, each comprising a dense foam block held within a pocket of the panel material as described below. The foam material is one that is buoyant with respect to the liquid for which the pillow tank is intended to be used. The side edges 22 include a reinforcement strip 42 which comprises a strip of the panel material at the edge folded over itself and RF welded into place. The bottom edges of the baffle panels are connected to the bottom skin 3 of the pillow tank by RF welding the bottom edges to connecter strips 40 that are themselves RF welded to the bottom skin 3 of the pillow tank. Accordingly, the bottom edges 20 are fixed on the bottom skin. Alternatively, the bottom edges 20 may be connected to the bottom skin at a plurality of connection points as opposed to along its entire length as in
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In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the bottom edges of the panels are connected to the bottom skin of the flexible tank and the top corners are connected to the upper inside portions of the tank such that the baffle apparatus is oriented so as to generally define an X shape that is aligned longitudinally with the tank, or that is preferably aligned with the principal direction in which liquid surges are expected. While in the illustrated embodiments, the bottom edges of the panel sheets are shown connected to the bottom skin of the tank along their entire length, it is also possible to have a plurality of discrete connection points along the bottom edge for securing the bottom edge to the bottom skin of the tank. In an empty flexible tank, the baffle apparatus is in a collapsed state and does not occupy any significant space given its flexible construction. As the liquid level in the tank rises during filling, the rising upper portion of the tank (such as the top skin) to which the top corners of the baffle panels are connected, pulls the top portion of the baffle apparatus upwards. This is aided by the buoyancy of the floats along the top edges of the panels which maintain the top edges at or slightly above the liquid level. While a float system is described in the illustrated embodiment, it is also possible to have multiple connection points along the length of the top edge portion of the baffle panel sheets which are connected to the top skin of the tank for maintaining the top edge portion above the fluid level in the tank, instead of the floats. However, the multiple connectors required would add complexity in the manufacture of the tanks and reduce the flexibility of the baffle apparatus.
With the bottom edges secured to the bottom skin of the tank, and the four corners secured to the top portion of the tank, the baffle apparatus has enough lateral resistance to significantly retard the movement of liquid within the tank, thereby dampening dangerous liquid surges that could impair the handling of the vehicle carrying the tank. The baffle apparatus successfully limits liquid surges regardless of the liquid level in the tank. As an example, a 3000 USG tank, filled with 1235 Imperial gallons of water and having a baffle apparatus of the present invention installed, was able to dampen the liquid surges caused by rapid deceleration in 8 seconds. Whereas in a regular tank filled with 1235 Imperial gallons but without such baffle apparatus, the liquid surges continued for approximately 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
The embodiments of the invention illustrated comprise two panel sheets secured together to define an X-shaped baffle apparatus in the operable configuration, and this configuration has been found to be very effective in dampening fluid surges in tanks of varying sizes. It is conceivable to use only one panel sheet oriented across the primary fluid surge with reasonable dampening results in some applications, or more than two panel sheets in other applications, or a plurality of individual panel members connected to each other to define a baffle apparatus having a more complex configuration. However, there will be a point of diminishing returns where the increased complexity and cost of a more complex baffle apparatus will outweigh the slight increase in fluid dampening effectiveness that such apparatus yield over that of simpler configurations.
While the above description and illustrations constitute preferred or alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A flexible tank for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises a first flexible panel sheet having a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, the bottom edge portion is connected to the bottom wall of the tank at a plurality of connection points, and the top edge portion is connected to an upper part of the tank at two or more locations along the top edge portion that are remote from each other.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel.
4. A flexible tank for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises:
- a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members are able to extend radially from the connection line such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane; and
- each panel member has a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel member is connected at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion further includes connector means located remote from the axis that connects the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the radial plane of each panel member is parallel to the axis.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the bottom edge of each panel member is connected along its entire length to the bottom wall of the tank.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the flotation means comprises a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the connector means comprises a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop connected to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of flexible panel members comprises four rectangular flexible panels that are connected along a central connection line defining said axis.
12. A flexible container for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises a flexible rectangular first panel sheet and a flexible rectangular second panel sheet, each flexible panel includes a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, wherein the bottom edge portion of each panel is connected along its length to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion of each panel is connected to an upper part of the tank at two locations along the length of the top portion remote from each other, and the first flexible panel sheet and second flexible panel sheet are connected to each other along a transverse midline in a manner that said panels sheets are able to define an X shape configuration when viewed from above.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the top edge portion includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the panel sheets are made of a polymer coated fabric.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the panel sheets are made of a polyurethane coated polyester fabric.
16. An internal baffle apparatus for use within a tank for liquids for dampening surges of liquid, the baffle apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane; and
- each panel member having a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel includes first connector means operable for connecting the bottom edge at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion includes second connector means located remote from the axis that are operable to connect the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flotation means comprises a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the connector means comprises a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop that is connectable to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the plurality of flexible panel members comprises four rectangular flexible panels that are connected along a central connection line defining said axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
Inventors: George Bartz (Delta), Carmen Feldman (Langley), Victor Yaremenko (Port Coquitlam), Richard Lumsden (Surrey)
Application Number: 12/146,995
International Classification: B65D 88/16 (20060101); B65D 90/52 (20060101);