Fiberglass Enclosures with Watertight Risers and Methods of Making and Using Same

Abstract

In one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is disclosed, which method in one embodiment may include: providing a container having an access opening; providing a channel around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and to support weight of a riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a watertight connection between an inside of the access opening and an outside of the riser.

Description

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to fiberglass enclosures with watertight accesses.

2. Description of Prior Art

Enclosures, such as fiberglass containers or tanks, are used for above-ground and underground storage of liquids, such as water, waste liquids, etc. Such containers often include one or more access openings with an access collar (typically 6 inches to 12 inches in height) to provide access to the container inside. The access openings are typically 24 inches or more in diameter. Such containers are often used underground and the access openings may be up to several feet below the surface, making such access openings inaccessible to human entry from the surface. In these and in other instances, it is desirable to install a watertight riser of sufficient height to permit access from the surface to the container interior.

Large storage tanks generally incorporate a collar on each access opening. The collar includes a top end that is generally flared inwards. A flared end is also referred to herein as a “flange.” A riser having a diameter equal to that of the collar is placed on the outside of such a flange. An epoxy or adhesive is placed in the channel created by the flange at the joint between the riser and the collar to secure the riser on top of the collar to provide a watertight connection between the riser and the collar. Such connections, however, do not always provide very reliable watertight connections. It also is often difficult to align the riser because the flared end does not provide a stable base. Also, the channel formed by the flared end is generally not wide enough to allow proper alignment of the riser on top of the collar or to accommodate variations in the riser diameter or the riser roundness.

In some sumps, the top end of the sump includes a flange that extends radially outward. A riser having the same diameter as that of the sump is placed on the sump. An adhesive is then placed in the channel created by the flange between the sump wall and the riser to secure the riser to the top of the sump and to provide a watertight connection between the sump and the riser. Some sumps include a dual-wall body that includes a Y-shaped channel on its top end. The riser is placed inside the Y-shaped channel. An adhesive is then placed on both sides of the channel to secure the riser. Structures similar to single wall sumps also have been utilized for installing manholes and/or wet wells in the field, wherein a top pipe section is joined on a bottom pipe section with an adhesive channel on the outside of the bottom pipe section.

The above-noted prior art access devices cannot accommodate a variety of commercially available risers, such as straight end risers, corrugated risers and risers with circular outer fins, ribbed-risers or risers with other protrusions. Additionally, aligning relatively large diameter risers and/or tall risers on collars often proves difficult, particularly when such risers are installed in the field.

The disclosure herein provides fiberglass structures that include watertight connections and methods of making such structures that address some of the above-noted problems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is disclosed, which method in one embodiment may include: providing a container having an access opening; providing a channel around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and to support a weight of a riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the adhesive in the channel to provide a watertight connection between the access opening and the riser.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided, which apparatus in one embodiment may include a container having an access opening, a channel around the access opening having an adhesive therein and a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the end of the riser is placed in the channel after placement of an adhesive in the channel and secured and aligned while curing the adhesive on an inside and an outside of the end of the riser, thereby forming a watertight connection between the access opening and the riser. Examples of certain features of the apparatus and method disclosed herein are summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood. There are, of course, additional features of the apparatus and method disclosed hereinafter that will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the accompanying figures in which like numerals generally refer to like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of a storage container or tank showing an access opening with an access collar;

FIG. 2A is a line diagram of a straight edge riser in an adhesive-containing channel made according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the adhesive-containing channel with a straight end of the riser secured in the channel;

FIG. 3A is a line diagram of a riser having a corrugated outer surface placed in an adhesive-containing channel made according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of the adhesive-containing channel with a corrugated end of the riser of FIG. 3A secured in the adhesive—containing channel; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view portion of a container with a straight end riser in a first channel and a riser having radial fins in a second channel.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a partial isometric view of a fiberglass storage container or tank 100 having a tank body 101 with an access opening 102. Fiberglass storage tanks, such as shown in FIG. 1, vary in diameter and may be used underground or above-ground for storage of liquids. Such tanks typically include several access openings, such as access opening 102, to provide access to the tank's interior. A fiberglass access collar (or collar), such as collar 104, is typically installed on each such access opening. The access collar 104 typically includes a vertical wall or collar section 106 with a top angled-portion (or flange) 108 that slopes inwards. A compliant riser (not shown—a tubular section having the same diameter as that of the collar 102) is placed on the collar 104. The gap or channel formed between the sloped top section 108 of the collar 104 and the riser is filled with an adhesive to attach the riser to the collar 102 and to provide a watertight connection between the riser and the collar 102. The riser is usually installed in the field, but may be installed in the factory. The risers may be several feet (typically 3-10 feet) tall and vary in diameter from 2 to 4 feet. The risers are made to fit snugly on the outside of the top-sloped section 108 of the collar 104. In some cases, the seal formed by adhesive in such channels breaks down over time, compromising the watertight connection. The inner and outer diameters of collars, such as collars 102, often vary from collar to collar. The bottom end of such risers also is often uneven. Aligning such risers on such collars has proven to be difficult in the field. The process of placing the adhesive after placing the riser on the top of the collar sometimes fails to completely fill all the open spaces and gaps between the riser and the collar, resulting in weak and/or unaligned connections between the collar and the riser. Risers can include: straight-end risers; risers with radial fins on their outer surfaces; risers with corrugated outer surfaces; risers with ribs; and risers with other forms of protrusions. The channel formed between flared end of the collar 102 and the riser is not wide enough to accommodate the various riser shapes and sizes.

FIG. 2A is a line diagram of a portion of a watertight enclosure 200 that includes a container (tank) 201 with an access collar (or collar) 204 around an access opening 203 on a container body 202, made according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The tank 201 is shown to include support ribs 206. The collar 204 includes an adhesive-containing channel (or trough or channel) 210 around the outer upper edge of the collar 204. The channel 210 may be formed integral with the collar 204 or attached to the collar 204 after it has been fabricated. In another configuration, the channel may be placed along the inside of the collar 204. FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the channel 210. In one configuration, the channel 210 may include an inner lip or side 214 that may be a part of the vertical section of the collar 204 or it may be separate member. The channel 210 includes an outer lip or side 212 and a bottom 216. Sides 212 and 214 along with the bottom 216 form channel 210. The bottom 216 of the channel 210 may be at any suitable angle 217 to the sides of the channel 210 or to the collar 204.

FIGS. 2A and 2B further show a straight-edge riser 230 fixedly installed in the channel 210 on top of the collar 204. To install the riser 230 on the collar 204, a suitable adhesive 220 is placed in the channel 210. A lower end 232 of the riser 230 is then placed inside the channel 210. In one aspect, the inside diameter 234 of the riser 230 is greater than the outside diameter of the inner lip 214 of the channel 210 and less than the inside diameter of the outer lip 212. Such a construction provides adhesive layer on both sides of the end 232 in the channel 210. After placing the riser 230 in adhesive-filled channel 210, the riser 230 is aligned and held in position. The adhesive 220 then cured over a time period, thereby providing a secured watertight connection between the riser 210 and the collar 204. A watertight lid 250 may then be placed on top end 238 of the riser to provide a watertight entrance to the access opening 203. In one aspect, the channel 210 is configured (thickness of the lips and inside dimensions of the channel) so that all or substantially all of the weight of the riser 230 is transferred to the channel 210, which weight is then transferred to the riser 204 and the tank body 202. In other aspects, the channel may be attached along the inside of the collar 204. The process to install a riser (not shown) to a channel inside the collar is the same as described in reference to the outside of the channel 210. Referring back to FIG. 2A, in another configuration, the lower end 232 of the riser 230 may be dimensioned so as to provide a snug fit between the riser 230 and the inside lip 214 of the channel 210. In the case in which the adhesive channel is inside the collar, the riser may be dimensioned to provide a snug fit between the riser and the inside lip of the channel.

FIG. 3A shows a watertight enclosure 300 that includes a container or tank 301 having a body 302 with a collar 304 having an adhesive channel 310. The riser 330 includes corrugations 335 on the outside of the riser 330. The riser 330 is placed, aligned and secured in the channel 310 in the manner described in reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The dimensions (lips, width and depth) of the channel 310 are sufficiently large to accommodate a corrugation 332 at the bottom of the riser 330. The riser 330 is shown to provide a snug fit with the collar 304 with the adhesive 340 on the outer side 334 and the bottom side 336 of the corrugation 332. The riser also may be dimensioned so as to provide the adhesive on both the inside and outside of the riser 330 in the channel 310. A watertight cover or lid 350 may be placed on the riser 330 to seal the interior 303 of the container 301 from the outside environment to provide the watertight enclosure 300.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an exemplary airtight enclosure 400 having a container or tank 401 with a riser 410 having a radial fin 414 in a first adhesive-containing channel 420 and a straight end riser 440 in a second adhesive-containing channel 450. Views 430 and 460 respectively show exploded views of channels 420 and 450. The riser 410 is shown to include a number of radial fins 412. The riser 410 may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic and polyurethane materials. In one aspect, the riser 410 is configured so that a fin, such as fin 414, will fit inside the channel 420. To install the riser 410 in the channel 420, a suitable adhesive 422 is placed in the channel 420. The end with the fin 414 is then placed inside the channel 420 so that the adhesive 422 surrounds the fin 414. The riser 410 is then aligned and held in position. The adhesive 422 is then allowed to cure. The riser 410 seals with the access collar 404, with the fin 414 securely placed in the channel 420. The straight-edge riser 440 is placed in the channel 450 in the manner described in reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. A lid 470 is attached to the top of the riser 440 to provide the watertight enclosure 400. It should be noted that the adhesive-containing channels described herein may be used in other fiberglass enclosures or applications where a watertight connection between to members is desired, including, but not limited, to the tanks, sumps and serially-connected fiberglass pipe sections.

Although, the disclosure is provided in reference to certain exemplary riser types for ease of explanation, the channel according to this disclosure may be made to accommodate any type of riser, including, but not limited to, straight edges, corrugated surfaces, ribs, fins, and other types of protrusions. Further, the risers and/or collars may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, fiberglass, plastic, polyurethane, any composite material, a combination of metal and non-metal material. Also, the channel may be made inside, outside or on both sides of the collar or the opening. Also, the channels in the figures are shown vertically placed. The channel may be configured inclined or horizontal depending upon the desired application. In another aspect, the channel may be at least one inch wide and at least one inch deep. In another aspect, the channel is about 2 inches wide and about one and a half inch deep.

Thus, in one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is disclosed, which method in one embodiment includes the features of: providing a container having an access opening; providing a channel around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and to support weight of a riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a watertight connection between an inside of the access opening and the riser. In another aspect, the method may further include the feature of placing a watertight cover on an open end of the riser to provide a watertight access to the container.

In aspects, the riser may be: a straight-end riser; a riser having radial ribs around the riser body; or a riser having a corrugated surface. In one aspect, the channel is dimensioned (width, depth and wall thickness) to accommodate a variety of types and sizes of risers and to support the weight of such risers and the equipment placed on the installed riser. In one aspect, the container includes a collar and the channel is formed on a top end of the collar. In another aspect, the channel is configured to transfer the weight of the riser and any equipment placed therein onto the collar and then to the container. In another aspect, the method may include the feature of causing the adhesive to be placed on both sides of the riser portion inside the channel. The channel may be placed on an inside or outside the collar. In one aspect, placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the adhesive with the aligned riser in the channel to provide a watertight connection between an inside of the opening and the aligned riser are performed at a field location or a factory.

In another aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, which apparatus in one embodiment includes a container having an access opening; a channel around the access opening having an adhesive therein; a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the end of the riser is placed in the channel after placement of an adhesive in the channel and secured and aligned while curing the adhesive on an inside and an outside of the end of the riser, thereby forming a watertight connection between the access opening and the riser. In one aspect, the access opening includes a collar and the channel is on an outside surface of the collar. In another aspect, the channel is on an inside surface of the collar. In one configuration, the channel includes a base or bottom section with an inner lip and an outer lip. In one aspect, the channel transfers substantially all the weight of the riser to the collar. The riser may be any type of riser, including a straight end, a riser with radial fins around the riser surface, a riser with a corrugated surface; a riser having selected protrusions from the riser surface; or a riser with another type surface suitable for a particular application. In one aspect the channel dimensions are selected to accommodate a variety of types riser types and shapes, including those that meet the ASTM (American Society of Testing Materials) standards. In one aspect, the end placed in the channel includes a protrusion around at least on a part of the riser.

The foregoing disclosure is directed to certain specific embodiments and method for ease of explanation. Various changes and modifications to such embodiments, however, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such changes and modifications are considered to be a part of this disclosure and within the scope of any appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of providing an enclosure, comprising:

providing a container having an access opening;

providing a channel around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and an end of a riser;

placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel;

placing an end of the riser in the channel;

aligning the riser in the channel; and

curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a watertight connection between the access opening and the aligned riser.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the selected amount of adhesive in the channel comprises placing the adhesive as one of: before placing the riser in the channel; after placing the riser in the channel; and partially before and partially after placing the riser in the channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the riser is made from at least one of:

fiberglass; plastic; polyurethane; a composite material; a combination of a metallic and non-metallic material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the riser in the channel includes one of: a straight edge; a corrugation; a rib; a fin; and a selected protrusion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the riser in the channel has gaps between at least two sides of the channel and wherein the method further comprises causing the adhesive to fill such gaps before curing the adhesive in the channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening includes a collar and the channel is placed on one of: an outer surface of the collar; an inner surface of the collar; and on both an inside surface and an outside surface of the collar.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel;

placing an end of the riser in the channel;

aligning the riser in the channel; and

causing the adhesive to fill substantially all open spaces between the riser and the channel and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a watertight connection between the access opening and the aligned riser are performed at a field location.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the channel is dimensioned to transfer substantial

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel is dimensioned to accommodate risers having corrugations, ribs and fins of at least 1 inch wide.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a container having an access opening;

a channel around the access opening having an adhesive therein; and

a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the end of the riser is placed in the adhesive in the channel and the riser is aligned while curing the adhesive on an inside and an outside of the end of the riser, thereby forming a watertight connection between the access opening and the riser.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the access opening includes a collar and the channel is affixed on one of: outside of the collar; inside of the collar; and on both inside and outside the riser.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the channel includes a base, an inner lip and an outer lip and wherein the channel transfers substantially all the weight of the riser to the collar.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adhesive surrounds the end of the riser in the channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the riser is made from at least one of: fiberglass; plastic; polyurethane; a composite material; a combination of a metallic and non-metallic material.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the end of the riser in the channel includes one of: a straight edge; a corrugation; a rib; a fin; and a selected protrusion.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the riser is placed, secured and aligned in the field.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the container is one of: a manhole; a container for storage of liquid underground; a container for storage of liquid above ground; a sump; and a tubular structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the channel is dimensioned to accommodate risers having corrugations, ribs and fins, at least 1 inch wide.