Mechanical Means Urges Gasket Towards Receptacle Patents (Class 220/224)
  • Patent number: 11591157
    Abstract: A floating roof system with lightning protection includes a storage tank and a floating roof disposed inside the storage tank. A shoe seal is installed in sealing contact with an inner side wall surface of the storage tank. A primary seal extends between a rim of the floating roof and the shoe seal. A secondary seal extends over the primary seal and has an end in sealing contact with the inner side wall surface of the storage tank. Several shunts are distributed along a perimeter of the floating roof. The shunts extend over the primary seal and under the secondary seal. The shunts are attached to the primary seal and shoe seal by connections distributed along the shoe seal. The shunts are also attached to the primary seal, the secondary seal, and the rim of the floating roof by connections distributed along the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Basel A. Ishwait, Rami M. O. Dabbousi, Abdulwahab H. Alabdulwahab
  • Patent number: 9828868
    Abstract: A seal segment includes a flapper seal, a wire mesh acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, and a spring. The flapper seal has a first surface and a second surface. The wire mesh includes a first section connected to the first surface of the flapper seal and a second section connected to the first section. The spring includes a first end that is in contact with the first section of the wire mesh to apply pressure to the first surface of the flapper seal and a second end adjacent the second section of the wire mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Witt C. Guinn, Shawn M. McMahon
  • Patent number: 9093834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protection of floating roof tanks from the effects of lightning. In prior floating roof tanks, even if the floating roof is electrically connected to the tank wall shell at a number of locations by shunts and additionally with by-pass conductors above or below the liquid level, this may not prevent streamer discharges in gaps subject to induced potentials due to the penetrating electromagnetic waves and thus fires remain a real possibility. The present invention solves this problem by providing a lightning protection apparatus including an electrode; and a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a first end electrically bonded to the electrode and a second opposite terminal end electrically bonded to an outer side wall of the floating roof tank. The conductors emanate radially from the electrode and are spaced from each other so as to provide electromagnetic shielding to the floating roof tank from electromagnetic waves caused by a lighting strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventors: Farouk A. M. Rizk, Amr Rizk
  • Patent number: 9045279
    Abstract: Floating roof storage vessels including a vapor emission reduction system designed to be inserted into deck leg apertures, when the legs have been removed during hydrocarbon storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Kinder Morgan Operating LP C
    Inventor: Wayne Eggemeyer
  • Patent number: 8727161
    Abstract: A rim seal system between the outer periphery of an internal floating roof and the bulk liquid tank wall including a laterally deployed first resilient or flexible seal member and a second laterally deployed rigid seal member interposed between the distal end of the first seal member and the tank wall where the rigid seal member provides protection from abrasion of the resilient or flexible seal member by frictional contact with the tank wall. An outwardly expanding hanger assembly mounted above the seal system maintains the rigid seal member in contact with the tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: David Jon Rosenkrantz
  • Publication number: 20140091091
    Abstract: A rim seal system between the outer periphery of an internal floating roof and the bulk liquid tank wall including a laterally deployed first resilient or flexible seal member and a second laterally deployed rigid seal member interposed between the distal end of the first seal member and the tank wall where the rigid seal member provides protection from abrasion of the resilient or flexible seal member by frictional contact with the tank wall. An outwardly expanding hanger assembly mounted above the seal system maintains the rigid seal member in contact with the tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: David Jon Rosenkrantz
  • Patent number: 7748555
    Abstract: A low-profile secondary seal for floating-roof storage tanks has a tip seal that is mounted on a series of segmental adapter plates connected to the shoe plates. A fabric extends between the tip seal and the floating roof. A spring presses the tip seal against the tank shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: John E. Owens, Terry A. Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20090266817
    Abstract: A fugitive emissions abatement system for use a storage tank 4 with a floating roof assembly 10 comprises a roof structure 12, a first peripheral seal 70 slidably engaging an interior surface 4A of the tank 4 to form an annular gas chamber 60 intermediate the first peripheral seal 70 and the liquid level 50 within the tank 4, and an aperture 78 in the first peripheral seal 70 coupled to the first end 82 of a fluid conduit 80. The second end 81 of the fluid conduit 80 may be coupled to the inlet of a gas mover 88 so that operation of the gas mover 88 draws gas from the annular gas chamber 60 through the fluid conduit 80 so that it can be delivered to a processing apparatus that may include, but is not limited to, a compressor, a vessel, a heat exchanger and/or an incinerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Henry T. Hilliard, JR., George Lee Morovich
  • Patent number: 7124906
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a floating roof tank from the effects of a lightning strike are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises an electrically conductive bonding strap in electrical communication with an inner tank wall and the floating roof located below liquid level, the bonding strap being of a length to minimize its self inductance, so as to provide a preferred electrically efficient path for conduction of lightning stroke current through an oxygen deficient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Hamer, William J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7073530
    Abstract: A method for emptying a liquid storage tank that has a floating roof which becomes stationery a finite distance above the tank bottom, wherein, after the roof becomes stationery, liquid is continued to be withdrawn from inside the tank while vapor is removed from within the tank in a contained manner and an inert gas is introduced into the tank for pressure maintenance purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Mark A. Pyle, Randell L. Dodd
  • Patent number: 7044322
    Abstract: A low-profile secondary seal for floating-roof storage tanks has a tip seal that includes a series of segmental adapter plates connected to the shoe plates. A tip seal element is mounted on the adapter plates. A fabric extends between the tip seal and the floating roof. A pusher is hinged to the floating roof, and includes a pusher bar with two ends that are disposed in a sliding arrangement against the adapter plates. A spring is connected to the pusher at an inclined angle, providing a mechanical advantage as the spring biases the pusher and pusher bar outwardly against the plates, pressing the tip seal against the tank shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: John E. Owens, Roger J. Orner, Terry A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7043049
    Abstract: A method to monitor the quality of distributed multimedia content over a network is disclosed. A digital watermark is embedded into the multimedia content. Various monitoring clients are disbursed over the network. The monitoring clients receive the multimedia content and examine the digital watermark. Statistical information relating to the degradation of the content is then gathered by an analysis of the watermark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Kuzma
  • Publication number: 20040112897
    Abstract: A low-profile secondary seal for floating-roof storage tanks has a tip seal that includes a series of segmental adapter plates connected to the shoe plates. A tip seal element is mounted on the adapter plates. A fabric extends between the tip seal and the floating roof. A pusher is hinged to the floating roof, and includes a pusher bar with two ends that are disposed in a sliding arrangement against the adapter plates. A spring is connected to the pusher at an inclined angle, providing a mechanical advantage as the spring biases the pusher and pusher bar outwardly against the plates, pressing the tip seal against the tank shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: John E. Owens, Roger J. Orner, Terry A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6354488
    Abstract: A low profile secondary seal has a tube positioned above a primary seal that utilizes a shoe plate. The tube is connected to the floating roof. A tip seal adjacent the shell of the tank is connected to the shoe plate by a spacer. In use, the tube bears on the spacer with sufficient force to maintain the tip seal in sealing engagement against the shell of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Terry A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6247607
    Abstract: A low profile secondary seal for sealing the space between the inner wall of a tank and a roof floating on a liquid product within the tank is of relatively simple, lightweight construction and of low profile so as to maximize the possible height of the floating roof within the tank. The seal includes a plurality of resilient support plates mounted in spaced-apart relation along the edge of the floating roof at first ends thereof and extending outwardly to opposite second ends thereof which are coupled to an elongated wiper assembly. The support plates are made of resilient material such as full hard stainless steel which maintains a desired shape in resilient fashion, so as to continuously resiliently bias the wiper assembly against the inner wall of the tank. The second ends of the support plates are pivotably coupled to the wiper assembly. Angled skid plates coupled to the wiper assembly engage the inner wall of the tank to facilitate movement of the wiper assembly thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: HMT Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. King
  • Patent number: 6164479
    Abstract: A floating roof storage tank which includes a peripheral sealing ring of shoes distributed around the periphery of an internal floating roof within a storage tank. Spring loaded or otherwise resilient members with essentially level horizontal travel (without vertical travel) attached to the deck of the internal floating roof keep the peripheral sealing ring of shoes pressed against the tank wall and also keep the internal floating roof centered within the tank. The space between the peripheral sealing ring of shoes and the internal floating roof is covered by a flexible material that prevents product loss. Jamming of the resilient members between the tank shell and the relatively flexible rim of the internal floating roof is reduced or eliminated due to the level horizontal travel of the hanger-pushers and their horizontal mounting to the top of the deck. Vertical movement of the individual shoe segments over each other is also reduced or eliminated due to the level horizontal travel of the resilient members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ultra Flota Corp.
    Inventor: Ronald Carl Kern
  • Patent number: 5927534
    Abstract: A seal for sealing the space between the inner wall of a tank and a roof floating on a liquid product within the tank includes a plurality of partially overlapping barrier plates mounted along a rim of the floating roof so as to extend outwardly along a first portion of each plate and then downwardly along a second portion of each plate which is relatively flat and which forms a seal against the inner wall of the tank. A plurality of resilient tension springs, mounted in spaced-apart relation along the rim of the floating roof, extend outwardly and bias the seals formed by the second portions of the plates against the inner tank wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: HMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. King, Russell D. Curtiss, John R. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 5829621
    Abstract: A guide pole fitting seal for use on floating roof tanks that incorporates a well gasket, pole sleeve, pole wiper, float and float wiper that may be used with guide poles to control emissions from the guide pole fitting. The guide pole seal may permit the product level in the tank to be measured and sampled from inside of the guide pole by removing the float during these operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: Royce Jay Laverman, John Edward Owens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5667091
    Abstract: A sealing system for a cylindrical liquid floating roof storage tank includes a primary seal and a secondary seal mounted on a rim extending upwardly from a floating roof. The system for mounting the seals to the floating roof includes a bolt, a retainer for securing the primary seal to the rim, and a nut for securing the secondary seal to the rim, wherein installation or removal or the secondary seal does not compromise the primary seal connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: Arthur W. Slaber, Jr., Terry A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 5576937
    Abstract: A connector for protecting an IC comprising a connector body, a closed plate, and an annular air-tight sealing material. An air-tight chamber is formed centrally of the annular air-tight sealing material by compressing the annular air-tight sealing material between the connector main body and the closed plate. The IC is received in the air-tight chamber so as to be electrically contacted with the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kubo
  • Patent number: 5560509
    Abstract: A guide pole fitting seal for use on floating roof tanks that incorporates a well gasket, pole sleeve, pole wiper, float and float wiper that may be used with guide poles to control emissions from the guide pole fitting. The guide pole seal may permit the product level in the tank to be measured and sampled from inside of the guide pole by removing the float during these operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: Royce J. Laverman, John E. Owens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5529200
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring seal for between a floating roof and a side wall in a liquid and vapor storage tank. The ring seal includes a number of overlapping shoe plates hung from the floating roof by pantagraph hanger assemblies. The pantagraph hanger assemblies urge the shoe plates against the side wall and a gap seal prevents tank vapor loss along a lap joint between adjoining shoe plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: James H. Ford, Robert G. Kruger, William N. Cherniwchan
  • Patent number: 5515989
    Abstract: The space saving double seal uses a lower shoe, an upper shoe and a pair of vapor barriers joining them to a conventional outer rim plate on a floating roof. The secondary vapor barrier extends from the outer rim plate to the top of the upper shoe. A pair of pusher springs maintain the shoes against the tank's inner wall. The invention provides for liquid storage to the full height which the floating roof allows. Additionally an improved primary and/or secondary shoe leaf spring and pusher brace combination improves the seal between the shoe and the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Tanco Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack G. Petrie, John R. Mulkey
  • Patent number: 5372270
    Abstract: A shoe seal for effecting a vapor barrier between a lightweight internal floating roof and a tank wall of a tank includes a plurality of shoe sections; a plurality of hanger brackets connected to perimeter sections of the lightweight internal floating roof; a plurality of braces connected to corresponding hanger brackets and the floating roof for supporting the hanger brackets; a plurality of pivoting support arms pivotally connected to corresponding hanger brackets and to corresponding upper portions of the shoe sections; a plurality of biasing members connected to the internal floating roof and to lower portions of the shoe sections; and a vapor barrier fabric connected between the shoe sections and the floating roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Allentech, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Rosenkrantz
  • Patent number: 5351848
    Abstract: A device for sealing the rim space between a floating cover, movably disposed within a storage tank, and the inner wall of the storage tank. The device includes a peripheral sealing ring formed of a plurality of overlapped shoe segments, each segment having a first and second opposed edge to overlap with adjacent segments. Countersunk apertures are provided in each shoe segment, one aperture near the first edge. A fastener extends through each aperture so that a head of the fastener will reside within a recess formed by the countersunk aperture. At least one movable rod extends past the first edge. A clip for each fastener has a space for slidably receiving the rod, each second side free to slidably overlap the first side and the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Matrix Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Wagoner
  • Patent number: 5284269
    Abstract: The space saving double seal uses a lower shoe, an upper shoe and a pair of vapor barriers joining them to a conventional outer rim plate on a floating roof. The secondary vapor barrier extends from the outer rim plate to the top of the upper shoe. A pair of pusher springs maintain the shoes against the tank's inner wall. The invention provides for liquid storage to the full height which the floating roof allows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventors: Jack G. Petrie, John R. Mulkey
  • Patent number: 5230436
    Abstract: A tank for storing liquids, particularly of the vaporized type. A floating roof on the tank includes a peripheral seal which slideably engages the tank inner wall to maintain a degree of sealing as the roof adjusts in response to variations in the liquid level. A plurality of sleeves to depend downwardly from the roof underside to support the latter when the tank has been emptied and is no longer supported on contained liquid. A column is slidably received in each sleeve and is adjustable to limit downward movement of the roof when in the non-supported mode to facilitate the cleaning of the tank interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: L. Gene Vaughn
  • Patent number: 5137167
    Abstract: A closure (38) for an annular clearance (36) between a floating tank roof (20) and a generally cylindrical tank (10) including the method of installation is provided. The closure (38) includes a plurality of arcuate shoes (40) mounted about the inner circumference of the tank (10) with variable length hanger rods (74, 75) connecting the shoes (40) for movement with the floating roof (20). A connecting expansion joint (84) connects spaced sides (42) of adjacent arcuate shoes (40) and includes a removable unit (95) of flexible material (100) which may be easily inserted and removed manually from the upper ends of retainer brackets (86) secured to the arcuate shoes (40) in a minimum of time while the tank (10) is in service. The expansion joints (84) may be easily disassembled for repair or maintenance of shoes (40) and associated components by removal of a cover (106) and removable connecting units (95).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Kurt E. Ploeger
  • Patent number: 5103992
    Abstract: A shoe seal for sealing the space between a floating roof and the inner wall of an oil storage tank includes a plurality of scissors hanger assemblies for movably mounting a shoe on the floating roof. Each scissors hanger assembly includes an elongated plate suspended from a shoe clip bolted to the shoe and pivotally coupled to an opposite pair of elongated bars suspended from a rim clip bolted to the outer rim of the floating roof. In a first embodiment, the shoe is resiliently biased into contact with the inner tank wall by pusher bars bolted to the shoe and having resilient legs extending into contact with the floating roof, and pusher plates bolted to the roof and having a resilient leg extending into contact with the shoe. In a second embodiment, only the pusher bars are used and they are mounted on the rim clips bolted to the floating roof so that the opposite resilient legs thereof extend into contact with the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: HMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Lippiello, David W. Otto
  • Patent number: 5078293
    Abstract: A shoe seal for sealing the space between a pontoon supported lightweight floating roof and the inner wall of an oil storage tank includes a plurality of hanger assemblies for movably mounting a shoe on the floating roof. The hanger assemblies are mounted in spaced-apart fashion around the outer rim of the floating roof, and each includes a support bracket coupled to the floating roof at an upper end thereof and having an opposite lower end pivotally coupled to a lever bracket. Each lever bracket has a first end pivotally coupled to the shoe by a shoe clip and an opposite second end disposed beneath the outer rim of the floating roof and having a float coupled thereto by a support strap. The floats which comprise hollow, enclosed, generally cylindrical members are disposed in spaced-apart fashion beneath the outer rim of the floating roof at a level below the pontoons which support the roof so as to be completely submerged within the oil or other liquid product stored within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: HMT, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Lippiello
  • Patent number: 5036995
    Abstract: A rim space sealing device comprising a peripheral sealing ring of over-lapped shoe segments attached to a floating cover within a storage tank. Spring loaded hanger-pushers and horizontal springs keep the peripheral sealing ring of shoe segments pressed against the tank wall and also keep the floating cover centered within the tank. The space between the peripheral sealing ring of shoe segments and the floating cover is covered by a flexible fabric that prevents product loss. Vertical movement of the individual shoe segments over each other is prevented by a series of circumferentially arranged rods. The over-lap of the shoe segments is restricted by a series of bars forming expansion-contraction spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: 501 Matrix Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Wagoner
  • Patent number: 4826013
    Abstract: A stackable refuse container having removable dividers that can be removed for hauling and then locked in position at the pick up site to provide a multiple compartment refuse container and a method of hauling multiple stackable refuse containers using a trailer and conventional hooklift refuse hauling truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Multitek, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale W. Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 4811859
    Abstract: A sealing system for a liquid storage tank having a pontoon roof or cover floating on the liquid product contained within the storage tank. A stepped metallic shoe is constructed to maintain contact with the inner wall of the liquid storage tank which, in cooperation with a vapor impermeable fabric skirt, functions as a primary seal. A secondary seal, having an "E"-shaped cross section functions to maintain vapor integrity. The structure of these two seals is especially suitable for, respectively, sealing horizontally and vertically disposed rivet seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Mark D. Kinghorn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4705168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drawer divider system for dividing a drawer in a tool chest or the like into a plurality of compartments. The divider elements comprise one-piece plastic strips having integrally formed resilient arms at both ends for engaging the opposed sidewalls of the drawer. The divider is provided with a plurality of upwardly facing recesses in the form of inverted sawteeth along its length so that the recesses of adjacently positioned dividers may support articles therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Southern Case, Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Ward
  • Patent number: 4702402
    Abstract: A product coupon container attachable to a shopping cart across the rear upper edge bar of the basket and the upper bar of the infant seat in the open position including two boxes, each with lids and a horizontal member extending downwardly from each lengthwise edge of each box with a hole proximate to one end opening downwardly and to the side of the horizontal member together with a plurality of holes at the end of each member such that when two of the containers are slideably interconnected, the combination spans the distance between the two bars and the holes engage in the bars at the top of the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Inventor: Vincent J. Ferri
  • Patent number: 4648527
    Abstract: A compressor unit for a file unit, wherein there is provided a compressor body which has a substantially vertical plate part which extends partially across the file unit and is positionable adjacent the rear of a row of documents. The compressor body mounts thereon a brake plate which is slidably accommodated within a confined channel which extends longitudinally along a wall of the file unit. A pressure plate is slidably mounted on the compressor body and has a foot portion which overlies the brake plate so that braking flanges as associated with the fixed channel are interposed therebetween. A manually-releasable compression linkage is movably mounted on the compressor body and has wedging surfaces which cooperate with the pressure plate for causing the pressure plate and brake plate to be moved toward one another to frictionally grip the braking flanges therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis M. Chatterson
  • Patent number: 4648968
    Abstract: A collecting and treating tank which holds liquid and in which a vertically movable cover floats on the liquid or on a gas layer above the liquid, comprising a tank having a vertical cylindrical circular wall, a bottom at and joined to the wall, and a circular cover which fits loosely inside the circular wall so that it is vertically displaceable with change in liquid and/or gas volume beneath the cover; and a plurality of cover guides, spaced radially around the cover edge, which are adapted to maintain the cover periphery spaced from the tank wall; said cover guides being faced with a solid polymeric layer which is slippery and has a low coefficient of friction so that the cover is readily displaceable vertically solely with change in volume of liquid, gas or both beneath the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Cutler
  • Patent number: 4615458
    Abstract: A vertical cylindrical liquid storage tank having a circular floating roof therein and a seal from the roof to the tank wall for preventing escape of vapor from stored liquid. The seal has metal flexible sections, which can be laterally bent, extending from the roof edge to the tank wall, with an elastomeric tip on the sections. Gaskets can fill in gaps or space between the sections to prevent escape of vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventors: Robert B. Grove, Steven W. Peters, Martin L. Tellalian
  • Patent number: 4545484
    Abstract: The filing case is particularly suitable for filing diskettes and has a plurality of divider plates spaced one behind the other, provided with projecting labelling tabs and, together with parts of the case bottom and sidewalls, bounding a filing compartment. Each divider plate has two mutually resilient legs, the free ends of which can be inserted in slots in the case bottom, the slots associated with the legs of an individual divider being disposed in a straight line. In order particularly to save on material, the divider plates are disposed in even numbers, are formed identically to one another, and are narrower than the distance between two sidewalls by at least approximately the width of a labelling tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Biella-Neher AG.
    Inventor: Benedikt Rohner
  • Patent number: 4540104
    Abstract: A floating roof-type oil-tank sealing device wherein an inclined connector extends between an upper portion of a seal shoe and the lower portion of outer rim of a floating pontoon, and in such a state that each end of the inclined connector is pivotally supported by means of an inserted pin. A compression spring applies pressure to the inclined connector, thereby causing the seal shoe to slidably contact the peripheral tank wall. A seal member is provided between the outer rim of the pontoon and seal shoe in contact with the level of a stored oil. One end of a weather hood is fixed to the upper portion of the seal shoe, and the other end of the weather hood is made to slide along the surface of an inclined guide provided at the edge of the upper plate of the pontoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Kawai, Minoru Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 4524878
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a large tank having a generally vertical tank wall and a movable floating cover for sealing an annular gap therebetween to include an annular sealing element adapted to be pressed against the tank wall in sliding sealing engagement therewith and a plurality of spring elements fastened between the floating cover and the annular seal to apply a spring tension tending to press the annular seal against the wall, with a sealing blanket being provided which extends completely around the annular gap between the outer sealing element and the floating cover. The spring elements are composed of U-shaped spring stirrups fastened with a web end at the outer border of the floating cover and including a free spring web with whose end the outer sealing element is rigidly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Ingenieurburo Imhof GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Imhof
  • Patent number: 4493430
    Abstract: A resilient seal located in and spanning the vapor space between a tank wall and a floating roof wall with the seal including a vapor resistant flexible strip of material having parallel longitudinal edges attached to the roof defining a horizontal pouch extending around the roof periphery and a horizontal coil spring located in the pouch for the length of the vapor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Swan K. Sie
  • Patent number: 4457446
    Abstract: In a liquid storage tank having a floating roof with a circular rim, a substantially ring-like vertical cylindrical shoe adapted to slide along the inside wall surface of the tank outwardly from the roof rim, a primary flexible seal extending from the roof rim to the shoe, and with the shoe containing a plurality of vertically positioned spaced apart flexures in the form of an open ended trough which terminates below the shoe top edge and with a longitudinal opening substantially flat against the tank wall, the improvement comprising a flexure closure of resilient polymeric material with a lower body portion inside the open top end of a substantial number of the flexure troughs, with the lower body portion being in contact with the trough; and with the flexure closure having a thin flat upper portion placed by the shoe inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bruening
  • Patent number: 4437577
    Abstract: A double secondary seal for a floating roof type of liquid storage tank is disclosed. The secondary seal includes generally a weather shield of edge overlapping steel panels which extends upwardly and outwardly from the peripheral edge of the floating roof. The panels terminate upwardly in flexible wipers which are normally biased into sealing contact with the tank sidewall. A flexible vapor barrier underlies the steel panels to prevent the escape of vapors therethrough and defines a peripheral log space below the panels. A resilient foam log is positioned within the log space to provide a reserve seal. The dimensions of the foam log are designed to maintain the foam log away from contact with the tank sidewall when the wipers are in contact with the sidewall and assure sealing engagement of the foam log and the sidewall whenever the tank is filled sufficiently to raise the wipers above the top of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Inventors: James F. Myers, Lloyd C. Thoemke
  • Patent number: 4397399
    Abstract: A sealing assembly comprising a flexible shield having one end rigidly connected to an upper rim portion of a floating roof movably disposed within a storage tank and having the opposite end thereof extending upwardly and outwardly toward the inner periphery of the tank, a flexible wiper blade connected to the outwardly extending end of the shield for engaging the inner surface of the tank wall, the combined shield and wiper blade being of a length greater than the average width of the rim space for assuring an efficient sealing engagement of the wiper blade with the inner periphery of the tank wall even during lateral movement of the floating roof within the tank, and a yieldable film or sheet interposed between the shield and the rim of the roof for assuring an efficient seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Tank Services, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert B. Wagoner
  • Patent number: 4371090
    Abstract: A floating roof storage tank having an upstanding tank shell for containing liquid to be stored and having therein a floating roof floating on the surface of the stored liquid, a primary seal interconnecting the floating roof and the tank shell, and an annular secondary seal extending between the floating roof and the tank shell providing a gas tight seal and weather shield for the primary seal, sealant is used at the inner end of the secondary seal mounted to the floating tank to ensure the gas tight connection thereat, and a tapered and rounded flexible free or outer end of the secondary seal ensures that irregularities in the tank shell do not permit vapors to escape; support structures maintain the secondary seal in its desired configuration and a variety of structures are disclosed for maintaining adjacent arcuate sections of the secondary seal in fixed and sealed relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: GATX Tank Erection Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard C. Ogarek, Milton W. Heisterberg
  • Patent number: 4353477
    Abstract: In a liquid storage tank having a floating roof, a plurality of shoes adapted to slidably contact the inner side wall of the tank, and means supported by the roof for pressing the shoes against the inner side wall, and a fabric vapor barrier extending from the roof to the shoes, the improvement comprising: an elastomeric strip, impermeable to vapor, in the form of an annulus connected at its bottom edge portion by an essentially vapor tight joint to the top circumference of the roof and with its top edge portion in movable sealing contact with the tank inner side wall above the top of the shoes, said strip being arced upwardly from the roof and movably supported intermediate its bottom and top edges by support means, mounted on the upper portion of the shoes, in contact with the lower surface of the elastomeric strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bruening
  • Patent number: 4353478
    Abstract: In a storage tank for liquids, such as petroleum liquids and the like of the type having a generally upstanding cylindrical tank wall and disposed within the wall a generally circular roof therefor adapted to float upon the contents of the tank in vertically movable relation according to a variation in the volume of such contents so as to define a clearance space being defined between the inner wall surface and the outer peripheral rim of said floating roof, an improved vapor seal for said clearance space comprising an elongated resilient pad extending circularly around the inner face of the tank wall with its long axis in generally upstanding relation to the tank top and its outer face at least partially in contact with the wall, such pad having an exterior surface constituted of durable material resistant to attack by the liquid being stored and being supported by a plurality of supports arranged at spaced points around said roof rim, each such support having a base section affixed to the roof rim, a substa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: William F. Clark
  • Patent number: 4341323
    Abstract: An improved bracket assembly for a floating roof tank comprises a primary seal element and an auxiliary seal element placed above the primary seal element. A spring-tensioned rolling element, such as a wheel, is placed above the auxiliary sealing element in spaced relationship thereto. The rolling element is inclined with respect to the vertical wall of the tank at an angle of 10 to 60 degrees, thereby assuring a continuous and constant contact of the rolling element and of the auxiliary sealing element with the inside wall of the tank and substantially preventing the escape of vapors from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques C. Kerby
  • Patent number: 4317528
    Abstract: A seal is attached to and curved around a floating roof of a storage tank for petroleum products or other liquid materials, to extend to an outer circumference at the tank wall. The curved seal is suspended at first suspension points on the seal spaced about the floating roof. These first suspension points are spaced from the mentioned outer circumference at the wall by a first distance greater than zero and from the floating roof at a second distance greater than such first distance. The curved seal is suspended at these first suspension points from a series of corresponding second suspension points spaced from the first suspension points by third distances. Each of the second suspension points is spaced from the tank wall by a fourth distance greater than zero and from a peripheral cylindrical reference surface about the floating roof by a fifth distance greater than the mentioned fourth distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Mesa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fredrick O. Swain, Raymond E. Decker