Abstract: Methods and apparatus for liquid preservation according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a vessel and a displacer. The displacer may be disposed in an interior volume defined by an interior surface of the vessel. The displacer may change the volume of the interior volume. An aperture at an apex of the displacer or vessel may allow air to escape from the interior volume as the displacer decreases the volume of the interior volume. An at least partially transparent displacement indicator may be positioned atop the aperture.

Abstract: A vessel for use in a gasification system is provided. The vessel includes a shell and a heat exchange structure positioned within the shell. The heat exchange structure defines a central cavity configured to receive and to direct a syngas to a quenching portion positioned downstream of the central cavity along a syngas path. A passageway is disposed between the shell and the heat exchange structure. A liquid seal is positioned upstream of the quenching portion, and the liquid seal is configured to block transport of at least one of the syngas between from the quenching portion into the passageway and inert gas from the passageway into the quenching portion.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle roof that has two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges and that is symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane, the roof consisting of a glazing unit including at least one mineral glass sheet, the sheet including a border of compressive edge stresses and at least two localized zones of compressive stress inside the border, the zones being placed symmetrically relative to the plane of symmetry and each localized zone of compressive stress being less than 30 cm from a longitudinal edge.

Abstract: A covering system that includes a first membrane, a first flotation member coupled to the first membrane. The first flotation member includes a first float and a first float compartment membrane, and the first float compartment membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The covering system also includes a first plurality of gas-relief passageways positioned either within the first float compartment membrane, or within the first membrane and adjacent to the first flotation member. And at least one of the gas-relief passageways within the first plurality is structured so that gas flows unobstructed through it when the system is used. Gas-relief openings formed between overlapping membranes may also be utilized as avenues through which gas may escape to atmosphere from beneath the covers and covering systems. Venting methods are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A tank piston is shown with an improved seal and wiper. The piston is used in conjunction with tanks used for transporting semi-solid and viscous materials such as grease, oil, ink, and the like. The improved seal consists of an annular rubber member with a hollow chamber filled with an open cell foam material such as polyurethane, or a gel such as silica gel. The material in the chamber is compressible and expandable to provide a seal about the piston. Optionally, the piston is provided with an annular wiper structure that extends about the outer forward periphery of the piston, and is forwardly angled at about 45° relative to an axis of the piston. The wiper has a beveled end that makes contact with the interior surface of the tank to provide a cleaning action. A complementary second wiper may be added near the outer rearward periphery of the piston. A preferred embodiment is also shown that uses a tiered support assembly.

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.

Abstract: A sealing construction for an electrical connection box, in which a waterproof cover is mounted on a main body, including a packing which is fitted into a packing groove of the waterproof cover so as to be brought into pressing contact with a contact portion of the main body; the packing being formed by hardening liquid packing compound injected directly into the packing groove of the waterproof cover, and a method of forming the packing.

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.

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.

Abstract: A floating covering on the liquid content of a storage tank. The circumferential edge of the covering has an elastic annular body provided with a gas-tight annular chamber and an annular body of foam material. Pressure control means communicates with the chamber for selectively pressurizing and releasing pressure from the chamber.

Abstract: There is described a device for holding flat objects, especially printed circuit boards during their being transported or stored, or being conveyed on an assembling line. The device consists basically of a partly or wholly hollow tray having slits in its upper surface which communicate with the hollows. One or more elongated bodies are insertable into the hollow. Cam members are provided urging the inserted elongated members inwardly of the hollows. The boards are placed on edge in the slits and come to rest on the inserted elongated bodies.

Abstract: A method of making a knockout plug in a sheet of metal is provided. The method comprises the steps of: shearing the sheet metal along a majority of a perimeter of a geometric shape so that a plug is produced retained to the sheet metal by at least one retaining strip; cold working at least one sheared area at a pressure sufficient to cause the sheared sheet metal in the area to coalesce; and shearing the retaining strip so that the sheet metal has been sheared along the entire perimeter of the geometric shape. An appliance having a metal casing and a knockout plug stamped in the casing for providing a vent in the cabinet is also provided. The knockout plug is fully sheared along its entire perimeter and has an area along its perimeter that has been cold worked to produce coalesce between the sheared metal.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump type fluid dispensing system for viscous fluids in upright-open ended cylindrical containers. The system comprises a base adapted to receive and substantially center the container, a ram plate which is carried by a vertical elevator system to be thrust into the container to apply pressure to the fluid therein and a system of one or more air-operated positive displacement pumps which act through the ram plate to move fluid from the container. The ram plate is loosely mounted on the depending support structure so as to be displaceable relative to the support structure and the base and the container to accommodate axial misalignments. An edge seal having a cam surface on the edge of the ram plate assists in the alignment function and also provides a fluid pressure seal. Gravity operated valves are mounted on the ram plate to admit air to the container when the ram plate is withdrawn.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprises a shell made from suitable material, such as aluminum or stainless steel. Disposed within the shell is a follower. The vertical position of the follower varies with the level of flowable bulk material stored in the shell. A permanent magnet is carried by the follower for movement therewith and a magnetic switch operatively responsive to the magnetic field created by the permanent magnet is attached to the exterior of the shell to detect the height of the permanent magnet. A level indicator is responsive to the operation of the magnetic switch for indicating the level of the follower.

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.

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.

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

Abstract: A secondary seal for a floating roof product storage tank has a cross-sectional shape substantially that of a right triangle. The hypotenuse of that right triangle contacts the primary seal and one leg of the seal extends outwardly of the roof rim. The seal is supported to extend downwardly from the rim and is deformable.

Abstract: A sealing system for a liquid storage tank having a roof freely floating on the contents stored within the storage tank. The sealing system is in wiping contact with the tank shell and may utilize a primary and a secondary seal. As a primary seal, the system forms a seal above the liquid level and eliminates capillary action of the liquid between the seal and the tank shell. The sealing system also exerts a continuous pressure against the inner walls of the storage tank preventing the storage tank roof from shifting due to wind loading and effectively preventing vaporization of the liquid due to wind effected negative pressures. As a secondary seal, the system acts as a vapor barrier preventing vapors from escaping and preventing contaminants from entering into contact and deteriorating the primary seal which could result in contamination of the liquid contained within the storage tank.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a modular unit for use in the construction of floating decks used in horizontal or vertical liquid storage tanks; the unit consists of a core of cellular foam plastic and of an envelope sealingly encasing the core, the envelope consisting of a layer of electrically conductive flexible metal and of at least one layer of plastic.

Abstract: A sealing system for a liquid storage tank having a roof freely floating on the liquid contained within the storage tank wherein a plurality of shield sections are structurally interlocked to eliminate the need for a vapor-impermeable fabric annulus overlying the shield and interface between adjacent sections of the shield and effectively preventing vapor from escaping from the tank and contaminants from entering into the liquid. The structural interlocking of adjacent shield sections provides a uniform distribution of the forces and counter forces exerted between the floating roof and the inner wall of the tank shell due to wind loading.

Abstract: A rim seal is provided for a floating roof tank to fill the space between the floating roof and circumferential wall of the tank. The seal is a compressible toroid of approximately the diameter of the tank and has a cross-sectional diameter greater than the largest opening between the floating roof and the circumferential wall or an existing seal and the circumferential wall. An inner tube is provided which encapsulates the toroid; an outer tube is provided which is elastic and encapsulates the inner tube. Slits in the outer tube adjacent to the circumferential wall are disposed substantially circumferentially with respect to the toroid.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a floating roof in a storage tank, wherein the roof is spaced at its outer periphery from the inner surface of the tank, thus defining a rim space, includes support members secured at one edge to the roof and extending angularly outwardly into close proximity with the tank wall, and yieldable material carried by the support members in a position to engage the tank wall and effect a seal between the roof and tank wall, said yieldable material having a predetermined shape, whereby engagement thereof with the tank wall covers a predetermined, varying area upon variations in the rim space to thus maintain acceptable contact pressure with the tank at different rim spaces between the roof and tank wall, while at the same time maintaining an effective seal.

Abstract: The improvement 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, comprising an elastomeric body composite 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 shoes and its top edge portion in movable sealing contact with the tank inner side wall, said strip in radial vertical cross section being convexly arced when viewed from the roof, and the strip comprising a plurality of flexible resilient elongated stiffeners laterally positioned and embedded in the body of elastomeric material and extending from the bottom of the strip joined to the shoes to ends which terminate substantially short of the top edge of the strip thereby providing a strip having an upper portion more flexible and less stiff than the remainder of the strip body and which

Abstract: Auxilliary seal for a floating roof tank is provided by a plurality of superposed flexible sheet members arranged above a primary seal about the periphery of the floating roof. The flexible sheet members have outer edges which distort as the assembly passes over rivet heads, butt straps or other protrusions from the inner surface of the tank wall and thus provide the desired seal. The flexible elements also readily accommodate to deviations of the wall from truly circular.

Abstract: The present invention is a secondary sealing device for use in a storage vessel having a floating roof and a primary sealing structure that includes a set of steel shoes, each of which is disposed about the perimeter of the floating roof and is mechanically coupled at one of its ends and adapted so that it can contact the inner sidewall of the storage vessel, a set of pushers, each of which is mechanically coupled to the floating roof and to one of the steel shoes and is adapted to apply a constant pressure against the steel shoe so that the side of the steel shoe contacting the inner sidewall of the storage vessel presses against the inner sidewall of the storage vessel. A fabric sealing material which is disposed about the perimeter of the floating roof and secured thereto on one of its sides in a gas-tight manner and secured to the steel shoes contacting the inner sidewall of the cylindrical tank of each hanger in a gas-tight manner and a secondary sealing device has been described.

Abstract: The invention comprises a liquid storage tank having a floating roof of the type in which the roof rises and falls with changes in the level of the liquid and a seal provided between the edge of the roof and the inner wall of the tank to prevent contamination or evaporation of the liquid and to allow for any out of truth of the tank and any lateral movement of the roof having the seal supported between a side wall of the roof and the tank wall in the form of a continuous annular bag of rubber or plastics coated fabric comprising inner and outer chambers the inner chamber lying in contact with the side wall of the floating roof and containing a liquid and the outer chamber lying in contact with the tank wall and containing a pre-shaped pad of a synthetic foam material, the whole being supported from the roof by bolts which pass through the top edge of the seal bag.

Abstract: Floating tank top pivotally carrying upwardly projecting weather shield plates around its periphery for biasing outwardly against inside surface of tank wall, has bias mechanism arranged to tilt the plates inwardly in response to fire to expose roof seal at site of fire and help direct fire-fighting foam into exposed location.

Abstract: Stresses induced by differential expansion and contraction of the solid propellant grain and the rocket motor case to which it is conventionally bonded are obviated by bonding a special sheath to the propellant grain and attaching it to the rocket motor case only at its forward and aft ends. A thin layer of Teflon is confined intermediately between the sheath and the rocket motor case. The sheath is extended beyond the propellant grain and bonded to the case so that an unbonded section thereof extends between the zone at which it is bonded to the case and the propellant grain. The propellant grain joins the sheath by a surface fillet to relieve surface stresses at this juncture. A gastight seal is provided in the thrust nozzle of the rocket motor for pressurizing of the combustion chamber to inhibit radial shrinkage of the propellant.