Stationary Tank Patents (Class 220/565)
  • Patent number: 11959684
    Abstract: A cooling device comprising a cooling circuit, is described. The cooling circuit further comprises a compressor adapted to compress cooling agent present in the cooling circuit during an active cooling mode, wherein the compressed cooling agent contains lubricant oil from the compressor; a condensing unit connected to the compressor by a first fluid line of the cooling circuit; and an evaporating unit, which is connected to the condensing unit by a second fluid line of the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit further comprises an expansion device arranged in the second fluid line; and an additional evaporator connected to the evaporating unit by a third fluid line of the cooling circuit, and connected to the compressor by a fourth fluid line of the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sviataslau Alehavich Filatau, Yongqi Qiu
  • Patent number: 11703185
    Abstract: Composite tank apparatus and methods of making and using same. An array of flat-sided co-dependent cells with relatively thin skins made of metallic or non-metallic materials. Each cell has at least two flat wall panel portions connected by radiused sections arranged such that all of the flat wall panel portions are either in flush contact with each other or in flush contact with flat supporting panels of an enclosing structure or thermal insulating material lining an interior thereof. The cells are sealed with each other around a perimeter of at least one pair of matching lightening through-wall holes provided in adjacent pairs of the wall panel portions of the cells to resist relative movement and prevent leakage of fluid therefrom. The composite tank apparatus may include an enclosing structure, and optionally, one or more layers of thermally insulating material lining the interior surface or the exterior surface of the enclosing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ezNG Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Charles N. White, Scott C. McClure
  • Patent number: 11465831
    Abstract: A flexible tank has one or more inner layers and one or more outer layers enclosing the inner layers. It has an improved structure to prevent leakage and rupture when making a long multi-modal shipment of large quantities of a liquid, including when the flexible tank is not supported by the end or side walls of a shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Goose, Douglas B. Postek
  • Patent number: 11186432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inexpensive technique and procedure to add storage capacity to existing hydrocarbon storage tanks that have a double seal floating roof. The additional storage capacity is obtained by installing an extension that is strong enough to provide the upper seal of the double seal arrangement to maintain a sealed vapor space that allows the roof to move higher within the existing peripheral wall of the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Rady, Jeff McBride
  • Patent number: 11136184
    Abstract: A novel method for manufacturing a cubicle flexible intermediate bulk container is disclosed. At least two opposing sidewalls of the cubicle FIBC has a lower portion and an upper portion, both of which are formed of a combination of sheet material cut in rectangular and trapezoidal geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BIGBAGSAN CUVAL DIKIM VE SANAY VE TIC A.S.
    Inventors: Cihan Cesur, Fatih Nasirli, Sevket Yildiz
  • Patent number: 11118371
    Abstract: A wind turbine steel tower ring segment, a wind turbine tower portion, a wind turbine tower, a wind turbine and a method for producing a wind turbine tower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Roy Kersten
  • Patent number: 11091317
    Abstract: A vertical fluid storage tank includes an oval-shaped body having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends. The body defines an interior fluid storage cavity and has a major axis and a minor axis along a horizontal cross section through the body. The fluid storage tank further includes a top wall at the first end of the body, a bottom wall at the second end of the body, and a frame member connected to the sidewall of the body. The frame member includes a first portion that extends longitudinally along the sidewall of the body and a second portion that extends along the bottom wall and is connected to the first portion. The fluid storage tank further includes a connection port on the sidewall of the body adapted for connection to the connection port on an adjacent fluid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: JWF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Polacek, Marc J. Speciale, Matthew J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11059545
    Abstract: A floating cryogenic storage structure includes a hull with a center line extending in a length direction and two longitudinal side walls, the structure including at least three spherical storage tanks, two tanks being situated with their midpoints on spaced apart longitudinal positions along a first line extending in the length direction at a first side of the center line and a third tank being situated with its midpoint on a longitudinal position on a second line extending in the length direction at a second side of the center line, and a transverse distance between the first and second lines not larger than a diameter of the tanks and the longitudinal position of the midpoint of the third tank situated between the longitudinal positions of the midpoints of the first and second tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.
    Inventors: Theodorus Johannes Bernardus Brinkel, Wouter Sassen
  • Patent number: 11047529
    Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a vessel having a wall defining a chamber and a circumferentially continuous lip projecting into the chamber from the wall. The lip defines a through-bore that is in fluid communication with the chamber. A nozzle assembly of the pressure vessel assembly includes a tube projecting at least in-part into the through-bore, and an o-ring disposed between, and in sealing contact with, the tube and the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Ellen Y. Sun, Justin R. Hawkes, Paul F Croteau, Wenping Zhao
  • Patent number: 10964437
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor seismic isolation assembly includes an enclosure that defines a volume; a plastically-deformable member mounted, at least in part, within the volume; and a stretching member moveable within the enclosure to plastically-deform the plastically-deformable member in response to a dynamic force exerted on the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NuScale Power, LLC
    Inventor: Tamas Liszkai
  • Patent number: 10907771
    Abstract: A storage tank includes a tank roof and a tank sidewall. At least one opening is located in in at least one of the tank roof or the tank sidewall. A pipe extends through the at least one opening, the pipe having a sleeve assembly positioned around the pipe. The sleeve assembly also extends through the opening. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve, at least one layer of insulation, and an inner flange. The inner flange is located on a first end of the sleeve and is coupled to the pipe. The sleeve, in turn is coupled to the tank such that the inner flange is located within the storage tank. The at least one layer of insulation is positioned in an annulus between the pipe and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.
    Inventors: John M. Blanchard, Mark Butts
  • Patent number: 10907657
    Abstract: An accumulator includes a bellows 3 having a plurality of outer ridge portions and a plurality of inner annular ridge portions and configured to be capable of expanding and contracting, and a housing having a fluid supply port and fixed to one end of the bellows serving as a fixed end. An interior of the housing is partitioned in a sealed state into an inside and an outside of the bellows. The outer annular ridge portions are divided into at least a first sector and a second sector which are distributed in an expansion and contraction direction of the bellows such that the second sector is positioned between the first sector and the fixed end. The outer annular ridge portions included in the first sector have an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the outer annular ridge portions included in the second sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Arikawa, Matsuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10889430
    Abstract: An environmental containment device includes a baseplate extending a longitudinal length and two ends disposed at opposing ends of the longitudinal length. The baseplate has two longitudinal edges extending along the longitudinal length and two lateral edges extending along a lateral width of the baseplate. A flexible sidewall can extend along at least a portion each of the lateral edges and vertically extend away from the baseplate a second predetermined distance. The baseplate flexible sidewall collectively define a containment space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Hull, Daniel Goynes
  • Patent number: 10876686
    Abstract: An example tank can be used to contain, transport, and/or store fluids, e.g., one or more liquids and/or gases. In one embodiment, the tank includes a plurality of segments collectively defining an interior chamber that retains the fluid(s), each of which includes opposing ends defining beveled mating surfaces. The tank also includes a plurality of endcaps positioned between, and in engagement with, adjacent segments, as well as a plurality of webs that include a series of first webs having a first configuration and a series of second webs having a second, different configuration. The first webs are positioned within the plurality of segments between the ends thereof, and the second webs are positioned within the endcaps. In an alternate embodiment, the tank is devoid of the endcaps, and instead, includes segments defining beveled mating surfaces that intersect at junctures to define four corner sections of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Regu Ramoo, Thomas Lamb
  • Patent number: 10852225
    Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting and indicating corrosion and rate of progression of corrosion in piping such as piping having non-metallic liners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Crane Resistoflex
    Inventors: David Yanik, Bradley Allen
  • Patent number: 10815051
    Abstract: A system includes a rigid container configured to receive a dry cargo and a flexible container configured to receive a bulk liquid. The flexible container is configured to be disposed within the rigid container when the flexible container contains the bulk liquid. The flexible container includes a set of container portions and a set of restriction portions. Each container portion has a first cross-sectional area and each restriction portion defines a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area. Each restriction portion is disposed between a pair of adjacent container portions and is configured to restrict a flow of the bulk liquid therebetween. The restricting of the flow of the bulk liquid between the container portions is configured to limit load shifting associated with the flexible container when disposed in the rigid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: INTERMODAL SCIENCES, LLC
    Inventor: Erik D. Scudder
  • Patent number: 10766719
    Abstract: An unloading system for use in a storage structure having a sidewall that contains granular stored material. A reclaiming portion is spaced from the sidewall and has a floor portion that extends from a discharge opening toward the sidewall. The floor portion of the reclaiming portion is supported above the floor of the storage structure. The reclaiming portion may move with respect to the sidewall and is isolated from movement with respect to the sidewall of the storage structure. Seals between the reclaiming portion and the sidewall prevent the stored material from bypassing the reclaiming portion so that any discharge of the stored material occurs through the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Laidig Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ryan Genovese, Andrew Pierce Sarell, Thomas Walter Lindenman, Alan D. Amick
  • Patent number: 10753538
    Abstract: A gas tank liner comprises: a cylindrical section formed using a first resin; and a dome section formed using a second resin, the dome section being arranged at each axially opposite end of the cylindrical section, wherein either one of the first resin or the second resin has a higher linear expansion coefficient and higher yield strain than the other, the yield strain being the threshold of strain that, when met, makes the first resin or the second resin incapable of restoring its original state if the first resin or the second resin strains and yields in response to the application of external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentaroh Hioki
  • Patent number: 10717596
    Abstract: Pre-assembled, self-contained, portable tank and method of using the tank for storing backflow fluids during hydrocarbon production operations. Tank is rapidly deployable and has a collapsible and refillable bladder for storing approximately 50,000 gallons or 1200 BBLS of fluids and a secondary containment with a holding capacity 120% of that of the bladder. When closed for transport, the tank is sufficiently compact and light to be movable with a light body pickup truck with an accompanying trailer over public roadways. After delivery to a site, a crew of two to five persons can set-up the tank for use within about 20 to 120 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Jeffery Kevin Archer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10710867
    Abstract: An environmentally friendly fuel distribution station includes an upper canopy, said upper canopy including a fuel tank and an outer shell enclosing said fuel tank, and a fuel distribution interface suspended from said upper canopy, said fuel distribution interface selectively distributing fuel from said fuel tank during a fueling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CAPAT, LLC
    Inventors: Jose A. Cajiga, Arturo Cajiga Villar, Vicente Cajiga Villar, Alexandra Cajiga
  • Patent number: 10600519
    Abstract: A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module includes providing formwork defining a chamber in which is mounted a nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear reactor pressure vessel configured to contain nuclear fuel when in use, the formwork being housed within a containment structure configured to contain an internal pressure generated by an escape of coolant from a reactor coolant circuit. The method further includes filling one or more voids within the formwork with concrete through at least one concrete supply pipe that extends from outside of the containment structure, through the containment structure, and to the formwork; and venting the one or more voids within the formwork through one or more vent pipes, thereby forming a concrete support structure for the nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Daniel Robertson
  • Patent number: 10544901
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a shell, a liner, and a boss. The liner is positioned within the shell and defines the interior environment. The boss is located at a first interface between the shell and the liner. The boss includes a cavity and a venting structure located in the cavity. The cavity is located at a second interface between the liner and the boss, and the cavity is located at an interior surface of the boss in communication with the interior environment. A gas vent path is defined from the first interface, through the venting structure, and into the interior environment of the pressure vessel. The disclosure also describes a boss for a pressure vessel and a method of manufacturing the boss. The boss includes a port, a flange, a cavity and a gas venting structure. The cavity and gas venting structure are located on an interior of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hexagon Technology AS
    Inventors: Norman L. Newhouse, Chad A. Cederberg
  • Patent number: 10464743
    Abstract: A tank including a single tank body made as a single piece of a composite material using a closed molding process with a first portion of the tank body having an outside surface corresponding to a first molding surface of a first mold and a second portion of the tank body having an outside surface corresponding to a second molding surface of a second mold. The tank body has an opening disposed therein with the opening being substantially smaller than the tank body. The tank further includes a fitting member mounted to a portion of the tank body surrounding the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Glen Aylward
  • Patent number: 10450039
    Abstract: To provide a non-spherical tank which includes: a circular cylindrical portion; a top portion disposed continuously with an upper side of the circular cylindrical portion; and a bottom portion disposed continuously with a lower side of the circular cylindrical portion, wherein the top portion includes: a spherical shell portion which is formed of a portion of a spherical body having a radius R1, and is disposed at an upper end of the top portion; and a toroidal portion which is disposed continuously with the upper side of the circular cylindrical portion and with a lower side of the spherical shell portion respectively, and is formed of a portion of a spherical body having a radius R2 smaller than the radius R1, and an expression 1.0<R/H1<1.5 is satisfied. Here, “R” denotes a radius of the circular cylindrical portion, and “H1” denotes a height of the top portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Okafuji, Kazuhiro Hirota, Ryusuke Takada, Michihisa Watanabe, Kazuhiro Miura
  • Patent number: 10322630
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel tank which allows effective suppression of the deformation of a fuel tank body and has excellent durability. This fuel tank is equipped with: a fuel tank body; connecting members which partially connect the opposed inner wall surfaces of the fuel tank body to each other, and/or abutment portions where the opposed inner wall surfaces of the fuel tank body partially abut on each other; and reinforcing members which are provided integrally with the outer wall surfaces of the fuel tank body and reinforce the outer wall surfaces. The fuel tank is configured such that the reinforcing members are equipped with: base portions which are disposed at positions corresponding to the connecting members and/or the abutment portions; and extension portions which extend along the outer wall surfaces from the base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10306984
    Abstract: Provided are toroidal support structures and assemblies comprising these structures. A toroidal support structure comprises one or more side panels forming a tubular ring and one or more floor panels forming a planar ring. These rings define the toroidal shape of the structure. The structure also comprises multiple isolating linear support components connected to a top edge of the tubular ring. During installation of the structure, the isolating linear support components are attached to a mounting base for supporting the structure relative to the base, while providing thermal isolation to the rings and preventing their mechanical distortion. As such, a toroidal support structure can be attached to various types of mounting bases, such as a cryogenic tank of a spacecraft. Both rings provide supporting and mounting surfaces for equipment, cables, and pipes, while the toroidal opening allows external components to protrude through the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rodney H. Jones, Zachary S. Hopkins, Murray S. Edmondson, James B. Weathers, Shawn E. Mills
  • Patent number: 10302253
    Abstract: An insulated spherical pressure vessel, such as a sphere, having an insulation system installed thereon. The insulation system includes an equatorial support including an equatorial support bar having upper and lower rods attached to upper and lower sides, and a plurality of clips perpendicular to the bar, the clips having one or more holes for additional rods. One or more insulation layers are installed and held against the sphere wall by metal bands. A cable support matrix including metal straps and horizontal cables is installed over the insulation layers, and then insulation panels are secured to the matrix cables using fasteners. The insulation panels each include insulation material and an exterior metal jacket. The panels are secured to horizontally adjacent insulation panels with standing seams. The cables are not secured to the metal straps in any way, but are allowed to freely move through belt loops of the metal straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Insultherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan McBride
  • Patent number: 10287540
    Abstract: A construction method of a fermenter, which has a fermenter cage and a fermenter shell made of metal, for use in a biogas plant, wherein the fermenter shell surrounds the fermenter cage making the fermenter shell gas-tight. The fermenter cage is formed by a plurality of cage rings, wherein each cage ring is supported on at least one cage-retaining device having at least one rolling device in such a way that the entire fermenter cage is rotatably supported about a longitudinal axis, wherein the fermenter cage is lined with a plurality of rows of shell plates by way of rotation about the longitudinal axis and the shell plates are permanently fastened to the inner surfaces of the plurality of cage rings and thus the fermenter shell is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI ZOSEN INOVA AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Kientz
  • Patent number: 10259538
    Abstract: A liquefied gas tank installed in a surrounding structural body includes: a tank main body in which a liquefied gas is storable, the tank main body including a plurality of planar portions and corner portions between the planar portions, the corner portions having less rigidity than that of the planar portions; a bottom supporting body that supports the tank main body from below the tank main body; and a plurality of side supporting bodies that support the tank main body from side of the tank main body. The tank main body is configured to stand by itself by being supported by the bottom supporting body when the tank main body stores no cargo, and be supported by the bottom supporting body and the side supporting bodies when the liquefied gas is stored in the tank main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Sano, Naruyoshi Izumi, Yukichi Takaoka, Toshifumi Fukasawa, Hiroyasu Nishikawa, Hideki Kumamoto, Hiroaki Mori
  • Patent number: 10155622
    Abstract: A water containment apparatus includes a straight strut arrangement comprising a plurality of straight strut assemblies forming an alternating v-shape and inverted v-shape pattern; and a curved strut arrangement comprising a plurality of corner strut assemblies forming a desired curvature and connecting two straight strut arrangements to form a closed loop water containment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Novotny, Yannick Harvey, Dustin Downing, Robert Davis, Mark Ritchey
  • Patent number: 10046908
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a collapsible containment bag configured to retain a collection of hazardous materials. In one embodiment, the containment bag includes a non-porous liner, a plastic sheeting, and a bag frame. The containment bag may be in a collapsed state initially and later expand for use at the site of an environmental spill. The containment bag may be expanded from the collapsed state through a series of actions that may include pivoting a portion of the containment bag about an edge and pulling opposing sides of the containment bag away from the center of the containment bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MATERIAL MOTION, INC.
    Inventor: Steve J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10041479
    Abstract: This application relates to hinged tower segments and transport methods, and particularly to methods and apparatus for transporting and storing hinged segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. Hinges are secured between tower segments and the tower segments rotated about the hinged axis to make them suitable for transport or storage. A method of assembling a tower section is discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9938030
    Abstract: A method of transporting saponified ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer pellets by using a hermetic container including a pressurizing means for applying pressure to the interior of the container, and a transport means for transporting the hermetic container. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer pellets into the hermetic container to close the hermetic container; and maintaining the interior of the hermetic container in a state of higher pressure than the ambient atmosphere by using the pressurizing means while the hermetic container is transported to a destination by using the transport means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: THE NIPPON SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Beniya, Shinta Miyazumi
  • Patent number: 9903599
    Abstract: A fluid feed system cover with an integrated funnel. A fluid feed system includes a reservoir and equipment installed on a top surface of the reservoir. The top surface of the reservoir also has a fill hole for replenishing the reservoir. A cover is installed on top of the reservoir, protecting the equipment. A funnel integrated into the cover extends into, or to just above, the reservoir fill hole, making it possible to replenish the reservoir without removing the cover. A manway is used to cover the upper opening of the funnel when reservoir replenishment is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: J.L. Wingert Company
    Inventors: Robert Bass, Hratch Nuyujukian
  • Patent number: 9890618
    Abstract: Apparatus for containing oil and/or gas leakage from a drilling operation (off-shore or on-shore) comprised of an expandable membrane surrounding a central spline, an apparatus adapted to the removal of the captured oil or gas, and a blowout-handling “fuse” capability. The bottom section of the off-shore version includes operator-controlled extension members to expand the membrane to fully surround the drill site. Any further leakage from the well site will further expand the membrane from the spline sections as it moves upward. When the leaked material reaches the top an extraction apparatus included allows it to be extracted safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: John M Goodman, Herbert M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 9718608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transport container which provides mechanical and thermal stability for a load and which container is fabricated as the container is loaded. In particular, the present invention relates to a container which can be readily transported on aircraft, such as an aircraft container. In the field of logistics, that is the field of movement and supply of produce and materials, in particular in the transport of intermediate and finished products, containers have been developed which safely protect from physical damage a wide variety of product. Food and pharmaceutical products not only need protection from physical shock and pressures but also require temperature stability during transportation; otherwise goods can be damaged and be unusable, whether such damage is apparent or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SOFTBOX SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Edwin Francis Tattam, Richard William Jones
  • Patent number: 9688544
    Abstract: A treatment device for stormwater is provided that comprises a container which in use contains a growing medium and a hydrodynamic separator located within the container. The hydrodynamic separator comprises a separation chamber, an inlet duct extending from the outside of the container to the separation chamber, a solids outlet; and a liquid outlet that opens into the container. In use, liquid flow containing solids enters the separation chamber through the inlet duct and is caused to swirl within the separation chamber, thereby causing solids to exit the separation chamber through the solids outlet and liquid to exit the separation chamber through the liquid outlet and to flow into the growing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HYDRO INTERNATIONAL PLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Fink, Andrew Pearson Nancollis, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Keith Garry Hutchings
  • Patent number: 9657900
    Abstract: A cuboid pressure vessel comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and an external wall. The external wall comprises a main body including a first side wall having a first opening, and a second side wall having a second opening; a first lid secured to the first side wall so as to occlude the first opening; and a second lid secured to the second side wall so as to occlude the second opening. The bottom wall comprises a main body; and a reinforcement rib provided in an upright manner on the outer surface of the main body. The reinforcement rib is provided in an upright manner on the outer surface of an area, within the main body, which contains a central section of the main body, and which excludes four corner sections, a region adjacent to the first lid and a region adjacent to the second lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuto Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9630773
    Abstract: A water containment apparatus includes a straight strut arrangement comprising a plurality of straight strut assemblies forming an alternating v-shape and inverted v-shape pattern; and a curved strut arrangement comprising a plurality of corner strut assemblies forming a desired curvature and connecting two straight strut arrangements to form a closed loop water containment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Novotny, Yannick Harvey, Dustin Downing, Robert Davis, Mark Ritchey
  • Patent number: 9541235
    Abstract: A toroid pressure vessel includes a toroid body having an inner shell and an outer shell. The toroid body includes a toroid outer perimeter. The outer shell extends along the toroid outer perimeter. A planar exterior face extends along at least a portion of the outer shell and the toroid outer perimeter. A support belt circumscribes the toroid outer perimeter and is coupled along the planar exterior face. The support belt braces and supports the pressure vessel along the toroid outer perimeter against bulging force (and hoop stress) generated by pressurized fluids within the vessel. The support belt facilitates the use of thinner pressure vessel shells and thereby decreases the weight of the pressure vessel while providing a support to the outer shell that substantially prevents deformation of the planar exterior face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Travis
  • Patent number: 9321588
    Abstract: A large volume natural gas storage tank comprises a plurality of rigid tubular walls each having opposing ends and an intermediate segment with a closed tubular cross-section, the plurality of rigid tubular walls arranged in a closely spaced relationship and interconnected at their ends to form a six-sided storage tank, with each of the six sides of the storage tank defined by four successive of the plurality of rigid tubular walls connected end-to-end, such that the interiors of the plurality of rigid tubular walls define an interior fluid storage chamber; and an exterior support structure, the exterior support structure including one or more braces connected to the exteriors of at least some of the plurality of rigid tubular walls and adapted to reinforce the at least some of the plurality of rigid tubular walls against dynamic loading from fluid in the interior fluid storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Regu Ramoo, Mohan Parthasarathy, Thomas Lamb
  • Patent number: 9200468
    Abstract: There is provided a wind power installation pylon comprising a plurality of pylon segments which respectively have an upper and a lower horizontal flange. At least one of the plurality of the pylon segments has at least two longitudinal flanges. Each longitudinal flange has a first side for bearing against a first side of a further longitudinal flange and a second side to which the peripheral surface is welded, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Brenner, Rene Mertens, Panos Papadopoulos, Roy Kersten
  • Patent number: 9138938
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vent assembly for mounting on a collapsible storage tank is provided including a flange member having a central hub, and a flange extending outwardly from the central hub; a top sealing layer of flexible fabric having a hole for receiving the central hub and mounted at least partially over the flange and extending outwardly beyond the flange; an intermediate sealing layer of flexible fabric having a hole aligned with the opening in the hub and mounted beneath the flange and extending outwardly there beyond and bonded to the top sealing layer beyond the flange; and a wall of the collapsible storage tank formed from flexible fabric material, the intermediate sealing layer bonded to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GTA Containers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yatish J. Joshi, Simon T. Addicott
  • Patent number: 9133640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for building cylindrical structures, preferably made of metal, on the basis of the construction methods referred to as “a method which begins the assembly by the top structure”, which provides high levels of safety in the various steps to be carried out. The method uses a shaping device for shell sheets, at least one stationary cabin for vertically aligning and welding sheets, movable cabins for horizontally welding the inside and outside, and supporting base devices which in combination provide a safe and comfortable working environment for the operators, as well as greater speed and finish quality for the tank to be built, even under harsh weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: CANTONI GRUAS Y MONTAJES S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marcelo Ricardo Cantoni, Sebastián Cantoni
  • Patent number: 9079708
    Abstract: The interior of a storage tank is filled with a storage composite and one cylindrical rib is positioned on each of the lower surface and the upper surface of partitions to project therefrom. Funnel-shaped end spacers have a large-diameter tube portion for engaging with and connecting to the cylindrical ribs on the upper and lower surfaces of the partitions, and a small-diameter tube portion having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter tube portion. Both ends of cylindrical connecting spacers engages with the small-diameter tube portion of a pair of end spacers, and the length of one side of a partition is S, the diameter of the section in which the cylindrical rib engages the large-diameter tube is set within the range of 0.40 S to 0.95 S. Multiple levels of horizontal connected units are provided, and end spacers and connecting spacers are interposed between the horizontal connected units of multiple levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TOTETU MFG. CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Takai
  • Patent number: 9068372
    Abstract: A system and method for constructing a temporary structure is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of wall panels, a plurality of roof panels, a plurality of floor panels, at least one foundation panel, at least one sub-floor truss supporting the plurality of floor panels and placed atop the at least one foundation panel, at least one sub-roof truss supporting the plurality of roof panels, and at least one floor coupling bracket, each floor coupling bracket coupling one wall panel, one floor panel, one sub-floor truss, and one foundation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignees: Premium Steel Building Systems, Inc., Insular Corp.
    Inventors: James G. Quinn, E. Danny Feazell, Gary N. Feazell
  • Patent number: 9033179
    Abstract: A cylindrical upstanding water tank is formed from a plurality of rows of corrugated curved panels bolted edge to edge with a liner extending over the cylindrical wall and support surface to contain the water within the tank. An access opening is formed in one panel of the cylindrical wall and includes a frame with a rectangular planar front flange and a rearwardly extending flange welded into the hole. Liner retention straps surround the hole to fasten an edge of the liner around the hole. An access cover plate is bolted to the front flange of the frame and carries a hoop strength plate which fastens to studs at the rear of the plane so that the plates are removable to allow service access to the interior of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Vicwest Inc
    Inventors: Bruce Allen, Yuqin Shan, Nhi Y Le
  • Patent number: 9027794
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a liquid control mobility receptacle for storage, filtration, distribution, and transportation of liquids. The liquid control mobility receptacle has a main body that encloses a front security enclosure, a pump enclosure, and a main enclosure for storage of liquids. The main enclosure is disposed between the pump enclosure and the front security enclosure. An internal power source is enclosed within the front security enclosure and is electrically coupled to a pump, which is enclosed in pump enclosure. A fill line is provided to pump liquid from a liquid source into the main enclosure. A recirculation line is provided to recirculate fluid in within the main enclosure. A supply line is provided for pumping fluid out of the main enclosure. In some examples, the liquid control mobility receptacle has an internal power source that is a diesel engine, and the security enclosure further houses a fuel enclosure that is fluidly coupled to the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Mahar
  • Patent number: 9022245
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
    Inventors: David L. Jordan, William E. Michaud
  • Patent number: 9017551
    Abstract: A side access tank facility including an enclosure for containing water therein. The enclosure has an opening disposed in a side wall thereof. A cover covers the opening in a water sealing engagement with the enclosure. The side access tank facility further comprises an in-tank equipment holding structure for holding in-tank equipment at a predetermined position inside the enclosure. A moving mechanism is provided for moving the in-tank equipment holding structure between a position inside the enclosure and a position outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Newterra Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kennedy, Jeff J. Kempson, Paul C. Brake