Abstract: A protective annular construction for protecting surface or subsurface facilities against shock. In one embodiment, the invention utilizes concentric slip formed concrete cylinders, at least partially embedded in the soil as a sacrificial construction to dissipate the shock. A method of forming the construction by slip casting concrete shapes followed by, or simultaneously excavating the soil beneath the void between the concrete shapes to allow the cylinders to descend into the soil.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a panel for use in a garden compost bin or garden planter is taught which allows convenient horizontal or vertical connection of like panels to collectively form the container. The panel is shaped to enhance the structural strength thereof and reduce the tendency of the panel to deflect under load. The panel is nestable in other like panels to permit dense packaging and essentially requires no modification for defining containers of different diameter. The particular structure of the panel allows an interior portion thereof to be cut from the body of the panel to allow hinging of that portion out of the plane of the panel for accessing the interior of the container or for providing support for plants etc., when it is used as a planter.

Abstract: In an improved refrigerated silo, at least the walls of the structure, and preferably the top in addition, have a monolithic structure including spaced air ducts comprising U-shaped channels held against the interior heat conducting wall of the silo by means of an overlayer of a cured- or foamed-in-place expanded plastic material which adhesively contacts both the channels and the wall of the silo and serves as the principal means of maintaining the integrity of the structure. The ends of the channels are interconnected by suitable manifolds or plenums to provide any desired distribution system through which conditioned air can be passed on either a once-through or a recirculating basis. Because the insulation is foamed-in-place, the necessity for handling large panels of preformed insulation is eliminated, as is the necessity for a frame to hold the insulation in place.

Abstract: A method of cutting curvilinear panels with ellipsoidal cuts and joining the abutted edges of the same with a slight gap therebetween by batten-like surfaces overlapping the edges on both the outer and inner cover sheets of the panel and sealing the gap therebetween--the batten-like surfaces being preferably bonded layers, and the method being adapted to accomodate complicated joining seams, bends and curves.

Abstract: A structural component having a curved wall, such as an aircraft fuselage pipe, has a grid structure formed of box frames produced by winding tapes of fiber reinforced synthetic material, so-called prepregs, onto mold bodies. These mold bodies are then assembled on a mandrel for covering with a planking and curing whereby the tapes are bonded together to form stringers intersecting with ribs in a grid structure and whereby the planking is bonded to the grid structure. The ribs are reinforced by fiber reinforced belt segments of synthetic material inserted into gaps between adjacent short ends of the mold bodies, whereby these belt segments are bonded to the ribs during curing. The belt segments have a width corresponding to a multiple of the width of the stringers and hence protrude radially inwardly. Preferably, an edge reinforcing strip of fiber reinforced material is arranged alongside the radially inner edge of the belt segments.

Abstract: A storage tank, such as a water tower is disclosed, made by bolting rows of glass-coated steel plates together. The plates overlap each other side to side and above and below. The contact with plates at the diagonal corners is not an overlapping contact but an abutment contact, and the lines of abutment contact are staggered row to row. This arrangement leads to a very efficient use of material, and to an inherently leak proof structure when the plates are arranged to form a double skin in the lower regions of the tower.

Abstract: At least two generally parallel compression rims are joined by tension element spokes, such as cables. A rim separating means, such as columns, holds the rims apart thus maintaining spoke tension. The resulting structural element, comprising rims, tension elements and separating means, becomes an efficient means of transferring external forces from one rim to the other.

Abstract: Double silo with an inner silo part and an outer silo part which surrounds it annularly. A central mixing chamber for the material emanating from the inner silo area and an annular mixing chamber for the material emanating from the outer silo area are located within the silo dividing wall separating the two silo parts and at the bottom in the inner silo part.

Abstract: A lightweight cover provides heat insulation for a heated metal container, e.g., a ladle. The insulation cover is assembled in a manner providing for ease of repair plus simplicity of maintenance. The assembly has a frame member with depending guide means useful for straddling engagement with the container. Frame member impact assemblies provide resilient mounting of the cover on the container. Ceramic fiber insulation is placed within the frame and abuts upwardly against a roof over the insulation. The insulation is secured to the roof. Stiffeners above the roof connect with the frame member. The entire insulation cover assembly is most particularly useful for retarding radiant and conductive heat loss from the container.

Abstract: A storage tank, such as a water tower is disclosed, made by bolting rows of glass-coated steel plates together. The plates overlap each other side to side and above and below. The contact with plates at the diagonal corners is not an overlapping contact but an abutment contact, and the lines of abutment contact are staggered row to row. This arrangement leads to a very efficient use of material, and to an inherently leak proof structure when the plates are arranged to form a double skin in the lower regions of the tower.

Abstract: Substantially cylindrical and relatively thin-walled large volume containers such as silos are interiorly supported by means of a supporting structure in the form of a triangular supporting triangle, which is fixedly joined to the inner container wall. Thereby an essential amount of radial loads is converted into loads working in circumferential direction, i.e., working tangentially on the container wall, so that the risk of deformations is reduced when the load transmitting members such as pipes provided inside the container are joined to the supporting structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for tightening a ring of refractory brick in order to accommodate the installation of the key brick into a key brick space of such a refractory brick ring to tightly close and complete the ring is provided. The apparatus includes an expansion frame including a first end and a second end. The first end is selectively attachable to a first brick on one side of the key brick space at a point on the first brick remote to the key brick space. The second end is selectively attachable to a second brick on the opposing side of the key brick space at a point on the second brick remote to the key brick space. A power device is associated with the expansion frame for providing outwardly opposing force on the first and second ends such that circumferential compressive force is exerted on the refractory brick ring remotely from the key brick space to tighten the ring.

Abstract: A curvilinear structural insulating panel that is comprised of a plurality of slotted beam members that are deformed to a preselected radius or radii of curvature, end beam members that connect to the slotted beam members at their ends and flexible sheets that connect to the beam members and provide a hollow, air filled panel, and a method for making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stack, particularly an atmospheric cooling tower. The stack comprises a shell with double curvature and a bearing structure or seating for the shell; the shell is dissociated from the seating and presents in its lower part a rigid peripheral ring via which it rests on this seating. The invention is more particularly applicable to the production of atmospheric cooling towers.

Abstract: An upright generally cylindrical bin is provided including a plurality of peripherally spaced upstanding structural members relatively anchored at their lower ends. Each of the structural members includes a horizontally elongated main wall member supported therefrom and extending vertically therealong and which projects outwardly from the structural member in opposite directions toward the peripherally adjacent structural members. Adjacent ends of adjacent main wall members are spaced apart and include bevelled end edges defining, together, an included angle greater than the angle between radial planes of the bin containing those end edges.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel wall are joined together in the peripheral direction by abutting steel castings embedded and anchored in the segment ends, and nut and bolt assemblies interconnecting the castings. Longitudinally adjacent segments are joined together by arcuate openings through the segments, nesting positioning members at the interface between the segments, and arcuate nut and bolt assemblies extending through the openings and positioning members.

Abstract: A drum with a body composed of solid wood blocks glued together. The blocks form a cylinder which constitutes the drum body with each block extending the entire thickness of the cylinder wall. The blocks lie in circular layers with each layer having a staggered orientation relative to its adjacent layers. Dowels pass through the blocks to provide greater support to the body. The upper and lower edges of the cylinder have a recessed configuration relative to the body's outer surface to provide a floating drum head. To produce the drum body, each block in a layer has its ends tapered toward the middle of the block. Where each layer includes 16 blocks, the end faces of a block have an angle of 22.5.degree. relative to each other. Gluing the blocks together forms a long cylinder having, however, rough external and internal surfaces. Milling on both the outside and the inside of the cylinder provides smooth surfaces of a pleasing appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stack or a vertical pipe for the flow of gas, said stack or pipe comprising a suspension mast defining a vertical axis; at least one supple surface, open downwardly and upwardly, and symmetrical with respect to this axis; substantially horizontal, rigid hoops, viz. an upper hoop and a lower hoop respectively fast with the upper and lower periphery of the surface, each hoop being symmetrical with respect to said axis; supple bearing ties suspending the upper hoop from the mast; and stays connecting the lower hoop to a fixed lower point of the mast or the ground to stretch the supple surface in a vertical direction. The invention finds application in the entire production or extension of stacks or pipes such as atmospheric cooling towers.

Abstract: A storage tank for a volatile inflammable liquid is provided with an attachment fitting to which an elbow assembly can be attached to support a tapping machine. If the tank primary vessel fails, liquid retained by a secondary containment vessel can be drained out by using the tapping machine to make a hole through the attachment fitting and vessel walls. The attachment fitting is installed, when the tank is built, without impairing the integrity of the primary or secondary vessel walls or providing a hole therein.

Abstract: There is provided an edge joint between two pieces of metal sheet material, in which a marginal portion of each piece is folded back to lie adjacently along the main portion of that piece. The two pieces are arranged so that the marginal portion of one piece is sandwiched between the main portions of the two pieces, and the main portion of the other piece is sandwiched between the marginal portions of the two pieces. Apertures in the pieces pass through the folded regions, and the apertures are aligned so that a fastener can be placed through the aligned apertures for joining the two pieces.

Abstract: A side wall panel for a revolving door, consisting of a number of high and narrow strips of flat glass, interconnected by flexible joints and maintained in the desired arcuate configuration by a curved frame. The use of flexible joints permits the panel to be shipped flat. Internal stresses in the joints are minimized by initially manufacturing the panel on a support which is curved to an arcuate shape corresponding to that of the final installation.

Abstract: A cooler employing air, as the cooling media, and a streaming liquid is of the type comprising a peripheral liquid receiving pan resting on piles which are independent and evenly spaced apart below the pan, a distribution system for a liquid to be cooled, a liquid-gas contacting unit extending under the distribution system and liquid receiving devices for the liquid including channels, disposed under the contacting unit, characterized in that the pan of the cooler rests on the piles through a wide peripheral lintel which supports an inner flange and an outer flange thereby defining a u-shaped member into which the cooled liquid collected in the channels is discharged by gravity.

Abstract: A conventional tower silo is converted to a limited oxygen feed storing silo with the use of an air impervious liner and a floor supporting a bottom unloader. The liner has plastic liner sheets attached to the inside surface of the silo side wall with fasteners, as adhesives and nut and bolt assemblies. Supports mounted on the silo side wall under the roof carry the upper end of the liner. In one form, a plurality of springs connected to the supports and liner yieldably support the upper end of the liner in the silo. An inside wall surrounding base aggregate supports the floor independently of the silo side wall. The floor has a radial trough accommodating the bottom unloader.

Abstract: A closure for a prestressed high-pressure vessel comprises an anchoring ring surrounding the opening of the prestressed concrete pressure vessel, a plurality of axial stressing cables and a plurality of cover stressing cables. The cover is separately prestressed and simultaneously anchored to the prestressed concrete pressure vessel. The anchoring rings on the concret need for releasing the axial stressing cables of the prestressed concrete pressure vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structure of flexible tensile members which requires only two arrays of said members for obtaining lateral stiffness of said structure, the ends of each member being attached to contour elements and the members of each array having opposite curvatures for forming an axisymmetric geodesic network which is a section of a surface of revolution. The members of both arrays are prestressed and said network is geometrically arranged to be torque-balanced within said contour elements.

Abstract: To enable the benefits to be obtained simultaneously of using cast iron as a major constituent and of using helical prestressing, the cylindrical wall structure of a pressure vessel (which may be for a nuclear reactor) is made of truncated wedge shaped cast-iron slabs (the wedge faces of the slabs lying in radial planes of the wall structure and mutually adjacent slabs abutting one another in those planes, with a plurality of such slabs forming an annular assembly and a plurality of such assemblies stacked coaxially to form the cylindrical wall structure), the slabs having cast-in through passages, disposed obiquely, both right and left-handed in alternate layers at progressively increasing radial distance with respect to the cylindrical wall structrue, and the passages of one slab in alignment with the ends of passages of adjacent slabs in the same annular assembly and in the annular assemblies stacked adjacent thereto to provide in the assembled cylindrical wall structure a system of right- and left-handed

Abstract: An arch is formed of prefabricated reinforced concrete shells connected at the arch apex by an on-site cast concrete joint is built as a skewed underpass structure. In order to avoid complicated edge elements or a costly lengthening of the underpass, the individual reinforced concrete shells are formed to have their horizontal projection (in the horizontal projection of an assembled underpass) define a parallelogram which includes at least one acute angle which correspond to the acute angle formed by the intersection of the axis of the overpass traffic route with the axis of the underpass traffic route. Thus, edge elements are not necessary. An apex joint is formed of on-site cast concrete. Reinforcement rods extend into the apex joint and are arranged in an asymmetrical manner so that all elements can be designed and reinforced in the same manner with the reinforcement rods in the joint meeting directly.

Abstract: An enclosed structure such as a silo, particularly suitable for containing grain crops, is provided.The structure has a series of vertical posts disposed in a circle. A series of horizontal girts are attached to the inside of the posts. The inside surface defined by the girts is clad with lightweight sheet material. A roof is added and the structure may be sealed.

Abstract: A cooling tower has a circular cooling section, the top of which is a hot water distribution basin to which hot water is pumped while the bottom is a collecting basin. Within the cooling section is a fill comprised of a multitude of slats and wire grids through which the slats project so that the slats are carried by wire grids. The grids in turn are supported at several levels on a framework that rests on the collecting basin and extends upwardly to the distribution basin, but the framework is not suspended from that basin, so the distribution basin carries only its own weight and the weight of the pool of hot water within it. That water flows into the fill from nozzles in the distribution basin and cascades through the multitude of slats in the fill, thereby becoming quite finely divided. Air, on the other hand, passes transversely through the fill and absorbs heat from the water so as to lower the temperature of the water.

Abstract: A bulk material storage bin and a floor structure for such a bin for storing grain or like bulk commodities. The floor structure of the bin has downwardly converging side walls preferrably having a smooth surface. In a preferred embodiment, the floor structure is conical in shape with a downwardly directed apex. As bulk material is emptied from the storage bin, it travels down the side walls of the floor to the apex where it is conveyed outwardly. Piles of residual bulk material are not accumulated along the floor structure.

Abstract: A vaulted cover for an opening in a pressure vessel comprising a vaulted center piece and an annular rim surrounding thermal insulation material of a cover flange. The rim is assembled of two coaxially arranged cylindrical sections. Expansion gaps and sealing disks are provided about pipe fittings in said vaulted cover in a manner that permits release of pressure through gaps formed by said sealing disks.

Abstract: A panelized leg and scale tower is disclosed which is secured to a suitable foundation and which extends upwardly therefrom around the elevator legs. The tower is comprised of a plurality of curved panels which are bolted together to form a cylindrical tower extending for substantially the entire height of the elevator leg. A plurality of horizontal braces are provided within the tower at a predetermined spacing to maintain the cylindrical integrity of the tower when exposed to wind loads. The tower eliminates the need for guy wires or a lattice-type support structure normally used to support the elevator leg.

Abstract: A cooling tower or chimney comprises an assembly of rigid frames which form a trellis. The meshes defined by the trellis are covered by a casing in the form of a sheeting (not shown), which is recessed to a greater or lesser degree towards the inside of the tower in order to give to the tower a broken up external surface. The tower is constructed by the assembly of preassembled frames or groups of frames to which the sheeting has previously been attached, while on the ground.

Abstract: Cylindrical cavities of nuclear reactors and the like, containing a fluid under pressure, are closed by a plug consisting of a shell and a counter shell in prestressed condition.

Abstract: The inventive system interconnects molded resin panels to form a secure and reliable pool wall. Each panel 10 has a facing wall 11, base flange 12, and top flange 13, and each end of facing wall 11 has vertical margins 15 approximately aligned with wall 11 and juxtaposed between adjacent panels. Each margin has an outer groove 16 and an inner groove 17 that extend for the vertical length of margin 15 and are spaced laterally and disposed obliquely to each other. Panels 10 are positioned in a predetermined orientation to each other and are joined together at their margins by vertical locking strips 20. Locking strips 20 have an H-bar shape with a cross web 21 positioned between juxtaposed margins 15 and inner span 22 and outer span 23 overlapping margins 15. Acutely in-turned ribs 14 on the vertical edges of inner and outer spans 22 and 23 engage in margin grooves 16 and 17 and secure margins 15 together.

Abstract: A storage silo includes a support structure and a disassemblable container mounted on the support structure with its longitudinal axis extending vertically. The container includes a plurality of neighboring sections which conically diverge in the downward direction and have upper and lower end portions which overlap one another in assembled condition of the container. The sections fit into one another in disassembled condition to form a transportation package; a discharge hopper of downwardly converging conical configuration is also accommodated, in inverted condition, in the transportation package, as is a protective railing which, in the assembled condition, is mounted on the top of the container. The lower end portions of the upper sections may fittingly surround, or may be fittingly received within, the upper end portions of the respective downwardly adjacent sections in the assembled condition, and these cooperating end portions are connected to one another by screws, bolts, or similar connectors.

Abstract: A waisted envelope for tubular building structures, such as cooling towers, is supported by way of a supporting structure, joined with its top end and responsible for a pulling or pretensioning force, on a system taking up the vertical component of the pulling force. The envelope is designed as a membrane made of material designed for supporting tension within its plane in all directions.

Abstract: A wall is formed of large, preformed structural slabs containing horizontally extending reinforcing members. The reinforcing members are made interlocking so that adjacent slabs in the same course are locked together horizontally. The slabs are placed in the wall vertically aligned, so that the reinforcing members and locking means (which extend outside the preformed concrete slabs) of slabs of successive courses can be welded together, giving a skeleton of steel which imparts great strength and earthquake resistance to the structure. Preferably, the structure is a silo and the slabs are arcuate.

Abstract: An induced draft cooling tower having an annular outer support structure for the dispersion section and the inner support structure for the ventilation section. The inner support structure is essentially constructed of precast reinforced concrete elements and comprises a first plurality of columns supporting a circumferential beam, a second plurality of columns arranged around a hexagonal central tower in a hexagonal network with beams extending between and supported in slotted capitals of the second plurality of beams. The diffusers which are precast reinforced concrete shells include a toroidal base element which bears on three beams supported on a column of the second plurality coaxial to the diffuser. Stacks of annular elements rise from the upper edges of the base elements. The lower edges of the base elements are polygonal and substantially meet the lower edges of adjacent base elements. Slabs cover openings between lower edge segments of base elements and in the peripheral area beyond the diffusers.

Abstract: An improved annular support structure for the dispersion section including the hot water basin of a cooling tower. The annular outer structure comprises a plurality of sector-shaped independent, self-supporting and self-stabilized towers each comprising a pair of radial sides formed by a stack of superposed precast reinforced concrete portal frames and precast reinforced concrete right triangular bracing members extending between and supported on the uprights of spaced pairs of portal frames. Cantilevers extending from the outer uprights of the portal frames support precast concrete louvers. The hot water basin has part annular sections supported on beams aligned with the radial sides and spaced from one another by expansion joints.

Abstract: A veil section of a hyperbolic natural draft cooling tower is constructed on a lintel beam in the form of a closed planar curve provided with anchors spaced about the perimeter of the lintel beam for facilitating connection to the lintel beam of upstanding peripherally spaced column sections between which preformed panels are attached to fill the spaces between the spaced columns. Once the panels are affixed to the columns, the latter, as well as the adjacent portions of the adjoining panels, are encased in a cementitious material such as concrete. Additional sections of columns and panels are erected above the initial veil section by the same process as the latter in order to complete the veil. Vertically adjacent veil sections are attached to one another by connection of the columns in end-to-end relationship.

Abstract: An enclosure for housing industrial equipment and which is adapted to be buried underground. The enclosure includes at least two sections having a common top wall and floor. Each of the sections includes vertically extending sidewalls that are curved outwardly to define a generally convex outer surface. The sections are disposed adjacent to each other along an elongation axis with sidewalls of adjacent sections joined to each other along substantially vertical lines to define an enclosed equipment chamber. The present invention also includes a modular enclosure incorporating at least two modular members that are adapted to be joined together with each modular member including at least one section with a top wall, floor, and outwardly sidewalls. An opening is provided in the sidewall of each modular member and is defined by generally vertical seams. An apparatus is provided for joining the modular members together along mating vertical seams to define an enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A large, thin-shell cooling tower, a method for its erection, and novel precast units. Upon a foundation a series of angularly-extending columns is erected, and the columns are joined at their upper ends by a lower ring. Then a ribbed, waffle-like reinforced concrete wall is constructed to extend up from the lower ring and to provide a shell with a shape such as a hyperbolic paraboloid. The ribbed outer (or inner) surface strengthens the structure while enabling the thickness of the portions in between the ribs to be relatively thin. A series of vertically-spaced horizontal circumferential reinforcing bars or post-tensioning cables and a series of horizontally-spaced vertical or inclined bars or cables, are included in the wall. The wall is preferably made up from a series of precast units that are of novel structure in themselves. At the top of the wall is an upper ring joining the various elements together.

Abstract: A plant support and compost enclosure, comprising rigid panels of fencing wherein the spacing of the horizontal rods in the lower portion of each panel is much smaller than the spacing in the upper portion in order to better contain the compost. The rigid panels are connected by rings, thereby enabling the apparatus to stand without any support and have the ability of being folded flat for easy storage. A minimum of three rigid panels is needed for the apparatus to stand unsupported. The upper portion of one of the rigid panels does not contain any vertical or horizontal rods, so as to form an opening to facilitate the loading of composting material for compost production. The composting material is innoculated with micro-organisms and watered from time to time to produce compost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circular storage silo comprising wall members connected to vertical columns, the arrangement being such that loads at the base of the silo are transferred evenly to base members secured to footings.

Abstract: A bulk storage vessel of generally cylindrical upstanding shape is formed with a plurality of wall segments which are assembled together in end to end relation to form subassemblies of circular shape. These subassemblies are then flange interconnected along upper and lower edges to provide a cylindrical vessel. Each of the wall segments includes a curved side wall of generally rectangular shape having roll formed flange structures along both its upper and lower edges and a vertical end flange at one end. The upper edge flange structures include an outwardly extending horizontal flange section and a downturned vertical flange section integrally rolled therewith. Along the lower edge, the flange structure includes an outwardly extending horizontal flange section, a downturned vertical flange section and an inwardly extending flange section joined to the lower edge of the downturned vertical flange and deflectable for interlocking engagement with the upper edge flange structure of an adjacent lower subassembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sectional tower structures for most effective use as supporting structures of tall smoke stacks exceeding 250 m in height. Said structure comprises a reinforced-concrete lattice framework made in the form of an one-sheet hyperboloid and constituted by intersecting inclined straight uprights consisting of individual elements. These elements are provided longitudinally with prestressed reinforcement strands anchored in the bands located at the points of maximum convergence of the adjacent uprights. The number of said uprights diminishes from tier to tier and the uprights constituting each corresponding tier except the 1st one, are a straight extension of a part of the uprights of the underlying tiers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure combination for pressure vessels comprising a carrier cover in contact with a sealing cover for covering and closing an opening in a pressure vessel by contact with a flange member of a liner element disposed within the opening in the pressure vessel and sealed by a sealing means in communication with the flange member and the sealing cover.

Abstract: A sheet for constructing the wall of a substantially cylindrical silo. This sheet has a substantially rectangular periphery and is slightly cylindrically curved according to the radius of the wall of the silo to be constructed. The sheet comprises first and second straight edges opposite one another and first and second curved edges also opposite one another. The sheet is provided with rows of bolt holes adjacent the four edges. The first straight edge and the first curved edge are provided with a flange, both flanges being positioned at the same side of the sheet and extending approximately perpendicularly to the sheet surface, the second straight edge and the second curved edge having no flange. The flange on the first straight edge ends at a distance from the second curved edge.

Abstract: Assembly of a fiber reinforced resin tank includes joining a plurality of prefabricted arcuate wall panel sections by elongated joiner panels extending along the vertical seams between adjacent wall sections to form the perimeter of a cylindrical tank. The wall sections have a plurality of openings adjacent the vertical sides and the joiner panels have columns of transversely spaced pairs of protrusions for coupling with the openings in adjacent panel sections. The joiner panel is able to pass circumferential hoop stress from one panel section to an adjacent panel section by providing effective clamping between the two panels through the use of continuous filament and/or geometrically oriented glass or other fibers placed into a hooked shape so the fibers extend between each pair of spaced protrusions and curve into the protrusions so the fibers extend along the protrusions.