US1493174A - Floating deck for liquid-storage tanks - Google Patents

Description

May 6 1924.

` J. H. WIGGNS FLOATING DECK For: LIQUID vs'romu: TANKS l File: Nov. 9,

1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l May e .4924.

. 1.493.174 J. H. wlGGINS FLOTING DECK 'FOR' LIQUID STORAGE TANKS in@ Nov. 9. 1922 2 shun-sheer. 2

Patented May ,6, 1924.

UNITE-o STATE PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. WIGGINS, F BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA FLOATING DECK FOR LIQID-STORAGE TANKS.

Application nled November 9, 1922. Serial No. 599,903.

Floating Decks for Liquid-Storage Tanks,

- of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, suoli as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention vrelates to liquid storage tanks of the type that comprise a'movable top or deck which floats upon and is supported by the liquid in the tank', and is an improvement upon the floating tank deck described in my pending application for patent Serial No. 540,847, filed March 3,

@ne object of my present invention is to provide a floating deck for liquid storage -tanks of the same general type as the deck described in my said application, which' comprises a liquid seal for closing the joint or space between the central body portion of the deck and the variable peripheral portion of the deck, thereby effectively sealing the annular space between the upwardlyprojecting rim on the central body portion of the deck and the shoe carried by the variable peripheral portion of the deck which slides against the inner surface of the side wall of the-tank.

Another object is to provide a floating deck for liquid storage tanks that has a peripheral portion which is capable of expanding and contracting sufficiently to compensate for variations in the relative position and dimension ofthe deck and the side wall of the tank, and which is equipped with a liquid sealing means of such construction that it will automatically relieve the internal pressure in the tank inthe event ofan internal explosion in the tank.

And still another object of my invention is toprovide a floating deck for liquid storage tanks that comprises a'variable periph- -eral portion composed of relatively movable elements that are sustained and guided by rollers or other suitable rotatable devices that insure free and easy radial movement of said elements during the expansion and contraction of the peripheral portion ofv the deck. Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 of the drawings isr a top'plan view, partly broken away, of art of the variable peripheral portion o a floating deck for liquid storage tanks constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view,

taken on the vertical section line 3 3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 4.--4 of Figure 1, looking tpwards the side wall of the tank.

The floating deck that forms the subjectmatter'of my present application is similar in general design and principle of operation to the oating deck for liquld storage tanks described in my pending application previously referred to, inthat it comprises a central solid body portion A that floats uponA the liquid in the tank, anda variable peripheral portion that serves as a closure for the annular space between said central body portion A and the side wall'B of the tank and which is constructed in such a manner that it is capable of expanding and contracting suiiiciently to compensate for variations in the relative position and dimension of the deck and side wall of the tank. In the particular form of my invention herein illustra-ted the variable'peripheral portion of the deck is'composed of a number of substantially segmental-shaped, horizontally-disposed plates C, each of which has secured to its outer edge one segment D of an annular rshoe that bears against the inner face of the side wall B of the tank and whose lower edge portion is submerged in the liquid in the tank, as shown in Figure 3, said plates C being so arranged that .they serve as a closure .for the annular space between the side wall .B of the tank and al vertically-disposed, an-

nular rim E at the periphery of the central.

body portion A of the deck.

The function of the annular shoe composed of the segments D is to trap ofi' any gas or vapor rising from the surface of that portion of the liquid in the tank lying between the side wall B and the rim E onl the main body portion A of the deck, and, in order to prevent said gas or vapor from escaping to the atmosphere, I have provided the deck with a liquid seal that effectively use a liquid 2 that will not freeze and which evaporates slowly, such, for example, as fuel oil. The trough 3 preferably extends unbrokenly around the vertically-disposed rim E on the central body portion A of the deck and is suppor-ted by brackets 4 secured to said central body portion A and to the trough, as shown in Figure 3. Consequently, assuming that the joints between the plates C and between the segments B of the annular shoe are gas and air-tight, the seal formed by the liquid 2 in the trough 3 and the depending devices 1 on the undersideor` the plates C eliminates the possibility of air entering the tank by leaking through the joint between the, top edge of the rim E and the plates C and also eliminates the possibility of gases or vaporsescaping through said joint fronithe annular space between :the rim E on the central body portion of the deck and the annular shoe which surrounds said rim.

In order to insure free and easy radial movement of the plates C, each of said plates isv supported by a plurality of roof the deck to which the trough 3 are conl D is'held in snug engagement with the inner 'nected. The rollers 5 can be secured to the plates C in any suitable way, as for example, by4 means of brackets 7 on said plates, which carrysaid rollers. Inl the form of my invention herein illustrated the lower edge portion of each of the shoe segments face of the side wall B of the tank by horizontally-disposed, spring-pressed plungers H that project radially from the annular naamw.

rim E on the central body portion of the deck, as shown in Figure 3. It is immate-V rial how the plungers Ii are mounted, but I prefer to arrange each of said plungers 1n a horizontally-disposed cylinder I that projects inwardly from the inner side of the rim'E on the-central body portion of the deck and which is equipped with a spring J that exertsI pressure on the plunger H in a direction to press the shoe segment D that co-operates with said plunger tightly against the side wall of the tank, the cylinder I being secured 'to the rim E by a collar 9 that is welded to'said vparts and being equipped with a tubular stop 8 that surrounds the shank of the plunger H and forms an abut- ,ment against which the head of the plunger I-Iv strikes .when said plunger reaches the limit of its outward movement. By constructing the variable peripheral portion of the deck in the manner above described I not only obtain an air and gas-tight closure for lthe annular space between the side wall of the tank and the central body portion of the deck, but I' produce a structure in which the liquid seal between the variable peripheral portion of the deck and the central body portion of the deck will .automatically relieve the internal pressure in the tank in the event of an explosion in the tank, due to the fact that the sealing devices 1 are submerged in a body of liquid 2, which is shallow enough to permit an abnormal pressure to break through the seal.l

The joints between the segmental plates C and the segmental shoe members D that are connected to said plates are closed by a means of novel construction that produces air and gas-tight joints between said parts without, however, interfering with the relative movement of said parts when the peripheral portion of the deck expands and contracts. In the form of my invention herein illustrated vthe means used for the purpose just referred to consists of co-operating tongues and pockets on said parts arranged in telescopic relation. and a nonsolidifying, semi-liquid `substance in said pockets, such, for example, as axle grease,

.that co-operates with thetongues and the walls of the pockets to form an air and gas-tight seal between the same. As shown inl Figures 1 and 4, each of the plates C and the shoe segment D that is secured to same are provided at their right hand end with a laterally-projecting tongue K that slides in a pocket in the'leftl hand end of the adjacent plate C and shoe segment D. Said tongue K is formed by a substantiallyangle-shaped plate that comprises a horif zontally-disposed part which is connected to the underside .of the plate C by fastening devices 10 and a vertically-disposed part that` is connected to the inner side of the shoe segment D on the plate C by n ieans of fastening devices 10, as shown in Figure .4. The pocket that receives said to e is also formed by an angle-shaped plate connected to the underside ofthe adjacent plate C and to the inner side oi? the shoe` segment D on said adjacent plate by fastening devices 11 and 11, respectively, which .extends through a spacing strip 12, as

shown in Figure 4, that holds the plate K spaced far enough away from. the parts to which it is connectedy to form a substantially angle-shaped pocket which receives the an le-shaped tongue K on the adjacent late C and shoe segment D, to the left. ooking at Figure 4. It will be noted in Figure l that the horizontally-disposed por tion of the plate K `that constitutes the' pocket just described does not extend clear across the entire width of the plate C to which it is connected, but terminates lat a point in proximity to the depending sealing device 1 on the underside of the plate C which projects downwardly into the liquid in the trough 3. The' horizontal portion of the plate that constitutes the tongue K-, however, extends across the entire width of the plate C to which it is connected, so as to close the gap or joint between the ends of two adjacent plates C.

slidingjoints between the shoe segments D. i

The joints between the ends of the depending sealing -devices 1 on the underside of the plates C are closed by members 1a, each of which is pivotally connected; by a vvertical pivot or pintle 14 to the right hand end of one of the sealing devices 1 in such a way that it will lap over the left hand end of the adjacent Ysealing device 1 as shown in Figure 2. ln order to produce tight joints between the top edge of the members 1a and the parts against which they bear, a gasket 15 and someaXle grease or the like 16 are interposed between each of the members 1a and the parts that overlap same, as shown in Figure2. Due to the fact that the members. 1a are pivotally mounted in such a way that they can ,swing in a horizontal plane, sa'id members 1 will not interfere with the relative radial movemen-t of the plates C, andas the joints or spaces between the top edges of the members -1 and the parts against which they bear are sealed b gaskets 15 and a nonsolidifying, semi-liquid substance 16, it will be impossible for gas or air to enter the tank or escape therefrom through the joints between the ends of the sealin devices 1 on the underside of the plates A When the tank is filled with liquid, the central bod upon the liquid and the horizontally-disposed plates C close the annular space between the side wall B of the tank and the central body portion A Aof the deck, vand thus protect the contents of the tank from fireand from evaporation, the variable peripheral ortion of the deck formed by `the plates C ing of such construction that the diameter of same can increase or decrease automatically, and thus compensate for relative movement between the side Wall of the ltank and the central body portion A of the portion A of the deck floats.

segments D is partially submerged in the V liquid m in the tank, and as the plates C are provided with depending sealing devices 1 that are submerged in the liquid contained in the trough 3 carried by the lverticallydisposed rim E that surrounds the central body portion A of the deck, the annular space between the rim E and the annular shoe that surrounds said rim is protected-by two liquid seals, the joints between the ends of the plates C and the joints between the ends of the shoe segments D connected to same being effectively sealed byV a nonsolidifying, semi-liquid substance that coats the co-operating engaging faces of the telescoped or overlapped members on the plates C and shoe segments D. ln addition to effectively cutting off communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the tank, the construction above described is desirable, in that an abnormal pressure in the tank, caused by an internal explosion, will be relieved automatically by the pressure i' breaking through the liquid seal formed by the depending devices 1 on the underside of the plates C and the shallow body of liquid 2 in. which said devices are submerged,

' Free radial movement of the plates C and the shoe segments D is assured by the rollers F and 5 between which the plates Care arranged, thereby insuring that the annular shoe will remain in snug engagement withl the side wall ofthe tan Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A- floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion that normally floats upon the liquid in the tank, a variable peripheral portion for closing the space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank, and a. liquid seal.

' eral portion.

the elements constituting said 2. A. floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion that normally floats upon the liquid in the tank, a variable peripheral portion composed of relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements for closing the space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank, and a liquid seal for closing the joint or space between said main body-portion and variable peripheral portion.

3. A ioating tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to float upon the liquid in the tank,

a peripheral portion for closing the space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank comprising members that are capable ot' moving relatively to each other to provide for the expansion and contraction of said variable peripheral portion, means for producing air and gas-tight joints between said members, and a liquid seal for preventing the ingress 4or egress of gas or air through the space between said` members and the main body por tion of the deck.

4. A loating deck for liquid storage tanks, com-prislng a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquid in the tank, and a liquid sealed, explansible and contractible means for closing t e space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank. y

5. A.' floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquid 1n the tank, a variable peripheral portion for closing the space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank comprising a shoe arranged in sliding engagement with the side wall of the tank 'with its lower edge portion submerged in the liquid in the tank, and a liquid seal for cutting oil` communication between the atmosphereV and the space surrounded by said shoe.

6. A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquld 1n ythe tank, a variable-peripheral portion composed of relatively` movable members and comprising a shoe partially submerged 1n the liquid in the tank and composed of relatively movable members, means for producing air and gas-tight joints between all of said relatively movable members, and a liquid seal for producing a tight joint between the main bodyportion of the-deck and the relatively movable members of the peripheralportion that project radially from said mainbody portion. Y

7.. A. oating deck for liquid storage deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main the vspace between said main body portion' and the side wall of the tank comprising relatively movable members, and rotatable devices that support and guide said relatively movable members.

9. A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adaptedv to normally float upon the liquid in the tank, a variable peripheral p'ortion comprising horizontally-disposed, .relatively C movable elements for closing v,the space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank, rotatable devices that sustain sai-d elements. and means for producing gas and air-tight joints between said elements.

10. A floatingv deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally l{ioat upon the liquid fin the tank, a variable peripheral portion comprising horizontally-'disposeiL relatively movable elements for closing the space between said main vbody portion and the side Wall o f the tank, rotatable devices that sustain said elements, means for producing gas and air-tight joints bet-Ween said-elements, and a liquid seal for closing the space or joint between the main body portion of the deck and said horizontally-disposed elements.

11'. A floating deck for liquid storage y portion adapted to float upon the liquid in the tank, a variable peripheral portion composed of relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements for closing the space between said main body` portion and the side wall of the tank, a body vof liquid carried by said main body portion,- and sealing devices on said horizontally-disposed elements that project into said body of liquid. v

12. A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion provided at its periphery with an upwardlyvprojecting rim, relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements arranged above said seal for closingl the joint between the updisposed elements.

.rim for closing the space between said rim and 'the side wall of the tank, and awliquid 13. A oating deck for liquidl storage y tanks, comprising a main body portion provided at its periphery. 'with an upwardlyprojecting rim, relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements arranged above said rim for closing the space between said rim and the side wall of the tank, an annular shoe combined with said horizontally-disposed elements and arranged in sliding engagement with the side wall of the tank with its lower edge submerged in the liquid inthe tank, and a liquid seal for closing the joint between the upper edge of said rim and said horizontally-disposed elements.

14. A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion provided at its periphery with an upwardlyprojecting rim, relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements arranged above said rim for closing the space between said rim and the side wall of the tank, an annular shoe combined with said horizontally-disposed elements and arranged in sliding engagement with the side wall of the tank with lts lower edge submerged in the liquidl in the tank, a, liquid seal for closing the joint between the upper edge of said rim and said horizontally-disposed elements, rotatable devices that sustain and guide said horizontally-disposed elements, and means for producing air and gas-tight joints between said horizontally-disposed elements.

15. A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquid' in the tank and provided at its periphery with an upwardly-projecting rim, relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements for closl, ing the space between said rim and the side wall of the tank, an annular trough carried by said rim and a-dapted to'contain a liquid, and depending sealing devices on the underside `of said horizontally-disposed elements that project downwardly into the liquidin said trough.

16. A fioating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquld in the tank and provided at-its periphery with lan u wardly-projecting rim, relatively mova le, horizontally-disposed elements for closing the space between said rim and the side wall of the tank, an annular trough carried by said rim and adapted to contain a liquid, depending sealing devices on the underside of said horizontallydisposed elements that project downwardly into the liquid in said trough, and rollers in said trough on which said horizontallydisposed elements slide.

17.' A floating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally oat upon the liquid 1n the tank and provided at its periphery with an upwardly-pro'ecting rim, relatively movable, horizontel ly-disposed elements for closing the space between said rimand the side wall of'the tank, an annular trough carrled by said rim and adapted to contain a liquid, depending sealing devices on the underside of said horizontally-disposed ele' tanks, comprising a main body portion adapted to normally float upon the liquid in the tank and provided at its periphery with an upwardly-projecting rim, relatively movable, horizontally-disposed elements arranged above said rim for closing the spaceA l between the rim and the side wall of the tank, an annular shoe combined with said elements and arranged insliding engage ment with the side wall of the tank, rotatable devices'for sustaining said horizontally-disposed elements, and means carried by the rim on the body portion of the deck for exerting pressure on said shoe in a di,

rection to press it against the side wall of theJ tank.

' 9. A 'ioatig deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising a main body portlon adapted to normally float upon the liquid in the tank, a variable peripheral portion comprising a shoe arranged in sliding engagement with the side wall of thetank and a plurality of' horizontally-disposed, lrelatively movable members combined with said shoe and main body portion so as to form a closure for the space between the side wall of the tank and the main -body portion of the deck, rotatable devices for sustaining said variable peripheral portion, and means carried by said variable peripheral portion for causing said4 shoe to bear against the inner face of the side wall of the tank.

20. A ioating deck for liquid storage tanks, comprising'a main body portion, a

variable peripheral portion composed of relatively movable members lfor closing the` space between said main body portion and the side wall of the tank, co-operatlng tongues and pockets on said members arranged in telescopic relation, andbnon-saolidifying, semi-liquid material 1n said pockets to produce air and gas-tight jointsbetween the rim and the side wall of the tank, segmental shoe members connected to said plates and arranged in sliding engagement' with the side Wall of the tank, a horizontally-disposed, annular trough arranged inside ofsaid rim that is adapted to 00ntain a liquid, sealing devices on the undersides of said plates that project downwardly mesme into the liquid in said trough, rollers in said trough on which said plates slide, guides on the main body portion of the deck that maintain said plates in a substantially horizontal position, and spring-pressed devices

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