US2341547A - Pressure container - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, 1944.

A. H. HEINEMAN 2,341,547

PRESSURE CONTAINER Filed Jan. 22, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v5.11/ fr) Z6/QQ. 2.

A. H. HEINEMAN PRESSURE CONTAINER Feb. 15, 1944.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1941 Feb. 15, 1944. A. H. HEINEMAN 2,341,547,

PRESSURE CONTAINER Filed Jan. 22, 1941y 4 sheets-sheet s Patente Feb. l5,

2,341,541 PRESSURE CONTAINER Arnold H. Heineman, Birmingham, Ala., assignor to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, a. corporation of Illinois Application January 22, 1941, Serial No. 375,491

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in pressure containers or tanks and more especially to such a container built of sheet metal.

My invention is especially adapted for use in connection with underground tanks and is so illustrated in this specification.

Among the features of my invention is the making of such a tank capable of withstanding considerable internal pressure bothpositive and minus. The tank is also so constructed that considerable earth loads may be borne. Another feature of my invention is the provision of such a tank made out of plates that are either iiat or bent in one plane only. The expense of shaping plates to double curvature is therefore avoided. l

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view with a portion of the top cut away; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation with a portion of the wall cut away; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the posts;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation similar to Fig. 2 showing a modied form; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another modification; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another modification; and Figs. 8-13 are diagrammatic vertical sectional views showing additional modifications;

As shown ln the drawings; the tank includes a circular substantially flat top I and a circular substantially iiat bottom II of considerable area connected at points spaced throughout the areas bystructural posts I2 to secure the same against displacement. Such a tank, for example, may

` be 10 Vfeet or more high and have a diameter from 50 to 10o-,feet to give the same a capacity of from approximately 2,500 barrels to approximately 13,000 barrels or more. The spacing of the posts I2 will depend upon the pressure to be carried'. ForJ example. they may be spaced froml each other 2 feet, more or less.

The sidewall ofthe tank is circular in horiv'z ontal cross-*sectionand is formed of two or more frusta. of cones. In the construction of Figs. 1-4

1 there arel foursuch frusta, namely I3, I4, I5 and I,`counting from the top downwardly. 'I'he upper two taper downwardly and inwardly whereas the lower two taper downwardly and outwardly. In the modied form shown `in Fig. the side wall comprises only two such frusta,

namely an upper Ila tapering downwardly and inwardly and a lower IIS tapering downwardly and outwardly.

If desired, there may be provided at intervals outside of the tank, bracing plates l1 with their inner edges connected to the side wall and provided with an outer straight edge extending from the periphery of the top to the periphery of the bottom. This straight edge is preferably braced with an angle-iron IIa. A similar bracing plate is indicated in the modified form of Fig. 5 by I I1.

The construction of the posts I2 forms no part of the present invention but I have here shown them as made of angle-irons so that the complete post. is narrowed somewhat at the center to resemble the shape of an hour glass. The posts are welded at their upper and lower ends to the top and bottom, respectively, so that they will withstand both compression and tension. The plates I1 and III are also welded at their inner edges to the side wall. In fact, it is to be understood that all adjacent parts are suitably attached as by welding or in any other suitable manner in order to make a rigid construction.

It is also to be understood that the frusta of cones forming the side wall may convex outwardly instead of concaving inwardly as shown. Such construction is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6. In such case a bracing plate may be placed inside. For example, as shown in Fig. 6.

the. top is indicated by 2I0, the bottom by 2II and the frusta of cones forming the side wall by 2I3, 2M, 2I5 and 2I8, respectively. Inside of the tank is a post 2I2 similar to the post I2. One oi the bracing plates inside of the tank similar to the plate I1 is indicated by 2I1 and this has its straight edge reinforced by angleirons2l'la.

The modification shown in Fig. 'l resembles that shown in Fig. 6 except that the side wall is composed of two frusta of cones instead of four. Corresponding parts are indicated by corresponding reference numerals augmented by |00.

I n Fig. 8 I have suggested a form employing one or more cylindrical sections with one or more frusta of cones. As here shown, there are three courses, the middle 4H being cylindrical, the upper 4I3 being a frustum of a cone and the lower M6 being also a frustum of a cone. The top is indicated by 4I0 and the bottom by 4I I. As here shown, I employ internal stiffener plates 4I'I.

In Fig. 9 I have shown a tank similar to that shown in Fig. 3 except that instead of using external stiiiening plates. I employ horizontal stiiieners Ill on the outside of the tank. As

here shown, these stiil'ening rings are located at the intersections oi' the frusta; although it is obvious that they may be placed at other points on each course. These sti'eners may be either plates or shapes.

It is to be understood that in all cases bracing plates may or may not be used and may be placed either inside or outside of the tank or both.

In Figs. 10-12 I have shown profile diagrammatic sketches indicating several alternative constructions all of which utilize the polyconic principle to gain stillness in the shell. In Fig. 11 the courses are joined by horizontal stiileners tl'l.

In Fig. 13 I have shown a shell with no conical surfaces at all but employing merely a series oi' cylindrical courses of different diameters oiI- set from each other by the horizontal stifl'ening members lll.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments oi my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view oi.' the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure byl Letters Patent, is:

A sheet metal pressure t\ank, comprising: a l

side wall formed of frusta of cones axially ar. ranged and circumferentially connected together in superimposed relation, said upper v frusta oi' cones tapering downwardly andinwardiy and said lower frusta oi cones tapering upwardly and inwardly; and a substantially nat top and bottom.

ARNOLD H. HEINEMAN.

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