Scraper structure for storage tanks

Claim 2

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, means for mounting said plates on said roof wall structure below and apart from the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, and means yieldingly urging said overlapping plates toward and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank.

Claim 3

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plate end portions are slidably overlapping.

Claim 4

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said plates comprise a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof for supporting said plates from said floating roof.

Claim 5

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for yieldingly urging said overlapping plates toward and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall comprise a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof and each yielding engaging the adjacent ones of said plates.

Claim 6

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, means for mounting said plates on said roof wall structure below said sealing means such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, and means yieldingly urging said overlapping plates toward and into contaCt with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portions of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 7

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, means for mounting said plates on said roof wall structure below said sealing means such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, and means yieldingly urging said overlapping plates toward and into contaCt with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portions of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 8

The scraper structure set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said plates has a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart slots in said upper portion thereof extending transversely thereof to accommodate flexure of said plate in directions normal thereto.

Claim 9

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, each of said support bars being connected to both of the plates at the associated juncture, and means disposed adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for yielding urging said overlapping plates toward and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank.

Claim 10

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, each of said support bars being connected to both of the plates at the associated juncture, and means disposed adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for yielding urging said overlapping plates toward and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank.

Claim 11

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said support bars includes a central portion pivotally mounted to said floating roof, a first leg pivotally mounted on one of said plates at the associated juncture, a second leg pivotally mounted on the other plate at the associated juncture.

Claim 12

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, means for mounting said plates on said roof wall structure below the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, and a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof adjacent to the junctures between adjacent platEs, each of said springs having two spring members respectively engaging the plates at the associated juncture for urging said plates into contact with each other and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank.

Claim 13

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including an upstanding substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, means for mounting said plates on said roof wall structure below the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, and a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof adjacent to the junctures between adjacent platEs, each of said springs having two spring members respectively engaging the plates at the associated juncture for urging said plates into contact with each other and into contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank.

Claim 14

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein each spring includes a central portion mounted on said floating roof, a first arm extending from said central portion and disposed against one of said plates, a second arm extending from said central portion and disposed against a second plate adjacent said first plate, said first and second arms yieldingly urging said overlapped edges of said plates toward and into contact with said inner surface of said sidewall.

Claim 15

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second arms are disposed against said adjacent plates at opposing points spaced longitudinally inwardly from the free ends of said end portions a distance equal to about one-quarter of the length of said plates.

Claim 16

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second arms are slidably disposed against said adjacent plates.

Claim 17

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including a substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of the said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates, each of said springs engaging both of the adjacent ones of said plates for yieldingly urging said plates into scraping contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portion of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 18

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including a substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of the said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means mounting structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates, each of said springs engaging both of the adjacent ones of said plates for yieldingly urging said plates into scraping contact with the inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portion of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 19

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein said plate end portions are slidably overlapping.

Claim 20

The scraper structure set forth in claim 13, wherein each of said plates has a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart slots in said upper portion thereof extending transversely thereof to accommodate flexure of said plate in directions normal thereto.

Claim 21

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein each of said support bars includes a central portion pivotally mounted on said floating roof, a first leg pivotally mounted on one of said plates at the associated junctUre, a second leg pivotally mounted on the other plate at the associated juncture.

Claim 22

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including a substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means support structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates, each of said springs including a central portion mounted on said floating roof, a first arm extending from said central portion and disposed against one of said plates, a second arm extending from said central portion and disposed against a second plate adjacent to said one plate, said first and second arms yieldingly urging said overlapped end portions of said plates toward and into contact with said inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portion of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 23

In a tank for storing liquids such as petroleum products, including an upstanding cylindrical sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a floating roof arranged in said tank and including a substantially cylindrical wall structure spaced radially inwardly from said cylindrical sidewall and defining a substantially annular space therewith, and sealing means attached to said roof wall structure and arranged in and sealing said annular space; a scraper structure mounted on said floating roof and disposed therebelow for scraping the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall, said scraper structure comprising a plurality of elongated arcuate plates arranged in substantially end-to-end relation circumferentially around the inner surface of said sidewall and disposed thereagainst, the adjacent end portions of adjacent ones of said plates overlapping, each of said plates having a lower arcuate edge shaped generally complementary to said sidewall and in scraping contact with the inner surface thereof, each of said plates having the upper portion thereof curving radially inwardly from said sidewall, a plurality of support bars mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates for supporting said plates from said floating roof below and apart from the sealing means support structure such that said plates are movable with said floating roof, a plurality of springs mounted on said floating roof respectively adjacent to the junctures between adjacent plates, each of said springs including a central portion mounted on said floating roof, a first arm extending from said central portion and disposed against one of said plates, a second arm extending from said central portion and disposed against a second plate adjacent to said one plate, said first and second arms yieldingly urging said overlapped end portions of said plates toward and into contact with said inner surface of said sidewall, whereby materials adhering to the inner surface of said sidewall are removed by the vertical downward movement of said scraper structure incident to the vertical downward movement of said floating roof as liquid is withdrawn from said tank and are directed by the upper portion of said plates inwardly away from said sealing means and under said floating roof.

Claim 24

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and second arms are disposed against said adjacent plates at opposing points spaced longitudinally inwardly from the free ends of said end portions a distance equal to about one-quarter of the length of said plates.

Claim 25

The scraper structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and second arms are slidably disposed against said adjacent plates.