US3638676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inlet distributor for storage tanks
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-03
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
•
Expires: 1989-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A small distributor tank with perforated top is provided for installation on the floor of a larger storage tank, whereby petroleum products to be stored can be introduced through an inlet line to the distributor tank without agitating sediment on the bottom of the storage tank, and with a minimum of splashing friction which in conventional tank-filling devices tends to generate static electricity. Optional flow-directing baffles may also be included within the distributor tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles O Burch
- 👤 David H May
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/544; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86187; Y10T137/86228; Y10T137/86348; Y10T137/86372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A storage tank construction for liquids comprising in combination: 1. a relatively large outer storage tank; 2. a relatively small inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor of said storage tank, and having a cover plate supported on substantially continuous enclosing sidewalls, said cover plate having multiple, unobstructed perforations distributed over at least a substantial portion of its area providing unobstructed passageways from the interior of said distributor tank to the interior of said outer storage tank; 3. a liquid inlet line communicating from the exterior of said outer storage tank to the interior of said distributor tank and terminating therein in liquid delivery relationship against and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank; said distributor tank and inlet line being cooperatively adapted to provide a gentle, continuous upward flow liquid into said outer storage tank through the perforations in said cover plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A storage tank construction for liquids comprising in combination: 1. a relatively large outer storage tank; 2. a relatively small inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor of said storage tank, and having a cover plate supported on substantially continuous enclosing sidewalls, said cover plate having multiple, unobstructed perforations distributed over at least a substantial portion of its area providing unobstructed passageways from the interior of said distributor tank to the interior of said outer storage tank; 3. a liquid inlet line communicating from the exterior of said outer storage tank to the interior of said distributor tank and terminating therein in liquid delivery relationship against and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank; said distributor tank and inlet line being cooperatively adapted to provide a gentle, continuous upward flow liquid into said outer storage tank through the perforations in said cover plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 1 wherein the sidewalls of said distributor tank are imperforate save for one or more small drain ports located adjacent the floor thereof and a port for said liquid inlet line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
a relatively small inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor of said storage tank, and having a cover plate supported on substantially continuous enclosing sidewalls, said cover plate having multiple, unobstructed perforations distributed over at least a substantial portion of its area providing unobstructed passageways from the interior of said distributor tank to the interior of said outer storage tank;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
a relatively small inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor of said storage tank, and having a cover plate supported on substantially continuous enclosing sidewalls, said cover plate having multiple, unobstructed perforations distributed over at least a substantial portion of its area providing unobstructed passageways from the interior of said distributor tank to the interior of said outer storage tank;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
a relatively small, cylindrical inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor and near a sidewall of said storage tank, said distributor tank having a substantially uNiformly perforated cover plate and a diameter less than about one-tenth of the diameter of said storage tank, the total area of perforations in said cover plate being less than about 40 percent of the cover plate area;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
a relatively small, cylindrical inlet distributor tank positioned on the floor and near a sidewall of said storage tank, said distributor tank having a substantially uNiformly perforated cover plate and a diameter less than about one-tenth of the diameter of said storage tank, the total area of perforations in said cover plate being less than about 40 percent of the cover plate area;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
a liquid inlet line horizontally traversing a sidewall of said distributor tank and terminating therein in a downwardly and laterally directed delivery leg, the mouth of which is cut diagonally substantially parallel to and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank, to thereby provide a more planar, multidirectional flow of entering liquid over the bottom of said distributor tank; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
a liquid inlet line horizontally traversing a sidewall of said distributor tank and terminating therein in a downwardly and laterally directed delivery leg, the mouth of which is cut diagonally substantially parallel to and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank, to thereby provide a more planar, multidirectional flow of entering liquid over the bottom of said distributor tank; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
a liquid inlet line communicating from the exterior of said outer storage tank to the interior of said distributor tank and terminating therein in liquid delivery relationship against and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank; said distributor tank and inlet line being cooperatively adapted to provide a gentle, continuous upward flow liquid into said outer storage tank through the perforations in said cover plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
a liquid inlet line communicating from the exterior of said outer storage tank to the interior of said distributor tank and terminating therein in liquid delivery relationship against and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank; said distributor tank and inlet line being cooperatively adapted to provide a gentle, continuous upward flow liquid into said outer storage tank through the perforations in said cover plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 1 including in combination therewith one or more baffles positioned within said distributor tank and adapted to redirect at least some of the liquid flow from said inlet line away from its normal area of impingement against the walls of said distributor tank, thereby providing a more even areal upward flow through said multiperforate cover plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet line terminates within said distributor tank in a downwardly and laterally directed delivery leg, the mouth of which is cut diagonally substantially parallel to and a short distance above the bottom of said distributor tank to thereby provide a more planar, multidirectional flow of entering liquid over the bottom of said distributor tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
one or more baffles positioned on the floor of said distributor tank diagonally to the principal direction of liquid flow from said delivery leg to thereby redirect at least some of said liquid flow away from its normal area of impingement against the walls of said distributor tank, thereby providing a more even, areal upward flow of liquid through said perforated cover plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
one or more baffles positioned on the floor of said distributor tank diagonally to the principal direction of liquid flow from said delivery leg to thereby redirect at least some of said liquid flow away from its normal area of impingement against the walls of said distributor tank, thereby providing a more even, areal upward flow of liquid through said perforated cover plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 1 wherein the total area of perforations in said multiperforate cover plate is less than about 40 percent of the area of said cover plate, but at least equal to an area twice the cross-sectional area of said inlet line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
9 words
A storage tank construction for liquids comprising in combination:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
9 words
A storage tank construction for liquids comprising in combination:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 6 wherein the total area of perforations in said cover plate is at least about two times the cross-sectional area of said inlet line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tank construction as defined in claim 6 wherein the sidewalls of said distributor tank are imperforate save for one or more small drain ports located adjacent the floor thereof and a port for said liquid inlet line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |