US3707850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic storage tank improvements
Assignee: SYST CAPITOL CORP
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Filing: 1970-10-12
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-10-12
Abstract
Abstract Liquified gas is stored underground in a large double walled container seated in an opening in the earth''s surface. Between the walls of the liner, thermal insulation is distributed in a continuous layer along the floor and wall of the opening. A diaphragm is supported across the top of the opening with a seal being provided between the diaphragm and the double walled liner to form a container for the liquified gas. Surrounding the lip of the opening is a concrete ring across which a net of cables is stretched to support a thermally insulating ceiling. A cooling system is provided for freezing the earth to aid in the excavation of the opening and this system is subsequently used to maintain the wall and floor of the opening frozen to a controlled thickness by cooling them in response to a rise in the temperature of the surrounding earth above a predetermined temperature level. Also disclosed are various techniques for constructing a storage tank of the type described.
Inventors
- 👤 J Connell
- 👤 A Baranyi
- 👤 P Laylander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:58
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/005; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0104; F17C2201/0119; F17C2201/03; F17C2201/032; F17C2201/05; F17C2201/052; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/01; F17C2203/014; F17C2203/016; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0304; F17C2203/0337; F17C2203/0341; F17C2203/0391; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/0602; F17C2203/0604; F17C2203/0612; F17C2203/0626; F17C2203/0629; F17C2203/0634; F17C2203/0636; F17C2203/0639; F17C2203/0643; F17C2203/0646; F17C2203/0658; F17C2203/0663; F17C2203/0673; F17C2203/0678; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/03; F17C2205/0302; F17C2205/0352; F17C2205/0367; F17C2209/00; F17C2209/22; F17C2209/228; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/03; F17C2221/032; F17C2221/033; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2223/04; F17C2223/042; F17C2223/046; F17C2223/047; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/01; F17C2227/0128; F17C2227/0135; F17C2227/0171; F17C2227/0178; F17C2227/03; F17C2227/0337; F17C2227/0341; F17C2227/0353; F17C2227/0367; F17C2227/0388; F17C2250/00; F17C2250/04; F17C2250/0404; F17C2250/0439; F17C2250/06; F17C2250/0605; F17C2250/0631; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0142; F17C2270/0144; F17C2270/0147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An underground storage tank for liquified gas comprising: a. an opening in an earthen surface; b. a container made of a laminate and conforming when filled to the shape of said opening; c. porous reinforcing screening covering the floor and wall of said opening and serving to surround and gird said container; and d. thermal insulation distributed between said screening and the floor and wall of said opening and a thermally insulated roof covering the top of said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An underground storage tank for liquified gas comprising: a. an opening in an earthen surface; b. a container made of a laminate and conforming when filled to the shape of said opening; c. porous reinforcing screening covering the floor and wall of said opening and serving to surround and gird said container; and d. thermal insulation distributed between said screening and the floor and wall of said opening and a thermally insulated roof covering the top of said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The storage tank of claim 1 characterized further by a plurality of expanding retention bands located within said screen at vertically spaced intervals between said screening and the side of said container and pressing said screening against said thermal insulation to hold said thermal insulation in place.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
a series of vErtically spaced apart, expandable, cryogenically stable retainer bands between the upright portion of said screening and the upright portion of said inner wall for holding said screening against said insulation; d. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said liner; and e. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
a series of vErtically spaced apart, expandable, cryogenically stable retainer bands between the upright portion of said screening and the upright portion of said inner wall for holding said screening against said insulation; d. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said liner; and e. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The storage tank of claim 2 characterized further by a moisture-impervious liner surrounding the thermal insulation which is distributed between said screening and the floor and wall of said opening and a layer of padding distributed between the wall of said opening and said liner to protect said liner from puncture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an underground storage tank for liquified gas of the type having an opening in the earth''s surface and a container in said opening, a thermally insulated roof comprising: a. a concrete ring surrounding the lip of said opening; b. a net of steel cables stretched across said opening and supported by said concrete ring; c. screening of cryogenically stable material extending on top of said net; d. a moisture-impervious laminate extending on top of said screening; and e. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in several layers on top of said laminate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
In an underground storage tank for liquified gas of the type having an opening in the earth''s surface and a container in said opening, a thermally insulated roof comprising: a. a concrete ring surrounding the lip of said opening; b. a net of steel cables stretched across said opening and supported by said concrete ring; c. screening of cryogenically stable material extending on top of said net; d. a moisture-impervious laminate extending on top of said screening; and e. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in several layers on top of said laminate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising: a. a sealed, double walled, liquid and gas impervious bucket-shaped liner covering the floor and wall of said opening; b. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in a continuous layer between the inner and outer walls of said liner; c. a porous reinforcing screen surrounding the inner wall of said liner; d. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said liner; and e. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising: a. a sealed, double walled, liquid and gas impervious bucket-shaped liner covering the floor and wall of said opening; b. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in a continuous layer between the inner and outer walls of said liner; c. a porous reinforcing screen surrounding the inner wall of said liner; d. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said liner; and e. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising: a. a sealed, double walled, liquid and gas impervious bucket-shaped liner covering the floor and wall of said opening; b. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in a continuous layer between the inner and outer walls of said liner; c. bracing means for maintaining said bags of insulation upright against the wall of said opening and for reinforcing the inner wall of said liner, said bracing means including,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising: a. a sealed, double walled, liquid and gas impervious bucket-shaped liner covering the floor and wall of said opening; b. thermal insulation packed in bags and distributed in a continuous layer between the inner and outer walls of said liner; c. bracing means for maintaining said bags of insulation upright against the wall of said opening and for reinforcing the inner wall of said liner, said bracing means including,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
163 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising in combination: a. a bucket-shaped liquid and gas impervious liner within said opening; b. compressible pillows of thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer inside said liner along its floor and wall; c. a bucket-shaped expandable cryogenically stable reinforcing screening inside said layer of bags; d. a series of vertically spaced apart, expandable, cryogenically stable retaining bands compressed inside said screening; e. a bucket-shaped liquid and gas impervious liner within said series of retaining bands, made expandable by distributed folds; f. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said inner liner; and g. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm, said container being characterized in that its inner liner, its retaining bands, and its screening all expand and said compressible pillows are compressed when said tank is initially filled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
For use in storing liquified gas in a bucket-shaped opening in the earth''s surface a thermally insulated container comprising in combination: a. a bucket-shaped liquid and gas impervious liner within said opening; b. compressible pillows of thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer inside said liner along its floor and wall; c. a bucket-shaped expandable cryogenically stable reinforcing screening inside said layer of bags; d. a series of vertically spaced apart, expandable, cryogenically stable retaining bands compressed inside said screening; e. a bucket-shaped liquid and gas impervious liner within said series of retaining bands, made expandable by distributed folds; f. a liquid and gas impervious diaphragm stretched across the mouth of said opening and sealed to the rim of said inner liner; and g. thermal insulation distributed in a continuous layer above said diaphragm, said container being characterized in that its inner liner, its retaining bands, and its screening all expand and said compressible pillows are compressed when said tank is initially filled.
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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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |