Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A concrete reservoir for hydrocarbons adapted to rest unanchored on the bottom of a body of water, said reservoir comprising in combination a plurality of vertical walls, a floor and a cover defining a plurality of adjacent compartments, each of said walls, floor and cover being made of concrete prestressed in two directions, at least some of said compartments being formed with a first group of apertures in their lower parts leading to the exterior of the reservoir for admitting ambient water to the bottom of said compartments, and at least some of said compartments being formed with a second group of apertures in their upper parts connecting adjacent compartments so that hydrocarbons stored in said compartments above said water may flow back and forth there between, a hollow shaft integrally connected to said cover and dimensioned to project above water when said reservoir is on the bottom of said body of water, and conduit means extending through said shaft Into said reservoir for introducing fluids into said reservoir through said shaft and for withdrawing fluids therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A concrete reservoir for hydrocarbons adapted to rest unanchored on the bottom of a body of water, said reservoir comprising in combination a plurality of vertical walls, a floor and a cover defining a plurality of adjacent compartments, each of said walls, floor and cover being made of concrete prestressed in two directions, at least some of said compartments being formed with a first group of apertures in their lower parts leading to the exterior of the reservoir for admitting ambient water to the bottom of said compartments, and at least some of said compartments being formed with a second group of apertures in their upper parts connecting adjacent compartments so that hydrocarbons stored in said compartments above said water may flow back and forth there between, a hollow shaft integrally connected to said cover and dimensioned to project above water when said reservoir is on the bottom of said body of water, and conduit means extending through said shaft Into said reservoir for introducing fluids into said reservoir through said shaft and for withdrawing fluids therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for opening and closing said apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft is made of concrete and prestressed by means of cables extending into at least some of said reservoir walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 3 in which said reservoir walls comprise partitions radiating from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and the lower ends of the cables prestressing said shaft splay radially outward in said partitions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft is divided into a plurality of superposed compartments by transverse partitions, said transverse partitions being provided with valved apertures which permit a selected liquid to be introduced into any desired number of said superposed compartments so as to regulate the buoyancy of the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 5 comprising means for introducing air into said superposed compartments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of cylindrical walls arranged concentrically about a vertical axis and interconnected by vertical radial partitions to define said compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 7 in which said floor comprises an external supporting ring which holds an annular cushion supporting said reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 7 comprising three supporting members spaced at 120* from each other and integrated into said floor, which is reinforced adjacent each supporting member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A concrete reservoir as claimed in claim 1 which is lined with a material selected from the group consisting of metals, synthetic resins, and a combination of pitch and epoxy resins.