US3724703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low temperature liquefied gas storage tank and tanker
Assignee: Eneos Globe Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-28
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A storage container constructed either as a tank or a tanker for storage of low-temperature liquids such as liquefied gases. The container is constructed as an outer vessel with a thermal insulation lining and an inner membrane structure consisting of two thin metallic membrane tanks one interiorly of the other. The innermost tank or vessel is thinner than the other inner tank and maintains the fluid-tightness of the container. A vacuum pump applies a vacuum to the space between the two inner tanks to detect leaks and maintains the innermost vessel from collapsing in a non-loaded condition.
Inventors
- 👤 K Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:12
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/02; F17C3/025; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2260/00; F17C2260/03; F17C2260/035; F17C2260/036; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/01; F17C2270/0102; F17C2270/0105; F17C2270/0107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
369 words
A storage container for storage of a low-temperature liquid such as a low-temperature liquefied gas comprising, a first inner vessel of flexible metallic material having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross-section and each defining an arcuate edge of said inner vessel merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, said first inner vessel having an open top, outer support means supporting the bottom and side walls of said first inner vessel in a loaded condition, said outer support means being defined by an outer vessel having an inner insulating lining having a surface spanned by the bottom of said inner vessel in a loaded and non-loaded condition and surfaces disposed to receive thereagainst respective lower corners of said first inner vessel in a loaded condition and side surfaces against which the side walls bear when said container contains said liquefied gas, said insulation lining overlying said open top of said inner vessel, means supporting said open top, a second innermost vessel of flexible metallic material of lesser thickness than said first inner vessel disposed interiorly of said first inner vessel and having a bottom, side walls, corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure of said second innermost vessel having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge of said second innermost vessel merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, said second innermost vessel having an open top in registry with the open top of said first inner vessel, said second innermost vessel being configured and dimensioned to fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the first inner vessel, and means maintaining a pressure differential between the vessels and the interior of the second innermost vessel and the exterior of the first inner vessel, effective to cause atmospheric pressure to maintain the second innermost vessel snugly against the first inner vessel when the second innermost vessel does not contain liquefied gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
369 words
A storage container for storage of a low-temperature liquid such as a low-temperature liquefied gas comprising, a first inner vessel of flexible metallic material having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross-section and each defining an arcuate edge of said inner vessel merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, said first inner vessel having an open top, outer support means supporting the bottom and side walls of said first inner vessel in a loaded condition, said outer support means being defined by an outer vessel having an inner insulating lining having a surface spanned by the bottom of said inner vessel in a loaded and non-loaded condition and surfaces disposed to receive thereagainst respective lower corners of said first inner vessel in a loaded condition and side surfaces against which the side walls bear when said container contains said liquefied gas, said insulation lining overlying said open top of said inner vessel, means supporting said open top, a second innermost vessel of flexible metallic material of lesser thickness than said first inner vessel disposed interiorly of said first inner vessel and having a bottom, side walls, corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure of said second innermost vessel having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge of said second innermost vessel merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, said second innermost vessel having an open top in registry with the open top of said first inner vessel, said second innermost vessel being configured and dimensioned to fit snugly against the inner surfaces of the first inner vessel, and means maintaining a pressure differential between the vessels and the interior of the second innermost vessel and the exterior of the first inner vessel, effective to cause atmospheric pressure to maintain the second innermost vessel snugly against the first inner vessel when the second innermost vessel does not contain liquefied gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A storage container for storage of a low-temperature liquid such as a low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 1, in which said means maintaining said pressure differential comprises vacuum-applying means to apply a vacuum between the interior of the first inner vessel and the exterior of the second inner vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A storage container for storage of a low-temperature liquid such as a low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 2, in which said vacuum-applying means comprises a vacuum pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A storage container for storage of a low-temperature liquid such as a low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 2, in which said outer vessel comprises a trunk providing access to the interior of the two inner vessels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
214 words
A tanker for transporting low-temperature liquids such as low-temperature liquefied gases comprising, an outer hull, a riGid support interiorly of said hull having a compression-resistant, heat-insulating lining interiorly thereof, a flexible membrane structure interiorly of said heat-insulating lining and supported by said heat-insulating lining, said membrane structure comprising two flexible membrane-type tanks comprising a first inner tank made of thin, flexible metallic sheet, a second innermost tank interiorly of the first inner tank and having its outer surfaces in contact with the inner surfaces of the first inner tank, said second innermost tank being made of flexible metallic sheet thinner than the sheet of said first inner tank, each of said two membrane-type tanks having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, each of said two membrane-type tanks having an open top and the openings therein being in registry, and means to reduce air pressure in a space between the two membrane-type tanks sufficiently to maintain the second innermost tank from collapsing from its own weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
214 words
A tanker for transporting low-temperature liquids such as low-temperature liquefied gases comprising, an outer hull, a riGid support interiorly of said hull having a compression-resistant, heat-insulating lining interiorly thereof, a flexible membrane structure interiorly of said heat-insulating lining and supported by said heat-insulating lining, said membrane structure comprising two flexible membrane-type tanks comprising a first inner tank made of thin, flexible metallic sheet, a second innermost tank interiorly of the first inner tank and having its outer surfaces in contact with the inner surfaces of the first inner tank, said second innermost tank being made of flexible metallic sheet thinner than the sheet of said first inner tank, each of said two membrane-type tanks having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, each of said two membrane-type tanks having an open top and the openings therein being in registry, and means to reduce air pressure in a space between the two membrane-type tanks sufficiently to maintain the second innermost tank from collapsing from its own weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tanker according to claim 5, in which said means to reduce air pressure in said space between the membrane-type tanks comprises means to detect leaks in the second innermost tank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tanker according to claim 5, in which said means to reduce air pressure in said space between the membrane-type tanks comprises a vacuum pump having means to take a suction on said space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tanker for transporting low-temperature liquids such as low-temperature liquefied gases comprising, an outer hull, a rigid support interiorly of said hull and having a compression-resistant, heat-insulating lining interiorly thereof, a flexible membrane structure interiorly of said heat-insulating lining, said membrane structure comprising two flexible, membrane-type tanks comprising a first inner tank made of thin, flexible, metallic sheet, a second innermost tank interiorly of the first inner tank and having its outer surfaces in contact with the inner surfaces of the first inner tank, said second innermost tank being made of flexible metallic sheet thinner than the sheet of said first inner tank, each of said two membrane-type tanks having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, each of said two membrane-type tanks having an open top and the openings therein being in registry, and means to apply a suction to a space between the two membrane-type tanks to detect the existence of a leak in said second innermost membrane-type tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tanker for transporting low-temperature liquids such as low-temperature liquefied gases comprising, an outer hull, a rigid support interiorly of said hull and having a compression-resistant, heat-insulating lining interiorly thereof, a flexible membrane structure interiorly of said heat-insulating lining, said membrane structure comprising two flexible, membrane-type tanks comprising a first inner tank made of thin, flexible, metallic sheet, a second innermost tank interiorly of the first inner tank and having its outer surfaces in contact with the inner surfaces of the first inner tank, said second innermost tank being made of flexible metallic sheet thinner than the sheet of said first inner tank, each of said two membrane-type tanks having a bottom, four side walls, four corners and areas of jointure joining the side walls and the edges of the bottom to the lower edges of the side walls, said areas of jointure each having an arcuate cross section and each defining an arcuate edge merging smoothly with respective ones of said lower four corners, each of said two membrane-type tanks having an open top and the openings therein being in registry, and means to apply a suction to a space between the two membrane-type tanks to detect the existence of a leak in said second innermost membrane-type tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tanker according to claim 8, in which said means to apply a suction to said space comprises means to apply a vacuum to said space.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |