Patent US3846989A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3846989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Insulated embankment design techniques
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1972-07-10
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Described are techniques and construction arrangements for providing insulated embankment foundation embodiments for liquid storage containers in ''''arctic temperature'''' environments; this including, in specific embodiments, techniques for determining optimum the thickness and other characteristics of associated insulation, as well as for subjacent gravel transition layers, plus other techniques such as pre-conditioning and refreeze schedules related to particular embankment design and service conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 G Knight
- 👤 G Burt
- 👤 A Condo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:10
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D27/00; E02D27/32; E02D27/35; E02D27/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method which permits the long term continuous use of a heated liquid storage reservoir in permafrost regions said reservoir being supported by frozen terrain and being thermally insulated from said terrain by a thermal barrier comprised of a layer of synthetic thermal insulation, said method comprising the steps of: a. Storing heated liquid in the reservoir until the thaw front resulting from the transmission of heat from the heated liquid downwardly through the frozen terrain extends to a predetermined depth, b. Removing substantially all of the heated liquid from the reservoir, and c. Permitting the terrain beneath the reservoir to refreeze.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method which permits the long term continuous use of a heated liquid storage reservoir in permafrost regions said reservoir being supported by frozen terrain and being thermally insulated from said terrain by a thermal barrier comprised of a layer of synthetic thermal insulation, said method comprising the steps of: a. Storing heated liquid in the reservoir until the thaw front resulting from the transmission of heat from the heated liquid downwardly through the frozen terrain extends to a predetermined depth, b. Removing substantially all of the heated liquid from the reservoir, and c. Permitting the terrain beneath the reservoir to refreeze.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the layer of synthetic thermal insulation is sufficiently thick to permit the reservoir to be continuously used for several years without the necessity of refreezing the underlying terrain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heated liquid is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermal barrier includes a layer of gravel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the constitution and thickness of said thermal barrier is such as to provide a reservoir use period of 4 to 9 years and a refreeze period of 3 to 6 winter months.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said gravel layer is 4 to 6 feet thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said layer of synthetic insulation is 2 to 4 inches thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said synthetic thermal insulation is foamed polyurethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein two or more storage reservoirs are employed together and cycled such that at least one reservoir is in use when another is out of service for refreezing the terrain lying thereunder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermal barrier includes a heat dissipating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said heat dissipating means comprises a cooling shunt means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method which permits the long term continuous use of a heat emitting liquid storage system comprised of a plurality of liquid storage reservoirs supported upon frozen terrain in polar regions without excessively melting and thereby destroying the support for the reservoirs, said reservoirs being thermally insulated from said frozen terrain by a thermal barrier comprised of a layer of gravel and a layer of synthetic thermal insulation, said method comprising using each reservoir on a given cycle comprised of an in service period and a refreeze period the cycles being such that when one of the reservoirs is on the refreeze period another is on the in service period so that the system as a whole provides continuous service.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A method which permits the long term continuous use of a heat emitting liquid storage system comprised of a plurality of liquid storage reservoirs supported upon frozen terrain in polar regions without excessively melting and thereby destroying the support for the reservoirs, said reservoirs being thermally insulated from said frozen terrain by a thermal barrier comprised of a layer of gravel and a layer of synthetic thermal insulation, said method comprising using each reservoir on a given cycle comprised of an in service period and a refreeze period the cycles being such that when one of the reservoirs is on the refreeze period another is on the in service period so that the system as a whole provides continuous service.
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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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |