US3943724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater stationary tank for storing large amounts of crude oil
Assignee: Tecnomare SpA
•
Filing: 1974-04-11
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1994-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A submersible oil-storage tank is constructed from a foundation plate which has a flat lower face and a concave upper face and contains a series of hollow cells, a cupola mounted on the foundation plate to form a spheroidal chamber, and extensible-retractable tie members connecting the cupola with the foundation plate. An expansible separating wall extends across the chamber and divides it into a lower sub-chamber and an upper sub-chamber. Each sub-chamber is provided with a valved duct so that water may be permitted to flow into or out of the lower sub-chamber and oil may be permitted to flow into or out of the upper sub-chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Valeriano Banzoli
- 👤 Giovanni De Nora
- 👤 Vincenzo Di Tella
- 👤 Domenico Lalli
- 👤 Gianfranco Tempo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A submersible tank for the storing of oil under water adapted to be stably positioned on a submerged bed so that it is located beneath the water surface, comprised of a planoconcave lens-shaped foundation plate having a flat lower face and a concave upper face, a cupola adapted to be mounted on said foundation plate to form a spheroidal chamber, an expansible separating wall attached to the foundation plate along its upper edge so that it extends across said spheroidal chamber and divides it into a lower sub-chamber and an upper sub-chamber, a valve adapted to control the flow of water into and out of the lower sub-chamber, a second valve adapted to control the flow of oil into and out of the upper sub-chamber, and extensible and retractable tie means mounted on the foundation plate and adapted to pull the cupola downwards against the foundation plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A submersible tank for the storing of oil under water adapted to be stably positioned on a submerged bed so that it is located beneath the water surface, comprised of a planoconcave lens-shaped foundation plate having a flat lower face and a concave upper face, a cupola adapted to be mounted on said foundation plate to form a spheroidal chamber, an expansible separating wall attached to the foundation plate along its upper edge so that it extends across said spheroidal chamber and divides it into a lower sub-chamber and an upper sub-chamber, a valve adapted to control the flow of water into and out of the lower sub-chamber, a second valve adapted to control the flow of oil into and out of the upper sub-chamber, and extensible and retractable tie means mounted on the foundation plate and adapted to pull the cupola downwards against the foundation plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A submersible tank for the storing of oil as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation plate is provided with a series of cells adapted to contain air and render the foundation buoyant or to contain water and render the foundation plate nonbuoyant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
A submersible tank for the storing of oil as claimed in claim 2, wherein the concave upper face of the foundation plate is surrounded by a rim provided with an annular groove, and the cupola has a vent in its top adapted to permit the escape of air and is provided with a hollow torus at its bottom adapted to be seated in said groove and to contain air and render the cupola buoyant or to contain water and render the cupola nonbuoyant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3550385A
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US3710582A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |