Cross-shaped joint cover member for generally rectangular composite insulating panels forming wall portion of insulated cryogenic liquid container

Claim 2

A joint cover member for sealing a cross- shaped space separating four rectangularly arranged composite insulating panels mounted on a supporting structure and forming a wall portion of an insulated cryogenic liquid container, the joint cover member comprising a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing secured thereto, the cross-shaped body of insulating material being insertable in a cross-shaped space separating four rectangularly arranged mounted composite insulating panels and the outer facing being sealable to the composite panels to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, and the dimension of the joint cover member from an outer end of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 3

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer facing has leg portions wider than the leg portions of the body of insulating material.

Claim 4

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer facing comprises glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 5

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of insulating material comprises foamed resin.

Claim 6

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of insulating material comprises foamed resin and each leg portion thereof has fibrous glass insulation bonded to the foamed resin on opposite sides of the leg portion.

Claim 7

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of insulating material comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 8

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of insulating material comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 9

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body of insulating material comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped cellular structure.

Claim 10

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer facing comprises glass fiber reinforced bisphenol-A/epichlorohydrin epoxy resin and a curing agent.

Claim 11

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the epoxy resin has a weight per epoxide of 175 to 280.

Claim 12

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises an acid anhydride.

Claim 13

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride.

Claim 14

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amount of 50 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin.

Claim 15

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amouunt of 70 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin.

Claim 16

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amount of about 90 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin.

Claim 17

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amount of 70 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-4-methyl-imidazole in the amount of up to 2 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin.

Claim 18

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amount of about 90 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-4-methyl-imidazole in the amount of about 1 part by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin, and the epoxy resin has a weight per epoxide of 185 to 192.

Claim 19

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the curing agent comprises polyazelaic polyanhydride in the amount of 70 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin and the outer facing also comprises tetraethylene glycol in the amount of up to 20 parts by weight per 100 parts of epoxy resin.

Claim 20

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer facing comprises glass fibers in the amount of up to 80 percent of the total weight thereof.

Claim 21

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer facing comprises glass fibers in the amount of 25 to 70 percent of the total weight thereof.

Claim 22

A joint cover member as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer facing comprises glass fibers in the amount of about 60 percent of the total weight thereof.

Claim 23

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing and insulating material in the casing, the panels being mounted in rows in a covering layer over the planar inner surface with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, and a plurality of joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces and the outer facings covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each joint cover member from an outer end of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 24

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing and insulating material in the casing, the panels being mounted in rows in a covering layer over the planar inner surface with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, and a plurality of joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces and the outer facings covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each joint cover member from an outer end of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 25

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 26

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise foamed resin.

Claim 27

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 28

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 29

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 30

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 31

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the casings of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 32

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the insulating material of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 33

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the insulating material of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 34

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the insulating material of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 35

An insulated container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the insulating material of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 36

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing and an interior panel sealed to and dividing the casing into front and rear compartments each having insulating material therein, the composite panels being mounted in rows in a covering layer over the planar inner surface with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, a plurality of rear joint cover members each including a cross-shaped outer body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the rear compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the rear joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed thereto on the sides thereof to form a secondary barrier for cryogenic liquids with the interior panels of the composite panels, and a plurality of front joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the front compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the front joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulation thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each of the front and rear joint cover members from an outer end of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 37

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing and an interior panel sealed to and dividing the casing into front and rear compartments each having insulating material therein, the composite panels being mounted in rows in a covering layer over the planar inner surface with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, a plurality of rear joint cover members each including a cross-shaped outer body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the rear compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the rear joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed thereto on the sides thereof to form a secondary barrier for cryogenic liquids with the interior panels of the composite panels, and a plurality of front joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the front compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the front joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulation thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each of the front and rear joint cover members from an outer end of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 38

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings of the rear joint cover members comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 39

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin.

Claim 40

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 41

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 42

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 43

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 44

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings of the front joint cover members comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 45

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin.

Claim 46

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 47

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 48

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 49

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 50

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the casings of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 51

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the interior panels of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 52

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 53

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 54

An insulated container as claimed in claimed 34 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 55

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 56

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 57

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 58

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 59

An insulated container as claimed in claim 34 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 60

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of studs secured to the planar inner surface in regularly spaced parallel rows extending in each of two cross directions and defining a plurality of generally rectangular mounting areas on the planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing having insulating material therein and having a laterally outwardly extending rear peripheral mounting flange, mechanical fastening means operatively associated with the studs and with the mounting flanges of the casings and securing the composite panels in mounted position on the planar inner surface respectively within the mounting areas with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, an a plurality of joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces and the outer facings covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each joint cover member from an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 61

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of studs secured to the planar inner surface in regularly spaced parallel rows extending in each of two cross directions and defining a plurality of generally rectangular mounting areas on the planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing having insulating material therein and having a laterally outwardly extending rear peripheral mounting flange, mechanical fastening means operatively associated with the studs and with the mounting flanges of the casings and securing the composite panels in mounted position on the planar inner surface respectively within the mounting areas with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, an a plurality of joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces and the outer facings covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each joint cover member from an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 62

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 63

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise foamed resin.

Claim 64

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 65

an insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 66

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced witn cellular structure.

Claim 67

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 68

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the casings of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 69

An insulated containter as claimed in claim 57 wherein the insulating material of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 70

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the insulating material of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 71

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the insulating material of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular sturcture.

Claim 72

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the insulating material of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped sturcture.

Claim 73

An insulated container as claimed in claim 57 wherein the studs are threaded and the fastening means comprises fastening strips secured on the studs by nuts.

Claim 74

an insulated container as claimed in claim 57 including elastomeric sealing strips mounted on the studs.

Claim 75

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of studs secured to the planar inner surface in regularly spaced parallel rows extending in each of two cross directions and defining a plurality of generally rectangular mounting areas on the planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing having a laterally outwardly extending rear peripheral mounting flange and an interior panel sealed to and dividing the casing into front and rear compartments each having insulating material therein, mechanical fastening means operatively associated with the studs and with the mounting flanges of the casings and securing the composite panels in mounted position on the planar inner surface respectively within the mounting areas with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, a plurality of rear joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the rear compartments panels and the outer facings of the rear joing cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed thereto on the sides thereof to form a secondary barrier for cryogenic liquids with the interior panels of the composite panels, and a plurality of front joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the front compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the front joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulation thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each of the front and rear joint cover members from an outer and of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 76

An insulated cryogenic liquid container comprising a supporting enclosure having a generally planar inner surface, a plurality of studs secured to the planar inner surface in regularly spaced parallel rows extending in each of two cross directions and defining a plurality of generally rectangular mounting areas on the planar inner surface, a plurality of generally rectangular composite insulating panels each including a casing having a laterally outwardly extending rear peripheral mounting flange and an interior panel sealed to and dividing the casing into front and rear compartments each having insulating material therein, mechanical fastening means operatively associated with the studs and with the mounting flanges of the casings and securing the composite panels in mounted position on the planar inner surface respectively within the mounting areas with a cross-shaped space separating the casings of each group of four rectangularly arranged mounted composite panels, a plurality of rear joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the rear compartments panels and the outer facings of the rear joing cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed thereto on the sides thereof to form a secondary barrier for cryogenic liquids with the interior panels of the composite panels, and a plurality of front joint cover members each including a cross-shaped body of insulating material and a cross-shaped outer facing, the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members being disposed respectively in the cross-shaped spaces substantially in alignment with the front compartments of the composite panels and the outer facings of the front joint cover members covering the cross-shaped bodies of insulation thereof, bridging the space between casings, and being sealed to front panel portions thereof to form a primary barrier for cryogenic liquids therewith, the dimension of each of the front and rear joint cover members from an outer and of any one leg portion to an outer end of an oppositely extending leg portion being substantially equal to the dimension of one of the composite insulating panels in the same direction.

Claim 77

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings of the rear joint cover members comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 78

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin.

Claim 79

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 80

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the rear joint cover members comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 81

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 82

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of rear joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 83

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped outer facings of the front joint cover members comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 84

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin.

Claim 85

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin and the leg portions thereof have fibrous glass insulation bonded to opposite sides thereof.

Claim 86

An insulated contaner as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of the front joint cover members comprise polyurethane foam.

Claim 87

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the front joint cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 88

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the cross-shaped bodies of insulating material of some of the front cover members comprise foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 89

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the casings of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 90

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the interior panels of the composite panels comprise glass fiber reinforced resin.

Claim 91

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 92

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 93

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 94

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the rear compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 95

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of the composite panels comprises foamed resin.

Claim 96

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of the composite panels comprises polyurethane foam.

Claim 97

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with cellular structure.

Claim 98

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the insulating material in the front compartments of some of the composite panels comprises foamed resin reinforced with honeycomb-shaped structure.

Claim 99

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 wherein the studs are threaded and the fastening means comprises fastening strips secured on the studs by nuts.

Claim 100

An insulated container as claimed in claim 71 including elastomeric sealing strips mounted on the studs.