US4451173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage pond
Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
•
Filing: 1982-07-09
•
Granted: 1984-05-29
•
Expires: 2002-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A pond for the storage of hazardous materials, such as irradiated nuclear fuel elements, under water. Upper (8) and lower (6) impervious membranes extend without interruption beneath the floor (1) of the pond and the edges of the membranes lead into a trench (9) surrounding the pond. Any leakage through the floor is directed normally by the upper membrane (8) into the trench (9). The lower membrane (6) provides an additional impervious barrier in the event of a leak in the upper membrane (8) and again directs the leakage into the trench thereby avoiding contamination of the ground beneath the pond.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Watson
- 👤 Eric Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C19/00; G21C19/02; G21C19/06; G21C19/07; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An above ground storage pond for hazardous liquids comprising a support base, a floor on the base, upstanding side walls, a trench surrounding the floor and side walls, and upper and lower impervious members in the base extending uninterrupted beneath the floor and side walls to emerge into the trench whereby any leakage through the floor and side walls is directed into the trench.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An above ground storage pond for hazardous liquids comprising a support base, a floor on the base, upstanding side walls, a trench surrounding the floor and side walls, and upper and lower impervious members in the base extending uninterrupted beneath the floor and side walls to emerge into the trench whereby any leakage through the floor and side walls is directed into the trench.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An above ground storage pond as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impervious members are membranes of plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An above ground storage pond as claimed in claim 2 wherein said trench extends to a depth below the lower plastic membrane, and thus surrounds the floor, walls, and at least that portion of the base through which said membranes extend.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An above ground storage pond as claimed in claim 3 wherein said upper and lower membranes are separated by concrete.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US734045A
Cited
US3195310A
Cited
US3252155A
Cited
US3516568A
Cited
US3415022A
Cited
US3581513A
Cited
US3736754A
Cited
GB1440187A
Cited
US3952531A
Cited
US4068480A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |