US4524609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage tank systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-02-16
•
Granted: 1985-06-25
•
Expires: 2004-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A storage tank system especially useful for storing liquid gasoline comprises a rigid outer tank fitted with a bladder and an analyzer. The system results in a storage facility which is less likely to lose its stored liquid to the environment due to a slow leak or a sudden large leak such as is possible with an earthquake.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce R. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/02; B65D90/04; B65D90/046; B65D90/48; B65D90/50; B65D90/501; B65D90/503; B65D90/505; B65D90/507; B65D90/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A liquid storage tank system comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell to hold the liquid, said bladder having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe, dispensing line and vent pipe or points at which the fill pipe, dispensing line and vent pipe enter the outer tank shell; (c) gas permeable material positioned between the bladder and the walls of the outer tank shell; (d) vacuum means in communication with the space occuppied by the gas permeable material; and (e) an analyzer in communication with the space within the inner walls of the rigid tank shell and the outside of the bladder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A liquid storage tank system comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell to hold the liquid, said bladder having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe, dispensing line and vent pipe or points at which the fill pipe, dispensing line and vent pipe enter the outer tank shell; (c) gas permeable material positioned between the bladder and the walls of the outer tank shell; (d) vacuum means in communication with the space occuppied by the gas permeable material; and (e) an analyzer in communication with the space within the inner walls of the rigid tank shell and the outside of the bladder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer is a gas analyzer and is capable of detecting selected gases which are withdrawn by the vacuum means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 2 wherein gasoline is stored and the analyzer is capable of detecting gasoline vapors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer is a liquid analyzer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer has means associated with it to set off an alarm when a selected gas or liquid is detected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 5 wherein the bladder is formed of a flexible material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 6 wherein the bladder is formed of a fluoroelastomer material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 7 wherein the bladder is a fluoroelastomer coated material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 1 wherein the fill pipe and/or dispensing line extends into the bladder and clamp means are provided for securely attaching the openings in the bladder to the fill pipe and/or dispensing line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 1 wherein the gas permeable material is jute, polyurethane foam, fiberglass matting. nylon matting or asbestos.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The liquid storage system of claim 10 wherein adhesive means are used to bond the gas permeable material to the outer tank shell and/or the bladder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The liquid storage system of claim 11 wherein the adhesive means is a resinous liner material which when hardened forms a coating capable of repairing or rejuvenating the tank shell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fail-safe liquid storage tank system based on a double walled bladder, comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a double walled bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell comprising an inner bladder to hold the liquid and an outer bladder encasing the inner bladder, said bladders having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe and dispensing line or points at which the fill pipe and dispensing line enter the outer tank shell; and (c) an analyzer in communication with the space between the two bladders.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
A fail-safe liquid storage tank system based on a double walled bladder, comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a double walled bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell comprising an inner bladder to hold the liquid and an outer bladder encasing the inner bladder, said bladders having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe and dispensing line or points at which the fill pipe and dispensing line enter the outer tank shell; and (c) an analyzer in communication with the space between the two bladders.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 13 wherein the space between the two bladders contains a detecting fluid and the analyzer is capable of detecting a change in level of detecting fluid or the presence of stored liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 14 wherein the detecting fluid fills the space between the bladders and air pressure or a vacuum is maintained in a line communicating between the detecting fluid and the analyzer with said analyzer being capable of detecting a change in pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 13 wherein the space between the two bladders is maintained under air pressure or a vacuum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 16 wherein the analyzer is capable of detecting a pressure change.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 16 wherein the analyzer is capable of detecting gasoline.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 16 wherein the space between the two bladders is maintained under a vacuum and a gas permeable material is used to maintain a spaced relationship.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 19 wherein the gas permeable material is jute, polyurethane foam, fiberglass matting, nylon matting or asbestos.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 13 wherein a second analyzer monitors the space between the interior walls of the outer tank shell and the double bladder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 21 wherein the analyzer in communication with the space between the two bladders monitors the space for gasoline vapors and the second analyzer monitors for water and/or liquid gasoline.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 13 wherein the bladders are formed of a flexible material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 23 wherein the bladders are formed of a fluorelastomer material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
123 words
A liquid storage tank system utilizing a probe for detecting leakage, comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell to hold the liquid, said bladder having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe and dispensing line or points at which the fill pipe and dispensing line enter the outer tank shell and wherein the bladder is adhesively bonded to the walls of the outer tank shell; and (c) a probe positioned between the inner walls of the outer tank shell and the outside of the bladder, said probe being capable of detecting selected gases and/or liquids.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
123 words
A liquid storage tank system utilizing a probe for detecting leakage, comprising: (a) an outer tank shell having rigid walls fitted with a fill pipe, a dispensing line and a vent pipe; (b) a bladder adapted for fitting within the outer tank shell to hold the liquid, said bladder having openings with means for sealed connection with the fill pipe and dispensing line or points at which the fill pipe and dispensing line enter the outer tank shell and wherein the bladder is adhesively bonded to the walls of the outer tank shell; and (c) a probe positioned between the inner walls of the outer tank shell and the outside of the bladder, said probe being capable of detecting selected gases and/or liquids.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 25 further wherein the bladder has an opening through which the vent pipe extends and means are provided for a sealed connection with the vent pipe or point at which the vent pipe enters the outer tank shell.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 25 wherein the bladder is formed of a flexible material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The liquid storage tank system of claim 27 wherein the bladder is formed of a fluoroelastomer material.
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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) | 1988-06-24 | 1988-12-24 | 1989-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-24 | 1992-12-24 | 1993-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-24 | 1996-12-24 | 1997-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |