Fluid Containment, Inc.

Other

Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.

Edward B Cannan, Jr

William A Schneider

David H Bartlow

Stephen C Macy

Edgar Clifford Crosby, Iii

Michael Blackmar

Larry D Lumpkin

John C King

Joseph R Wiegand

E C Crosby

Bithel W Staton

The present invention is directed to a retrofit underground storage tank (30) and method for making the same. A portion of an underground primary tank (32) its uncovered and an access opening (42) in formed therein. A plurality of trifolds (50, 120, 122, and 124) comprising three folded up and banded together panels (52, 54, 56) which are jointed together by hinges are inserted into the primary tank. A monorail or conveyor (90) is inserted into and suspended from above the primary tank (32). Trolleys (102, 104) on the monorail (90) assist in transporting the trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) within the primary tank (32) and then the monorail (90) is removed. Trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) are unbanded and unfolded and are arranged circumferentially about the tank. Jack stands are used to hold panels of the trifolds in place. Circumferential and longitudinal joints are formed between abutting edges on the panels using fiberglass reinforced plastic mats, woven rovings and resins layups thus creating an inner cylindrical wall (230) within primary tank (32). Further panels are joined together to form a pair of end caps (260, 300) which are jointed to inner cylindrical wall (330) thus creating an inner tank (312). The access opening (42) in primary tank (32) is then covered with a panel which is sealed to primary tank (32). The inner tank and outer primary tank (32) cooperate to form a retrofit double walled storage tank (30). Brine, pressure, vacuum, or a dry monitor are installed between the inner and outer tanks to allow monitoring of the tank.

Retrofit underground storage tank and method for making the same

The present invention is directed to a retrofit underground storage tank (30) and method for making the same. A portion of an underground primary tank (32) its uncovered and an access opening (42) in formed therein. A plurality of trifolds (50, 120, 122, and 124) comprising three folded up and banded together panels (52, 54, 56) which are jointed together by hinges are inserted into the primary tank. A monorail or conveyor (90) is inserted into and suspended from above the primary tank (32). Trolleys (102, 104) on the monorail (90) assist in transporting the trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) within the primary tank (32) and then the monorail (90) is removed. Trifolds (50, 120, 122 and 124) are unbanded and unfolded and are arranged circumferentially about the tank. Jack stands are used to hold panels of the trifolds in place. Circumferential and longitudinal joints are formed between abutting edges on the panels using fiberglass reinforced plastic mats, woven rovings and resins layups thus creating an inner cylindrical wall (230) within primary tank (32). Further panels are joined together to form a pair of end caps (260, 300) which are jointed to inner cylindrical wall (330) thus creating an inner tank (312). The access opening (42) in primary tank (32) is then covered with a panel which is sealed to primary tank (32). The inner tank and outer primary tank (32) cooperate to form retrofit double walled storage tank (30). Brine, pressure, vacuum, or a dry monitor are installed between the inner and outer tanks to allow monitoring of the tank. In a second embodiment, double wall and or single wall panels are joined together to construct a multi-walled inner tank within an outer primary tank to create a retrofit tank (30').

Retrofit underground storage tank

An apparatus for tightening strap members comprises a buckle member having a first means for attachment to a strap and a second means for attachment to a strap. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart pin-receiving boreholes are provided on slidably related sections of the buckle member such that the boreholes in one section have a vernier relationship with the boreholes in another section, thus permitting a boreholes to come into alignment as the sections are slid past each other at an adjustment increment which is less than the spacing between the boreholes on either section. A method is also provided for using the assembly to tightening a strap.

Split strap take-up assembly method of use

An apparatus formed from a base member and a plurality of bolts is used to position the bolts on a flange. The base member is preferably arcuately shaped and has a first end and a second end. The arcuate base member defines a plane and is hand bendable in the plane. The base member has a longitudinal axis normal to the plane and a radius of curvature with respect to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of bolts are mounted to the arcuate base member. Each bolt of the plurality of bolts extends generally longitudinally from the arcuate base member. The device is useful for mounting items to a flange. A multiplicity of boreholes extend through the flange in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member from the back face to the front face. Each borehole is defined by a borehole wall. The bolts are retained in frictional engagement with the borehole walls due to tension from the arcuate base member.

Split bolt ring

A double-walled fiberglass reinforced resin underground storage tank including a generally cylindrical inner wall having a plurality of circumferential support ribs bonded thereto, at least one spacer filament mounted on the outer surface of the inner wall of the tank over a substantial portion of the length of the tank, and an outer wall substantially conforming to the contour of the inner wall and the support ribs but not adhered to the inner wall or the support ribs. The outer wall cures into relatively tight conformance with the inner wall and support ribs resulting in a reduced annular space between the walls. Small voids are created immediately adjacent to the spacer filaments, providing fluid passageways which enhance the otherwise slow migration of fluid in the annular space.

Double-walled underground storage tank

An underground storage tank comprises a cylindrical inner wall, a cylindrical outer wall of plastic resin and reinforcement fibers, and a layer of spacer filaments wound around the inner wall, the spacer filaments separating the inner and outer walls, and the spacer filaments being at least partially surrounded by voids to enable liquids to flow along the filaments.

Growing community of inventors

Conroe, TX, United States of America

Edward B Cannan, Jr