Universal support arrangement for semi-membrane tank walls
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F17C-001/00
B65D-025/00
F17C-003/02
B65D-019/00
출원번호
US-0847858
(2013-03-20)
등록번호
US-9022245
(2015-05-05)
발명자
/ 주소
Jordan, David L.
Michaud, William E.
출원인 / 주소
National Steel and Shipbuilding Company
대리인 / 주소
Ingrassia, Fisher & Lorenz, P.C.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
28
초록▼
Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a s
Embodiments of the invention relate to support arrangements for semi-membrane tank walls and, more particularly, to a universal support assembly for tanks that experience thermal expansion and contraction. One embodiment of the invention may include a tank assembly having at least one tank wall, a support structure at least partially adjacent to the wall, and a link member coupling the tank to the support structure. The link member may be configured to accommodate relative movement between the tank and the support structure through rotation. The link member may be coupled to the tank wall by a ball and socket joint and coupled to the support structure with another ball and socket joint, allowing substantially unlimited in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure.
대표청구항▼
1. A tank assembly comprising: a tank comprising a wall having an external surface;a first support block coupled to the external surface of the wall, the first support block having a first socket formed therein;a support structure for the wall;a second support block coupled to the support structure,
1. A tank assembly comprising: a tank comprising a wall having an external surface;a first support block coupled to the external surface of the wall, the first support block having a first socket formed therein;a support structure for the wall;a second support block coupled to the support structure, the second support block having a second socket formed therein;a link member having a first end received by the first socket and having a second end received by the second socket;a first plate having a first hole extending through the first plate, wherein the link member passes through the first hole such that the first end of the link member fits into the first socket of the first support block, and wherein the first plate is coupled to the first support block to retain the first end of the link member in the first socket; anda second plate having a second hole extending through the second plate, wherein the link member passes through the second hole such that the second end of the link member fits into the second socket of the second support block, and wherein the second plate is coupled to the second support block to retain the second end of the link member in the second socket. 2. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the link member and the first socket form, at least in part, a first ball and socket joint. 3. The tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the second end of the link member and the second socket form, at least in part, a second ball and socket joint. 4. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the link member, the first support block, and the second support block are configured to allow the wall to move rotationally relative to the support structure. 5. The tank assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening member coupling the first support block to the wall. 6. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein: the first plate is parallel to the wall; andthe first plate has a contoured surface around the first hole configured to match a shape and a size of the first end of the link member to retain the first end of the link member in the first socket. 7. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the link member, the first support block, and the second support block are configured to allow 360 degree in-plane movement of the tank relative to the support structure. 8. The tank assembly of claim 1, wherein: the link member is rotationally coupled to the wall by the first support block and the first plate; andthe link member is rotationally coupled to the support structure by the second support block and the second plate. 9. A support arrangement for coupling a tank to a surrounding support structure, the tank having a tank wall, the support arrangement comprising: a first support block for the tank wall, the first support block having a first socket formed therein;a second support block for the support structure, the second support block having a second socket formed therein;a link member having a first end configured to fit within the first socket and having a second end configured to fit within the second socket;a first plate having a first hole extending through the first plate and configured to allow the link member to pass therethrough, the first plate coupled to the first support block to retain the first end of the link member in the first socket; anda second plate having a second hole extending through the second plate and configured to allow the link member to pass therethrough, the second plate coupled to the second support block to retain the second end of the link member in the second socket;wherein the link member, the first socket, and the second socket form two ball and socket joints to allow in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure. 10. The support arrangement of claim 9, wherein: the first plate is parallel to the tank wall when the first support block is coupled to the tank wall; andthe first plate has a contoured surface around the first hole configured to match a shape and a size of the first end of the link member to retain the first end of the link member in the first socket. 11. The support arrangement of claim 9, wherein: the first end of the link member and the first socket form a first ball and socket joint; andthe second end of the link member and the second socket form a second ball and socket joint. 12. The support arrangement of claim 9, wherein the link member, the first support block, and the second support block are configured to allow unrestricted in-plane movement of the tank relative to the support structure. 13. The support arrangement of claim 9, wherein: the link member is rotationally coupled to the wall by the first support block and the first plate; andthe link member is rotationally coupled to the support structure by the second support block and the second plate. 14. An assembly comprising: a tank having a tank wall;a grid of stiffener members attached to an exterior of the tank wall;a plurality of first support blocks supported by the grid of stiffener members, each of the plurality of first support blocks having a respective first socket formed therein;a support structure external to the tank;a plurality of second support blocks coupled to the support structure, each of the plurality of second support blocks having a respective second socket formed therein; anda plurality of link members coupling the tank to the support structure, each of the plurality of link members having a first end retained within a respective one of the first sockets, and having a second end retained within a respective one of the second sockets;wherein the plurality of first support blocks, the plurality of second support blocks, and the plurality of link members cooperate to provide universal support assemblies and anchor support assemblies for the tank wall;wherein each of the universal support assemblies is configured to allow 360 degree in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure; andwherein each of the anchor support assemblies is configured to allow in-plane movement of the tank wall relative to the support structure in only one direction. 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first end of each link member and the respective one of the first sockets form a respective ball and socket joint. 16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the second end of each link member and the respective one of the second sockets form a respective ball and socket joint. 17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of first retaining plates coupled to the plurality of first support blocks to retain the second ends of the plurality of link members within the second sockets; anda plurality of second retaining plates coupled to the plurality of second support blocks to retain the first ends of the plurality of link members within the first sockets. 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein: each of the plurality of link members is rotationally coupled to the tank wall by a respective one of the plurality of first support blocks and by a respective one of the plurality of first retaining plates. 19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein: each of the plurality of link members is rotationally coupled to the support structure by a respective one of the plurality of second support blocks and by a respective one of the plurality of second retaining plates.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (28)
Arney Donald B. (1001 - 2191 W. 39th Ave. Vancouver ; B.C. ; V6M 1T7 CAX), Collapsible liquid container particularly for transportation by helicopter.
Miller, Neil M.; Jordan, David L.; Cuneo, Joseph J.; Goldbuch, Robert D.; Tornay, Edmund G., Integrated tank erection and support carriage for a semi-membrane LNG tank.
Konopasek James L. (1800 The Greens Way Apt. 806 Jacksonville Beach FL 32250) Marshall ; Jr. Cyrus C. (1200 Oriental Garden Rd. Jacksonville FL 32207), Liquid cargo container for marine transport.
Hsia Chih-Hung (210 W. Las Tunas Dr. Arcadia CA 91006) Hsia Chih-Yu (210 W. Las Tunas Dr. Arcadia CA 91006), Methods of transporting low density liquids across oceans.
Gondouin Michel (32 San Marino Dr. San Rafael CA 94901), System, tooling and method of construction of cryogenic tanks for LNG tankers and for LNG storage.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.