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An apparatus includes a tank having an outer surface, and panels of insulative material. The panels are positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extend adjacent to one another to form seams. An expansion joint is formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow e

An apparatus includes a tank having an outer surface, and panels of insulative material. The panels are positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extend adjacent to one another to form seams. An expansion joint is formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus, comprising: a tank having an outer surface;panels of insulative material, the panels positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extending adjacent to one another to form seams; andan expansion joint formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow

1. An apparatus, comprising: a tank having an outer surface;panels of insulative material, the panels positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extending adjacent to one another to form seams; andan expansion joint formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank, wherein the expansion joint is formed from an insulative material. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panels are positioned such that, upon location of the tank on a support structure, at least one of the seams is in contact with the support structure along the length of the seam to prevent separation of the adjacent panels forming the seam. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion joint is formed by positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion joint includes a pleat formed between the first and second panels. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expansion joint and the first and second panels are integrated into a single panel. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein expansion joint extends continuously around the tank. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the expansion joint comprises a continuous layer having a first end portion secured to a first one of the panels on a first side of one of the seams, a second end portion secured to a second one of the panels on a second side of said one of the seams, and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the intermediate portion overlying said one of the seams and being folded to overlap itself and form the pleat, wherein the intermediate portion forming the pleat is flexible so as to unfold and flatten during expansion of the tank as said one of the seams widens during expansion of the tank. 8. A method, comprising: positioning panels of insulative material over an outer surface of a tank;forming seams by arranging the panels so that the panels extend adjacent to one another; andforming an expansion joint between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank, wherein the expansion joint is formed from an insulative material. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising positioning the panels such that, upon location of the tank on a support structure, at least one of the seams is in contact with the support structure along the length of the seam to prevent separation of the adjacent panels forming the seam. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the expansion joint includes positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the expansion joint includes forming a pleat between the first and second panels. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the expansion joint and the first and second panels are integrated into a single panel. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein expansion joint extends continuously around the tank. 14. The method of claim 8 comprising filling the tank with a fuel. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tank comprises plastic walls. 16. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis supported and propelled by ground engaging members;a tank support structure supported by the chassis; anda tank located on the tank support structure, the tank having an outer surface and panels of insulative material positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extending adjacent to one another to form seams;wherein an expansion joint is formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank and wherein the expansion joint is formed from an insulative material. 17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein at least one of the seams is in contact with a member of the tank support structure that is positioned to support the weight of the tank along the length of the at least one seam. 18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the tank support structure includes members positioned to divert expansion of the tank to an area adjacent to the expansion joint. 19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the expansion joint is formed by positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the expansion joint includes a pleat formed between the first and second panels. 21. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the tank comprises plastic walls. 22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the tank contains a fuel. 23. An apparatus, comprising: a tank having an outer surface;panels of insulative material, the panels positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extending adjacent to one another to form seams; andan expansion joint formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank, wherein the expansion joint is formed by positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the tank comprises plastic walls. 25. A method, comprising: positioning panels of insulative material over an outer surface of a tank;forming seams by arranging the panels so that the panels extend adjacent to one another; andforming an expansion joint between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank, wherein forming the expansion joint includes positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising filling the tank with fuel. 27. A vehicle, comprising: a chassis supported and propelled by ground engaging members;a tank support structure supported by the chassis; anda tank located on the tank support structure, the tank having an outer surface and panels of insulative material positioned over the outer surface of the tank and extending adjacent to one another to form seams;wherein an expansion joint is formed between at least a first and a second of the adjacent panels to allow expansion of the tank and wherein the expansion joint is formed by positioning an adhesive strip along a seam between the first and second panels. 28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the tank comprises plastic walls and is filled with a fuel.