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US20180118454A1 - Leak Preventing Device and Tank for Transporting Liquid With such a Device - Google Patents

Leak Preventing Device and Tank for Transporting Liquid With such a Device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180118454A1
US20180118454A1 US15/568,039 US201615568039A US2018118454A1 US 20180118454 A1 US20180118454 A1 US 20180118454A1 US 201615568039 A US201615568039 A US 201615568039A US 2018118454 A1 US2018118454 A1 US 2018118454A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tank
floating body
hose
preventing device
leak preventing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/568,039
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English (en)
Inventor
Christer Lundin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of US20180118454A1 publication Critical patent/US20180118454A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/22—Safety features

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a leak preventing device according to the preamble of claim 1 for preventing liquid from leaking out of a damaged tank.
  • the invention also relates to a tank for transporting liquid provided with such a device.
  • Liquid fuel and other types of liquids may be transported and stored in tanks of various types. If such a tank is damaged, for instance due to an accident or wear, the liquid in the tank may leak to the surrounding environment, which may cause a lot of problem, for instance in the form of material damages, environmental pollution and health and safety hazards for people in the vicinity of the leaking tank. It is previously known, for instance from GB 1 020 581 A and DE 1 525 465 B, that liquid may be prevented from leaking out through a leak below the surface of the liquid in a tank by producing a sufficient underpressure in a gas-filled space above the surface of the liquid in the tank by means of a vacuum pump.
  • a leak preventing device is previously known from WO 87/02650 A1.
  • This previously known device has the form of a leak sealing pad which is to be attached to an outer wall of a tank so as to cover a leak opening in the tank wall and thereby prevent gas or liquid from flowing out of the tank through the leak opening.
  • the pad is pressed against the tank wall under the effect of an underpressure generated in a vacuum chamber of the pad by means of a vacuum pump.
  • this leak preventing device is only suitable for use when it comes to an easily accessible leak concentrated to a limited area.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a new and favourable leak preventing device for preventing liquid from leaking out of a damaged tank.
  • the above-mentioned object is achieved by a leak preventing device having the features defined in claim 1 .
  • the leak preventing device of the present invention comprises:
  • a leak-preventing underpressure may be achieved inside a tank in a simple manner.
  • a vacuum pump is to be connected to the flexible hose inside the tank and the vacuum pump is to be operated in order to draw off gas from the gas-filled space in the tank above the surface of the liquid in the tank via the flexible hose and thereby produce an underpressure in said space sufficient for preventing liquid from continuing to leak out of the tank through said leak.
  • the floating body will always float at the surface of the liquid in the tank irrespective of the prevailing inclination of the tank, and the floating body may thereby ensure that the flexible hose always is maintained in fluid communication with the gas-filled space in the tank above the surface of the liquid in the tank. Furthermore, the leak preventing device of the present invention may be used even if the leak opening is inaccessible.
  • said first end of the hose is fixed to the floating body in such a manner that the hose projects from the underside of the floating body at the centre thereof.
  • the weight of the hose will contribute in keeping the floating body floating in a correct position with its underside facing vertically downwards.
  • said second end of the hose is connected to a shut-off valve, which is fixed to the tank and accessible from the outside of the tank.
  • the shut-off valve makes it easy to put the flexible hose inside the tank in communication with a vacuum pump when so needed and to otherwise keep the flexible hose disconnected from the ambient air.
  • said shut-off valve is connected to a coupling member, which is configured for releasable engagement with a corresponding coupling member arranged at an end of a suction hose from a vacuum pump.
  • a vacuum pump may easily and rapidly be connected to the flexible hose inside the tank when so needed.
  • the flexible hose is connected to one or more further shut-off valves, which are fixed to the tank at a distance from each other and accessible from the outside of the tank, wherein each such further shut-off valve is connected to a coupling member which is configured for releasable engagement with a corresponding coupling member arranged at an end of a suction hose from a vacuum pump.
  • Each shut-off valve with its associated coupling member constitutes an access point through which a vacuum pump may be connected to the flexible hose inside the tank.
  • the invention also relates to a tank for transporting liquid having the features defined in claim 11 .
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal section through a tank provided with a leak preventing device according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section through the tank of FIG. 1 , as seen with a vacuum pump connected to the flexible hose inside the tank,
  • FIG. 3 is a detail enlargement of the encircled area III in FIG. 1
  • FIG. 4 is a detail enlargement of the encircled area IV in FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view from below of a floating body included in the leak preventing device of FIG. 1 ,
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view from above of the floating body of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical section through the floating body of FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic planar view from above of the floating body of FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical section through a floating body according to an alternative variant.
  • a leak preventing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .
  • the leak preventing device 1 is to be used with a tank 2 for transporting and/or storing liquid in order to prevent liquid from leaking out of the tank through a hole or crack in a wall of the tank below the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank if the tank is damaged due to an accident or wear.
  • the leak preventing device 1 is to be pre-mounted to the tank 2 so as to be ready for use in a possible situation when the tank is damaged and liquid starts to leak out of the tank.
  • the leak preventing device 1 comprises a floating body 4 which is configured to have such a buoyancy that it is capable of floating at the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank 2 with at least an upper part of the floating body 4 located above the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank.
  • the leak preventing device 1 also comprises a flexible hose 5 with a first end 6 a and an opposite second end 6 b .
  • the first end 6 a of the hose is fixed to the floating body 4 and the hose 5 is fixed to a wall 7 of the tank 2 at a point of attachment 8 at a distance from said first end 6 a , wherein the hose 5 extends freely inside the tank 2 between the floating body 4 and said point of attachment 8 .
  • the second end 6 b of the hose is connected or connectable to a suction side of a vacuum pump 9 (see FIG. 2 ) so as to allow the vacuum pump to draw off gas via the hose 5 from a gas-filled space 10 in the tank 2 above the floating body 4 and above the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank in order to reduce the pressure in said space 10 to such a low value that leakage of liquid from the tank 2 through a possible leak below the surface 3 of the liquid is prevented.
  • the second end 6 b of the hose is connected to a shut-off valve 11 , which is fixed to the tank 2 and accessible from the outside of the tank.
  • the shut-off valve 11 is connected to a coupling member 13 which is configured for releasable engagement with a corresponding coupling member 14 (see FIG. 4 ) arranged at an end of a suction hose 15 from a vacuum pump 9 .
  • the flexible hose 5 is with advantage connected to two or more shut-off valves 11 which are fixed to the tank 2 at a distance from each other and accessible from the outside of the tank 2 , as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , wherein each shut-off valve 11 is connected to a coupling member 13 configured for releasable engagement with a corresponding coupling member 14 arranged at an end of a suction hose 15 from a vacuum pump 9 .
  • the leak preventing device 1 comprises three shut-off valves 11 with associated coupling members 13 .
  • the shut-off valves 11 are connected to each other by means of connecting pipes 16 which are mounted to the tank 2 on the outside thereof.
  • the connecting pipes 16 may as an alternative be mounted inside the tank 2 .
  • Each shut-off valve 11 comprises a valve member (not shown) which is moveable by means of a maneuvering member 12 between a closed position and an open position.
  • the maneuvering member 12 may for instance have the form of a lever or knob.
  • the suction hose 15 of the vacuum pump 9 is to be connected to one of the shut-off valves 11 when need arises.
  • the leak preventing device of the present invention may as an alternative comprise a vacuum pump which is permanently connected to the flexible hose 5 inside the tank 2 via a shut-off valve 11 .
  • the first end 6 a of the flexible hose 5 is with advantage fixed to the floating body 4 in such a manner that the hose 5 projects from the underside 17 a of the floating body at the centre thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 .
  • the floating body 4 is provided with a suction channel 18 , wherein the first end 6 a of the flexible hose 5 is connected to a lower end 19 a of the suction channel 18 and an inlet opening 20 is arranged at an upper end 19 b of the suction channel 18 .
  • the inlet opening 20 is provided in a part of the floating body 4 which is configured to be located above the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank 4 when the floating body 4 is floating at the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank.
  • the suction channel 18 extends across the floating body 4 from the underside 17 a of the floating body to the upper side 17 b thereof along the centre axis of the floating body 4 .
  • the inlet opening 20 of the suction channel 18 is arranged at the upper end of a pipe 21 which projects from the upper side 17 b of the floating body 4 , wherein the upper end of the pipe 21 is received in a cover 22 which is configured to prevent liquid from splashing into the suction channel 18 through the inlet opening 20 .
  • the cover 22 is fixed to the pipe 21 by means of a supporting member 23 in the form of a plate or the similar, wherein gas is allowed to flow into the cover 22 towards the inlet opening 20 of the suction channel 18 through gaps 24 between the supporting member 23 and an inner wall of the cover 22 , as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , or through gaps in the supporting member 23 .
  • a check valve 25 is arranged at the inlet opening 20 of the suction channel 18 in order to keep the inlet opening closed when no gas to is drawn off via the flexible hose 5 from the gas-filled space 10 above the surface 3 of the liquid in the tank 2 .
  • the check valve 25 comprises a valve member 26 , for instance in the form of a disc, which is moveably mounted to the float 4 at the upper end 19 b of the suction channel 18 .
  • valve member 26 Under the effect of a suction effect in the suction channel 18 produced by a vacuum pump 9 , the valve member 26 is moveable from a closed position, in which the valve member 26 covers the inlet opening 20 of the suction channel 18 and thereby prevents liquid from splashing into the suction channel 18 through the inlet opening 20 , to an open position, in which the valve member 26 is swung away from the inlet opening 20 .
  • a stop member 27 is with advantage arranged at the inlet opening 20 of the suction channel 18 in order to define the closed position of the valve member 26 , wherein the valve member 26 is configured to abut against this stop member 27 in its closed position.
  • the valve member 26 is preferably spring-loaded so as to assume its closed position under the effect of the spring force from a spring member (not shown) acting on the valve member 26 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Details Of Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
US15/568,039 2015-04-22 2016-04-15 Leak Preventing Device and Tank for Transporting Liquid With such a Device Abandoned US20180118454A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1550478-0 2015-04-22
SE1550478A SE538812C2 (sv) 2015-04-22 2015-04-22 Leak preventing device and tank for transporting liquid provided with such a device
PCT/SE2016/050330 WO2016171606A1 (en) 2015-04-22 2016-04-15 Leak preventing device and tank for transporting liquid provided with such a device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20180118454A1 true US20180118454A1 (en) 2018-05-03

Family

ID=57144452

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/568,039 Abandoned US20180118454A1 (en) 2015-04-22 2016-04-15 Leak Preventing Device and Tank for Transporting Liquid With such a Device

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20180118454A1 (sv)
EP (1) EP3286110A4 (sv)
JP (1) JP2018516813A (sv)
KR (1) KR20180011093A (sv)
CN (1) CN107531409A (sv)
SE (1) SE538812C2 (sv)
WO (1) WO2016171606A1 (sv)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110853888A (zh) * 2019-11-21 2020-02-28 西安西电变压器有限责任公司 变压器植物油油罐及变压器注油系统

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3650293A (en) * 1970-11-25 1972-03-21 Acf Ind Inc Floating vent for railway tank car safety relieve valve
US3672533A (en) * 1970-12-03 1972-06-27 Chemagro Corp Floating vent device
US5092259A (en) * 1989-07-10 1992-03-03 Mo Husain Inert gas control in a system to reduce spillage of oil due to rupture of ship's tank

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH423379A (de) * 1961-08-29 1966-10-31 Nicolai Walter Einrichtung an Flüssigkeitslagerbehältern, zur Verhinderung von Flüssigkeitsleckagen und zur Anzeige oder Überwachung von Undichtigkeiten des Lagerbehälters
DE1222329B (de) * 1961-08-29 1966-08-04 Walter Nicolai Verfahren und Einrichtung zur Verhinderung von Leckverlusten an Fluessigkeits-Lagerbehaeltern mit Unterdruck im Luftraum des Behaelters
DE1525465B1 (de) * 1963-01-14 1970-02-12 Klug Friedrich A Dipl Math Dip Vorrichtung zur selbsttaetigen Steuerung einer Vakuumpumpe zur Aufrechterhaltung eines Binnenbodendrucks in einem Lagerbehaelter,der niedriger ist als der atmosphaerische Umgebungsdruck
GB1027147A (en) * 1963-09-17 1966-04-27 Laporte Chemical Venting device
DE1233676B (de) * 1964-03-25 1967-02-02 Fendel Geb Einrichtung zum Einstellen eines Unterdruckes in Fluessigkeits-Lagertanks
US5156109A (en) * 1989-07-10 1992-10-20 Mo Husain System to reduce spillage of oil due to rupture of ship's tank
US5333752A (en) * 1993-02-18 1994-08-02 Clawson Tank Company Storage container unit for hazardous liquids
US20040234338A1 (en) * 2003-05-19 2004-11-25 Monroe Thomas K. Secondary containment monitoring system
EP2544956A4 (en) * 2010-03-11 2015-01-21 Diversey Inc FREEZING TUBE APPARATUS AND METHOD
DE102010020747A1 (de) * 2010-05-17 2011-11-17 Jörg Heinz Lohse Tanktransportsystem
CA2872993A1 (en) * 2014-11-28 2015-04-16 David Joseph Lake Electro vac system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3650293A (en) * 1970-11-25 1972-03-21 Acf Ind Inc Floating vent for railway tank car safety relieve valve
US3672533A (en) * 1970-12-03 1972-06-27 Chemagro Corp Floating vent device
US5092259A (en) * 1989-07-10 1992-03-03 Mo Husain Inert gas control in a system to reduce spillage of oil due to rupture of ship's tank

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3286110A1 (en) 2018-02-28
WO2016171606A1 (en) 2016-10-27
EP3286110A4 (en) 2018-12-05
KR20180011093A (ko) 2018-01-31
CN107531409A (zh) 2018-01-02
JP2018516813A (ja) 2018-06-28
SE1550478A1 (sv) 2016-10-23
SE538812C2 (sv) 2016-12-13

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STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION