VACUUM LEAK SEALING PAD

Abstract: A quick and safe vacuum leak sealing pad to seal leaks in tanks as a way of protecting the environment from dangerous chemicals or gases.

Description: Vacuum leak sealing pad The invention relates to a flexible leak sealing pad for sealing leakages in liquid- and gastanks which also allows it to drain the liquid or gas in a controlled way after sealing the leak. This is achieved by fixing the leak sealing pad to the surface of the tank by means of a vacuum created by an air operated vacuum pump. With the increasing transport of dangerous chemicals and the effects on the environment in case of leakages, the need for a quick and safe sealing system has become primordial. Known methods to seal leaks are the use of wooden wedges or plugs, quick setting pastes and flexible rubber pads, applied to the leak by means of tension belts which are tied around the tank, thus sealing the leak. However, these known methods have important disadvantages: applying wedges is a time-consuming job, pastes are unreliable and the use of rubber pads with tension belts is quite an awkward matter. Futhermore, the tension belts are by no means always applicable, e.g. on account of existing obstacles on the tank. Using the invention rules out all these disadvantages. The leak sealing pad according to the invention can be positioned over a leak in a flat or spherical tank surface within seconds. Thereby the leak opening is enclosed by a separate compartment which is provided with a drain valve. The fixation of the leak sealing pad to the tank wall is achieved by the vacuum created in another compartment; the vacuum compartment. The dimensions of the vacuum compartment have been calculated so as to ensure that the outside pressure will push the complete sealing pad with sufficient force against the wall of the tank. The leak sealing pad according to the invention is provided with a double set of sealing flaps for the leak sealing compartment as well as for the vacuum compartment. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings showing construction examples. Fig. 1 shows a side-view of a spherical tank wall (A) on which a rectangular leak sealing pad according to the invention has been applied. Fig. 2 shows the inside of a rectangular leak sealing pad. Fig. 3 shows a round sealing pad viewed from the inside. Fig. A shows a side-view of the characteristic design of the double sealing flaps. Fig. 5 shows a rectangular leak sealing pad viewed from the reverse side. The rubber leak sealing pad is made of one piece and has been provided with the sealing flaps (1) and (2) for the external sealing of the vacuum compartment (A) and the sealing flaps (3) and (4) for the internal sealing of the vacuum compartment. Futhermore, the sealing flaps (3) and (4) en- close the sealing compartment (B) . The ridges (5) prevent the rubber leak sealing pad fr.om sever.e deformation caused by the vacuum. Once positioned on the tank walL,. an air operated veπturi vacuum pump mounted on the leak sealing pad creates a vacuum compartment (A) by which the leak sealing pad is firmly attached to the tank wall. Any liquid or gas remnants will be drained by the vacuum pump through hose (14). The liquid or gas escaping through the leak opening (C) , can be drained by means of the outlet (6), the opened valve (7) and the hose (8). Thereby no unwanted back pressure is created in the leak sealing compartment (B) while creating the required vacuum in the vacuum compartment (A). The pressure gauge (11) mounted on T-piece (10) indicates the created vacuum. As soon as the vacuum pump is shut off, the check valve (12) ensures that the vacuum can be held. After reaching the required vacuum the valve (7) can be closed, thus thoroughly isolating the leak. At this stage, the liquid or gas can be transfered into a different tank in a safe and controlled manner.

Claims: claims 1. Flexible leak sealing pad, for quick and safe sealing of leaks in storage or transport tanks, provided with a space (B) which encloses the leak opening and another space (A), situated around the first one (space B), which is pressed against the tank wall by means of a vacuum, characterised thereby that the vacuum space (A) is provided with a double sealing system consisting of one initial long and flexible sealing flap (1) and another internally situated wider sealing flap (2). 2. The leak sealing pad according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the vacuum pump, the check valve and the vacuum gauge are fixed on the leak sealing pad. 3. The leak sealing pad according to claim 1, characterised thereby that the leak sealing pad is made of one piece and is provided with marking dots on the back to assist in positioning the pad.

Inventors: WESSELS RUDI PETRUS, WESSELS, RUDI, PETRUS
Applicants: HOLMATRO IND EQUIP
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B65D90
IPC codes: B01J3, B01J19, B65D90