A CONTAINER FOR STORING FLOATING MEDIA IN WATER

Abstract: A container, tank, for storing a floating medium (4), primarily liquid having a density less than 1 kg/dm<3>, and intended to be floated in water, such as the sea, the container comprising a cylindrical casing (1) which is provided with buoyancy elements (2) and an apertured bottom (3) and within which the stored medium is contained. The container is particularly characterized in that the medium (4) is intended to be held isolated from the water (5) in which the container floats, by means of a liquid-tight bellows-structure (6) arranged in the container casing (1) and constructed so that the volume of the structure can be adapted to the quantity, volume, of medium (4) so as to coincide substantially with the quantity of medium (4).

Description: A container for storing floating media in mater The present invention relates to a container, a tank, for storing floating media in water, primarily liquids hawing a density beneath one (1 ), and comprising a cylindrical casing or shell within which said media are confined and stored and which is provided ωith buoyancy elements. Containers of this general kind are knoωπ to the art. Compared ωith containers of knoωn construction, the container according to the invention affords, inter alia, improved inspection poss bilitiεs, a longer useful life span, loωer maintenance require ments, and simplified fitting and detachment facilities. In this regard, the container according to the invention pro¬ vides fresh possibilities of availing upon conventional advan- tages associated ωith the ωater-based storage of, for example, oil and petroleum. Accordingly, this invention relates to a container, a tank, fo storing a floating medium, primarily liquid having a density o less than 1 kg/dm , said container being intended to be floate in ωater, such as sea ωater, and comprising a preferably cylin rical casing or shell ωithin ωhich the medium is intended to b stored and ωhich is -provided ωith buoyancy elements and an ape tured bottom. The container is particularly characterized in that the stored medium is held separated from the ωater in ωhich the container floats by means of a liquid-tight bellows-structure ωhich is arranged in the casing or shell and the volume of ωhich can be adapted to the quantity, volume, of medium so as to coincide substantially ωith the quantity of medium. The invention ωill παω be described in more detail ωith refer to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and to the accompanying drawings, in ωhich Figure 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a highly schematically illustrated first embodiment of a container according to the invention, and also shows mechanical equip¬ ment for operating the container; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a schematically illustrated second embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figures 3-5 are vertical sectional views of three different parts of a belloωs-structure incorporated in the container, namely a joint betωeeπ the bottom of the belloωs-s'tructure and a bellows section, a joint between tωo belloωs sections, and the attachment of an upper belloωs part; Figure 6 illustrates schematically and in vertical partial sec tion a bellows-structure embodiment which is substantially similar to the embodiment of Figures 2-5, but not completely similar thereto; Figure 7 illustrates schematically a third embodiment of a con tainer according to the invention, seen from above; and Figure 8 illustrates the container of Figure 7 seen from benea in Figure 7. In Figure 1 the reference 1 identifies the container according to the invention, comprising a protective casing provided ωith buoyancy elements 2 and an apertured bottom 3. The casing is preferably cylindrical and is intended to contain therewithin a floating medium 4, primarily liquid 4 having a density of less than 1 kg/dm . The container is intended to be floated in water 5, such as the sea 5, shown in Figure 1. The reference 6 identifies a belloωs-structure incorporated in the casing 1 and operative in holding the medium 4 isolated from the water 5 in ωhich the container floats. As illustrated schematically in Figure 1 , the belloωs-structur comprises a base 7 and a plurality of peripherally extending flexible sections 8 ωhich are arranged sequentially in the vertical direction, as illustrated in Figure 1. The belloωs- structure is constructed in a manner ωhich enables the volume thereof to be adapted to the quantity, volume, of medium 4 present, so as to coincide substantially ωith the quantity of medium. In this regard, the base 7 of the belloωs-structure _ can be raised and loωered ωhile decreasing o * r increasing the volume of said structure, as indicated in Figure 2 in ωhich the belloωs-structure is shoωn in a vertically compressed state in broken lines. As ωill be described hereinafter, mean are preferably provided for guiding the belloωs-structure radially and ωithin the casing. According to one preferred embodiment the majority of the sectionsθ, such as all sections, Figures 3-6, are provided ωith a) an. upper circumfereπtially extending joint flange 9, ωhich is incorporated in the section, b) a loωer circumferen- tially extending joint flange 10, ωhich is incorporated in th section, and c) a circumferentially extending part 11 ωhich i located between the flanges 9, 10 and ωhich bends inωardly substantially away from the flanges, towards the centre axis of the section. Similarly, in accordance with one preferred embodiment, in a joint between two mutually adjacent sections in the vertical direction, an upper and a loωer section, the lower joint flan 10 of the upper section extends substantially parallel with t upper joint flange 9 of the lower section along a circumferen tial joint part 12 which preferably extends substantially at right angles to the vertical axis of the belloωs-structure. In this respect the flanges 9, 10 of a preferred embodiment adjoin one another and are connected together in the manner illustrated in Figure 4. Another conceivable embodiment in this regard is that illustrated in Figure 6, in ωhich an inte mediate member 13 is placed betωeen the flanges 9, 10. In the illustrated Figure 6 embodiment the intermediate member 13 is comprised of guide parts 14, such as circumfereπtially exten¬ ding guide flanges 14 placed outside the joints, such guide parts, or flange, being located in connection with a.t least certain joints and arranged to co-act with the inner wall surface 1 ' of the casing 1, or some like surface, in a guiding fashion. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the lower joint flange 10 of the upper section 8 of a joint between two mutually adjacent sections in the vertical direction, and the upper joint flange 9 of the lower section 8 in said joint are sandwiched' between two circumfereπtially extending joint elements 15, each of which extends over a respective circumfereπtially extending direction-changing element or guide means 16 over which a part of the section located in the joint is intended to pass and which contributes towards imparting a given configuration to the -bellows-structure. _* The base 7 of the bellows-structure is preferably substantially planar and includes a circumfεrentially extending joint flange 7', the base being joined to an upper section 8 with the aid of a joint substantially similar to the joints between the sections as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. Preferably, the upper joint flange 9 of the uppermost section of the bellows-structure is held firmly between two circumfereπ¬ tially extending external joint elements 15, and a separate cover section 17, separate from the belloωs-structure, is loca- ted above and in adjoiπment ωith the uppermost attachment of the uppermost section. In accordance ωith preferred embodiments, the container casing or shell 1 is comprised of a suitable number of circumferen- tially adjacent, detachable casing sections 18, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. This construction enables the belloωs parts to be readily reached for inspection and the like, subsequent to removing one or more casing sections. The casing 1 is pro¬ vided at the top thereof ωith external, circumferential buoyancy-tank parts 2, ωhich are also divided into sections, preferably in the same manner as the casing but constituting separate units 2' per se. Preferably, each bϋoyaπee-taπk unit 2' or buoyancy section 2' is provided ωith an individual valv system and individual air-supply connections for filling wit air or ωater, so that one or more buoyancy units 2' can be removed ωithout affecting the function of remaining units 2'. The casing 1 also includes a roof or ceiling structure 19 ωhich is located above the belloωs-structure and ωhich houses pumps, valves etc. for handling the stored medium and for other suitable purposes, the pumps, valves etc. of the illust rated embodiment being housed in a machine space 20 incorpora ted in the roof structure as shown in Figures 2, 7 and 8. The roof structure 19 may, of course, constitute the aforesaid cover member 17. The reference 21 identifies substantially radial roof support which, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, are overlying or underlying and support against the buoyancy-tank parts 2 eith directly or indirectly, via intermediate members 22. The roof structure is flexibly, ovably, suspended from the roof supports 21 so as to enable deformation forces to be taken-up by the construction without resulting in the occurre of high stresses, stress concentrations . This flexibility of the roof structure is achieved in a generally known manner, ωith the aid of corrugated roof sheeting (not shoωn) or in some other suitable manner. The roof structure 19 may also suitably be divided into sections 19', although not necessari ωith the casing division. Figure 1 also illustrates highly schematically the container guidance and control system. The reference 23 identifies a blαωer or the like connected to the buoyancy-tank parts 2. The blower is intended to expel water from the parts 2 ωith the aid of air, suitable valves 2" being provided sα, that the parts 2 can be filled. , According to one embodiment this is s'uitably effected at the same rate as the confining belloωs- structure is emptied of medium 4. In this regard, "there is pro vided a level sensor 24, such as a . float type sensor, adapted to send signals to a central unit 25 ωhich is arranged, in tur to influence the level of buoyancy, or the draught of the con¬ tainer, such as to maintain the buoyancy at a constant level, through the air content of the buoyancy-tank parts 2. When medium is introduced into the belloωs-structure, the valves 2" and the bloωer 23 are arranged so as to replace air in the parts 2 ωith ωater. It may be preferable in many cases, howeve for the buoyancy-tank parts 2 to be filled totally with air as a normal state or condition. The reference 26 identifies a compressor which can be controll by the central unit 25 and which is arranged to motivate the valve and control functions of the container. The compressor is also connected to the buoyancy-tank parts 2 for fine adjust ment of the buoyancy level or draught of the container. The reference 27 identifies drive machinery for a main pump operative in pumping medium 4 into and from within the confine of the bellows-structure, while the reference 28 identifies th main pump assembly with valve arrangement, and the reference 2 identifies a power regulator for controlling the poωer outputs of all drive units, i.e. the poωer output of the main pump, th bloωer and the compressor. The reference 30 identifies a press rized-air tank connected to the compressor. The bεlloωs-structure is filled and emptied through a helical hose 28' connected to the pump machinery 27, 28 and extending to the bottom of the belloωs-structure. There is also suitably provided a flush pump arrangement, as a minor variant of the main pump ωith drive motor, for cleaning the belloωs-structure internally. In this case the flush pump forms a reserve unit for the main pump. The level sensor arrangement is suitably combined ωith knoωπ leakage indicators, not shoωn, intended for detecting the presence of medium 4 in the space betωeen the container casing and the belloωs-structure, in combination with alarm devices, not shown. Any medium present in the space between the casing and the bellows-structure can be removed therefrom with the aid of the flush pump, ωhich to this end suitably includes a pipe connection, ωhich is coupled permanently to said space for emptying the same. The function of the container according to the invention ωill be readily understood, at least in part, from the aforegoing. Thus, medium 4 is stored in a floating state radially ωithiπ the confines of a protective casing or shell 1 provided ωith roof structure and an apertured bottom, the medium being enclosed ωithin a belloωs-structure ωhose volume can be adapt to the quantity "of liquid stored. It ωill also be perceived that the invention enables media of the aforesaid kind to be stored in an extremely expedient manner. In addition to the general advantages associated ωith floating storage containers, in comparision ωith rock chamber storage, the invention also affords, over knoωn container storage facilities, the advantages of loω maintenance require ments and loω maintenance costs, and a high degree of securit ωith regard to environmental core and protection, etc. Although the invention has been described in the aforegoing with reference to a number of preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments and minor modifi¬ cations are conceivable within the concept of the invention. For example, the division of the container casing 1 and the buoyancy-tank parts 2 into respective sections may be varied within wide limits, as can also the size of the container. With regard to the choice of materials used, the flexible sections of the bellows-structure are suitably made of rubber, 5 in which case there is suitably used a rubber which is not greatly affected by sea water or media of the kind meant here, such as oil and petroleum. Hoωever, various types of plastic materials may also be used. The rubber may, or may not, incor¬ porate fabric reinforcements and may comprise, for example, 10 a neoprene-rbased rubber. A radially and circumferentially extending walkway system 31 may be provided on the roof structure 19, as indicated in, inter alia, Figures 6, 7 and 8. ' 15 Thus, the invention shall not be considered limited to the described and illustrated embodiments, since modifications can be carried out withi ' n the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A container, tank, for storing a floating medium, prima¬ rily liquid having a density less than 1 kg/dm , and intended to be floated in ωater, such as the- sea, said coπ'taiπer comp¬ rising a cylindrical casing ωhich is provided .ωith buoyancy elements and an apertured bottom and ωithin the confines- of ωhich the stored medium is contained, characterized in that the medium (4) is intended to be held isolated from the ωater (5) in ωhich the container floats by means of a liquid-tight belloωs-structure (6) arranged in the container casing and constructed so that the volume of said structure adapts to the quantity, volume, of medium (4) so as to coincide substan¬ tially with the quantity of medium (4). 2. A container according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the bellows-structure (6) comprises a base (7) and a plurality of circumferential flexible sections (8) arranged sequentially in a vertical direction. 3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base (7) of the bellows-structure (6) can be raised and lowered so as to decrease and increase the volume respec¬ tively, means (14) preferably being provided for guiding the bellows-structure internally within the casing (1). 4. A container according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the majority of the sections (8) incorporate a circum- fereπtially extending upper joint flange (9) and a circumferen tially extending lower joint flange (10), with a circurnferen- tially extending part (11 ) which is located between the flange (9, 10) and ωhich is intended to turn inωardly towards the centre axis of the section, substantially from said flanges. 5. A container according to Claim 4, characterized in that in a joint between two vertically adjoining sections (8), one upper and one lower section, the lower joint flange (10) of the upper section extends generally parallel with the upper joint flange (9) of the loωer section along a circumferentially extending joint part (12) ωhich preferably extends substantiall at right angles to the vertical axis of the belloωs-structure (6). 6. A container according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that in a joint betωeeπ tωo vertically adjoining sections (8), an upper and a lαωer section, the loωer joint flange (10) of the upper section and the upper joint flange (9) of the lower section are located between two crrcumferentially extending external joint elements (15); and in that each joint element (15) is arranged adjacent a respective circumferentially exten¬ ding direction-changing element (16) which is located substaπ- tially internally relative to the joint element and over ωhich that part of a section located in the proximity of the joint is intended to pass, and ωhich is arranged to impart a given con¬ figuration to the belloωs-structure. 7. A container according to Claim 6, characterized in that guide parts (14), such as circumferential guide flanges (14) extending internally relative to the joint elements (15) are provided in the vicinity of at least certain joints and arrange to co-act ωith the inner-ωall surface (1 ' ) of the container casing (1), or some like surface, in a guiding fashion. 8. A container according to Claim 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, charac¬ terized in that the base (7) of the belloωs-structure (6) is preferably substantially planar and incorporates a circum- ferentially extending joint flange (7'), said base being inten¬ ded for attachment to an upper section (8) through a joint of substantially the same kind as the joints used betωeeπ the sections. 9. A container according to Claim 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, charac¬ terized in that the upper joint flange (9) of the uppermost section of the bεlloωs-structurε is held firmly betωeen tωo circumfereπtially extending, external joint elements (15); and in that a separate cover member (17) is located above and in connection with the uppermost attachment of the uppermost section. 10. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by means (23) for filling the buoyancy-tank parts (2) of the container totally or partially with air, therewith to force out the ωater (5), suitable valves (2") being provided herefor. 11. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container casing (1) is comprised of circumferentially adjacent and detachable casing sections (18), such as to provide access to parts of the belloωs- structure for inspection and like purposes subsequent to removing one or more casing sections (18). 12. ' A container according to Claim 11, characterized in that the casing ' (1 ) is provided at th% top thereof ωith cir¬ cumferentially extending, externally located buoyaπce-tank parts (2), ωhich are also divided into sections, separate units (2') being provided, where preferably each unit (2') is provided with an individual valve system and individual - air-supply connections, so that one or more units (2') can be removed ωithout influencing the function of remaining units (2' ) . 13. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a helical hose (28') ωhich is connected to pump equipment (27, 28) and extends to the base (7) of the belloωs-structure, and through ωhich the belloωs-structure (6) is filled or emptied. 14. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a container roof structure (19) which is located above the bellows-structure (6) and supports, either directly or indirectly, against the container buoyancy-tank parts (2), and ωhich is flexibly and movably mounted on roof supports (21 ) for the purpose of avoiding stress con¬ centrations. 15. ' A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by an air compressor unit (26)- for 'driving the container valve and control functions and for finely adjusting the buoyancy level or draught of the container 0 through connection ωith the buoyancy-tank parts (2) of the container buoyancy element. 16. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a level sensing arrangement, preferably of 5 the float kind, for detecting the level of buoyancy or the draught of the container. 17. A container according to any of the preceding ' claims, characterized by a leakage indicating system for detecting -0 the possible presence of stored medium (4) in the space betωeen the container casing (1) and the belloωs-structurε (6). 18. A container according to any of the preceding claims, 5 characterized by a flush pump arrangement ωhich is intended for internal cleansing of the belloωs-structure and ωhich forms a reserve pump unit ωith regard to pumping medium (4) into and from the area located ωithin the confines of the bellows-structure and also constitutes a pump unit for remo- 0 ving any medium (4) present in the space betweεπ thε container casing (1) and the bellows-structure (6).

Inventors: REUTERSKIOELD ADAM, REUTERSKIOELD, ADAM
Applicants: SEATANK AB, SEATANK INT AB
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B65D88
IPC codes: B65D88