Abstract:
A collective vertical tank has a plurality of tanks and stabilizing and weight-distributing connectors. The connectors are adjustable to provide an adjustable footprint of the collective tank. A stabilizing and weight-distributing connector for vertical hydraulic tanks includes a first connecting member attached to a first vertical tank and extending away therefrom, and a second connecting member attached to a second vertical tank and extending away therefrom. The second connecting member defines a central passage adapted to receive the first connecting member therein. A locking mechanism secures the first connecting member within the second connecting member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Divisional of, and claims the benefit of priority to, the United States Patent Application for “Collective Vertical Hydraulic Tank With Adjustable Footprint,” Ser. No. 13/673,855, filed on Nov. 9, 2012, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,582. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a collective vertical hydraulic tank with stabilizing connectors, the connectors adjustable to allow for an adjustable footprint for the collective tank. 
     2. Background 
     The use of fluids to facilitate drilling and extraction is well known in the oil and gas industry. Fluids commonly known as “drilling mud” provide a number of advantages when drilling a borehole. For example, drilling mud is used to carry cuttings produced by the drill bit to the surface through the annular space between the drill string and the wall of the borehole. Drilling mud can also transfer heat away from the drill bit and drilling assembly. Lubrication of the drill bit and assembly may also be provided, depending on the formulation of the drilling mud used. These and other functions are provided by drilling mud used during the drilling process. 
     In the process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a fracture is formed in a layer of rock by pumping fracturing fluid into a well bore at a rate sufficient to increase pressure downhole enough to fracture the rock. As the rock fractures, the fracturing fluid is pushed further into the rock, causing it to fracture further, and so on. This process can be used to release petroleum, natural gas, or other substances for extraction. 
     Fluid storage facilities are needed on-site to provide a store of fluid for applications such as hydraulic drilling and fracking. A variety of fluid storage tanks are known and used in the industry. Some such tanks are horizontal, including inflatable horizontal tanks that are easily transported to a job site. A drawback of horizontal tanks is that they occupy a great deal of space. As space at a job site becomes more valuable, it is preferably to use vertical tanks instead of horizontal ones. 
     Vertical tanks, however, suffer from drawbacks of their own. When using a vertical tank, the weight of the tank and the fluid included therein is spread over a much smaller area of ground than with a horizontal tank. Because of this, the impact of the tank on the ground is more substantial. Further, vertical tanks have greater instability than horizontal tanks, due in part to force vectors of fluid contained within the tank. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a collective vertical tank with stabilizing and weight-distributing connectors. The connectors are adjustable to provide an adjustable footprint for the collective tank. The stabilizing connectors include a first connecting member attached to a first vertical tank and extending away therefrom, and a second connecting member attached to a second vertical tank and extending away therefrom. The second connecting member defines a central passage adapted to receive the first connecting member therein. A locking mechanism secures the first connecting member within the second connecting member. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting member is removably attached to the first vertical tank and the second connecting member is removably attached to the second vertical tank. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first connecting member defines a first plurality of openings along a length thereof and the second connecting member defines a second plurality of openings along a length thereof. A locking pin is inserted through the one of the first and one of the second plurality of openings locking the first and second connecting members when the connector is in use. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first connecting member is pivotably connected to the first vertical tank and the second connecting member is pivotably connected to the second vertical tank. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a first connecting member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first connecting member is attached to a first vertical tank and the second end of the first connecting member includes a first fastener. A second connecting member has first and second ends. The first end of the second connecting member is attached to a second vertical tank and the second end of the second connecting member includes a second fastener. The first and second fasteners are connectable. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first end of the first connecting member is pivotably attached to the first vertical tank and the first end of the second connecting member is pivotably attached to the second vertical tank. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first fastener is pivotably attached to the first connecting member and the second fastener is pivotably attached to the second connecting member. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a connecting adapter is provided having a plurality of fasteners spaced around a perimeter thereof. The first fastener of the first connecting member is attached to a first of the plurality of fasteners spaced around the connecting adapter and the second fastener of the second connecting member is attached to a different one of the plurality of fasteners spaced around the connecting adapter. The connecting adapter is positioned between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting adapter includes a central support, a first connector attached to the perimeter of the central support, and a second connector attached to the perimeter of the central support. The first fastener of the first connecting member is attached to the first connector of the connecting adapter and the second fastener of the second connecting member is attached to the second connector of the connecting adapter. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a third vertical hydraulic tank is provided. Third, fourth, fifth, and sixth connecting members are provided, each having first and second ends. The first end of the third connecting member is attached to the first vertical tank and the second end includes a fastener. The first end of the fourth connecting member is attached to the third vertical tank and the second end includes a fastener. The first end of the fifth connecting member is attached to the second vertical tank and the second end includes a fastener. The first end of the sixth connecting member is attached to the third vertical tank and the second end includes a fastener. The first and second connecting members are connected, the third and fourth connecting members are connected, and the fifth and sixth connecting members are connected such that the three vertical tanks are arranged in a triangular configuration. 
     Another embodiment of the invention provides a stabilized, weight-distributed system of vertical hydraulic tanks. The system includes a plurality of spaced-apart vertical hydraulic tanks and a plurality of stabilizing members attached to the vertical hydraulic tanks. Each vertical hydraulic tank is connected by a stabilizing member to at least one other vertical hydraulic tank. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing connecting members are adjustable in length. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing connecting members are pivotably attached to the vertical hydraulic tanks. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing connecting members are removably attached to the vertical hydraulic tanks. 
     In another embodiments of the invention, the spaced-apart vertical hydraulic tanks are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of linear, triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, and octagonal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a two-tank collective vertical hydraulic tank of the present invention connected with one embodiment of a stabilizing, weight-distributing connector. 
         FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1  for connector two tanks of the present collective vertical tank. Two components of the connector are shown adapted to be mated to establish a connection. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a connector used with the collective vertical tank of the present invention, the connector including male and female ends. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a three-tank embodiment of the collective vertical hydraulic tank of the present invention, the three tanks connected with connectors of the present invention and arranged in a triangular configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of one alternative geometric configuration of vertical hydraulic tanks in a collective vertical tank of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connecting adapter for use with a collective vertical tank of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of one configuration of a collective vertical hydraulic tank connected using connectors and a connecting adapter of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pivotable connector for use with a collective vertical tank of the present invention, the pivot located near the center of the connector. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pivotable connector for use with a collective vertical tank of the present invention, the pivot located near the tank. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a collective vertical hydraulic tank including two or more tanks connected by load distribution and stabilization connectors  10 , which are adapted to connect a plurality of vertical tanks  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The stabilizing connectors  10  are adjustable in length so as to allow for an adjustable footprint of the collective vertical tank as a whole. In one embodiment, as shown in the Figure, a first vertical tank  12  includes a first connector  14 , whereas a second vertical tank  22  includes a second connector  18 . In the embodiment shown, first connector  14  is insertable into second connector  18  to varying depths depending on the desire of a user of the present invention. First connector  14  includes a plurality of openings  16  that may be aligned with a plurality of openings  20  in second connector  18 . A pin  30  or other locking mechanism may be inserted through aligned openings to prevent disengagement of first connector  14  and second connector  18  once tanks  12  and  22  have been locked in place.  FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of first connector  14  and second connector  18 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second connectors  14  and  18  are removably attached to the first and second vertical tanks  12  and  22 , respectively. Any suitable fasteners or fastening mechanism may be used to secure first connector  14  to the first vertical tank  12  and second connector  18  to the second vertical tank  22 . For example, first vertical tank  12  may include a receiving attachment for receiving first connector  14 . The receiving attachment includes an opening therethrough, which can be aligned with an opening in first connector  14 . A pin  30  is inserted through the openings thereby securing first connector  14  in place. In this embodiment of the invention, second vertical tank  22  includes a second receiving attachment which functions in the same manner as the receiving attachment. It is contemplated that any suitable fastening or connecting mechanism may be used. 
     Receiving attachments may also be pivotable, or may allow a pivotable connection of first connector  14  and second connector  18 . For example, the connection between the receiving attachments and first and second connectors  14  and  18  may be of a ball-and-socket variety, with a pin or other fastener used to lock the connector in place when disposed at the desired angle. Alternatively, the receiving attachments or connectors  14  and  18  may be movable between discrete positions, extending at a variety of angles from the associated vertical tank. A variety of mechanisms for providing pivotable and positionable connections are known in the art, and it is contemplated that any such suitable mechanism may be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , some embodiments of a connector  38  for use in a collective vertical tank of the present invention include a male connecting end  40  at one end of the connector  38  and a female connecting end  42  at the other end of the connector. In such embodiments, male connecting end  40  is adapted to be received by female connecting end  42  such that two or more connectors  38  may be attached in series. Such connectors  38  are useful in situations where due to the geometry or layout of the work site the distance between vertical tanks  12  is consistent and some vertical tanks  12  are located sufficiently far away from other vertical tanks  12  that simply including adjustable length connectors such as those described above with respect to  FIG. 1  is insufficient to bridge the gap between some of the vertical towers  12 . In such embodiments, the vertical tanks  12  include male and female connections so that either the male or female connecting ends on connectors  38  may be attached thereto. Preferably, the male or female connections on vertical tanks  12  are removably attached thereto such that a male connection may be replaced with a female connection, and vice versa, according to the needs on the job site. 
     Given that the connectors for use with the collective vertical tank of the present invention serve, in part, a stabilizing function, it should be noted that when a job site allows for it, certain geometric configurations provide the greatest stability. The pivoting nature of some of the connections described above allows vertical tanks  12  to be placed in a variety of geometric configurations.  FIG. 4 , for example, depicts a top view of three vertical tanks  12  arranged in a triangular configuration, which provides a great deal of stability as well as distributing the load amongst the three tanks. Each vertical tank  12  in this configuration is connected to two other vertical tanks  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , first and second connectors  14  and  18  are utilized as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . These connectors are pivotably attached to the respective vertical tanks. Further, it is preferred that the connectors are removably attached to the vertical tanks  12  so that the configuration of tanks may be changed if necessary or desired. Any of the above connectors used with the collective vertical tank of the present invention may be used with this configuration, including multiple connectors in series to bridge the gap between distant vertical tanks  12 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative configuration of vertical tanks  12  including a central vertical tank  12  having four evenly spaced vertical tanks around the perimeter thereof and attached thereto. In this configuration, the central vertical tank  12  is connected to each of the four other vertical tanks  12 , while each of these ‘satellite’ vertical tanks  12  is connected only to the central vertical tank  12 . Again, any of the variety of connectors, whether fixed, removable, stationary, or pivotable, may be utilized with this configuration. 
     In some situations wherein four or more vertical tanks  12  form a perimeter, as with the satellite vertical tanks in  FIG. 5 , there may be no ability to provide a central vertical tank  12  to which the others may be attached. In such situations, a connecting adapter  34  may be provided to form a center point of the connections between the vertical tanks  12 . One embodiment of such a connecting adapter  34  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Connecting adapter  34  includes a central plate  38  having a plurality of radial connectors  40  disposed therearound. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the plurality of radial connectors  40  includes an opening  36  through which a locking pin or other fastener may be inserted to lock a connector  38  thereto. Alternatively, connectors  18  or  14  may be used in conjunction with the connecting adapter  34 . Any suitable fastener may be used to attach the various connectors to connecting adapter  34 .  FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention using connecting adapter  34 . The figure shows four vertical tanks  12 , shown from the top, each attached to central adapter  34  by connector  38 . It is contemplated that central adapter  34  may be provided in a variety of shapes and configurations. 
       FIG. 8  shows one embodiment of a pivoting stabilizing connector  10   a  having a first pivotable connector  19  for use with a collective vertical tank of the present invention. As shown, first pivotable connector  19  includes pivot  50 , a portion of the connector  19  being pivotable along path  52  around pivot  50 . In the embodiment shown, pivot  50  is located near the center of first pivotable connector  19 . 
       FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of a pivoting stabilizing connector  10   b  having a first pivotable connector  21  for use with a collective vertical tank of the present invention. As shown, first pivotable connector  21  includes pivot  50 , a portion of the connector  21  being pivotable along path  52  around pivot  50 . In the embodiment shown, pivot  50  is located near the vertical tank, at one end of first pivotable connector  21 . 
     It is understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying figures are exemplary of the shown and described embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, and it is contemplated that such modifications remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.