Improvements in the Construction of Reservoirs.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Reservoirs.
1, VICTOR AUGUSTE GODINET of Qaui de L'Industrie a Lyon do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This my invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in metal reser-
voirs, and which invention has for its object to use thinner metal in the construction
thereof, which can be more easily and conveniently worked than the thicker sheets of
metal at present employed.
When taking into account the resistance necessarily existing in great reservoirs
constructed of metal, it is found imperative to give to the outside walls such thickness
that their construction by the use of inferior tools is impossible, in consequence of the
practical difficulties caused by the use of very thick sheet-iron which must be doubly
rivetted.
By this my invention I am enabled to use metal plates very much thinner than
hitherto, and which enables the construction to be carried out with greater facility in
cases where the reservoirs are within the limited dimensions at present known,
I am also enabled by my invention to extend this limit, to dimensions heretofore
unknown.
Taking for example a circular vat containing water; having a flat bottom resting on
the ground; constructed of metal plates; of a diameter of 70 metres; 12 metres high;
having a flat bottom; and of 12 rings of metal plates forming the metal cylinder-
see Fig. 1 of the drawings which shows a part elevation of such a reservoir-the
thickness of the plates of such a cylindrical receptacle should be respectively,-com-
mencing with the lower ring of plates 47 millimetres, 43, 39, 35, 31, 27, 23, 21,
17, 13, 9 and terminating at the top ring with a thickness of 5 millimetres.
It is evident that to work the thicker plates would be impossible without the best
of tools, and would be very costly in consequence of the boring of holes, stamping,
planing, and cutting etc., and further, the construction of a greater reservoir of this
kind is manifestly impossible.
This my invention consists in constructing a reservoir of less diameter and height
than the example given above, and limiting at will the maximum thickness of the
plates without deducting from their resistance to the pressure of the liquid contained
in the reservoir.
To obtain this result, (see Fig. 2 of the drawings) I construct a second cylinder A, B,
concentric to the first C, D, E, F, and of which the walls are about 0 80 metres one
from the other, more or less (see Fig. 3). This second cylinder gives an annular
space to contain the same liquid as the principal reservoir, J.
In calculating the resistance to give to the immerged walls C, D, I deduct the
pressure given by the liquid in the space G from that pressure given by the liquid in
the reservoir J, and I obtain a constant thickness from top to bottom, the same as at
the point D, E, which should be 23mm or thereabouts, instead of the thickness shown
in Fig. 1, which is 47. I give to the exterior walls A, B, nearly the same thickness
as at E, F, of the principal cylinder; it is true that in many cases I employ more
metal than in an ordinary single walled reservoir, but the distribution of this metal
into two or more concentric reservoirs or receptacles of varying heights, allows me to
execute with greater ease end economy the main construction.
It will be understood that I can multiply the number of cylinders, and instead,―
as in the present case of one outside cylinder half as high as the principal reservoir,
to construct two or more cylinders of diminished heights and various proportions;
the total thickness of these outer cylinders at the base, added to that of the principal
cylinder, will remain theoretically about 47 millimetres.

page_text: Reservoirs, liquid receptacles or vats of large dimensions can thus be constructed at
a less cost for labour than heretofore, and with less costly tools. This invention will
also be found invaluable in the construction of gasometers and the like as will be
understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
The construction of reservoirs built of metal plates, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 14th day of December 1889.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.