Patent ID: 7028382

Claim:
A method of fabricating a tank substructure, the method comprising: forming a framework of a tank, wherein the framework comprises a first end plate, a second end plate and at least one interior wall; sizing a sheet such that a first end of the sheet will define a portion of a first surface of the tank and a second end of the sheet will define another portion of the first surface of the tank when the sheet is placed in contact with the framework of the tank such that the sheet circumscribes a portion of a periphery of the first end plate or the second end plate; placing a portion of the sheet in contact with the framework of the tank, such that the sheet circumscribes a portion of a periphery of the first end plate or the second end plate, and such that the sheet circumscribes a portion of a periphery of the at least one interior wall, such that a first end of the sheet defines a portion of a first surface of the tank and a second end of the sheet defines another portion of the first surface of the tank, wherein a portion of the sheet disposed between the first end and the second end defines a portion of a second, opposing surface of the tank; and forming a seam between the sheet and the framework, wherein the seam is formed on an exterior of the tank.