Cistern vessel assembly

(54) Name: Cistern container unit

The present invention relates to cistern container units, which are constructed of a substantially cylindrical cistern and a parallelepiped frame, which encloses the cistern on all sides and is arranged in such a way that it permits maintenance and stacking of units, more particularly the invention comprising a cistern container. a frame having a plurality of substantially semicircular cradles in which the cistern rests, the cistern being provided with reinforcing bands; each having an outer groove in which a gasket of rubber or similar material is applied, between the cistern and the cradle.

During their use, these units are subject to greatly varying requirements, whether used on ships, railways or road vehicles or in storage buildings. The object of the invention is essentially the installation of the cistern in the frame in such a way that tensions and shocks to which the unit can be exposed do not have adverse effects on the cistern.

According to the invention, a cistern container unit of initially stated type is proposed, in which the frame consists of a structure of the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, which surrounds the cistern from all directions, and that the cistern is fixed in the cradles by a plurality of hoist collars extending partially around the corresponding strips. and engages in the groove thereof and soin are secured to the frame by adjustable links, which are pivotally connected to the frame and attached to the half collars by tightening devices.

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Each gasket preferably includes a ring of resilient materials, such as rubber, which encloses each of the straps and is disposed within its outer grooves.

Thus, the cistern is attached to the semicircular cradles by a plurality of semi-collars which extend partially around each of the straps and are attached to the frame.

Advantageously, the package no and the half collars have substantially U-shaped cross section and fit together in such a way that forces between the cistern and the container are absorbed not only in the radial direction but also in the longitudinal direction.

The gasket between the cistern and the cradles can also provide the cistern with thermal insulation in relation to the frame.

It can also allow expansion of the cistern longitudinally and radially, as well as absorption of harmful vibrations of the cistern and its accessories.

The invention is particularly applicable to cisterns with internal linings, for example of ebonite or enamel, as well as those used for transporting dangerous products such as acids and alkalis, since it reduces the risk of leakage and consequently corrosion, under stress.

The following description, which is given by way of example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, facilitates the understanding of how the invention can be carried out.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of a cistern container unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the end of the cistern container unit; Fig. 3 is a larger-scale section of detail IIf of Figs.

2, FIG. 4 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3> the frame has been removed; FIG. 5 is a section along the line ΊΖ-3Γ of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a detail section showing the centering of the cistern relative to the frame; 7 is a section along the 1 line .ΤΠΤ-ϋΤΓ in FIG. 6

In the example shown in the drawings, the cistern container unit comprises a frame 1 of parallel piped shape, formed of longitudinal beams 2 welded to end frames 3 and joined by lower horizontal, transverse members 4 and vertical members 5. such as stiffening means in such a way that they produce a robust and rigid unit. The various elements of the frame are preferably hollow and have rectangular or square cross sections.

The frame 1 is intended to be placed horizontally, as shown in Figure 1, either on a frame or on a similar container. It has one or more ladders 8, which allow access to the top of the frame. The top of the frame is open in such a way that the cistern 9 can pass through it, the frame surrounding the cistern and protecting it.

The canister may be of standard type, for example cylindrical with rounded ends.

In particular, it has an upper inlet 10 and a tubular outlet 11 at the bottom (Fig. 2).

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For example, the cistern is provided at two points along its ends with band 12, including a wide outer groove. For example, as shown best in Fig. 5, the strips may comprise U-shaped grooves which are secured with their lives to the cistern, the ends 13 of the flanges of the groove profile being directed outwardly from each other at right angles.

The straps 12 serve to hold the cistern in frame 1, which can be done as shown in detail in Figures 3 and 7 or in equivalent manner.

Between two of the posts 5 facing each other and above the corresponding crosspiece 4, cradles 14 of substantially semicircular shape are welded to frame 1. These cradles have upwardly directed, semi-cylindrical support surfaces, the center axis of each support surface substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the frame. The axial width of each supporting surface is less than the internal width of the straps 12 and the radius of each supporting surface is slightly larger than the bottom of the straps. Furthermore, the distance between the cradles 14 is such that after the cistern 9 is inserted into the frame, the lower straps of the straps parts fit neatly and evenly over the corresponding cradles, as best shown in Fig. 7.

The belts 12 are internally provided with resilient padding in the form of rings 15 made of rubber or an equivalent elastomer, the rings having a U-shaped cross section, as shown in Fig. 5, and covering the bottoms and flanges of the belts, dimensions are such that the cradles 14 can be mounted with little clearance in the rings when the cistern is placed in the frame. The rings 15 can, for example, be placed in the bands by stretching due to their elasticity.

Once placed, the cistern is held in the cradles 14 by semi-collars 16, also with U-shaped cross section, the width and radius of each of the half collars being the same as those of cradles 14. The semi-collars are mounted in the upper parts of the rings 15 such as 3 and 5 in particular.

The half-collars 16 are secured to the frame 1 on each side by adjustable links 17, which are connected to the corresponding pivots 5 for pivotal movement about longitudinal axes 18. Each link 17 has a pin 19 extending through a suitable hole in a robust crosspiece 20. which is welded to the hoist collar and has a threaded end portion which engages with a nut 21. A washer 22 and a resilient sleeve 23 surround the pin 19 between the nut 21 and the crosspiece 20 (see Figs. 3 and 4).

Thus, each half collar 16 can be tightened by unscrewing the nut 21. This tightening is preferably of moderate size.

The ends of the half collars 16 are chamfered, as shown in Figure 3, and provided with support blocks 24 made of neoprene or an equivalent elastomer, which are pressed against the rods 5 according to the degree of tightening of the nuts 21 to provide further shock absorption.

To prevent the cistern 9 from rotating about its center axis while avoiding deformation, one of the straps 12 has protruding projections 25 which are shown

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6 and 7 and located on either side of a pressure hanger 26 welded to the corresponding cradle 14. At this angle, the band 12 is stiffened by a support plate 27 welded to the cistern 9 and to the adjacent flange 13 Wherein the ends 28 of the support plate are recessed crescent-shaped to prevent the cistern from deformation while welding (Fig. 6).

Once the cistern has been placed in the frame, the upper side of the frame is closed by moving parts 29, which are secured with bolts 30 (Fig. 2) to the beams 2 and the end frames 3 · The parts 29 consist of cross pieces extending over the half-collars 16 and thus protecting them. from bumps. The crosspieces can be provided with 1 dais (not shown) which allows access to the cistern inlet 10 using the steps 8.

The assembled method described is only one example of the embodiment of the invention and may be modified by replacement by equivalent technology without abandoning the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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