Fluid handling – Systems – Tank with internally extending flow guide – pipe or conduit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-08
2001-12-11
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit
C137S347000, C137S350000, C105S358000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328064
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to field of fluid holding and transportation containers. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an improved fluid tank drain pipe support/guide structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a variety of well known designs for fluid holding and transportation tanks. In common railroad fluid transportation tank cars, it is well known to utilize a drain pipe for transferring fluid from the tank once the tank has reached its intended destination. In order to accomplish the removal of fluid from the tank car, a drain pipe is typically inserted into an opening in a top portion of the fluid filled tank. Conventional designs for railroad tank cars and other fluid containers usually include a lower trough or other depressed area beneath this opening that is designed to allow the fluid in the tank to accumulate in this lower region in order to ensure more complete drainage of the tank.
In conventional railroad tank cars, the fluid drain pipe is inserted through an opening in the top of the tank car into this lower trough or depression in the bottom of the tank car in order to ensure that the fluid may be almost completely removed from the tank. A fluid pump or other fluid flow generating mechanism is then used to draw fluid out of the tank through the drain pipe.
While this procedure in most instances poses no problems, it has been recognized that use of a drain pipe in this manner can result in a potentially catastrophic event should the fluid in the tank be a corrosive fluid such as an acid or the like. Fluid tanks and tank cars that are used in the transportation of a corrosive fluid such as acids and the like typically employ an inert liner that is usually formed of a rubber material. The rubber liner prevents the corrosive fluid from contacting and damaging the side walls of the fluid tank which are usually comprised of a metal such as steel. It is well known that the material of the tank side walls will react with certain corrosive fluids and acids which will ultimately corrode a leak path in the side of the tank if contact with the corrosive fluids is allowed to occur. It is nevertheless necessary that the tank cars be used for the transportation of both acids and other corrosive fluids.
One problem which can arise in these conventional tank cars is that the liner may wear or otherwise rupture leading to a leak of fluid in the tank into the space between the liner and the inner surface of the metal tank. Should this occur, it is often difficult to detect the presence of the fluid between the liner and the side wall of the tank. The first sign of such an occurrence may be when the corrosive fluid or acid in the tank corrodes a leak path through the side wall of the tank and the fluid leaks out onto the ground. Because the initial rupture is often undetected, the resulting tank shell failure can occur at any location with substantial adverse consequences. These consequences include the spillage of hazardous and/or toxic materials and may require evacuation of any individuals located near the spill site. It is obviously highly undesirable to have such an occurrence.
It has been discovered that the conventional approach to draining fluid tank cars set forth above can result in a rupture of the protective liner that is used in the transportation of corrosive fluids or acids. This occurs when the drain pipe is inserted too far into the tank resulting in contact between the drain pipe and liner. The contact is often sufficient to rupture the internal tank liner. This is compounded by the fact that the actual rupture of the inert liner may not be noticed for some period of time. As a result, there may be potentially dangerously results including damage or destruction of the tank and damage to the surrounding area at the time of the spill.
Previously, there has been no known structure for preventing these types of problems from occurring. The present inventor has overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and identified a new fluid tank drain support/guide which prevents rupture of the internal tank liner that is used in the transportation of corrosive fluids and acids.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved drain pipe support/guide structure that prevents the insertion of a drain pipe into a fluid tank from damaging the interior inert tank side wall protective liner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain pipe support/guide that will allow fluid to freely flow from the fluid filled tank through the drain pipe support/guide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain pipe support/guide that will guide the drain pipe while it is being inserted into the fluid tank to prevent contact with the interior protective liner of the tank. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following Summary and Detailed Description of the Presently Preferred embodiments.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention an improved drain pipe support/guide structure prevents the insertion of a drain pipe into a fluid tank from damaging the interior liner. The novel structures of the present invention also allow fluid to freely flow from the fluid filled tank through the drain pipe support/guide and advantageously guides the drain pipe while it is being inserted into the fluid tank to prevent contact between the drain pipe and the interior protective liner of the tank.
The present invention is illustrated with respect to and has recognized applications in the railroad tank car industry. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be utilized whenever a fluid filled tank is to be drained. It is preferred that the tank drain pipe support/guide of the present invention be comprised of a hard rubber or other durable inert material that will not react with corrosive fluids or acids that may be contained within the tank. For example, the drain pipe support/guide may alternately be comprised of an inert plastic or ceramic or glass material. Other materials may be recognized by those skilled in the art as well.
In accordance with the present invention, a hollow metal fluid filled tank includes a protective inert inner liner that covers the entire inner surface of the tank thereby preventing any contact between the side walls of the tank and any corrosive fluids or acids contained within the tank. The protective liner is employed in order to prevent corrosive fluids such as acids from corroding a leak path through the interior surface of the tank which is typically comprised of metal. The present application discloses a fluid tank drain pipe support/guide which acts as a guide and/or support for the drain pipe while also eliminating the potential for tearing the tank liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the drain pipe support/guide has a sufficiently large footprint to prevent the insertion of the drain pipe at an angle other than perpendicular to the floor of the tank from resulting in contact between the drain pipe and the protective inert liner located on the sidewall of the tank car.
The drain pipe support/guide advantageously serves several features. It acts as a guide for insertion of the drain pipe. In this regard, when the drain pipe is inserted, if inserted properly, the drain pipe will encounter little initial resistance as it enters the hollow central cavity of the drain pipe support/guide. Alternatively, upon insertion of the drain pipe, if the drain pipe does not encounter the hollow central core of the drain pipe support body, the drain pipe will hit the top surface of a support member that desirably surrounds the central core of the drain pipe support/guide body. This solid contact instantly alerts the individual inserting the drain pipe that the pipe must be adjusted so that it will properly enter the central hollow core of the drain pipe support/guide body. The drain pipe support/guide also desirably secures the drain pipe i
Chambers A. Michael
Depke Robert J.
GATX Rail Corporation
Mayer Brown & Platt
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