US3580055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tank system tightness tester
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-25
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-10-25
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a test apparatus for measuring the tightness of tanks, such as underground fuel storage tanks, and a method of performing the test. The apparatus includes a temperature sensing device adapted to measure the temperature of the fluid within the tank, a means to establish a fluid head in communication with the fluid in the tank to measure the change in volume of fluid in the system during the test period, and a fluid circulating system which continuously circulates fluid from the tank and back to equalize the temperature of the fluid in the tank, and permit accurate compensation for temperature variations in the system. In the disclosed embodiment, a means is provided to adjust the height of the fluid head to stabilize the deflection of the walls of the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3236; G01M3/3245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A tank system tightness tester, including: means to measure the temperature of the fluid within the tank to be tested, means including a standpipe communicating with the tank to measure the change in volume of the fluid within the tank to be tested, and a fluid circulating system for continuously removing fluid from the tank to be tested and returning the fluid to the tank, thereby equalizing the temperature of the fluid throughout the tank and permitting accurate compensation for temperature changes of the fluid during measurement of volume changes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A tank system tightness tester, including: means to measure the temperature of the fluid within the tank to be tested, means including a standpipe communicating with the tank to measure the change in volume of the fluid within the tank to be tested, and a fluid circulating system for continuously removing fluid from the tank to be tested and returning the fluid to the tank, thereby equalizing the temperature of the fluid throughout the tank and permitting accurate compensation for temperature changes of the fluid during measurement of volume changes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 1, characterized in that said fluid circulating system includes a discharge nozzle positioned adjacent the tank bottom and directed at approximately a 45* angle from the bottom of the tank to be tested to improve the circulation of the fluid within the tank, and an inlet spaced from said discharge nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 3, characterized in that said discharge nozzle is directed at approximately a 45* angle from the axis of the tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 3, characterized in that said fluid circulating system inlet is located adjacent the top of the tank to be tested.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 1, characterized in that said fluid circulating system includes a discharge tube and a substantially coaxially aligned inlet tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 5, characterized in that said discharge tube is received within said inlet tube and extends to adjacent the bottom of the tank to be tested.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 1, characterized in that said tester includes a means to equalize the deflection of the walls of the tank to be tested, including means to maintain a static fluid head in communication with the fluid within the container greater than the fluid head maintained during testing, thereby reducing the time required to reach equilibrium of the deflection of the tank walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 1, characterized in that the means to measure the temperature of the fluid within the tank includes a temperature sensing element positioned adjacent the Inlet of said fluid circulating system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
A tank system tightness tester, comprising: means to measure the temperature of the fluid in the tank to be tested, means to measure the change in volume of the fluid within the tank to be tested, and means to reduce the time required to equalize the deflection of the walls of the tank after filling, including a first fluid container in communication with the fluid within the tank adapted to maintain a predetermined static fluid head during testing, and a second fluid container in communication with said first container adapted to accurately adjust the height of the fluid column in the first container to maintain a greater static fluid head on the tank until equilibrium in the wall deflection has been nearly attained.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
A tank system tightness tester, comprising: means to measure the temperature of the fluid in the tank to be tested, means to measure the change in volume of the fluid within the tank to be tested, and means to reduce the time required to equalize the deflection of the walls of the tank after filling, including a first fluid container in communication with the fluid within the tank adapted to maintain a predetermined static fluid head during testing, and a second fluid container in communication with said first container adapted to accurately adjust the height of the fluid column in the first container to maintain a greater static fluid head on the tank until equilibrium in the wall deflection has been nearly attained.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tank system tightness tester defined in claim 9, characterized in that said tester includes a means to circulate the fluid in the tank to be tested to equalize the temperature of the fluid within the tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank defined in claim 11, wherein the fluid is circulated by continuously pumping the fluid from the tank and returning the fluid to the tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank defined in claim 12, wherein the fluid is pumped from adjacent the top of the tank, and discharged from a nozzle adjacent the bottom of the tank.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank, wherein the deflection of the walls of the tank is equalized by initially maintaining a fluid head in communication with the fluid in the tank greater than the predetermined fluid head maintained during testing, and thereafter reducing the fluid head to the predetermined test level, and measuring the change in volume of the fluid within the tank by measuring the fluctuation of said fluid head from said predetermined level.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
The method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank, wherein the deflection of the walls of the tank is equalized by initially maintaining a fluid head in communication with the fluid in the tank greater than the predetermined fluid head maintained during testing, and thereafter reducing the fluid head to the predetermined test level, and measuring the change in volume of the fluid within the tank by measuring the fluctuation of said fluid head from said predetermined level.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank, including: a. filling the tank to capacity with fluid; b. equalizing the temperature of the fluid in the tank; c. filling a graduate with fluid above the level of the tank to establish a fluid head communicating with the fluid in the tank, causing the walls of the tank to deflect; d. reducing the fluid head in the graduate to a predetermined testing level, thereby equalizing the deflection of the walls of the tank; and e. measuring the change in height of the column of fluid in the graduate from the test level at predetermined time intervals, and simultaneously measuring the temperature of the fluid within the tank.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing the tightness of a fluid tank, including: a. filling the tank to capacity with fluid; b. equalizing the temperature of the fluid in the tank; c. filling a graduate with fluid above the level of the tank to establish a fluid head communicating with the fluid in the tank, causing the walls of the tank to deflect; d. reducing the fluid head in the graduate to a predetermined testing level, thereby equalizing the deflection of the walls of the tank; and e. measuring the change in height of the column of fluid in the graduate from the test level at predetermined time intervals, and simultaneously measuring the temperature of the fluid within the tank.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1050266A
Cited
US3466642A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |