Double walled tank

Abstract

A double walled tank ( 12 ) is provided which includes an outer shell ( 14 ), a telescopically interfitted inner shell ( 16 ), and a cover ( 18 ) secured to outer shell ( 14 ). The tank ( 12 ) includes at least one spacer ( 48 ) located between the inner and outer shells ( 16, 14 ), as well as resilient seals ( 38, 72 ) serving to maintain an appropriate and safe spacing gap between the shells ( 14, 16 ). The inner shell ( 16 ) includes a top wall ( 38 ) equipped with a fill opening ( 52 ) defined by an upstanding central flange ( 50, 50 a ) surmounted by a detachably secured cover ( 54, 54 a ).

1 . A double walled tank assembly comprising: 
 an outer shell including an outer shell bottom wall and upright outer shell sidewall structure secured to and extending upwardly from said outer shell bottom wall and defining an upper open end;    an inner shell disposed within said outer shell without welding the inner and outer shell to each other and comprising an inner shell bottom wall, upright inner shell sidewall structure secured to and extending upwardly from said inner shell bottom wall, and an inner shell top wall secured to said inner shell sidewall structure adjacent the upper end thereof;    at least one spacer located between said inner shell and outer shell in order to maintain the inner shell in spaced relationship to said outer shell and configured to allow substantially free liquid flow between said inner and outer shell; and    a cover operably secured to said outer shell adjacent the upper end thereof and disposed at least partially over said upper open end.    
   
   
       2 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said at least one spacer being tubular.  
   
   
       3 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said at least one spacer having a “z” shaped cross section.  
   
   
       4 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said at least one spacer formed from a polymeric material.  
   
   
       5 . The tank assembly of  claim 4 , said at least one spacer being formed into a panel having a substantially smooth side and a patterned side.  
   
   
       6 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , including resilient seal structure adjacent the top and bottom of said tank assembly for resiliently maintaining said inner shell within said outer shell.  
   
   
       7 . The tank assembly of  claim 6 , said inner shell having a drain pipe secured to said inner shell bottom wall, said outer shell bottom wall having an opening for passage of said drain pipe therethrough, there being a resilient seal adjacent said opening and engaging said drain pipe.  
   
   
       8 . The tank assembly of  claim 6 , said inner shell top wall including an upstanding, continuous flange wall at the central region of the inner shell top wall, said cover having a cover opening therein and disposed about said flange wall, there being a resilient seal located between said cover and a portion of said inner shell top wall outboard of said flange wall.  
   
   
       9 . The tank assembly of  claim 7 , said outer shall having a security door attached thereto for protecting said drain pipe.  
   
   
       10 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said inner and outer shells being generally quadrate in plan configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said outer shell having a plurality of depending legs extending below said outer shell bottom wall.  
   
   
       12 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , including a drain aperture formed in said outer shell bottom wall, there being a replaceable seal located within said drain aperture.  
   
   
       13 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said inner shell top wall having a relief aperture formed therein, there being frangible seal disposed within said relief aperture in order to vent said inner shell in the event of an overpressure condition therein.  
   
   
       14 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said cover being welded to said outer shell sidewall structure adjacent the upper end thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , said inner shell top wall having a fill opening provided therethrough, with an openable cover disposed across said fill opening.  
   
   
       16 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material disposed between said inner and outer shells.  
   
   
       17 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier material disposed between said inner and outer shells.  
   
   
       18 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration absorbing material disposed between said inner and outer shells.  
   
   
       19 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature regulating liquid disposed between said inner and outer shells.  
   
   
       20 . The tank assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two different materials disposed between said inner and outer shells selected from the group comprising an insulating material, a barrier material, a vibration absorbing material, and a temperature regulating liquid.  
   
   
       21 . A material container assembly comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    upright sidewall structure secured to and extending upwardly from said bottom wall and forming an interior space with said bottom wall for storing material;    a top wall secured to said sidewall structure having an opening therein for accessing the interior space of said material container assembly; and    a universal manway cover assembly having a flange with at least one aperture for a fastener and a circumferential bead for use with a clamp ring, said cover assembly including a cover releaseably secured over said opening.    
   
   
       22 . The container assembly of  claim 21 , said universal manway cover assembly sealing said at least one aperture when said cover is clamped to said assembly.  
   
   
       23 . The container assembly of  claim 21 , said universal manway cover assembly dimensioned to use an industry standard size cover and an industry standard size clamp ring.  
   
   
       24 . The container assembly of  claim 21 , said universal manway cover assembly sealing said at least one aperture when said cover is fastened to said assembly.