Modular Tank with Cooperating Formations on End Walls

Abstract

A tank assembly suitable for use in the transport of liquids, the tank assembly including at least two tank sections which are adapted to be fitted together in an assembled position. Each tank section includes an end wall, the end walls being adjacent one another when the tank sections are in the assembled position. The end walls have cooperating formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with one another so as to limit relative movement between the tank sections at least in one direction when in the assembled position.

1 . A tank assembly suitable for use in the transport of liquids, the tank assembly including at least two tank sections which are adapted to be fitted together in an assembled position, each tank section including an end wall, the end walls being adjacent one another when the tank sections are in the assembled position, said end walls having cooperating formations thereon which are adapted to cooperate with one another so as to limit relative movement between the tank sections at least in one direction when in the assembled position. 
   
   
       2 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said cooperating formations are configured so as to permit relative movement between the two sections in at least one direction so that they can adopt the assembled position wherein relative movement in other directions is inhibited. 
   
   
       3 . A tank assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said formations include a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart ribs with recesses therebetween, the ribs on one end wall being disposed within the recesses in the other end wall when in the assembled position so as to limit relative lateral movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ribs. 
   
   
       4 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections. 
   
   
       5 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  further including fasteners for connecting adjacent tank sections together. 
   
   
       6 . A tank assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said fasteners are in the form of bolts which are positioned within through holes extending through the end walls of the adjacent tank sections. 
   
   
       7 . A tank assembly according to  claim 5  further including recesses in a top and/or side wall of the tank sections into which the fasteners can be located with the through holes extending between the recess and the end wall of each tank section. 
   
   
       8 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  further including one or more longitudinally extending baffles extending into the interior of the tank section from the end wall thereof. 
   
   
       9 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  which includes three or more said tank sections including first and second end sections and one or more intermediate sections therebetween. 
   
   
       10 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least one tank section includes an access opening to the interior of the tank section. 
   
   
       11 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  including liquid couplings providing for liquid flow at a controlled rate to reduce surging between the interior of each of the sections. 
   
   
       12 . A tank assembly according to  claim 1  including a breather port between adjacent tank sections. 
   
   
       13 . A tank assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections. 
   
   
       14 . A tank assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said cooperating formations further include cooperating flanges on the adjacent end walls which in the assembled position inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the sections. 
   
   
       15 . A tank assembly according to  claim 9  wherein at least one tank section includes an access opening to the interior of the tank section. 
   
   
       16 . A tank assembly according to  claim 9  including liquid couplings providing for liquid flow at a controlled rate to reduce surging between the interior of each of the sections. 
   
   
       17 . A tank assembly according to  claim 9  including a breather port between adjacent tank sections.