# US 4,394,931 A · Heat-insulated container provided with a locating and/or supporting device

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- Number: US 4,394,931 A
- Document ID: US4394931A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/258,028
- Filed: 1981-04-27
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1980-04-25
- Assignees: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B. V.
- Inventors: Terence Cotgreave; David A. Cliffe
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394931A

## CPC

- B65D 25/02: Internal fittings (of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44)
- F04D 29/606: {Mounting in cavities}
- F17C 3/06: on the inner surface, i.e. in contact with the stored fluid
- F17C 13/004: {for large storage vessels not under pressure (F17C13/008 and F17C13/02 - F17C13/12 take precedence)}
- F17C 2201/052: large (>1000 m3)
- F17C 2203/013: in the vessel, e.g. columns
- F17C 2203/0333: Polyurethane
- F17C 2203/0651: Invar
- F17C 2221/035: Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2223/0153: Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C 2223/033: Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
- F17C 2260/016: Preventing slosh
- F17C 2260/033: by enhancing insulation
- F17C 2270/0105: Ships
- Y10S 220/901: Liquified gas content, cryogenic
- Y10S 220/902: Foam
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A heat-insulated container for liquefied gases, which includes a rigid outer shell internally lined with a heat-insulating material, is provided with a locating and/or supporting device for pumps or other apparatus. The support device is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, such as an iron-nickel alloy and is bonded directly or indirectly to the heat-insulating material lining the rigid shell.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A heat-insulated container for liquefied gases, comprising a rigid outer shell internally lined with a heat-insulating rigid polyurethane foam material and provided with a means for locating and supporting structures or apparatus to the inner surface of said container, wherein:
said locating means comprises a plate member formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion;
said plate member being bonded to the inner side of said heat-insulating material with a cured epoxy resin formulation;
said plate member being provided with means for securing or locating a structure or apparatus thereto; and
a laminate collar comprising a fiber material and a cured epoxy resin formulation mounted about the periphery of said plate member, said laminate collar being bonded to said plate member and said heat-insulating material with a cured epoxy resin formulation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said plate member is flat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The heat-insulated container of claim 2, wherein said plate member is formed in the shape of a disc.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said plate member is tapered along its periphery.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said plate member is made of an iron-nickel alloy having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The heat-insulated container of claim 5, wherein said plate member is formed of invar.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said means for securing or locating a structural apparatus to said plate member is an extension of said plate member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The heat-insulated container of claim 7, wherein said extension is formed in the shape of a cylinder having a first end secured to said plate member, and a second end for providing support and locating structures.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The heat-insulated container of claim 8, wherein said first end of said cylinder is provided with a radial flange for securing said cylinder to said plate member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said plate member is provided with vent holes.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein said epoxy resin formulation includes a reinforcement material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The heat-insulated container of claim 11, wherein said reinforcement material is milled glass fiber.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The heat-insulated container of claim 1, wherein a laminate comprising a glass-cloth and a cured epoxy resin formulation is provided on the inner surface of said heat-insulating material.