Tank cover structure

A deck or cover structure for engaging with supporting border structure, comprising;

• a plurality of generally rectangular panels having two generally parallel opposite sides and two opposite ends, and a plurality of cross members for supporting said panels;
• said panels arranged side-by-side with adjacent panels connected together by said cross members, the ends of said cross members engaging cover support means attached to the supporting border structure;
• each of said panels having a side member on each side thereof and including a multiplicity of edge-to-edge planks, each side member extending across the width of all of said planks and having a channel therein for receiving the ends of said planks, said planks being solely supported at their ends by the channel, and said panels connected and substantially sealed to said cross members by interconnecting means on said side members and said cross members;
• and
• first-type sealing means on the ends of each of said panels, said first-type sealing means engaging said cover support means for providing a substantially gas-tight seal therewith.

A circular cover for an open-topped structure, the cover generally in the form of a dome, comprising:

• a plurality of panels each in the form of a section of a circle, and a plurality of arcuate cross members;
• all but two of said panels having two straight and generally parallel opposite sides and two opposite curved ends, said two panels having one straight side and one curved side;
• said panels arranged side-by-side with the curved ends thereof lying generally on a circle, adjacent panels being connected together at the sides thereof by a cross member, and said cross members engaging a generally circular bracket attached to the top of the tank;
• each of said panels including a multiplicity of edge-to-edge planks, a boundary member along each curved end thereof, and a side member along each straight edge thereof, each side member extending across the width of all of said planks and having a channel therein for receiving the ends of said planks, said planks being supported at their ends by the channel, and said panels connected and sealed to said cross members by connecting means on said side members and said cross members;
• and
• a first-type sealing member on each boundary member and a second-type sealing member on the ends of each cross member said first and second-type sealing members engaging said bracket for providing a substantially gas-tight seal between the cover and the tank.

A dome-shaped cover for a tank, comprising:

• a plurality of panels each generally in the form of a segment of a circle, and a plurality of arcuate radial members arranged alternately in a radial pattern, each panel including a multiplicity of planks connected together edge-to-edge, and said panels connected together by said radial members;
• each of said panels having a side member extending along at least one edge thereof said side member having means therein for receiving said planks and said side member and radial member having connecting means for forming a connection therebetween;
• and
• said panels including sealing means for providing a substantially gas-tight seal between the cover and the tank.

A dome shaped cover for a tank, comprising:

• a disc shaped compression unit having an outwardly facing channel therein;
• a plurality of arcuate radial members arranged in a radial pattern with said compression unit at the center of said pattern, each radial member having a first end thereof engaging said channel and a second end thereof engaging a tension ring attached to the tank;
• clamping means for securing said radial members to said compression unit;
• a plurality of panels, each thereof generally in the shape of a segment of a circle and having an apex, a base and two sides, each of said panels including a side member along each side thereof and a multiplicity of edge-to-edge planks, each side member extending across the width of all of said planks and having a channel therein for receiving the ends of said planks, said planks being supported at their ends by said channel, and each panel connected and sealed by connecting means on said side members and said radial members between adjacent ones of said plurality of radial members with the apex of said panel adjacent the compression unit;
• and
• first-type sealing means for forming a seal between said panels and said compression unit and between said panels and said tension ring.

In an interconnected, field-erectable deck or cover structure having structural cross members and planks for extending between the cross members, an interconnection system comprising:

• side members for connecting between the structural cross members and the planks, for engagement with each, and including means for receiving the ends of planks in transverse relationship to the cross member;
• interconnecting means for securing the side members to the cross members in side by side parallel relationship;
• an outwardly and downwardly hooking flange extending along a side member and an outwardly and upwardly hooking flange extending along a cross member, said flanges hooked together for connecting the side member to the cross member;
• said side member including a first slit extending therealong below said outwardly and downwardly hooking flange, said first slit opening into a first tunnel-like groove in said side member, said cross member including a second slit extending therealong below said outwardly and upwardly hooking flange, said second slit opening into a second tunnel-like groove in said cross member, and said first and second slits substantially aligned with each other such that said slits and grooves define an elongated first interlocking-space having a dumbbell-shaped cross section;
• and
• a first resilient interlocking strip having a generally dumbbell-shaped cross section, said strip inserted within said interlocking space for securing said side member to said cross member.