US 5,397,103 A · Tank lifting methods

Abstract

Large storage tanks are lifted by means of pressurized bags and support members. Tanks may easily and quickly be lifted for inspection, repair and reconstruction. Lifting the tank allows for visual inspection under the tank for corrosion to prevent leakage of environmentally hazardous chemicals stored in the tank. The lifting bags are placed under the tank, inflated, and support timbers placed under the raised tank. The bags are then deflated allowing the tank to rest on the support timbers. The deflated bags are raised by placing support timbers under the bags. The bags are again pressurized further raising the tank. The steps are repeated until the tank is lifted to the desired height. Bags may also be placed under the floor after the wall or rim of the tank is lifted. This does not require cutting holes or welding of supports on the wall or floor. Ground suction is broken by raising one side of the tank with the lifting bags, placing supports as far as possible under the tank rim and depressurizing the bags to rock the other side of the tank off the ground. A fulcrum method is also applied to use the partial weight of the tank as a leverage force to alternately raise opposite sides of the tank.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of lifting a tank from its foundation for repairs without the necessity of welding supports on the tank or cutting the floor of the tank, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning flexible unpressurized vessels under the tank at strategic locations spaced from each other, at least one of said unpressurized vessels being placed under the floor of the tank;
(b) lifting the tank by pressurizing the vessels;
(c) placing tank support members under the lifted tank;
(d) lowering the tank onto the tank support members by depressurizing the vessels;
(e) raising the unpressurized vessels by placing vessel support members under the unpressurized vessels;
and
(f) repeating steps (b)-(e) until the tank and floor are raised to the desired height.

4 more elements

A method of lifting a tank from its foundation for repairs without the necessity of welding supports on the tank or cutting the floor of the tank, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning flexible unpressurized vessels under the tank rim at strategic locations spaced from each other;
(b) placing load distribution plates on the flexible unpressurized vessels;
(c) lifting the tank by pressurizing the vessels;
(d) placing tank support members under the rim of the lifted tank;
(e) lowering the tank onto the support members by unpressurizing the vessels;
(f) raising the depressurized vessels and the load distribution plates thereon, by placing vessel support members under the unpressurized vessels;
and
(g) repeating steps (c)-(f) until the tank is lifted to the desired height.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tank lifting methods

Life of this patent

Tank lifting methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21