US 6,547,091 B2 · Baffled tank for a vehicle

Abstract

A tank for transporting liquids is provided. The tank includes a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction, opposing sidewalls defining a lateral direction and a floor and a top. An X-shaped baffle arrangement extends through the interior of the tank vessel in the longitudinal direction. The X-shaped baffle arrangement has a longitudinally extending chamber in the center thereof, two upper legs extending between the chamber and the top of the tank vessel and two lower legs extending between the chamber and the floor of the tank vessel. A plurality of longitudinally spaced pivotal baffles extending from either side of X-shaped baffle arrangement towards a respective one of the sidewalls. Each pivotal baffle being supported for pivotal movement on the X-shaped baffle arrangement between an open position wherein the pivotal baffle extends in the longitudinal direction and a closed position wherein the pivotal baffle extends in the lateral direction. A plurality of entry hatches can be provided in the tank vessel for permitting access into the interior of the tank vessel. Each entry hatch has a removable hatch plate and is sized to allow a person to enter the tank therethrough.

Claims67

Dependent claims

A tank for transporting liquids, comprising:

a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction, opposing sidewalls defining a lateral direction and a floor and a top,
a X-shaped baffle arrangement extending through the interior of the tank vessel in the longitudinal direction, the X-shaped baffle arrangement having a longitudinally extending chamber in the center thereof and having two upper legs extending between the chamber and the top of the tank vessel and two lower legs extending between the chamber and the floor of the tank vessel, and
a plurality of longitudinally spaced pivotal baffles extending from either side of X-shaped baffle arrangement towards a respective one of the sidewalls, each pivotal baffle being supported for pivotal movement on the X-shaped baffle arrangement between an open position wherein the pivotal baffle extends in the longitudinal direction and a closed position wherein the pivotal baffle extends in the lateral direction.

A tank for transporting liquids, comprising a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction, opposing sidewalls defining a lateral direction and a floor and a top, a plurality of baffles extending in the longitudinal direction in the interior of the tank vessel, a plurality of baffles extending in the lateral direction in the interior of the tank vessel, a fill hole being provided in the tank vessel for filling the tank with fluid, and a plurality of entry hatches in the tank vessel for permitting access into the interior of the tank vessel, each entry hatch having an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed positions and being sized to allow a person to enter the tank therethrough, the plurality of entry hatches including a first entry hatch arranged in one of the opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a second entry hatch arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel than the first entry hatch, wherein at least selected ones of the baffles have an access opening therethrough, each access opening having an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed positions, the access openings being provided in the baffles such that when the hatch plates are in the open position a person can traverse through the interior of the tank between the first and second entry hatches.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Baffled tank for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Baffled tank for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims67