Patent · US Expired

Underground storage tank buoyancy and buoyancy safety factor calculation method and apparatus

US6467344B1 · kind B1 · utility

3Cited by
0References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 2000
Grant dateOct 22, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D88/76
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for calculating underground storage tank (UST) buoyancy and buoyancy safety factors defines boundaries of side areas such that the boundaries do not overlap for multiple tank installations. Installation plan information may be input over a medium such as the Internet. The computer calculates the buoyancy and buoyancy safety factor and returns this information to the requesting party over the same medium. This technique allows installers to verify the adequacy of installation plans quickly. Records of the information provided by the installer may be kept so the recipient of the information (typically the UST manufacturer) can reconcile differences between the actual installation and the installation plan in the event of UST flotation. The information may be provided on a paper form supplied by the installer. In preferred embodiments, the calculations are tailored to installation guidelines (often provided by the UST manufacturer), which may specify such parameters as spacing between tanks in multi-tank installations, some or all deadman dimensions, slab dimensions, etc. Preferred embodiments generate a form letter that includes the installation plan information and the resu…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.