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Patent 2388177 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2388177
(54) English Title: BAFFLED TANK FOR A VEHICLE
(54) French Title: CITERNE CLOISONNEE POUR VEHICULE
Status: Deemed expired
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B60P 3/24 (2006.01)
  • B60P 3/22 (2006.01)
  • B65D 90/22 (2006.01)
  • B65D 90/52 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • HAGENBUCH, LEROY G. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • HAGENBUCH, LEROY G. (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
  • HAGENBUCH, LEROY G. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: TORYS LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2011-04-19
(22) Filed Date: 2002-05-28
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2002-12-01
Examination requested: 2007-05-28
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
09/873,032 United States of America 2001-06-01
60/371,778 United States of America 2002-04-11

Abstracts

English Abstract

A tank for transporting liquids is provided. The tank includes a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction, opposing sidewalk 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.


French Abstract

L'invention concerne une citerne de transport de liquides. La citerne comprend une citerne munie de parois avant et arrière qui définissent une orientation longitudinale, des rebords opposés définissant une orientation latérale, ainsi qu'un plancher et un plafond. Une chicane en forme de X comporte une chambre longitudinale en son centre, deux ailes supérieures se prolongeant entre la chambre et le sommet de la citerne, et deux ailes inférieures se prolongeant entre la chambre et le plancher de la citerne. Plusieurs chicanes à charnière espacées s'étendent de chaque côté de la chicane en forme de X en direction d'une des parois respectives de la citerne. Chaque chicane à charnière comporte un support pour le pivotement de la chicane en X entre une position d'ouverture, où la chicane à charnière prend une orientation longitudinale, et une position de fermeture, où la chicane à charnière est orientée transversalement. La citerne peut être munie de plusieurs écoutilles d'accès afin de pouvoir y entrer. Chaque écoutille d'accès comporte une plaque d'ouverture et est dimensionnée de façon à permettre le passage d'une personne pour entrer dans la citerne.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




15

Claims


We claim:


1. 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.


2. The tank according to claim 1 further including a plurality of
longitudinally
spaced C-shaped rib baffles extending in a lateral direction, each C-shaped
rib being carried on a
respective one of the sidewalls of the tank vessel and a portion of the top
and floor of the tank
vessel to provide support therefor.


3. The tank according to claim 2 wherein each C-shaped rib is aligned with a
respective pivotal baffle such that the C-shaped rib extends between the
respective sidewall of
the tank vessel and an outside edge of the pivotal baffle.


4. The tank according to claim 3 wherein each pivotal baffle can be secured in
the
closed position by a connecting element to its respective C-shaped rib.


5. The tank according to claim 1 wherein each pivotal baffle has an access
opening
extending therethrough.



16

6. The tank according to claim 5 wherein the access opening in each pivotal
baffle
has an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed
positions.


7. The tank according to claim I wherein each of the upper legs and each of
the
lower legs of the X-shaped baffle arrangement has at least one access opening
extending
therethrough.


8. The tank according to claim 7 wherein the access opening in each of the
upper
and lower legs has an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and
closed
positions.


9. The tank according to claim 1 further including a plurality of upper
lateral baffles
being arranged between the upper legs of the X-shaped baffle arrangement and a
plurality of
lower lateral baffles being arranged between the lower legs of the X-shaped
baffle arrangement.


10. The tank according to claim 9 wherein each of the upper lateral baffles
and each
of the lower lateral baffles has an access opening extending therethrough.


11. The tank according to claim 10 wherein the access opening in each upper
lateral
baffle and each lower lateral baffle has an associated hatch plate which is
movable between open
and closed positions.


12. The tank according to claim 9 wherein the upper legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough with at least one access opening being
arranged between each
pair of upper lateral baffles.


13. The tank according to claim 9 wherein the lower legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough with at least one access opening being
arranged between each
pair of lower lateral baffles.


14. The tank according to claim 1 further including a plurality of side
lateral baffles
extending from either side of the X-shaped baffle arrangement, each side
lateral baffle being
arranged between a respective one of the upper legs and a respective one of
the lower legs and
being aligned with a respective one of the pivotal baffles.



17

15. The tank according to claim 14 wherein the upper legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough and the lower legs have a plurality of access
openings
extending therethrough with at least one access opening being arranged between
each pair of side
lateral baffles.


16. The tank according to claim 14 wherein each of the pivotal baffles is
pivotally
connected by a hinge to an upright support member extending between the floor
and top of the
tank vessel at an end of a respective one of the side lateral baffles.


17. The tank according to claim 1 wherein the tank vessel has a plurality of
entry
hatches therein 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.


18. The tank according to claim 17 wherein at least one entry hatch is
arranged in the
front wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch is arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel.


19. The tank according to claim 17 wherein a first entry hatch is arranged in
one of
the opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a
second entry hatch is
arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front
wall of the tank vessel
than the first entry hatch.


20. The tank according to claim 1 wherein the tank vessel has a three-piece
construction comprising a center section and two side sections, the X-shaped
baffle arrangement
being arranged in the center section of the tank with at least one pivotal
baffle extending to either
side thereof, the side sections being assembled to either side of the center
section to form the
tank vessel with each pivotal baffle extending into a respective one of the
side sections when the
pivotal baffle is in the closed position.


21. The tank according to claim 20 wherein the center section and each of the
side
sections has a plurality of entry hatches therein 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.



18

22. 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 longitudinal baffle arrangement extending in the longitudinal direction
through the tank
vessel, the longitudinal baffle arrangement including a longitudinally
extending chamber, and

a pivotal baffle supported on the longitudinal baffle arrangement for pivotal
movement
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.


23. The tank according to claim 22 wherein the tank includes a plurality of
longitudinally spaced pivotal baffles.


24. The tank according to claim 23 further including a plurality of
longitudinally
spaced C-shaped rib baffles extending in a lateral direction, each C-shaped
rib being carried on a
respective one of the sidewalls of the tank vessel and a portion of the top
and floor of the tank
vessel to provide support therefor.


25. The tank according to claim 24 wherein each C-shaped rib is aligned with a

respective pivotal baffle such that the C-shaped rib extends between the
respective sidewall of
the tank vessel and an outside edge of the pivotal baffle.


26. The tank according to claim 25 wherein each pivotal baffle can be secured
in the
closed position by a connecting element to its respective C-shaped rib.


27. The tank according to claim 22 wherein the pivotal baffle has an access
opening
extending therethrough.


28. The tank according to claim 27 wherein the access opening in the pivotal
baffle
has an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed
positions.



19

29. The tank according to claim 22 wherein the longitudinal baffle arrangement
includes at least one longitudinal baffle which is attached to the
longitudinally extending
chamber.


30. The tank according to claim 29 wherein the at least one longitudinal
baffle has at
least one access opening extending therethrough.


31. The tank according to claim 30 wherein the access opening in the
longitudinal
baffle has an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed
positions.


32. The tank according to claim 23 further including a plurality of lateral
baffles
supported on the longitudinal baffle arrangement, each lateral baffle being
aligned with a
respective one of the pivotal baffles.


33. The tank according to claim 32 wherein each of the pivotal baffles is
pivotally
connected by a hinge to an upright support member extending between the floor
and top of the
tank vessel at an end of a respective one of the lateral baffles.


34. The tank according to claim 22 wherein the tank vessel has a plurality of
entry
hatches therein 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.


35. The tank according to claim 34 wherein at least one entry hatch is
arranged in the
front wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch is arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel.


36. The tank according to claim 34 wherein a first entry hatch is arranged in
one of
the opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a
second entry hatch is
arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front
wall of the tank vessel
than the first entry hatch.


37. The tank according to claim 23 wherein the tank vessel has a three-piece
construction comprising a center section and two side sections, the
longitudinal baffle
arrangement being arranged in the center section of the tank with at least one
pivotal baffle



20

extending from either side thereof, the side sections being assembled to
either side of the center
section to form the tank vessel with each pivotal baffle extending into a
respective one of the
side sections.


38. The tank according to claim 37 wherein the center section and each the
side
sections has a plurality of entry hatches therein 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.


39. 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, and

a baffle arrangement extending through the interior of the tank vessel in the
longitudinal
direction, the baffle arrangement having a longitudinally extending chamber
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.


40. The tank according to claim 39 wherein the baffle arrangement has a
generally X-
shaped configuration with the longitudinally extending chamber being in the
center thereof.


41. The tank according to claim 39 wherein each of the upper legs and each of
the
lower legs of the baffle arrangement has at least one access opening extending
therethrough.

42. The tank according to claim 41 wherein the access opening in each of the
upper
and lower legs has an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and
closed
positions.


43. The tank according to claim 39 further including a plurality of upper
lateral
baffles being arranged between the upper legs of the baffle arrangement and a
plurality of lower
lateral baffles being arranged between the lower legs of the baffle
arrangement.


44. The tank according to claim 43 wherein each of the upper lateral baffles
and each
of the lower lateral baffles has an access opening extending therethrough.



21

45. The tank according to claim 44 wherein the access opening in each upper
lateral
baffle and each lower lateral baffle has an associated hatch plate which is
movable between open
and closed positions.


46. The tank according to claim 43 wherein the upper legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough with at least one access opening being
arranged between each
pair of upper lateral baffles.


47. The tank according to claim 43 wherein the lower legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough with at least one access opening being
arranged between each
pair of lower lateral baffles.


48. The tank according to claim 39 further including a plurality of side
lateral baffles
extending from either side of the baffle arrangement.


49. The tank according to claim 48 wherein the upper legs have a plurality of
access
openings extending therethrough and the lower legs have a plurality of access
openings
extending therethrough with at least one access opening being arranged between
each pair of side
lateral baffles.


50. The tank according to claim 39 wherein the tank vessel has a plurality of
entry
hatches therein 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.


51. The tank according to claim 50 wherein at least one entry hatch is
arranged in the
front wail of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch is arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel.


52. The tank according to claim 50 wherein a first entry hatch is arranged in
one of
the opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a
second entry hatch is
arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front
wall of the tank vessel
than the first entry hatch.




22

53. The tank according to claim 39 further including a pivotal baffle
supported on the
baffle arrangement for pivotal movement 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.


54. The tank according to claim 53 wherein the tank includes a plurality of
pivotal
baffles.


55. The tank according to claim 54 wherein the tank vessel has a three-piece
construction comprising a center section and two side sections, the baffle
arrangement being
arranged in the center section of the tank with at least one pivotal baffle
extending to either side
thereof, the side sections being assembled to either side of the center
section to form the tank
vessel with each pivotal baffle extending into a respective one of the side
sections when the
pivotal baffle is in the closed position.


56. The tank according to claim 55 wherein the center section and each of the
side
sections has a plurality of entry hatches therein 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.


57. 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.




23

58. The tank according to claim 57 wherein the tank vessel has a three-piece
construction comprising a center section and two side sections, a central
baffle arrangement
being arranged in the center section of the tank and two side baffle
arrangements being carried
on opposing sides of the center section of the tank, the two side sections
being assembled to
either side of the center section to form the tank vessel with each side
baffle arrangement
extending into a respective one of the side sections of the tank.


59. The tank according to claim 58 wherein the center section and each of the
side
sections has a plurality of entry hatches therein 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.


60. The tank according to claim 57 wherein at least one of the lateral baffles
is
supported for pivotal movement.


61. The tank according to claim 57 wherein at least one entry hatch is
arranged in the
front wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch is arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel.


62. The tank according to claim 57 wherein each of the lateral baffles has an
access
opening extending therethrough and an associated hatch plate which is movable
between open
and closed positions.


63. 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, and

a center baffle arrangement extending through the interior of the tank vessel
in the
longitudinal direction, the baffle arrangement having a longitudinally
extending chamber 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 side baffles extending from either side
of the center
baffle arrangement towards a respective one of the sidewalls, each of the side
baffles having an



24

access opening extending therethrough and an associated hatch plate which is
movable between
open and closed positions.


64. The tank according to claim 63 further including a plurality of upper
lateral
baffles being arranged between the upper legs of the center baffle arrangement
and a plurality of
lower lateral baffles being arranged between the lower legs of the center
baffle arrangement.


65. The tank according to claim 63 wherein the tank vessel has a plurality of
entry
hatches therein 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.


66. The tank according to claim 65 wherein at least one entry hatch is
arranged in the
front wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch is arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel.


67. The tank according to claim 65 wherein a first entry hatch is arranged in
one of
the opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a
second entry hatch is
arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front
wall of the tank vessel
than the first entry hatch.


68. A tank for transporting liquids, comprising:

a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction,
opposing
sidewalls and a floor and a top, and

a baffle arrangement extending through the interior of the tank vessel in the
longitudinal
direction, the baffle arrangement having a longitudinally extending center
baffle and having two
upper legs extending between the center baffle and the top of the tank vessel
and two lower legs
extending between the center baffle and the floor of the tank vessel such that
the baffle
arrangement provides structural support for the top and the floor of the tank
vessel.


69. The tank according to claim 68 wherein the baffle arrangement has a
generally X-
shaped configuration.



25

70. The tank according to claim 69 wherein each of the upper legs and each of
the
lower legs of the baffle arrangement has at least one access opening extending
therethrough.

71. A tank for transporting liquids, comprising:

a tank vessel having front and rear walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a
top,

a plurality of baffles in the interior of the tank vessel, the baffles
defining a plurality of
compartments in the interior of the tank vessel, and

wherein at least selected ones of the baffles have an access opening
therethrough, each
access opening having an associated hinged baffle door that is pivotable
between open and
closed positions, the access openings being provided in the baffles such that
each compartment
defined by the baffles has at least two access openings associated therewith
that are useable for
accessing the compartment.


72. A tank for transporting liquids, comprising a tank vessel having front and
rear
walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a top, a plurality of baffles 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, front
wall, floor or top of the tank vessel and a second entry hatch arranged in a
different one of the
opposing side walls, rear wall, front wall, floor or top 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 baffle door that is movable between open and
closed positions, the
access openings being provided in the baffles such that when the baffle doors
are in the open
position a person can traverse through the interior of the tank between the
first and second entry
hatches.


73. A tank for transporting liquids, comprising:



26

a tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction,
opposing
sidewalls defining a lateral direction and a floor and a top, and

a baffle system in the interior of the tank, the baffle system including a
plurality of
baffles extending in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of baffles
extending in the lateral
direction and a longitudinally extending sidewall baffle supported on each of
the sidewalls, each
sidewall baffle extending in the lateral direction a distance less than the
distance between the
opposing sidewalls.


74. The tank according to claim 73 wherein the baffle system includes an X-
shaped
baffle arrangement extending through the interior of the tank vessel in the
longitudinal direction.

75. A tank for transporting liquids, comprising:

a tank vessel having front and rear walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a
top, a plurality
of baffles in the interior of the tank vessel, and

an access opening in at least one of the plurality of baffles, the access
opening having an
associated baffle door that pivots between open and closed positions, the
baffle door having
hinges that comprise a plurality of tabs carried by the door that are received
in corresponding
slots in the baffle.


76. A tank for transporting liquid comprising: an exterior surface forming a
closed
vessel for containing the liquid; an interior of the closed vessel; a
plurality of immovable baffles
forming compartments; one or more doors in the plurality of immovable baffles
sized to allow
personnel to walk between compartments; at least two openings in the exterior
surface allowing
the personnel to enter the interior at one of the openings in the exterior
surface, walk through the
one or more doors and exit the interior at another of the openings in the
exterior surface.


77. The tank of claim 76 wherein at least one of the one or more doors is
secured by
fasteners in the closed position.


78. The tank of claim 77 wherein the fasteners are bolts.




27

79. The tank of claim 76 wherein said at least two openings in the exterior
surfaces of
the tank include two openings located on approximately opposing surfaces of
the exterior
surfaces.


80. The tank of claim 76 wherein the opening on at least one surface of the
exterior
surface is associated with a door that seals the opening in a closed position.


81. The tank of claim 76 wherein the exterior surface includes at least one
step for
accessing at least one of the openings located on the exterior surface.


82. The tank of claim 76 wherein at least one area of the exterior surface
includes at
least one holding point for aiding personnel entering the opening.


83. The tank of claim 76 wherein at least one of the doors associated with the

openings on the exterior surface is hinged to the tank for pivoting between
open and closed
positions.


84. A tank for transporting liquid comprising:
an interior having a baffle network spanning a top and a floor so as to
provide structural
support for an exterior surface of the tank; and,
at least one opening in the exterior surface allowing personnel to enter an
interior
chamber of the tank at one of the openings;
a hatch covering the opening and secured with fasteners that allow the hatch
to be
repeatedly fastened and removed to and from the opening;
a door in at least one baffle of the network of baffles allowing humans to
move between
chambers of the tank defined by the baffle network when opened and inhibiting
any substantial
flow of the liquid between the chambers when closed.


85. The tank of claim 84 wherein the door when closed covers an opening in the
at
least one baffle that is large enough for a human to walk through.



28

86. The tank of claim 84 wherein the network of baffles include a plurality of
sections
having a common configuration.


87. The tank of claim 86 wherein at least one or more of the plurality of
sections
includes one or more doors allowing human ingress and egress between chambers
of the tank
defined by the network of baffles.


88. The tank of claim 84 wherein at least one baffle in the baffle network
includes a
vertical bend.


89. The tank of claim 84 including an assembly for supporting the door moving
between the open and closed positions.


90. The tank of claim 84 wherein the door is maintained in the closed position
by
fasteners.


91. A tank for transporting liquids comprising:
a vessel for holding a liquid having a top opening for receiving the liquid
and a bottom
opening for discharging the liquid;
a plurality of baffles defining compartments in an interior of the vessel;
at least some of the compartments having personnel access openings in the
baffles
allowing personnel ingress and egress into and from the compartments by moving
through the
openings;
at least one of the access openings including a door operating between open
and closed
positions to substantially inhibit the flow of the liquid through the access
opening in the closed
position;
at least one opening in an exterior surface allowing personnel to enter one of
the interior
compartments of the vessel at one of the openings; and
a hatch covering at least one of the openings and secured with fasteners that
allow the
hatch to be repeatedly fastened and removed to and from the opening.




29

92. The tank of claim 91 wherein said at least one personnel access opening
including
the door is large enough for a human to walk through.


93. The tank of claim 91 wherein the vessel has a generally rectangular
lateral cross
section with angular corners.


94. A tank system for transporting and discharging liquid comprising:
a tank for mounting to a vehicle for holding liquid;
a plurality of baffles in an interior space of the tank defining compartments;
at least one opening in an exterior surface allowing personnel to enter one of
the interior
compartments of the tank at one of the openings;
a hatch covering at least one of the openings and secured with fasteners that
allow the
hatch to be repeatedly fastened and removed to and from the opening;
a personnel access opening in at least one of the plurality of baffles sized
to allow
humans to walk through the opening; and the personnel access opening having a
door supported
by a surface of the tank to allow the door to move between open and closed
positions;
an opening in a top region of the tank for filling the tank with the liquid;
and
an opening in a bottom region of the tank connected to a device for
discharging of the
liquid.


95. The tank of claim 94 wherein the surface of the tank is one of the
baffles.


96. The tank according to claim 94 wherein the door is hinged to the surface
of the
tank to pivot between the open and closed positions.


97. The tank according to claim 96 wherein each hinge comprises a tab
configured to
hook into a slot.


98. The tank according to claim 97 wherein the tab is integral to the door and
the slot
is cut in the surface of the tank.



30

99. The tank of claim 98 wherein the integral tab and door are cut from a
single piece
of material.


100. A tanker vehicle for distributing non-potable water on a surface of a
working area,
the vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported on a plurality of tires;

a tank for carrying non-potable water and supported by the chassis;

an assembly in communication with the tank for dispensing the non-potable
water carried
in the tank on the work area;

a baffle network spanning an interior of the tank that inhibits circulation of
the non-
potable water in response to movement of the vehicle; and

at least one entry hatch on the tank that when opened reveals an entry opening
in the
exterior of the tank for allowing personnel access to the interior of the tank
for the purpose of
maintaining or cleaning the tank.


101. The tanker vehicle of claim 100 wherein the assembly for dispensing the
non-
potable water carried in the tank includes a dispensing assembly.


102. The tanker vehicle of claim 100 wherein the baffle network includes at
least one
opening in a baffle that is sized and positioned in the baffle to accommodate
personnel walking
through the opening in order to move between adjacent compartments within the
tank and
defined by the baffle network.


103. The tanker vehicle of claim 102 wherein the baffle network defines
adjacent
compartments in both horizontal and vertical relationships.


104. The tanker vehicle of claim 100 wherein the at least one entry hatch
includes two
or more entry hatches on one or more surfaces of the tank and positioned to
enable personnel to
enter the interior of the tank through a first entry opening covered by one of
the entry hatches,



31

move through the baffle network and exit the interior through a second entry
opening covered by
another one of the entry hatches.


105. The tanker vehicle of claim 104 wherein the two or more entry hatches are
on
opposite surfaces of the tank.


106. A method of performing maintenance on a tanker vehicle that dispenses
water
from a tank onto a working area to help reduce dust clouds resulting from
other vehicles working
in the area, the method comprising:
unfastening and opening a hatch of one or more access openings on an exterior
surface of
the tank mounted to the tanker vehicle for carrying the water dispensed in the
working area,
where the access openings are positioned on the exterior of the tank so as to
promote circulation
of air into an interior of the tank when the hatch is opened,
entering into an interior of the tank through one of the access openings,
performing a maintenance task on the interior of the tank,
exiting the interior of the tank through one of the access openings upon
completion of the
maintenance task, and
closing and fastening the hatch of the access openings.


107. The method of claim 106 including moving about the interior of the tank
to
perform the maintenance task by passing through access openings in baffles
within the interior of
the tank.


108. The method of claim 107 wherein one or more of the access openings are
sized to
allow personnel to walk between compartments within the tank and defined by
the baffle
network.


109. The method of claim 106 wherein the unfastening and opening of the hatch
includes unfastening and opening hatches for each of the two or more access
openings and
closing the hatches after completion of the maintenance task.



32

110. The tank of claim 76 having a generally rectangular lateral cross section
with
angular corners.


111. The tank of claim 84 having a generally rectangular lateral cross section
with
angular corners.


112. The tank system of claim 94 wherein the tank has a generally rectangular
lateral
cross section with angular corners.


113. The tanker vehicle of claim 100 wherein the tank has a generally
rectangular
lateral cross section with angular corners.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


i
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

I
BAFFLED TANK FOR A VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to tanks for storing and dispensing fluids, and
in
particular, to such tanks which are mounted on vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dust control can be a particular problem on construction sites,
building
demolition sites, excavation sites and mine sites. For example, in a mining
operation, the
mine haul roads essentially consist of dirt and gravel. Dust control is
necessary on the haul
roads so that the operators of the mine vehicles can readily see the other
mine vehicles using
the roads. Thus, dust control on the haul roads is a safety issue. Moreover,
dust clouds
caused by vehicles operating on the haul roads can adversely impact air
quality potentially
creating environmental issues particularly where the dust clouds drift beyond
the mine site.
[0003] Typically, mines have water tanker trucks, which are used to water down
the
haul roads in order to control dust. Such water tanker trucks generally have a
plurality of
spray nozzles positioned on either the forward or rearward sections of the
vehicles to
dispense a fluid spray or mist onto the ground. The water tanker truck can
also have hoses
or a water monitor/cannon for washing down other mining equipment and, in some
cases,
fire control.

[00041 Because of the service demands on such water tanker trucks, they are
typically
capable of carrying very large quantities of water. For example, water tanker
trucks used in
mining operations can have fluid capacities of over 50,000 gallons. Of course,
vehicle
stability is a critical issue when transporting large volumes of water that,
in the case of a
50,000 gallon tank, can carry a water load of over 200 tons. Specifically,
surging and wave
motion of the fluid, particularly transverse surging resulting from
centrifugal forces

'III dIl
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

2
experienced during turning of the truck can cause a tanker truck to become
unstable or even
to overturn. To prevent such surging of the fluid, the tank is provided with
internal baffles.
[00051 To ensure a long-life, the interior of the tanks must undergo periodic
maintenance. For example, to protect against corrosion, the interior surfaces
of the tank
may need to be periodically sandblasted and re-coated with a rust protection
coating such as
an epoxy. This work is complicated by the fact that the tanks only have points
of entry on
the top of the tank and often just a single point of entry, and thus the work
is subject to
confined space safety regulations. Accordingly, workers performing tasks
inside the tank
must be provided with secondary air sources from outside the tank. This can
greatly
complicate the maintenance operations. Moreover, it can be difficult for the
workers to
maneuver around the internal tank baffles particularly since the interior of
the tank is very
dark. Accordingly, maintaining the interior of these tanks can be a difficult
and time-
consuming process.

[00061 Another problem with these types of tanks is that at larger sizes they
can be
difficult to ship to the location at which they are installed onto the
vehicle, typically an off-
highway truck. For instance, the largest tanks can be over twenty feet wide.
As can be
appreciated, transporting a tank of that size can be a difficult and expensive
operation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[00071 Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, a general object of the present
invention
is to provide an improved baffled tank for a tanker truck such as used for
dust control in
mining operations, construction sites and the like.

[00081 A more specific object of one embodiment of the present invention is to
provide
a tank for such a tanker truck which has an improved baffling system.


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3
[0009] Another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide
a
baffled tank for such a tanker truck which is configured so work inside the
tank can be
performed much more easily.

An aspect of the invention is to provide 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. The tank can further include
a plurality of
longitudinally spaced C-shaped rib baffles extending in a lateral direction,
each C-shaped rib
being carried on a respective one of the sidewalls of the tank vessel and a
portion of the top
and floor of the tank vessel to provide support therefor. Each C-shaped rib
can be aligned
with a respective pivotal baffle such that the C-shaped rib extends between
the respective
sidewall of the tank vessel and an outside edge of the pivotal baffle. Each
pivotal baffle can
be secured in the closed position by a connecting element to its respective C-
shaped rib.
Each pivotal baffle can have an access opening extending therethrough. The
access opening
in each pivotal baffle can have an associated hatch plate which is movable
between open and
closed positions. The upper legs and each of the lower legs of the X-shaped
baffle
arrangement can have at least one access opening extending therethrough. The
access
opening in each of the upper and lower legs can have an associated hatch plate
which is
movable between open and closed positions.

The tank described above can further include a plurality of upper lateral
baffles being
arranged between the upper legs of the X-shaped baffle arrangement and a
plurality of lower
lateral baffles being arranged between the lower legs of the X-shaped baffle
arrangement.
Each of the upper lateral baffles and each of the lower lateral baffles can
have an access
opening extending therethrough. The access opening in each upper lateral
baffle and each


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3a
lower lateral baffle can have an associated hatch plate which is movable
between open and
closed positions. The upper legs can have a plurality of access openings
extending
therethrough with at least one access opening being arranged between each pair
of upper
lateral baffles. The lower legs can have a plurality of access openings
extending therethrough
with at least one access opening being arranged between each pair of lower
lateral baffles.
The tank described above can further include a plurality of side lateral
baffles extending from
either side of the X-shaped baffle arrangement, each side lateral baffle being
arranged
between a respective one of the upper legs and a respective one of the lower
legs and being
aligned with a respective one of the pivotal baffles. The upper legs can have
a plurality of
access openings extending therethrough and the lower legs can have a plurality
of access
openings extending therethrough with at least one access opening being
arranged between
each pair of side lateral baffles. Each of the pivotal baffles can be
pivotally connected by a
hinge to an upright support member extending between the floor and top of the
tank vessel at
an end of a respective one of the side lateral baffles.

In the tank described above, the tank vessel can have a plurality of entry
hatches therein 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. At least one entry hatch can be
arranged in the front
wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch can be arranged in the
rear wall of the tank
vessel. A first entry hatch can be arranged in one of the opposing sidewalls,
rear wall or front
wall of the tank vessel and a second entry hatch can be arranged in a
different one of the
opposing side walls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel than the first
entry hatch.

In the tank described above, the tank vessel can have a three-piece
construction comprising a
center section and two side sections, the X-shaped baffle arrangement being
arranged in the
center section of the tank with at least one pivotal baffle extending to
either side thereof, the
side sections being assembled to either side of the center section to form the
tank vessel with
each pivotal baffle extending into a respective one of the side sections when
the pivotal baffle
is in the closed position. The center section and each of the side sections
can have a plurality
of entry hatches therein for permitting access into the interior of the tank
vessel, each entry


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3b
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.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide 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 longitudinal baffle
arrangement extending
in the longitudinal direction through the tank vessel, the longitudinal baffle
arrangement
including a longitudinally extending chamber, and a pivotal baffle supported
on the
longitudinal baffle arrangement for pivotal movement 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. The tank can include a plurality of
longitudinally
spaced pivotal baffles. The tank can further include a plurality of
longitudinally spaced C-
shaped rib baffles extending in a lateral direction, each C-shaped rib being
carried on a
respective one of the sidewalls of the tank vessel and a portion of the top
and floor of the tank
vessel to provide support therefor. Each C-shaped rib can be aligned with a
respective
pivotal baffle such that the C-shaped rib extends between the respective
sidewall of the tank
vessel and an outside edge of the pivotal baffle. Each pivotal baffle can be
secured in the
closed position by a connecting element to its respective C-shaped rib. The
pivotal baffle can
have an access opening extending therethrough. The access opening in the
pivotal baffle can
have an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed
positions. The
longitudinal baffle arrangement can include at least one longitudinal baffle
which is attached
to the longitudinally extending chamber. The at least one longitudinal baffle
can have at least
one access opening extending therethrough. The access opening in the
longitudinal baffle
can have an associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed
positions.

In the tank described in the paragraph above, the tank can further include a
plurality of lateral
baffles supported on the longitudinal baffle arrangement, each lateral baffle
being aligned
with a respective one of the pivotal baffles. Each of the pivotal baffles can
be pivotally
connected by a hinge to an upright support member extending between the floor
and top of
the tank vessel at an end of a respective one of the lateral baffles. The tank
vessel can have a
plurality of entry hatches therein 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. At
least one entry
hatch can be arranged in the front wall of the tank vessel and at least one
entry hatch can be
arranged in the rear wall of the tank vessel. A first entry hatch can be
arranged in one of the


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3c
opposing sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a second
entry hatch can be
arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front
wall of the tank
vessel than the first entry hatch.

In the tank described above, the tank vessel can have a three-piece
construction comprising a
center section and two side sections, the longitudinal baffle arrangement
being arranged in
the center section of the tank with at least one pivotal baffle extending from
either side
thereof, the side sections being assembled to either side of the center
section to form the tank
vessel with each pivotal baffle extending into a respective one of the side
sections. The
center section and each the side sections can have a plurality of entry
hatches therein 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.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide 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, and a
baffle arrangement
extending through the interior of the tank vessel in the longitudinal
direction, the baffle
arrangement having a longitudinally extending chamber 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. The baffle arrangement can have a
generally X-
shaped configuration with the longitudinally extending chamber being in the
center thereof.
Each of the upper legs and each of the lower legs of the baffle arrangement
can have at least
one access opening extending therethrough. The access opening in each of the
upper and
lower legs can have an associated hatch plate which is movable between open
and closed
positions. The tank can further include a plurality of upper lateral baffles
being arranged
between the upper legs of the baffle arrangement and a plurality of lower
lateral baffles being
arranged between the lower legs of the baffle arrangement. Each of the upper
lateral baffles
and each of the lower lateral baffles can have an access opening extending
therethrough. The
access opening in each upper lateral baffle and each lower lateral baffle can
have an
associated hatch plate which is movable between open and closed positions. The
upper legs
can have a plurality of access openings extending therethrough with at least
one access
opening being arranged between each pair of upper lateral baffles. The lower
legs can have a
plurality of access openings extending therethrough with at least one access
opening being
arranged between each pair of lower lateral baffles. The tank can further
include a plurality


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3d
of side lateral baffles extending from either side of the baffle arrangement.
The upper legs
can have a plurality of access openings extending therethrough and the lower
legs can have a
plurality of access openings extending therethrough with at least one access
opening being
arranged between each pair of side lateral baffles. The tank vessel can have a
plurality of
entry hatches therein 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. At least one
entry hatch can
be arranged in the front wail of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch
can be arranged in
the rear wall of the tank vessel. A first entry hatch can be arranged in one
of the opposing
sidewalls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a second entry hatch
can be arranged
in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front wall of the
tank vessel than the
first entry hatch. The tank can further include a pivotal baffle supported on
the baffle
arrangement for pivotal movement 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. The tank can include a plurality of pivotal baffles.
The tank vessel
can have a three-piece construction comprising a center section and two side
sections, the
baffle arrangement being arranged in the center section of the tank with at
least one pivotal
baffle extending to either side thereof, the side sections being assembled to
either side of the
center section to form the tank vessel with each pivotal baffle extending into
a respective one
of the side sections when the pivotal baffle is in the closed position. The
center section and
each of the side sections can have a plurality of entry hatches therein 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.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide 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


CA 02388177 2010-07-12
3e

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. The tank vessel can have a
three-piece
construction comprising a center section and two side sections, a central
baffle arrangement
being arranged in the center section of the tank and two side baffle
arrangements being
carried on opposing sides of the center section of the tank, the two side
sections being
assembled to either side of the center section to form the tank vessel with
each side baffle
arrangement extending into a respective one of the side sections of the tank.
The center
section and each of the side sections can have a plurality of entry hatches
therein 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. At least one of the lateral baffles can
be supported for
pivotal movement. At least one entry hatch can be arranged in the front wall
of the tank
vessel and at least one entry hatch can be arranged in the rear wall of the
tank vessel. Each of
the lateral baffles can have an access opening extending therethrough and an
associated hatch
plate which is movable between open and closed positions.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide 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, and a center baffle
arrangement extending
through the interior of the tank vessel in the longitudinal direction, the
baffle arrangement
having a longitudinally extending chamber 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
side baffles extending
from either side of the center baffle arrangement towards a respective one of
the sidewalls,
each of the side baffles having an access opening extending therethrough and
an associated
hatch plate which is movable between open and closed positions. The tank can
further
include a plurality of upper lateral baffles being arranged between the upper
legs of the center
baffle arrangement and a plurality of lower lateral baffles being arranged
between the lower
legs of the center baffle arrangement. The tank vessel can have a plurality of
entry hatches
therein 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. At least one entry hatch can
be arranged in
the front wall of the tank vessel and at least one entry hatch can be arranged
in the rear wall


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3f
of the tank vessel. A first entry hatch can be arranged in one of the opposing
sidewalls, rear
wall or front wall of the tank vessel and a second entry hatch can be arranged
in a different
one of the opposing side walls, rear wall or front wall of the tank vessel
than the first entry
hatch.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquids,
comprising: a
tank vessel having front and rear walls defining a longitudinal direction,
opposing sidewalls
and a floor and a top, and a baffle arrangement extending through the interior
of the tank
vessel in the longitudinal direction, the baffle arrangement having a
longitudinally extending
center baffle and having two upper legs extending between the center baffle
and the top of the
tank vessel and two lower legs extending between the center baffle and the
floor of the tank
vessel such that the baffle arrangement provides structural support for the
top and the floor of
the tank vessel. The baffle arrangement can have a generally X-shaped
configuration. Each
of the upper legs and each of the lower legs of the baffle arrangement can
have at least one
access opening extending therethrough.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquids,
comprising: a
tank vessel having front and rear walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a
top, a plurality of
baffles in the interior of the tank vessel, the baffles defining a plurality
of compartments in
the interior of the tank vessel, and wherein at least selected ones of the
baffles have an access
opening therethrough, each access opening having an associated hinged baffle
door that is
pivotable between open and closed positions, the access openings being
provided in the
baffles such that each compartment defined by the baffles has at least two
access openings
associated therewith that are useable for accessing the compartment.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquids,
comprising a
tank vessel having front and rear walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a
top, a plurality of
baffles 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, front wall, floor or top of the tank
vessel and a second
entry hatch arranged in a different one of the opposing side walls, rear wall,
front wall, floor
or top of the tank vessel than the first entry hatch, wherein at least
selected ones of the baffles


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3g
have an access opening therethrough, each access opening having an associated
baffle door
that is movable between open and closed positions, the access openings being
provided in the
baffles such that when the baffle doors are in the open position a person can
traverse through
the interior of the tank between the first and second entry hatches.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide 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, and a baffle system in the
interior of the
tank, the baffle system including a plurality of baffles extending in the
longitudinal direction,
a plurality of baffles extending in the lateral direction and a longitudinally
extending sidewall
baffle supported on each of the sidewalls, each sidewall baffle extending in
the lateral
direction a distance less than the distance between the opposing sidewalls.
The baffle system
can include an X- shaped baffle arrangement extending through the interior of
the tank vessel
in the longitudinal direction.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquids,
comprising: a
tank vessel having front and rear walls, opposing sidewalls, a floor and a
top, a plurality of
baffles in the interior of the tank vessel, and an access opening in at least
one of the plurality
of baffles, the access opening having an associated baffle door that pivots
between open and
closed positions, the baffle door having hinges that comprise a plurality of
tabs carried by the
door that are received in corresponding slots in the baffle.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquid
comprising: an
exterior surface forming a closed vessel for containing the liquid; an
interior of the closed
vessel; a plurality of immovable baffles forming compartments; one or more
doors in the
plurality of immovable baffles sized to allow personnel to walk between
compartments; at
least two openings in the exterior surface allowing the personnel to enter the
interior at one of
the openings in the exterior surface, walk through the one or more doors and
exit the interior
at another of the openings in the exterior surface. At least one of the one or
more doors can
be secured by fasteners in the closed position. The fasteners can be bolts. At
least two
openings in the exterior surfaces of the tank can include two openings located
on
approximately opposing surfaces of the exterior surfaces. The opening on at
least one surface
of the exterior surface can be associated with a door that seals the opening
in a closed
position. The exterior surface can include at least one step for accessing at
least one of the
openings located on the exterior surface. At least one area of the exterior
surface can include


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3h
at least one holding point for aiding personnel entering the opening. At least
one of the doors
associated with the openings on the exterior surface can be hinged to the tank
for pivoting
between open and closed positions. The tank can have a generally rectangular
lateral cross
section with angular corners.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquid
comprising: an
interior having a baffle network spanning a top and a floor so as to provide
structural support
for an exterior surface of the tank; and, at least one opening in the exterior
surface allowing
personnel to enter an interior chamber of the tank at one of the openings; a
hatch covering the
opening and secured with fasteners that allow the hatch to be repeatedly
fastened and
removed to and from the opening; a door in at least one baffle of the network
of baffles
allowing humans to move between chambers of the tank defined by the baffle
network when
opened and inhibiting any substantial flow of the liquid between the chambers
when closed.
The door when closed can cover an opening in the at least one baffle that is
large enough for
a human to walk through. The network of baffles can include a plurality of
sections having a
common configuration. At least one or more of the plurality of sections can
include one or
more doors allowing human ingress and egress between chambers of the tank
defined by the
network of baffles. At least one baffle in the baffle network can include a
vertical bend. The
tank can include an assembly for supporting the door moving between the open
and closed
positions. The door can be maintained in the closed position by fasteners. The
tank can have
a generally rectangular lateral cross section with angular corners.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank for transporting liquids
comprising: a
vessel for holding a liquid having a top opening for receiving the liquid and
a bottom opening
for discharging the liquid; a plurality of baffles defining compartments in an
interior of the
vessel; at least some of the compartments having personnel access openings in
the baffles
allowing personnel ingress and egress into and from the compartments by moving
through
the openings; at least one of the access openings including a door operating
between open
and closed positions to substantially inhibit the flow of the liquid through
the access opening
in the closed position; at least one opening in an exterior surface allowing
personnel to enter
one of the interior compartments of the vessel at one of the openings; and a
hatch covering at
least one of the openings and secured with fasteners that allow the hatch to
be repeatedly
fastened and removed to and from the opening. At least one personnel access
opening


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3i
including the door can be large enough for a human to walk through. The vessel
can have a
generally rectangular lateral cross section with angular corners.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tank system for transporting
and discharging
liquid comprising: a tank for mounting to a vehicle for holding liquid; a
plurality of baffles in
an interior space of the tank defining compartments; at least one opening in
an exterior
surface allowing personnel to enter one of the interior compartments of the
tank at one of the
openings; a hatch covering at least one of the openings and secured with
fasteners that allow
the hatch to be repeatedly fastened and removed to and from the opening; a
personnel access
opening in at least one of the plurality of baffles sized to allow humans to
walk through the
opening; and the personnel access opening having a door supported by a surface
of the tank
to allow the door to move between open and closed positions; an opening in a
top region of
the tank for filling the tank with the liquid; and an opening in a bottom
region of the tank
connected to a device for discharging of the liquid. The surface of the tank
can be one of the
baffles. The door can be hinged to the surface of the tank to pivot between
the open and
closed positions. Each hinge can comprise a tab configured to hook into a
slot. The tab can
be integral to the door and the slot is cut in the surface of the tank. The
integral tab and door
can be cut from a single piece of material. The tank can have a generally
rectangular lateral
cross section with angular corners.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a tanker vehicle for
distributing non-potable
water on a surface of a working area, the vehicle comprising: a chassis
supported on a
plurality of tires; a tank for carrying non-potable water and supported by the
chassis; an
assembly in communication with the tank for dispensing the non-potable water
carried in the
tank on the work area; a baffle network spanning an interior of the tank that
inhibits
circulation of the non-potable water in response to movement of the vehicle;
and at least one
entry hatch on the tank that when opened reveals an entry opening in the
exterior of the tank
for allowing personnel access to the interior of the tank for the purpose of
maintaining or
cleaning the tank. The assembly for dispensing the non-potable water carried
in the tank can
include a dispensing assembly. The baffle network can include at least one
opening in a
baffle that is sized and positioned in the baffle to accommodate personnel
walking through
the opening in order to move between adjacent compartments within the tank and
defined by
the baffle network. The baffle network can define adjacent compartments in
both horizontal
and vertical relationships. At least one entry hatch can include two or more
entry hatches on


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3j
one or more surfaces of the tank and positioned to enable personnel to enter
the interior of the
tank through a first entry opening covered by one of the entry hatches, move
through the
baffle network and exit the interior through a second entry opening covered by
another one of
the entry hatches. The two or more entry hatches can be on opposite surfaces
of the tank.
The tank can have a generally rectangular lateral cross section with angular
corners.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method of performing
maintenance on a
tanker vehicle that dispenses water from a tank onto a working area to help
reduce dust
clouds resulting from other vehicles working in the area, the method
comprising: unfastening
and opening a hatch of one or more access openings on an exterior surface of
the tank
mounted to the tanker vehicle for carrying the water dispensed in the working
area, where the
access openings are positioned on the exterior of the tank so as to promote
circulation of air
into an interior of the tank when the hatch is opened, entering into an
interior of the tank
through one of the access openings, performing a maintenance task on the
interior of the tank,
exiting the interior of the tank through one of the access openings upon
completion of the
maintenance task, and closing and fastening the hatch of the access openings.
The method
can further include moving about the interior of the tank to perform the
maintenance task by
passing through access openings in baffles within the interior of the tank.
One or more of
the access openings can be sized to allow personnel to walk between
compartments within
the tank and defined by the baffle network. The unfastening and opening of the
hatch can
include unfastening and opening hatches for each of the two or more access
openings and
closing the hatches after completion of the maintenance task.


CA 02388177 2010-07-12

3k
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010) FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an illustrative tank constructed in
accordance
with the present invention mounted on the chassis of an off-highway tanker
truck.

[0011) FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the tank of FIG. 1 mounted on the
chassis of
an off-highway tanker truck.

[00121 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tank of FIG. 1 showing the
assembled internal
baffle system.

[0013) FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tank of FIG. 1 showing the
assembled
internal baffle system.

[0014) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the assembled internal baffle system of
the tank of
FIG. 1.

[0015) FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the assembled internal baffle system
of the
tank of FIG. 1.

[0016) FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the center section of the tank of
FIG. 1.
[0017) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the center section of the tank of FIG. I
taken in the
plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

[0018) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the center section of the tank of FIG. 1.

[0019) FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the center section of the tank of
FIG. 1.
[0020) FIG. I l is a perspective view of the left side section of the tank of
FIG. 1.
[0021) FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the left side section of the tank of FIG.
1.


CA 02388177 2002-05-28

4
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the left side section of the tank
of FIG. 1
looking from the inside of the center section of the tank.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 14-14 in FIG. 13
of the left
side section of the tank of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the right side section of the tank of
FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the right side section of the tank of
FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the right side section of the tank
of FIG. 1
looking from the inside of the center section of the tank.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 18-18 in FIG. 17
of the
right side section of the tank of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of one of the hinged baffles of the
tank of FIG.
1.

[0029] FIG. 20 is an enlarged rear elevation view of one of the hinges of the
hinged
baffle of FIG. 19.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 21-21 in FIG. 19
showing
an exemplary cover plate installed over the access opening in the hinged
baffle door.
[0031] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the tank of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 23 contains three perspective drawings of a side baffle than can
be used in
the tank of the present invention in place of the hinged baffle doors.

[0033] FIG. 24 contains three additional perspective drawings of the side
baffle of FIG.
23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there
is
shown an exemplary off-highway tanker truck 10 having a baffled tank 12
constructed in

I i
I.u 1 JI
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

accordance with the present invention. The tanker truck 10 includes a chassis
14 which is
supported on a plurality of tires 16 and on which the tank 12 is mounted.
While the tank 12
of the present invention is described in the context of an off-highway tanker
truck, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the teachings of the present invention
are equally
applicable to relatively large tanks mounted on other types of vehicles such
as, for example,
on-highway trucks, trailers, off-highway earth-moving scrapers and airplanes.

[0035] Optionally, as in the illustrated embodiment, the tank 12 can be
attached to the
chassis 14 for pivotal movement into a raised position so as to allow access
to components
on the tanker truck 10 such as the drive train, transmission, or gear
differential. The tank 12
can be moved between the raised and lowered positions by actuation of a lift
cylinder 18
carried on the chassis 14 of the tanker truck 10. As will be appreciated, the
tank 12 can also
be rigidly mounted on the chassis 14.

[0036] The tank 12 consists of a pair of opposing sidewalls 20, a rear wall
22, a front
wall 24, a top wall 25 and a floor 26. In this case, the floor 26 includes the
components for
mounting the tank to the chassis including the tank/chassis pivots 28 and the
mounts 30 for
the lift cylinder 18 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 7). In the illustrated
embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 1, the floor 26 angles downward as it extends from the rear wall 22 to
the front wall
24. Additionally, the front wall 24 includes a portion which is angled away
from the rear
wall 22 of the tank 12. It will be appreciated that the walls of the tank 12
can have any
shape including curved.

[0037] For discharging fluid, the tank 12 includes, in this case, a plurality
of spray
nozzles which are supplied by a spray bar assembly 32 arranged on the exterior
of the rear
wall 22 of the tank 12 and in communication with a fluid pump mounted on the
rear of the
tank. As shown in FIG. 2, the illustrated embodiment includes four lower
nozzles 34
spaced across the width of the tank 12 for producing a horizontal flat spray
to the rear of the

11inli, I I
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

6
tanker truck 10. The tank 12 also includes two upper nozzles 36 which are
arranged to
provide a vertical spray to the sides of the tanker truck 10. Of course, the
spray nozzles can
be arranged in various other locations on the tank 12 including on the sides
and the front.
Additionally, as desired, the tank 12 can be provided with one or more hose
reels 39 and
manually or remote-controlled monitors 41 for distributing fluid onto other
equipment,
material piles and other hard to reach areas as shown in FIG. 1. The hose
reels and
monitors could also be used for fighting fires. A pump can be provided to
disburse the fluid
into the spray bar assembly 32 and thereby into the various nozzles. It will
be appreciated
that the tank 12 of the present invention is not limited to any particular
method or
arrangement for discharging the fluid.

[00381 In a conventional manner, the top wall 25 of the tank 12 includes a
fill hole 38,
as shown FIG. 2, through which the tank can be filled. Additionally, a
ventilation tube 40 is
provided through the top wall 25 of the tank 12 to facilitate the filling
process. The tank 12
can also be provided with a water level gauge such as for example a sight
gauge. To permit
an operator to have access to what is typically the active work area on the
top of the tank 12,
for example to assist in the filling operation, the tank 12 can optionally
include a ladder 42
and a guard rail 44 which goes around the outer edges of the top wall 25 of
the tank 12 such
as shown in FIG. 1.

[00391 In accordance with an important aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention, the tank 12 includes a novel baffle system in which the structural
components of
the tank also serve as baffles. Moreover, as described in detail below, the
baffle system can
also be configured to make the interior of the tank 12 much more accessible to
workers than
baffled tanks that are presently available. The baffle system is best
described by separating
the tank into a center section 46 shown in FIGS. 7-10 and left and right side
sections 48, 50
shown in FIGS. 11-14 and 15-18, respectively, that are symmetrical with each
other.

I ail
CA 02388177 2002-05-28
7

Though, as can be appreciated, relatively smaller tanks could be produced in a
single
section. The entire baffle system is shown assembled together in FIGS. 3-6.
Left and right
are used herein with reference to looking forward from the rear of tanker
truck 10 of FIG. 1
towards the front.

[00401 In order to allow the tank 12 to be shipped more easily to a location
where it is
assembled to an off-highway truck, the center, left and right side sections
46, 48, 50 can
comprise separate components that are assembled together. In particular, as
shown in the
exploded view of FIG. 21, the left and right side sections 48, 50 can be
connected to either
side of the center section 46 via welding or any other appropriate method to
form the tank
12. The three-piece construction allows the tank 12 to be broken into
relatively smaller
components for shipment. Of course, other aspects of the present invention,
such as the
baffle arrangement described below, are not limited to tanks having a three-
piece
construction, rather they can be incorporated into single-piece tanks or tanks
consisting of
any number of components.

[00411 To suppress wave motion and surging of the fluid in the lateral or side-
to-side
direction, the center section 46 has longitudinal baffles that generally form
an X-shaped
arrangement 52. Advantageously, this X-shaped baffle arrangement 52 also
provides the
structural supports for the top wall and floor of the tank. As shown in FIGS.
3, 6, and 10,
the X-shaped arrangement 52 extends vertically between the top wall 25 and
floor 26 of the
tank 12 and has a rectangular shaped chamber 54 arranged in its center. In
particular, as
best shown in FIG. 8, upper legs 56 of the X-shaped arrangement 52 extend
between an
upper surface 60 of the chamber 54 and the top wall 25 of the tank and lower
legs 58 of the
X-shaped arrangement extend between a lower surface 62 of the chamber and the
floor 26
of the tank. The rectangular chamber 54 and the upper and lower legs 56, 58 of
the X-
arrangement 52 extend longitudinally through the center section 46 between the
front 24


CA 02388177 2002-05-28

8
and rear 22 walls of the tank 12 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The rectangular
chamber 54, in
this case, gets gradually larger as it extends from the rear end of the center
section 46
towards the front end because the lower wall 62 of the chamber 54 angles
downward
parallel in relation to the truck chassis 14 and the tank floor 26 as shown in
FIG. 7.

[00421 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a plurality of holes 64 are provided in the
upper and
lower walls 60, 62 (best shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8) of the rectangular chamber
54 to allow
fluid to work its way downward in the tank 12 during filling or emptying of
the tank.
Similarly, holes 66 are provided along the upper edges of the upper legs 56
and the lower
edges of the lower legs 58, as shown in FIG. 7, to assist fluid in migrating
through the entire
tank 12.

100431 To assist fluid migration and also provide access for workers
performing
maintenance operations, openings 68 are provided, in this instance, in the
middle of upper
and lower legs 56, 58 of the X-shaped longitudinal baffle arrangement 52 as
shown in FIGS.
3-5 and 7. During normal operations of the tank 12, some or all of these
openings 68 can be
closed with loose fitting hatch plates to prevent the lateral surging of the
fluid in the tank.

In this case, the hatch plates are received in slots which are arranged on
either side of the
openings 68 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 7. When work is being
performed on
the interior of the tank 12, the loose hatch plates can be removed to provide
access to the
interior of the upper and lower portions of the longitudinal X-shaped baffle
arrangement 52.
[00441 For limiting longitudinal wave action and surging of fluid such as
during braking
or acceleration of the tanker truck 10, vertically extending baffles are
arranged between the
legs of the X-shaped baffle arrangement 52. As shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 10, an
upper lateral
baffle 72 is provided between the upper legs 56 and a lower lateral baffle 74
between the
lower legs 58 at spaced intervals along the length of the X-shaped baffle
arrangement 52.
Additionally, side lateral baffles 76 are provided to either side of the X-
shaped arrangement

' ~ !'-III P 81
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

9
52 at spaced intervals along the length thereof. Again, because, in this case,
the tank 12 gets
deeper as it extends from its rear wall 22 to its front wall 24, these side
lateral baffles 76 to
the sides of the X-shaped baffle arrangement 52 get larger towards the front
of the tank 12.
This can be seen via broken lines in the rear end views of FIGS. 6 and 10.
Access openings
78 are provided in each of the upper and lower lateral baffles 72, 74 to
provide access into
the compartments formed in the upper and lower portions of the X-shaped baffle

arrangement 52 by the lateral baffles. Similar to the access openings 68 in
the legs 56, 58 of
the X-shaped baffle arrangement 52, the access openings 78 in the upper and
lower lateral
baffles 72, 74 can be closed by loose fitting hatch plates that are received
in slots to either
side of each opening 78 (see, e.g., FIG. 8 in which exemplary slots are shown
for the upper
access opening 78). Moreover, at least one of the access openings 68 in the
legs 56, 58 of
the X-shaped baffle arrangement is arranged between each pair of upper and
lower lateral
baffles 72, 74 and side lateral baffles 76 to allow access into each
compartment created by
the upper and lower lateral baffles and side lateral baffles 76.

100451 Additional lateral baffling can also be provided to either side of the
center
section 46 in the left and right side sections 48, 50. As shown in FIGS. 11-14
(left section
48) and FIGS. 15-18 (right section 50), with the exception of certain
accessory type
components such as the fill hole 38 and the ventilation chamber 40, the left
and right
sections 48, 50 are mirror images of each other. Each side section 48, 50
includes a
plurality of longitudinally spaced C-shaped ribs 82 as best shown in FIGS. 11,
13, 15 and
17. These C-shaped ribs 82 extend around the interior surface of each side
section 48, 50
(see, e.g., FIG. 14 and 18) to support the sidewalls 20 of the tank 12 as well
as the portions
of the floor 26 and top wall 25 of the tank defined by the side sections.
Additional support
for the sidewalls 20 of the tank 12 is provided, in this case, by reinforcing
plates 84 which
extend longitudinally between the ribs 82 on the side of each side section 48,
50. In the


CA 02388177 2002-05-28

illustrated embodiment, each side section 48, 50 includes parallel upper and
lower sets of
reinforcing plates 84 as shown in FIGS. 11, 13, 15 and 17. These reinforcing
plates 84 also
serve to disrupt side-to-side liquid surging.

[00461 Lateral baffle doors 88 are provided in each side section 48, 50 that
extend
between the C-shaped ribs 82 and the center X-shaped baffle arrangement 52 as
shown, for
example, in FIG. 3. In order to provide workers with substantially
unobstructed access to
the interior of the side sections 48, 50 of the tank 12, these lateral baffle
doors 88 are
pivotally supported or hinged such that they can be swung into an open
position in which
they extend longitudinally with respect to the tank 12. When the pivotal or
hinged baffle
doors 88 are in this open position, the side sections 48, 50 are substantially
open from end-
to-end. Again, in the illustrated embodiment, an access opening 90 is provided
in each of
the hinged baffle doors 88 which can be closed by a loose fitting hatch plate
91 (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 19 and 21). As will be appreciated, a hatch plate such as shown in FIGS.
19 and 21
could also be used to close any of the other access openings provided in the
other baffles.
[00471 For supporting the hinged baffle doors 88, a plurality of
longitudinally spaced
upright support members 92 that extend between the floor 26 and top wall 25 of
the tank are
provided on either side of the center section 46 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
Hinges 94 are
provided on each the upright support members 92 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) for
pivotally
supporting one edge of a respective hinged baffle door 88. In the illustrated
embodiment,
the other end of each hinged baffle door 88 can be secured in a closed,
deployed position by
a pair of chains 96 that are captured in corresponding keyways 98 in the C-
shaped ribs 82 as
shown in FIG. 19. In the closed, deployed position, the hinged baffle doors 88
are
substantially aligned with the lateral baffles 72, 74, 76 that extend between
the legs 56, 58
of the center X-shaped baffle arrangement 52 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6.

III
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

11
[00481 The hinged baffle doors 88 allow the side sections 48, 50 to be
constructed in a
manner similar to the hull of a ship with the C-shaped ribs 82 supporting the
walls of the
tank 12. However, the C-shaped ribs 82 also form part of the lateral baffling
in the tank 12
when the hinged baffle doors 88 are closed. Thus, the illustrated baffling
configuration also
allows the structural components of the side sections of the tank 12 to also
serve as baffles.
Alternatively, the C-shaped ribs 82 could be arranged on the exterior surface
of the tank 12
with the hinged baffle doors 88 being latched directly to the inside surface
of the sidewalls
20. Attaching the hinged baffle doors 88 to the center section 46 can also
permit the left
and right side sections 48, 50 to be interlocked for shipment on a single
truck. The center
section 46 then can be shipped separately with the hinged baffle doors 88
swung into the
longitudinally extending open position against the outside of the X-shaped
baffle
arrangement 52.

[00491 According to a further aspect of the present invention, to relieve
concerns
regarding working in a confined space and thereby eliminate the necessity for
an external
secondary air supply, the tank 12 can include entry hatches 100 in the sides
and/or ends of
the tank. In this instance, an entry hatch 100 is provided in both the front
wall 24 and rear
wall 22 of the tank 12 for each of the tank sections 46, 48, 50. In
particular, as best shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10, an entry hatch 100 is provided at either end of the center
section 46.
Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, entry hatches 100 are provided in
either end of both
side sections 48, 50. These entry hatches 100 can be closed by corresponding
hatch plates
102 such as shown in FIG. 2.

[00501 When work must be performed inside the tank, the hatches 100 can be
opened to
provide light and air into the interior of the tank. By swinging the hinged
baffle doors 88
into their open positions and removing the loose fitting hatch plates on the
access openings
in the various baffles, all of the compartments inside the tank 12 can be
easily accessed

f .,. i" l ..:, s i
CA 02388177 2002-05-28

12
thereby eliminating confined space concerns. Moreover, with the hinged baffle
doors 88 in
the open position, workers can see and walk from one end of the tank 12 to the
other
substantially unobstructed. If sized appropriately, the entry hatches 100 can
also allow the
hinged baffle doors 88 or other internal baffle structures to be inserted into
or removed from
the interior of the tank after the components are assembled together.

[00511 In an alternative embodiment, side baffles 200 (see FIGS. 23 and 24)
that are
fixed relative to the center X-shaped baffle arrangement 52 can be used in
place of the
hinged baffle doors. These side baffles 200 can be arranged to extend from the
lateral
baffles 72, 74, 76 that extend between the legs 56, 58 of the center X-shaped
baffle
arrangement 52 towards inside surface of the sidewall of the tank 12. The side
baffles 200
can extend all the way to the inside surface of the sidewall of the tank,
thereby also
eliminating the need for the C-shaped ribs 82. To provide access into the
compartments in
the tank formed by the side baffles 200, each side baffle 200 can include an
access opening
202 or port having an associated door (or hatch plate) 204 that is movable
between open and
closed positions such as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. In the illustrated
embodiment, each
door 204 is supported for pivotal movement on the corresponding side baffle
200 by hinges.
As shown, the hinges can comprise tabs 206 on an edge of the door 204 that are
received in
corresponding slots 208 provided in the side baffle 200 adjacent the access
opening 202.
The door 204 can be secured in the closed position by one or more chains 210
that are
carried on the side baffle 200. To provide added strength, the doors 204 can
be bent as
shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Advantageously, the doors 204 also can be formed
from the
same piece that is cut from the side baffle 200 to create the access opening
202. As will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, the doors 204 in the side baffles 200
can have any
suitable configuration that allows the door to be moved between open and
closed positions.


CA 02388177 2002-05-28

13
[00521 All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents, cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each
reference were
individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and
were set forth in
its entirety herein.

[00531 The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in
the context
of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following
claims) are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value
falling within
the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described
herein can be
performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly
contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary
language (e.g.,
"such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the
invention and does
not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.
No language
in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element
as essential
to the practice of the invention.

[00541 Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including
the best
mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Of course,
variations of those
preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art upon
reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to
employ such
variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be
practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention
includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims
appended hereto as
permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described
elements


CA 02388177 2002-05-28

14
in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless
otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2011-04-19
(22) Filed 2002-05-28
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2002-12-01
Examination Requested 2007-05-28
(45) Issued 2011-04-19
Deemed Expired 2020-08-31

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2009-07-28 FAILURE TO PAY FINAL FEE 2010-05-28

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $300.00 2002-05-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2004-05-28 $100.00 2004-04-19
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2005-05-30 $100.00 2005-04-08
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2006-05-29 $100.00 2006-04-25
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2007-05-28 $200.00 2007-04-25
Request for Examination $800.00 2007-05-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2008-05-28 $200.00 2008-04-18
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2009-05-28 $200.00 2009-04-14
Reinstatement - Failure to pay final fee $200.00 2010-05-28
Final Fee $300.00 2010-05-28
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 8 2010-05-28 $200.00 2010-05-28
Extension of Time $200.00 2010-10-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2011-05-30 $200.00 2011-05-27
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2012-05-28 $250.00 2012-05-25
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2013-05-28 $250.00 2013-05-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2014-05-28 $250.00 2014-04-29
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2015-05-28 $250.00 2015-05-06
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2016-05-30 $250.00 2016-05-04
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2017-05-29 $450.00 2017-05-19
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2018-05-28 $650.00 2019-05-28
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
HAGENBUCH, LEROY G.
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2010-07-12 25 1,343
Cover Page 2002-11-26 1 51
Representative Drawing 2002-10-01 1 15
Abstract 2002-05-28 1 31
Description 2002-05-28 14 623
Claims 2002-05-28 11 432
Representative Drawing 2009-01-16 1 24
Claims 2010-05-28 18 762
Drawings 2011-01-31 22 532
Representative Drawing 2011-03-18 1 24
Cover Page 2011-03-18 2 69
Prosecution-Amendment 2010-07-12 14 797
Assignment 2002-05-28 3 70
Fees 2004-04-19 1 32
Fees 2005-04-08 1 28
Fees 2006-04-25 1 35
Fees 2007-04-25 1 37
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-05-28 2 45
Prosecution-Amendment 2007-06-20 1 37
Fees 2008-04-18 1 36
Prosecution-Amendment 2008-11-03 1 24
Prosecution-Amendment 2009-11-03 1 32
Fees 2010-05-28 1 200
Prosecution-Amendment 2010-05-28 20 805
Prosecution-Amendment 2010-05-28 2 49
Correspondence 2010-05-28 2 49
Correspondence 2010-07-30 1 22
Correspondence 2010-10-29 1 41
Prosecution-Amendment 2010-12-06 1 14
Correspondence 2011-01-31 5 100
Correspondence 2011-02-10 1 19
Fees 2011-05-27 1 201
Maintenance Fee Payment 2019-05-28 2 63