Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
CONTAINMENT RING ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a containment ring assemblies and method and,
in particular, a containment ring wall panel alignment assembly, a containment
ring including a plurality of wall panels and a method for construction
thereof.
Background
Containment ring assemblies are installed on the ground to support the
accidental release of fluids or for intentional storage of fluids. A
containment ring
assembly is portable, often formed of a plurality of panels intended to be
connected end to end by use of fasteners. While the panels form a self
supporting structure when connected end to end in a ring, the panels can
sometimes be difficult to connect together especially when weather conditions
limit installer dexterity.
WSLegal\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
Summary
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
containment ring panel alignment system for aligning a first end of a first
containment ring wall panel with an end of a second containment ring wall
panel,
the containment ring panel alignment system comprising: a protrusion extending
from the first end of the first containment ring wall panel; a first aperture
on the
first end, the protrusion being spaced a first distance from the first
aperture; an
opening on the end of the second containment ring wall panel, the opening
sized
to accept insertion of the protrusion; and a second aperture on the end, the
opening being spaced from the second aperture a distance substantially equal
to
the first distance, such that when the protrusion is inserted into the opening
the
first aperture is aligned with the second aperture.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a containment ring assembly comprising: a first containment ring wall
panel having a first end and a first aperture extending through the first end;
a
second containment ring wall panel having a second end, the second end
including a second aperture; a panel alignment system including a protrusion
on
the first end and an opening on the second end, the opening sized to accept
insertion of the protrusion and the protrusion being spaced a first distance
from
the first aperture and the opening being spaced from the second aperture a
distance substantially equidistant relative to the first distance, such that
when
protrusion is inserted into the opening, the first aperture is aligned with
the
second aperture; and a fastener to pass through the first aperture and the
second aperture when the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture to
secure the first containment ring wall panel to the second containment ring
wall
panel.
2
VVSLuga1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method for installing a containment ring, the method comprising:
bringing a first end of a first containment ring wall panel adjacent an
opposite end
of a second containment ring wall panel, inserting a protrusion on the first
containment ring wall panel into an opening on the second containment ring
wall
panel to align a first aperture on the first containment ring wall panel with
a
second aperture on the second containment ring wall panel; and inserting a
fastener through the first aperture and second aperture to secure the first
containment ring wall panel to the second containment ring wall panel.
It is to be understood that other aspects of the present invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description,
wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way
of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable for other and
different
embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various
other
respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
Accordingly the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above,
will follow
by reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the
invention.
These drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:
3
VVSLe0\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a containment ring assembly;
Figure 2a is a perspective view of an outer facing side of a containment ring
wall
panel useful to form a containment ring assembly;
Figure 2b is an elevation view of an inner facing side of the containment ring
panel of Figure 2a;
Figure 2c is top plan view of the containment ring panel of Figure 2a;
Figure 3a is an enlarged view of an end of the containment ring panel of
Figure
2b along line I-I;
Figure 3b is a section along line II-II of Figure 2b;
Figure 4a is a perspective view of a pair of containment ring panels ready for
connection to form a containment ring;
Figure 4b is a perspective view of the pair of containment ring panels of
Figure
4a after the ends are brought together;
Figure 4c is a perspective view of a connection between the pair of
containment
ring panels of Figure 4a;
4
Wnegar\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
Figure 4d is a sectional view along line III-Ill of Figure 4c;
Figure 5a is a perspective view of a first part of a fastener useful in the
present
invention; and
Figure 5b is a perspective view of a second part of a fastener useful in the
present invention.
Detailed Description of Various Embodiments
The description that follows and the embodiments described therein, are
provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular
embodiments of the principles of various aspects of the present invention.
These
examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation,
of
those principles and of the invention in its various aspects. In the
description,
similar parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with
the
same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale
and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more
clearly to depict certain features.
Referring to Figure 1, a containment ring 10 provides a portable wall system
that
can be erected and lined with a liner to support containment of accidentally
released liquids or storage of liquids intentionally introduced within the
ring.
Containment ring 10 is formed of a plurality of containment ring wall panels
12
connected end to end. Panels 12 are connected by fasteners in an end to end
manner to form a continuous ring. When installed on a ground surface S in this
5
WSLegal\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
way, the ring, when lined with a liner forms a pond that can withstand
expansive
hoop stresses to contain liquids within the pond.
Each panel has edges 12a, 12b, ends 12c, 12d, an inwardly facing side 12i and
an outwardly facing side 12o.
Containment ring 10 can be carried to a site as a plurality of individual
panels
and can be erected by connecting one panel to the next in series until a
continuous ring is formed. While ring is shown as generally circular, other
shapes are possible.
A single containment ring panel 112 is shown in Figures 2 and 3. A plurality
of
such panels can be connected end to end to form a ring similar to that shown
in
Figure 1. Each panel 112 is formed of a sheet material 113 and generally each
panel is shaped in plan view as a four-sided polygon such as a square or a
rectangle and includes a first long edge 112a, a second long edge 112b, a
first
end 112c and an opposite end 112d. While some embodiments may permit
interchangeability of the panel orientations, generally the panel of the
illustrated
embodiment, has features that dictate the orientation of the panel. For
example,
first long edge 112a may have features thereon to accept attachment of the
liner
or features for handling that render it most suitable for positioning as the
upper
edge. As will be more fully described hereinbelow, ends 112c, 112d have
fastening members thereon that further dictate the orientation of the panels
in the
ring.
While the panels may be flat and/or may be curved at site to form a ring,
illustrated panel 112 is pre-formed to have a curvature from end 112c to end
6
WSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
112d to have a curvature substantially corresponding to the curvature that
panel
is to have according to the diameter of the ring and the length of the panel.
The panels may be formed of various materials such as sheet materials of metal
or polymers and may be formed to be smooth, or textured such as corrugated,
etc. In the illustrated embodiment, panel 112 is formed of a smooth sheet
metal,
such as plate steel having a thickness of 1/8" to 1/4". The illustrated panel
is
reinforced by one or more reinforcements 114 formed in this embodiment as
hollow beams, but could be a channel, I-beam, returns, corrugations, rod, etc.
Reinforcements 114 may extend diagonally, side-to-side and/or top-to-bottom on
the panel. For example in the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcements
include
upright beams, cross members and thickened rims along first long edge 112a,
which is the intended upper edge, and second long edge 112b. The
reinforcements maintain structural rigidity of the walls and maintain the
curvature
of the panels. The thickened rim may be formed as a return of the sheet
material
of the panel or may be beams, as shown, attached to the sheet material.
Depending on the form of sheet material 113 used, fewer or more reinforcements
may be necessary. The reinforcements may be positioned where they are most
needed. For example, beams are shows extending closer to the bottom edge
112b where the panels, when in use, may have to withstand the greatest
stresses.
The panels connect in an end to end arrangement and ends 112b, 112c are
formed to accept fasteners that secure the panels together. The fasteners may
take various forms such as pins, clips, bolts, clamps, etc. In the illustrated
embodiment, the fasteners are installed through apertures in the end of the
panels to secure the panels together. For example, ends 112b, 112c each have
apertures 118 through which fasteners may be installed. Each end 112b, 112c
has the same pattern of apertures such that the apertures substantially align
7
VVSLegal\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
panel to panel when adjacent panels are brought together. For example,
apertures 118 are positioned similarly along the ends of each panel, for
example
substantially equidistantly from the top of each panel, such that the
apertures
substantially align panel to panel when adjacent panels are brought together.
Generally, there is a plurality of apertures along each end such that adjacent
panels are secured together at more than one location. Apertures 118 may be
positioned to address the loads to be placed thereon. For example, there may
be a closer spacing, and therefore more, apertures 118 adjacent lower edge
112b than upper edge 112a, as the assembled ring in use may have to withstand
greater radially outwardly directed forces at its lower edge than at its upper
edge.
The panels also each include an end to end alignment system to facilitate
arrangement and assembly of the panels to form the ring. In particular, panel
112 includes one or more protrusions 120 extending out from one of its ends
that
are intended to be inserted into openings 122 on an end of a next panel in
series
in the ring. Because panel 112 is intended to be connected at both ends 112c
and 112d to adjacent panels, each panel 112 has protrusions 120 at one end
112d and openings 122 at opposite end 112c. While in the illustrated
embodiment, each panel has four protrusions alignable with four openings on an
adjacent panel, it is to be understood that there can be any number of
protrusions/openings on the end, with two to four being thought to be the most
effective to balance operation with simplicity.
As with apertures 120, the protrusions may be positioned on the end to address
stresses and operability during panel installation. For example, as shown in
Figure 2b, protrusions 120 may have a closer spacing adjacent the bottom end
112b than adjacent upper edge 112a. Since the panels can be supported on the
ground during assembly, an installer may more readily align pins that are
closer
to the ground, than those that are higher up the sides of the panels.
8
VVSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
Protrusions 120 and openings 122 facilitate alignment of the ends of the
panels.
Protrusions 120 and openings 122 are formed to cooperate to bring the ends of
adjacent panels together with their apertures 118 aligned and ready for
accepting
the fasteners. The corresponding fit of the opening over its protrusion and
the
position of the protrusions and the openings on their panel ends are selected
to
facilitate alignment. For example, each opening 122 is shaped to fit over and
generally correspond to the sectional base shape (i.e. footprint shape) of the
protrusion over which it is intended to be installed. For example, each
protrusion
120 has a base 120a with a diameter and the opening for that protrusion has a
diameter only slightly larger than the base diameter, to fit over the
protrusion but
restrict lateral and vertical movement of the opening about the protrusion.
Protrusions 120 and openings 122 are positioned on the ends relative to
apertures 118 to ensure that when the protrusion on one panel is inserted into
its
mating opening on an adjacent panel, the apertures 118 on both the panels
substantially align. For example, the protrusions and the openings on
respective
panel ends are each spaced substantially equidistantly from the apertures on
those panel ends. Stated another way, the protrusion is spaced a first
distance
from the aperture on its panel and the opening is spaced from the aperture on
its
panel a distance that is substantially equal to the first distance, such that
when
protrusion is inserted into the opening the two apertures become aligned with
each other. While aperture alignment is the primary goal, it is noted that
each
mating protrusion 120 and opening 122 may be equidistant from the upper edge
and/or the lower edge so that the mating of the protrusions and the openings
also
cause the alignment of the panels along their upper and/or lower edges.
9
VVSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
Protrusions 120 may be formed to facilitate their insertion into their
openings.
For example, the protrusions may be faceted or circular in cross section, with
a
circular cross section appearing to mitigate catching between the parts.
Alternately or in addition, protrusions 120 may each have a tapered outboard
tip
120b. For example, each protrusion 120 may have a tapering diameter from its
base end 120a to its outboard tip 120b, such that they are formed as pyramids
or
cones. As such, protrusions present a smaller sized outboard tip 120b that can
more readily be inserted through its opening 122, which has a diameter
slightly
larger than the diameter at base end 120a.
In the illustrated embodiment, protrusions 120 protrude beyond the end of the
panel. For example, in this embodiment, protrusions 120 are mounted on their
panel with an axis x defined by their length extending substantially parallel
with a
long axis of the panel and in plane with the thickness of the panel.
Protrusions
120 can be mounted to the panel in various ways, for example, as by welding,
fasteners, forming integral as an extension of the material of the panel, etc.
In
this embodiment, protrusions 120 are inserted through openings in the panel
sheet material and welded into position.
Openings 122 can be formed in various ways. In this embodiment, openings 122
each span a plane substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by the end 112c
to
end 112d length of the panel. For example, the material forming the edges of
the
opening, which defines the plane spanned by the opening, extends substantially
orthogonal to the main expanse of the panel.
Openings 122, while they are shown as fully open front and back, may have a
back wall. For example, they may be formed by punching, pressing, drilling,
10
WSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
cutting holes out of the panel material or may be formed by indenting,
pressing,
milling, removing to form an indentation into the end of the panel.
In this embodiment, panel 112 has a flange 124c, 124d formed on each end
112c, 112d and protrusions 120 extend out from one flange and openings 122
are formed in the other flange. In this embodiment, each flange extends out
from
the outer facing side substantially radially outwardly relative to the panel
curvature. While the flanges appear to be extending substantially orthogonally
from the plane defined by the panel end, the panel is curved and therefore the
flange may actually extend at as angle less than orthogonal especially if the
end
to end curvature of the panel is significant, as will be appreciated.
Apertures 118, 118 are also formed in each flange 124c, 124d.
Figures 4 show the assembly of two panels 212', 212" in the process to form a
containment ring. Panels 212' has an opening 222 formed on its end and panel
212" has a protrusion 220 formed on its end, opening 222 and protrusion 220
are
formed to cooperate and fit together. Panels 212', 212" each have apertures
218', 218", respectively, formed on their ends through which a fastener can be
inserted to hold the panels together. The opening and the protrusion are each
positioned substantially equidistantly from the upper edges of their panels,
with
the distance d" between protrusion 220 and upper edge 212a" being
approximately equal to the distance d' between opening 222 and upper edge
212a'. Likewise, the apertures 218', 218" are each positioned substantially
equidistantly from the upper edges of their panels, with the distance dd"
between
aperture 218" and upper edge 212a" being approximately equal to the distance
dd' between aperture 218' and upper edge 212a'. Thus, when the protrusion 220
is aligned with the opening 222, apertures 218', 218" are also aligned.
11
5'SLegA\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
As shown in Figure 4a, to form the ring, panels 212, 212" are positioned to be
brought together end to end along a direction in plane with the overall end to
end
planes of the panels. Panels 212', 212" may be carried to a selected site and
supported on their base edges. In one embodiment, lifting eyes 228 are
provided
for securing shackles therein for lifting with a crane, etc.
In any event, panels 212', 212" are positioned with the outer facing surface
224c'
of one panel's end flange facing the outer facing surface 224d" of the other
panel's end flange and with the two ends generally orientationally aligned,
such
as both substantially vertical, substantially aligned side to side and
substantially
aligned along their upper edges 212a', 212a". As the two flanges are brought
together, arrows A, protrusions 220 protrude, substantially orthogonally from
flange surface 224d" and are the first structure to come into contact with the
flange of the other panel. Protrusions 220 can then be generally pushed into
their respective openings 222. After the protrusions 220 protrude to some
degree each through of their respective openings 222, the panels can be pushed
together end to end (Figure 4b).
To facilitate the movement of panels together, end to end, connection points
such as eyes 229 can be connected to the panels adjacent their ends to which
pulling device can be attached to pull the two panels together. For example,
pulling chains, a boomer, also known as a come-along style ratchet, etc. can
be
connected between eyes 229 and operated to pull the panel edges together.
The tapering form of protrusions 220 avoids the need to precisely align the
protrusions with their openings. For example, as the protrusions are pushed
toward and through the openings, the edges of openings 222 abut against the
12
WSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
protrusions and guide the flanges into alignment until each opening 222
encircles
the base end 220a of its protrusion and the flange outer facing surfaces 224c'
and 224d" are very close, if not touching. In this position, apertures 218',
218"
are aligned between the two flanges 224c, 224d and protrusions 220 and
openings 222 temporarily hold the flanges together.
Because the apertures are aligned by use of protrusions 220 and openings 222,
fasteners 219 can be readily inserted into the apertures 118 to secure the
flanges, and therefore the panels, together (Figure 4c).
As noted above, fasteners 219 can take various forms. For example, suitable
elongate fasteners for securing through apertures 218', 218" include bolts,
pins,
wire, straps, etc. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, for
example,
fasteners 219 include a pin 230 and a locking structure, in this embodiment a
lock wedge 232. Pin 230 is an elongate member, having a shaft 230a sized to
pass through the apertures, and in particular aligned apertures 218', 218",
with
an exposed length to be engaged by the locking structure. Pin 230 includes a
head 230b which is enlarged in at least one diametrical dimension relative to
the
diameter of the shaft and cannot pass through the apertures. Thus, head 230b
butts against the flange and prevents pin 230 from passing fully through the
apertures. Pin 230 can also have a tapered leading end 230c to facilitate
insertion into an aperture. While the pin is shown according to one
embodiment,
it is to be appreciated that it can be varied in numerous ways, including
being U-
shaped, L-shaped, threaded, blunt ended, etc.
Lock wedge 232 engages shaft 230a and prevents the pin from falling out of the
apertures. While other locking structures may be employed to hold the pin in
the
apertures, lock wedge 232 is easy to use and durable. Lock wedge 232 for
13
VVSLega1\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
example, has a slot 232a sized to engage in a necked region 230a' along the
shaft of the pin.
The lock wedge generally has a tapered end 232b and a thicker end 232c and is
generally U-shaped including a pair of arms 232d extending from the thicker
end
232a toward tapered end 232b. The space between arms 230d defines the slot
232a. Slot 232a opens from tapered end 232b of the lock wedge and arms 232d
have a relatively narrower outboard ends at tapered end 232b and gradually
thicken toward their bases. Thus, the arms form the wedge-shaped form and
have ramped surfaces 232d' on at least a common side, which in this
embodiment is the front side.
Necked region 230a' of the pin has a diameter less than that of shaft 230 and
shoulders 230a" are defined between necked region 230a' and the larger
diameter of the shaft away from the necked region. Slot 232a is sized to fit
over
necked region 230a' but cannot fit over other regions of the shaft. Thus, once
the
wedge is placed with slot 232a slid over necked region 230a', lock wedge 232
cannot slide along shaft 230a.
In use, pin 230 is inserted through the apertures of aligned flanges 224a,
224b
until head 230b butts against the flange material. This exposes shaft 230 and
necked region 230a' on a side of the flanges opposite the head. Lock wedge 232
is then installed over the necked region of the pin. To do so, lock wedge 232
is
positioned with slot 232a over the necked region of the pin and lock wedge 232
is
pushed down until the necked region is located up in the length of the slot.
Since
pin 230 is held against any substantial movement away from the lock wedge,
arms 232d can be driven down on either side of necked region 230a'.
Eventually, ramped surfaces 232d' of the arms engage against shoulders 230a"
14
VVSLegaR064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
and since the wedge thickness increases, continued advancement of the wedge
over the pin, wedges the lock wedge between shoulders 230a" and flange 224c
and pulls head 230b tight against flange 224d. Wedge 232 can be hammered
into a tight position between shoulder 230a" and flange 224. Pin 230 and wedge
232, therefore, secure flanges 224c, 224d tightly together. While necked
region
230a' may not extend fully from shoulder 230a" to head 230b, the necked region
should extend sufficiently close to the head to ensure that the thickness of
flanges 224c, 224d can be pinched between wedge 232 and head 230b.
After driving the lock wedge into place, it will remain in position by
frictional
engagement such that even if the wedge is installed in or migrates to a
position
where thicker end 232c is below tapered end 232b, the wedge will remain in
place.
Necked region 230a and slot 232a each are relatively open such that they are
not easily obstructed by debris. They are each easy to use, quickly installed
and
durable. Shoulder 230a" can be angled relative to long axis x' of the pin to
facilitate advancement of the wedge over the pin, to more evenly distribute
the
expansive forces on the pin and to urge forces exerted on the wedge to be
translated primarily along the long axis x' of the pin.
One or more clamps can be employed, if necessary, as a back up to hold flanges
224c, 224d together before fasteners 219 are installed. However, after the
fasteners are installed, any clamps, or pulling devices on eyes 229, cables in
eyes 228 may be removed.
15
WSLegM\064621\00018\7194511v3
CA 02757583 2011-11-08
After panel 212 is attached to panel 212", further panels may be installed and
connected to opposite ends of both of these panels in a similar manner to form
the complete ring. Thereafter, a liner of liquid containing material can be
installed
therein. The liner can be laid out within the ring and urged up the inner
sides of
the ring before being connected to the upper edge. This forms a containment
ring pond that is ready to contain liquid.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable
any
person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various
modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled
in
the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown
herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims,
wherein
reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article "a" or
"an" is
not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but
rather
"one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of
the
various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are know or later
come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be
encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein
is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such
disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims.
16
VVSLegaR064621\00018\7194511v3
