U.S. patent application number 12/709320 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for fiberglass enclosures with watertight risers and methods of making and using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.. Invention is credited to William A. Schneider, Robert B. Sergent, JR., Kevin A. Soeder.
Application Number | 20110203192 12/709320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44475290 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110203192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; William A. ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
Fiberglass Enclosures with Watertight Risers and Methods of Making
and Using Same
Abstract
In one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is disclosed,
which method in one embodiment may include: providing a container
having an access opening; providing a channel around the access
opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein a
selected amount of an adhesive and to support weight of a riser;
placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing
an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in
the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the
adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to provide a
watertight connection between an inside of the access opening and
an outside of the riser.
Inventors: |
Schneider; William A.;
(Conroe, TX) ; Soeder; Kevin A.; (Conroe, TX)
; Sergent, JR.; Robert B.; (The Woodlands, TX) |
Assignee: |
CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
Conroe
TX
|
Family ID: |
44475290 |
Appl. No.: |
12/709320 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/20 ;
52/745.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/124 20130101;
E04H 7/02 20130101; E02D 29/12 20130101; B65D 90/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/20 ;
52/745.01 |
International
Class: |
E04H 7/00 20060101
E04H007/00; E02D 29/12 20060101 E02D029/12 |
Claims
1. A method of providing an enclosure, comprising: providing a
container having an access opening; providing a channel around the
access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein
a selected amount of an adhesive and an end of a riser; placing the
selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of
the riser in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and
curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the channel to
provide a watertight connection between the access opening and the
aligned riser.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the selected amount of
adhesive in the channel comprises placing the adhesive as one of:
before placing the riser in the channel; after placing the riser in
the channel; and partially before and partially after placing the
riser in the channel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the riser is made from at least
one of: fiberglass; plastic; polyurethane; a composite material; a
combination of a metallic and non-metallic material.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the riser in the
channel includes one of: a straight edge; a corrugation; a rib; a
fin; and a selected protrusion.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the end of the riser in the
channel has gaps between at least two sides of the channel and
wherein the method further comprises causing the adhesive to fill
such gaps before curing the adhesive in the channel.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the opening includes a collar and
the channel is placed on one of: an outer surface of the collar; an
inner surface of the collar; and on both an inside surface and an
outside surface of the collar.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein: placing the selected amount of
the adhesive in the channel; placing an end of the riser in the
channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and causing the
adhesive to fill substantially all open spaces between the riser
and the channel and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in
the channel to provide a watertight connection between the access
opening and the aligned riser are performed at a field
location.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the channel is dimensioned to
transfer substantial
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel is dimensioned to
accommodate risers having corrugations, ribs and fins of at least 1
inch wide.
10. An apparatus, comprising: a container having an access opening;
a channel around the access opening having an adhesive therein; and
a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the end of
the riser is placed in the adhesive in the channel and the riser is
aligned while curing the adhesive on an inside and an outside of
the end of the riser, thereby forming a watertight connection
between the access opening and the riser.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the access opening includes
a collar and the channel is affixed on one of: outside of the
collar; inside of the collar; and on both inside and outside the
riser.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the channel includes a base,
an inner lip and an outer lip and wherein the channel transfers
substantially all the weight of the riser to the collar.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adhesive surrounds the
end of the riser in the channel.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the riser is made from at
least one of: fiberglass; plastic; polyurethane; a composite
material; a combination of a metallic and non-metallic
material.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the end of the riser in the
channel includes one of: a straight edge; a corrugation; a rib; a
fin; and a selected protrusion.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the riser is placed, secured
and aligned in the field.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the container is one of: a
manhole; a container for storage of liquid underground; a container
for storage of liquid above ground; a sump; and a tubular
structure.
18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the channel is dimensioned
to accommodate risers having corrugations, ribs and fins, at least
1 inch wide.
Description
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to fiberglass enclosures
with watertight accesses.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Enclosures, such as fiberglass containers or tanks, are used
for above-ground and underground storage of liquids, such as water,
waste liquids, etc. Such containers often include one or more
access openings with an access collar (typically 6 inches to 12
inches in height) to provide access to the container inside. The
access openings are typically 24 inches or more in diameter. Such
containers are often used underground and the access openings may
be up to several feet below the surface, making such access
openings inaccessible to human entry from the surface. In these and
in other instances, it is desirable to install a watertight riser
of sufficient height to permit access from the surface to the
container interior.
[0005] Large storage tanks generally incorporate a collar on each
access opening. The collar includes a top end that is generally
flared inwards. A flared end is also referred to herein as a
"flange." A riser having a diameter equal to that of the collar is
placed on the outside of such a flange. An epoxy or adhesive is
placed in the channel created by the flange at the joint between
the riser and the collar to secure the riser on top of the collar
to provide a watertight connection between the riser and the
collar. Such connections, however, do not always provide very
reliable watertight connections. It also is often difficult to
align the riser because the flared end does not provide a stable
base. Also, the channel formed by the flared end is generally not
wide enough to allow proper alignment of the riser on top of the
collar or to accommodate variations in the riser diameter or the
riser roundness.
[0006] In some sumps, the top end of the sump includes a flange
that extends radially outward. A riser having the same diameter as
that of the sump is placed on the sump. An adhesive is then placed
in the channel created by the flange between the sump wall and the
riser to secure the riser to the top of the sump and to provide a
watertight connection between the sump and the riser. Some sumps
include a dual-wall body that includes a Y-shaped channel on its
top end. The riser is placed inside the Y-shaped channel. An
adhesive is then placed on both sides of the channel to secure the
riser. Structures similar to single wall sumps also have been
utilized for installing manholes and/or wet wells in the field,
wherein a top pipe section is joined on a bottom pipe section with
an adhesive channel on the outside of the bottom pipe section.
[0007] The above-noted prior art access devices cannot accommodate
a variety of commercially available risers, such as straight end
risers, corrugated risers and risers with circular outer fins,
ribbed-risers or risers with other protrusions. Additionally,
aligning relatively large diameter risers and/or tall risers on
collars often proves difficult, particularly when such risers are
installed in the field.
[0008] The disclosure herein provides fiberglass structures that
include watertight connections and methods of making such
structures that address some of the above-noted problems.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is
disclosed, which method in one embodiment may include: providing a
container having an access opening; providing a channel around the
access opening of a size and strength sufficient to retain therein
a selected amount of an adhesive and to support a weight of a
riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel;
placing an end of the riser in the channel after placing the
adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and
curing the adhesive in the channel to provide a watertight
connection between the access opening and the riser.
[0010] In another aspect, an apparatus is provided, which apparatus
in one embodiment may include a container having an access opening,
a channel around the access opening having an adhesive therein and
a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the end of
the riser is placed in the channel after placement of an adhesive
in the channel and secured and aligned while curing the adhesive on
an inside and an outside of the end of the riser, thereby forming a
watertight connection between the access opening and the riser.
Examples of certain features of the apparatus and method disclosed
herein are summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood. There
are, of course, additional features of the apparatus and method
disclosed hereinafter that will form the subject of the claims
appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present disclosure is best understood with reference to
the accompanying figures in which like numerals generally refer to
like elements and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 (Prior Art) FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of a
storage container or tank showing an access opening with an access
collar;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a line diagram of a straight edge riser in an
adhesive-containing channel made according to one embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2B shows an exploded view of the adhesive-containing
channel with a straight end of the riser secured in the
channel;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a line diagram of a riser having a corrugated
outer surface placed in an adhesive-containing channel made
according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of the adhesive-containing
channel with a corrugated end of the riser of FIG. 3A secured in
the adhesive--containing channel; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is an isometric view portion of a container with a
straight end riser in a first channel and a riser having radial
fins in a second channel.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a partial isometric view of a
fiberglass storage container or tank 100 having a tank body 101
with an access opening 102. Fiberglass storage tanks, such as shown
in FIG. 1, vary in diameter and may be used underground or
above-ground for storage of liquids. Such tanks typically include
several access openings, such as access opening 102, to provide
access to the tank's interior. A fiberglass access collar (or
collar), such as collar 104, is typically installed on each such
access opening. The access collar 104 typically includes a vertical
wall or collar section 106 with a top angled-portion (or flange)
108 that slopes inwards. A compliant riser (not shown--a tubular
section having the same diameter as that of the collar 102) is
placed on the collar 104. The gap or channel formed between the
sloped top section 108 of the collar 104 and the riser is filled
with an adhesive to attach the riser to the collar 102 and to
provide a watertight connection between the riser and the collar
102. The riser is usually installed in the field, but may be
installed in the factory. The risers may be several feet (typically
3-10 feet) tall and vary in diameter from 2 to 4 feet. The risers
are made to fit snugly on the outside of the top-sloped section 108
of the collar 104. In some cases, the seal formed by adhesive in
such channels breaks down over time, compromising the watertight
connection. The inner and outer diameters of collars, such as
collars 102, often vary from collar to collar. The bottom end of
such risers also is often uneven. Aligning such risers on such
collars has proven to be difficult in the field. The process of
placing the adhesive after placing the riser on the top of the
collar sometimes fails to completely fill all the open spaces and
gaps between the riser and the collar, resulting in weak and/or
unaligned connections between the collar and the riser. Risers can
include: straight-end risers; risers with radial fins on their
outer surfaces; risers with corrugated outer surfaces; risers with
ribs; and risers with other forms of protrusions. The channel
formed between flared end of the collar 102 and the riser is not
wide enough to accommodate the various riser shapes and sizes.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a line diagram of a portion of a watertight
enclosure 200 that includes a container (tank) 201 with an access
collar (or collar) 204 around an access opening 203 on a container
body 202, made according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The
tank 201 is shown to include support ribs 206. The collar 204
includes an adhesive-containing channel (or trough or channel) 210
around the outer upper edge of the collar 204. The channel 210 may
be formed integral with the collar 204 or attached to the collar
204 after it has been fabricated. In another configuration, the
channel may be placed along the inside of the collar 204. FIG. 2B
shows an exploded view of the channel 210. In one configuration,
the channel 210 may include an inner lip or side 214 that may be a
part of the vertical section of the collar 204 or it may be
separate member. The channel 210 includes an outer lip or side 212
and a bottom 216. Sides 212 and 214 along with the bottom 216 form
channel 210. The bottom 216 of the channel 210 may be at any
suitable angle 217 to the sides of the channel 210 or to the collar
204.
[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B further show a straight-edge riser 230
fixedly installed in the channel 210 on top of the collar 204. To
install the riser 230 on the collar 204, a suitable adhesive 220 is
placed in the channel 210. A lower end 232 of the riser 230 is then
placed inside the channel 210. In one aspect, the inside diameter
234 of the riser 230 is greater than the outside diameter of the
inner lip 214 of the channel 210 and less than the inside diameter
of the outer lip 212. Such a construction provides adhesive layer
on both sides of the end 232 in the channel 210. After placing the
riser 230 in adhesive-filled channel 210, the riser 230 is aligned
and held in position. The adhesive 220 then cured over a time
period, thereby providing a secured watertight connection between
the riser 210 and the collar 204. A watertight lid 250 may then be
placed on top end 238 of the riser to provide a watertight entrance
to the access opening 203. In one aspect, the channel 210 is
configured (thickness of the lips and inside dimensions of the
channel) so that all or substantially all of the weight of the
riser 230 is transferred to the channel 210, which weight is then
transferred to the riser 204 and the tank body 202. In other
aspects, the channel may be attached along the inside of the collar
204. The process to install a riser (not shown) to a channel inside
the collar is the same as described in reference to the outside of
the channel 210. Referring back to FIG. 2A, in another
configuration, the lower end 232 of the riser 230 may be
dimensioned so as to provide a snug fit between the riser 230 and
the inside lip 214 of the channel 210. In the case in which the
adhesive channel is inside the collar, the riser may be dimensioned
to provide a snug fit between the riser and the inside lip of the
channel.
[0021] FIG. 3A shows a watertight enclosure 300 that includes a
container or tank 301 having a body 302 with a collar 304 having an
adhesive channel 310. The riser 330 includes corrugations 335 on
the outside of the riser 330. The riser 330 is placed, aligned and
secured in the channel 310 in the manner described in reference to
FIGS. 2A and 2B. The dimensions (lips, width and depth) of the
channel 310 are sufficiently large to accommodate a corrugation 332
at the bottom of the riser 330. The riser 330 is shown to provide a
snug fit with the collar 304 with the adhesive 340 on the outer
side 334 and the bottom side 336 of the corrugation 332. The riser
also may be dimensioned so as to provide the adhesive on both the
inside and outside of the riser 330 in the channel 310. A
watertight cover or lid 350 may be placed on the riser 330 to seal
the interior 303 of the container 301 from the outside environment
to provide the watertight enclosure 300.
[0022] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an exemplary airtight
enclosure 400 having a container or tank 401 with a riser 410
having a radial fin 414 in a first adhesive-containing channel 420
and a straight end riser 440 in a second adhesive-containing
channel 450. Views 430 and 460 respectively show exploded views of
channels 420 and 450. The riser 410 is shown to include a number of
radial fins 412. The riser 410 may be made of any suitable
material, including, but not limited to, plastic and polyurethane
materials. In one aspect, the riser 410 is configured so that a
fin, such as fin 414, will fit inside the channel 420. To install
the riser 410 in the channel 420, a suitable adhesive 422 is placed
in the channel 420. The end with the fin 414 is then placed inside
the channel 420 so that the adhesive 422 surrounds the fin 414. The
riser 410 is then aligned and held in position. The adhesive 422 is
then allowed to cure. The riser 410 seals with the access collar
404, with the fin 414 securely placed in the channel 420. The
straight-edge riser 440 is placed in the channel 450 in the manner
described in reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. A lid 470 is attached to
the top of the riser 440 to provide the watertight enclosure 400.
It should be noted that the adhesive-containing channels described
herein may be used in other fiberglass enclosures or applications
where a watertight connection between to members is desired,
including, but not limited, to the tanks, sumps and
serially-connected fiberglass pipe sections.
[0023] Although, the disclosure is provided in reference to certain
exemplary riser types for ease of explanation, the channel
according to this disclosure may be made to accommodate any type of
riser, including, but not limited to, straight edges, corrugated
surfaces, ribs, fins, and other types of protrusions. Further, the
risers and/or collars may be made from any suitable material,
including, but not limited to, fiberglass, plastic, polyurethane,
any composite material, a combination of metal and non-metal
material. Also, the channel may be made inside, outside or on both
sides of the collar or the opening. Also, the channels in the
figures are shown vertically placed. The channel may be configured
inclined or horizontal depending upon the desired application. In
another aspect, the channel may be at least one inch wide and at
least one inch deep. In another aspect, the channel is about 2
inches wide and about one and a half inch deep.
[0024] Thus, in one aspect, a method for providing an enclosure is
disclosed, which method in one embodiment includes the features of:
providing a container having an access opening; providing a channel
around the access opening of a size and strength sufficient to
retain therein a selected amount of an adhesive and to support
weight of a riser; placing the selected amount of the adhesive in
the channel; placing an end of the riser in the channel after
placing the adhesive in the channel; aligning the riser in the
channel; and curing the adhesive with the riser aligned in the
channel to provide a watertight connection between an inside of the
access opening and the riser. In another aspect, the method may
further include the feature of placing a watertight cover on an
open end of the riser to provide a watertight access to the
container.
[0025] In aspects, the riser may be: a straight-end riser; a riser
having radial ribs around the riser body; or a riser having a
corrugated surface. In one aspect, the channel is dimensioned
(width, depth and wall thickness) to accommodate a variety of types
and sizes of risers and to support the weight of such risers and
the equipment placed on the installed riser. In one aspect, the
container includes a collar and the channel is formed on a top end
of the collar. In another aspect, the channel is configured to
transfer the weight of the riser and any equipment placed therein
onto the collar and then to the container. In another aspect, the
method may include the feature of causing the adhesive to be placed
on both sides of the riser portion inside the channel. The channel
may be placed on an inside or outside the collar. In one aspect,
placing the selected amount of the adhesive in the channel; placing
an end of the riser in the channel after placing the adhesive in
the channel; aligning the riser in the channel; and curing the
adhesive with the aligned riser in the channel to provide a
watertight connection between an inside of the opening and the
aligned riser are performed at a field location or a factory.
[0026] In another aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, which
apparatus in one embodiment includes a container having an access
opening; a channel around the access opening having an adhesive
therein; a riser having an end secured in the channel, wherein the
end of the riser is placed in the channel after placement of an
adhesive in the channel and secured and aligned while curing the
adhesive on an inside and an outside of the end of the riser,
thereby forming a watertight connection between the access opening
and the riser. In one aspect, the access opening includes a collar
and the channel is on an outside surface of the collar. In another
aspect, the channel is on an inside surface of the collar. In one
configuration, the channel includes a base or bottom section with
an inner lip and an outer lip. In one aspect, the channel transfers
substantially all the weight of the riser to the collar. The riser
may be any type of riser, including a straight end, a riser with
radial fins around the riser surface, a riser with a corrugated
surface; a riser having selected protrusions from the riser
surface; or a riser with another type surface suitable for a
particular application. In one aspect the channel dimensions are
selected to accommodate a variety of types riser types and shapes,
including those that meet the ASTM (American Society of Testing
Materials) standards. In one aspect, the end placed in the channel
includes a protrusion around at least on a part of the riser.
[0027] The foregoing disclosure is directed to certain specific
embodiments and method for ease of explanation. Various changes and
modifications to such embodiments, however, will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. All such changes and modifications are
considered to be a part of this disclosure and within the scope of
any appended claims.
* * * * *