Spill containment system with a flexible corrosion-resistant liner

• US 6,395,417 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Environmental Compliance Solutions L L C
• Original Assignee: Expo Power Systems Inc
• Inventors: Frazier, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Brouillette, Gabrielle
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLS, MONIQUE M
• Application Number:
  US09/602,276
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 429/84,86,95,99,49,48 220/574.3,495.01,495.06,23.86
• US Class Current: 429/49
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/04 by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/186 for containers, e.g. radiators

Abstract

A spill containment system and method that contain leaks and spills from devices including but not limited to batteries. The system neutralizes and absorbs leaks and spills to prevent the leaks and spills from spreading. The system not only detects leaks, but also indicates whether a leak has occurred. The system can communicate with personnel or devices to raise an alarm or cause corrective measures to occur. The spill containment system includes a battery rack inside a battery rack cabinet having a door. To open the door and gain access to the batteries, one of the rigid containment rails is removed such that the exposed flexible corrosion-resistant liner may be flexed to permit the opening and closing of the door.

Claims

1. A spill containment system for containing a spilled substance from a device, the spill containment system comprising:

a plurality of containment rails that are resistant to damage from the spilled substance;

a plurality of mounts that mount the plurality of containment rails to one another to define an area;

a flexible liner placed within the area and having a base with a wall;

a material placed within the area and on the liner which absorbs the spilled substance; and

wherein the mounts permit the removal of at least one of the containment rails to expose the wall of the flexible liner so that the wall may be flexed.

2. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the containment rails are coated with a material that is resistant to damage from the spilled substance.

3. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the containment rails are coated with polyvinylchloride.

4. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the liner is coated with polyvinylchloride.

5. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the liner is fabricated out of polyvinylchloride.

6. The spill containment system.of claim 1 wherein the material neutralizes the spilled substance.

7. The spill containment system of claim 2 wherein the material neutralizes the spilled substance.

8. The spill containment system of claim 3 wherein the material neutralizes the spilled substance.

9. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the containment rails are adjustable to form one of a plurality of dimensions.

10. The spill containment system of claim 1 wherein the containment rails are invertable such that the exterior surfaces of the containment rails have no protruding structures.

11. The spill containment system of claim 1 further comprising a protective member placed between the material and the device to protect the material from the device.

12. A battery storage system comprising the spill containment system of claim 1 and further comprising:

a battery rack located within the area defined by the containment rails and holding a battery;

a door mounted to the battery rack wherein one of the containment rails is removed and the wall of the flexible liner is flexed to permit the door to open.

13. The battery storage system of claim 12 wherein after closing the door, the wall of the flexible liner is flexed back to its original position and the removed containment rail is remounted to the other containment rails.