Structure for extreme thermal cycling
First Claim
1. A structure for holding substances that are subject to thermal cycling between temperatures that vary by more than about 500 degrees F., that has:
- a pressure-tight vessel that has a sloped lower section that extends beneath a knuckle; and
a support element that tapers inwardly beneath the knuckle of the vessel, wherein such support element contacts and bears against the sloped lower section of the vessel, supporting the vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces, and extends downward to a foundation carrying the weight of the vessel to the foundation.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A structure for extreme thermal cycling has a support element that supports a vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces rather than by welds. The support element has a bearing portion that tapers inwardly beneath a knuckle that separates a cylindrical section of the vessel from a sloped lower section. The bearing portion of the support element follows that slope, providing an extended area of contact between the support element and the vessel. An annular section of the support element can be heated and expanded before placing it around the cylindrical section of the vessel to provide pre-stressing. If required, a strap may extend downwardly from the vessel over an upper edge of the support element.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A structure for holding substances that are subject to thermal cycling between temperatures that vary by more than about 500 degrees F., that has:
-
a pressure-tight vessel that has a sloped lower section that extends beneath a knuckle; and a support element that tapers inwardly beneath the knuckle of the vessel, wherein such support element contacts and bears against the sloped lower section of the vessel, supporting the vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces, and extends downward to a foundation carrying the weight of the vessel to the foundation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A structure for holding substances that are subject to thermal cycling between temperatures that vary by more than about 500 degrees F., that has:
-
a pressure-tight vessel that has a sloped lower section that extends beneath a knuckle; and a support element that tapers inwardly beneath the knuckle of the vessel, wherein such support element contacts and bears against, but is not physically attached to, the sloped lower section of the vessel, supporting the vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces, and extends downward to a foundation carrying the weight of the vessel to the foundation.
-
-
20. A structure for holding substances that are subject to thermal cycling between temperatures that vary by more than about 500 degrees F., that has:
-
a pressure-tight vessel that has a sloped lower section that extends beneath a knuckle; and a support element that tapers inwardly beneath the knuckle of the vessel, wherein such support element contacts and bears against the sloped lower section of the vessel, supporting the vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces in a non-pressure-tight, non-liquid-tight arrangement, and extends downward to a foundation carrying the weight of the vessel to the foundation.
-
-
21. A structure for holding substances that are subject to thermal cycling between temperatures that vary by more than about 500 degrees F., that has:
-
a vessel that has a sloped lower section that extends beneath a knuckle; and a support element that tapers inwardly beneath the knuckle of the vessel, wherein such support element contacts and bears against the sloped lower section of the vessel, supporting the vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces, and extends downward to a foundation carrying the weight of the vessel to the foundation.
-
Specification