Internal surge dampening baffles for flexible tanks and tanks having such baffles

Abstract

An internal baffle apparatus for use within tanks, in particular flexible tanks, for liquids for dampening surges of liquid, and tanks having such baffle apparatus, wherein the baffle apparatus comprising a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane, and each panel member having a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel includes first connector means operable for connecting the bottom edge at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion includes second connector means located remote from the axis that are operable to connect the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.

1 . A flexible tank for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises a first flexible panel sheet having a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, the bottom edge portion is connected to the bottom wall of the tank at a plurality of connection points, and the top edge portion is connected to an upper part of the tank at two or more locations along the top edge portion that are remote from each other. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel. 
   
   
       4 . A flexible tank for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises:
 a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members are able to extend radially from the connection line such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane; and   each panel member has a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel member is connected at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion further includes connector means located remote from the axis that connects the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the radial plane of each panel member is parallel to the axis. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the bottom edge of each panel member is connected along its entire length to the bottom wall of the tank. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the flotation means comprises a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the connector means comprises a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop connected to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein each panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the plurality of flexible panel members comprises four rectangular flexible panels that are connected along a central connection line defining said axis. 
   
   
       12 . A flexible container for liquids having an internal baffle therein for dampening surges of liquid wherein the internal baffle comprises a flexible rectangular first panel sheet and a flexible rectangular second panel sheet, each flexible panel includes a bottom edge portion and a top edge portion, wherein the bottom edge portion of each panel is connected along its length to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion of each panel is connected to an upper part of the tank at two locations along the length of the top portion remote from each other, and the first flexible panel sheet and second flexible panel sheet are connected to each other along a transverse midline in a manner that said panels sheets are able to define an X shape configuration when viewed from above. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the top edge portion includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the panel sheets are made of a polymer coated fabric. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the panel sheets are made of a polyurethane coated polyester fabric. 
   
   
       16 . An internal baffle apparatus for use within a tank for liquids for dampening surges of liquid, the baffle apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of panel members connected along a connection line that defines an axis wherein said panel members extend radially from the axis such that each panel member is oriented in a radial plane; and   each panel member having a bottom edge, a top edge portion and a remote edge opposite the axis, wherein the bottom edge of each panel includes first connector means operable for connecting the bottom edge at a plurality of connection points to the bottom wall of the tank, and the top edge portion includes second connector means located remote from the axis that are operable to connect the top edge portion to an upper part of the tank.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the top edge portion further includes floatation means operable for maintaining the top edge portion at the level of liquid within the tank. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the flotation means comprises a dense foam block mounted to the top edge portion of the panel member. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the connector means comprises a ring connected to the top edge portion of the panel, a loop that is connectable to an upper part of the tank, and a link connecting the ring to the loop. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein each panel defines one or more apertures for allowing limited flow of liquid through the panel. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the plurality of flexible panel members comprises four rectangular flexible panels that are connected along a central connection line defining said axis.