Flooded Frame Truck Mounted Tank

Abstract

A liquid-holding tank for mounting on the frame of a vehicle is disclosed. The tank comprises an elongate tank body and a tank frame coupled to the elongate tank body and extending downwardly therefrom. The tank frame and the elongate tank body form a reservoir, and the tank frame is adapted to rest directly on the vehicle frame.

1 . A liquid-holding tank for mounting on the frame of a vehicle, the tank comprising:
 an elongate tank body having curved side walls coupled to and disposed above a generally rectangular frame, the elongate tank body defining an interior chamber;   the frame having generally vertical side walls extending from a generally planar tank floor, the generally vertical side walls coupled to the curved side walls, the frame adapted to directly support the tank on the vehicle frame, the frame further adapted to be in fluid communication with the chamber and receive the liquid, thereby lowering a vertical center of gravity of the tank;   front and rear vessel heads coupled to the curved side walls and frame;   a lid coupled to the curved side walls and the vessel heads;   at least one longitudinal baffle coupled longitudinally inside the chamber; and   at least one transverse baffle coupled transversely inside the chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 1 , further comprising a venting system for continuously venting the tank, the venting system comprising:
 a generally vertical vent pipe having upper and lower ends, the upper end penetrating through the lid and the lower end extending into the frame; and   a generally horizontal vent trough coupled to the lower end of the vertical vent pipe, the vent trough being formed in the frame of the tank and extending toward a drain.   
   
   
       3 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse baffle divides the chamber into lateral sections, the at least one transverse baffle having lower passages which permit moderated longitudinal movement of the liquid in the chamber. 
   
   
       4 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one transverse baffle comprises a peripheral flange extending at least partially around the at least one transverse baffle, wherein the peripheral flange is coupled to an interior surface of the frame to provide structural support to the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one transverse baffle comprises:
 a transverse baffle ring having an outer edge having a profile;   a metal strap formed to match a lower portion of the outer edge profile, the metal strap being coupled to the outer edge along the lower portion, thereby forming a flanged ring coupled to an interior surface of the frame to provide structural support to the frame; and   a transverse baffle plate coupled to the transverse baffle ring;   
   
   
       6 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one transverse baffle comprises at least one service access port and a corresponding cover for access between the lateral sections of the chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 6 , wherein the cover is cut from the at least one transverse baffle along a generally circular profile having at least two radially projecting tabs, wherein the radially projecting tabs are adapted to attach the cover to the service access port forming at least two voids left from removal of the tabs. 
   
   
       8 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal baffle divides the chamber into longitudinal sections having moderated communication of the liquid therebetween, the at least one longitudinal baffle comprising segmented panels, the segmented panels being coupled between adjacent transverse baffles. 
   
   
       9 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal baffle comprises a first plurality of panels coupled between adjacent transverse baffles, a second plurality of panels coupled between a rear transverse baffle and the rear vessel head, a first single panel coupled between the front vessel head and a vertical vent pipe, and a second single panel coupled between the vertical vent pipe and a front transverse baffle. 
   
   
       10 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 9 , wherein each of the transverse baffles comprise one or more vertical brackets with horizontally slotted holes adapted to receive fasteners securing the first and second plurality of panels and the second single panel to the vertical brackets. 
   
   
       11 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 1  wherein the lid comprises a removable tank cover removably coupled to the curved side walls, the removable tank cover adapted to provide overhead access to the chamber. 
   
   
       12 . A liquid-holding tank for mounting on the frame of a vehicle comprising:
 an elongate tank body having curved side walls coupled to front and rear heads, the tank body generally defining an upper liquid containment area;   a closed-bottom tank frame coupled to the curved side walls and further coupled to and extending between the front and rear heads, the tank frame extending downwards, and generally defining a lower liquid containment area which is fully open to the upper containment area, the upper and lower containment areas forming a total containment area, the lower containment area operable to lower a vertical center of gravity of the total containment area, the tank frame comprising an integral structural support, the tank frame directly contacting the vehicle frame;   a baffle system arranged to compartmentalize the total containment area, the baffle system comprising a plurality of longitudinal and transverse baffles; and   a top coupled to the elongate body.   
   
   
       13 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 12 , wherein the top has longitudinal edges, the top comprising at least two upwardly projecting vertical ribs coupled to and generally extending along the longitudinal edges of the top. 
   
   
       14 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 13 , wherein the top further comprises at least one end panel coupled between the vertical ribs. 
   
   
       15 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 13 , wherein the top and vertical ribs are configured to form a storage area. 
   
   
       16 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 13 , wherein the top further comprises an access port and a vertical vent hole, both located between the vertical ribs, the vertical ribs providing roll-over protection for the access port and the vertical vent hole. 
   
   
       17 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 13 , wherein the vertical ribs each comprise a conduit space. 
   
   
       18 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one vessel head channel coupled to the front head, the vessel head channel being in open communication with at least one of the conduit spaces, and the vessel head channel adapted to structurally support the front head. 
   
   
       19 . A liquid-holding tank for mounting on the frame of a vehicle, the tank comprising:
 an elongate tank body; and   a tank frame coupled to the elongate tank body and extending downwardly therefrom, the tank frame and the elongate tank body forming a reservoir, the tank frame adapted to rest directly on the vehicle frame.   
   
   
       20 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of gusset braces coupled externally to both the tank frame and the tank body to provide support for the tank body. 
   
   
       21 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 19 , wherein the tank frame comprises at least one internal transverse structural support. 
   
   
       22 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 19 , wherein the tank frame is adapted to simultaneously support the tank body and hold the liquid. 
   
   
       23 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 19 , wherein the tank frame is adapted to be bottom-supported directly by the vehicle frame without any intervening support structure between the vehicle frame and the tank frame. 
   
   
       24 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 19 , wherein the tank frame bears directly on the vehicle frame, and wherein sliding and separation between the tank frame and the vehicle frame are substantially prevented by at least one pair of side-attached mounts, each side-attached mount coupled across corresponding outer surfaces of the tank frame and the vehicle frame. 
   
   
       25 . The liquid-holding tank of  claim 24 , wherein the side-attached mounts comprise rigid mounts for rearward attachment and spring-dampened mounts for forward attachment.