Modular Fluid Storage Tank

Abstract

A modular fluid storage tank is formed by a plurality of curved support footings, a tank bottom circular sheet and a plurality of curved wall panel sections. Each footing includes a channel extending on its top surface. The footings are positioned in a circular pattern and the tank bottom sheet is positioned to extend over the channel. The wall panel sections have a bottom portion configured to fit within the footing channels. Suitable tie down clamps are provided to secure the wall panel sections to the footings. Adjacent sides of the wall panel sections are secured to each other to complete the assembly.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A modular fluid storage tank comprising:
 a plurality of arcuate footing having a channel extending along their length and arranged in a circle;   a circular bottom sheet covering a circular space formed by the footings, the bottom sheet extending over the channels in the footings;   a plurality of wall panel sections having a bottom portion, the bottom portion of each wall panel section being configured to fit within the footing channels with the bottom sheet positioned between a bottom portion of each wall panel section and the footing channel; and   means for securing adjacent wall panel sections to each other along a vertical joint.   
     
     
         2 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 1  further including a plurality of tie down clamps securing each wall panel section to the footings. 
     
     
         3 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 2  wherein the wall panel sections have a lower frame member positioned within the channels and the tie down clamps have a first member overlying the lower frame member and a second member secured to the footings. 
     
     
         4 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 1  wherein the channel is formed by a pair of a parallel curved rails attached to an upper surface of the footing. 
     
     
         5 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each footing includes an upper plate having a plurality of openings therein, and a plurality of nuts secured to an underside portion of the upper plate in registry with the openings. 
     
     
         6 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each footing includes a top plate, a bottom plate and an angled plate extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, and wherein the bottom plate has a width greater than the width of the top plate. 
     
     
         7 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the angled plate extends inwardly from the top plate down to the bottom plate. 
     
     
         8 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 1  further including a gasket positioned between the wall panel section and the bottom sheet. 
     
     
         9 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 8  including a second gasket positioned between the bottom sheet and the footing. 
     
     
         10 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 6  further including a plurality of reinforcing supports extending between the top and bottom plates of the footings. 
     
     
         11 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wall panel sections have a top portion, a bottom portion and two vertically extending side wall portions, wherein the vertically extending side wall portions of each wall panel sections are secured to each other by a joint. 
     
     
         12 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 11  wherein each joint comprises a first vertically extending strip having a v-shaped portion attached to one wall panel section and a second vertically extending strip attached to an adjacent wall panel section, the second strip having an angled portion overlying a portion of the v-shaped portion of the first strip. 
     
     
         13 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 12  wherein the first strip has a plurality of tabs and the second strip has a plurality of slots through which the tabs extend. 
     
     
         14 . A modular fluid storage tank according to  claim 13  wherein each joint further includes a reinforcement plate and a gasket extending vertically along the sides of adjacent wall panel sections along the inside surface of the wall panel sections and attached to each adjacent wall panel sections. 
     
     
         15 . A footing for a modular fluid storage tank comprising:
 a horizontally curved body having a top surface having width;   a channel formed on the top surface.   
     
     
         16 . A footing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the channel is formed by a pair of curved, parallel rails. 
     
     
         17 . A footing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the top surface is formed by a plate having a plurality of holes, and a plurality of nuts secured to an underside of the plate in alignment with the holes. 
     
     
         18 . A footing as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the curved body has a bottom surface having a width greater than that of the top surface; and
 a sloping surface extending inwardly with respect to a center of curvature from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
 
     
     
         19 . A footing as claimed in  claim 17  further including a plurality of tie down clamps and a plurality of threaded bolts extending through an aperture in the tie down clamp and the holes and nuts located on the top surface of the footing. 
     
     
         20 . A footing as claimed in  claim 15  further including a plurality of tie down clamps having a first vertical portion in contact with the curved body and a second horizontal portion adapted to rest on top of a lower frame member of a wall panel, and means for securing the clamps to the curved body. 
     
     
         21 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the joint comprises a first vertically extending plate on one wall panel and a second vertically extending plate on a second adjacent wall panel, and a connector plate attached to the vertically extending first and second plates. 
     
     
         22 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 21  further including a plurality of U-shaped members fixed to adjacent panels and a plurality of locking pins positioned within the U-shaped members. 
     
     
         23 . A modular fluid storage tank as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the locking pins comprise a generally cylindrical core member and a plurality of radially extending circular flanges.