External Insulation System for Tanks and the Like

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a vessel, a first vertical support, a second vertical support, and a series of insulating panels. The first vertical support and the second vertical support are fixated to the vessel such that the first vertical support is spaced apart from the second vertical support. Each of the insulating panels in the series of insulating panels is supported between the first vertical support and the second vertical support. Moreover, each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels slidably overlaps one or more adjacent insulating panels in the series of insulating panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a vessel;   a first vertical support, the first vertical support fixated to the vessel;   a second vertical support, the second vertical support fixated to the vessel apart from the first vertical support; and   a series of insulating panels, each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels supported between the first vertical support and the second vertical support such that each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels slidably overlaps one or more adjacent insulating panels in the series of insulating panels.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is periodically heated above ambient temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is made to periodically expand and contract. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical support defines a first elongate portion and the second vertical support defines a second elongate portion, the first elongate portion running substantially parallel with the second elongate portion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical support and the second vertical support are each fixated to the vessel at only one respective location on the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus defines a first gap between the first vertical support and the vessel, and defines a second gap between the second vertical support and the vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical support comprises a first stack of one or more support insulating layers, and the second vertical support comprises a second stack of one or more support insulating layers. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels comprises a respective stack of one or more panel insulating layers. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the stacks of one or more panel insulating layers defines a respective step feature therein. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the stacks of one or more panel insulating layers is held together by a respective plurality of fixating devices, each of the pluralities of fixating devices arranged so that no single fixating device passes all the way from one face of a stack of one or more panel insulating layers to an opposite face of that stack of one or more panel insulating layers. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus defines a gap between the series of insulating panels and the vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first insulating panel in the series of insulating panels defines a first block portion that projects from the remainder of the first insulating panel towards the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a last insulating panel in the series of insulating panels defines a second block portion that projects from the remainder of the last insulating panel towards the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels comprises a respective protective cover. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the series of insulating panels defines a plurality of mounting extensions, each mounting extension in the plurality of mounting extensions overlapping a respective portion of either the first vertical support or the second vertical support. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one or more mounting extensions in the plurality of mounting extensions define respective holes therein and one or more mounting extensions in the plurality of mounting extensions define respective slots therein. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the series of insulating panels comprises at least one of a mineral fiber material and a ceramic material. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of steel and aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . A method of insulating a vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 fixating a first vertical support to the vessel;   fixating a second vertical support to the vessel apart from the first vertical support; and   installing a series of insulating panels, each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels supported between the first vertical support and the second vertical support such that each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels slidably overlaps one or more adjacent insulating panels in the series of insulating panels.   
     
     
         20 . An external insulation system for use with a vessel, the external insulation system comprising:
 a first vertical support, the first vertical support adapted to be fixated to the vessel;   a second vertical support, the second vertical support adapted to be fixated to the vessel apart from the first vertical support;   a series of insulating panels, each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels adapted to be supported between the first vertical support and the second vertical support such that each insulating panel in the series of insulating panels slidably overlaps one or more adjacent insulating panels in the series of insulating panels.