Roof for manure storage tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roof adapted to cover a manure storage tank. The roof comprises a plurality of trusses and sheeting members. The roof is constructed so as to minimize the lateral forces on the manure storage tank and to eliminate vertical forces on the centre point of the floor of the storage tank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] A number of covers for manure storage tanks are known in the art. A number of these are inflatable covers which do not provide for ventilation of the storage tank. Access to the manure storage tank for emptying of the storage tank, for example, is difficult. Furthermore, the life span of inflatable cover members is limited. Such covers also need to be secured to the storage tank. These are often secured to the tank in such a fashion that forces on the cover are transmitted laterally to the tank which could lead to cracking of the said tank. [0002] Other non-inflatable domes have a very complex structure. By way of example, Canadian patent application 2,220,382 provides a ventilated flexible dome. The dome includes a circular base, a rigid ridge pole, support cables connecting the base to the ridge pole, a cover and a flexible membrane arranged on the support cables, a ventilation cone with a rigid ridge pole. The construction of such a dome cover i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The invention relates to a roof for a generally cylindrical wall structure. The roof has a frusto-conical configuration and comprises a central, tubular hub and a plurality of trusses extending radially outwardly therefrom. Each of said trusses has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends of the trusses are connected to the central, tubular hub. The trusses comprise parallel upper and lower beams spaced apart and secured together by generally V-shaped chord members and intermittent vertical connecting members extending normally to said upper and lower beams. A plurality of support beams extend between adjacent trusses. The trusses and the support beams form the upper surface of the roof. A covering for the roof comprises sheeting members which are secured to the upper surface of the roof. Plate members having low frictional surfaces are located intermediate a lower edge of the roof and an upper surface of the cylindrical wall structure covered by the roof.

Problems solved by technology

A number of these are inflatable covers which do not provide for ventilation of the storage tank.

Access to the manure storage tank for emptying of the storage tank, for example, is difficult.

Furthermore, the life span of inflatable cover members is limited.

These are often secured to the tank in such a fashion that forces on the cover are transmitted laterally to the tank which could lead to cracking of the said tank.

Other non-inflatable domes have a very complex structure.

The construction of such a dome cover is complex and a cable arrangement is necessary to support the structure.

Furthermore, the cover attaches to the outside of the storage tank and, as such, any pressure applied to the cover would create lateral forces on the storage tank which increases the risk of cracking of the storage tank.

Images