Storage tank
By designing a detachable enclosure and heating mechanism in the storage tank, and using a self-regulating electric heating cable to uniformly heat the drain pipe, the problem of ice blockage in the storage tank's drainage pipe during winter is solved. This also enables the reuse of heating elements, ease of use, and reduces maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520149275.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing storage tanks are prone to freezing and clogging of drainage pipes in winter, and the heating elements are inconvenient to reuse, resulting in high operating costs.
A storage tank structure was designed, comprising a detachable housing and a heating mechanism. Heat is provided by a self-regulating electric heating tape. By adjusting the spacing of the heating mechanism and the door design, uniform heating of the drain pipe is achieved, reducing the amount of heating elements used and supporting the reuse of the elements.
It effectively solves the problem of drainage pipes freezing and clogging, reduces the amount of heating elements used, lowers maintenance costs, and improves ease of use and flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure CN223499334U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of high-pressure container technology, specifically to a storage tank. Background Technology
[0002] In industrial manufacturing, compressed air is mostly stored in storage tanks. The inventors discovered that an article titled "A Brief Discussion on the Application of Heated Cables in Compressed Air Systems," published in the journal *China Metals Bulletin* (Issue 6, 2024), explained the tendency of compressed air storage tank drain pipes to freeze in winter. To alleviate this, attaching heated cables to the outer surface of pipes or valves effectively increases their temperature, preventing crystallization and solidification of the medium during transport. The article also highlighted the advantages of self-regulating heating cables as heating elements. The inventors believe that in some geographically less cold regions, the storage tank drain pipes may not freeze frequently throughout the winter. Wrapping the drain pipes with self-regulating heating cables every winter and using them for extended periods would be a waste of resources and energy. It would be sufficient to check for blockages due to freezing when periodically draining the storage tanks. Furthermore, when there are many storage tanks for compressed air, covering all of them with self-regulating heating cables would be costly and time-consuming to inspect and maintain. There is an urgent need for a storage tank that effectively solves the problem of pipe icing, allows for the reuse of heating elements, and is easy to use. Utility Model Content
[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a storage tank that effectively solves the problem of pipe icing and blockage, allows for the reuse of heating elements, and is easy to use.
[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model includes a tank body. The bottom of the tank body is provided with several supporting feet and a drain pipe connecting to the inside of the tank body. The end of the drain pipe away from the tank body is provided with a flange. Its structural features are: several supporting feet are connected to a platform, and the platform is detachably connected to a box body through a snap-fit component. The box body has a through-cavity and an opening extending downward from the middle of the top of the box body to the through-cavity. The through-cavity has two heating mechanisms located on the front and rear sides of the drain pipe and symmetrically arranged. The heating mechanism includes a top seat and a base located below the top seat and abutting the bottom of the through-cavity. Two heat-conducting plates are provided between the top seat and the base, spaced apart front to back. A self-regulating electric heating tape is provided between the two heat-conducting plates. The self-regulating electric heating tape is electrically connected to an external power source through a control box provided on the box body. The distance between the two heating mechanisms can be adjusted.
[0005] With the above structure, the drain pipe is located in the gap between the two heating mechanisms. The heat-conducting plate can evenly transfer and dissipate the heat provided by the self-regulating heating cable into the inner cavity of the box, thereby heating and de-icing the frozen drain pipe. This effectively solves the problem of pipe icing and blockage, reduces the amount of self-regulating heating cable used, reduces the workload of later maintenance, and lowers the overall cost. By adjusting the distance between the two heating mechanisms to adapt to the size of the drain pipe, it can meet various operational needs and prevent the heating mechanism from interfering with the drain pipe and flange. The box can accommodate drain pipes of different outer diameters. The opening not only avoids the drain pipe but also allows the heat inside the box to dissipate upwards, thereby heating the tank and de-icing the bottom of the tank. Operators can disassemble the box and heating mechanism on the tank and platform by operating the snap-fit connector. After disassembly, operators can move the box and heating mechanism to other tanks and drain pipes to be de-iced. The heating mechanism, as a heating element, can be reused and is easy to use.
[0006] Furthermore, the housing is equipped with guide posts corresponding to the heating mechanisms, and a slide block is fixedly connected to the top of the top seat. The slide block has a sliding hole that can be fitted with the guide post with clearance. The base is equipped with a push-pull handle. By setting the guide posts, slide blocks, and push-pull handles, the guide posts and slide blocks provide guidance for the sliding of the heating mechanisms. The operator can change the distance between the two heating mechanisms by holding and pushing and pulling the push-pull handle, so that the distance between the two heating mechanisms is adapted to the size of the drain pipe and flange, preventing interference.
[0007] Furthermore, the latching component includes a hook hinged to the platform and a claw on the housing capable of hooking the hook. By setting the hook and claw, the forward and reverse rotation of the hook enables the hook to lock and unlock on the claw, thereby allowing the housing to be detachably connected to the platform for convenient operation.
[0008] Furthermore, the guide post includes a guide portion that mates with the sliding hole with a clearance fit. The outer end of the guide portion has an external thread that mates with the housing thread. The outer end of the external thread has a screwing portion, the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the external thread, and the outer diameter of both the external thread and the guide portion is larger than the outer diameter of the guide portion. By providing the guide portion, the external thread, and the screwing portion, the operator can hold the screwing portion and screw the guide post onto the housing, achieving a detachable function for the guide post, facilitating its assembly and disassembly. The guide portion can mate with the sliding hole with a clearance fit, thereby guiding the guide post to the slide block and ultimately guiding the heating mechanism.
[0009] Furthermore, the left and right ends of the housing are equipped with sealing doors. Each sealing door includes a first sealing plate and a second sealing plate hinged to the front and rear sides of the housing, respectively. The first sealing plate can be locked to the second sealing plate by a bolt. The first and second sealing plates near the flange are provided with clearance grooves to avoid the flange. By setting the sealing doors, the left and right sides of the housing are sealed, reducing the heat dissipation of the heating mechanism from the left and right sides of the housing to the external environment, thus ensuring the heating effect of the heating mechanism on the drain pipe. It also ensures that the heat is concentrated and dissipated upwards from the opening, thereby ensuring the heating effect on the bottom of the tank. The sealing doors are opened and closed by operating the bolt and rotating the first and second sealing plates.
[0010] Furthermore, several supporting legs are connected to a protective frame that surrounds the bottom of the tank. This protective frame provides protection for the tank, preventing damage from impacts.
[0011] Furthermore, the container is equipped with lifting handles on both the front and rear sides. These handles provide operators with convenient grips when moving the container, improving ease of transport.
[0012] Furthermore, the platform is fixedly connected to two parallel and spaced-apart flat square tubes. By using these flat square tubes, when operators use forklifts to transfer tanks, they can insert the forks into the tubes. The flat square tubes not only provide a reliable load-bearing position for the tank transfer but also improve the structural strength of the platform.
[0013] In summary, this utility model has the advantages of being easy to use and having a reasonable structure. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure from the front view of this utility model;
[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of a portion of area A in the middle;
[0016] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tank body, support legs, drain pipe and flange;
[0017] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the box;
[0018] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the box body, claws, lifting handle, heating mechanism and guide column;
[0019] Figure 6 It is a top view structural diagram of the box body, claws, lifting handle, heating mechanism and guide column;
[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure viewed in section along line BB;
[0021] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the box body and sealing door;
[0022] In the diagram: 1. Tank body; 11. Support leg; 12. Drain pipe; 121. Flange; 2. Platform; 21. Hook; 22. Flat square tube; 3. Box body; 31. Inner cavity; 32. Opening; 33. Claw; 34. Lifting handle; 4. Heating mechanism; 41. Top seat; 411. Slide seat; 42. Base; 421. Push-pull handle; 43. Heat conduction plate; 44. Self-regulating electric heating tape; 5. Guide column; 51. Guide part; 52. External thread part; 53. Tightening part; 6. Sealing door; 61. First sealing plate; 62. Second sealing plate; 63. Door bolt; 7. Protective frame. Detailed Implementation
[0023] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the present invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the present invention. For ease of understanding, Figure 1 The left side is the left side of this utility model. Figure 1 The right side is the right side of this utility model. Figure 1 The upper side is the upper side of this utility model. Figure 1 The lower side is the lower side of this utility model. Figure 6 The top side is the front of this utility model. Figure 6 The lower side is the rear of this utility model.
[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 8This utility model includes a tank body 1. The bottom of the tank body 1 is provided with several supporting legs 11 and a drain pipe 12 communicating with the interior of the tank body 1. A flange 121 is provided at the end of the drain pipe 12 furthest from the tank body 1. The tank body 1, supporting legs 11, drain pipe 12, and flange 121 are a common structure for compressed air storage tanks, and products from Nantong Yuanquan Pressure Vessel Co., Ltd. can be selected. Several supporting legs 11 are connected to a platform 2. The platform 2 is detachably connected to a housing 3 via a snap-fit mechanism. The snap-fit mechanism includes a hook 21 hinged to the platform 2 and a claw 33 on the housing 3 capable of hooking the hook 21. By setting the hook 21 and the claw 33, the hook 21 can be locked and unlocked on the claw 33 by rotating it forward and backward, thus allowing the housing 3 to be detachably connected to the platform 2 for convenient operation. The housing 3 has a through-cavity 31 extending from the middle of the top of the housing 3 downwards into the through-cavity 31 and extending from both sides. The inner cavity 31 is equipped with two heating mechanisms 4, symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the drain pipe 12. Each heating mechanism 4 includes a top seat 41 and a base 42 located below the top seat 41 and resting against the bottom of the inner cavity 31. Two heat-conducting plates 43, spaced apart, are positioned between the top seat 41 and the base 42. The heat-conducting plates 43 can be made of copper. A self-regulating heating cable 44 is positioned between the two heat-conducting plates 43 and is electrically connected to an external power source via a control box located on the housing 3. Lifting handles 34 are provided on the front and rear sides of the housing 3. These handles provide a convenient gripping position for operators when moving the housing 3, improving ease of transport.
[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 8The distance between the two heating mechanisms 4 can be adjusted. Specifically, the housing 3 is provided with guide posts 5 corresponding to the heating mechanisms 4, and a slide 411 is fixedly connected to the top of the top seat 41. The slide 411 is provided with a sliding hole that can be fitted with the guide post 5. The base 42 is provided with a push-pull handle 421. By setting the guide post 5, the slide 411 and the push-pull handle 421, the guide post 5 and the slide 411 provide guidance for the sliding of the heating mechanism 4. The operator changes the distance between the two heating mechanisms 4 by holding and pushing and pulling the push-pull handle 421, so that the distance between the two heating mechanisms 4 is adapted to the size of the drain pipe 12 and the flange 121, and prevents interference. The guide post 5 includes a guide portion 51 that fits with the sliding hole with a clearance. The outer end of the guide portion 51 has an external thread portion 52 that can fit with the housing 3 with a thread. The outer end of the guide portion 51 is the end away from the inner cavity 31. The outer end of the external thread portion 52 has a screwing portion 53, which is also the end away from the housing 3. The outer diameter of the screwing portion 53 is larger than the outer diameter of the external thread portion 52, and the outer diameter of the external thread portion 52 is larger than the outer diameter of the guide portion 51. By setting the guide portion 51, the external thread portion 52, and the screwing portion 53, the operator can hold the screwing portion 53 and screw the guide post 5 onto the housing 3, realizing the detachable function of the guide post 5, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the guide post 5. The guide portion 51 can fit with the sliding hole with a clearance to guide the guide post 5 to the slide block 411 and thus guide the heating mechanism 4. The housing 3 has sealing doors 6 at both ends. Each sealing door 6 includes a first sealing plate 61 and a second sealing plate 62, which are respectively hinged to the front and rear sides of the housing 3. The first sealing plate 61 can be locked to the second sealing plate 62 by a bolt 63. The first sealing plate 61 and the second sealing plate 62 near the flange 121 are provided with clearance grooves to avoid the flange 121. The first sealing plate 61 and the second sealing plate 62 can be made of iron plate, and the bolt 63 can be magnetic. In use, open the sealing doors 6 of the housing 3, push the housing 3 onto the platform 2 from left to right, and position the drain pipe 12 or the drain pipe 12 and the flange 121 between the two heating mechanisms 4. By setting a sealing door 6, the left and right sides of the container 3 are sealed off, reducing the heat dissipation of the heating mechanism 4 from the left and right sides of the container 3 to the external environment, thus ensuring the heating effect of the heating mechanism 4 on the drain pipe 12; it also ensures that the heat is concentrated and dissipated upwards from the opening 32, thereby ensuring the heating effect on the bottom of the tank 1. The sealing door 6 is opened and closed by operating the bolt 63 and rotating the first sealing plate 61 and the second sealing plate 62. Several support legs 11 are connected to a protective frame 7 that surrounds the bottom of the tank 1. The protective frame 7 provides protection for the tank 1, preventing damage from impacts. The platform 2 is fixed with two parallel and spaced flat square tubes 22. By setting the flat square tubes 22, when operators use forklifts to move the tank 1, they can insert the forks of the forklifts into the flat square tubes 22. The flat square tubes 22 not only provide a reliable bearing position for the movement of the tank 1, but also improve the structural strength of the platform 2.
[0026] In use, the drain pipe 12 is located in the gap between the two heating mechanisms 4. The heat-conducting plate 43 can evenly transfer and dissipate the heat provided by the self-regulating heating cable 44 into the inner cavity 31 of the housing 3, thereby heating and de-icing the frozen drain pipe 12. This effectively solves the problem of pipe icing and blockage, reduces the amount of self-regulating heating cable 44 used, reduces the workload of later maintenance, and lowers the overall cost. By adjusting the distance between the two heating mechanisms 4 to adapt to the size of the drain pipe 12, it can meet various operational needs and prevent the heating mechanisms 4 from interfering with the drain pipe. The sewage pipe 12 and flange 121, and the housing 3 can accommodate sewage pipes 12 of different outer diameters; the opening 32 can not only avoid the sewage pipe 12, but also allow the heat of the inner cavity 31 of the housing 3 to dissipate upwards, thereby heating the tank 1 and de-icing the bottom of the tank 1; the operator can realize the detachable function of the housing 3 and the heating mechanism 4 on the tank 1 and the platform 2 by operating the snap-fit. After disassembly, the operator can transfer the housing 3 and the heating mechanism 4 to other tanks 1 and sewage pipes 12 that need to be de-iced for heating and de-icing operations. The heating mechanism 4, as a heating element, can be reused and is easy to use.
[0027] The above description is merely an example and illustration of the structure of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the utility model or exceed the scope defined by the claims of this patent, they should all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A storage tank, comprising a tank body (1), wherein the bottom of the tank body (1) is provided with a plurality of supporting feet (11) and a drain pipe (12) communicating with the interior of the tank body (1), wherein a flange (121) is provided at the end of the drain pipe (12) away from the tank body (1), characterized in that: Several supporting feet (11) are connected to a platform (2). The platform (2) is detachably connected to a box (3) via a snap-fit connector. The box (3) has a through-cavity (31) and an opening (32) extending downward from the middle of the top of the box (3) to the through-cavity (31) and extending in both directions. The through-cavity (31) is provided with two heating mechanisms (4) located on the front and rear sides of the drain pipe (12) and symmetrically arranged. The heating mechanism (4) includes a top seat (41) and a base (42) located below the top seat (41) and against the bottom of the through-cavity (31). There are two heat-conducting plates (43) spaced apart between the top seat (41) and the base (42). There is a self-regulating heating cable (44) between the two heat-conducting plates (43). The self-regulating heating cable (44) is electrically connected to an external power source via a control box on the box (3). The distance between the two heating mechanisms (4) can be adjusted.
2. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (3) is provided with a guide post (5) corresponding to the heating mechanism (4), and a slide (411) is fixedly connected to the top of the top seat (41). The slide (411) is provided with a sliding hole that can be fitted with the guide post (5) with a clearance. The base (42) is provided with a push-pull handle (421).
3. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The latching component includes a hook (21) hinged to the platform (2) and a claw (33) on the box (3) capable of hooking the hook (21).
4. The storage tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide post (5) includes a guide portion (51) that is fitted with a sliding hole clearance. The outer end of the guide portion (51) is provided with an external thread portion (52) that can be threaded with the housing (3). The outer end of the external thread portion (52) is provided with a screwing portion (53). The outer diameter of the screwing portion (53) is larger than the outer diameter of the external thread portion (52). The outer diameter of the external thread portion (52) is larger than the outer diameter of the guide portion (51).
5. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (3) is provided with sealing doors (6) at both the left and right ends. The sealing door (6) includes a first sealing plate (61) and a second sealing plate (62) respectively hinged to the front and rear sides of the box body (3). The first sealing plate (61) can be locked to the second sealing plate (62) by a door bolt (63). The first sealing plate (61) and the second sealing plate (62) near the flange (121) are provided with clearance grooves for avoiding the flange (121).
6. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several support legs (11) are connected together to a protective frame (7) that surrounds the bottom of the tank (1).
7. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (3) is provided with lifting handles (34) on the front and rear sides respectively.
8. The storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform (2) is fixedly connected to two parallel and spaced flat square tubes (22).