Mobile service station with a single-piece, easily handled above-ground tank, transportable by truck and resting only on the foundations of the tank cradles

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile service station (1) comprising an above-ground fuel storage tank (2) having at least one fuel storage compartment and support cradles (22). The service station (1) further comprises: - a metal suspension frame (3) attached to an upper portion of the above-ground tank (2); and - a technical floor (4) supporting a technical room (14) containing a fuel unloading unit (52), an electrical room (15), and fuel dispensing equipment (51). The technical floor (4) is arranged beneath a portion of the suspension frame (3) that cantilevers over the above-ground tank (2) and is attached to the suspension frame (3), such that in use the technical floor (4) is supported by the above-ground tank (2) via the suspension frame (3). Figure to be published: Figure 8

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile service station with a single-unit, transportable, above-ground tank, transportable by truck and resting only on the foundations of the tank's cradles

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of public, mobile service stations with an above-ground fuel storage tank, and more particularly to a structure which makes it possible to handle them in one piece and transport them by truck.

[0002] In the 1980s, there were approximately 40,000 public service stations in France. Today, only slightly more than 11,000 remain, which means that out of the 35,400 municipalities in France, more than 25,000 are without a service station and their inhabitants are forced to go to the city to obtain fuel.

[0003] The reasons for the disappearance of the old service stations are known, the main ones being: - the obsolescence of older service stations, which no longer comply with current standards and regulations; - the high cost of bringing them into compliance with the requirements of the Ministerial Decrees; - the installation, by large and medium-sized retailers, of large service stations, fuel being their main loss leader.

[0004] Although they were necessary, or even indispensable, the removed service stations, almost all of which had underground tanks, were not replaced either by service stations with underground tanks or by service stations with above-ground tanks.

[0005] For a service station, the use of an above-ground fuel storage tank, rather than an underground tank, has several advantages, because the cost of a service station with an above-ground tank is lower than that of a service station with an underground tank and the decontamination of the soil on which a service station with an above-ground tank is located is not necessary when this station is removed, whereas this decontamination is mandatory in the case of a service station with an underground tank.

[0006] It is understandable why potential buyers of a service station are no longer purchasing stations with underground tanks. However, one can only wonder why they are not acquiring service stations with above-ground tanks: is it because of the price? Is it because manufacturers have not designed or offered them?

[0007] It is possible, even probable, that for reasons of manpower, builders prefer to build large stations, all identical, rather than small ones.

[0008] There are public service stations with above-ground tanks, which are neither handleable in one piece nor transportable by truck.

[0009] These service stations include: - a fuel storage tank, which includes compartments for storing at least three fuels, and very rarely four fuels, as well as cradles that support it and whose number is determined by the tank manufacturer, depending on the capacity, diameter and length of the tank; - a parallelepiped-shaped retention basin located under the tank and intended to collect the fuel contained in the tank, in the event of a leak from the tank. - a supply unit which includes an unloading pump configured to supply the tank from the truck; - a distribution system, which includes several distribution devices, usually two, each of which transfers all the fuel from the tank into the vehicle's tank; and - a building in which the above elements are located, and whose roof and peripheral walls protect the service station from the elements, fuel theft and acts of vandalism, with only the dispensing equipment remaining accessible to the public.

[0010] As no solution has yet been proposed for making mobile service stations with above-ground tanks handleable as a single unit and transportable by truck, the present invention, which aims to design a structure that will allow mobile service stations with above-ground tanks equipped with it to be handleable as a single unit and transportable by truck, proposes a mobile service station comprising an above-ground fuel storage tank having at least one fuel storage compartment and support cradles, characterized in that the service station further comprises:

[0011] - a metal suspension frame attached to an upper part of the above-ground tank, with the suspension frame extending the entire length of the service station; and

[0012] - a technical floor, which supports a technical room which contains a set fuel unloading area, an electrical room and fuel dispensing equipment, the technical floor being arranged under a part of the suspension frame which is cantilevered from the above-ground tank, and secured to the suspension framework, such that in use the technical floor is supported by the above-ground tank via the suspension framework.

[0013] Thus, according to the present invention, the above-ground tank and the suspension structure are connected in such a way that they are physically inseparable, forming a load-bearing assembly. The technical floor, as well as other elements mentioned below, are fixed directly or indirectly to the suspension structure.

[0014] Preferably, the service station further comprises lifting rings attached to the suspension frame, allowing the entire service station to be lifted as a single unit during handling. In other words, when handling the load-bearing assembly formed by the above-ground tank and the suspension frame, the entire service station is being handled.

[0015] The service station is preferably configured so that, in use, a lower part of the technical floor is arranged above a plane on which the support cradles rest in order to facilitate the placement of the service station on the foundations of the cradles, the floor thus never touching the ground.

[0016] Preferably, the suspension frame comprises two longitudinal members extending along the length of the above-ground tank along the entire length of the service station, two cross members each connecting one end of a respective longitudinal member to the corresponding end of the other longitudinal member, and cross members bolted to the longitudinal members.

[0017] Preferably, the technical floor is attached to the suspension frame, in a new and inventive way, by suspension bars attached to the stringers and to the frame of the technical floor.

[0018] Preferably, the service station further includes a containment tray receiving the above-ground tank, the containment tray being attached to the suspension frame and configured to recover fuel in the event of a leak from the above-ground tank.

[0019] Preferably, the retention tray is secured to the suspension frame in a novel and inventive way by means of hangers bolted to the ends of the cross members of the suspension frame and welded to the walls of the retention tray.

[0020] Preferably, the suspension frame is attached to the upper part of the aerial tank, in a new and inventive way, by five rigid assemblies each composed of: a plate welded to the top of the tank, and two cross members, preferably made of CORNIERE or UPN type profile, bolted to the plate and on which the suspension frame members are welded.

[0021] Preferably, the bolts that allow the cross members of the five rigid assemblies to be bolted to the plates, as well as the bolts that allow the suspension cables of the containment tray to be bolted to the ends of the cross members of the suspension frame They can be made of plastic, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other similar material. Thus, in the event of a fire in the above-ground fuel tank, these bolts will be destroyed by the fire, and the containment basin and the above-ground tank will be separated from the suspension structure and all the elements of the service station, which will be deformed as a result of the fire.

[0022] Preferably, the service station further comprises an outer casing attached, in a novel and inventive manner, to the suspension frame and protecting the service station from the external environment. In particular, the outer casing may include a roof fixed to the cross members of the suspension frame, and facades fixed to the hangers of the containment basin. Such a configuration makes it possible to eliminate the metal framework of the building, which is present in service stations of the prior art.

[0023] Preferably, all the components of the service station rest directly or indirectly on the foundations of the tank cradles via the tank cradles.

[0024] We will now describe a particular embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0025] [Fig.1] is a left view of the carrier assembly of the service station 1 consisting of the tank 2 and the suspension frame 3 joined together by five rigid assemblies each consisting of a plate 5 and two cross members 10.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a view along a section perpendicular to the axis of the tank, on which features a plate 5 welded onto the tank 2.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a view of a rigid assembly for securing the tank 2 and the suspension frame 3, the cross members 10 being preferably fixed by bolting onto the plate 5.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a left-side view of a service station according to the embodiment of the invention, on which are represented in particular the containment tray 6 and the floor 4. For clarity, the outer casing and the hangers 9 of the containment tray are not shown, and the large side of the containment tray is shown transparently.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a view along a section perpendicular to the axis of the tank, on which are shown: - the suspension wires 9 of the retention basin 6, - the outer envelope, which includes the roof 11 attached to the crossbeams 8 and the facades 18 fixed to the hangers 9, - a rigid fastening assembly consisting of a plate 5 and two cross members 10.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a left-hand view of a service station, on which the suspensions 9 of the retention tank, fixed on the crossbeams 8 of the suspension frame and welded to the walls of the retention tank, the floor 4 suspended from the stringers 31 by the suspensions 7.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a view which shows how the suspension brackets 9 are fixed to the crossbeams 8.

[0032] [Fig.8] is a left view of the service station on which the lifting rings 12 attached to the longitudinal members 31 of the suspension frame are shown, which allow the service station to be handled.

[0033] [Fig.9] is a top view of the service station, on which the four lifting rings 12, which allow handling of the service station.

[0034] [Fig. 10] is a left-hand view of the service station, on which the outer casing is shown, in particular the door of the electrical room 15.

[0035] [Fig. 11] is a front view of the service station, on which the facade is shown, in particular the door of the technical room 14.

[0036] To design the assembly method for a service station identical to that of the present invention, it is necessary to know its capacity, that is to say the volume of its tank.

[0037] We can thus determine the diameter, the length and have the weight of the tank, which is the heaviest component of the service station.

[0038] The capacity must allow: - to meet supplier requirements by accepting deliveries of approximately 30,000 units, - to have few stock shortages.

[0039] By way of example, we will consider a 45,000 L service station that meets these conditions: - the tank has a diameter of 2.50 m, a length of 9.60 m and weighs 3,500 kg, - the service station will have a width of approximately 2.90 m, a length of 13.50 m, will weigh 13 tonnes, and will be transportable by a truck.

[0040] This service station can be manufactured in a hall, which has two 10-ton overhead cranes and a hook height of 5.50 m. Gas station assembly

[0041] Preferably, for reasons of competence and means, the tank manufacturer welds onto the tank 2 the plates of the five rigid assemblies which allow the tank and the suspension frame to be joined together, which constitute the load-bearing assembly of the service station, the frame acting as a suspension element, the tank supporting the service station.

[0042] Upon receipt of the tank, the cross members 10 are fixed by bolting onto the plates 5.

[0043] Simultaneously the suspension frame is manufactured by welding together the longitudinal members 31 and the cross members 32, by bolting the cross members 8 onto the longitudinal members 31 and by welding together the four handling rings 12 onto the longitudinal members 31.

[0044] Next, the suspension frame is placed on the cross members 10 of the rigid assemblies, which connect the suspension frame to the tank 2, and the longitudinal members 31 are welded onto the cross members 10.

[0045] Having thus manufactured the carrier assembly, which includes the tank 2 and the suspension frame 3, it is introduced into the retention tray 6.

[0046] The manufacture of the mobile service station with an above-ground tank is then completed: - by securing the containment tray to the suspension frame by means of hangers 9 bolted to the ends of the cross members 8 of the suspension frame and welded to the walls of the containment tray, - by securing the technical floor to the suspension frame 3 using the hangers 7 bolted to the stringers 31 and to the technical floor frame, - by fixing the cover 11 onto the crossbeams 8 of the suspension frame, - by fixing the cladding 18 of the peripheral walls onto the hangers 9 of the tray retention - by installing the dispensing equipment and the unloading pump as well as the fuel supply and distribution networks

[0047] Thus, from the load-bearing assembly consisting of the tank and the suspension frame, the mobile service station is manufactured as a single unit, which can be handled with a telescopic crane, whose slings are attached to the lifting rings 12, which protrude from the cover.

[0048] It is understood that the particular embodiment which has just been described has been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The embodiment of the present invention described above, in particular the assembly, suggests that this service station will be able to replace the service stations that have been removed in the municipalities (see: Introduction to the description), and to satisfy many potential buyers.

[0050] For this to happen, the company that manufactures the stations will have to offer a single model with a capacity of 40,000 to 50,000 liters, the tank having one, two or three compartments at the request of each customer.

[0051] Since all stations are identical, the company will no longer have study costs and will be able to organize its relations with suppliers and subcontractors, as well as its own manufacturing to improve its cost prices.

[0052] The service station, which is the subject of the present invention, may be located less than thirty meters from the boundaries of the site.

[0053] This will require: - that the walls of the retention basin have a minimum height of 2.50 m, - that before introducing the tank into the containment basin, we project onto the inner faces of the walls and bottom, a fire-resistant coating whose thickness will allow the walls and bottom to be fire-resistant El 120 at a temperature of 1200°, and - that the bolts which allow the cross members of the five rigid assemblies to be bolted to the plates and the bolts which allow the suspension lines of the containment tray to be bolted to the ends of the cross members of the suspension frame are made of PVC, so that in the event of a fire of the fuel in the above-ground tank, these bolts will be destroyed by the fire and the containment tray and the above-ground tank will be separated from the suspension frame and from all the elements of the service station, which will suffer deformations as a result of the fire.

[0054] The walls will act as a fire wall and will comply with the Ministerial Decree of 15 / 04 / 2010 which specifies: "Above-ground tanks may be located at a distance of less than 30 m from the site boundaries if an EI120 fire wall is put in place to contain the lethal effects on the site."

[0055] To date, no solution conforming to the Ministerial Decree of 15 / 04 / 2010 has been proposed.

Claims

Demands

1. Mobile service station (1), comprising an above-ground fuel storage tank (2) having at least one fuel storage compartment and support cradles (22), characterized in that the service station (1) further comprises: - a metal suspension frame (3) attached to an upper part of the above-ground tank (2), the suspension frame (3) extending over the entire length of the service station (1);and - a technical floor (4) which supports a technical room (14) which contains a fuel unloading unit (52), an electrical room (15) and fuel distribution equipment (51), the technical floor (4) being arranged under a part of the suspension frame (3) which is cantilevered from the above-ground tank (2), and secured to the suspension frame (3), so that in use the technical floor (4) is supported by the above-ground tank (2) via the suspension frame (3).

2. Service station (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the service station (1) further comprises lifting rings (12) attached to the suspension frame (3) and allowing, in handling, a single-piece lifting of the entire service station (1).

3. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the service station (1) is configured such that, in use, a lower part of the technical floor (4) is arranged above a plane on which the support cradles (22) rest in order to facilitate the placement of the service station (1) on the foundations (21) of the cradles (22).

4. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the suspension frame (3) comprises two longitudinal members (31) extending in a longitudinal direction from the above-ground tank (2), over the entire length of the service station (1), two cross braces (32) each connecting one end of a respective longitudinal member (31) to the corresponding end of the other longitudinal member (31) and cross members (8) placed and bolted to the longitudinal members (31).

5. Service station (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the technical floor (4) is attached to the suspension frame (3) by suspension bars (7) attached to the longitudinal members (31) and to the technical floor frame (4).

6. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the service station (1) further comprises a containment tray (6) receiving the above-ground tank (2), the containment tray (6) being attached to the suspension frame (3) and configured to recover fuel in the event of a leak from the above-ground tank (2).

7. Service station (1) according to claim 6 taking into account any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the containment tray (6) is attached to the suspension frame (3) by means of hangers (9) bolted to the ends of the cross members (8) and welded to the walls of the containment tray (2).

8. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the suspension frame (3) is attached to the upper part of the above-ground tank (2) by means of five rigid assemblies each consisting of: - a plate (5) welded to the top of the tank (2), and - two cross members (10) bolted to the plate (5), onto which are welded the longitudinal members (31) of the suspension frame (3).

9. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the service station (1) further comprises an outer casing attached to the suspension frame (3) and protecting the service station (1) from an external environment.

10. Service station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the entire set of components of the service station (1) rests directly or indirectly on the foundations (21) of the cradles (22) of the tank (2) via the cradles (22) of the tank (2).