ES2774670T3 - Tank container with structure and use of the tank container - Google Patents

Abstract

A tank container (1) for the storage and / or transport of gas and / or liquid, said tank container (1) comprising a structure (3) and an elongated and essentially cylindrical tanker (5) comprising two headers (13) , wherein said structure (3), at each headboard (13), comprises a headboard structure (4) associated with at least two lower corner pieces (7) and an associated headboard seat support (19); in which, at each header (13), said header structure (4) and said header seat support (19) are mutually connected by two associated transfer beams (30), in which each beam (30) of transfer comprises a beam (31) which, near one of said lower corner posts (7), connects the headboard structure (4) to the associated headboard seat support (19); characterized in that said transfer beam (30) further comprises a reinforcement (32) that is permanently connected to said beam (31) and that, looking away from the associated header structure (4), extends over a distance of A1 plus beyond the associated head seat support (19), in which said distance A1 is at least 200mm, preferably at least 400mm.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tank container with structure and use of the tank container.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a container, in particular to a tank container for the storage and / or transport of gas, liquid and / or solid substances.

Background

A tank container is an intermodal container for the transport of liquid and / or gas. A standard tank container has a manhole and at least one coupling. Loading and unloading takes place by connecting hoses from the loading and unloading installation to connecting couplings of the tank container. Subsequently, the loading or unloading can take place. A connecting coupling is part of a shut-off device, also called a relief valve, which can interrupt the supply or discharge of liquids and / or gases, if necessary. Connections are carried out by means of a compound closing device according to legal regulations.

Tank containers also often contain corner pieces (also known as corner moldings) at the ends of the front and rear frame, said corner pieces together being provided with lifting openings (lifting lugs) to allow the container to be raised or raised. stack by means of a crane. These corner pieces are standardized, the tank containers being, normally, therefore, limited to gross weights of 34 tons maximum, with exceptions of up to 38 or 40 tons.

EP 3115676 describes tank containers with increased volume and loading capacity. This refers to tank containers for which the gross weight of the tank container amounts to more than 40,000 kg. By using a better quality of material for the container corners, it can be avoided that these suffer permanent deformation under such high loads, eg when lifted.

Document US 2010/320727 describes an intermodal tank container with an improved design and with an improved utility of the tank container in intermodal environments.

One problem with known intermodal tank containers is that they are not strong enough to be stacked high. However, for reasons of storage or transportation efficiency, it may be desirable to stack containers on top of one another in stacks of two, three, or even four tank containers. Consequently, certain ISO standards require a stackability of up to nine loaded containers. In particular for tank containers with increased volume and / or loading capacity such as, for example, those described in document EP 3115676, this is an essential problem, in which a design according to documents EP 3 115 676 and US 2010/320727 it only allows too limited stackability.

Another problem with known intermodal tank containers is that they can insufficiently withstand forces acting on them, such as, for example, forces in the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction of the tank container. When designing a tank container, it is also important, therefore, to ensure that the tank container is resistant to shocks and impacts in the tank container in the event of accidents such as collisions during transport on the road, on railways , in terminals or during transport by boat. Good design expresses itself by successfully enduring test programs, for example crash tests, carried out in professional test environments. The structures and transfer beams as described in US 2010/320727 and EP 3 115 676 must be improved in order to be able to withstand such test programs, even if tank containers with increased volume and / or load capacity are involved. . The present invention has an improved arrangement of a tank container as an object that offers a solution for at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages in the transportation of gases and / or liquids, as described by claim 1.

Compendium

The present invention, in a first aspect, refers to a tank container for the storage and / or transport of gas and / or liquid, said tank container comprising a structure and an elongated and essentially cylindrical tanker comprising two headers, in the which the structure at each headboard comprises a headboard structure associated with at least two lower corner posts and a support of associated header entry; wherein at each header said header frame and said header seat support are mutually connected by two associated transfer beams, wherein each transfer beam comprises a beam which, near one of said lower corner posts, connects the frame headboard to the associated headboard seat support; wherein said transfer beam further comprises a brace that is permanently connected to said beam and which, viewed away from the associated headboard structure, extends over a distance of A1 beyond the associated headboard seat support, in which said distance A1 is at least 200 mm, preferably at least 400 mm.

An advantage of a tank container according to the present invention is that it is more resistant to forces acting along the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction of the tank container than a tank container according to the prior art. Said tank container therefore provides better results in crash tests. This is due to the better design of the transfer beam, which can distribute transmitted forces through the small area of the lower corner posts over an appreciable part of the tanker shell. Said transmission corresponds to a conversion, in which an appreciable force on the lower corner posts, corresponding to a large pressure, is transmitted by the transfer beam to an appreciable force on several larger portions of the carcass, corresponding to a smaller pressure. . The portions refer to both parts of the carcass arranged in the vicinity of the reinforcement and parts that have contact with the headrest seat support. The direction in which the reinforcement extends is advantageous in accommodating, in particular, forces and / or shocks along the longitudinal direction of the tank container.

In a second aspect, the invention refers to the use of the tank container according to the present invention for the storage and / or transport of gas, liquid and / or solid substances, in which the tank container is placed on a chassis, trolley or terminal container.

Additional preferred forms are described in the claims.

The explicit characteristics, advantages and objectives of the present invention will be clearer to the person skilled in the art in the technical field of the invention after reading the detailed description hereinafter of the embodiment of the invention and the drawings included herein. . The drawings serve to further explain the invention, without limiting, by means of them, the scope of the invention.

Description of the drawings

Figures 1a and 1b provide a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tank container according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tank container according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a tank container according to the present invention.

Figures 4a and 4b show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a structure in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 5a and 5b show a perspective view and a side view of a preferred embodiment of a container post according to the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a transfer beam according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following, the invention in its various embodiments is described in detail. In this regard, reference marks are used to refer to Figures 1-6; this should only be considered as an example and should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention refers to a tank container (1) for the storage and / or transport of gas and / or liquid, said tank container (1) comprising a structure (3) and an elongated tank ship (5) and essentially cylindrical comprising two headboards (13), in which said structure (3), in each headboard (13), comprises a headboard structure (4) associated with at least two lower corner pieces (7) and a support (19 associated header entry); in which, at each headboard (13), said headboard structure (4) and said headboard seat support (19) are mutually connected by two associated transfer beams (30), in which each transfer beam (30) comprises a beam (31) which, near one of said lower corner pieces (7), connects the header structure (4) to the support ( 19) associated header entry; said transfer beam (30) further comprising a reinforcement (32) which is permanently connected to said beam (31) and which, viewed away from the associated header structure (4), extends over a distance of A1 beyond the support Associated headboard seat (19), in which said distance A1 is at least 200mm, preferably at least 400mm.

An advantage of a tank container (1) with said transfer beams (30) is that it is more resistant to forces acting along the longitudinal direction and / or transverse direction of said tank container (1) than a tank container according to prior art. Said tank container (1) therefore provides relatively better results in crash tests. This is due to the better design of the transfer beam, which can distribute forces transmitted through the small surface of the lower corner pieces (7) in an appreciable part of the casing (2) of said tanker (5). Said transmission corresponds to a conversion, in which an appreciable force on the lower corner pieces (7), corresponding to a great pressure, is transmitted by the transfer beam (30) at an appreciable force on several larger portions of the casing, corresponding to a smaller pressure. The portions refer to both parts of the carcass arranged in the vicinity of the reinforcement (32) as parts that have contact with the head seat support (19). The direction in which said reinforcement (32) extends is advantageous in accommodating, in particular, forces and / or shocks along the longitudinal direction of said tank container (1).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said reinforcement (32), which is permanently connected to said beam (31), forms an acute angle ^and with said beam (31), where said angle ^y is not less than 5 ° and not it is more than 35 °, preferably not less than 10 ° and not more than 30 °. Said choice of ^and which differs from zero is adapted to carry out the connection of the lower transverse beam (14) with the header seat support (19) in a manner close enough to the extremities of said structures as much as possible, which benefits stiffness. For the lower transverse beam (14), this affects the lower corner pieces (7); For the headrest seat support (19), this affects the extremities of the bottom seat support part (190), which has an important reinforcing function as part of the headrest seat support (19).

In a preferred embodiment, said reinforcement (32) also extends further, seen towards the associated headboard structure (4), over a distance of A2 beyond the associated headboard seat support (19), in which said distance A2 it is at least 300mm, preferably at least 500mm. The advantage of such an embodiment is that the portion of the casing over which the transmitted forces can be distributed increases even more. This benefits the rigidity of said tank container (1) and leads to better results in crash tests. Furthermore, the direction in which said reinforcement (32) extends further is adapted to accommodate, even better, in particular, forces and / or shocks along the longitudinal direction of said tank container (1).

According to a preferred form of the invention, said tank container (1) comprises a longitudinal direction, said tank ship (5) comprises a casing (2) that extends around said tank ship (5) according to said longitudinal direction, and both said beam (31) and said reinforcement (32) are held by the header seat support (19), said header seat support (19) adapting in shape to connect directly to both said beam (31) and said reinforcement ( 32), and in which the reinforcement (32) is connected directly to the casing (2). In a further preferred embodiment, said beam (31) and said brace (32) are held together by the header seat support (19) near said permanent connection between beam (31) and brace (32). Said clamping is advantageous since a better fixation of the transfer beam (30) to the head seat support (19) is obtained than according to the prior art. If the clamping is carried out together, this is also effective because simultaneously, with a clamping, movement in all directions is prevented. The fixture is such that it can accommodate push and pull forces, allowing the forces to be transmitted in any direction. This enables the transfer beam (30) and the header seat support (19) to work together by transmitting forces between the header structures (4) and said tanker (5). Where the forces can already transmit themselves by the transfer beam (30) by means of the reinforcement (32), said transmission can be improved appreciably due to the fact that the head seat support (19) is clamped around it. . Furthermore, the header seat support (19) itself can also transmit part of the forces transmitted by the beam (31) directly to said tanker (5). Furthermore, the forces reaching the headrest seat support (19) via a lower seat support portion (190) are not only transmitted by the seat support arms (191) (if present), but also by the reinforcements (32), since this forms an integral part of the assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, said casing (2) comprises multiple transverse rings (50) for reinforcing said casing (2), said transfer beam (30) being directly connected to at least two of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably three of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably by means of said reinforcement (32) that connects directly to said at least two of said multiple transverse rings (50). In a related preferred embodiment, said reinforcement (32) is directly connected to said at least two of said multiple transverse rings (50), and comprises said casing (2), a transfer plate (38) directly connected to said reinforcement (32 ) and at least three of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably at least four of said multiple transverse rings (50). This is advantageous for the rigidity of said tank container (1): due to the fact that, when making contact not only with the wall parts of the casing (2) but also with said transverse rings (50), the casing (2 ) of said tanker (5) forms a solid entity. In this aspect, both transverse rings (50) and any transfer plate (38) and any reinforcement plate (39) can be considered as reinforcement plate of the casing (2), in which more of said transverse rings (50) and any transfer plates (38) are further mutually connected. This ensures a stiffness unknown in the prior art, and which also takes into account, in an optimal way, the contact points where forces are transmitted, especially near the header seat support (19) and the beam (30) of transfer.

In a preferred preferred form of the invention, said tank container (1) comprises a manhole (10) and a loading / unloading connection (60). This has the advantage that the tank container can be cleaned efficiently. In a further favored preferred form, three or more manholes are provided, so that the tank container can be optimally cleaned. In a preferred form of the invention, one or more discharge valves are provided at one end or on the left and / or right side of the tank container.

In another preferred embodiment, the maximum gross weight of the tank container is greater than 40,000 kg. In a further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the tank container is greater than 50,000 kg. In an even further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the tank container is greater than 60,000 kg. In an even further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the tank container is greater than 70,000 kg. In a more preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the tank container is 75,000 kg. This characteristic is, in particular, suitable for the storage and / or transport of heavy liquids, namely with a density between 0.4 and 2 kg / I, preferably between 1.0 and 1.7 kg / I, which can increase the weight of the load accordingly.

In a preferred form of the invention, said tank container (1) comprises at least four lower and four upper corner pieces (7), the corner pieces (7) being manufactured with a material having a yield point of at least 600 N / mm2. An advantage of this is the improved stackability of said tank container (1), in particular for tank containers with increased volume and / or load capacity, in which the corner pieces (7) can accommodate sufficient forces. An additional advantage is the improved ability of the corner posts and, in particular, the lower corner posts (7) to transmit forces to the transfer beam (30) near the contact between the corner posts (7) and the beam (31).

In a preferred form of the invention, the distance between said header seat supports (19) and the associated header structures (4) is not less than 1,600 mm and is not greater than 2,200 mm, said tank container (1) furthermore comprising a central seat support (18), and said headrest seat supports and said center seat support maintaining a clearance height of at least 10mm, preferably 12mm. In this aspect, the central seat support (18) is preferably provided approximately midway the length of said tank container (1). This is advantageous because it enables optimal support of the container during storage and transportation, in particular due to the central seat support (18). When the container resides in a train wagon, said seat supports do not, in general, come into contact with the upper side of the wagon, considering the at least 10 mm of free height. After mounting the container on a carrier, eg a truck trailer, the seat supports come into contact with the carrier.

In a preferred form of the invention, said tank container (1) is at least 20 feet (6,058 mm) long, preferably 26 feet (7,820 mm), 30 feet (9,144 mm), 40 feet (12,192 mm). , 45 feet (13,716 mm), 50 feet (15,240 mm), or more than 50 feet long; said tank container (1) is, at a minimum, 8 feet (2,438 mm) or 8.4 feet (2,550 mm) wide; and said tank container (1) is, at a minimum, 8 feet (2,438 mm), 8.6 feet (2,591 mm) or 9.5 feet (2,895 mm) high.

In a preferred form of the invention, the volume of the tank container is minimally 24,000 l, more preferably, minimally 30,000 l, even more preferably, minimally 37,500 l, even more preferably, minimally 50,000 l, even more preferably , minimally 62,000 l, even more preferably, minimally 63,000 l, even more preferably, minimally 73,500 l, and most preferably minimally 95,500 l.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a structure (3) and / or a tanker (5) in which one or more parts such as, for example, the container posts (21) and / or the lower transverse beams ( 14) and upper (15) and / or the bridge element (22) and / or the end structure reinforcement plate (23) and / or the beams (31) and / or the reinforcements (32) and / or the corner pieces (7) comprise high quality steel. With high quality steel, steel types with a yield point between 355 N / mm2 and 700 N / mm2 or steel types with a yield point between 355 N / mm2 and 1,100 N / mm2 are intended, which can resist high stresses without breakage or deformation. In other embodiments, said one or more parts of said structure (3) may comprise another material or a combination of other materials such as, for example, stainless steel or duplex steels.

In a further aspect of the invention, which is not intended to limit the invention in any sense, the invention refers to a tank container (1) for the storage and / or transport of gas and / or liquid, said tank container (1) comprising a structure (3) and an elongated and essentially cylindrical tanker (5) comprising two headers (13) and a shell (2); said structure (3), comprising in each headboard (13), a headboard structure (4) comprising two upper corner pieces (7), two lower corner pieces (7) and two vertical container posts (21); wherein said casing (2), in each header (13), comprises a reinforcing plate (23) with an annular end structure; and in which, in each header (13), said container posts (21) are permanently connected to said end structure reinforcement plate (23) by means of a bridge element (22) arranged between said post (21) container and said end structure reinforcing plate (23) and permanently connected to said container post (21) and said end structure reinforcing plate (23), preferably by welding. The advantage of such a container post and reinforcing bridge is increased stackability. This is due to stiffness with respect to forces above. After vertical stacking of tank containers according to the present invention, stacks of three, four, five or six loaded tank containers can be formed. For unloaded tank containers, the stackability can be even higher. The improved stackability is mainly due to the stability of the post construction, the advantageous end structure reinforcing plate and the materials used. Transmission takes place through the entirety of a reinforcement bridge. The reinforcing bridge consists of the container post, the bridge member, and the end frame reinforcing plate, all of which preferably consist of metal, most preferably steel.

In a preferred form of the invention, said tank container (1) comprises a reference volume defined by said two upper and lower corner pieces (7) of each header structure (4); wherein each of said two container posts comprises a medial post section (27), preferably a medial post surface (27), which is disposed outside the reference volume; and wherein said container post (21) connects to said bridge member (22) near said medial post section (27). The advantage of said embodiment is that the container posts (21) are thus not limited in cross section by the reference volume, but can also have a larger cross section than in tank containers according to the prior art. . Since part of the container posts (21) can extend outside the reference volume, it is still possible to allow the corner posts (7) to push as much as possible over the middle of the container posts (21), even if the Container posts have a relatively larger cross section.

According to a preferred embodiment, said bridge element (22) is elongated and has a U-shaped cross section. The advantage of this is that the U-shape allows a light and strong construction.

In a preferred form of the invention, said bridge element (22) comprises a bridge element surface (220) and said container post (21) comprises a medial post surface (27), said bridge element (22) and said post Container (21) being connected by a connection of said bridge element surface (220) with said medial post surface (27), preferably by welding. Said embodiment has the advantage that a very solid connection is possible between the container post (21) and the bridge element (22), so that buckling away from said medial post surface (27) is avoided.

According to another preferred embodiment in which said medial post surface (27) and said bridge element surface (220) are mutually connected by a weld, said medial post surface (27) associated with container post (21) comprises multiple cavities (270) to ensure a durable weld, said cavities (270) preferably implementing elongated along the longitudinal direction of the container post (21). This is advantageous because the openings can ensure good welding. The shape and orientation are advantageous because they allow a larger opening per cavity to be provided than for a round opening and, at the same time, compromise the structural strength of the container post (21) as little as possible, since the cavities only exhibit a small dimension transverse to the longitudinal direction.

In a preferred embodiment, said medial post surface (27) is connected to the upper and lower corner posts (7) by means of distal post surfaces (28), an angle of p being defined between the medial post surface (27) and at least one of the two distal post surfaces (28), where p is not less than 2 ° and not more than 20 °, preferably, not less than 5 ° and not more than 10 °. The design choice to set p as greater than zero has the advantage that the corner posts (7) can push more in the middle of the container post (21) and, therefore, provide a better distribution of force. Accordingly, the corner posts (7) are positioned as much as possible in the middle of the relatively larger medial transverse dividers (25), whereby the forces between the corner posts and the medial transverse dividers are better transmitted. This is contrary to a container post according to the prior art, which normally affects a simple straight bar whose cross section is not greater than that of the corner pieces. With such relatively narrower container posts, there is no need for an angle of p greater than zero. In this regard, the present invention with an angle of p greater than zero therefore makes it possible to operate with a thicker and therefore stronger container post with a cross section greater than that of a corner post. This makes it possible for the corner post (7) to satisfy the dimension restrictions imposed by ISO standards or UIC files, while still working with a thicker and therefore stronger container post (21).

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each header structure (4) comprises a lower transverse beam (14) and an upper transverse beam (15) that are elongated and permanently connect the two posts (21) of container, said container post (21) comprising, at at least one end near said permanent connection, a distal transverse dividing septum (26); an angle a being defined between the distal transverse dividing septum (26) and a longitudinal direction of said lower transverse beam (14) and / or upper transverse beam (15); where said angle a is not less than 40 ° and is not greater than 60 °, preferably, not less than 45 ° nor greater than 55 °. By choosing the angle to be slightly greater than 45 ° and approximately equal to 50 °, however, the downward forces exerted by the container post become slightly more "restrained" and thus lead to a greater extension in the direction of the cornerpost (7). This is advantageous, since the corner piece affects a very strong part with a high yield point, capable of deflecting a large part of the forces.

In a further aspect of the invention, which is not intended to limit the invention in any way, the invention relates to the use of a tank container (1) according to the present invention to stack one or more different tank containers, preferably at least three tank containers , in said tank container (1), in which said tank container (1) is placed on a chassis, trolley or container terminal.

In yet another aspect of the invention, which is not intended to limit the invention in any way, the invention relates to the following embodiments.

In a preferred form of the invention, a slight incline is provided in the tank container along the longitudinal direction, preferably an incline of not less than 0.08 ° and not more than 0.1 °, more preferably about 0.09 °, which corresponds to a difference in vessel height of approximately 20mm, measured at the girth weld of a 40-foot tank container, or more preferably, a 0.3 ° slope, corresponding to a 50-foot slope -60 mm along the entire length of a 45 foot tank container. Said inclination allows, in particular, an improved drainage in embodiments in which a discharge valve is present at the lower end of the tank container, eg, when the tank container is mounted, immovably, on a cart.

In a preferred form of the invention, the tank container is isolatable and / or heatable.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention relates, instead of a tank container, to a box container for storing and / or transporting solid substances, in which the gross weight of the box container amounts to more than 40,000 kg. In a preferred form of the invention, the maximum gross weight of the box container is greater than 40,000 kg. In a further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the box container is greater than 50,000 kg. In an even further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the box container is greater than 60,000 kg. In an even further preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the box container is greater than 70,000 kg. In a more preferred form of the invention, the gross weight of the box container is 75,000 kg. Said characteristic is, in particular, suitable for the storage and / or transport of heavy cargo, for example steel coils.

In a further aspect, the invention refers to a system for the storage and / or transport of gas, liquid and / or solid substances with a tank container or box container, characterized in that the Tank container or box container is placed on a chassis, trolley or container terminal associated with said system.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the corner posts (7) of the tank container are provided with lifting openings for the passage of a locking mooring system to fix the tank container to a chassis or trolley (at the bottom) or container terminal (in the upper part), said lifting openings being suitable to allow the expansion of the material of said tanker (5) under the influence of heat. When, for a 40ft or 45ft container, the temperature difference between the environment and the interior of the tank container is 100 ° C, a wall of the stainless steel container can be expected to expand by approximately 20-25mm.

Example

The invention is further explained hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1-6, according to the following example, without being limited thereto.

Said tank container 1 is provided with an elongated tanker 5 comprising an essentially cylindrical casing 2 extending along a longitudinal direction of the tank container around said tanker 5. The tank container comprises a corner 7 at each corner, with a total of four lower corner 7 and four upper corner. According to its intended use, said tank container 1 has a base surface defined by the four lower corners 7 and parallel to the longitudinal direction, and also a height direction perpendicular to said base surface and transverse to the longitudinal direction. The base surface is defined purely geometric and is not intended to coincide with a physical surface. A direction that points to the middle of the tank container is inward, a direction that points away from said medium is outward.

Said tank container 1 further comprises a structure 3, comprising two header structures 4 at the two heads 13 of said tank container 1. In this regard, the distance between the extremity of said tanker 5 and the header structure 4 can vary in various embodiments, as is clearly apparent from the differences between Figures 1a and 1b with a relatively smaller distance, by a side, and Figure 2 with a larger distance, on the other side. Said structure 3 carries said tanker 5. Said tanker 5 is composed of several mutually welded parts. In this way, said casing 2 of said tanker 5 comprises multiple transverse rings 5 and also two end structure reinforcement plates 23. Said transverse rings 50 and said end structure reinforcing plates 23 extend in this aspect on all sides around said casing 2 along a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1. Said tank container 1 is further provided with a total loading / unloading connection 60 comprising one or more discharge connections and taps for loading and unloading a content from said tank container 1, mainly provided on an upper side of said tank container 1 . In the embodiment according to Figure 1a, on the upper side of said tank container 1, a manhole 10 is provided in the casing. Said structure 3 is further provided in each structure header 4 with a bar system 11 comprising multiple bars.

Said structure 3 carries said tanker 2. To this end, said structure 3 comprises on a lower side two header seat supports 19 and a central seat support 18 that are connected to said casing 2 of said tanker 5 and extend on said casing 2 along the transverse direction, and together with said header structures 4, carry said tanker 2. Said header structures 4 each comprise a lower and upper transverse beam 14, 15 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and height direction, and parallel to the base surface. The lower and upper cross beams 14, 15 are mutually connected by two vertical container posts 21. The container posts 21 are vertical with respect to the base surface. Each header structure 4 comprises said two upper and two lower corner posts (corner posts) 7 that are provided near the connection between the container posts 21 and the lower 14 and upper 15 cross beams.

During transportation and storage, and in particular when loaded tank containers are stacked one on top of the other, said tank container 1 is subject to large forces connected to the very high allowed load of the tank containers. Since, after stacking, the connection is made close to said header structures 4, they are designed in such a way that they can accommodate large forces without significantly deforming. On the one hand, this is carried out by means of measures that increase the rigidity and that only refer to the header structure 4, while, on the other hand, this is carried out by multiple transmission mechanisms, which allow the forces exerted on said header structures 4 are transmitted to other parts of said tank container 1.

A first measure with respect to the header structure is the U-shaped cross section of the container posts 21 and the lower 14 and upper 15 cross beams. A U-shaped cross section, after all, ensures greater strength with with respect to transversal and longitudinal forces. In addition, a U-shaped cross section also allows the connection, preferably a weld connection, between the container posts 21 and the lower 14 and upper 15 cross beams to extend over a greater length than it would be in the event that the cross section was flat, which allows a stronger connection.

An additional measure to increase stiffness refers to multiple medial transverse dividers 25 and distal transverse dividers 26. In this aspect, each medial transverse dividing septum 25 extends over the U-shaped cross section of said container post 21 near a portion closer to the middle of said container post 21. In this aspect, the medial transverse dividing septum 25 on the side viewed away from the U-shaped cross section is provided with a concavely curved outer edge 250. In this regard, the concave curvature is chosen to, for example, optimally transmit forces between the various surfaces connected by the medial transverse dividing septum 25. Each distal transverse dividing septum 26 extends over the U-shaped cross section of container posts 21 as an end piece at one end of said container post 21. In this aspect, one side touches an innermost end of the lower corner 7. In this regard, an angle a (alpha) is described between the lower transverse beam 14 and the distal transverse dividing septum 26. In a preferred embodiment, a is not less than 40 ° and not more than 60 °, more preferably not less than 45 ° and not more than 55 °, most preferably about 50 °. In this aspect, the choice of a near 45 ° is advantageous since it distributes the forces between said container post 21, the lower cross beam 14 and the lower corner 7 evenly. By choosing the angle to be slightly greater than 45 ° and approximately equal to 50 °, however, the downward forces exerted by the container post become slightly more "restrained" and thus lead to a greater extension in the direction of the corner piece 7. This is advantageous, since the corner piece affects a very strong part with a high yield point, capable of deflecting a large part of the forces.

Another measure for the reinforcement of the header structure 4 affects the rear side of said container post 21, seen away from said tanker 5. Said posterior side comprises a medial post surface 27 and two distal post surfaces 28. In this regard, an angle of p (beta) is described between said medial post surface 27 and each of the two distal post surfaces 28. Said angle is preferably not less than 2 ° and not more than 20 °, more preferably not less than 5 ° and not more than 10 °, more preferably about 7.5 °. The design choice to set p as greater than zero has the advantage that said corner posts 7 can push further in the middle of said container post 21 and, consequently, provide a better distribution of force. Accordingly, said corner posts 7 are positioned as much as possible in the middle of the relatively larger medial transverse divider partitions 25, whereby the forces between the corner corners and the medial transverse divider partitions are better transmitted. In this aspect, it is also highlighted that the choice of the angle p is related to the ratio of the height H2 with respect to the total height1H1. In this aspect, the height H2 is the shortest distance between the medial transverse dividing septum 25 and the distal end surface of the lower corners 7 and, consequently, also the distance over which the posterior side of said container post 21 describes an angle of p. Furthermore, H1 refers to the reference height of said tank container 1, namely the distance between the distal end surfaces of the lower corner posts and the distal end surfaces of the upper corner posts 7. In a preferred embodiment, the reference height H1 is not less than 2,500 mm and is not more than 3,000 mm, more preferably not less than 2,600 mm and not more than 2,800 mm, more preferably about 2,700 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the height H2 is not less than 400mm and not more than 750mm, more preferably not less than 500mm and not more than 650mm, more preferably not less than 550mm and not more than 600 mm, most preferably about 575 mm. Accordingly, the ratio of H2 to H1 is preferably not less than 0.13 and not more than 0.3, more preferably not less than 0.17 and not more than 0.25, most preferably, about 0.21.

As mentioned elsewhere herein, forces are also accommodated by transmission by various transmission mechanisms. In this aspect, part of the forces exerted on said header structures 4 are transmitted to other parts of the tank container (and vice versa), which, in this way, fulfill a supporting role. A first mechanism refers to a reinforcement bridge 20 near each container post 21 for the transmission of forces to said tanker 2. Furthermore, a transfer beam 30 near each lower corner 7 provides a transmission of forces to said head seat support 19 and to said tanker 2.

The first mechanism refers to the reinforcing bridge 20. Each reinforcement bridge 20, two per head structure 4, comprises a container post 21, a bridge element 22 and a reinforcement plate 23 of end structure, all of which preferably consist of metal, most preferably steel. In this regard, said container post 21 and said bridge member 22 are part of header structure 4 and said end structure reinforcement plate 23 is part of said casing 2. Said end structure reinforcement plate 23 resides around on all sides according to said carcass 2 of said tanker 5 near said headboard 13. The distance from said end structure reinforcing plate 23 to the end of said tanker 5 is such that head structure 4 can encompass said end structure reinforcing plate 23, and is consequently connected at the distance between the end of said tanker 5 and head structure 4. The latter distance is implementation dependent, as is clearly apparent from the differences between Figures 1a and 1b with a relatively smaller distance, on the one hand, and Figure 2 with a larger distance, on the other side.

The end structure reinforcing plate 23 is essentially annular and comprises two sections 231 related to the transverse beams that are arranged mutually diametrically and that as part of said tank container 1 point to the upper 15 and lower 14 transverse beams. , said end structure reinforcing plate 23 also comprises two sections 232 related to the container posts which are arranged mutually diametrically and as part of said tank container 1 point to the container posts 21 and mutually connected by said two sections 231 related to cross beams. Said two sections 231 related to the transverse beams are characterized by a substantially uniform dimension L1 on the circumference along the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1. The dimension L1 is preferably not less than 100mm and not more than 500mm, more preferably not less than 200mm and not more than 400mm, most preferably about 300mm. Said two sections 232 related to the container posts can have a substantially uniform dimension on the circumference according to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1, which can, furthermore, be equal to said dimension L1. In a preferred embodiment, said two sections 232 related to the container posts are characterized, however, by a dimension according to the same direction from where the transition with the section 231 related to the transverse beam at both ends passes from a value of L1 at a higher value near the portions closest to the middle of the container post related sections, with a maximum equal to L2. The dimension L2 is preferably not less than 350mm and not more than 750mm, more preferably not less than 450mm and not more than 650mm, most preferably about 550mm. The essentially annular end structure reinforcing plate 23 is characterized by a diameter preferably not less than 2,000 mm and preferably not more than 2,920 mm, more preferably not less than 2,230 mm and not more than 2,690 mm, most preferably , approximately 2,460 mm.

In each of the sections 232 related to the container posts of said end structure reinforcing plate 23, there is provided an elongated bridge element 22, preferably welded, which extends over said end structure reinforcing plate 23 according to a longitudinal direction of the bridge element transverse to the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1. In a preferred embodiment, the bridge element is fixed to said end structure reinforcing plate 23 by welding. Said bridge element 22 has a U-shaped cross-section according to a surface transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bridge element, with the open side of the U-shaped cross-section pointing towards said casing 2 of said tanker 5. In this regard, the edges of said bridge member 22 near said open side are concavely curved to ensure a good connection with the essentially annular end structure reinforcing plate 23. Said bridging element 22 comprises a bridging element surface 220 pointing away from said shell 2 of said tank container 1 which is shaped to connect, with maximum mutual grip, to said medial post surface 27 of said container post 21. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, bridge element surface 220 and said medial post surface 27 are both essentially flat, but may also exhibit angles or slopes as a function of mutual grip and / or or the nature of the weld.

Said medial post surface 27 is provided with multiple cavities 270 which are implemented, in an elongated manner, along the longitudinal direction of said container post 21 and are mutually spaced according to two parallel rows. Said combination of shape, direction and arrangement is advantageous in that it allows a greater opening per cavity to be provided than for a round opening while, at the same time, compromising the structural strength of said container post 21 as little as possible, since the cavities only exhibit a small dimension transverse to the longitudinal direction. Because of their large openings and appreciable number, said cavities 270 are adapted to carry out a durable weld with maximum fixation between the bridge element surface 220 and said medial post surface 27. This makes possible a very strong fixation between said container post 21 and said bridge element 22. Said fixing, together with fixing between said bridge element 22 and said end structure reinforcing plate 23, together carry out the function of reinforcing bridge 20, with a solid transmission of forces from said header structures 4 to said casing 2 of said tanker 5. A further advantage of the stiffening bridge 20 is that it transmits a load near a small portion of said medial post surface 27 to a much larger portion of said carcass 2 of said tanker 5, in particular, the portions of said carcass 2 which are in contact with said end structure reinforcing plate 23. By said "conversion", an appreciable force on said small portion of said medial post surface 27, corresponding to a large pressure, is transmitted to an appreciable force on said large portion of said housing 2, corresponding to a smaller pressure. This is advantageous since it prevents the surface of said casing 2 from being deformed or damaged by the transmission of forces. In particular, the dimensions L1 and L2 of said end structure reinforcing plate 23 are chosen sufficiently large, so that a force as low as possible is exerted on portions of said casing 2. In general, it is useful to provide said plate 23 reinforcing the end structure between said casing 2 and said bridge element 22 so that the forces transmitted by said bridge element 22 are sufficiently distributed over said casing 2 and thus avoid the possibility of said bridge element causes compression of said casing 2. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), there is, however, no end structure reinforcing plate 23, the reinforcing bridge 20 consisting only of said container post 21 and said bridge element 22. In said alternative embodiment, said bridging element 22 will be welded directly to other parts of said casing 2 as, for example, in a transverse ring 50.

An additional mechanism for transmitting forces exerted on said header structures 4 to other parts of the tank container (and vice versa) refers to said transfer beam 30 near each lower corner 7 for the transmission of forces to said header seat support 19 already said 2 tanker ship (and vice versa). Each transfer beam 30 comprises a beam 31, a stiffener 32, a transfer beam heel 33, a transfer beam support 34, a transfer plate 38 and a stiffener plate 38, all preferably made of metal, more preferably steel, more preferably high quality steel. In this regard, said beam 31, said reinforcement 32, said transfer beam heel 33 and said transfer beam support 34 are part of structure 3, while said transfer plate 38 and said reinforcement plate 38 are part of said carcass 2 of said tanker 5.

Each transfer beam 30 connects the header structure 4 near a lower corner 7 with a support entity attached to said tanker 2. To this end, each header structure 4 comprises a pair of beams 31, each of which comprises a first and a second end. Each of said beams 31 extends inwardly from the first end with respect to the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of said tank container 1. In this regard, the connection of the first end to the header structure 4 is supported by a reinforcement transfer beam support 34. Said transfer beam support 34 is adapted, in this aspect, to the fact that said beam 31 and lower transverse beam 14 mutually describe an acute angle of ^y . To obviate the forces associated therewith, said transfer beam support 34 comprises an edge extending over said acute angle and exhibiting a tailored concave curvature. Said beams 31 are fixed to the second end near said head seat supports 19. Said header seat supports 19 transmit forces to other parts of said tanker 5. To this end, each of said head seat supports 19 is fixed to a reinforcing plate 39 which is part of, and extends according to, said shell 2 of said tanker 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of said 1 tank container. Said reinforcing plate 39 therefore provides support in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. By providing said reinforcing plate 39, the forces transmitted by said beam 3 and said head seat support 19 are sufficiently distributed over said casing 2, and that said head seat support 19 possibly causes compression of said casing 2 is avoided. In this connection, a central seat-arch support 58 is also provided close to the central seat support 18 which extends along said casing 2 of said tanker 5 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of said container. 1 cistern. Said support-central seat arch 39 also ensures that the forces transmitted by means of the central seat support 18 are sufficiently distributed over said casing 2. In a different way from said reinforcing plate 39, said support-seat arch 58- Central must not accommodate forces transmitted by a transfer beam, by means of which these can be implemented smaller than said reinforcing plate 39.

In a tank container according to the prior art, said beams only come into contact with the shell of the tanker by means of the head seat supports. For a tank container 1 according to the present invention, this is not the case. Said beams 19, after all, not only come into contact with said headboard seat supports 19 but also with the help of the 32 transfer beam feet that are not part of the headboard seat supports. In this aspect, said transfer beam 30 extends over an appreciable distance along the longitudinal direction, exceeding the distance between said head seat support 19 and head structure 4 to a considerable extent. In this aspect, said reinforcement 32 and said beam 31 are fixed mutually permanently, and the entirety of the beam 31 and stiffener 32 is held by said header seat support 19 near the connection between beam 31 and stiffener 32. In this aspect, said stiffener 32 connects directly to casing 2, which allows optimal transmission of forces between the carcass and the tanker. Said clamping 37 pushes said beam 31 as well as said reinforcement 32, by means of which a better clamping is obtained than according to the prior art. In order to make said clamping 37 possible, said headrest seat support 19 is adapted in shape and material to receive and hold the beam 31 and reinforcement 32 in its entirety, said headrest seat support 19 differing at least in this aspect of a headboard seat support according to the prior art.

Similarly and complementary to said reinforcement plate 39, there is also provided a transfer plate 38 which is part of said casing 2, and which is adapted to distribute, in a sufficient manner, forces transmitted by said reinforcement 32 on said casing 2 and It thereby prevents said reinforcement 32 from causing compression of said casing 2. Different from said reinforcing plate 39 is, however, that said transfer plate 38 extends according to said casing 2 of said tanker 5 along the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1. Said reinforcement 32 and said transfer plate 38 therefore jointly secure the support in the longitudinal direction. In this aspect, said transfer beam 30 therefore extends more in the longitudinal direction than in the case of a transfer beam according to the prior art. After all, said reinforcement 32 extends over a distance of A1 beyond the inward-pointing seat support-transverse wall 192, said transfer plate 38 extending even further. In this aspect, the inward pointing seat support-transverse wall 192 is the wall of said head end seat support 19 transverse to the longitudinal direction and directed inward with respect to the longitudinal direction. In other words, said reinforcement 32 extends pointing away from the associated headboard structure 4 over a distance of A1 beyond the associated headboard seat support 19. In a preferred embodiment, the distance A1 is not less than 200mm and not more than 2,000mm, more preferably not less than 400mm, even more preferably not less than 600mm, most preferably about 800mm .

As is clear from Figures 1-3, said reinforcement 32 makes contact with three different transverse rings 50 and said transfer plate 38 makes contact with four different transverse rings 50, said transverse ring 50 near said seat support 19 of header being included in each case. Since the contact is made not only with the wall parts of said casing 2 but also with said transverse rings 50, said casing 2 of said tanker 5 forms a solid entity. In this regard, said transverse rings 50 and said transfer plates 38 and reinforcement plates 39 can be considered as reinforcement plate of said casing 2, in which more of said transverse rings 50 and said transfer plates 38 are further connected in a manner mutual. This ensures a stiffness unknown in the prior art and which also takes into account, in an optimal way, the contact points where forces are transmitted, especially near said transfer plates 38 and reinforcement plates 39. In order to facilitate said contact in an optimal way, said reinforcements 32 extend along the longitudinal direction over an appreciable distance. In an inward direction, they extend over a distance of A1 (see above), in an outward direction, they extend over a distance of A2. In other words, said reinforcement 32 extends pointing towards the associated headboard structure 4 over a distance of A2 beyond the associated headboard seat support 19. In a preferred embodiment, the distance A2 is not less than 300mm and not more than 2,100mm, more preferably not less than 500mm, even more preferably not less than 700mm, most preferably about 900mm . In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the outward-pointing seat support-transverse wall 191 associated with said header seat support 19 and the inward-pointing transverse beam-transverse wall 140 associated with the transverse beam 14 is between 300 to 6,092 mm, more preferably 1,400 to 1,500 mm. According to the present preferred embodiment, said reinforcement 32 therefore spans more than half said distance.

By transmitting forces between said header structures 4 and said tanker 5, said transfer beam 30 and said header seat support 19 work together and fulfill a joint dual role. Although forces per se are already transmitted by said transfer beam 30 by means of said beam 31, said transmission can be appreciably enhanced by said head seat support 19 which is clamped around it. Furthermore, said header seat support 19 can also, by means of said reinforcing plate 39, transmit part of the forces transmitted by said beam 31 to said tanker 5. Furthermore, the forces reaching said head seat support 19 by means of a lower seat support portion 190 are not only transmitted by the seat support arms 191, but also by said reinforcements 32. Said reinforcements, after all, are transmitted they extend essentially over the entire distance between the lower seat support portion 190 and said tanker 5 and thus offer appreciable reinforcement. In this aspect, it is ensured that the forces entering through the lower part 190 of the seat support are transmitted not only through the seat support arms 191 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, but also through said reinforcements 32 along length of the transverse direction. This leads to a better distribution of the forces on said transverse rings 50 and other parts of said casing 2 of said tanker 5.

Near the connection between said beam 31 and said reinforcement 32, for reinforcement purposes, a transfer beam butt 33 is provided, which is permanently connected to both, preferably by welding. Since said beam 31 and said reinforcement 32 meet each other at an acute angle of ^y (gamma), said transfer beam heel 34 comprises an edge extending over said acute angle y and exhibiting a concave curvature 35 adapted to obviate forces connected to said acute angle y.

In a preferred embodiment in which said reinforcement 32 is implemented parallel to the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1, the contact edge 36 of the reinforcement is implemented essentially straight in order to ensure a good connection with the transfer plate 38 also essentially straight. In said embodiment, said angle y is preferably not less than 5 ° and not more than 35 °, more preferably not less than 10 ° and not more than 30 °, most preferably about 20 °. In an alternative embodiment, in which said reinforcement 32 is implemented not parallel to the longitudinal direction of said tank container 1, the contact edge 36 and said transfer plate 38 can be implemented in a manner, therefore, not straight and the angle ^{and it} can also assume other values between 0 ° and 90 °.

It is assumed that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that some adaptations of, or changes to, the described examples may be added without reassessment of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A tank container (1) for the storage and / or transport of gas and / or liquid, said tank container (1) comprising a structure (3) and an elongated and essentially cylindrical tank ship (5) comprising two headers ( 13), in which said structure (3), at each headboard (13), comprises a headboard structure (4) associated with at least two lower corner pieces (7) and an associated headboard seat support (19); wherein, at each header (13), said header frame (4) and said header seat support (19) are mutually connected by two associated transfer beams (30), in which each header beam (30) transfer comprises a beam (31) that, near one of said lower corner posts (7), connects the headboard structure (4) to the associated headboard seat support (19); characterized in that said transfer beam (30) further comprises a reinforcement (32) that is permanently connected to said beam (31) and that, looking away from the associated header structure (4), extends over a distance of A1 plus beyond the associated head seat support (19), in which said distance A1 is at least 200mm, preferably at least 400mm. 2. The tank container (1) according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that said reinforcement (32), permanently connected to said beam (31), defines an acute angle and with said beam (31), where said angle and is not less than 5 ° and not more than 35 °, preferably not less than 10 ° and not more than 30 °. 3. The tank container (1) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said reinforcement (32) also extends facing towards the associated header structure (4) over a distance of A2 beyond the support (19) of associated headboard seat, in which said distance A2 is at least 300mm, preferably at least 500mm. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said tank container (1) comprises a longitudinal direction, in that said tank ship (5) comprises a casing (2) extending around said tanker (5) along said longitudinal direction, and because both said beam (31) and said reinforcement (32) are held by the header seat support (19), said support (19) of headboard seat adapting in shape to connect directly to both said beam (31) and said reinforcement (32), and in which the reinforcement (32) is directly connected to the casing (2). The tank container (1) according to the preceding claim 4, characterized in that said beam (31) and said reinforcement (32) are jointly held by the header seat support (19) near said permanent connection between the beam (31) and reinforcement (32). 6. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said casing (2) comprises multiple transverse rings (50) for reinforcing said casing (2), said beam (30) of transfer connecting directly to at least two of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably three of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably by means of said reinforcement (32) that is directly connected to said at least two of said multiple rings ( 50) transversal. The tank container (1) according to the preceding claim 6, characterized in that said reinforcement (32) is directly connected to said at least two of said multiple transverse rings (50), and in that said casing (2) comprises a plate (38) that connects directly to said reinforcement (32) and to at least three of said multiple transverse rings (50), preferably at least four of said multiple transverse rings (50). The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said tank container (1) comprises at least one manhole and / or a loading / unloading connection (60), preferably comprising a manhole (10) and a loading / unloading connection (60); wherein said charge / discharge connection (60) is preferably upper discharge or lower discharge. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the gross weight of the tank container amounts to more than 40,000 kg, preferably more than 50,000 kg, more preferably more than 60,000 kg , more preferably more than 70,000 kg, most preferably more than 75,000 kg. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said tank container (1) comprises at least four lower and four upper corner pieces (7), and that said corner pieces (7) are They are manufactured with a material that has a yield point of at least 600 N / mm2. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distance between said header seat supports (19) and the associated header structures (4) is between 300 and 6096 mm , it is preferably not less than 1,500 mm and not more than 2,200 mm, ^{more preferably not less than} 1,600 ^{mm and not more than 2,200 mm; because said} tank ^{container (1)} preferably further comprises a central seating support (18); and that preferably said headrest seat supports and said central seat support maintain a free height greater than 0, preferably at least 10mm, more preferably 12mm. 12. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said tank container (1) is at least 20 feet (6,058 mm) long, preferably 26 feet (7,820 mm) , 30 feet (9,144 mm), 40 feet (12,192 mm), 45 feet (13,716 mm), 50 feet (15,240 mm) or more than 50 feet in length; because said tank container (1) is, at a minimum, 8 feet (2,438 mm) or 8.4 feet (2,550 mm) or 2,600 mm wide; and because said tank container (1) is, at a minimum, 8 feet (2,438 mm), 8.6 feet (2,591 mm) or 9.5 feet (2,895 mm) high. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the volume of said tank container (1) is at least 24,000 l, preferably at least 30,000 l, at least 37,500 l, at least 50,000 l, at least 60,000 l, at least 81,500 or at least 95,500 l. The tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the beams (31) and / or the reinforcements (32) and / or the corner pieces comprise high-quality steel. The use of a tank container (1) according to each of the preceding claims 1 to 14 for the storage and / or transportation of gas, liquid and / or solid substances, in which said tank container (1) is placed on a chassis, truck, ship or container terminal.