Above ground water tank fill/drain system

Abstract

A trench is dug under an above ground water storage tank either before erection of the walls or after the wall is erected. A (rectangular) sump is preferably made of ? inch steel. It serves as a conduit from an inner tank liner port to an outside tank fill or drain port. The system eliminates hoses hung over the top edge of the tank wall. A pump can fill the tank from the outer port. The tank can be drained using head pressure of the water and/or a pump.

Claims

1. A method .[.to fill.]. .Iadd.of filling .Iaddend.and .[.empty.]. .Iadd.draining .Iaddend.an above ground water tank, the method comprising .[.the steps of.].: .[.forming a trench;.]. placing .[.an underground.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.sump .[.in the trench.]. .Iadd.below said above ground water tank, said sump having an inside port located below said above ground water tank and an outside port located on said sump outside a tank wall of said above ground water tank.Iaddend.; erecting .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank wall over .[.the underground.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump.[.; forming an.]. .Iadd.between said .Iaddend.inside port .[.on a top of the underground sump.]..Iadd., which is .Iaddend.inside .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank wall.Iadd., and said outside port which is outside said tank wall.Iaddend.; placing a tank liner over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inside port; securing .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner .[.over the.]. .Iadd.to said .Iaddend.inside port; .[.forming an outside port on the top of the underground sump;.]. attaching a .[.filler.]. hose to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port; and filling and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a bolt at a center of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inside port with a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bolt fastened to a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a screen over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inside port, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a top donut flange .Iadd.24 .Iaddend.over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.screen, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a .Iadd.bottom .Iaddend.gasket over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange, placing .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said bottom .Iaddend.gasket, placing .[.a top.]. .Iadd.an upper .Iaddend.gasket over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner, .[.forming an upper.]. .Iadd.placing a .Iaddend.top donut flange over .[.the top donut flange and the top.]. .Iadd.said upper .Iaddend.gasket, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a clamp across .[.the upper.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange, and tightening .[.the upper.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange against .[.the top donut flange.]. .Iadd.said upper gasket .Iaddend.using a nut threaded on .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bolt.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.connecting .Iaddend.an outer port arch over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port.[., the outer port arch having a connecting flange for the filler hose which is used to fill and drain the water tank.]..

.[.4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of forming a second underground sump identical to the underground sump, placing the second underground sump alongside the underground sump, forming fluid communication ports between the underground sump and the second underground sump, and filling and draining the water tank via two outer port arches using two filler hoses..].

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.connecting .Iaddend.an outer port arch .[.over the.]. outside port.[., the outer port arch having a connecting flange for the filler hose which is used to fill and drain the water tank.]..

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming a second.]. .Iadd.connecting an additional .Iaddend.outside port .[.with an.]. .Iadd.to an additional .Iaddend.outer port arch.[., wherein a second connecting flange on the outer port arch is of a smaller diameter than the connecting flange, and attaching a second filler hose to the second connecting flange.]..

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of.]. extending a pipe from .[.the second.]. .Iadd.said additional .Iaddend.outside port down to about one inch above a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the second.]. .Iadd.said additional .Iaddend.outer port arch.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of.]. extending a pipe from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port down to about one inch above a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port arch.

9. A method .[.to fill.]. .Iadd.for filling .Iaddend.and .[.empty.]. .Iadd.draining .Iaddend.an above ground water tank, the method comprising .[.steps of.].: .[.foaming a trench under a wall of an existing above ground water tank;.]. placing .[.an underground.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.sump .[.in the trench.]. .Iadd.under said above ground water tank, said sump having an inside port that is located under said above ground tank and an outside port that is located outside a tank wall of said above ground water tank.Iaddend.; .[.forming an inside port on a top of the underground sump inside the tank wall;.]. placing a tank liner over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inside port; securing .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner .[.over the.]. .Iadd.to said .Iaddend.inside port; .[.forming an outside port on the top of the underground sump;.]. attaching a .[.filler.]. hose to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port; and filling and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a bolt at a center of the inside .[.part.]. .Iadd.port .Iaddend.with a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bolt fastened to a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a screen over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.inside port, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a top donut flange over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.screen, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a gasket over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange, placing .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.gasket, placing a .Iadd.top .Iaddend.gasket over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tank liner, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.an upper top donut flange over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange and over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top gasket, .[.forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.a clamp across .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.upper top donut flange, and tightening .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.upper top donut flange against .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top donut flange using a nut threaded on .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bolt.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.placing .Iaddend.an outer port arch over .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port.[., the outer port arch having a connecting flange for the filler hose which is used to fill and drain the water tank.]..

.[.12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of forming a second underground sump identical to the underground sump, placing the second underground sump alongside the underground sump, forming fluid communication ports between the underground sump and the second underground sump, and filling and draining the water tank via two outer port arches using two filler hoses..].

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming.]. .Iadd.connecting .Iaddend.an outer port arch .[.over the.]. .Iadd.to said .Iaddend.outside port.[., the outer port arch having a connecting flange for the filler hose which is used to fill and drain the water tank.]..

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of forming a second.]. .Iadd.providing an additional .Iaddend.outside port with an outer port arch.[., wherein a second connecting flange on the outer port arch is of a smaller diameter than the connecting flange, and attaching a second filler hose to the second connecting flange.]..

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. the step of extending a pipe from .[.the second.]. .Iadd.said additional .Iaddend.outside port down to about one inch above a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the second.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outer port arch .Iadd.of said additional outside port.Iaddend..

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising.Iadd.: .Iaddend. .[.the step of.]. extending a pipe from .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port down to about one inch above a bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sump, and draining .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.water tank via .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outside port .[.arch.]..

17. A .[.sump.]. system for filling and draining an above ground water tank.[., the sump.]. comprising; a .[.flat, rectangular cross section pipe having a length of about seven feet, a width of about one and half feet, a height of about one half foot.]. .Iadd.sump placed under said above ground water tank.Iaddend.; an inside port .[.on a top adjacent an inside end of the sump.]. .Iadd.disposed on said sump under said above ground water tank.Iaddend.; .[.said inside port having a mating collar for.]. .Iadd.a flange connected to .Iaddend.a tank liner; an .[.outside.]. .Iadd.outer .Iaddend.port .[.on the top adjacent an outside end of the sump;.]. .Iadd.arch coupled to said sump for filling and draining said above ground water tank, said outer port arch located outside of said above ground water tank. .Iaddend. .[.an outside port arch attached over the outside port and having a mating flange for a filler hose; and wherein the mating collar further comprises a central bolt and a nut tightening a clamp collar around the tank liner..].

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A (prior art) is a front elevation view of an above ground water storage tank.

(2) FIG. 1B (prior art) is a cross sectional view of the tank shown in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of an underground sump being installed.

(4) FIG. 2B is a close up side elevation view of the filler port.

(5) FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the liner connection for the sump.

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the liner connection for the sump.

(7) FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a single inlet sump.

(8) FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an installed sump prior to the tank wall being erected.

(9) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the liner connection being tightened.

(10) FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a double inlet sump.

(11) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the double inlet sump with the front plate removed.

(12) Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(13) Referring first to FIGS. 2A, 2B the install process for a new above ground tank is shown. The ground G has been cleared of sharp rocks, and the liner 4 has been spread across the circular outline of the tank. A trench T has been dug at a periphery of the tank where dotted line 2P shows where the panel 2 will be erected. The trench T is about eight feet long (d6) by one foot wide to accommodate the sump 20. It is about six inches deep (d5) so the top of the sump 21 is flush with ground G. The front of the sump 22 is about nine inches (d3) from the panel 2. This places the inside port 23 about 7 inside the panel 2 (d4=73).

(14) The outer .[.flange.]. port arch 240 has a hose flange 250 for hookup to a hose .Iadd.280 .Iaddend.from a truck or from a pond or to a drill site. The outer port arch 240 is mounted above outer hole 444. The inside port 23 consists of a donut shaped flange 24 welded to the top 21 of the sump 20. Next up is a bottom gasket 25, then comes the liner 4 with a hole cut into it (usually ten inch). Then comes an upper gasket 26. Then comes a top donut flange 27. See FIGS. 3, 4 for further details. Distance d11 is usually 20 inches. Once the liner is secured the panel 2 can be erected as the outer wall of tank 1. An embodiment not shown takes an existing tank and lifts up the liner at a peripheral edge. The trench is dug under the panel 2. Then the liner is attached to the liner port 23. Then the liner is extended up to the top of panel 2.

(15) Referring next to FIGS. 3, 4 the inside port 23 is disclosed in detail. The flange 24 has a screen 31 welded across its orifice. This prevents debris such as a glove from being sent downstream. An X clamp 32 has a central cavity 33 through which the all-thread 34 passes. A nut 35 is welded to the bottom of the sump at 36. The all-thread 34 is tightened into the nut 35. The X clamp 32 slides down the all-thread 34. A lock nut 37 tightens the .Iadd.top donut .Iaddend.flange 27 against the liner 4.

(16) Below follows the steps to secure the liner 4 to the sump 20.

(17) 1) Cut 10 inch hole in liner

(18) 2) Weld 10 flange 24 on top

(19) 3) Place .[.basket.]. .Iadd.gasket .Iaddend.(rubber ?) 25 on flange 24

(20) 4) Place liner 4 on to .[.P.]. gasket 25

(21) 5) Cut hole in liner 4

(22) 6) Place top .Iadd.donut .Iaddend.flange .Iadd.27 .Iaddend.with center brace 32 and gasket 26 on top of liner 4

(23) 7) Tighten nut 37 after all-thread 34 is tightened down into anchor nut 35.

(24) FIG. 5 shows a single port sump 20 with dimensions d6=96; d50=12; d51=6; d52=15; d53=12; d59=10.0.

(25) FIG. 6 shows the pre-erection layout of a water tank. The sump 20 has been buried in the trench as shown in FIG. 2. A conduit .[.26.]. .Iadd.260 .Iaddend.has been bolted to the hose flange 250. A second drain flange .[.27.]. .Iadd.271 .Iaddend.is optional. It is used to empty the sump 20 or for a different size (4 inch) connector. A valve 58 controls the opening of flange 250.

(26) FIG. 7 provides a top plan view of the liner port 23 being tightened by wrench 70.

(27) Referring next to FIGS. 8, 9 a dual port sump 80 has a sump body with a width of (nominally) d80=36.Iadd..Iaddend., d81=4. There is a left exit port flange 24L and a right exit port flange 24R. There is a left liner port 23L and a right liner port 23R. A smaller exit port flange 271 (shown are two of them) has a descending collar 270 that almost touches the bottom 80B of the sump 80. This allows almost a complete drainage of sump 80 for removal of almost all the water.

(28) Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.