Granted Patent B2

US 10,183,804 · App. 14/467,763 · Granted Jan 22, 2019

Abstract

Claims (29)

1. A process for forming a tank trailer body having an integrated heat exchange panel, the process comprising:

forming a plurality of enclosed barrel segments of the tank trailer body, wherein forming each enclosed barrel segment of the plurality of enclosed barrel segments includes:

(a) placing a first sheet adjacent a second sheet, the second sheet having a width that corresponds to a perimeter of the enclosed barrel segment of the tank trailer body and the first sheet having a width that corresponds to a heat exchange panel and is substantially less than the width of the second sheet, and wherein the first sheet has a first side that faces away from the second sheet;

(b) arranging the first sheet on the second sheet such that a first edge of the first sheet is offset from a first edge of the second sheet, and such that a second, opposing edge of the first sheet is offset from a second, opposing edge of the second sheet;

(c) joining the first sheet to the second sheet along at least the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet;

(d) joining the first sheet to the second sheet at a plurality of locations between the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet to form a fluidly-sealed area between the first sheet and the second sheet, and between the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet;

(e) shaping the second sheet into a cross-sectional shape of the enclosed barrel segment;

(f) coupling a fluid inlet to the fluidly-sealed area formed using step (d); and

(g) supplying a pressurized fluid to the fluid inlet to deform the first sheet and increase the volume of the fluidly-sealed area;

wherein each enclosed barrel segment of the plurality of enclosed barrel segments formed using steps (a)-(g) comprises a first end and a second, opposing end, the process further comprising:

opening an end of the fluidly-sealed area of a first barrel segment;

opening an end of the fluidly-sealed area of a second barrel segment;

aligning the opened end of the fluidly-sealed area of the first barrel segment with the opened end of the fluidly-sealed area of the second barrel segment;

overlaying a splice plate over the opened end of the fluidly-sealed area of the first barrel segment and the opened end of the fluidly-sealed area of the second barrel segment;

joining the splice plate to the first side of the first sheet of the first enclosed barrel segment such that a first edge of the splice plate is substantially aligned with the first edge of the first sheet of the first enclosed barrel segment and a second edge of the splice plate is substantially aligned with t second opposing edge of the first sheet of the first enclosed barrel segment;

joining the splice plate to the first side of the first sheet of the second enclosed barrel segment such that a first edge of the splice plate is substantially aligned with the first edge of the first sheet of the second enclosed barrel segment and a second edge of the splice plate is substantially aligned with the second opposing edge of the first sheet of the second enclosed barrel segment;

wherein the splice plate creates a seal between the fluidly-sealed area of the first barrel segment and the fluidly-sealed area of the second barrel segment to allow fluid to flow between the fluidly-sealed area of the first barrel segment and the fluidly sealed area of the second barrel segment.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of enclosed barrel segments further comprising:

welding the first sheet to the second sheet along at least the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet; and

welding the first sheet to the second sheet at a plurality of locations between the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of enclosed barrel segments further comprising:

laser welding the first sheet to the second sheet along at least the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet; and

laser welding the first sheet to the second sheet at a plurality of locations between the first edge of the first sheet and the second, opposing edge of the first sheet.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein supplying a pressurized fluid to the fluid inlet to deform the first sheet in step (g) comprises coupling a hydrostatic pump to the fluid inlet.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locations between the first edge and the second opposing edge in step (d) are spaced such that supplying a pressurized fluid to the fluid inlet to deform the first sheet results in a fluidly sealed area having a substantially uniform height at a plurality of interstitial points between such plurality of locations.

6. The process of claim 1 , further comprising joining a fluid outlet to the fluidly sealed area of one of the enclosed barrel segments.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein supplying a pressurized fluid to the fluid inlet to deform the first sheet in step (g) comprises forming a fluid flow path from the fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

8. The process of claim 1 , further comprising joining a first end of the first sheet to the second sheet and joining a second end of the first sheet to the second sheet when forming the fluidly sealed area of each barrel segment.

9. The process of claim 1 , further comprising joining a first end of the first sheet of the first enclosed barrel segment to the second sheet of the first barrel segment and joining a second end of the first sheet of the second barrel segment to the second sheet of the second barrel segment.

Assignments (11)