MXPA01000040A - Modular aboveground service station and method of assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular, portable, environmentally friendly aboveground fueling assembly (10) includes at least one pad member (16 and 18) that is supported on the ground, and that is fabricated from a material that is heat resistant and that is resistant to exposure to petroleum products. A portable aboveground fuel tank (12) is supported on the pad member (16 and 18), and at least one pumping station (34) is included for dispensing fuel from the tank to a customer. A free standing structure (80) is secured to the fuel tank and the pad, and the structure is designed to give an aesthetic effect of a more substantial, permanent facility than would be given by the aboveground fuel tank (12) standing alone. The components of the assembly are generally designed so as to be conveniently portable and so as to be simple to assemble and disassemble in the field. The assembly serves a need for inexpensive and environmentally friendly service stations, particularly in rural areas and underdeveloped countries.

Description

MODULAR SERVICE STATION ABOVE THE SURFACE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a convenient service station, which can be conveniently and efficiently deployed in an airport or in a vehicle service area and which is not environmentally friendly, aesthetically attractive and particularly adapted for the installation of parking lots for supermarkets and shopping centers, as well as in rural and underdeveloped areas. 2. Description of Related Technology A significant drawback of refueling stations on the ground, such as most existing vehicle service stations, is the time and labor involved in the preparation and construction of such a facility. Some factors that contribute to the cost of building an underground facility include the need for building permits, sub-contractors, excavation and the time and planning involved in locating a permanent site for installation. Once installed, such facilities can not move to virtually different places or be sold. Refueling facilities using above-ground tanks have become more common in recent years, partly not small due to the efforts of the inventor, R. Michael Webb, and the company founded by him, U-Fuel , Inc. of Eau Cí j re Wisposin. Above ground refueling facilities that have been designed by Mr. Webb and commissioned by ü-Fuel Inc. are described in U.S. Patents 4,988,020; 5,033,637, 5,305,926; and 5,562,162, whose descriptions are incorporated herein as fully indicated herein. Refueling facilities installed above the surface have a number of advantages, some of which have been indicated above. However, traditional deposits installed above the surface are sometimes aesthetically unsuitable for the purpose of service stations in developed areas, such as residential areas or car service areas that are close to highways. traffic. It is also necessary to build large concrete platforms to support the weight of the tank and to direct fluids such as rainwater out of the tank to avoid contamination, especially in areas that have strict environmental regulations. Such platforms must be built in place, due to their large size and weight. This prevents a contractor from previously manufacturing a service station installed above the entire surface and moving it to the site, which would otherwise be economically desirable, especially when deploying a system in a sub-developed area or rural that is separated from the contractor's facilities. It is evident that there is a need for an installed service facility above the surface that is conveniently portable, that does not require great on-site preparation than conventional installations installed above the surface, and that is aesthetically suitable for use in developed areas, such as residential areas or car service areas of high traffic roads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved installation of a service station installed above the surface, which is conveniently portable, which does not require the same degree of site preparation as conventional installations installed by above the surface, and which is aesthetically suitable for use in developed areas, "such as in residential areas or in automobile service areas of a high traffic road." To achieve the above objects and other objects of the invention, a fluid storage above the surface included an elongated deposit above the surface, which has a longitudinal axis; at least two platforms for supporting the tank with respect to an underlying surface, each of the platforms extending longitudinally in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and where the reservoir above the surface comprises at least one support element for supporting the tank on the platforms, the support element being constructed and positioned to cover both platforms, thereby stabilizing the platforms one with respect to the other and stabilizing - the portable fluid storage assembly above the surface. According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of installing a fluid storage assembly above the surface includes the steps of: (a) placing at least two platforms on the ground, the platforms being juxtaposed one with respect to the other to define a longitudinal seam between them; and (b) deploying a portable reservoir of fluid storage above the surface to cover both platforms, whereby the platforms are stabilized with respect to each other and with respect to the entire portable fluid storage assembly above Of the surface. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a modular, portable refueling assembly, installed above the surface, non-polluting of the environment, includes at least one platform element that is supported on the surface, wherein the platform from a material that is resistant to heat and that is resistant to exposure to petroleum products; a portable fuel tank above the surface supported on the platform element; pumping means for distributing the fuel from the deposit to the customer; and an autonomous structure fixed to the fuel tank and to the platform, said structure giving an aesthetic effect of a permanent installation more substantial than would be given only by said autonomous fuel tank installed above the surface. A modular, portable, refueling system installed above the surface, non-polluting of the environment, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, includes a portable fuel tank installed above the surface; a pump to distribute fuel from the tank to the customer; and an operator module secured to the fuel tank, the operator module being constructed and arranged from a slow combustion material, whereby the operator and other occupants of said module are protected in the case of an emergency related to the fire. These and other various advantages and features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are indicated with particularity in the claims appended to this description and forming part of it. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings forming an additional part thereof, and to the accompanying descriptive part, in which it is illustrated and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular service station, which is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a drawing of the ordered cut out assembly, showing the service station shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the station illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 it is a top plan view of a portion of the system shown in figure 3 1-3. Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the system shown in Figures 1-4. Figure 6 is a top plan view, shown in section, of a portion of the system shown in Figures .1-5; and Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a station that is constructed in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S) (S) With reference now to the drawings, where the same reference numerals designate the corresponding estrustura along the views, and referring in particular to Figure 1 , a portable fluid storage unit installed above the surface, which is embodied as a modular service station 10, includes an elongate reservoir installed above the surface 12 having a longitudinal axis, which is evident from the orientation of the reservoir 12 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Station 10 further includes an inter-block concrete platform assembly 14 which preferably includes at least one first platform. 6 and a second platform 18, as best seen in Figure 2. Although the platforms 16, 18 are preferably made of concrete, they could alternatively be made of any other material which is heat resistant and which is resistant to the types of products. of petroleum with which it is probable that the platforms 16, 18 come in contact, including such materials steel, aluminum, poly-rotano and other plastics resistant to chemicals and heat. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, each of the platforms 16, 18 includes a plurality of protections 20, 22, one of whose types of protection 20 is one of configuration in the form of an inverted U, and the other of which it is a protection 22 that has the configuration of a pole oriented vertically. The purpose of the protections 20, 22 is to protect the tank installed above the surface 12 against collision, such as with a vehicle that is being refueled. The protections 20, 22 are preferably constructed integrally with the platforms 16, 18 and are preferably connected together within the concrete material by additional structural reinforcements, the details of which are well known in the general construction industry. As can be seen further in Figure 2, each of the platforms 16, 18 is provided with a number of lifting lugs 24, which are preferably recessed within the platform so as not to interfere with the placement of the tank 12 on the platform. The purpose of the lugs 24 is to allow the platforms 16, 18 to be properly deployed by the use of a construction crane or similar device. The modular nature of the platforms 16, 18 in combination with the provision of the lugs 24 allow the interlock platform assembly 14 to be prefabricated in the contractor's installation, then transported by truck to the intended deployment site. This avoids the need for prolonged construction work on the site. Once collapsed at the site, the platforms 16, 18 are secured together at their edges by means of a pair of steel fixing plates 26 which are secured at each end to one of the platforms 16, 18 by means of an anchor 28. This secures the platforms 16, 18 against deflection with respect to each other, at the same time that it retains a certain capacity of flexural adaptation on the joining seam formed longitudinally between the two platforms 16, 18.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the fuel storage tank installed above the surface 12 includes a base 32 and a plurality of seats 30 to support the. substantially cylindrical tank 12 on the base 32 and the interlocking concrete platform assembly 14. The seats 30 and the base 32 are then constructed and placed to cover both platforms 16, 18, which stabilizes the platforms with each other and also stabilizes all the portable fuel storage unit installed above the surface. The station 10 includes at least one pumping station 34 and, in the described embodiment, there are four pumping stations 34 of this type. The precise construction of the storage tank 12 and pumping stations 34 can be as described in any of the US patents listed above and incorporated herein by referensia. However, as is conventional in systems of this type, the storage tank 12 preferably includes a first tank compartment 54, which can be for storing a first grade of gasoline, and a second tank compartment 56, which could be used for storing a second grade of gasoline. The compartments 54, 56 can be seen better in FIG. 3. As shown further in FIG. 3, the station 10 preferably includes a compartment pair? of cover 38 through which supply pipes 36 for pumping assemblies 34 for secondary storage purposes; a pair of stage 1 vapor recovery lines 40, a pair of filling tubes 42 for filling the compartments of the reservoir 54, 56 with the product, respectively, and a separable compartment 44, which can be opened, to provide safety and secondary storage around the filling tubes 42. Station 10 further includes an excess fill disconnection system 46, and an ignition suppression system 48 in each of the reservoir compartments 54, 56. The exact construction of the system Ignition suppression 48 is described in U.S. Patent 5.o? 2.162 in the name of Webb, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in this document as fully indicated herein. A number of lifting lugs 50 are provided on the tank installed above the surface 12 for convenient deployment of the tank 12 by means of a crane or similar apparatus. Each of the compartments 54, 56 is provided with a working vent hole 52 for normal ventilation of the compartments 54, 56 during operation, and an emergency vent hole 62 that is designed to allow the steam to be sc burn harmlessly in the case of a fire-related emergency. Each reservoir compartment 54, bß is additionally equipped with a level indicator 60 which is designed to detect and indicate the level of the product within the respective reservoir compartment 54, 56. A personnel circulation gallery 64 is additionally provided to provide the access to the interstitial space between the outer reservoir and the internal reservoirs defining the first and second reservoir compartments 54, 56 and to provide access to compartments 54, 56. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reservoir installed by above the surface 12 is provided with a pair of roof support rest elements 66, which are secured to the upper part of the tank 12 by welding and are sized to provide space between the tank 12 and a roof 90 of an enclosure 94. which is constructed around the reservoir 12, as will be described in more detail below. The adapters 70 are secured to the reservoir 12 for securing the side panels 96 of the enclosure 94, as will be described in more detail below. Referring now briefly to Figure 6, which is a top plan view in section of the cover compartment 38, it will be noted that a first supply tube 76, which is in communication with the first compartmentThe reservoir 54, and a second supply tube 78, which is in communication with the second reservoir compartment 56, are both in communication with each of the pumps 34, so that the station 10 is capable of distributing fuel from the reservoir. multiple degrees. In a manner that is well known and conventional, a first set of flexible tubes 72 connects the delivery supply pipe 76 to each of the pumps 34, and a second set of flexible pipes 74 connect the second supply pipe / 8 to each one of the pumps 34. Observing again the figures 1 and?. , an advantageous aspect of the invention is the provision of an enclosure 94 around the reservoir installed above the surface 12. The enclosure 94 conceals and, in the preferred embodiment, Prevents the view of the reservoir installed above the surface 12. , giving station 1 the aesthetic effect of a more permanent service station, and perhaps creating the illusion that service station 10 is of the underground type. Looking at Figure 2, it will be seen that the enclosure 94 includes a number of side panels 96, which have lower edges that are received in a keyway 104 that is defined on the first and second platforms 16, 18 of the set of concrete platforms. 14. The side panels 96 additionally have adapters 102, by means of which they can be secured at their upper ends to the tank 12, by means of a panel clamp 71, which is fixed to the fastening adapters of the panel 70, as shown in FIG. shown in Figure 5. The enclosure 94 additionally includes a first end panel 98 and a second end panel 100, which are connected to the two ends doi dep? sir or storage of fuel installed above the surface. 12 inside the pumps 34, and ostán secured to the tank 12 by means of panel clamps 71, which are sanded to fastening adapters of the panel 70 that are shown in figure 5. The roof 90 is manufactured from a plurality of roof panels 92, which are preferably constructed of a petroleum-resistant, light weight material, such as glass fiber. The roof panels 92 rest on the upper part of the roof support element 66, and are secured at their lower ends to the roof edge support 68. The side panels 92, the end panels 98, 100 and the roof panels 92 thus create an autonomous structure around the storage tank 12 which effectively obstructs the view of the storage tank 12. To provide power for the control system and for the pumps 34, a photovoltaic series 106 may be placed on the upper part of the tank. the service station 10 and preferably on top of the canopies 80. The canopies 80 are supported by the marquee posts 82, as can be seen in Figure 2. In addition, a video camera 108 and a public address system or ir.tercom system 109 can be placed in the service station 10, so that the activity around the station 10 can be monitored remotely and pu to provide assistance. Beam projectors 128 are also mounted to the canopies 80. Referring now to Figure 7, in a second embodiment of the invention, the enclosure 19 includes an operator module 1 0 to provide protection to an operator and to the control equipment 114 of station 10. Operator module 110 includes a lockable handle 112, as can be seen in Figure 7. In accordance with an important aspect of an invention, operator module 110 is manufactured from a fire wall material 122, which is constructed and arranged to withstand a fire emergency related to the oil for a substantial period of time, such as two hours, to provide sufficient protection for the operator and for any of the others occupants of the operator module 110. In the embodiment disclosed, the wall against the fire 122 is configured as a material having an outer metal surface, such as aluminum and an interior surface that includes multiple layers of fire resistant material, such as sheet rock. As can be seen further in Figure 7, the system includes a submersible pump 120 and a spill pack of the submersible pump 118 which is mounted on the upper part of the tank and has a hinged sub-floor to allow easy access to the pump 120 for maintenance purposes. The control system for the pumps is substantially the same as that described in U.S. Patents 4,988,020; 5,033,037; 5,305,926; and 5,562,162, whose descriptions are incorporated herein, is fully indicated herein. It should be understood, however, that although numerous features and advantages of the present invention have been indicated in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the description is only illustrative, and changes can be made in detail, especially in the configuration, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS 1. Portable fluid storage system installed above the surface, comprising: an elongate reservoir installed above the surface, said reservoir having a longitudinal axis; at least two tile-like weight distribution platforms for supporting said tank with respect to an underlying surface, each of said longitudinal platforms being extended in a direction that is ubstancially parallel to said longitudinal axis; and where said tank installed above the surface comprises at least one support element to support the deposit in said platforms, said support element being constructed and placed to cover both platforms, thereby stabilizing said platforms one with respect to the other and stabilizing said complete portable fluid storage assembly installed above the surface.
2. 2. A set of agreement is claim 1, wherein said platforms comprise means that facilitate elevation to allow said platforms to be conveniently elevated and deployed within the location.
3. 3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said means facilitating the elevation comprise a plurality of lifting lugs.
4. 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reservoir is substantially cylindrical, and said support element comprises a seating element covering said platforms and intersecting a joining seam that is defined between said platforms.
5. 5. A set of arrangement is claim 1, wherein said pallets are fabricated from a material that is heat resistant and that is chemically resistant to degradation as a result of exposure to petroleum products.
6. 6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said platforms are manufactured from a material comprising concrete.
7. 7. A set. according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said platforms has a protection secured thereto for protecting said tank against collision. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said platforms comprises security means for securing a portion of an autonomous construction around said deposit. 9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said platforms are positioned to tilt outwardly from the reservoir, whereby liquid which may fall therein is led out of the reservoir. 10. A method of installing a fluid storage assembly installed above the surface, comprising the steps of; (a) placing at least two weight distribution platforms, in: tile floor tiles, said platforms being juxtaposed with respect to each other to define a longitudinal seam between them; Y (b) de = pleqar a portable reservoir of fluid storage installed above the surface on these platforms to cover both platforms, so that the platforms are stabilized with respect to each other and to the entire portable set of portaarriento portable fluid installed above the surface. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) is performed to place said platforms so that they are inclined outwardly from the reservoir, whereby the liquid that may fall on them is led out of the reservoir. 22 A modular, portable fuel assembly, installed above the surface, non-polluting of the ambient environment, comprising: at least one platform element similar to a tile, which distributes the weight, which is supported on the floor without support base, said platform element being made from a material that is heat resistant, and which is resistant to the exposure to petroleum products; a portable fuel tank, installed above the surface, supported on said platform element; pumping means for distributing fuel from said tank to a customer; Y an autonomous constraint secured to said fuel tank and to said platform, completely concealing said structure at a customer's view of the fuel tank and, therefore, giving an aesthetic effect of a permanent installation, more substantial than that which would be provided only by; said fuel tank installed above the surface. 13. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said platform element comprises more than one portion, and at least one of said portions comprises means for facilitating the elevation to allow said platforms to be elevated and deployed conveniently in the location. 14. A set of agreement is claim 12, wherein said platform element is made from a material comprising concrete. 15. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said autonomous structure comprises a canopy to provide refuge for consumers during a fuel transaction. 16. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said autonomous structure includes a roof that is constructed and arranged to allow ventilation of said fuel tank, and to allow access to said tank for maintenance purposes. 17. A coring according to claim 12, wherein said autonomous structure is constructed and arranged to hide said deposit in view of the consumers. 18. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein said autonomous structure is constructed and arranged to prevent the viewing of said deposit by consumers. 19. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said autonomous structure includes a module for housing an operator. 20. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said platform includes at least one protection to protect said tank against collision. 21. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said platform comprises security means for securing a portion of an autonomous construction around said reservoir. 22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein said securing means comprises a recess defined in the platform to receive a structural portion of said autonomous structure. 23. An assembly according to claim 12, wherein said reservoir has at least one adapter thereon for securing said autonomous structure with respect to said reservoir, 24. A set of arrangement is claim 12, wherein said autonomous structure comprises a plurality of panel elements. 25. A modular, portable, fuel-free, environmentally-friendly assembly installed above the surface, comprising: at least one platform element similar to a tile, weight distribution, which is supported on the floor without support bases, said element being made from a material that is resistant to heat and is resistant to exposure to products of oil; a portable fuel tank installed above the supported surface on a first part of said platform element; pump means for distributing fuel from said tank - to a consumer; Y an operator module supported on a second part of said platform element. 26. A set according to claim 25, wherein the operator module is constructed and arranged from a fire-resistant material, whereby the operator and other occupants of said module are protected in the event of a fire-related emergency. .