Abstract: An expansion tank for at least temporarily storing a pumped liquid under pressure, the including a thin wailed outer shell and a diaphragm located internally of the tank, and sealingly secured to the inner surface of the shell of the tank to divide the internal volume of the tank into a fluid-tight section for holding a gas under pressure and a fluid-tight section for holding a liquid under pressure. The diaphragm has an enlarged lip around the outer circumference of the diaphragm and being is connected to the interior portion of one of the substantially cylindrical sections via the enlarged lip being fitted tightly into a coupling ring, which in turn presses the enlarged lip of the diaphragm sealingly, circumferentially against the inner circumferential surface of the tank wall when the outer circumferential surface of the coupling ring is sealingly connect to the inner wall surface of one of the tank segments, sealing the enlarged lip against the inner surface of the tank.

Abstract: A water storage tank with passive enhanced thermal energy management is provided. The tank is formed of substantially cylindrical central section comprising a majority of the length along its axis and a dome-shaped section at each end, A first system of managing energy management includes providing insulation covering all or most of the tank in order to prevent heat flow energy leaving the tank. The strength of the insulation, is varied such that one end of the tank has less insulativity than the other end of the tank. Preferably change occurs gradually along the axial length of the tank. The second system for providing passive energy management is using insulation formed of a material that has a glass phase change temperature at or near the temperature of the water when it enters the tank.

Abstract: An expansion tank with an improved diaphragm seal includes a seal for the joint between the flexible diaphragm and either an optional. non-flexible diaphragm or the tank wall, the providing of a seal support that prevents collapse, delamination, or tearing of the 5 tank shell wall. The tank shell may be formed of two substantially hemispherical domes joined together, either directly or at the two ends of a substantially cylindrical section. One of the segments forming the shell of the expansion tank, further comprises an extension lip, extending inwardly of the tank and around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the shell wall, located substantially near the junction of two of the sections 10 forming the tank. This extension lip may be made from the same material as the tank wall, or may be part of a separate circumferential connector interconnecting two of the sections of the tank wall.

Abstract: An improved expansion tank is provided for at least temporarily storing a pumped liquid under pressure, the expansion tank comprising a thin walled outer shell formed of two substantially hemispherical domes joined together, either directly or at the two ends of a central, substantially cylindrical section, and a flexible diaphragm located internally of the tank and secured to the inner surface of the shell of the tank to divide the internal volume of the tank into a fluid-tight section holding a gas under pressure and a fluid-tight section for holding an aqueous liquid under pressure. The improvement comprising diaphragm coupling ring formed as a discrete part of the diaphragm tank that can be fabricated independent of the domes and any cylinder. The diaphragm coupling ring provides a robust, leak-proof seal with the diaphragm, so that it can be connected onto an inner surface of an expansion tank in a separate, secondary operation.

Abstract: A gas and liquid-tight inlet connector to the inner chamber of a mufti-chamber pressure vessel is provided, comprising: a male gland extending through an orifice in the bottom of the flexible wall of the inner chamber and the lower wall of the rigid outer shell of the vessel, the male gland comprising an upper flange permanently, sealingly connected, with the lower surface of the flexible inner wall, so as to form a gas- and liquid-tight seal therewith, and a lower elongated member extending through the outer shell to be sealingly connected with a liquid inlet pipe, permitting liquid flow into the inner chamber, while maintaining the seal between the inner and outer chambers of the tank, thus maintaining pressurization in the outer chamber, as fluid enters the inner chamber, pushing the flexible wall upwardly into the outer chamber.

Abstract: A gas and liquid-tight inlet connector to the inner chamber of a mufti-chamber pressure vessel is provided, comprising: a male gland extending through an orifice in the bottom of the flexible wall of the inner chamber and the lower wall of the rigid outer shell of the vessel, the male gland comprising an upper flange permanently, sealingly connected, with the lower surface of the flexible inner wall, so as to form a gas- and liquid-tight seal therewith, and a lower elongated member extending through the outer shell to be sealingly connected with a liquid inlet pipe, permitting liquid flow into the inner chamber, while maintaining the seal between the inner and outer chambers of the tank, thus maintaining pressurization in the outer chamber, as fluid enters the inner chamber, pushing the flexible wall upwardly into the outer chamber.

Abstract: A water purification system for continuously disinfecting water in a holding tank that provides uniform mixing and increased residence time. The system comprises a double disinfectant tank for potable water, comprising an inner tank and an outer tank. The inner tank being located wholly within and in the lower portion of the outer tank. The water and disinfectant inlet feeds water directly into the inner tank through a tube extending into the inner tank. The inner tank is sealed off from the outer tank except for limited openings located primarily in the lower half of the inner tank wall. The inlet tube preferably extends at least about 50% of the height of the inner tank, to a point above the location of the limited openings in the lower half of the inner tank. This results in better mixing, especially when the flow through the limited openings is high enough to create turbulent flow, and greater residence time compared to baffled tanks.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm bladder. The bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge. The non-flexible diaphragm has an aperture adapted and constructed to be connected to a liquid port, and the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed together. The bladder is suitable for use in an expansion tank.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm bladder. The bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge. The non-flexible diaphragm has an aperture adapted and constructed to be connected to a liquid port, and the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed together. The bladder is suitable for use in an expansion tank.

Abstract: An in-line expansion tank. As fluid traverses a pipe within the tank, it may pass into and displace a diaphragm disposed outside of the pipe if the fluid pressure is greater than a tank pressure pushing the diaphragm against the pipe. When the fluid pressure decreases, the fluid passes from the diaphragm back into the pipe.

Abstract: A pressure maintenance assembly for a domestic water well system. The assembly comprises a pressure maintenance valve having an inlet side and an outlet side, a pressure tank in fluidic communication with the outlet side, and a calibrated bypass. When the valve is closed, the calibrated bypass provides fluidic communication between the inlet side and the outlet side. The size of the calibrated bypass and the pressure tank are adapted and constructed to permit a flow rate between the inlet side and the outlet side that will fill the pressure tank in a time interval less than twice the time required to pump a volume of water that will dissipate heat generated by the pump when it is turned on.

Abstract: A pressure maintenance assembly for a domestic water well system. The assembly includes a pressure maintenance valve having an inlet side and an outlet side, a pressure tank in fluidic communication with the outlet side, and a calibrated bypass. When the valve is closed, the calibrated bypass provides fluidic communication between the inlet side and the outlet side. The size of the calibrated bypass and the pressure tank are adapted and constructed to permit a flow rate between the inlet side and the outlet side that will fill the pressure tank in a time interval at least as great as but less than twice the time required to pump a volume of water that will dissipate heat generated by the pump when it is turned on.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuator. An actuator body includes an inlet, an outlet, a port communicating with a pre-charged diaphragm tank, and a port communicating with a pressure switch. The actuator body includes a movable member which, in a first position, closes the inlet port and provides fluidic communication with the pressure switch port while allowing pressure equalization between the inlet and an interior of the actuator body. In a second position, the movable body opens the inlet port and seals the pressure switch port. A spring is disposed within the actuator body to urge the movable member toward the first position. The invention eliminates the need for multiple springs as shown in one prior art design and eliminates the need for reliance on a hydrostatic force differential to move the movable member.

Abstract: A full flow water connector assembly has a connector with prongs of a certain length that are separated by notches. The end of the connector with the prongs is passed through an opening in a diaphragm and the prongs protrude through respective slots in a diffuser/retainer member. The prongs are then bent so as to press the diffuser/retainer member so as to secure the diaphragm and hold the connector assembly together. The diffuser/retainer member has segments between the slots, the segments contacting the notches when the diffuser/retainer member is pressed sufficiently far. The length of the prongs beyond the notches limits the maximum amount of compression that the diffuser/retainer member can exert against the diaphragm material, thereby minimizing the chance of cracking and subsequent failure of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuator. An actuator body includes an inlet, an outlet, a port communicating with a pre-charged diaphragm tank, and a port communicating with a pressure switch. The actuator body includes a movable member which, in a first position, closes the inlet port and provides fluidic communication with the pressure switch port while allowing pressure equalization between the inlet and an interior of the actuator body. In a second position, the movable body opens the inlet port and seals the pressure switch port. A spring is disposed within the actuator body to urge the movable member toward the first position. The invention eliminates the need for multiple springs as shown in one prior art design and eliminates the need for reliance on a hydrostatic force differential to move the movable member.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuator. An actuator body includes an inlet, an outlet, a port communicating with a pre-charged diaphragm tank, and a port communicating with a pressure switch. The actuator body includes a movable member which, in a first position, seals the inlet port and provides fluidic communication with the pressure switch port. In a second position, the movable body opens the inlet port and seals the pressure switch port. A spring is disposed within the actuator body to urge the movable member toward the first position. The invention eliminates the need for multiple springs as shown in one prior art design and eliminates the need for reliance on a hydrostatic force differential to move the movable member.