Abstract: A pressure vessel is disclosed which includes a lower metallic dome having a lower rim portion, and an upper metallic dome having an upper rim portion, a plastic liner disposed within the upper and lower metallic domes, a metallic band disposed between the plastic liner and the upper and lower metallic domes proximate the respective rim portions thereof, and an insulating material disposed between the metallic band and the plastic liner, the metallic band and insulating material protecting the plastic liner from elevated temperatures when the upper and lower rim portions of the metallic domes are welded together. A method of fabricating the pressure vessel and a connector for assembling the pressure vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure vessel with a protective jacket disposed thereon, wherein the vessel is formed of a metal liner surrounded by a layer of thermoplastic composite filament winding and a protective jacket disposed thereon that facilitates stacking and portability of the vessel, while also providing sufficiently sized openings for visual inspection of the composite layer integrity.

Abstract: A non-metallic, diaphragm-type tank assembly for use with a pressurized water system is disclosed. The tank assembly comprising a non-metallic outer body; a non-metallic inner shell assembly, including an upper portion and a lower portion, that is contained by the non-metallic outer body; and a diaphragm that is structured and arranged about the upper and lower portions of the inner shell assembly to separate said inner shell assembly into a water portion and a pressurized gas portion. Preferably, the diaphragm comprises a resilient, non-porous material and includes a bead portion comprising an annular ring that is convex on an inner side and concave on an outer side at its outer periphery. More preferably, the bead portion is removably secured to the overlapable end portion of the lower portion of the inner shell assembly by a clamping system that comprises an inner clamp hoop and an outer band.

Abstract: An in-well aeration device which includes a water pumping section disposed within the well for drawing water from the well, an aerating section operatively connected to the water pumping section for drawing air into the well and subsequently injecting the air into the well water above the level of the water pumping section, and a motor operatively connected to the water pumping section and the aerating section for operating both sections simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of aerating a well having a well pump positioned therein is disclosed which includes the steps of positioning an air diffuser within the well above the level of the well pump, determining the recovery period for the well, and supplying air to the diffuser to aerate the well water, for the well recovery period, upon activation of the well pump to remove or otherwise release contaminants from the well water.

Abstract: A mobile prepressurized fluid storage tank is disclosed where the compressed air, completely separated from the fluid by a flexible diaphragm, dispenses the fluid under pressure, e.g., into an engine. The prepressurized diaphragm-type fluid storage tank is initially charged with a gas on one side of the diaphragm. A connector on the other end of the tank is connected to the fluid pumping system. Fluid is pumped into the tank until a predetermined pressure is reached and then the fill valve is shut off. A second connection attached to a bottom system connection has a hose. At the end of the hose there is a fluid shut off valve. Dispensing of the fluid takes place through the fluid shut off valve. The prepressurized fluid storage tank is mounted on a frame that contains wheels for mobility.

Abstract: A valve for a pressurized container includes a valve housing having a central bore and a port in the for connection of a nozzle. Preferably, the valve has a unidirectional stepped valve housing. In the housing is a central bore that includes an upper portion, lower portion and a middle portion. The lower portion is narrower than the middle portion which in turn is narrower than the upper portion. The port is provided in the middle portion of said housing to facilitate connection of a nozzle to the valve. The valve has a t-stem with a lower end having a key-way and a cavity for receiving the upper portion of the valve seat. The valve seat provides the primary valve seal when the valve is closed. The upper portion of the valve seat has a geometry for engaging the t-stem to provide a locked assembly.

Abstract: A mobile prepressurized fluid storage tank is disclosed where the compressed air, completely separated from the fluid by a flexible diaphragm, dispenses the fluid under pressure, e.g., into an engine. The prepressurized diaphragm-type fluid storage tank is initially charged with a gas on one side of the diaphragm. A connector on the other end of the tank is connected to the fluid pumping system. Fluid is pumped into the tank until a predetermined pressure is reached and then the fill valve is shut off. A second connection attached to a bottom system connection has a hose. At the end of the hose there is a fluid shut off valve. Dispensing of the fluid takes place through the fluid shut off valve. The prepressurized fluid storage tank is mounted on a frame that contains wheels for mobility.

Abstract: A valve for a pressurized container includes a valve housing having a central bore and a port in the for connection of a nozzle. Preferably, the valve has a unidirectional stepped valve housing. In the housing is a central bore that includes an upper portion, lower portion and a middle portion. The lower portion is narrower than the middle portion which in turn is narrower than the upper portion. The port is provided in the middle portion of said housing to facilitate connection of a nozzle to the valve. The valve has a t-stem with a lower end having a key-way and a cavity for receiving the upper portion of the valve seat. The valve seat provides the primary valve seal when the valve is closed. It has a lower portion that is shaped to provide the primary valve seal in cooperation with the valve housing. The upper portion of the valve seat has a geometry for engaging the t-stem to provide a locked assembly.

Abstract: A protective device for gas cylinders is provided that protects the body of the gas cylinder from damage, is light, does not affect the required heat exchange from the environment to the liquified gas within the gas cylinder and renders the gas cylinder assembly easier to stack for safe storage. The protective device in accordance with the principles of the invention comprises a top part and a bottom part forming a cavity within which the gas cylinder is placed. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the top part and bottom part are both made of synthetic materials and are interconnected during assembling process by a standard functional clipping device. These clippings may be broken in order for the protective device to be removed, allowing visual inspection of the gas cylinder without damaging the gas cylinder in the removal process.

Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container). Further aspects of the invention relate to blocking elements (checks) per se which are suitable for use in non-refillable valves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for (a) increasing expansion tank "acceptance" (defined herein as working fluid storage capacity); and (b) adjusting the rate of pressure variations within a prespecified range in precharged fluid storage systems (for example, holding pressure down below a prespecified threshold value for a given volume of acceptance, stored water temperature level, etc.). A "volatile" fluid (defined herein as a fluid having a boiling point within the predetermined pressure and temperature operating ranges for a given system), is used at least in part as the expansion fluid in an expansion tank included in a fluid storage system.

Abstract: A heat recovery system (including associated methods, apparatus and controls for implementing such a system) integrated in a hot water heating system that is combinable with an air conditioning loop containing hot gas wherein the hot water system selectively utilizes heat recovered from the hot gas to produce and store hot water at a preselected temperature level requiring the use of only a single water storage tank. According to one aspect of the invention, hot gas is taken from the air conditioning loop and placed directly into a heat exchanger coil immersed in the water storage tank for selective use therein to produce hot water.

Abstract: A universal elastomeric compound whose improved features display excellent permeability while simultaneously having above average chlorine compatibility. This improved elastomeric compound comprises a measured quantity of a terpolymer of ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated diene copolymer (i.e. EPDM, e.g. ROYALENE 3180), chlorinated Isobutylene (e.g. Chlorobutyl 1066), furnace or carbon black (e.g., N-550 Black), paraffinic oil (e.g., Sunpar 150 Oil), organofunctional magnesium silicate (e.g., Mistron CB), magnesium oxide (e.g., Maglite D Bar), zinc oxide, stearic acid, tetramethylthiuram disulfide (e.g., TUEX), zinc thiophosphate (e.g., ROYALAC 136), and treated sulfur (e.g., Spider Sulfur). Adding a specified quantity of said ROYALAC 136, TUEX, and Spider Sulfur to the EPDM/butyl compound imparts low taste and odor to water. Additionally, adding a specified quantity of said Mistron CB to ROYALENE 3180 and Chlorobutyl 1066, provides for an elastomeric compound having excellent resistance to chloramines.

Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressurized container which includes a unidirectional stepped valve housing within which a freestanding blocking element is housed. The blocking element is preferably a reversible, symmetrical check that integrally includes stop means for preventing the return of said blocking element to an initial location after it has been moved to a final location that activates the one way characteristic feature of a non-refillable valve (where activation is designed to take place after initially charging of the container). Further aspects of the invention relate to blocking elements (checks) per se which are suitable for use in non-refillable valves.

Abstract: A pressure vessel fitting which is non-metallic, thus, eliminating the need for the soldering, brazing or welding of the fitting which is necessary when conventional metallic fittings are used and, thus, eliminating the corrosion problems often encountered when metallic fittings are used. The pressure vessel fitting has a snap together design which eliminates the loosening problems under vibration which threaded connections are subject to, unless some type of retention or locking device is used. The non-metallic pressure vessel fitting generally comprises three components, namely, an internal fitting, a grommet and a snap retainer.

Abstract: Expansion tanks having a pair of hollow body members. Each hollow body member has an end wall and a tubular side wall having an end portion. The end portions of the side walls are in end to end relation. There is a continuous retaining ring having a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. The end portions of the side walls are united to the first peripheral portion so as to form a tank. The second peripheral portion is located interior to the first peripheral portion. There is also a flexible diaphragm in and spanning the tank and having a peripheral portion in peripheral engagement with the end portion of the side wall of one of the hollow body members. The second peripheral portion of the retaining ring engages and compressingly holds the peripheral portion of the diaphragm in peripheral engagement with the side wall.

Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressure container which includes a housing with a central passageway, which has a lower portion that is narrower than its middle portion which in turn is narrower than its upper portion. A side port is present in the lower region of the middle portion and an outlet nozzle is attached to the side port. The lower end of the housing is adapted to sealingly engage the pressure to provide communication therebetween. The valve stem is rotatably positioned in the upper portion of the central passageway. The internal end of the valve stem extends into the middle portion of the central passageway and has a longitudinal central bore present part way through the body portion. A resilient valve sealing member has a body portion and an upper flange that extends upwardly and outwardly from the body. A vertical post is positioned in the middle of the top surface of the upper flange and slidingly and rotatably engages the central bore on the bottom of the valve stem.