Abstract: A vessel includes a body having an interior surface that defines an interior space. The vessel further includes a flexible membrane located within the interior space of the vessel. The interior space includes a first chamber at least partially defined by the flexible membrane, and a second chamber at least partially defined by the flexible membrane and a portion of the interior surface of the body. The vessel includes a pressure relief device configured to vent contents of the second chamber to an exterior of the body when the second chamber reaches a first predefined pressure. The flexible membrane is configured to tear or puncture when the first chamber reaches a second predefined pressure that is less than or equal to the first predefined pressure to prevent dangerously high pressures within the first chamber.

Abstract: A non-metallic pressure vessel is disclosed that includes a bottom dome having an upper wall defining an interface channel, a top dome having a lower wall defining a downwardly projecting securement flange dimensioned and aligned for vertical engagement within the interface channel of the bottom dome, and a flexible diaphragm retained within the interface channel of the bottom dome by the downwardly projecting flange of the upper dome.

Abstract: A portable gas cylinder is disclosed which includes a gas cylinder including an upper portion having a valve port and an annular mounting collar surrounding the valve port, a handle assembly including a housing having a body portion configured to mate with the upper portion of the gas cylinder, a pair of diametrically opposed gripping handles extending upwardly from the body portion and a central aperture providing access to the valve port, wherein an annular retention channel is formed in an undersurface of the housing, extending about the periphery of the central aperture for receiving the mounting flange of the gas cylinder, and a blocking ring for securing the mounting flange of the gas cylinder within the retention channel of the handle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion tank having an internal cavity separated by a flexible diaphragm to form an upper pressurized gas portion and a lower pressurized fluid portion, and an indicator positioned at an upper part of the expansion tank in communication with the contents of the upper pressurized gas portion. The indicator is configured so as to display a first color if the operating conditions are normal in the pressurized gas portion, and a second color if the amount of moisture detected in the pressurized gas portion greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. Further disclosed is a method for detecting whether there is an excessive amount of moisture in a pressurized gas portion of an expansion tank by allowing pressurized gas from the pressurized gas portion to come into contact with the indicator, and viewing the color displayed by the indicator. As such, the tank can be simply visually inspected to determine whether there is a potential failure in the tank.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder includes a first handle portion, a second handle portion and first and second locking members. The first handle portion includes an ergonomically configured upstanding gripping handle and a semi-circular shroud portion configured to couple to a first section of an upper portion of a portable gas cylinder. The second handle portion includes an ergonomically configured upstanding gripping handle and a semi-circular shroud portion configured to couple to a second section of the upper portion of the portable gas cylinder. First and second locking members are configured to selectively locking the first and second handle portions to one another about a periphery of the upper portion of the portable gas cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorber system for absorbing pressure shocks and fluid volume shocks in a fluid system. In particular, the absorber system includes a housing with a joint for insertion within a fluid system, wherein the housing interior is in fluid communication with fluid in the fluid system. As such, when a pressure and/or fluid volume shock is developed within the fluid system, fluid is forced into the housing via the joint. A membrane is disposed within the housing in such a way that the fluid impacts the membrane which, in response, flexes to absorb and control the pressure and/or fluid volume shock within the fluid system. The absorber system, thus, controls pressure and/or fluid volume shock within a system and can prevent water hammer and other problems which can result from the development of pressure and/or fluid volume shock.

Abstract: A non-metallic pressure vessel is disclosed that includes a bottom dome having an upper wall defining an interface channel, a top dome having a lower wall defining a downwardly projecting securement flange dimensioned and aligned for vertical engagement within the interface channel of the bottom dome, and a flexible diaphragm retained within the interface channel of the bottom dome by the downwardly projecting flange of the upper dome.

Abstract: An absorber for use in a fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a housing defining an interior chamber, a connective fitting extending from the housing in fluid communication with the interior chamber for connecting the housing to the fluid delivery system, and at least one gas-filled bladder or cell disposed within the interior chamber of the housing to accommodate changes in fluid characteristics, such as, for example, pressure and volume, within the fluid delivery system, the gas-filled bladder or cell having a predetermined pre-charge pressure and a multi-layered flexible polymeric shell including a plurality of successive relatively thin polymeric shell layers to inhibit the formation of leak paths through the shell in the event that a single shell layer fails.

Abstract: A hydronic space heating system including a buffer tank defining upper and lower chambers in fluid and thermal communication with one another, the upper and lower chambers being separated by a baffle having passages formed therein to allow fluid flow from the lower chamber to the upper chamber to facilitate heat transfer therebetween in a controlled manner, a heat pump associated with the lower chamber of the buffer tank and having an output for heating water in the lower chamber of the buffer tank to a temperature within a predefined temperature range, and an auxiliary heat source associated with the upper chamber of the buffer tank having an output for increasing the temperature of water in the upper chamber of the buffer tank to conditionally supplement the output of the heat pump.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a pressure vessel includes a support body having an upper wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from the upper wall. A locking aperture is defined in the upper wall to permit passage of pressure vessel components therethrough. A plurality of locking latches is disposed along an inner dimension of the locking aperture. The locking latches are configured and adapted to couple with a pressure vessel retaining ring passing through the locking aperture.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a portable gas cylinder includes a first handle portion, a second handle portion and first and second locking members. The first handle portion includes an ergonomically configured upstanding gripping handle and a semi-circular shroud portion configured to couple to a first section of an upper portion of a portable gas cylinder. The second handle portion includes an ergonomically configured upstanding gripping handle and a semi-circular shroud portion configured to couple to a second section of the upper portion of the portable gas cylinder. First and second locking members are configured to selectively locking the first and second handle portions to one another about a periphery of the upper portion of the portable gas cylinder.

Abstract: A portable gas cylinder is disclosed which includes a gas cylinder including an upper portion having a valve port and an annular mounting collar surrounding the valve port, a handle assembly including a housing having a body portion configured to mate with the upper portion of the gas cylinder, a pair of diametrically opposed gripping handles extending upwardly from the body portion and a central aperture providing access to the valve port, wherein an annular retention channel is formed in an undersurface of the housing, extending about the periphery of the central aperture for receiving the mounting flange of the gas cylinder, and a blocking ring for securing the mounting flange of the gas cylinder within the retention channel of the handle assembly.