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.

Abstract: A well seal and split packer for a well seal. The well seal includes a split packer having interconnecting lips to allow the packer to be slipped around one or more installed drop pipes while providing an essentially leakproof seal after installation without the use of adhesives or adhesive-type flexible sealants.

Abstract: A replaceable, non-refillable or single use valve for returnable, pressurized gas cylinders. The valve includes a valve housing removably mounted on the cylinder and a replaceable valve cartridge removably mounted in the valve housing. The valve cartridge includes a housing and a valve body movable in the housing movable by means of a handle to allow and prevent release of pressurized gas from the cylinder. A nozzle, which slidably fits in a vertical slot in the valve housing, is provided for venting pressurized gas from the cylinder.

Abstract: Process for replacing a cartridge in a housing of a freeze proof hydrant. A plunger within the cartridge is urged against a roller pin lodged in the cartridge. A first end of the cartridge is deformed away from a ridge in the housing. The cartridge is slid out of the housing and the first end of the replacement cartridge is deformed. The replacement cartridge is slid into place within the housing. The first end of the replacement cartridge expanded to capture the ridge in the housing.

Abstract: Freeze-proof hydrants having a housing, the first end thereof having a fitting for flow communication with a pressurized liquid source. There is a passageway in the housing for liquid flow, a back flow preventer in the passageway and a drain in the housing. A removable cartridge is located in the passageway between the back flow preventer and the first end of the housing. The cartridge has a casing having a passageway therein, a drain therein with a drain channel and at least one hole in the drain channel which extends through the casing, arrangement for retaining the removable cartridge in the passageway, and a plunger in the passageway which can be moved from an open or liquid flowing position to a closed or liquid draining position, and vice versa. The plunger has a plunger head which blocks the passageway in the closed position and which allows liquid flow in the passageway in the open position.

Abstract: A packless non-refillable valve which incorporates a diaphragm.

Abstract: Piercing surge regulator valve for use with a liquid-carrying member. There is a valve body adapted to be connected to the fluid-carrying member in a sealing manner. The valve body comprises a housing and a housing fitting inside of the housing, the housing and housing fitting being movable in relation to each other. There is a bore in the valve body. There is also a container containing a flexible diaphragm therein so as to divide the container into two chambers, one chamber adapted to contain pressurized gas and the other chamber adapted to contain pressurized liquid, the container having a hole whereby the pressurized-liquid chamber communicates with the bore. A piercing element is present in the bore and has a passage therethrough. The housing fitting engages the piercing element, movement of the housing fitting inwardly in relation to the housing causing the piercing element to move in the direction toward the liquid-carrying member.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm/liner located in a tank connected to a liquid system. The bottom opening in the flexible diaphragm/liner is mounted in a hole in the bottom of the tank. The rigid tank is connected to a system to permit materials, like water, etc., to pass into and out of the interior of the flexible diaphragm/liner depending upon the operating needs of the system. The diaphragm/liner has an upper portion which is adapted to flex into or out of its lower portion in a predictable fashion, under pressure changes. A compressible gas is used in the upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: Non-refillable valve has a housing with a central bore, which has a lower portion that is narrower than its middle portion that in turn is narrower than its upper portion. A side port is present in the lower region of the middle portion. An outlet nozzle is located in the side port. The lower end of the housing sealingly engages the pressure container to provide communication therebetween. The valve stem is rotatably positioned in the upper portion of the central bore. The valve stem contains a vertical bore in its bottom portion. A resilient valve sealing member has a body portion and a top pin which slidably fits in the bore in the valve stem. The sealing member has a top rim portion which has a continuous outer surface and does not have any slots, identations or the like. Also, the body portion does not have any arm or arms, particularly around its periphery.