Abstract: A method of making a filament wound pressure vessel. A thermoplastic liner is filament wound with a commingled roving containing thermoplastic and reinforcing filaments. The wound tank is partially filled with a cooling liquid and the wound tank is heated to a temperature which is sufficient to vaporize a portion of the liquid to pressurize the liner at a preselected set pressure and sufficient to fuse the thermoplastic matrix, but insufficient to significantly soften the liner.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having a relief area onto which a flange of a side port can be attached. The relief area includes a planar mating surface raised from the cylindrical sidewall of the vessel. A method for forming the pressure vessel includes providing a cylindrical mandrel provided with a side port spacer. Fiberglass is wrapped onto the mandrel and space. The fiberglass is impregnated with resin and the resin is cured. A metallic insert ring is embedded in a full bore open end of the pressure vessel. The ring has a cross-section having a height to width ratio of less than 0.7.

Abstract: A quick-release fitting assembly has a male fitting and a female fitting. The male and female fittings are secured together by a retaining ring that is at least partially received in aligned first and second retaining grooves that are provided in the male fitting and the throat of the female fitting respectively. A water tight seal is provided by an O-ring that is retained in a sealing groove of the male fitting and radially compressed against the throat wall when the male fitting is inserted in the female fitting. The water tight seal remains substantially intact when the male fitting is rotated relative to the female fitting. In a preferred embodiment, the male fitting is removable from the female fitting by first compressing the retaining ring so that it no longer extends into the second retaining groove.

Abstract: A pressurized vessel, such as a tank liner, is formed of a thermoplastic injection-molded connector or insert and a thermoplastic blow-molded vessel body. A noncylindrical skirt of the connector having a substantial surface area is spin-welded to a mating interface formed on the outer surface of the vessel body adjacent an orifice into which the insert is received. In a preferred embodiment, a sacrificed portion of an upstanding orifice sidewall forms a molten weld bead, which flows in a channel to fuse the skirt to the mating interface.

Abstract: A method of molding a hollow, reinforced molded plastic article. A preform is provided in the shape of the article to be molded. The preform comprises randomly commingled, short lengths of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers loosely bonded together. A core is provided within the preform and may either be a flexible inflatable core which may be removed later or a thermoplastic liner. The preform is placed in a mold and heated to fuse the thermoplastic while a pressurized liquid coolant is circulated within the core.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; B) overlaying a layer comprising fiber and a thermoplastic material (preferably by winding commingled filaments, rovings or yarns) onto the thermoplastic liner to obtain a composite intermediate structure (the fiber and thermoplastic material can be heated if desired during the overlaying, e.g. winding, step); C) heating the composite intermediate structure in a mold while applying at least one force thereto tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the mold and composite vessel until the composite vessel is solidified; and F) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A process, and the product thereof, for making a composite vessel having at least one closed end, the process including the steps of: fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; overlaying onto the liner a layer of commingled fiber and thermoplastic material to obtain a composite intermediate structure; pressing and heating the composite intermediate structure to effect at least partial consolidation in apparatus which includes upper and lower silicon rubber bags, the bags having dimensions such that, during operation, their facing peripheral regions abut to encompass the composite intermediate structure; then placing the composite intermediate structure in a mold; heating the composite intermediate structure in the mold while applying a force, such as internal gas pressure, tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer fully consolidate; cooling the mold and composite vessel until th

Abstract: A seamless plastic pressure vessel having a heat exchanger encased therein is disclosed. The pressure vessel is a unitary seamless wall and the wall surrounds a heat exchanger unit comprising a length of hollow tubing having ends retained in a mounting fitting. The pressure vessel may be formed by a rotational casting or blow molding technique.

Abstract: A process of making a composite vessel with superior mechanical and aesthetic characteristics includes the steps of: A) preforming a composite thermoplastic shell (e.g., by winding a commingled roving of fiberglass and a thermoplastic material onto a thermoplastic liner) having an opening for access to the interior; B) placing the shell (which may optionally be preheated) into a mold (which itself may optionally be preheated); C) introducing an inflatable bag containing a heater into the shell through the opening; D) heating the inflatable bag to a temperature which is sufficient to render the shell fluid while pressurizing the interior of the inflatable bag; E) continuing step D) until the shell forms against the interior walls of the mold; F) allowing the formed composite vessel to cool; G) removing the inflatable bag; and H) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) preforming (e.g., by winding fiber and at least one thermoplastic substance onto a thermoplastic liner) a thermoplastic shell which has at least one opening for access to the interior; B) extruding a circular cross section of a fluid parison of thermoplastic material (which preferably is chosen to have a melting point lower than that of the thermoplastic shell) into the interior of the thermoplastic shell through the opening; C) in a mold, applying at least one force (such as gas under pressure) which tends to urge the fluid parison toward the interior walls of the thermoplastic shell (which may be preheated prior to introduction into the mold) such that the fluid parison imparts heat to the thermoplastic shell; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic shell and the fluid parison consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the vessel until it is solidified; and F) removing the vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A molded plastic vessel is provided with a fitting or other attachment after molding and before winding of the vessel. The fitting is provided with a plastic insert. The insert and a wall of the vessel are heated and welded together to hold the fitting on the vessel. The tank is filament wound for reinforcement, and the filaments capture the fitting to hold the fitting on the wall. The wall is opened to provide a passage through the fitting into the vessel. An apparatus is provided that carries and moves the fitting, insert, and a heater to install the fitting on the vessel.

Abstract: A Flow control valve for a pump suction line permitting flow from an alternate source in the event of partial or complete blockage of a main source. The valve includes a valve housing having a main inlet port at one end, on auxiliary inlet port at its other end and a suction port between the inlet ports. Flow responsive valves are provided at the inlet ports and the valves are spring biased by springs which allow normal flow through the main inlet port. If the main inlet port is blocked the auxiliary port is opened. A flap valve is actuated by flow through the auxiliary port to close the auxiliary port and to create hydrostatic pressure between the blockage and the main inlet port to thereby dislodge the blockage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a housing for a reverse osmosis filter. The housing is preferably cylindrical and features a unique sealing assembly at each of its ends. The end assemblies enable the interior of the housing to be readily accessed and securely sealed. Each end assembly can be provided with one or more inlet and/or outlet ports.

Abstract: A plastic pressure vessel having an access fitting is disclosed. The pressure vessel has a liner defining a container with an access opening. The fitting comprises a body portion defined by a hollow cylindrical neck portion having an upper annular rim and a radially flaring flanged portion. The fitting further comprises a plastic covering portion surrounding the neck portion and covering and conforming to an upper surface of the flanged portion and conforming to the upper annular rim. The body portion is formed from a plastic material having a higher tensile modulous and higher deflection temperature than the plastic covering portion which forms a fusion bond with the liner.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic pressure vessel comprising a tank wall having wall portions defining a closed cavity. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm separates the cavity into first and second fluid pressure chambers. An edge of the diaphragm is clamped between annular portions of the wall positions and other radially and axially off-set portions of the wall portions are fused to each other.

Abstract: A swimming pool main drain assembly comprises a cup-shaped fitting recessed in a pool bottom and having an open mouth substantially coplaner with the pool bottom. A port is provided in the fitting which communicates with the suction inlet of a circulation pump. A return port assembly is provided in the fitting which communicates with an outlet of the circulation pump. The return port assembly includes an outlet conduit which directs water in a substantially vertical direction out of the main drain and educts a portion of the pool water.

Abstract: A grey water recovery system comprises a filter tank having a filter medium therein. Grey water is delivered to the filter tank by a delivery conduit and filtered grey water is collected in a sump which surrounds the filter tank. A pump removes the filtrate to a distribution system for irrigation and similar use. The recovery system includes a backwash system. The backwash system has a flow responsive poppet valve which permits clean backwashing water and pressurized air to flow upwardly through the filter medium while closing the normal filtrate flow path to the sump.

Abstract: A conductive sleeve is located around each of the filament supports of an incandescent lamp enclosed in a glass bulb. The sleeve is spaced from the support by an insulating spacer. The sleeve is connected to a ground so that if the bulb breaks liquid flowing into the bulb creates a conducting path between the filament supports and the ground. The sleeve has a generally hollow, cylindrical shape spaced and is positioned around the support.

Abstract: A filament-wound pressure vessel is disclosed which has a reinforced access opening. The pressure vessel comprises a blow-molded one piece liner having an outer surface defined by a cylindrical sidewall and oblate ellipsoidal ends. The liner defines at least one access opening into the vessel and the access opening has a cylindrical neck portion and a liner flange extending radially outwardly from an open distal end of the neck portion. A cylindrical reinforcement member surrounds the cylindrical neck portion and has a supporting flange at one end thereof, which engages and annular face of the liner flange. The reinforcement member has a radially extending supporting foot at the other end thereof, which contacts the outer surface of the liner. The reinforcement member comprises a plurality of separable arcuate segments so that it may be assembled around the cylindrical neck portion of the liner. A resin-impregnated filament-winding covers the liner and the supporting foot of the reinforcement member.

Abstract: A molded plastic vessel is provided with a fitting or other attachment after molding and before winding of the vessel. The fitting is provided with a plastic insert. The insert and a wall of the vessel are heated and welded together to hold the fitting on the vessel. The tank is filament wound for reinforcement, and the filaments capture the fitting to hold the fitting on the wall. The wall is opened to provide a passage through the fitting into the vessel. An apparatus is provided that carries and moves the fitting, insert, and a heater to install the fitting on the vessel.