Apparatus and method for containing and regulating the pressure in a pressure vessel
First Claim
1. A water storage apparatus for selectively storing and releasing water delivered from a well via a water pump, the apparatus comprising:
- a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;
an elastic member inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume, the water storing volume communicating with the water pump and is filled with water supplied by the pump, the air storing volume containing a fixed amount of air, the volume of the air storing volume decreasing and the pressure increasing in response to water being pumped into the water storing volume, the volume air storing volume increasing and the pressure decreasing in response to a decrease in the amount of water in the water storing volume;
a conduit in the pressure vessel opening and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume;
an air pressure switch in communication with the air passage and adapted to activate the pump in response to the air pressure in the air storing volume dropping below a first limit and deactivating the pump in response to air pressure rising above a second limit; and
a piercing member contiguous with the conduit and extending into the air storing volume to pierce the elastic member in the event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to the air storing volume shrinking below a normal operating range of volumes.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a tank and/or pressure sensing assembly that can reduce one or more steps from a conventional manufacturing operation. The tank of some embodiments can have a seal that is capable of sealing an entire opening within the tank and is adapted to be punctured or pierced by a portion of a pressure sensing assembly or while the pressure sensing assembly is attached to the tank. The pressure sensing assembly of some embodiments can include a conduit connectable with the tank and a pressure switch coupled to the conduit. A projection contiguous with and extending from the conduit can pierce the seal (if used) on the tank. The projection can also pierce an elastic member within the tank in the event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to a leak.
29 Citations
45 Claims
-
1. A water storage apparatus for selectively storing and releasing water delivered from a well via a water pump, the apparatus comprising:
-
a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;
an elastic member inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume, the water storing volume communicating with the water pump and is filled with water supplied by the pump, the air storing volume containing a fixed amount of air, the volume of the air storing volume decreasing and the pressure increasing in response to water being pumped into the water storing volume, the volume air storing volume increasing and the pressure decreasing in response to a decrease in the amount of water in the water storing volume;
a conduit in the pressure vessel opening and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume;
an air pressure switch in communication with the air passage and adapted to activate the pump in response to the air pressure in the air storing volume dropping below a first limit and deactivating the pump in response to air pressure rising above a second limit; and
a piercing member contiguous with the conduit and extending into the air storing volume to pierce the elastic member in the event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to the air storing volume shrinking below a normal operating range of volumes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A water storage apparatus for selectively storing and releasing water delivered from a well via a water pump, the apparatus comprising:
-
a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;
an elastic member inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume;
a conduit in the pressure vessel opening and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume;
an air pressure switch in communication with the air passage and adapted to activate the pump in response to the air pressure in the air storing volume dropping below a first limit; and
a piercing member connected with the conduit and extending through the opening and into the air storing volume to pierce the elastic member in the-event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to the air pressure dropping below a second limit less than the first limit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An apparatus connectable to a water storage tank that can selectively release water and refill with water delivered from a well via a water pump, the water storage tank having a volume of stored air, the apparatus comprising:
-
a conduit connectable with the tank and defining an air passage in communication with the stored air in the tank;
an air pressure switch coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure switch operable to activate the pump if the air pressure within the tank drops below a first limit; and
a projection contiguous with and extending from the conduit in a direction away from the pressure switch, the projection having an end capable of piercing a seal of the tank. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A water storage tank adapted to selectively release water and refill with water delivered from a well via a water pump, the tank comprising:
-
a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;
an elastic member located inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume; and
a seal located over the opening, the seal allowing the tank to be pressurized and remain pressurized without additional structure closing the opening. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A method of manufacturing a water storage tank for a well, the method comprising:
-
forming a pressure vessel having an opening, an interior volume, and an elastic member located inside the pressure vessel to separate the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume;
installing a seal over the opening, the seal capable of sealing the entire opening and adapted to be punctured by a pressure switch mounting assembly;
pressurizing the tank with air;
preventing air from escaping the pressurized tank through the opening with the seal; and
packaging the pressurized tank for shipping while the tank is pressurized. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
-
Specification