Tank connector construction

• US 5,746,344 A
• Filed: 05/08/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: State Industries Incorporated (A O Smith Corporation)
• Original Assignee: State Industries Incorporated (A O Smith Corporation)
• Inventors: Syler, Rodney R., Lindahl, D. Kent, Faber, Rolf E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CRONIN, STEPHEN K
• Application Number:
  US08/643,290
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 220/465, 220/582, 220/288, 220/601, 220/626, 220/661
• US Class Current: 220/62.22
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1222 comprising at least a lapped joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1224 comprising at least a butt joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1226 comprising at least one bevelled joint-segment
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/24221 being circular B29C66/51 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53247 said spouts comprising flanges
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/08 Threaded or like closure members secured by rotation; Bushes therefor

Abstract

A tank connector assembly including a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. An insert member of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion. The insert member is mounted inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. A bonding member of polymer material fits the cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member positioned between the external surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the insert member and the internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member being securely bonded to both the insert member and the spud member. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer material of the bonding member is malcated olefin. The bonding of the cylindrical wall portion of the bonding member to the polymer insert and the steel spud will prevent or at least substantially reduce any tendency of the water in the tank to leak past the outer surface of the insert member which, in turn, prevents water from coming into contact with the wall of the steel tank. Such contact if allowed to occur may cause corrosion of the steel tank. The bond between the outer surface of the cylindrical wall of the bonding member and the steel spud prevents water from coming into contact with the steel spud to thus prevent corrosion of the spud.

Claims

1. A tank connector assembly comprising:

a metal spud member (24) having an upper internally threaded cylindrical portion (26) and a lower cylindrical wall portion (28) having an internal smooth wall surface portion;

an insert member (14) of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion, said wall portion having an internal and an external face, said insert member mounted inside said cylindrical wall portion of said spud member and spaced therefrom, said insert member (14) having an upper cylindrical section (20) and a lower cylindrical section (22) of a smaller diameter than said upper section to thereby form a shoulder (21) between said upper and lower cylindrical sections; and

a bonding member (12) of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion (18) having internal and external cylindrical wall surfaces, said cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member positioned in the space between the external surface of said cylindrical wall portion of said insert member and the internal surface of said cylindrical wall portion of said spud member, said internal and external wall surfaces of said cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member bonded to said external wall surface of said insert member and to said internal smooth wall surface of said spud member.

2. A tank and tank connector therefor comprising:

an outer steel tank having at least one opening therein;

an inner steel tank of polymer material mounted inside said outer steel tank;

a tank connector assembly to facilitate a connection between the interior of said inner tank and the exterior of said outer tank, said tank connection assembly comprising;

a metal spud member (24) having an upper internally threaded portion (26) and a lower cylindrical wall portion (28), said cylindrical wall portion welded to the steel outer tank at the opening therein;

an insert member (14) of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion, said insert member mounted inside said cylindrical wall portion of said spud member, said polymer material of said inner shell being bonded to said insert member, said insert member (14) having an upper cylindrical section (20) and a lower cylindrical section (22) of a smaller diameter than said upper section to thereby form a shoulder (21) between said upper and lower cylindrical sections, said shoulder being in snug engagement with said outer steel tank;

a bonding member (12) of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion (18 having internal and external cylindrical wall surfaces, said cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member positioned between the external surface of said cylindrical wall portion of said insert member and the internal surface of said cylindrical wall portion of said spud member, said internal and external wall surfaces of said cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member bonded to said insert member and to said lower cylindrical wall portion (28) of said spud member, respectively.