Patent ID: 9441778
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: F16L,F16N,F17C,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for draining a waterlogged air pressure chamber of a pressure bladder tank which has upper and lower ends, an internal compartment in the pressure bladder tank having upper and lower ends, a flexible bladder in the lower end of the internal compartment which normally separates the internal compartment into a pressurized air chamber above the bladder and a water chamber below the bladder, comprising: a tee fitting having a first open end, a second open end in line with said first open end, and a third open end which extends transversely with respect to said first and second open ends; a first seal in said first open end of said tee fitting; said first seal having an inner end and an outer end; said first seal having a central opening formed therein which extends between said outer and inner ends thereof; a second seal in said second open end of said tee fitting; said second seal having an inner end and an outer end; said second seal having a central opening formed therein which extends between said outer and inner ends thereof; a valve assembly having an inlet end and a discharge end; said inlet end of said valve assembly being in fluid communication with said third open end of said tee fitting; said discharge end of said valve assembly being configured to have a water drain hose secured thereto; said valve assembly including a selectively movable valve member positioned between said inlet end and said discharge end thereof; an elongated drill bit having an outer shank end and an inner cutting end; said outer shank end of said drill bit having inner and outer ends; said inner cutting end of said drill bit having inner and outer ends; said inner cutting end of said drill bit having a greater diameter than the diameter of said outer shank end of said drill bit thereby creating a stepped-down portion between said inner end of said outer shank end and said outer end of said inner cutting end of said drill bit; said outer shank end of said drill bit being longitudinally movably mounted in said central opening of said first seal; said drill bit being longitudinally movable between outer and inner positions with respect to said tee fitting; said stepped-down portion of said drill bit being in sealing engagement with said inner end of said first seal when said drill bit is in said outer position; said inner end of said inner cutting end of said drill bit extending through said central opening in said second seal to be in drilling engagement with the tank when said drill bit is in said inner position; an adjustable strap operatively secured to said tee fitting which may be extended around the tank to hold said second open end of said tee fitting in sealed engagement with the exterior of the tank so that said drill bit may be rotated to drill into the waterlogged air pressure chamber of the tank to drain water from the waterlogged pressure chamber.