Patent ID: 8523001
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: F16J,F24D

Abstract:
1. A thermal expansion/surge reduction water tank comprising: a) a hollow housing; b) a bladder sealed to an inside of the housing forming two compartments therein; c) a compressed air inlet in communication with a first of the compartments for expanding the first compartment by forcing said bladder into an abutting relationship with an upper inside surface of the hollow housing; d) a water inlet and a separate water outlet both in fluid communication with a second of the compartments, the orientation of the water inlet and the water outlet to each other being structured to produce one-way non-laminar flow of water from the inlet to the outlet through the second compartment upon application of water pressure through the water inlet, thereby flushing the second compartment with water through said outlet to effect self-cleaning thereof and expanding the second compartment by forcing said bladder into the first compartment; e) a plurality of protuberances disposed on a side of said bladder facing the second compartment and extending along a portion thereof abutting said upper inside surface of the hollow housing between said inlet and said outlet in order to prevent sealing of said bladder to the inside surface of said housing; and f) a plurality of fluid channels between said bladder and said housing in an abutment area between said inlet and said outlet, formed by said protuberances when water pressure does not displace the bladder into the first compartment, thereby enabling continued fluid flow between the water inlet and separate water outlet with said bladder abutting the housing inside.