Patent ID: 7234484
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: E03B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A pressure tank apparatus having a longitudinal axis, comprising: a liquid storage vessel, wherein said liquid storage vessel comprises: a first end; a second end that opposes said first end; and a curved side wall that extends between said first end and said second end, wherein said curved side wall encircles the longitudinal axis to define an inner chamber; an inlet conduit connected to said liquid storage vessel, said inlet conduit being disposed at a lower portion of said inner chamber; a first outlet conduit connected to said liquid storage vessel; a second outlet conduit connected to said liquid storage vessel and passing through a center of said second end, the second outlet conduit extending along said longitudinal axis to about a midpoint of said longitudinal axis; an air control valve passing through said curved side wall and disposed between said first outlet conduit and said second outlet conduit, wherein said air control valve releases air from said inner chamber in response a pressure in said inner chamber exceeding a predetermined maximum pressure threshold; a valve cap connected to said liquid storage vessel; a compressed air source connected to said valve cap to supply compressed air to said inner chamber; a first cut-off valve connected to said inlet conduit, wherein said first cut-off valve controls the liquid flow into said inner chamber; a second cut-off valve connected to said first outlet conduit, wherein said second cut-off valve controls the flow of liquid out of said inner chamber; a pump connected to said inlet conduit, wherein said pump pumps liquid into said inner chamber under pressure via said inlet in response to being activated; and an air pressure switch configured to sense a pressure in said inner chamber, wherein said air pressure switch is configured to activate the pump in response to the sensed pressure being less than a pre-determined minimum pressure threshold and wherein said air pressure switch is configured to deactivate said pump in response to said sensed pressure exceeding a working pressure threshold.