Abstract:
A tank head including a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a connection fitting is provided. The plurality of input ports are in direct communication with one another, the plurality of output ports are in direct communication with one another, and the connection fitting is capable of associating the tank head with a fluid tank. Ends of each one of the input and output ports within the pluralities are capable of being associated with a first end of a connection adapter.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of filtering systems and more particularly to a filtering system that includes multi-port tank heads for use on fluid treatment tanks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Fluid treatment systems can use different types of filters for filtering different substances from the fluids processed therethrough. Furthermore, fluid treatment systems can include a plurality of filtering phases that typically require special setup and connections between the different filtering components. 
         [0003]    One of the known problems associated with fluid treatment systems is that the filter removal and replacement process often requires a significant amount of time and manpower. The amount of time and manpower required is only magnified when the system uses different types of filters or includes a plurality of different filtering phases. 
         [0004]    The nature of fluid treatment systems using different types of filters has historically made it difficult remove and replace the various filters. There is thus, a continuing, ongoing need for a tank head that can be used in connection with a fluid treatment system wherein the tank head incorporates multiple ports. Preferably, the various ports of the tank head can be associated with different types of filters. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the present invention, a tank head is provided. The tank head can include a plurality of input ports that are in direct communication with one another, a plurality of output ports that are in direction communication with one another, and a connection fitting that is capable of associating the tank head with a fluid tank. Ends of each one of the input ports and output ports within the pluralities are capable of being associated with one end of a connection adapter. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, a system of tank heads is provided that can include a plurality of tank heads, a plurality of connection adapters, and a plurality of fluid supply lines. Each tank head in the system can include a plurality of input ports in direct communication with one another, a plurality of output ports in direct communication with one another, and a connection fitting that is capable of associating the tank head with a tank. Ends of each one of the input ports and output ports within the pluralities are capable of being associated with first ends of connection adapters within the plurality, and second ends of the connection adapters are capable of being associated with first ends of fluid supply lines within the plurality. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a benefit of the present invention to provide a tank head that incorporates multiple input and output ports. 
         [0008]    It is a further benefit of the present invention to provide a tank head that can use different types of filters simultaneously. 
         [0009]    It is yet another benefit of the present invention to provide a singular tank head that can allow for multiple filtering phases. 
         [0010]    It is still a further benefit of the present invention to provide a multi-port tank head that can be incorporated into a system of multi-port tank heads. 
         [0011]    Finally, it is a benefit of the present invention to provide a system of multi-port tank heads that can be configured to allow for various flow patterns between the ports of the various tank heads. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the present invention, all of these benefits as well as others not herein specifically identified are generally achieved by the present multi-port quick connect fluid treatment tank head. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Various examples of objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a tank head with an input port and output port; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of a tank head with an input port and an output port; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a tank head incorporating two port connections; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a multi-port tank head in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a multi-port tank head in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional top view of the first side view of the tank head shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an end view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the end view of the tank head shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a system of tank heads incorporating multiple ports and connections therebetween in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a tank head incorporating multiple ports and plugs in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention in association with a protective cover and a lower strainer basket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments. 
         [0027]    Embodiments of the present invention include a tank head that can be associated with a fluid treatment tank. The tank head can incorporate multiple ports, and, in preferred embodiments, the tank head can include a quick connection fitting to associate the head with a fluid treatment tank. 
         [0028]    A tank head in accordance with the present invention can be machined or injection molded. In preferred embodiments, the tank head can be formed from a material that is inert and non-reactive to the fluid being treated in connection with the head. Such material can include, but is not limited to, plastic, chrome, stainless steel, and brass or a combination thereof. 
         [0029]    In embodiments of the present invention, a tank head can incorporate multiple inlet and outlet ports. The ports can be configured in various ways with ports from other tank heads to create various flow patterns between and among the tanks. For example, a plurality of fluid treatment tanks can be connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel flows. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, up flow and down flow patterns, which are preferable in flow-specific filter media, can be achieved in a system of fluid treatment tanks. 
         [0030]    The multiple ports associated with a tank head allow for quick and easy modifications to the flow scheme between and among tanks. Additionally, unused ports can be blocked off with plugs, which can be held in place with retaining clips. 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the present invention include a location within the tank head for gauge-type connections. Gauge-type connections are useful to determine when the tank media requires service. Additionally, a gauge-type connection can incorporate an electronic interface and initiate a flushing or back wash function. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a top view of a tank head with an input port and an output port is shown. Traditionally, a tank head  10  includes only two ports: an input port  12  and an output port  14 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1A , during operation, fluid enters the tank head  10  via the input port  12  and exits the tank head  10  via the output port  14 . The tank head  10  can be affixed to a fluid treatment tank as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0033]    Similarly, a side view of a tank head with an input port and an output port is shown in  FIG. 1B . During operation, fluid enters the tank head  10  via the input port  12  and exits the tank head  10  via the output port  14 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a tank head incorporating two port connections. When a tank head incorporates more than one inlet port or more than one outlet port, the inlet ports or outlet ports, respectively, can be connected with one another inside the tank head. The connections between the various ports provide for ease of installation. In embodiments of the claimed invention, the connections between the ports can be straight pipes, elbows, tees, barbs, reducers, or any other type of connection as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the tank head  20  incorporates ports  22  and  26 , which are connected via tank connection  24 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top perspective view of a multi-port tank head in accordance with the present invention is shown. The tank head  30  can incorporate a plurality of ports  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 . It is to be understood that the number of ports incorporated into the tank head is not a limitation of the present invention. Rather, the number of ports incorporated into a tank head could be more or less than the number shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the multi-port tank head shown in  FIG. 3 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the tank head  30  can include a connection fitting  44  to connect the tank head  30  to a fluid treatment tank (not shown). The connection fitting  44  can be screwed on, snapped on, or connected to the treatment tank in any other way as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments of the present invention, the connection fitting  44  allows for the quick connection of the tank head  30  to a fluid treatment tank. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention, and  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional top view of the first side view shown in  FIG. 5 . The ports  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  of a tank head  30  can be in fluid communication with one another. As seen in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , ports  32 ,  34 , and  36  are in direct communication with one another, while ports  38 ,  40 , and  42  are in direct communication with one another. That is, one side of the tank head  30  includes a plurality of inlet ports  32 ,  34 ,  36 , and one side of the tank head includes a plurality of outlet ports  38 ,  40 ,  42 . 
         [0038]    When fluid enters the inlet ports  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the tank head  30 , the fluid is directed into an associated fluid treatment tank in accordance with the configured flow pattern of the tank head  30 . When fluid exits the fluid treatment tank, it is directed towards the outlet ports  38 ,  40 ,  42  in accordance with the configured flow pattern of the tank head  30 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an end view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention is shown, and a cross-sectional view of the end view is shown in  FIG. 8 . As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , input port  32  and output port  36  can be incorporated into a singular tank head  30  and be in fluid communication with one another via an associated fluid treatment tank. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a system of tank heads incorporating multiple ports and connections therebetween in accordance with the present invention. In a system of tank heads in accordance with the present invention, various ports incorporated within a tank head can be connected to one another and to fluid supply lines via connection adapters. 
         [0041]    A connection adapter in accordance with the present invention can include two ends: a first end and a second end. A first end of the connection adapter can include an O-ring-type seal, which allows the connection adapter to be connected to a port of the tank head. A retaining clip can hold the connection adapter in communication with the port of the tank head, and the O-ring-type seal can provide for a sealing means between the connection adapter and a port of the tank head. A connection adapter can have more than one O-ring-type seal for positive sealing of the fluid. 
         [0042]    A second end of the connection adapter can have a thread or barb. The thread or barb allows for easy connection to fluid supply lines or to a connection adapter in communication with a port of another tank head. 
         [0043]    As seen in  FIG. 9 , a system of tank heads can include tank heads  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90 . It is to be understood that the number of tank heads included in the system is not a limitation of the present invention. Rather, the number of tank heads could be more or less than the number shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0044]    In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , tank head  50  incorporates ports  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 , and  56 . Tank head  60  incorporates ports  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 , and  66 . Tank head  70  incorporates ports  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 , and  76 . Tank head  80  incorporates ports  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84 ,  85 , and  86 . Tank head  90  incorporates ports  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 ,  95 , and  96 . 
         [0045]    As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , port  91  of tank head  90  is connected to a fluid supply line  190 . Port  95  of tank head  90  is connected to a fluid supply line  192 . Port  96  of tank head  90  is connected to port  52  of tank head  50  via a fluid supply line  194 . Port  53  of tank head  50  is connected to a fluid delivery line  196 . Port  55  of tank head  50  is connected to port  65  of tank head  60  via a fluid supply line  198 . Port  61  of tank head  60  is connected to port  75  of tank head  70  via a fluid supply line  100 . Port  72  of tank head  70  is connected to a fluid delivery line  102 . Port  76  of tank head  70  is connected to port  84  of tank  80  via a fluid delivery line  104 . Port  82  of tank head  80  is connected to a fluid supply line  106 . The various fluid supply lines and fluid delivery lines can be connected to their respective ports via the connection adapters as explained above. 
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the connections between the various ports of the tank heads shown in  FIG. 9  are not limitations of the present invention. Rather, they are only exemplary. The configuration of the connections between the various ports of tanks heads within a system and connections to fluid supply lines allow for variation in the flow pattern of the fluid. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a top view of a tank head incorporating multiple ports and plugs in accordance with the present invention is shown. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , a tank head  110  can include ports  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 , and  116 . If a port is unused, it can be blocked off by a plug. As seen in  FIG. 10 , ports  113 ,  114 ,  115 , and  116  are blocked with plugs  120 ,  121 ,  122 , and  123 , respectively. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 10 , fluid only flows into and out of ports  111  and  112 , respectively. Plugs can be used in connection with a system of tank heads to control the flow of fluid therethrough. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a tank head in accordance with the present invention in association with a protective cover and a lower strainer basket. The protective cover  242  of the tank head  200  can be placed over the various ports associated with the tank head  200 . Further, a lower strainer basket  266  can be situated below the connection fitting  244  of the tank head  200 . 
         [0049]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.