Patent ID: 7108015

Claim:
A in-line expansion tank, comprising: a pressure assembly having first and second passage fittings providing fluidic communication between an interior and an exterior of the pressure assembly; first and second collars sealingly connected to the first and second passage fittings, respectively; a resilient diaphragm having first and second ends, wherein the first and second ends are sealingly connected to an exterior of the first and second collars, respectively; and a tube retained between the first and second collars and having first and second ends, wherein both ends have a notch providing fluidic communication between an interior of the tube and an interior of the diaphragm, wherein the notch is open to the end of the tube, wherein, when a first portion of water and a second portion of water enter the space, between the diaphragm and the tube at the first end of the tube, the second portion entering the space before a substantial amount of the first portion leaves the tank via the second end of the tube, substantially all of the first portion exits the tank before a substantial amount of the second portion exits the tank via the second end of the tube.