Pressurized potable water system with conformal shape water storage tank
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorMichael John Giamati
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water supply system includes a water storage tank having a storage tank outlet, the water storage tank configured to store a volume of water at a first pressure. A pressure tank is in fluid communication with the water storage tank and is periodically fillable with water from the water storage tank. An air source is fluidly connected to the pressure tank to pressurize the volume of water in the pressure tank to a second pressure greater than the first pressure. A pressure tank output line is fluidly connected to the pressure tank to output water from the pressure tank.
Claims17
A water supply system, comprising:
- a water storage tank having a storage tank fill port and storage tank outlet, the water storage tank configured to store a volume of water at a first pressure;
- a pressure tank in fluid communication with the water storage tank and periodically fillable with water from the water storage tank by opening of a storage output valve disposed along a storage tank output line connecting the water storage tank to the pressure tank;
- and
- an air source fluidly connected to the pressure tank to pressurize the volume of water in the pressure tank to a second pressure greater than the first pressure when the storage output valve is in a closed position;
- a pressure tank output line fluidly connected to the pressure tank to output water from the pressure tank;
- and
- a vent line operably connected to the pressure tank to selectably vent pressure from the pressure tank to allow for refilling of the pressure tank from the water storage tank when the storage output valve is opened;
- wherein the storage tank outlet is disposed vertically above a pressure tank inlet disposed at an uppermost extent of the pressure tank, such that the volume of water is flowed from the water storage tank to the pressure tank via gravity;
- wherein the storage tank fill port is disposed at an uppermost tank surface of the water storage tank.
A method of operating a water supply system, comprising:
- storing a volume of water at a first pressure at a water storage tank, the water storage tank including a storage tank fill port disposed at an uppermost tank surface of the water storage tank;
- urging a portion of the volume of water from the water storage tank into a first pressure tank via gravity by opening of a storage output valve disposed along a storage tank output line connecting the water storage tank to the pressure tank, wherein a storage tank outlet is disposed vertically above a pressure tank inlet disposed at an uppermost extent of the pressure tank;
- urging a volume of air from an air source into the first pressure tank to pressurize the first pressure tank to a second pressure greater than the first pressure when the storage output valve is in a closed position;
- releasing a flow of water from the first pressure tank via a pressure tank output line fluidly connected to the first pressure tank;
- and
- selectably venting pressure from the pressure tank via a vent line operably connected to the pressure tank to allow for refilling of the pressure tank from the water storage tank when the storage output valve is opened.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.