Potable hot water storage vessel and method of manufacture
AssigneePVI Industries, Inc.
InventorsCharles L. Adams, Weldon M. Hiddleston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A potable, hot water storage vessel is shown with a metallic body having a water inlet, water outlet and at least one additional opening communicating the vessel interior and exterior. A flexible, non-molded liner is installed within the vessel interior through the additional opening. The liner has integrally formed ports which extend through the vessel inlet and outlets to the exterior of the vessel body. A bolt-on flange is received on the vessel exterior at the inlet and outlet to form a seal with each of the liner ports.
Claims10
A potable, hot water storage vessel, comprising:
- a metallic body having an interior, an exterior, tubular sidewalls and a pair of opposing ends, the metallic body having a water inlet, a water outlet and at least one additional opening for receiving a heat generating means;
- a flexible, non-molded liner removably installed within the metallic body through the additional opening prior to filling the vessel with water, the liner having water inlet and water outlet ports which extend through the vessel water inlet and water outlets, respectively, to the exterior of the metallic body, the liner inlet and outlet ports being formed of flexible, polymeric materials which are joined to the liner prior to inserting the liner within the vessel interior;
- a heat generating means installed within the additional opening;
- and
- means for closing the additional opening once the liner and heat generating means are installed.
A method of lining a potable, hot water storage vessel of the type which includes a vessel body for dispensing potable water through a water outlet, the water being supplied through a water inlet, the vessel body having an interior, and exterior and opposing ends and also being provided with at least one additional opening, the method comprising the steps of:
- welding a plurality of outwardly extending bolts onto the vessel exterior about the periphery of the water inlet and the water outlet;
- removably installing a flexible, non-molded liner within the vessel interior through the additional opening prior to filling the vessel with water, the liner having integrally formed water inlet and water outlet ports;
- inserting the liner water inlet and outlet ports through the vessel water inlet and water outlets, respectively, to the exterior of the vessel body;
- providing a bolt-on flange with a body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being provided with a plurality of bolt openings spaced about the periphery of said body and communicating said inner and outer surfaces;
- locating a bolt-on flange on the vessel exterior at each of the water inlet and water outlet by passing the outwardly extending bolts through the bolt openings provided in the flange bodies;
- sealing the flanges to the vessel exterior by bolting the flanges onto the vessel with the respective liner ports sandwiched between the vessel exterior and the bolt-on flanges;
- and
- closing the additional opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.