Fitting installation process and apparatus for a molded plastic vessel
AssigneeEssef Corporation
InventorsJames C. Murphy, Kevin Goodge, Jim Hlebovy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molded plastic vessel is provided with a fitting or other attachment after molding and before winding of the vessel. The fitting is provided with a plastic insert. The insert and a wall of the vessel are heated and welded together to hold the fitting on the vessel. The tank is filament wound for reinforcement, and the filaments capture the fitting to hold the fitting on the wall. The wall is opened to provide a passage through the fitting into the vessel. An apparatus is provided that carries and moves the fitting, insert, and a heater to install the fitting on the vessel.
Claims16
A manufacturing system, comprising:
- a vessel liner;
- a fitting, said fitting defining a passageway which is open at opposite sides of the fitting;
- an insert which extends completely through said fitting passageway;
- means for releasably securing said insert to said fitting;
- means for supporting the fitting and the insert near the liner;
- a heater;
- means for positioning the heater between the fitting and the liner for heating the insert and an area of the liner;
- and
- means for positioning the fitting on the liner and pressing the insert into the liner to weld the insert to the liner.
A manufacturing system, comprising:
- a vessel liner;
- a fitting defining a passageway which is open at opposite sides of the fitting;
- an insert which extends completely through said fitting passageway;
- a platform;
- a fastener operable to releasably secure the insert to said fitting;
- a mounting head movably mounted on the platform and adapted for supporting the fitting and the insert near the liner, positioning the fitting on the liner, and pressing the insert into the liner;
- a driver adapted to move the mounting head;
- a heater movably mounted on the platform for heating said insert and an area of said liner;
- and
- a support arm, wherein said heater is secured to said support arm and said support arm is adapted to position the heater between the fitting and the liner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.