COMPOSITE TANK

Abstract

A tank is provided comprising a polymeric upper dome having a neck with a through-passage, a polymeric lower dome having a neck with a through-passage, a polymeric housing having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome, and a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes at the through-passages of the necks, wherein the upper dome, lower dome and housing form a cavity.

Description

COMPOSITE TANK RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit and priority of United States of America Provisional Application No. 63 / 114,146 filed on November 16, 2020 and United States of America Application No. 16 / 697,462 filed on November 27, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD In general, the present invention relates to a tank and, in particular, to a composite fluid tank. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many wells and expansion tanks use a diaphragm or bladder to separate air from water. An air charge pressure on one side keeps the diaphragm / bladder a certain distance from the tank's inner wall, forming an air dome. When the tank is installed in a water system, the water system pressure pushes back against the diaphragm / bladder, compressing the air. Proper precharge will keep the diaphragm / bladder away from the tank wall. If the precharge pressure is insufficient to provide an adequate air volume for the water supply pressure, the diaphragm / bladder will fill the air cell. If the diaphragm / bladder eventually bottoms out against the tank wall, the tank becomes ineffective for its intended purpose. One type of such tank is the Type IV wound fiber tank. The industry defines this tank as having a plastic liner with fiber wound around it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment of the present application, a tank is provided that includes a polymeric upper dome having a neck with a passageway, a polymeric lower dome having a neck with a passageway, a polymeric casing having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome, and a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes in the ίMταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ Figure 4 is a bottom view of the tank. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken around line 5-5 in Figure 2. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the tank. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tank connection. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the tank. Figure 9 is a perspective view of an example tank. Figure 10 is a perspective view of an air connector configured to attach to the tank. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of the tank. Figure 12 is a perspective view of a connection configured to attach to the tank. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken around line 13-13 of Figure 12. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the connection to a turbulator. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the turbulator. Figure 16 is a perspective view of a support bracket configured to attach to the tank. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the support bracket taken around line 17-17 in Figure 16. Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tank attached to the support bracket and connection. Figure 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a metal tank attached to a support bracket and a connection. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the support bracket on a leveling ring. Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken around line 21-21 in Figure 20. Figure 22 is a perspective view of the leveling ring. Figure 23 is a perspective view of the support bracket raised above the leveling ring by means of legs. Figure 24 is a perspective view of the support bracket on a leveling base. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ Figure 25 is a perspective view of a portion of another example of a tank. Figure 26 is a perspective view of a portion of the tank. Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view taken around line 27-27 in Figure 26. Figure 28 is a perspective view of another example of a tank. Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view taken around line 29-29 of Figure 28. Figure 30 is a perspective view of an example of a fiber-wound tank. Figure 31 is a perspective view of a portion of a tank attached to a connection. Figure 32 is a perspective view of a portion of the connection. Figure 33 is a top view of a portion of the connection. Figure 34 is a perspective view of a dome neck. Figure 35 is a top view of the neck of the dome. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Modalities of the invention relate to methods and systems relating to a tank comprising a polymeric upper dome having a neck with a passageway, a polymeric lower dome having a neck with a passageway, a polymeric housing having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome, and a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes at the passageways of the necks, the connections being the same between each other, wherein the upper dome, the lower dome, and the housing form a cavity. With reference to the drawings, the same reference numbers designate identical or corresponding parts across the various views. However, the inclusion of similar elements in different views does not mean that a particular embodiment necessarily includes such elements or that all embodiments of the invention include such elements. The examples and figures are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention, which is defined by the scope and spirit of the claims. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ Returning now to Figures 1-6, an example of a fluid is generally illustrated under reference number 10. The fluid tank 10 may be a composite tank, such as a Type IV wound fiber tank for use as a well or expansion tank. The fluid tank 10 includes an upper dome 12, a lower dome 14, and a shell 16 having a first end 18 connected to the upper dome 12 and a second end 20 connected to the lower dome. The tank 10 may include a wound fiber layer, which, for example, may be made of a suitable composite material, such as an epoxy fiberglass resin matrix. The upper dome 12, the lower dome 14, and the shell 16 form a cavity 22 to receive a diaphragm 24, which is held in position by an outer band 26 and an inner ring 28, as will be described later.The upper and lower domes 12 and 14 and the housing 16 can be made of a suitable material, such as polypropylene, and can be a suitable color, such as black or dark blue, to prevent bacterial growth. In one embodiment, the upper and lower domes 12 and 14 can be injection-molded domes made of a polymer, such as a polyolefin, including a polypropylene copolymer, and the housing 16 can be extruded and made of a polymer, such as a polyolefin, including a polypropylene copolymer. The upper and lower domes can be identical to each other for ease of manufacturing. With further reference to Figures 7 and 8, each dome 12 and 14 has a first end 40 and a second end 42, an inlet 44 adjacent to the first end 40 for connection to the respective first or second end 18 or 20 of the housing 16, and a neck 46 at the second end 42. The inlets 44 each include an annular base 48 against which an end face of the first or second end 18 or 20 rests, and first and second diameter portions 50 and 52 that are progressively smaller than an outside diameter of the domes 12 and 14 to form a gap between the housing 16 and the domes 12 and 14. Once the domes 12 and 14 and the housing 16 are positioned relative to each other, they are connected, for example, by rotational welding to form a hermetic seal between them. The 44 inlets facilitate assembly and provide a tank in which the outer surfaces of the domes 12 and 14 and the housing 16 are substantially level with each other. The neck 46 of each dome 12, 14 defines a through-passage 54 through the cavity 22 and includes an inwardly extending annular rib 56 that serves as a seat for a seal to ensure a seal is made between the neck 46 and a respective connection 58 to prevent leakage, for example, of water and / or air. The neck also includes an outwardly extending annular rib 60 along its outer surface configured to capture composite material in a manner that will support the connection attached to the neck 46 and maintain the connection in position under high burst pressures. Each of the outwardly extending annular ribs 60 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced flat surfaces 62. The connections 58 are received in the through-passage 54 of the respective dome 12, 14 and are joined to the respective dome 12, 14 in a suitable manner, such as by insert molding. The connections 58 may be made of a suitable material, such as a polymer, including a polypropylene copolymer, or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene. Each connection 58 has a through-passage 64 with threads 66 along an internal surface and a flange portion 68 received in a corresponding area on the domes 12 and 14. The threads 66 may be a suitable thread, such as a 2.5-inch NPSM thread used in the water treatment industry. As shown in Figure 7, the connections 58 may additionally include one or more annular ribs 70 on the outer surface that promote adhesion to the domes 12 and 14.As shown, the connections 58 include a plurality of annular grooves spaced apart along a length of the connection 58, each including flat surfaces 72, such as molded surfaces, which provide an anti-rotation feature. The connections 58 further include an annular rib 74 that extends around the connection 58 near the flange portion 68. The connections 58 on the upper and lower domes 12 and 14 can be the same to allow the tank 10 to receive various interchangeable fittings for use in several industries. Referring again to Figure 6, the fixing of the diaphragm 24 will be described in detail. The diaphragm 24 can be a flexible diaphragm made of a suitable material, such as butyl rubber, which is placed inside the cavity 22 and connected to an inner diameter surface of the housing 16 to separate the cavity 22 into an upper portion 80 and a lower portion 82. The upper portion 80 is sealed to contain, for example, a pressurized gas, and the lower portion 82 is sealed to contain, for example, a pressurized fluid. The diaphragm 24 is connected to the housing 16 before at least one of the upper and lower domes 12 and 14, and can be positioned and pushed into the housing 16 to a programmed location by means of a mandrel. The inner ring 28 is operatively connected to an inner surface of the diaphragm 24 to retain the diaphragm 24 in place against the housing 16.The outer band 26 can be inserted over the housing 16 and grooved so that a ring groove 84 in the band 26 aligns with a ring groove 86 in the housing 16, and the ring groove 86 aligns with the inner ring 28 to pinch the diaphragm 24 between the ring groove 86 in the housing 16 and the inner ring 28. It is envisaged that the band 26 and the inner ring 28 are made of a metallic material, such as steel. Although described as including the diaphragm 24, it will be appreciated that the tank can be supplied without a diaphragm for use in industries such as the water treatment industry. Returning now to Figures 10 and 11, an example of an air connector 90 configured to mate with connection 58 of the upper dome 12 is shown. The air connector 90 can be made of a suitable material, such as a polymer, for example, a polypropylene copolymer, such as a fiberglass-filled polypropylene, which adds rigidity and provides sufficient sealing surface for the air stem. The air connector 90 has first and second ends 92 and 94 and a passage 96 extending through them. A radially inwardly extending portion 98, having an opening 100, extends from an inner wall defining the passage 96 to separate the passage 96 between an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 104. Threads 106 are provided on the inner wall of the upper portion 102, which can be a suitable thread, such as 1-1 / 4 inch NPT threads.An air stem 108 can be received in the opening 100 with a first portion 110 extending at the top 102 and a second portion 112 extending at the bottom 104. The first portion 110 sits below the first end 92, for example, to prevent damage to the air stem 108 and to allow standard air mandrels to be connected for charging the tank 10 with air or gas or for removing air or gas from the tank, and can be covered with a suitable cover 122. In one embodiment, the air connector 90 can be provided without the air stem 108, and the inwardly extending portion 98 can be drilled to allow NPT threads to be used in a holding tank application.In one embodiment, the air connector 90 can be provided without the air stem 108 and the inwardly extending radial portion 98 can be drilled out to allow NPT threads to be used in a holding tank application. The air connector 90 also includes threads 114 along an outer surface to engage with the threads 66 of the connection 58, and a tab 116 that extends outward to make contact with the second end 42 of the upper dome 12. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ Thread 114 may be a suitable thread, such as a 2.5-inch NPSM thread used in the water treatment industry. A suitable seal 124 is configured to be received in the seat formed by the annular rib 56 and sandwiched between the annular rib 56 and the flange 116. The air fitting 90 may also include a polygonal raised portion 118 at the first end 92, such as a pentagonal portion, for tightening the air fitting 90 onto the connection 58. The shape of the polygonal raised portion 118 is designed to prevent tampering with standard wrenches. As shown in Figures 9 and 11, a cap 120 may be attached to the air fitting 90 to cover the air stem 108. Returning now to Figures 12-15, an example of connector 130, such as a threaded elbow connector, is configured to mate with connection 58 of the lower dome 14. The connector may be made of a suitable material, such as polyvinyl chloride, and may be manufactured in a suitable manner, such as injection molding. Connector 130 includes an inlet portion 132 and a conduit 134 extending substantially perpendicular to the inlet portion 132. The inlet portion 132 and the conduit 134 each have respective through-passages 136 and 138 seamlessly connected to each other to direct flow ninety degrees with respect to connection 58.The inlet portion 132 includes threads 140 along an outer surface to engage with the threads 66 of connection 58 attached to the lower dome 14, a pair of opposing lugs 142 extending above the threads 140 and each having an opening 144, and a flange 146 extending outward below the threads 140 for connection to a bracket. The threads 140 may be a suitable thread, such as a two-and-a-half-inch NPSM thread used in the water treatment industry. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the lugs 142 are configured to connect to a turbulence generator 148 via protrusions 150 extending outward from the turbulence generator 148 and received in openings 144. It will be appreciated that another suitable connector, such as a bracket or diffuser, can be attached to the lugs 142, for example, by means of a push-fit connection. A suitable seal, such as a Tonca gasket 152 (Figure 18), can be received in the inlet portion 132 to be received in the seat formed by the rib 56 to seal the inlet portion 132 to the connection 58 and the neck 46. If there is a leak between the neck 46 and the connection 58, the leak path would be blocked by the seal 152 to prevent leakage around the connector 130. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ With reference now to conduit 134, conduit 134 includes a molded hexagon 160 with adjacent threads 162 for connection to another conduit. The threads 162 can be a suitable thread, such as 1 1 / 4-inch NPT or 1-inch NPT threads. In one embodiment, a user could remove the hexagon 160 and the threads 162—for example, have them cut off by a plumber—and glue a suitable conduit onto conduit 134. The length of conduit 134 is sized so that it can extend through and beyond a side wall of the support bracket a sufficient distance to allow the hexagon 160 and threads 162 to be removed, with the end of the conduit still extending beyond the side wall, as shown in Figure 18.Conduit 134 also includes a support rib 164 at its lower end configured to bottom out on the support bracket when weight is applied to connector 130 to prevent downward movement of conduit 134 and transfer stress to the support bracket, for example, if a user were to step on conduit 134. As shown, the support rib 164 extends substantially the length of conduit 134. Returning now to Figures 16-18, a support bracket for connection to tank 10 is shown as an example, reference number 170. The support bracket 170 can be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer, like a polypropylene copolymer, and manufactured in a suitable manner, such as injection molding. The support bracket 170 includes a support body 172 having a top wall 174, a side wall 176 extending downward from the top wall 174, and a bottom wall 178 extending downward from a lower end of the side wall 176. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings 180 are defined in the top wall 174, adapted to allow airflow and drainage of a liquid through the top wall 174. Also defined on the upper wall 174, there is a locking opening 182 that allows the passage of the tank components 10. As shown in Figure 17, extending from the locking opening 182 are the first and second fixing mechanisms 184 and 186 for fixing the connector 130 as shown in Figure 18 or a connector 188 attached to a metal tank 190 as shown in Figure 19. The first fixing mechanism 184 includes a plurality of spaced tabs 192 that connect to the flange 146 of the connector 130, for example via a push-fit connection to secure the connector 130 to the support base to allow the tank 10 to be threaded to the connector 130 of the support base 170 via the connection 58.The second fastening mechanism 186 includes one or more tabs 194 that are connected to a ring 196 attached to the tank 190, for example by welding, and subsequently the connector 188 is secured to the ring 196. The side wall 176 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced concave recesses 200 that improve the rigidity of the support body 172 and provide increased strength when the tank 10 is rolled, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced access openings 202 through which the conduit 134 of the connector 130 can be extended. In one embodiment, four access openings 202 can be provided for use in the water treatment industry. The side wall 176 also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced spacers 204 that can alternate with the recesses to facilitate air circulation beneath the bottom of the tank, for example, to help prevent condensation buildup, and a plurality of openings 206 in the bottom wall to allow the support base 170 to be fixed to a floor or other component as described below. Referring now to Figures 20-22, the support bracket 170 is shown with a leveling ring 210. The leveling ring 210 has a geometry corresponding to the geometry of the support bracket 170 on the lower wall 178 to allow the support bracket 170 to rest on the leveling ring 210 and move relative to the leveling ring to level the tank 10. The leveling ring 210 has a first end 212 configured to rest on the underside of the lower wall 178, a second end 214 configured to rest on a surface, such as a floor in a building, and an opening 216 extending through it to save material. The leveling ring 210 may include one or more openings 218, such as a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 218 to receive a fastener to secure the leveling ring to the floor in order to provide seismic restraint.It will be appreciated that the leveling ring 210 can be fixed to the ground in other suitable ways. To attach the support bracket 170 to the leveling ring 210, the leveling ring 210 is placed on the surface and, optionally, secured to it. The support bracket 170 is then lowered onto the leveling ring 210, and the support bracket 170 rotates relative to the leveling ring 210. A suitable level can be provided, either placed on top of tank 10 or integrated with the tank, to allow an operator to confirm that tank 10 is level. Once leveled, suitable fasteners are inserted through openings 206 and into the leveling ring 210 to secure the support bracket 170, and thus tank 10, to the leveling ring 210. Leveling the tank increases the diaphragm's service life due to more uniform operation. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ With reference to Figure 23, one embodiment for raising the support bracket 170 is shown. In some cases, it is desirable to raise the tank 10 to a predetermined distance above ground level, such as eighteen inches, for example, to meet code requirements. To raise the support bracket 170, a plurality of legs 220, such as three circumferentially spaced legs 220, may be provided. Each leg 220 has a first end 222 against which the lower wall 178 of the support bracket 170 rests and a second end 224 that rests on the leveling ring 210. Projecting upward from each first end 222 is a spacer 226 that rests on an outer edge of the lower wall 178 to hold the support bracket 170 in position. In one embodiment, the support bracket 170 may be secured to the legs 220 by a snap-fit ​​feature or a suitable fastener. The second end 224 of each leg 220 has a geometry that corresponds to the geometry of the leveling ring 210 to allow the legs 220 to move with respect to the leveling ring 210 to level the tank 10 in a similar way to how the support bracket 170 moves in relation to the leveling ring 210 discussed above with respect to Figure 20. A cavity 228 is provided near each second end 224 where an opening 230 is provided to receive a suitable fastener to secure the legs 220 to the leveling ring 210. Returning now to Figure 24, another embodiment for raising the support bracket 170 is shown. In this embodiment, a leveling base 240 is provided, having a first end 242 configured to rest on the underside of the lower wall 178 and a second end 244 configured to rest on a surface, such as the floor of a building. The leveling base 240 has a geometry at the first end 242 corresponding to a geometry of the support bracket 170 on the lower wall 178 to allow the support bracket 170 to rest on the leveling base 240 and move relative to the leveling base to level the tank. 10. The leveling base 240 includes a flange portion 246 at the second end 244 which includes one or more openings 248, such as a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 248 to receive a fastener to secure the leveling base to the floor providing seismic restraint.It will be appreciated that the 240 leveling base can be fixed to a floor in other suitable ways. To attach the support bracket 170 to the leveling base 240, the leveling base 240 is placed on the surface and, optionally, secured to the surface, for example, by fasteners received in the openings 248. The support bracket 170 is then lowered onto the leveling base 240 and rotated relative to the leveling base 240. A suitable level can be provided, which is placed on top of the tank 10 or integrated with the tank, to allow an operator to confirm that the tank 10 is level. Once leveled, suitable fasteners are inserted through openings 206 and into the leveling base 240 to secure the support bracket 170 and thus the tank 10 in relation to the leveling base 240. Returning now to Figures 25-27, an example of one variant of the 310 tank is shown. The 310 tank is substantially the same as the 10 tank mentioned above, and consequently, the same reference numbers are used but indexed by 300 to indicate corresponding structures to similar structures in the tanks. Furthermore, the above description of the 10 tank is equally applicable to the 310 tank except as noted below. The fluid tank 310 includes an upper dome (not shown), a lower dome 314, and a housing 316 having a first end 318 connected to the upper dome and a second end 320 connected to the lower dome. The upper dome, lower dome 314, and housing 316 form a cavity 322 to receive a diaphragm 324, which is held in position by an outer band 326 and an inner hoop ring 328. The upper dome, lower dome 314, and housing 316 may be made of a suitable material, such as a polymer, such as a polyolefin, such as a polypropylene copolymer, and may be a suitable color, such as black or dark blue, to prevent bacterial growth. In one embodiment, the upper dome, lower dome 314, and housing 316 may be gas-assisted injection-molded components.Gas-assisted injection molding allows for thicker wall thicknesses without sag marks, tighter tolerance control, and aids in dome insulation. In one configuration, an antimicrobial lining and / or an antimicrobial dome can be provided in cavity 322. The upper dome and lower dome 314 each have a first end 340, a second end 342, and a neck 346 at the second end 342 as described above with respect to tank 10. The diaphragm 324 is connected to the lower dome 314 before the housing 316 is connected to the lower dome 314, and can be positioned and pushed into the lower dome 314 to a programmed location by means of a mandrel. The inner circular ring 328 is operatively connected to an inner surface of the diaphragm 324 to hold the diaphragm 324 in place against the lower dome 314. The outer band 326 can be inserted over the lower dome 314 and positioned in a suitable manner, such as by means of a tab molded into the lower dome 314.The outer band 326 can be grooved so that a circular groove in the band 326 aligns with a circular groove in the lower dome 314, and the circular groove in the lower dome 314 engages with the inner circular ring 328 to pinch the diaphragm 324 between the circular groove in the lower dome 314 and the inner circular ring 328. The outer band 326 and the inner circular ring 328 are intended to be made of a metallic material, such as steel. Although described as including the diaphragm 324, it will be appreciated that the tank can be supplied without a diaphragm for use in industries such as the water treatment industry. Once the diaphragm 324 is installed, the housing 316 can be positioned relative to the lower dome 314 and lowered over the lower dome 314 so that a portion 338 of the lower dome 314 is disposed within the housing 316. In this way, the housing 316 extends beyond the first end 340 of the lower dome 314 and covers portion 338 and the outer band 326. As shown, the lower dome 314 includes a flange 376 that extends around the dome 314, which is configured to be supported by the second end 320 of the housing 316, so that an outer surface of the housing 316 is flush with an outer surface of the lower dome 314 when they are joined together, for example by rotary welding, to form a watertight seal between them and eliminate irregular surfaces for fiber winding and reduce stress on the outer surfaces.Once connected, an air space is formed between the 316 shell and the 338 part that provides insulation to prevent the incoming cold liquid from moving away from the interior of the upper 314 dome, eliminating perspiration. With regard to Figures 28 and 29, an example of a tank variant in 410 is shown. Tank 410 is substantially the same as tank 10 mentioned above, and consequently, the same reference numbers are used but indexed by 400 to indicate corresponding structures to similar structures in the tanks. Furthermore, the above description of tank 10 is equally applicable to tank 410 except as indicated below. The fluid tank 410 includes a dome 412, a lower dome 414, an upper casing 416, and a lower casing 417 coupled together and configured to be surrounded by a fiber winding layer. The upper dome 412, lower dome 414, upper casing 416, and lower casing 417 form a cavity 422 to receive a diaphragm 424, which is held in position as explained below. The upper dome 412, lower dome 414, upper casing 416, and lower casing 417 can be made of a suitable material, such as a polymer, a polyolefin, or a polypropylene copolymer, and can be a suitable color, such as black or dark blue, to prevent bacterial growth. In one embodiment, the upper dome 412, lower dome 414, upper housing 416 and lower housing 417 can be injection-molded components.The upper dome 412 and the lower dome 414 can be attached to the upper housing 416 and the housing 417 respectively, in a manner similar to that explained above. Retaining rings 476 and 478 are provided and are connected to the respective upper and lower housings 416 and 417 at their respective ends 418 and 420 in a suitable manner, such as by rotary welding. The diaphragm 424 is then positioned, and the housings 416 and 417 are joined so that the retaining rings 476 and 478 rest against each other and trap a strand 438 of the diaphragm 424 between them. The retaining rings 476 and 478 are then coupled together in a suitable manner, for example, by using a hot-weld plate to sandwich the strand 438 between them to form a watertight seal. Once coupled, the outer surfaces of the upper and lower housings 416 and 417 will be flush with each other, eliminating uneven surfaces for fiber winding and reducing stress on the outer surfaces. Returning to Figure 30, an example of fiber winding around tanks 10, 310, 410, and 510 is shown. The fiber winding can include multiple layers of 600 fiber winding, which can be wound helically and circumferentially. In one embodiment, the fiber winding can be wrapped over a preliminary layer of fiber winding. An outer layer of 602 fiber winding can be formed from the multiple layers of 600 fiber winding. With regard to Figures 31-35, a dome 614 and a connector 730 are shown. Dome 614 and connector 730 are substantially the same as the dome 614 and connector 130 mentioned earlier, and consequently, the same reference numbers are used, but indexed by 600, to indicate corresponding structures to similar structures in domes and connectors. Furthermore, the above description of dome 14 and connector 130 is equally applicable to dome 614 and connector 730, except as noted below. It will be appreciated that dome 614 and connector 730 can be used in place of dome 14 and connector 130. ίΜταηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ The neck 646 of the dome 614 includes one or more ribs 850 on an outer surface thereof and, as illustrated, a plurality of ribs 850 spaced circumferentially, for example, from three to five ribs. The neck 646 may include one or more sets of ribs, for example, a first set 852 of ribs 850 and a second set 854 of ribs 850 located 180 degrees to the first set 852 of ribs 850 to provide additional clamping force to resist unscrewing of the connector 730. It will be appreciated that more sets of ribs could be provided to further increase the clamping force. The ribs 850 can be molded into the neck 646 to be tapered on one side to provide a ramp 856 in a tightening direction and flat on the opposite side to provide a stop 858 in a loosening direction opposite to the tightening direction. The connector 730 includes one or more snap-on members 860 projecting upward from the flange 746 and, as illustrated, a pair of circumferentially spaced snap-on members 860 positioned 180 degrees apart. It will be appreciated that the connector 730 may include one snap-on member for each set of ribs provided in the neck 646. The snap-on members 860 may be tapered on one side to provide a ramp 862 in the tightening direction and flat on the opposite side to provide a stop 864 in the loosening direction. The ribs 850 in each of the first and second assemblies 852 and 854 are circumferentially spaced to allow the respective snap-on members 860 in the connector 730 to be received between the adjacent ribs 850 during tightening of the connector 730 onto the neck 646. The tapered ramp 856 in each rib 850 allows the tapered ramp 862 in the respective snap-on member 860 to move over the rib 850 during tightening, and the stop 858 in each rib 850 can engage with the stop 864 in the respective snap-on member 860 to prevent or reduce the ability of the snap-on members 860 to move over the ribs 850 in the loosening direction, for example, due to vibration or user action, thereby preventing the connector 730 from loosening from the neck 646.An audible indication can be provided each time the support members 860 engage one of the ribs 850, and the position of the snap members 860 relative to the ribs 850 can provide a visual indicator of the degree of locking. The ribs 850 and snap members 860 provide a positive locking feature to ensure proper seal compression between the neck 646 and the connector 730 and to provide a tamper-resistant assembly. ι π+οηη / ζζηζ / Β / γίΛΐ The systems, components (e.g., tanks, supports, etc.) mentioned above, and similar items, have been described with respect to the interaction between various components and / or elements. It should be noted that these devices and elements may include those elements or sub-elements specified within them, some of the specified elements or sub-elements, and / or additional elements. Furthermore, one or more elements and / or sub-elements may be combined into a single component to provide added functionality. Elements may also interact with one or more elements not specifically described in this document. Although the modalities discussed in this document have been related to the apparatus, systems, and methods discussed above, these modalities are intended to be exemplary and are not intended to limit the applicability of these modalities only to the discussions set forth in this document. The preceding examples are merely illustrative of several possible embodiments of various aspects of the present invention, and equivalent alterations and / or modifications may occur to other individuals skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the components described above (assemblies, devices, systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a means) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware, software, or combinations thereof, that performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even if it is not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure that performs the function in the illustrated implementations of the invention.Furthermore, although a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, that feature may be combined with one or more features of the other implementations as desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Moreover, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “containing,” or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and / or in the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including the manufacture and use of any device or system and the performance of any embodied method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are no different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. In the specification and claims, reference is made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a,” “one,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Approximate language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify a quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change to the basic function with which it relates. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “over” should not be limited to the precise value specified. In some cases, the approximation language may correspond to the accuracy of an instrument for measuring the value. Furthermore, unless specifically stated otherwise, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” etc., does not denote order or importance, but rather...They are used to distinguish one element from another. As used herein, the terms "may" and "may be" indicate the possibility of something occurring within a set of circumstances; the possession of a specific property, characteristic, or function; and / or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capacity, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, the use of "may" and "may be" indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or use, bearing in mind that in some circumstances the modified term may not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity may be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity may not occur; this distinction is reflected in the terms "may" and "may be." The best embodiment of the invention has been described to illustrate the best embodiment known to the applicant at that time and to enable a person skilled in the art to implement the invention, including the manufacture and use of devices or systems and the performance of incorporated methods. The examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and merit of the claims. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternative embodiments. Obviously, others will think of modifications and alterations upon reading and understanding the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations to the extent that they fall within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to a person skilled in the art.These other 5 examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- A tank comprising: a polymeric upper dome having a neck with a passageway; a polymeric lower dome having a neck with a passageway; a polymeric casing having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome; and a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes at the neck passageways, the connections being equal to each other, wherein the upper dome, the lower dome and the casing form a cavity.

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein each connection has a threaded passage along an inner surface thereof for the connection of accessories.

3. The tank according to claim 2, further comprising an air connector having threads on an outer surface thereof that are connected to threads on the inner surface of the connection attached to the upper dome, and an air stem for pressurizing the tank.

4. The tank according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a connector having an inlet portion with threads on an outer surface thereof connected to threads on the inner surface of the connection attached to the lower dome, and a conduit portion extending from the inlet portion, the inlet portion and the conduit portion each having a flow passage fluidly connected to each other to direct flow from the cavity to the conduit portion.

5. The tank according to claim 4, wherein the connector further comprises lugs extending from the inlet portion, the lugs being configured to connect to a support bracket to hold the tank with respect to the support bracket.

6. The tank according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the conduit includes a support rib on its lower part to make contact with a support bracket when weight is applied to the connector to prevent downward movement of the conduit.

7. The tank according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each neck includes an inwardly extending annular rib that serves as a seat for a seal.

8. The tank in accordance with any of the preceding claims, further including a flexible diaphragm disposed in the cavity and connected to an inner wall of the polymeric housing.

9. A tank assembly comprising: a tank including: a polymeric body defining a cavity and having an upper neck and a lower neck, each of which defines a passageway in communication with the cavity, and a lower connector having an inlet portion attached to the lower neck and a conduit portion extending from the inlet portion, the inlet portion and the conduit portion each having a passageway fluidly connected to each other to direct flow from the cavity through the conduit portion;and a support bracket that supports the tank, the support bracket includes: a support body having an upper wall and a defined locking opening in the upper wall through which the lower connector extends, a side wall extending downwards from the upper wall and having an opening through which the conduit extends, a lower wall extending downwards from a lower end of the side wall, and a locking mechanism extending from the locking opening for connection to the tank.

10. The tank assembly according to claim 9, wherein the fastening mechanism includes a plurality of spaced tabs, and wherein the lower connector includes a flange connected to the tabs for coupling the lower connector to the support bracket.

11. The tank assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the lower connector includes two or more lugs extending from the inlet portion, each lug including an opening for connecting to a connector.

12. The tank assembly according to claim 11, wherein the connector is a diffuser, a turbulator, or a support. 13.- The tank assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism for connection to the tank and a second fastening mechanism for connection to a type of tank other than the tank. 14.- The tank assembly according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a leveling ring having a first end configured to rest on the lower part of the bottom wall and a second end configured to rest on a surface, wherein the tank and the support bracket are movable relative to the leveling ring for leveling the tank. 15.- The tank assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of legs for spacing the tank and the support bracket on the surface, each leg having a first end configured to rest on the lower wall of the support bracket and a second end movable relative to the leveling ring and configured to be coupled to the leveling ring to level the tank.

16. The tank assembly in accordance with any of the preceding claims, further comprising an upper and lower connection attached to the polymer body in the passageways of the respective upper and lower neck, each of the upper and lower connections having a threaded passageway along an inner surface thereof. 17.- The tank assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lower connector has threads along an outer surface of the inlet portion that engage with threads along the inner surface of the lower connection. 18.- The tank assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polymeric body includes a polymeric upper dome having the upper neck, a polymeric lower dome having the lower neck, and a polymeric housing having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome. 19.- A tank comprising: a polymeric upper dome; a polymeric lower dome; a polymeric shell having a first end connected to the upper dome and a second end connected to the lower dome and forming a cavity with the upper and lower domes; a flexible diaphragm connected to an inner wall of the polymeric shell in the cavity; and a fiber winding layer around an outer surface of the polymeric upper dome, the polymeric lower dome, and the polymeric shell.

20. The tank according to claim 19, further comprising: a connection attached to each of the upper and lower domes, each of which has a through-passage with threads along its inner surface; an upper connector having threads on an outer surface thereof that are connected to the threads on the inner surface of the connection attached to the upper dome; and a lower connector having an inlet portion with threads on its outer surface that are connected to the threads on the inner surface of the connection attached to the lower dome, and a conduit portion extending from the inlet portion, wherein the inlet portion and the conduit portion each have a through-passage fluidly connected to each other for directing flow from the cavity to the conduit portion.

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