Apparatus and method for containing and regulating the pressure in a pressure vessel

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a tank and/or pressure sensing assembly that can reduce one or more steps from a conventional manufacturing operation. The tank of some embodiments can have a seal that is capable of sealing an entire opening within the tank and is adapted to be punctured or pierced by a portion of a pressure sensing assembly or while the pressure sensing assembly is attached to the tank. The pressure sensing assembly of some embodiments can include a conduit connectable with the tank and a pressure switch coupled to the conduit. A projection contiguous with and extending from the conduit can pierce the seal (if used) on the tank. The projection can also pierce an elastic member within the tank in the event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to a leak.

1 . A water storage apparatus for selectively storing and releasing water delivered from a well via a water pump, the apparatus comprising: 
 a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;    an elastic member inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume, the water storing volume communicating with the water pump and is filled with water supplied by the pump, the air storing volume containing a fixed amount of air, the volume of the air storing volume decreasing and the pressure increasing in response to water being pumped into the water storing volume, the volume air storing volume increasing and the pressure decreasing in response to a decrease in the amount of water in the water storing volume;    a conduit in the pressure vessel opening and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume;    an air pressure switch in communication with the air passage and adapted to activate the pump in response to the air pressure in the air storing volume dropping below a first limit and deactivating the pump in response to air pressure rising above a second limit; and    a piercing member contiguous with the conduit and extending into the air storing volume to pierce the elastic member in the event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to the air storing volume shrinking below a normal operating range of volumes.    
   
   
       2 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the air passage extends through the piercing member.  
   
   
       3 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the piercing member has an elongated needle shaped body extending away from the conduit and into the air containing volume.  
   
   
       4 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the piercing member is integral with the conduit.  
   
   
       5 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the air passage extends through the piercing member.  
   
   
       6 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal across the opening and containing the fixed amount of air in the air storing volume, wherein the piercing member pierces the seal as the conduit is coupled to the opening.  
   
   
       7 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the seal is a resilient seal.  
   
   
       8 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the seal is frangible.  
   
   
       9 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spud around the opening and a seal across the opening, the conduit having a threaded portion adapted to thread into the spud, the piercing member piercing the seal as the conduit is threaded into the spud.  
   
   
       10 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the seal is resilient to allow the conduit and piercing member to be removed from the opening without sustaining substantial pressure loses in the air storing volume.  
   
   
       11 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air pressure gauge coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure gauge sensing air pressure in the air passage and providing a visual indication of pressure.  
   
   
       12 . A water storage apparatus for selectively storing and releasing water delivered from a well via a water pump, the apparatus comprising: 
 a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;    an elastic member inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume;    a conduit in the pressure vessel opening and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume;    an air pressure switch in communication with the air passage and adapted to activate the pump in response to the air pressure in the air storing volume dropping below a first limit; and    a piercing member connected with the conduit and extending through the opening and into the air storing volume to pierce the elastic member in the-event that the elastic member contacts the piercing member due to the air pressure dropping below a second limit less than the first limit.    
   
   
       13 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the air passage extends through the piercing member.  
   
   
       14 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the piercing member has an elongated needle shaped body extending away from the conduit and into the air containing volume.  
   
   
       15 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the piercing member is integral with the conduit.  
   
   
       16 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the air passage extends through the piercing member.  
   
   
       17 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a seal across the opening to contain the fixed amount of air in the air storing volume in the absence of the conduit, wherein the piercing member pierces the seal as the conduit is coupled to the opening.  
   
   
       18 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the seal is a resilient seal.  
   
   
       19 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a spud around the opening and a seal across the opening, the conduit having a threaded portion adapted to thread into the spud, the piercing member piercing the seal as the conduit is threaded into the spud.  
   
   
       20 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the seal is resilient to allow the conduit and piercing member to be removed from the opening without sustaining substantial pressure loses in the air storing volume.  
   
   
       21 . The water storage apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an air pressure gauge coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure gauge sensing air pressure in the air passage and providing a visual indication of pressure.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus connectable to a water storage tank that can selectively release water and refill with water delivered from a well via a water pump, the water storage tank having a volume of stored air, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conduit connectable with the tank and defining an air passage in communication with the stored air in the tank;    an air pressure switch coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure switch operable to activate the pump if the air pressure within the tank drops below a first limit; and    a projection contiguous with and extending from the conduit in a direction away from the pressure switch, the projection having an end capable of piercing a seal of the tank.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising an air pressure gauge coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure gauge senses air pressure in the air passage and provides a visual indication of pressure.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the seal is located across an opening of the tank, the seal maintains the pressure within the tank until the apparatus is connected to the tank, the projection punctures the seal as it connected to the tank.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the seal is an elastic member that separates the tank into a water storage volume and an air storage volume, the projection pierces the seal when the air storage volume loses a substantial amount of air.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the elastic member is one of a bladder or diaphragm.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the conduit comprises a threaded portion adapted to thread onto the tank, the projection positioned to pierce the seal as the conduit is threaded onto the tank.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the air passage extends through the projection.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the air passage extends through the projection.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the projection is integral with the conduit.  
   
   
       31 . A water storage tank adapted to selectively release water and refill with water delivered from a well via a water pump, the tank comprising: 
 a pressure vessel having an opening and an interior volume;    an elastic member located inside the pressure vessel and separating the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume; and    a seal located over the opening, the seal allowing the tank to be pressurized and remain pressurized without additional structure closing the opening.    
   
   
       32 . The water storage tank of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 a conduit connectable with the tank and defining an air passage in communication with the air storing volume in the tank;    an air pressure switch coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure switch operable to activate the pump if the air pressure within the tank drops below a first limit; and    a piercing member extending from the conduit, through the seal, and into the tank, when the conduit is connected with the tank.    
   
   
       33 . The water storage tank of  claim 32 , further comprising an air pressure gauge coupled to the conduit and in communication with the air passage, the air pressure gauge senses air pressure in the air passage and provides a visual indication of pressure.  
   
   
       34 . The water storage tank of  claim 32 , wherein the pressure vessel further comprises a spud around the opening and the conduit further comprises a threaded portion adapted to thread onto the spud, the piercing member positioned to pierce the seal as the conduit is threaded onto the spud.  
   
   
       35 . The water storage tank of  claim 34 , wherein the seal is resilient to allow the conduit and piercing member to be removed from the opening without substantial pressure loses in the air storing volume.  
   
   
       36 . The water storage tank of  claim 32 , wherein the air passage extends through the projection.  
   
   
       37 . The water storage tank of  claim 31 , wherein the seal is connected to the interior of the tank.  
   
   
       38 . The water storage tank of  claim 37 , wherein the seal is adhered to interior of the tank.  
   
   
       39 . A method of manufacturing a water storage tank for a well, the method comprising: 
 forming a pressure vessel having an opening, an interior volume, and an elastic member located inside the pressure vessel to separate the interior volume into a water storing volume and an air storing volume;    installing a seal over the opening, the seal capable of sealing the entire opening and adapted to be punctured by a pressure switch mounting assembly;    pressurizing the tank with air;    preventing air from escaping the pressurized tank through the opening with the seal; and    packaging the pressurized tank for shipping while the tank is pressurized.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 removing the packaging; and    attaching the pressure switch mounting assembly to the opening after the packaging has been removed.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising piercing the seal with a piercing member coupled to the pressure switch mounting as it is attached to the opening.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising sealing the opening with the seal prior to pressurizing the tank.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the tank is pressurized through a valve located in a location other than the opening.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising painting the pressurized tank.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the seal is adhered to the interior of the tank.