Modular liquid reservoir

Abstract

A modular liquid reservoir comprises a plurality of shell sections that in an assembled state define a fluid tight reservoir volume. Each shell section includes a plurality of flow apertures that are adapted to fixedly engage a variety of interchangeable, insertable attachments.

1 . A liquid reservoir comprising:
 a plurality of shell sections assembled along annular mating surfaces and defining an interior region for storing fluids; and   a plurality of attachment members;   wherein the annular mating surfaces are formed in an axial end surface of the shell sections and each shell section comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture adapted to fixably engage a respective one of said attachment members.   
   
   
       2 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the interior region has a substantially circular or oval cross section. 
   
   
       3 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 -, wherein the shell sections are formed from a synthetic resin material. 
   
   
       4 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein shell sections are welded together along a respective pair of annular mating surfaces. 
   
   
       5 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein shell sections are clamped or bolted together along a respective pair of annular mating surfaces. 
   
   
       6 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 5 , further comprising a circumferential seal forming member between each respective pair of annular mating surfaces. 
   
   
       7 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment members are formed from a synthetic resin material. 
   
   
       8 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment member is engaged with a respective one of each aperture using a weld. 
   
   
       9 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein each attachment member is engaged with a respective one of each aperture using a clamp or a plurality of bolts. 
   
   
       10 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the shell sections comprise two end cap shell sections. 
   
   
       11 . The liquid reservoir of  claim 1 , wherein the shell sections comprise two end cap shell sections and at least one expansion shell sections. 
   
   
       12 . A method of forming a fluid storage reservoir, said method comprising the acts of:
 joining a plurality of shell sections along annular mating surfaces to define a reservoir volume, and   joining a plurality of attachment members to apertures formed in the shell sections, wherein the annular mating surfaces are formed in an axial end surface of the shell sections.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the shell sections are made of a synthetic resin and are joined together by hot plate melting. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the shell sections and the attachment members are made of a synthetic resin and are joined together by hot plate melting. 
   
   
       15 . A synthetic resin shell section adapted to form a fluid tight reservoir, said shell section comprising at least one annular mating surface formed in an axial end surface thereof, and a plurality of apertures formed in an outer wall of the shell section, each aperture adapted to fixedly engage a synthetic resin attachment member thereto. 
   
   
       16 . The shell section of  claim 15 , wherein the shell section is an end cap shell section. 
   
   
       17 . The shell section of  claim 15 ., wherein the shell section is an expansion shell section. 
   
   
       18 . The shell section of  claim 17 , wherein an interior region of the expansion shell section comprises a structural reinforcing member.