Fittings for water storage tank

Abstract

Fittings for a water storage tank are disclosed. The fittings comprise an inlet sub-system ( 3 ) for allowing the passage of water into the tank, an outlet sub-system ( 47 ) for allowing the passage of water from the tank; and an overflow outlet sub-system ( 77 ) for allowing the passage of water from the tank.

1 . An inlet sub-system for allowing the passage of water into a water storage tank, the tank comprising an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank and has an opening for receiving the inlet subsystem and at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior, the inlet sub-system comprising:
 (a) a weld ring that can be positioned inside the outer shell of the tank and affixed to the bag,   (b) a retaining ring that can be connected to the weld ring and is adapted to extend through the opening in the tank shell,   (c) an inlet/strainer that can be connected to the retaining ring and positioned to extend across the opening in the tank shell, and   (d) a light guard for allowing the passage of water but restricting the passage of ultraviolet light into the tank that is separate to the retaining ring but is formed to be housed within and mounted to the retaining ring and is retained in position by the inlet/strainer when the inlet/strainer is connected to the light guard.   
   
   
       2 . The inlet sub-system defined in  claim 1  further comprises a compression gasket for preventing leakage of water from inside the bag through the inlet system connections to a cavity between the outside of the bag and the inside of the outer shell. 
   
   
       3 . The inlet sub-system defined in  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the weld ring and the retaining ring have complementary quick release fixings that allow the weld ring and the retaining ring to be quickly and efficiently coupled together. 
   
   
       4 . The inlet sub-system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet/strainer and the retaining ring have complementary quick release fixings that allow the inlet/strainer and the retaining ring to be quickly and efficiently coupled together. 
   
   
       5 . The inlet sub-system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the weld ring comprises an annular flange that has a flat surface for welding to the bag and a vertical shank with quick release fixings in the form of spaced-apart bayonet fixings that are adapted to connect the weld ring to a mating part of the retaining ring. 
   
   
       6 . The inlet sub-system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining ring comprises an annular flange that contacts an outside surface of the tank shell and a cylindrical sleeve that extends from the flange through the opening in the tank shell. 
   
   
       7 . The inlet sub-system defined in  claim 6  wherein the cylindrical sleeve terminates in an inwardly and upwardly extending lip that defines a channel for receiving the light guard. 
   
   
       8 . The inlet sub-system defined in  claim 7  wherein the light guard comprises an outer peripheral flange that can be positioned to extend into the channel in the retaining ring. 
   
   
       9 . An outlet sub-system for allowing the passage of water from a water storage tank, the tank comprising an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank and has an opening for receiving the outlet sub-system and at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior, the outlet sub-system comprising:
 (a) a main outlet body having a weld ring that can be positioned inside the outer shell of the tank and affixed to the bag and a threaded spigot or shaft that defines a support member for the weld ring and is adapted to extend through the opening in the tank shell and to allow the attachment of a plug or tap or other plumbing fittings that allows water flow from within the tank to outside the tank to be controlled or directed,   (b) an internal adaptor plate that is adapted to orientate the outlet body within the tank shell and to contact an inside surface of the tank shell,   (c) an external adaptor plate that is formed with a profile to mate an outer profile of the tank shell, and   (d) a lock nut that is adapted to engage the spigot or shaft of the main outlet body to force the external adaptor plate against an outer surface of the tank shell and to force the internal adaptor plate against the tank shell.   
   
   
       10 . The outlet sub-system defined in  claim 9  further comprises a compressible gasket adapted to be positioned between the outer surface of the outer shell and the external adaptor plate. 
   
   
       11 . The outlet sub-system defined in  claim 9  or  claim 10  wherein the main outlet body and the internal adaptor plate each comprise complementary components that allow mechanical key inter-engagement to assist in the prevention of relative rotational movement of the weld ring and the spigot/shaft whilst under a torsional load. 
   
   
       12 . The outlet sub-system defined in any one of  claims 9  to  11  wherein, when the tank shell comprises corrugated side walls and end walls, the internal adaptor plate has a mating wave-type profile that conforms to the internal corrugations of the tank shell. 
   
   
       13 . The outlet sub-system defined in any one of  claims 9  to  12  wherein, when the tank shell comprises corrugated side walls and end walls, the external adaptor plate is formed so that the profile in plan view is such that it is a common component that suits a range of sweeps of the tank range. 
   
   
       14 . An overflow outlet sub-system for allowing the passage of water from a water storage tank, the tank comprising an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank and has an opening for receiving the overflow outlet sub-system and at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior, the overflow outlet sub-system comprising:
 (a) a weld ring that is adapted to be welded to the end bag or bags positioned in the tank shell, the weld ring comprising a flange that provides a flat weld surface and a sleeve,   (b) an overflow body that has a sleeve adapted to engage with the sleeve of the weld ring and to extend through the opening in the tank shell, and   (c) an external retaining ring having an inner surface that has a profile that is adapted to mate to an outer profile of the tank shell.   
   
   
       15 . The overflow outlet sub-system defined in  claim 14  further comprises an inner compression gasket that is adapted to seal the weld ring flange to the overflow body to prevent water ingress from the bag to the inner tank shell. 
   
   
       16 . The overflow outlet sub-system defined in  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein the overflow body comprises snap lock fittings and the dimensions of the sleeves of the overflow body and the weld ring are selected so that the sleeve of the weld ring can extend into the sleeve of the overflow body and the snap lock fittings of the overflow body can engage the flange of the weld ring and retain the two components together. 
   
   
       17 . A water storage tank that comprises an outer shell that defines an interior of the tank and has a plurality of openings, at least one water catchment bag located in the tank interior, and any one or more than one of the fittings defined in any one of the preceding claims connected as required to the outer shell and the bag or bags. 
   
   
       18 . The tank defined in  claim 17  wherein there are two inlet sub-systems connected to openings in the tank and to the bag in the tank. 
   
   
       19 . The tank defined in  claim 17  or  claim 18  wherein the bag is a self-supporting bag. 
   
   
       20 . The tank defined in any one of  claims 17  to  19  wherein the outer shell comprises side walls and end walls and the bag is fabricated from flexible sheet material that is impervious to passage of water or other liquid and the bag having a structure such that when the bag is installed within the tank shell and filled with liquid, the side walls of the tank shell will not be subject to substantial, if any, water or other liquid pressure tending to distort the side walls.