Insulating Shell for Thermal Expansion Tanks

Abstract

An insulating shell designed to fit a variety of thermal expansion tanks which provides substantial insulation. The insulation shell includes a first half shell, a second half shell, and an interlocking mechanism. The first half shell and the second half shell join together to form an enclosed shell with a hollow interior. The first half shell and the second half shell each include a main body, a central cavity, and a partial hole. The main body provides the thermal insulation. The central cavity laterally traverses into the main body through a planar mating surface and receives the tank. The partial hole traverses into the main body from an external surface to an internal surface and received associated plumbing of the tank. The interlocking mechanism includes a first engaging element and a second engaging element, which are used to attach the first half shell and the second half shell together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks comprises:
 a first half shell;   a second half shell;   an interlocking mechanism;   the first half shell and the second half shell each comprise a main body, a central cavity, and a partial hole;   the central cavity laterally traversing into the main body through a planar mating surface of the main body;   an inner surface being delineated by the central cavity;   the partial hole laterally traversing through the main body from an external surface of the main body to the inner surface;   the partial hole traversing into the main body from the planar mating surface;   the first half shell and the second half shell being attached to each other through a first engaging element and a second engaging element of the interlocking mechanism;   
     
     
         2 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the first engaging element being integrated into the planar mating surface of the first half shell, around the central cavity of the first half shell; 
 the second engaging element being integrated into the planar mating surface of the second half shell, around the central cavity of the second half shell; 
 the planar mating surface of the first half shell being perimetrically and adjacently positioned with the planar mating surface of the second half shell; and 
     
 
     
     
         3 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the inner surface comprises a half-cylindrical lateral portion, a first semi-circular base portion, and a second semi-circular base portion; 
 the first semi-circular base portion being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the half-cylindrical lateral portion; 
 the second semi-circular base portion being positioned opposite of the first semi-circular base portion, across the half-cylindrical lateral portion; 
 the second semi-circular base portion being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the half-cylindrical lateral portion; and 
 the partial hole traversing through the second semi-circular base portion. 
 
     
     
         4 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the first half shell and the second shell each further comprise an at least one weld-receiving channel; 
 the weld-receiving channel laterally traversing into a half-cylindrical lateral portion of the inner surface; and 
 the weld-receiving channel being radially positioned around a central axis of the half-cylindrical lateral portion. 
 
     
     
         5 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the first half shell and the second half shell each further comprise an at least one strap-receiving recess; 
 the strap-receiving recess laterally traversing into the external surface; and 
 the strap-receiving recess being radially positioned around a central axis of a half-cylindrical lateral portion. 
 
     
     
         6 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the first half shell and the second shell each further comprise an at least one valve-receiving cavity; 
 the valve-receiving cavity laterally traversing into the main body from the planar mating surface and a first semi-circular base portion; and 
 the valve-receiving cavity being positioned opposite of the partial hole, across the main body. 
 
     
     
         7 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the first engaging element and the second engaging element each comprise an at least one lip and an at least one groove; 
 the lip of the first engaging element being adjacently connected to the planar mating surface around the central cavity of the first half shell; 
 the groove of the first engaging element laterally traverses into the planar mating surface around the central cavity of the first half shell; 
 the lip of the second engaging element being adjacently connected to the planar mating surface around the central cavity of the second half shell; and 
 the groove of the second engaging element laterally traverses into the planar mating surface around the central cavity of the second half shell. 
 
     
     
         8 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 7  comprises:
 the lip of the first engaging element being interlocked within the groove of the second engaging element; and 
 the lip of the second engaging element being interlocked within the groove of the first engaging element. 
 
     
     
         9 . The insulating shell for thermal expansion tanks as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main body of the first half shell and the main body of the second half shell are composed of a rigid thermal insulation foam.