Moisture detecting air cap indicator for expansion tank failure
US9915433B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L2201/30
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is an expansion tank having an internal cavity separated by a flexible diaphragm to form an upper pressurized gas portion and a lower pressurized fluid portion, and an indicator positioned at an upper part of the expansion tank in communication with the contents of the upper pressurized gas portion. The indicator is configured so as to display a first color if the operating conditions are normal in the pressurized gas portion, and a second color if the amount of moisture detected in the pressurized gas portion greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. Further disclosed is a method for detecting whether there is an excessive amount of moisture in a pressurized gas portion of an expansion tank by allowing pressurized gas from the pressurized gas portion to come into contact with the indicator, and viewing the color displayed by the indicator. As such, the tank can be simply visually inspected to determine whether there is a potential failure in the tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.