Tank assembly

Abstract

A tank assembly is provided. A tank assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a container having a neck portion and interior and exterior surfaces. The tank assembly further includes a ring inserted within an opening in the neck. The ring is crimp connected with the neck interior surface. The tank assembly still further includes a collar fitted over the neck exterior surface opposite said ring. The collar serves to place the neck in compression.

1 . A tank assembly, comprising: 
 a container having a neck portion and interior and exterior surfaces;    a ring inserted within an opening in said neck, said ring being crimp connected with said neck interior surface; and    a collar fitted over said neck exterior surface opposite said ring, thereby placing said neck in compression.    
   
   
       2 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said crimp connected ring includes at least one protrusion protruding from the exterior surface thereof, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said interior surface of said neck to seal said connection between said ring and said neck and to retain said ring within said neck.  
   
   
       3 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said collar is crimp connected with said neck exterior surface.  
   
   
       4 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said crimp connected collar includes at least one protrusion protruding from the interior surface thereof, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said exterior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       5 . A tank assembly as described in  claim 1 , further including a sealing member between said ring and said neck interior surface.  
   
   
       6 . A tank assembly as described in  claim 1 , having a fluid fitting fixably connected with said ring.  
   
   
       7 . A tank assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein said ring has a locking ring connected thereto, and wherein said locking ring has a clamping arm connected thereto.  
   
   
       8 . A tank assembly as described in  claim 7 , wherein an instrument insert for said tank is connected with said tank by rotating a clamping plate which interlocks with said clamping arm.  
   
   
       9 . A fuel tank assembly as described in  claim 8 , wherein said clamping plate clamps down on a module flange and wherein said instrument is connected with said module flange.  
   
   
       10 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said collar is adjustable.  
   
   
       11 . A tank assembly, comprising: 
 a container having a neck portion and interior and exterior surfaces;    a ring inserted within an opening in said neck, said ring having at least one protrusion protruding from the exterior surface thereof, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said interior surface of said neck creating a seal between said neck and said ring and retaining said ring within said neck; and    a collar fitted over said neck exterior surface opposite said ring, thereby placing said ring in compression, said collar having at least one protrusion protruding from the interior surface thereof, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said exterior surface of said neck.    
   
   
       12 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said collar is adjustable.  
   
   
       13 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said ring includes a pair of spaced apart protrusions penetrating and engaging said interior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       14 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein: 
 said ring includes a pair of spaced apart protrusions penetrating and engaging said interior surface of said neck; and    said collar includes one protrusion penetrating the exterior surface of said neck;    wherein when said ring and said collar are assembled with said tank assembly such that they are in register with each other, said protrusions of said ring and said protrusion of said collar are aligned such that said protrusion of said collar is located between said protrusions of said ring.    
   
   
       15 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said collar is crimp connected to said exterior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       16 . A tank assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said ring is crimp connected to the interior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       17 . A method of providing a tank assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container having a neck portion and interior and exterior surfaces;    inserting a ring within an opening of said neck;    fitting a collar over said neck exterior surface placing said neck in compression; and    crimping said ring onto said interior surface of said neck, thereby creating at least one protrusion protruding from the exterior surface of said ring, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said interior surface of said neck.    
   
   
       18 . A method of providing a tank assembly in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising the step of adjusting said collar to increase the compression on said neck.  
   
   
       19 . A method of providing a tank assembly in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising the step of crimping said collar onto the exterior surface of said neck thereby creating at least one protrusion protruding from the interior surface of said collar, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said exterior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       20 . A method of providing a tank assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container having a neck portion and interior and exterior surfaces;    inserting within an opening of said neck, a ring comprised of at least one protrusion protruding from the exterior surface thereof, said at least one protrusion penetrating and engaging said interior surface; and    fitting a collar having at least one protrusion protruding from the interior surface thereof over said neck exterior surface such that said at least one protrusion penetrates and engages said neck exterior surface, thereby placing said neck in compression.    
   
   
       21 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  further comprising the step of adjusting said collar to increase the compression on said neck.  
   
   
       22 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  further comprising the step of crimping said ring onto said interior surface of said.  
   
   
       23 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  further comprising the step of crimping said collar onto said exterior surface of said neck.  
   
   
       24 . A method in accordance with clam  20  further comprising the step of crimping both said ring and said collar onto said neck interior and exterior surfaces, respectively.