Composite diaphragm expansion vessels

Abstract

A polymer ring assembly for securing a diaphragm to an inner side of a polymeric vessel, a fiber-reinforced polymeric vessel containing a diaphragm secured using a polymer ring assembly and a method of manufacturing the same. The polymer ring assembly allows for the production of high-quality diaphragm expansion vessels, without the use of metal vessel bodies and metal retaining rings. Also, a ring assembly for securing a diaphragm to an inner side of a polymeric vessel, a fiber-reinforced polymeric vessel containing a diaphragm secured using a ring assembly and a method of manufacturing the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for installation in a polymer vessel, the assembly comprising:
 a polymeric upper ring including an outer side;   a polymeric lower ring including a recess formed on an inner side; and   an elastomeric diaphragm including a lip, the lip is received in the recess and is clenched between the outer side of the upper ring and the inner side of the lower ring by compressive force,   wherein an air-tight and water-tight seal is formed between the lower ring and the upper ring by the diaphragm.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is defined a cylindrical wall portion and an arcuate portion of the inner side. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lip of the diaphragm is a bulging lip that is extended outward from an outer side of the diaphragm. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the outer side of the upper ring comprises a plurality of teeth that engage the diaphragm on an inner surface opposite the bulging lip of the diaphragm when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein a band of reinforcing material is provided on an outer circumferential side of the lower ring. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the outer circumferential side includes a channel and the band or reinforcing material is secured within the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the band of reinforcing material is radially outward of the bulging lip of the diaphragm when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the outer ring includes a first section and a second section, the first section is spaced radially outward of the second section, the second section includes a reinforcing insert. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a band of reinforcing material is provided on an outer circumferential side of the lower ring, and the reinforcing insert is opposite the band of reinforcing material when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcing insert is co-molded with the upper ring. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper ring includes a first alignment feature, and the lower ring includes a second alignment feature shaped to mate with the first alignment feature. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a diaphragm expansion vessel comprising:
 providing an assembly including:
 a polymeric upper ring including an outer side, 
 a polymeric lower ring including a recess formed on an inner side, and 
 an elastomeric diaphragm including a bulging lip extended outward from an outer side of the diaphragm; 
   positioning the bulging lip of the diaphragm in the recess;   clenching the bulging lip of the diaphragm between the outer side of the upper ring and the inner side of the lower ring by compressive force, wherein an air-tight and water-tight seal is formed between the lower ring and the upper ring by the diaphragm;   providing a polymeric vessel;   disposing the assembly within the polymeric vessel;   spin-welding the assembly to an inner wall of the polymeric vessel;   closing off an open end of the polymeric vessel with an end cap; and   wrapping the polymeric vessel and end cap with reinforcing fibers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the outer side of the upper ring comprises a plurality of teeth, and the method includes engaging the diaphragm on an inner surface opposite the bulging lip of the diaphragm with the plurality of teeth when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , including providing a band of reinforcing material on an outer circumferential side of the lower ring. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including positioning the band of reinforcing material radially outward of the bulging lip of the diaphragm when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , including securing a reinforcement insert in the upper ring, and radially aligning the reinforcing insert with the bulging lip of the diaphragm. 
     
     
         17 . A polymer vessel assembly comprising:
 a polymer vessel having an inner wall; and   a polymeric ring assembly welded to the inner wall, the polymeric ring assembly including:
 a polymeric upper ring including an outer side, the upper ring including a reinforcing insert, 
 a polymeric lower ring including a recess formed on an inner side, and 
 an elastomeric diaphragm including a bulging lip extended outward from an outer side of the diaphragm, the bulging lip is received in the recess and is clenched between the outer side of the upper ring and the inner side of the lower ring by compressive force, the reinforcing insert radially aligned with and inward of the bulging lip of the diaphragm, 
 wherein an air-tight and water-tight seal is formed between the lower ring and the upper ring by the diaphragm. 
   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the outer side of the upper ring comprises a plurality of teeth that engage the diaphragm on an inner surface opposite the bulging lip of the diaphragm when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of to  claim 17 , wherein a band of reinforcing material is provided on an outer circumferential side of the lower ring. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the band of reinforcing material is radially outward of the bulging lip of the diaphragm when the lower ring and the upper ring are compressed together with the diaphragm clenched therebetween.