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A double-diaphragm bladder. The bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge. The non-flexible diaphragm has an aperture adapted and constructed to be connected to a liquid port, and the peripheral edges of the non-flexible dia

A double-diaphragm bladder. The bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge. The non-flexible diaphragm has an aperture adapted and constructed to be connected to a liquid port, and the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed together. The bladder is suitable for use in an expansion tank.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An expansion tank, comprising: an outer shell; and a bladder disposed within the outer shell, wherein the bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edges of the non-flexible di

What is claimed is: 1. An expansion tank, comprising: an outer shell; and a bladder disposed within the outer shell, wherein the bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed to one another to form a circumferential seam, and wherein a space within the bladder is fluidically isolated from a space between the bladder and the outer shell, wherein the non-flexible diaphragm is welded to the outer shell to at least partially define a path for water to flow into the bladder from outside the tank. 2. The expansion tank of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a first head having a first mating edge and a second head having a second mating edge, and wherein the tank is welded at the first and second mating edges. 3. The expansion tank of claim 2, wherein the first and second mating edges are welded to one another. 4. The expansion tank of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical side wall having third and fourth mating edges, and wherein the first mating edge is welded to the third mating edge and the second mating edge is welded to the fourth mating edge. 5. The expansion tank of claim 2, wherein the second head comprises a wall portion and a threaded insert in interlocking mechanical communication with the wall portion. 6. The expansion tank of claim 5, wherein the non-flexible diaphragm is welded to the second head, and wherein the path is defined at least in part by the threaded insert. 7. The expansion tank of claim 5, wherein the wall portion is injection molded around the threaded insert. 8. The expansion tank of claim 1, further comprising an outer layer disposed about the outer shell comprising a substantially continuous winding of glass fiber and an epoxy. 9. The expansion tank of claim 1, further comprising a charge valve to adjust a pressure in a space between the outer shell and the bladder. 10. The expansion tank of claim 1, wherein the non-flexible diaphragm comprises one or more of polypropylene, acetol, polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, polyalkylene terephthalate, polyformaldehyde, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, and poly(hexylisocyanate). 11. The expansion tank of claim 1, wherein the flexible diaphragm comprises one or more of isobutylene, polybutadiene, poly(dimethylsiloxane), poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), poly(trans-1,4-isoprene), and thermoplastic elastomers. 12. The expansion tank of claim 1, further comprising a grill disposed proximal to an opening of the bladder through which water flows into the bladder. 13. An expansion tank, comprising: an outer shell; a bladder disposed within the outer shell; wherein the bladder comprises a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed to one another to form a circumferential seam, and wherein a space within the bladder is fluidically isolated from a space between the bladder and the outer shell; and an insert disposed in the outer shell, the insert at least partially defining a path for water to flow into the bladder from outside the tank, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is injection molded around the insert. 14. The expansion tank of claim 13, further comprising a grill disposed proximal to an opening of the bladder through which water flows into the bladder. 15. The expansion tank of claim 13, wherein the insert is threaded. 16. The expansion tank of claim 13, wherein the insert comprises a fiber-reinforced composite. 17. A flow-through connector for a diaphragm tank comprising a bladder having a non-flexible diaphragm and a flexible diaphragm, the flow-through connector providing a path for water to enter the bladder through an orifice in the non-flexible bladder, the orifice defined by an edge of the non-flexible bladder, the flow-through connector comprising: a nipple having first and second ends, the first end comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein the tabs are manipulable between an insertion position and a securing position to secure the nipple to the non-flexible diaphragm; a first retainer ring fixedly attached to the nipple such that the first retainer ring is disposed outside the bladder when the flow-through connector is installed; a second retainer ring having slots configured to receive the plurality of tabs; and a grommet sized to fit around the nipple between the first and second retainer rings and comprising a groove adapted to receive the edge of the non-flexible diaphragm, wherein, in the securing position, the tabs press the second retainer ring towards the first retainer ring to create a seal preventing fluidic communication between an interior and an exterior of the bladder and between an interior of the bladder and a space between the first and second retainer rings. 18. The flow-through connector of claim 17, wherein the second retainer ring comprises a grill disposed in an interior portion of the ring. 19. A diaphragm tank comprising: an outer shell; a bladder disposed within the outer shell and comprising a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge and a non-flexible diaphragm having a peripheral edge, wherein the peripheral edges of the non-flexible diaphragm and the flexible diaphragm are sealed to one another to form a circumferential seam, and wherein a space within the bladder is fluidically isolated from a space between the bladder and the outer shell, and further wherein the non-flexible diaphragm has an orifice defined by an edge; and a flow-through connector, the flow through connector comprising: a nipple having first and second ends, the first end comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein the tabs are manipulable between an insertion position and a securing position to secure the nipple to the bladder; a first retainer ring fixedly attached to the nipple and disposed between the non-flexible diaphragm and the outer shell; a second retainer ring disposed about the nipple and within the bladder; and a grommet disposed between the first and second retainer rings and comprising an annular u-channel disposed about the edge of the orifice in the non-flexible diaphragm, wherein, in the securing position, the tabs press the second retainer ring towards the first retainer ring to create a seal preventing fluidic communication between an interior of the bladder and a space between the bladder and the outer shell and a space between to interior of the bladder and a space between the first and second retainer rings. 20. The diaphragm tank of claim 19, wherein the annular groove comprises a u-channel having a wall and two edge regions defining an open side of the u-channel, wherein a thickness of the two edge regions is greater than a thickness of the wall. 21. The diaphragm tank of claim 19, wherein the outer shell is metallic or plastic. 22. The diaphragm tank of claim 19, wherein the second retainer ring comprises a grill disposed in an interior portion of the ring.