Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A pressure vessel comprising: (a) a cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, said closed end having a port provided therein; (b) an end cap partially insertable into said open end of said cylindrical housing and fixed thereto by welding and having an axially extending through hole provided therein, an annular shoulder encircling and abutting the open end surface of said housing, and first and second annular grooves formed in the outer periphery thereof, said first annular groove located closer to said annular shoulder than said second annular groove; (c) valve means disposed in said axially extending through hole for controlling flow of a gas; (d) a generally cylindrical bladder having a closed end and an open end, said open end having an inwardly projecting annular protuberant disposable in said first annular groove and capable of sealing said bladder to said cylindrical housing, said bladder being fully retained within said cylindrical housing by said end cap, said bladder further having a smooth outer peripheral surface constructed with a cylindrical section and an elongated annular tapered section which is inclined towards said closed end, said tapered section allowing said bladder to expand uniformly while being filled with a pressurized gas; (e) sealing means disposed in said second annular groove for sealing said bladder to said end cap, said sealing means distally positioned from a point where said cylindrical and tapered sections come together; and (f) means for securely fastening said end cap to said cylindrical housing to completely close said open end of said cylindrical housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
A pressure vessel comprising: (a) a cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, said closed end having a port provided therein; (b) an end cap partially insertable into said open end of said cylindrical housing and fixed thereto by welding and having an axially extending through hole provided therein, an annular shoulder encircling and abutting the open end surface of said housing, and first and second annular grooves formed in the outer periphery thereof, said first annular groove located closer to said annular shoulder than said second annular groove; (c) valve means disposed in said axially extending through hole for controlling flow of a gas; (d) a generally cylindrical bladder having a closed end and an open end, said open end having an inwardly projecting annular protuberant disposable in said first annular groove and capable of sealing said bladder to said cylindrical housing, said bladder being fully retained within said cylindrical housing by said end cap, said bladder further having a smooth outer peripheral surface constructed with a cylindrical section and an elongated annular tapered section which is inclined towards said closed end, said tapered section allowing said bladder to expand uniformly while being filled with a pressurized gas; (e) sealing means disposed in said second annular groove for sealing said bladder to said end cap, said sealing means distally positioned from a point where said cylindrical and tapered sections come together; and (f) means for securely fastening said end cap to said cylindrical housing to completely close said open end of said cylindrical housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pressure vessel of claim 1 wherein said sealing means is an O-ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pressure vessel of claim 2 wherein said bladder is a resilient deformable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The pressure vessel of claim 1 wherein both said sealing means and said annular protuberant combine to form a positive seal between said end cap, bladder and cylindrical housing to prevent the passage of a fluid or gas therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pressure vessel of claim 1 wherein said sealing means and said annular protuberant combine to form a positive seal between said end cap, bladder and cylindrical housing to prevent passage of a fluid or gas therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
286 words
A pressure vessel comprising: (a) a rigid cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, said closed end having a port provided therein; (b) an end cap partially insertable into said open end of said cylindrical housing and affixed thereto by welding and having an axially extending through hole provided therein, an annular shoulder encircling and abutting the open end surface of said housing, and first and second annular grooves formed in the outer periphery thereof, said first annular groove being larger than said second annular groove and located closer to said annular shoulder; (c) a normally closed gas valve disposed in a blocking relationship in said through hole and operable to allow bidirectional flow of a gas through said through hole; (d) a generally cylindrical bladder of a resilient deformable material having a closed end and an open end, said open end having an inwardly projecting annular protuberant which is disposable in said first annular groove of said end cap and capable of sealing said bladder to said cylindrical housing, said bladder further being fully retained within said cylindrical housing by said end cap, said bladder further having a smooth outer peripheral surface constructed with a cylindrical section and an elongated annular tapered section which is inclined towards said closed end, said tapered section allowing said bladder to expand uniformly while being filled with a pressurized gas; (e) an O-ring disposed in said second annular groove to seal said bladder to said end cap, said O-ring being distally positioned from a point where said cylindrical and tapered sections come together; and (f) means for securely fastening said end cap to said cylindrical housing to completely close said open end of said cylindrical housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
286 words
A pressure vessel comprising: (a) a rigid cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, said closed end having a port provided therein; (b) an end cap partially insertable into said open end of said cylindrical housing and affixed thereto by welding and having an axially extending through hole provided therein, an annular shoulder encircling and abutting the open end surface of said housing, and first and second annular grooves formed in the outer periphery thereof, said first annular groove being larger than said second annular groove and located closer to said annular shoulder; (c) a normally closed gas valve disposed in a blocking relationship in said through hole and operable to allow bidirectional flow of a gas through said through hole; (d) a generally cylindrical bladder of a resilient deformable material having a closed end and an open end, said open end having an inwardly projecting annular protuberant which is disposable in said first annular groove of said end cap and capable of sealing said bladder to said cylindrical housing, said bladder further being fully retained within said cylindrical housing by said end cap, said bladder further having a smooth outer peripheral surface constructed with a cylindrical section and an elongated annular tapered section which is inclined towards said closed end, said tapered section allowing said bladder to expand uniformly while being filled with a pressurized gas; (e) an O-ring disposed in said second annular groove to seal said bladder to said end cap, said O-ring being distally positioned from a point where said cylindrical and tapered sections come together; and (f) means for securely fastening said end cap to said cylindrical housing to completely close said open end of said cylindrical housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pressure vessel of claim 6 wherein said O-ring and said annular protuberant combine to form a positive seal between said end cap, bladder and cylindrical housing to prevent the passage of a fluid or gas therebetween.