A vertical hydraulic tank includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section, with an outlet in the lower conical section. A lower multi-path manifold is attached to the outlet, the manifold including a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and a plurality of horizontal conduits in fluid communication with the vertical conduit. An upper multi-path manifold can also be attached to the tank with a plurality of upper horizontal conduits and a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the upper cylindrical section of the tank. Valves may be provided along the vertical conduit and the horizontal conduits to regulate flow of material through the conduits. A pump may be connected to either the upper manifold or the lower manifold, or both by way of a pump conduit. Multiple tanks can be connected together by way of tubing between the manifolds of each tank.

A vertical hydraulic tank includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section, with an outlet in the lower conical section. A lower multi-path manifold is attached to the outlet, the manifold including a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and a plurality of horizontal conduits in fluid communication with the vertical conduit. An upper multi-path manifold can also be attached to the tank with a plurality of upper horizontal conduits and a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the upper cylindrical section of the tank. Valves may be provided along the vertical conduit and the horizontal conduits to regulate flow of material through the conduits. A pump may be connected to either the upper manifold or the lower manifold, or both by way of a pump conduit. Multiple tanks can be connected together by way of tubing between the manifolds of each tank.

An expansion tank includes a tank body mounted inside a housing forming a sump, and defining an internal expansion volume. A fluid inlet opening in the tank body is in communication with the sump and the expansion volume. A combination valve may be disposed on a lower end of the tank to control fluid flow between the sump and the expansion volume. The valve may be a combination duckbill valve and umbrella valve. Fluid enters the expansion volume through the umbrella valve when sump pressure exceeds expansion volume pressure by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the expansion volume through the duckbill valve to the sump when expansion volume pressure exceeds sump pressure by a second predetermined amount. The tank body may include a cover on which an inlet tube is formed.

An expansion tank includes a tank body mounted inside a housing forming a sump, where the tank body defines an internal expansion volume. A fluid inlet tube on the tank body has an upper end open to the sump and a lower end open to the internal expansion volume. A single 2-way check valve is located at the lower end of the tube, and fluid enters the expansion volume when the pressure in the sump exceeds the pressure in the expansion volume by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the expansion volume to the sump when the pressure in the expansion volume exceeds the pressure in the sump by a second predetermined amount. The check valve may be a combination duckbill valve and umbrella valve. The tank body may include a cover on which the inlet tube is formed.

A hydraulic fluid expansion tank is located inside a housing of a drive device and includes an upper check valve and a lower check valve in communication with a sump located within the drive device and an internal volume of the expansion tank. The tank may also include a vent opening in communication with a vent of the drive device that is in communication with atmospheric pressure.

A tank fitting apparatus and method is provided. The tank fitting apparatus includes a bottom plate apparatus. The bottom plate apparatus includes a bottom plate having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a bottom plate passageway. The bottom plate apparatus further includes a bolt connected to the bottom plate and extending from the top surface of the bottom plate. The tank fitting apparatus further includes a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus includes a pipe and a valve integrally formed with the pipe. The valve is movable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. A top plate integrally formed on the pipe and extends outwardly from the pipe. The valve apparatus has a connected tank fitting position where the bolt of the bottom plate apparatus extends through the top plate of the valve apparatus to connect the valve apparatus with the bottom plate apparatus.

A tank fitting apparatus and method is provided. The tank fitting apparatus includes a bottom plate apparatus, The bottom plate apparatus includes a bottom plate having a bottom surface, a top surface, and a bottom plate passageway. The bottom plate apparatus further includes a bolt connected to the bottom plate and extending from the top surface of the bottom plate. The tank fitting apparatus further includes a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus includes a pipe and a valve integrally formed with the pipe. The valve is movable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. A top plate integrally formed on the pipe and extends outwardly from the pipe. The valve apparatus has a connected tank fitting position where the bolt of the bottom plate apparatus extends through the top plate of the valve apparatus to connect the valve apparatus with the bottom plate apparatus.

A device for use in the preparation of beverages, for managing the draw-off of water from a source of hot water comprises a chamber having a base, a cylindrical wall mounted on the base and a top section. An inlet and a return outlet are mounted in the base, and both the inlet and the return outlet are connectable to a source of hot water. Three draw-off outlets are also mounted in the base. The return outlet consists of a hollow tube section, which passes through the base to form a stand pipe. In use, hot water is introduced into the chamber through inlet and the chamber is orientated such that return outlet is positioned above the inlet. The inlet flow rate is equal to or greater than the draw-off flow rate, and any excess volume of hot water in the chamber is returnable, to the source of hot water, through the return outlet, thereby creating a constant head of water above the draw-off outlets.

A vertical hydraulic tank includes an upper cylindrical section and a lower conical section, with an outlet in the lower conical section. A lower multi-path manifold is attached to the outlet, the manifold including a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and a plurality of horizontal conduits in fluid communication with the vertical conduit. An upper multi-path manifold can also be attached to the tank with a plurality of upper horizontal conduits and a vertical conduit in fluid communication with the upper cylindrical section of the tank. Valves may be provided along the vertical conduit and the horizontal conduits to regulate flow of material through the conduits. A pump may be connected to either the upper manifold or the lower manifold, or both by way of a pump conduit. Multiple tanks can be connected together by way of tubing between the manifolds of each tank.

A gas tank container having increased volume is disclosed. The gas tank container for storing and/or transporting gas and/or liquid, includes a tank vessel, a frame and at least one outlet valve. The end of the outlet valve is attached to a tank flange, which is sunk in a recess at the end of the tank vessel. By recessing at least one outlet valve of the gas tank container, the length of the tank vessel can be optimized within the frame.