Abstract:
A pressure vessel having a housing forming a chamber of a polygonal cross-section, the sides of the housing being formed by at least one panel, the panel forming one side being connected to the panels forming an adjacent side by a connector assembly that permits the connected panels at the juncture of the connector assembly to pivot or move relative to one another in the substantial absence of any bending stress at such juncture, and a seal being used to form fluid-tight seals between adjacent sides.
Abstract:
Closure modules are coupled to and enclose ends of a multi-cell pressure vessel, especially a multi-cell pressure vessel having arcuate outer wall segments connected by internal web segments that define a plurality of cells in the pressure vessel. The closure modules each have an arcuate surface portion and at least one interfacing surface portion integrally connected at a marginal extent thereof with a marginal extent of the arcuate surface portion. The arcuate surface and interfacing surface portions define a closure module chamber and have peripheral edges. The arcuate surface portion of one of the closure modules abuts contiguously against an interfacing surface portion of an adjacent one of the closure modules. The closure modules are particularly useful for use with multi-cell tanks and vessel bodies, especially tanks and vessels suitable for storing liquid propane.
Abstract:
A storage tank for storing and selectively dispensing pressurized combustible fluid comprises a main tank having a delivery outlet, and a first valve mounted on the main tank in fluid communication with the delivery outlet for controlling the flow of the pressurized combustible fluid from within the main tank to the ambient surroundings. A reserve tank is mounted in supported relation on the main tank and has a reserve outlet disposed within the main tank to permit direct fluid delivery from the reserve tank into the main tank. A selectively openable and closable second valve is mounted on one of the main tank and the reserve tank in operative connection with the reserve outlet for selective movement between a closed configuration whereat flow of the pressurized combustible fluid from the reserve tank through the reserve outlet to the main tank is precluded, and an open configuration whereat flow of the pressurized combustible fluid from the reserve tank through the reserve outlet to the main tank is permitted.
Abstract:
A joint is disclosed for connecting extruded segments to form a container, such as a pressure vessel for storing liquid propane. In cross section, joint includes a pair of symmetrical tabs, each tab configured at the end of adjacent arcuate outer wall segments. Tabs are configured for contiguous engagement to form a boss having a proximate neck portion and a distal body portion. Joint also includes a retaining member configured at the end of an internal web segment. Retaining member is configured to capture boss. A sealing weld is utilized to seal the adjacent tabs at exposed seam.
Abstract:
The tank is made up of a plurality of elementary tanks such as tubes (20) connected in parallel to at least one manifold device (30, 32), and it includes closure valves enabling any one of the elementary tanks to be isolated in response to a drop in the pressure contained therein.
Abstract:
Manifolds for mounting in the domed end cap of an air reserve tanks for a truck or the like have bodies which have central openings in communication with an opening formed in the tank end cap and which provide a plurality of outlet passages which are in communication with the inlet opening. The outlet passages may be provided with push-to-connect tube or hose retaining fittings, inlet check valves, pressure relief valves or the like by which the manifolds provide for multiple air line connections to a common tank. Embodiments of the manifold are shown as applied to metal and to composite tanks.
Abstract:
A dual-chamber composite pressure vessel includes a first enclosure formed of a fiber reinforced resin matrix, having a hollow cylindrical central section, and first and second oblate end sections formed integrally over respective ends of the central section to define a first chamber. Also included is a second enclosure formed of a fiber-reinforced resin matrix, integrally with the first enclosure, and having a second hollow cylindrical section which is joined at one end to and extends from the second end section co-cylindrically with the central section of the first enclosure. The second enclosure also includes a third oblate end section formed integrally over the other end of the second cylindrical section to define a second chamber.
Abstract:
The storage tank consists of a main tank and ullage tank connected by a relatively small passage having a flow rate capacity up to 30% of the main fill line. To fill the tank, liquid cryogen is delivered to the main tank by either a top or bottom fill. Because the fill line is significantly larger than the passage, the main tank will become liquid full while the ullage tank remains substantially empty. When the tank becomes liquid full a dramatic drop in the flow rate will result that can be detected by a relatively insensitive, and inexpensive, flow monitoring device thereby to stop the filling operation. The ullage tank will retain trapped gas and gradually allow the liquid from the main tank to enter the ullage tank through the passage until the liquid level in the tanks are equal. Once the liquid levels in the tanks equalize, a vapor space is created above the liquid to accommodate vaporizing cryogen and provide long hold times.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cryostat, in particular a helium cryostat with an additional nitrogen tank and a vacuum section, comprising a pressure-relief cover arranged at the outside of the tank wall of the cryostat for closing an opening therein. A locking device by which the said pressure-relief cover is retained in position on the tank wall of the cryostat and which, in its closed position, urges the pressure-relief cover against the edge of the tank opening, under the action of a spring, in such a way that the pressure-relief cover is permitted to be lifted off slightly in the presence of a slight overpressure, against the action of a spring, while in the presence of an important overpressure the locking device assumes its open position in which the pressure-relief cover is released from the tank opening, urges the pressure-relief cover automatically against the tank wall so as to close the opening of the tank edge again after a slight overpressure has been released, but releases the opening when an important overpressure prevails in the cryostat. This arrangement prevents damages to the cryostat and avoids the risks connected therewith.
Abstract:
A liquid-propellant tank for a spacecraft is symmetric about a longitudinal axis, and has a transverse partition (15) and a truncated conical partition (16), which divide the interior of the tank into a remote chamber (20), a proximate peripheral chamber (21) and a proximate axial chamber (22). Communication between the remote chamber (20) and the proximate peripheral chamber (21) is provided by a port structure (23), and communication between the proximate peripheral chamber (21) and the proximate axial chamber (22) is provided by a port structure (24). As liquid propellant is withdrawn from the tank, pressurant gas in the remote chamber (20) causes liquid propellant to pass from the remote chamber (20) into the proximate peripheral chamber (21) to replace liquid propellant thereby forced from the proximate peripheral chamber (21) into the proximate axial chamber (22), which replaces the liquid propellant withdrawn from the tank. Emptying of the three chambers in sequence limits the extent of migration of liquid propellant within the tank, thereby minimizing the effects of liquid-propellant migration on attitude stability of the spacecraft.