Abstract:
A portable self-contained delivery station for liquid natural gas (LNG) is provided on a movable skid frame and equipped with an instant -on delivery system which may initiate LNG delivery immediately to a use vehicle. The skid is equipped with a spill containment feature such that the LNG may be contained in the event of spillage. A variable speed pump both controls LNG dispensing and saturation levels of the stored LNG. The pump is submerged in a sump tank which is separate from the bulk storage tank. The sump tank is flooded with an amount of LNG such that the pump is submerged. Delivery of LNG may thus occur instantly, without pre-cooling of the pump or associated meter.
Abstract:
An improved commingling chamber for the distribution and pressure equalization of a thermodynamic working fluid used in a recirculating liquid type heat transfer processing system. The improved commingling chamber includes a volumetric chamber generally defined by a vessel wall, a top portion of the chamber, a lower portion of the chamber having a side wall. The lower portion terminates into a base preferably having an outlet port located therein. At least one inlet port and outlet port are located in the vessel wall. A conduit having a first end attached to at least one inlet port and being of sufficient length and configuration to vector incoming fluid toward the base outlet port, and a flow through region between a terminating end of the conduit means is provided to form a flow path between fluid exiting the conduit and the volumetric chamber. Alternative embodiments for accommodating multiple inlet ports and outlet ports are disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus for safely delivering a hazardous fluid substance to a receiving structure includes a supply cylinder containing the fluid substance and having a supply cylinder release port; a high pressure containment vessel having a vessel wall, for receiving and safely enclosing the supply cylinder; a high pressure first tube extending from, and in fluid communication with, the supply cylinder release port to a vessel port in the vessel wall; and a vessel valve in fluid communication with the first tube for controlling delivery of the fluid substance from the supply cylinder and from the vessel. The vessel valve preferably includes a fluid substance sensing valve assembly mounted in the vessel port, for automatically shutting off the flow of the fluid substance at the vessel port upon detection of the fluid substances outside the containment vessel. The vessel valve preferably includes a reduced orifice controller. A process of delivering a hazardous fluid substance from a supply cylinder having a supply cylinder release valve using the above-described apparatus, including the steps of placing the supply cylinder into the containment vessel; connecting the supply cylinder release valve to the tube extending within the containment vessel; opening the cylinder release valve and the vessel valve to deliver the fluid substance from the supply cylinder and from the containment vessel.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel for holding a pressurized fluid such as compressed natural gas ("CNG") includes two end cells and zero or more interior cells. The cell geometry ensures that the cells meet one another at tangential circular surfaces, thereby reducing the tendency of adjacent cells to peel apart. A web secured about the cells includes two sheets that are tangent to the cells. Unused volumes between the cells and the web contain wedges of foam or rubber. A valve provides fluid communication between the interior of the pressure vessel and a pressurized fluid line. The filled weight of one pressure vessel does not exceed the filled weight of a conventional gasoline tank that occupies substantially the same space as the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may be configured with exterior recesses for engaging conventional gasoline tank straps.
Abstract:
Inner and outer welded steel protective tanks are separated by a space containing a granular insulating material such as perlite preventing excessive heating of fuel in a storage space in the inner tank, even when there is a fire at the site. The inner tank may be subdivided into portions by a partition defining a storage space and an overfill containment space receiving overflow from the storage space portion, with a sensor detecting overflow. The overflow containment space is also arranged to collect separated fuel when the tank system is used with a vapor recovery system. The granular insulating material acts as an explosion suppressant by dissipating heat and fuel vapors which may be present in the insulation space as a result of leakage from the inner tank. A triple walled tank of increased reliability against spills and penetration resistance is provided by a two closely spaced inner tanks within the insulation. Insulated tank saddles provide fire protection for the tank support.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a modular compressed natural gas fuel unit comprising generally a tank adapted to contain compressed natural gas and a fuel supply unit integrally attached to the main valve of the tank.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel liner for fuel tanks used to store high pressure gasses including methane or compressed natural gas includes thermoplastic materials exhibiting low permeability and mechanical properties resistant to thermal and pressurization strains over the operating cycle of the fuel tanks. The pressure vessel liner is made from a material selected from the group consisting of modified nylon 6 or nylon 11. The present invention also discloses a method of forming a reinforced composite fuel tank wherein the pressure vessel liner is overwrapped with both low-angle helical and high-angle helical filament windings. The high-angle helical windings are overwrapped around the liner across at least the cylinder-to-dome transition region at angles between 60.degree. and 88.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the liner. High angle helical filament windings at these angles eliminate excessive composite windings typically added to account for weak transition points in these regions. The high-angle helical windings can be effectively wound without slippage, thereby providing a simplified overwrapping process and improved reinforced liner construction.
Abstract:
This invention concerns improvements to toroidal-shaped L.P.G. tanks (1) which, due to their particular shape, may be easily placed inside the spare wheel compartment (10). In the toroidal-shaped tank described herein, the hollow center of the tank is used for positioning the valve group connection rings (3), which may either project or be flush-mounted and also for allowing the passage of the pipes (4, 5) for connecting the tank with the engine fuel supply system and the filler. The valves are placed between a lid (6), at the top, and a bottom plate (7) tide to each other in such a manner as to constitute an airtight chamber.
Abstract:
An assembly comprising an intermediate volume of medium-pressure gas (8) in a transportable housing (3) which is advantageously combined with a user apparatus (4) and selectively connectable to a high-pressure gas supply (1) by coupling it to a filling unit (2) via a quick connection system (15, 16). The assembly is particularly useful in portable welding apparatuses.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing compressed gas from n storage vessels containing compressed gas. Gas is sequentially dispensed from each of the storage vessels until predetermined delivery conditions are reached for each storage vessel. After the predetermined delivery conditions are reached in storage vessel n, storage vessel n is backfilled using the remaining compressed gas from the other storage vessels. The backfilling provides greater extraction of stored gas in the storage vessels and consistently fast fill times.