Abstract:
Gas cylinders are filled with mixtures of gases comprising a minor component, which is to be present in the mixture at a concentration of 10% or less of the total volume of the cylinder, and a major component, which is to be present at a concentration greater than about 10% of the total volume, by charging the lighter component into a chamber of given volume to a pressure and at a temperature such that the volume provides the desired fraction of minor component in the gas mixture, and then flushing the minor component into the cylinder using major component gas as the flushing agent. The pressure at which the minor component volume is to be measured is preferably at or near the final pressure of the filled gas cylinder.
Abstract:
A system for rapidly filling cylinders with gas while avoiding superambient temperature excursions of the cylinder contents wherein cylinder charging gas is produced by vaporizing pressurized cryogenic liquid in admixture with pressurized gas to simultaneously in one step produce the charging gas and control the temperature of the charging gas to enable the subsequent rapid filling rate.
Abstract:
An apparatus for warming a bottle of refrigerant so as to elevate the pressure within the bottle and increase the rate of refrigerant flow through an open discharge valve. The apparatus includes a housing having a cradle positioned therein for receiving the bottle and spacing same from the walls of the housing to ensure proper air circulation through the interior space. A lid removably covers an opening in the housing and has a central aperture for the passage of the valve stem of the bottle. The lid also has an air intake vent and an air exhaust vent adjacent the central aperture. An air flow passageway connects the air intake vent with the air exhaust vent for circulating air to and from the interior space of the housing. An electrical resistance heater and an electric blower are positioned within the passageway. The blower impels air through the passageway from the air intake vent to the air exhaust vent and past the heater. A thermostat, positioned in the housing, deenergizes the heater when the air within the interior space reaches a predetermined temperature.
Abstract:
A light gas tank with a safe inlet device includes a ring fixed on an upper surface of a light gas tank. The ring has a center fuel inlet hole, and an inverted L-shaped gas inlet on one side of the wall and an inverted L-shaped passageway on the other side of the wall. An L-shaped air tube is located in a hollow interior of the tank, having its upper end welded with a vertical portion of the gas inlet and air holes in a lower portion. An air pumping device can pump air into an inlet nozzle, the gas inlet of the ring and the L-shaped air tube, and then out of the air holes into the fuel stored in the tank to fuse with the fuel to become fuel gas for use through a control valve fixed on the tank. The pumping device is operated only when fuel gas is to be used, so no large gas pressure is produced in the tank, diminishing potent danger of explosion.
Abstract:
A protective container for a scuba tank. The container is made of rugged, flexible material, such as plastic or rubber. The container has an open top for placing the container over the tank, a cylindrical body for protecting the side of the tank, and a base for protecting the bottom of the tank. The upper portion of the container is tapered gently inwardly and upwardly to decrease resistance to the water. The inner surface of the container has longitudinal ribs for draining water from the top to the bottom of the container. The outer surface of the container has five longitudinal outriggers to prevent rolling of the tank when it is lying on a surface and providing the least amount of resistance to the water when the tank is in use. The container wall is extended below the base to supply protection against vertical stress when the tank is dropped. The inner surface of the base contains radial drainage channels to dispose of water inside the container. The outer surface of the base contains strengthening ribs. A central opening in the base serves as an outlet channel for water inside the container and as an inlet for an air valve which allows the easy removal of the container from the tank.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder. The control processor maximizes the mass of compressed gas injected into the vehicle cylinder by injecting a first mass of compressed gas into the cylinder and calculating a first volume estimate in response thereto, estimating a second mass of compressed gas required to fill the cylinder to a first predetermined fill state, and then estimating a third mass of compressed gas required to fill a reference gas cylinder to the first predetermined fill state in response thereto. Thereafter, the second mass of compressed gas is injected into the cylinder, the gas mass being injected into the cylinder from the initial state being measured, as well as the pressure of the compressed gas within the container resulting from the injection of the second gas mass being measured, whereupon the control processor estimates a second volume of the gas container in response thereto. Thereafter, the control process may be used to either perform a final fill step to complete the gas mass injection into the cylinder, or may perform a second intermediate fill step prior to the final fill step for greater accuracy in determining tank volume during the fill process.
Abstract:
A method for producing a compressed fluid container is provided comprising charging a container with a fluid while simultaneously sealing the container. A double-walled compressed gas cylinder is also provided.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder. The control processor maximizes the mass of compressed gas injected into the vehicle cylinder by injecting a first mass of compressed gas into the cylinder and calculating a first volume estimate in response thereto, estimating a second mass of compressed gas required to fill the cylinder to a first predetermined fill state, and then estimating a third mass of compressed gas required to fill a reference gas cylinder to the first predetermined fill state in response thereto. Thereafter, the second mass of compressed gas is injected into the cylinder, the gas mass being injected into the cylinder from the initial state being measured, as well as the pressure of the compressed gas within the container resulting from the injection of the second gas mass being measured, whereupon the control processor estimates a second volume of the gas container in response thereto. Thereafter, the control process may be used to either perform a final fill step to complete the gas mass injection into the cylinder, or may perform a second intermediate fill step prior to the final fill step for greater accuracy in determining tank volume during the fill process.
Abstract:
Underground storage tank consisting of an internal metal structure (1), a static external facing (2) in contact with the surrounding soil (3) and a filler (5) located between the metal structure (1) and the static facing (2), the filler (5) being stabilized by a netting (6) secured onto the metal structure (1) by joint plates (7), while the netting is embedded in the filler (5) which is thickened by charging vessels (18) combined with feed bushes (15) through which the filler (5) is poured into the cavity wall. For Liquid Gas Low Temperature Storage Tanks, the transverse channels (4) for detection and drainage of any leaks are consisting of two omega shaped sections (21, 22) whereas blown or non-blown bitumen to which polymers are added is used as a filler (5).