Abstract:
A compressed natural gas storage and dispensing system having bulk storage tanks in fluid communication with a natural gas supply source; a compressor to produce compressed natural gas; dispensing storage tanks in fluid communication with the bulk storage tanks and in fluid communication with fuel dispensers; a liquified natural gas storage tank in fluid communication with the bulk storage tanks, wherein compressed natural gas resulting from vaporization of the liquified natural gas within the liquified natural gas storage tank is transferred to the bulk storage tanks as a supplemental source of compressed natural gas, or wherein liquified natural gas is vaporized in an ambient vaporizer and delivered to the bulk or dispensing storage tanks.
Abstract:
A fuel island redundant monitoring system having sensors of varying purpose to transmit data signals to dual remote monitoring stations. One monitoring site is a live monitoring station manned by personnel. The other monitoring station is a data receiving station utilizing unmanned machines, e.g., computers. The unmanned data station is capable of transmitting information to the manned monitoring station, to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders, and/or to control equipment at the fuel island. The manned monitoring station is capable of transmitting commands or inquiries to the unmanned data station and/or to control equipment at the fuel island, and/or to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders. Sensors may be dedicated to either the unmanned data station or the manned live monitoring station, or may send data to both stations.
Abstract:
A method of forming a polymer concrete CNG tank by forming an inflatable liner member composed of high density polymer impermeable to CNG; providing column forms as part of the liner member, the column forms having open tops and open bottoms and extending completely through the liner member; providing an outer form; positioning the liner member within the outer form with the column forms vertically oriented, the liner member being positioned to provide a gap between the liner member and the outer form; inflating the liner member; pouring polymer concrete about the liner member and through the column forms; and allowing the polymer concrete to cure. Reinforcement members may be positioned around the liner member and within the column forms prior to the step of pouring the polymer concrete.
Abstract:
A compressed natural gas storage and dispensing system having bulk storage tanks in fluid communication with a natural gas supply source; a primary compressor delivering the natural gas to the bulk storage tanks; dispensing storage tanks in fluid communication with the bulk storage tanks and in fluid communication with fuel dispensers; a secondary compressor delivering the natural gas to the dispensing storage tanks from the bulk storage tanks; wherein when the pressure within the dispensing storage tanks falls below a predetermined minimum pressure, natural gas is delivered from the bulk storage tanks to the dispensing storage tanks, and wherein when the pressure in the bulk storage tanks falls below a predetermined minimum pressure, natural gas is delivered from the supply source to the bulk storage tanks.
Abstract:
A fuel island redundant monitoring system having sensors of varying purpose to transmit data signals to dual remote monitoring stations. One monitoring site is a live monitoring station manned by personnel. The other monitoring station is a data receiving station utilizing unmanned machines, e.g., computers. The unmanned data station is capable of transmitting information to the manned monitoring station, to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders, and/or to control equipment at the fuel island. The manned monitoring station is capable of transmitting commands or inquiries to the unmanned data station and/or to control equipment at the fuel island, and/or to local fuel island managers and/or to local emergency responders. Sensors may be dedicated to either the unmanned data station or the manned live monitoring station, or may send data to both stations.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish. A sizing mechanism positionable in the widened finish supports the finish during crystallization.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish. A sizing mechanism positionable in the widened finish supports the finish during crystallization.
Abstract:
Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner.
Abstract:
A method of making a plastic container having a threaded wide-mouth finish includes providing a preform having at least an exterior surface of molded polyester construction. The preform is placed in a mold cavity having a first portion for forming a container body, a second portion adjacent to the first portion for forming a cylindrical finish wall without threads, and a third portion adjacent to the second portion for forming a trim dome or moil. The preform is expanded within the mold cavity to form a one-piece intermediate product that includes a body, a cylindrical wide-mouth finish wall and a moil. After removing the intermediate product from the cavity, the moil is severed from the end of the finish wall. At least one thread is then formed on the finish wall by engaging the finish wall with at least one thread-forming tool, which may be heated to facilitate the forming operation.