Abstract:
A cylinder having an integral valve body and a method of making the same which includes the steps of selecting a body of material; forming a valve body in the body of material; and removing material from the body of material to form at least a portion of the cylinder wall which is integrally formed with the valve body. The integration of the cylinder with the valve body eliminates the seal commonly found between conventional cylinders and valve bodies and, accordingly, significantly reduces back diffusion into the cylinder having an integral valve body. Additionally, the above cylinder and integral valve body can be combined with a valve stem which forms a metal to metal seal with the valve body and thus, eliminates the need for any seal elements, for example polymeric or elastomeric seals. This further minimizes any potential back diffusion into the cylinder. The remainder of the cylinder is preferably formed by one of various types of enclosures. One embodiment preferably uses a generally straight valve body design. The significantly reduced diffusion experienced by these cylinders having integral valve bodies makes them ideal for use as miniature transportable cylinders without compromising the ability of the cylinders to stably contain reactive gases.
Abstract:
A compressed gas vehicle storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells (30) supported by shock-absorbing bumpers (21, 22) positioned within a low cost, shape conforming container (11, 12). The container (11, 12) is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells (30) whereby a radial air gap (26) surrounds each pressure cell (30). The radial air gap (26) allows pressure induced expansion of the pressure cells (30) without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells (30) or physical pressure to the container (11, 12). The pressure cells (30) are interconnected by a gas control assembly (40) including a thermally activated pressure relief device (74) and a conduit (63) connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps (14, 15) to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.
Abstract:
A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells (30) supported by shock-absorbing foam (33, 34) positioned within a shape-conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells (30) whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial air gap (20) allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells (30) without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container. The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly (40) including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The gas control assembly (40) is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.
Abstract:
A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells (30) supported by shock-absorbing foam (33, 34) positioned within a shape-conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells (30) whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial air gap (20) allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells (30) without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container. The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly (40) including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter. The gas control assembly (40) is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.
Abstract:
A resilient multi-layer container is configured to receive a quantity of hyperpolarized noble fluid such as gas and includes a wall with at least two layers, a first layer with a surface which minimizes contact-induced spin-relaxation and a first or second layer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen. The container is especially suitable for collecting and transporting He. The resilient container can be formed of material layers which are concurrently responsive to pressure such as polymers, deuterated polymers, or metallic films. The container can include a capillary stem and/or a port or valve isolation means to inhibit the flow of gas from the main volume of the container during transport. The resilient container can be configured to directly deliver the hyperpolarized noble gas to a target interface by deflating or collapsing the inflated resilient container. In addition, single layer resilient containers with T1's of above 4 hours for Xe and above 6 hours for He include materials with selected relaxivity values. In addition, a bag with a port fitting or valve member and one or more of a capillary stem and port isolation means is configured to minimize the depolarizing effect of the container valve or fitting(s). Also disclosed is a method for determining the gas solubility in an unknown polymer or liquid using the measured relaxation time of a hyperpolarized gas.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device (10) for storing pressurized gas, comprising a plurality of storage tanks (11) which each have a tank wall (12) which encloses a hollow space (15) intended for the storage of the pressurized gas. The storage tanks (11) are connected to each other and have at least one connection for introducing and/or discharging the pressurized gas. To configure the storage tanks (11) such that they are as stable as possible each storage tank (11) has preferably one covering layer (16) which is positioned on the tank wall (12) at least in partial areas of every storage tank (11). In addition, to allow for the individual adjustment of the geometrical structure of the device (10) to the spaces available and to the quantity of gas to be stored, every storage tank (11) has an upper part (20) which is joined to the tank wall (12) and the storage tanks (11) are or can be connected with each other in a modular manner by means of these upper parts (20). The pressurized gas is withdrawn from the storage tanks (11) through a flow channel (24) provided for in the upper parts (20) which communicate with the hollow space (15) of each storage tank (11) via a through hole (26). The individual upper parts (20) are joined by means of connecting elements (23) which are introduced into corresponding openings located in the upper parts (20).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a tank formed by a plurality of elementary tanks such as tubes (20) connected in parallel to at least a manifold (30, 32) and comprising closing means in the form of valves for isolating any one of the elementary tanks in response to a fall of pressure in it.
Abstract:
A fluid storage vessel (60) such as for automotive fuel has opposed end walls (66, 68, 80) connected at or adjacent an outer periphery (82), and an annular internal wall (76) extending between the opposed end walls whereby it comprises a first inner chamber (70) defined by inner portions (66, 68) of the opposed end walls of the vessel and the internal wall (76) and a second annular chamber (64) around the first chamber defined by the internal wall and outer portions (80) of the opposed end walls connected at the outer periphery (82) of the vessel. The internal wall (76) prevents fluid flow between the chambers and each chamber (64, 70) is provided with a respective fluid flow connection (50, 52) to the exterior.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel assembly includes a composite layer surrounding at least one chamber. A heating element is embedded in the composite layer for extracting gas from the chamber.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante destinée au stockage d'un fluide, ladite cuve présentant une pluralité de parois présentant une structure muiticouche; une première des parois (42, 43) présente une barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire (1) comprenant : - un premier panneau isolant (44) disposé le long de l'intersection (45) entre la structure porteuse (3) de ladite première paroi (42) et la structure porteuse (3) d'une seconde paroi (43) adjacente; et - un deuxième panneau isolant (50) juxtaposé au premier panneau isolant (44) le long d'un bord (48) dudit premier panneau isolant (44) opposé à la deuxième paroi (43); la première paroi (42) présentant une membrane d'étanchéité secondaire (4) comportant : - une première tôle métallique (60) ondulée qui est soudée sur une platine métallique (56) du premier panneau isolant (44); et - une seconde tôle métallique (86) ondulée soudée sur la platine métallique (92) du second panneau isolant (50); la première tôle métallique (60) et la seconde tôle métallique (86) sont soudées l'un à l'autre via un bord joggliné permettant un soudage par recouvrement de la première et de la seconde tôles métalliques (60, 86).