Abstract:
A transport unit includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to provide a magnetic holding field for protecting hyperpolarized gas during storage and/or transport. The permanent magnets are configured in a relatively light weight manner to project a substantially cylindrical magnetic holding field or spherical holding field in space. The magnet arrangements can include primary magnets and field shaping secondary magnets which act to enlarge the region of homogeneity. The permanent magnet arrangement can also be provided with a cylindrical shaped flex sheet magnetically activated to provide the magnetic holding field. The permanent magnet arrangements do not require disassembly to insert or remove one or more containers of hyperpolarized gas in or out of the transport unit.
Abstract:
A compact portable transport unit for shipping hyperpolarized noble gases and shielding same from electromagnetic interference and/or external magnetic fields includes a means for shifting the resonance frequency of the hyperpolarized gas outside the bandwidth of typical frequencies associated with prevalent time-dependent fields produced by electrical sources. Preferably the transport unit includes a magnetic holding field which is generated from a solenoid in the transport unit. The solenoid includes a plurality of coil segments and is sized and configured to receive the gas chamber of a container. The gas container is configured with a valve, a spherical body, and an extending capillary stem between the valve and the body. The gas container or hyperpolarized product container can also be formed as a resilient bag. The distribution method includes positioning a multi-bolus container within the transport unit to shield it and transporting same to a second site remote from the first site and subsequently dispensing into smaller patient sized formulations which can be transported (shielded) in another transport unit to yet another site.
Abstract:
A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel is formed as a series of closely packed tubes fitted into a pair of opposing end caps. The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive the tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway for connection of the vessel. The vessel may be formed in a variety of useful shapes and the tubes may have various internal and external cross-sections. The end caps may be filled with sintactic foam with canals leading to the passageway. Microtubes through the syntactic foam may connect the tubes to the passageway. The vessel is further strengthened by overwrapping with high-strength braiding material, hoop winding or by overlayment with high-strength fabric. The vessel is further strengthened by coating with plastic resin. Apparatus and methods for forming the cellular reservoir flexible vessels are described.
Abstract:
A pressurized gas supply system includes a pressurized container which expands and contracts. The container includes a one-piece liner molded from a polymer which is reinforced by a high tensile fiber such as KEVLARnull. A valve is molded into the liner, and a regulator is connected to the valve. A hose, having a conserver positioned therealong, extends between the regulator and a fitting allowing a user to inhale gas from the container. The container is carried in a carrying bag, which can be in the form of a carrying case, a purse, or a back-pack.
Abstract:
A compact portable transport unit for shipping hyperpolarized noble gases and shielding same from electromagnetic interference and/or external magnetic fields includes a means for shifting the resonance frequency of the hyperpolarized gas outside the bandwidth of typical frequencies associated with prevalent time-dependent fields produced by electrical sources. Preferably the transport unit includes a magnetic holding field which is generated from a solenoid in the transport unit. The solenoid includes a plurality of coil segments and is sized and configured to receive the gas chamber of a container. The gas container is configured with a valve, a spherical body, and an extending capillary stem between the valve and the body. The gas container or hyperpolarized product container can also be formed as a resilient bag. The distribution method includes positioning a multi-bolus container within the transport unit to shield it and transporting same to a second site remote from the first site and subsequently dispensing into smaller patient sized formulations which can be transported (shielded) in another transport unit to yet another site.
Abstract:
A compressed fluid energy storage system includes a submersible fluid containment subsystem charged with a compressed working fluid and submerged and ballasted in a body of water, with the fluid containment subsystem having a substantially flat portion closing a domed portion. The system also includes a compressor and an expander disposed to compress and expand the working fluid. The fluid containment subsystem is at least in part flexible, and includes an upper portion for storing compressed energy fluid and a lower portion for ballast material. The lower portion may be tapered proximate the flat portion to prevent it from being collapsed by ballast materials. The region between the fluid and the ballast has exchange ports to communicate water between the inside and outside of the containment subsystem. In other embodiments, an open-bottomed fluid containment system is held in position underneath a ballast system by a tensegrity structure.
Abstract:
A flexible, high pressure, tubular storage vessel for storing and dispensing a compressed gas. The vessel has a gas impermeable inner core member comprising a flexible material and defining an inner diameter of a fluid-carrying channel adapted to store the compressed gas. A flexible reinforcing material is circumferentially disposed about the inner core member. The flexible reinforcing material is surrounded by an air-tight gas barrier wrapping defining an outer diameter. The vessel is configured to be coiled or shaped having a plurality of bends. The bend areas may have a variable inner diameter and are preferably provided with additional reinforcing material.
Abstract:
A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel is formed as a series of closely packed tubes fitted into a pair of opposing end caps. The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive the tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway for connection of the vessel. The flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of one end cap at a predetermined location. When subjected to overpressure it fails at the predetermined location. Other pressure relief devices include: a projecting member on the vessel surface, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location on the vessel surface or along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either the reinforcing panels or the flexible blankets covering the vessel.
Abstract:
An ovoid flexible pressure vessel is described. At least one hollow pressure cell, formed of resilient material, a passageway, a valving means, a capillary tube, hoop winding, high-strength braiding material and at least one reinforcing ring are provided. The ovoid flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of the hollow pressure cell at a predetermined location whereby, when the hollow pressure cell is subjected to an overpressure condition it will fail at the predetermined location. Further pressure release devices include the following: a reduction in thickness of the cell, an indentation, a projecting member, a weakened section of the passageway, a weakening or an absence of high-strength braiding material or hoop winding at a predetermined location along the passageway, a weakening or spreading of fibers in either of the reinforcing panels or in either flexible blankets.