Abstract:
The invention comprehends a tank for storing fluid under pressure and a method for manufacturing the tank. The tank has an inner core of an open-celled foam that is characterized by open voids that are at least partially interconnected by passages and are surrounded by a fibrous or ligament structure/network (collectively, “ligaments”). Attached to the inner core is an outer skin.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for filling a container with gas, gas being inserted into the container under compression. In order to be able to fill the container with a larger amount of gas than before and to reduce gas pressure peaks during filling, it is proposed according to the invention that electrically conducting stretched material is inserted into the container before it is filled with gas. Furthermore, the invention relates to a gas container (1), in particular a high-pressure gas cylinder, for storing gases under pressures exceeding 50 bar, in particular exceeding 200 bar, which contains electrically conducting stretched material (11). With gas containers (1) according to the invention, a higher filling level is achieved than before with a given pressure. Containers with a small wall thickness can be used without a safety risk because of a reduction of gas pressure peaks in the interior of containers.
Abstract:
Large amounts of hazardous goods, especially liquid ones such as fuel, may be carried in safety containers, whether tank semitrailers, oil tankers, containers for hazardous goods or aircraft, and be transported with practically no risk for the environment, by completely filling the inside (10) of the container with glass wool, so that the hazardous materials or other fillings dispersed therein may not escape or be somehow spilled in the environment. The liquid components, for example hydrocarbons, are absorbed and held by a dense, water-proofed latticework (15), so that no oxygen can reach them. They are thus protected against explosions and spillage in the environment. At the same time, a safety container of this type acts as a kind of safety buoy, preventing water from entering the inside (10) of the container, so that the kerosene, gasoline or oil contained therein further increase buoyancy. As a whole, a simplification of the safety container design and a considerable increase in safety may be noted.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for filling a container with gas, gas being inserted into the container under compression. In order to be able to fill the container with a larger amount of gas than before and to reduce gas pressure peaks during filling, it is proposed according to the invention that electrically conducting stretched material is inserted into the container before it is filled with gas. Furthermore, the invention relates to a gas container (1), in particular a high-pressure gas cylinder, for storing gases under pressures exceeding 50 bar, in particular exceeding 200 bar, which contains electrically conducting stretched material (11). With gas containers (1) according to the invention, a higher filling level is achieved than before with a given pressure. Containers with a small wall thickness can be used without a safety risk because of a reduction of gas pressure peaks in the interior of containers.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a tank (10) for a two-phase cold gas propulsion system of a space craft comprising a microporous structure (3) capable of ensuring, in a part of the tank (10) which opposite to an orifice (4) discharging gas outside the tank (10), capillary retention in liquid phase of a two-phase fluid contained in the tank (10). A device for thermal control of the tank (10) comprises at least one heater (2) associated with the part of the tank (10) containing the gas phase, as well as a thermistor (5) in said part, and at least one other thermistor (6) in the part of the tank (6) containing the microporous structure (3) and the liquid phase. The mechanical structure (1) of the tank (10) is mounted on the structure of the space craft through a rigidly mounted interface (7) and a flexibly mounted interface (8). The invention is useful in particular for equipping satellites weighing some tenths to some hundreds of kilograms.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for storing hydrogen fuels or other gaseous fuels (e.g. hydrogen). One embodiment of a container (20) for storing gaseous fuels in accordance with an aspect of the invention comprises a high-pressure vessel (22) configured to contain the gas in a high-pressure zone at a pressure significantly above atmospheric pressure (e.g. 300-10,000 psi). The container (20) can also include a storing medium (40) in the vessel (22) and an inlet/outlet line (50) extending through the vessel (22). The storing medium (40) can have a plurality of storage spaces (28) configured to physically bind molecules of the gas to the storing medium (40), and the inlet/outlet line (50) can be a tube (52) extending through the vessel (22) in fluid communication with the storing medium (40). The molecules of the gaseous fuel bind to the storing medium (40), and the pressure in the vessel drives additional molecules of the fuel into vacant spaces within the storing medium . A heater (60) is used to release hydrogen from the medium (40).
Abstract:
Apparatus controllably breaks hollow spheres stored in an enclosure. A first screen is disposed within the enclosure on a screen support. The screen has holes that are no larger in mesh size than the smallest hollow spheres. The screen support provides support to the first screen and has void areas to allow debris from broken spheres to pass through. An impeller is in contact with the first screen such that movement of the impeller across the first screen breaks the hollow spheres in contact with the first screen.