Abstract:
A multilayered pressure vessel (10) fabricated from at least one single ply sheet of flexible material (100) having an approximate longitudinal midline which divides the material into an inner portion (130) having an inner surface, an outer surface, an edge, a seam allowance, and a width, and an outer portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, an edge, a seam allowance, and a width. The width of the outer portion (120) is greater than the width of the inner portion (140). A primary seam (250) binds the outer portion and the inner portion to the material sheet at the midline proximate the outer portion edge and inner portion edge. The sheet (100) is wrapped into a continuous substantially 720 degree wrap to form a generally cylindrical vessel body having possible multiple fluid passageways, at the election of the user. The primary seam (250) is concealed.
Abstract:
Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.
Abstract:
Described herein is a portable storage device that stores a hydrogen fuel source. The storage device includes a bladder that contains the hydrogen fuel source and conforms to the volume of the hydrogen fuel source. A housing provides mechanical protection for the bladder. The storage device also includes a connector that interfaces with a mating connector to permit transfer of the fuel source between the bladder and a device that includes the mating connector. The device may be a portable electronics device such as a laptop computer. Refillable hydrogen fuel source storage devices and systems are also described. Hot swappable fuel storage systems described herein allow a portable hydrogen fuel source storage device to be removed from a fuel processor or electronics device it provides the hydrogen fuel source to, without shutting down the receiving device or without compromising hydrogen fuel source provision.
Abstract:
A multilayered pressure vessel (10) fabricated from at least one single ply sheet of flexible material (100) having an approximate longitudinal midline which divides the material into an inner portion (130) having an inner surface, an outer surface, an edge, a seam allowance, and a width, and an outer portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, an edge, a seam allowance, and a width. The width of the outer portion (120) is greater than the width of the inner portion (140). A primary seam (250) binds the outer portion and the inner portion to the material sheet at the midline proximate the outer portion edge and inner portion edge. The sheet (100) is wrapped into a continuous substantially 720 degree wrap to form a generally cylindrical vessel body having possible multiple fluid passageways, at the election of the user. The primary seam (250) is concealed.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for urging fluid from a charging system to a pressurized system. The apparatus has a rigid body with a conduit defined therein. The body is mounted between, and connected to, a charging system containing pressurized fluid and a pressurized system. More specifically, a retractable discharge tube for actuating a first valve to allow the release of fluid held within the charging system, is inserted into a first end of the body. A depressor mounted at a second end of the body is inserted into a tubular fitting connected to the pressurized system. The fitting has a retractable pin for actuating a second valve to permit entry of the fluid into the pressurized system. Once the body is connected to both the charging system and the pressurized system, a force is applied on the charging system toward the pressurized system. The force causes the charging system and the pressurized system to mate with the body. The mating of the body structure to the charging system and the pressurized system urges the discharge tube to retract, thereby actuating the first valve to release fluid into the conduit, and urges the pin to retract, thereby actuating the second valve to permit the fluid in the conduit to enter the pressurized system.
Abstract:
A flotation device is provided comprising a carrier mounted to the watercraft with the carrier having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder retaining slot, and a second bladder retaining slot. A space is defined between the carrier and an elongated cover having a first edge and a second edge with the first edge releasably receivable in the first cover channel and the second edge releasably receivable in the second cover channel. A cover-removing bladder is receivable within the space and secured to the carrier. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space and secured to the carrier. An inflation mechanism connected to the cover-removing bladder and the flotation bladder inflates both bladders wherein the first edge of the cover is released from the first cover channel of the carrier allowing the flotation bladder to substantially completely inflate.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel having a housing forming a chamber of a polygonal cross-section, the sides of the housing being formed by at least one panel, the panel forming one side being connected to the panels forming an adjacent side by a connector assembly that permits the connected panels at the juncture of the connector assembly to pivot or move relative to one another in the substantial absence of any bending stress at such juncture, and a seal being used to form fluid-tight seals between adjacent sides.
Abstract:
To take a sample of liquid and/or gaseous hydrocarbon at the surface or down an oil well, use is made of a flexible bag suspended by a tube from a top region of a wall of a closed receptacle. The bag and the tube are made of a flexible material that is leakproof and inert relative to the sample to be taken, such as a cross-linked polymer. The volume of sample admitted into the bag is controlled so as to avoid stretching the wall of the bag.
Abstract:
A lightweight tank structure for the storage and controlled expulsion therefrom of a cryogenic liquid is described which comprises a first container including a flexible metallic bladder and defining an interior collapsible volume for containing the cryogenic liquid, a second high pressure container enclosing the first container, a third container enclosing the second container and including supports for maintaining the second container in a spaced relationship within the third container, a first tube operatively connected to the first container through which the cryogenic liquid may be inserted into the first container and controllably expelled therefrom, a source of pressurized gas, and a tube operatively interconnecting the second container and the gas source for controllably supplying pressurized gas to the interior of the second container whereby the contained cryogenic liquid may be controllably expelled by controlled collapsing of the bladder of the first container. Additional insulation in the form of a layer of foam on the exterior surface of the third container, and of a cryogenic coolant or a vacuum maintained in the space between the second and third containers may be included.
Abstract:
A diving cylinder is lined with a plastic bag, and bag and cylinder are sealed to each other by annular members positioned in the neck portions of each with the bag annular member being seated inside the cylinder annular member so as to nest the bag neck therebetween.