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:
A gaseous fuel system for an automotive vehicle includes a gaseous fuel storage tank and an associated pressure sensor for monitoring pressurized gas contained within the storage tank. A parameter-driven routine monitors the integrity of the tank by tracking filing cycles marked by the increase of the tank pressure from a first threshold to a second threshold. Mitigation actions may be taken in the event that the filling cycles exceed a predetermined number, or in the event that other system integrity monitoring indicates that mitigation is in order.
Abstract:
A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.
Abstract:
A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.
Abstract:
A high pressure tank 10 comprises a metal liner 20 having a desired tank shape; and a composite material shell 30 formed on the periphery of the metal liner 20. The metal liner 20 comprises a cylindrical barrel portion 21, a mouthpiece 22 located at each of two end portions, and a cap portion 23 connecting barrel portion 21 with mouthpiece 22. Extensible portions 211 of bellows configuration are formed along the entire length of the metal liner 20 in the axial (lengthwise) direction. The extensible portions 211 impart elastic action through opening and closing (deformation) of their basal portions 211b, thereby preventing slippage from occurring between the metal barrel portion 21 and the composite material shell 30 when the high pressure tank 10 expands and contracts.
Abstract:
An integral fuel cartridge and filter apparatus includes a fuel cartridge, a filter housing coupled to the fuel cartridge, and a filter coupled to the filter housing.
Abstract:
A gas cylinder charging system includes (1) at least two gas inlet ports and (2) at least two gas outlet ports, (3) a gas compressor having an input port and an output port, where the input port selectively receives gas from a gas inlet port and selectively transfers the gas to a gas outlet port, and (4) a controller, receiving status signals and transmitting control signals, and connected to and controlling the gas compressor. A method aspect of filling a gas cylinder using the described cylinder charging system further including an input/output selector valve for selecting one of the gasses to transfer to the gas cylinder, includes the following steps. A gas cylinder is connected to one of the cylinder connectors. A user manipulates the selector valve selecting the gas to be transferred to the gas cylinder and activates the cylinder charging system filling the gas cylinder with the selected gas.
Abstract:
A non-refillable valve for a pressure container, which comprises a non-refillable device comprising of a spring loaded port sealing member having an end T-piece and a plug to hold the spring is provided at the outlet nozzle such that when the valve is in the active position of filling, the stem of the spindle is in the lifted position and the port sealing member is in the pulled position by means of the spring, thereby providing a communication between outlet nozzle and the container for filling and after completion of filling, the end T-piece is pulled and cut off whereby the port sealing member gets retracted, because of the spring, to seal the side port and thereby preventing the flow of fluid in the filling direction while permitting flow of fluid in the opposite direction for discharging.
Abstract:
In a high-pressure tank 1 in which a gas discharge section 5 is extended from one end of a cylindrical section 2 through a dome section 4 by plastically deforming a short hollow cylindrical blank of metal, the gas discharge section 5 is set at a thickness at least three times that of the cylindrical section 2, and the dome section 4 is gradually increased in thickness from that of the cylindrical section 2 to that of the gas discharge section 5 in proceeding from the cylindrical section 2 to the gas discharge section 5. Thereby, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding higher pressures than used at the present time is provided easily and at low cost.
Abstract:
A method of filling a cylinder with a target weight of a gas. The method includes successively measuring weight of the cylinder at periodic time intervals to obtain successive actual weights of the cylinder; opening a first valve and filling the cylinder with the gas at a high flow rate; and closing the first valve after reaching a predetermined weight difference between the target weight and an actual weight. After closing the first valve, the method opens a second valve and fills the cylinder with the gas at a low flow rate. After opening the second valve to fill the cylinder with the gas, the method adjustably controls, via an adjustable valve, the flow of gas to the cylinder. The method differences each successively measured actual weight from the target weight of the gas to obtain multiple first difference values. The method also differences adjacently measured actual weights to obtain multiple second difference values. The flow of gas to the cylinder is adjustably controlled based on each first difference value and a corresponding second difference value.