Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a device for sustaining longitudinal compressive loads applied to the ends thereof, the device including: a longitudinally extending tube; devices to seal the ends of the tube; pressurized fluid within the tube, the pressurized fluid having a pressure greater than the external pressure on the tube.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a composite pressure vessel for the containment of pressurized fluid, including: at least two opposed walls regions; and a plurality of internal fibers fixedly attached to and extending between the at least two opposed wall regions, interiorly of the pressure vessel, so as to resist the force of the pressurized fluid tending to force the at least two opposed wall regions apart.

Abstract: A method for supplying at different pressures natural gas from a gas field under control of a continuous gas flow and the field pressure thereof and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The gas flow is received directly in and contained in two separate volumes constructed as a first variable volume and a second variable volume which are each cyclically varied in size synchronously by alternately increasing and decreasing the size of a corresponding volume under control of the gas flow. The increasing of the first volume effects a pressure reduction of the gas received therein for delivery to a distribution network at a reduced pressure. Reducing the size of the first volume discharges the gas at the reduced pressure and the cyclical varying of size alternately reducing and increasing thereof of the second volume under control of the gas flow effects increasing of the gas pressure to a desired higher pressure.