High-pressure-gas Tank Patents (Class 220/581)
  • Publication number: 20100147859
    Abstract: A compressed gas cylinder assembly is disclosed which includes a metallic cylinder body having an upper end portion with handles and a flow control valve, and a lower end portion with a convex surface from which depends a lower support ring. A non-conductive annular collar surrounds the lower support ring of the cylinder body, and a conductive foot ring connects the annular collar to the lower support ring of the cylinder body, providing a conductive path to ground for the metallic cylinder body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: AMTROL Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: William Chohfi, Carlos Aguiar
  • Publication number: 20100133280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas pressure vessel having a prescribed maximum filling pressure for the uptake, storage and release of a gas, which comprises the gas and a mixture comprising, in each case based on the total weight of the mixture, a) from 2 to 60% by weight of a latent heat storage component A and b) from 40 to 98% by weight of a framework component B, wherein the component A comprises at least one microencapsulated latent heat storage material and the component B comprises at least one porous metal organic framework comprising at least one at least bidentate organic compound coordinated to at least one metal ion and the at least one porous metal framework can adsorptively store at least part of the gas. The invention furthermore relates to a process for filling a gas pressure vessel with the abovementioned mixture for the uptake, storage and release of a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Hildegard Stein, Joerg Pastre, Markus Schubert, Christoph Kiener
  • Publication number: 20100096392
    Abstract: There is provided a cylindrical fixing flange structure for a high-pressure gas container filled with high-pressure gas. The cylindrical fixing flange structure includes a high-pressure side primary seal zone provided with a metal touch seal and an atmosphere-side secondary seal zone provided with an elastomer seal. The high-pressure side primary seal zone and the atmosphere-side secondary seal zone are arranged adjacently to each other in the cylinder direction of the high-pressure gas container. The cylindrical fixing flange structure is a sealing structure which has a high degree of freedom of design and is suitable for a high-pressure hydrogen gas container for a fuel cell, in which the durability and reliability against pressurization/depressurization stress, which poses a problem with the sealing structure using elastomer seal only, are ensured, the gastightness is high, and the volume, especially the transverse width, of sealing structure is restrained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Itsuo Kamiya, Kenichi Oota
  • Patent number: 7699187
    Abstract: An end fitting for a cylindrical high pressure vessel made from components all having thin walls, thereby tripling the practical diameter of such pressure vessels. The end fitting includes a toroidal shell defining a hole; centrally disposed piece for closing the hole comprising a pipe and a center end fitting and structural members. In a first embodiment, the structural members comprise slices of an end of the pipe welded to the outer cylindrical wall of the vessel. In a second embodiment, the structural members are plates connecting the pipe to the outer cylindrical walls. In the third embodiment, the plates connect an extension of the outer cylindrical wall beyond the toroidal shell to an extension of the outer cylindrical wall of the pressure vessel. The center end fitting may be hemispheric or ellipsoidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Jens Korsgaard
  • Publication number: 20100084044
    Abstract: Method for charging an aerosol container with fluid, comprising:—providing an aerosol container (1) having a reservoir (2) comprising a product, for example a foodproduct, and having product discharge means (1a);—gradually supplying fluid to the reservoir of the container (1) via the discharge means (1a) thereof; and—applying a mixing movement to the container (1), preferably during the supplying of the fluid, to mix the fluid and product at least partly with each other, wherein the mixing movement is such that at least a first virtual point (P1, P2) of a virtual centre line (Z) of the container reservoir (2) follows an endless path around a respective virtual axis. Embodiments of the invention also provide a cleaning method and a dummy container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Hubertus Maria Roland Van Melick
  • Publication number: 20100072081
    Abstract: Provided is a gas treating apparatus. The gas treating apparatus includes a storage chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall facing the top wall, and a sidewall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall, a gas collecting unit provided in the storage chamber and storing ionized gas, and an electromagnetic field generator converting a moving direction of the ionized gas. The electromagnetic generator includes at least one of a magnetic field generator generating a magnetic field in the storage chamber and an electric field generator generating an electric field in the storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Han Young YU, Byunghoon Kim, Soonyoung Oh
  • Patent number: 7681753
    Abstract: A pressure container 1 composed of a reinforcing layer 2 and a liner layer 3, with a hydrogen charging pressure of 30 MPa or higher; and a hydrogen absorbing material and a carrier for holding said hydrogen absorbing material (hydrogen absorbing material portion 4) contained in the pressure container 1 are included, and a volume fraction X of the hydrogen absorbing material with ?m?100 kg/m3 with respect to an internal volume of the pressure container 1 is 5(%)?X?20(%), where ?m denotes a maximum hydrogen absorption amount per unit volume of the hydrogen absorbing material (kg/m3); X=100 ·Vm/Vi (%); Vi is an internal volume of the pressure container (L); and Vm is a volume of the hydrogen absorbing material in the pressure container (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: JFE Steel Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, JFE Container Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yokota, Kenjiro Hamada, Hidekazu Tsuruta, Nobuhiro Kuriyama, Hiroyuki Takeshita, Nobuhiko Takeichi, Toshio Takano
  • Publication number: 20100059528
    Abstract: An apparatus for gas storage is described. The apparatus contains a storage array structure including a gas storage portion tapered into at least one neck portion at one end of the structure. The storage array structure includes a plurality of tubular chambers for gas storage. At least a portion of an outer surface of the storage array structure is enveloped by at least one reinforcing layer for providing reinforcing strength thereto. The apparatus also includes at least one interface coupler mounted on the reinforcing layer at the neck portion. The interface coupler is configured for coupling the tubular chambers of the storage array structure to a gas pipe through which the gas can be supplied to the chambers of the array structure or discharged therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: C. EN. LIMITED
    Inventors: Nikolay ZHEVAGO, Emil DENISOV, Zeev PARNES
  • Publication number: 20100039070
    Abstract: An electricity or compressed air storage device is used to store electricity or air that can be used when needed in electronics, electric equipment, electric motors, electric vehicles, compressed air tools and compressed air-driven vehicles. Compressed air vehicles are being developed, tested and developed at the present. There are broad varieties of applications for these two types storage devices. To mention specifically, electrical devices that require stored electricity in their operation. The two most commonly used are the battery and capacitor. Using the battery and the capacitor are examples in the application of electricity. These 2 storage devices are used in all types of applications where stored electricity is needed. The common use is to have the electricity storage device dispense its stored electricity for use in the operation of various types of electric equipment, electric vehicles and other electronic devices as a means of powering them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Steven Hargett
  • Publication number: 20100032934
    Abstract: A fuel storage vessel includes a valve operatively associated with the storage vessel, a conduit disposed within the vessel and in fluid communication with the valve for delivering a stream of pressurized fuel to the storage vessel and a detector adjacent the conduit for detecting a state of the pressurized fuel in the storage vessel. The detector is positioned outside of the stream of pressurized fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jon Veenstra
  • Patent number: 7658300
    Abstract: A container for transporting and storing hazardous materials such as Chlorine includes a cylindrical body having end caps. The end caps are welded to the body to form a pressure vessel. The end caps have a peripheral edge that is recessed with respect to the ends of the body to protect the weld against damage from impact. The configuration of the juxtaposed components forms a lap joint that can be affixed together by a fillet weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Columbiana Boiler Company, LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Eckert, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Publication number: 20100025411
    Abstract: A pressure container includes a metal socket and a CFRP layer that contacts the metal socket. A metal oxide layer is formed on a first contact area where the socket contacts the CFRP layer. The socket may be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, and the oxide layer may be formed by anodizing the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Otsubo, Takeshi Ishikawa, Sachiko Kuroyanagi
  • Publication number: 20100018603
    Abstract: A storage device for storing a compressed medium, for example hydrogen. The storage device encompasses a plurality of storage containers and a container, in which the storage containers are arranged. Furthermore a method for fueling a vehicle with gaseous hydrogen by means of a variable pilgrim step method, where the gaseous hydrogen is removed from a storage device, which is divided into at least two, preferably into four or more than four sections and is fed to the vehicle, which is to be fueled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Robert ADLER, Martin Stehrlein, Andreas Opfermann
  • Publication number: 20100013237
    Abstract: The present invention is comprised of a wind powered energy amplification method and systems for capturing wind power and harvesting tangentially amplified energy. The harvested tangentially amplified energy is converted, processed and stored for use for generating continuous, on demand and stand by electricity to supply electricity. The present invention is further comprised of methods and systems for extracting, processing and storing water and carbon dioxide to supply water and supply carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Allen Mark Jones
  • Patent number: 7637389
    Abstract: An hydrogen tank filling apparatus includes a first hydrogen supply pipe for supplying hydrogen substantially at an atmospheric temperature from a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank to a hydrogen tank, a second hydrogen supply pipe for supplying cooled hydrogen from the high-pressure hydrogen storage tank to the hydrogen tank, and an internal tank temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature inside the hydrogen tank. The first hydrogen supply pipe and the second hydrogen supply pipe are selectively switched by a control unit, depending on changes in the temperature inside the hydrogen tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Izuru Kanoya, Mitsuya Hosoe
  • Publication number: 20090308489
    Abstract: An in-vehicle hydrogen storage apparatus has a hydrogen gas filling passage connected from a hydrogen gas filling port up to the storage device that stores a hydrogen gas to be supplied to a fuel cell, and an odorizing agent supplying device that supplies an odorizing agent to hydrogen gas in at least one of the inside of the storage device and the inside of the hydrogen gas filling passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Shuji Hirakata
  • Patent number: 7631780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed gas container (10?) comprising a block flange (14) that is provided on an upper opening in its wall (12), a flange cover (15) that is equipped with two extraction valves (22) being screwed onto said flange. The block flange (14) is extended radially beyond the region covered by the flange cover (15) by a solid annular flange (40), whose outer periphery is welded to the wall (12) of the container (10?) and whose inner section lying adjacent to the region covered by the flange cover comprises a peripheral groove (44) in an upper front face (42), for holding the sealing rib (46) of an emergency cap. If required, said cap can be screwed onto the annular flange (40) if a leak occurs in the flange region of the container (10?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: C + S Chlorgas GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Plattner
  • Patent number: 7625197
    Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Donnie J. Duis, Stephen R. Beaton, David C. Byram, Gregory Scott Duncan
  • Publication number: 20090283427
    Abstract: There is described a storage system and associated methods having increased storage capacity for natural gas or methane. The systems and methods store a larger quantity of natural gas at similar pressures and volumes to conventional storage systems. The systems utilize readily available carbons treated to increase the amount of natural gas adsorbed to the carbon to store a high level of natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: William A. Farone
  • Patent number: 7618695
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder 13 characterised by fitting a tubular sleeve member 11 to the cylinder 13 between the footing 21 and the guard member 15. The sleeve member 11 is formed of a stretchable material which when unstretched is of height less than the surface distance along the surface of the cylinder 13 from the location of the guard 15 circumference to the location of the footing 21 circumference. The sleeve member 11 has a circumference of less than the maximum circumference of the cylinder, and has a top elastic member 27 attached at one end and a bottom elastic member 29 attached at the other end. The top elastic member 27 is in use, located proximal to the location of said guard 15 circumference and the bottom elastic member 29 is in use located proximal to the location of said footing 21 circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Snashall Investments Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Brian Snashall
  • Publication number: 20090269633
    Abstract: The hydrogen gas supply device capable of detecting that the hydrogen gas storage volume of a tank has decreased to a predetermined value or less including a plurality of tanks each filled with a hydrogen storage alloy, an information obtaining device for obtaining information on the physical quantity of the plurality of tanks different from each other in hydrogen storage volume, and a signal outputting device for outputting information signal on the remaining amount of the hydrogen gas in the tanks by determining a hydrogen gas storage status of the plurality of tanks from information on the physical quantity, and detecting the decrease of the remaining amount of the hydrogen gas in all tanks in use to a predetermined value or less from the hydrogen gas storage status of the plurality of tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shoji Ihara, Shuji Aoki
  • Publication number: 20090266823
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polymer bladder assuring the internal sealing of a tank vis-à-vis a pressurized fluid which is contained therein, wherein said polymer is a thermosetting polymer, and said method comprises at least one step of polymerizing at least two precursor compounds of said thermosetting polymer carried out in a mould in rotation. A tank for storing a pressurized fluid for example a type IV tank comprising said polymer bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, RAIGI
    Inventors: Philippe Mazabraud, Fabien Nony, Charles Deleuze, Olivier Perrier, Dominique Rocle, Gwenael Doulin, Abbas Tcharkhtchi, Albert Lucas
  • Publication number: 20090250138
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system. In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Farshad Alexander Bavarian, Dennis J. Benedetto, John Michael Brady, Daniel Glenn Casey, Dean Alan Kenefake, Charles Franklin Perdue, JR., Hongqiao Bruce Sun
  • Publication number: 20090212058
    Abstract: A cartridge for pressurized fluid. The cartridge includes a body having a cylindrical portion and a bottom having a concavity oriented toward the inside of the body. The connection between the bottom and the body is made by an annular seam. The particular structure of the connection zone provides a reduction in the diameter of the body for connection to a bottom of lesser diameter without creating zones of concentration of stresses. Another arrangement of the cartridge provides for the bottom to have a cylindrical portion that bears against the cylindrical end portion of the body, which makes it possible to create a rigid zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Application Des Gaz
    Inventors: Eric Carrato, Yann Devines
  • Publication number: 20090205497
    Abstract: A pressurised container (10, 20) for containing oil and a gas dissolved therein at a constant overall average pressure at a pressure above atmospheric pressure comprising a means (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) for introducing a local area of reduced pressure within the oil. Preferably the local area of reduced pressure result in the gas dissolved in the oil evolving from the oil. This enables gas to be evolved from the oil without needing to reduce the pressure of the entire volume of oil which the gas is to be evolved from. The evolved gas and remaining oil occupy a greater volume than did the gas containing oil and consequently the pressure in the vessel will increase. This will allow the gas to be drawn off while the overall pressure of the container (10, 20) is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: David Morgan
  • Patent number: 7556171
    Abstract: In a high-pressure tank, an adjacent part of a liner and a protruded part of a cap are provided adjacently to each other, and in respective annular grooves in the protruded part, an O-ring for sealing adjacent portions of the adjacent part and the protruded part is loaded. A backup ring provided in the inside of the adjacent part of the liner has a hardness higher than that of the liner. Therefore, deformation of the adjacent part that would be caused by the respective O-rings is suppressed, and the respective O-rings can be sufficiently compressed, whereby reliable sealing between the liner and the cap can be provided. In addition, when the pressure inside of the high-pressure tank is increased to a high pressure, even if the cap is pushed out toward the outside resulting in the protruded part of the cap being shrinkage-deformed toward the inside in the radial direction due to the stresses, the respective O-rings can maintain the state of sealing between the protruded part and the adjacent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20090159465
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a valve including a tubular housing with first and second openings and an internal shoulder adjacent to the first opening. The valve further includes a pin having a first end and a second end opposite of the first end, a spring positioned about the pin, a seal located at the second end of the pin and adjacent the second end of the tubular housing, and a clip located at the first end of the pin. The clip engages with the internal shoulder of the tubular housing to compress the spring between the clip and the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Peter John Mayer, Michael Thomas Jagemann
  • Publication number: 20090159602
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an austenitic high Mn stainless steel maintaining a hydrogen embrittlement resistance above that of SUS316L and adapted to a low temperature hydrogen environment by being designed in compositions to comprise, by mass %, C: 0.01 to 0.10%, N: 0.01 to 0.40%, Si: 0.1 to 1%, Cr: 10 to 20%, Mn: 6 to 20%, Cu: 2 to 5%, Ni: 1 to 6%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities and have an Md30 value of an indicator of an austenite stabilization degree satisfying ?120<Md30<20, where Md30=497-462(C+N)-9.2Si-8.1Mn-13.7Cr-20(Ni+Cu)-18.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Masaharu Hatano, Akihiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7549555
    Abstract: A flange is provided at the opening metal of a pressure container, and it extends toward the periphery of the container body at the bonding part thereof at which it bonds to the container body. The liner of the pressure container has a self-sealing part at which it abuts the flange to be sealed up together. On the outer peripheral side of the self-sealing part, a ring-shaped constraint member is provided in the outer periphery of the liner, and the constraint member is to restrict the diameter expansion of the liner to be caused by the expansion of the container body. The liner has an easily-displaceable part that is readily elongable and deformable, at the outer periphery thereof in the radial direction of the self-sealing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Suzuki, Minoru Komada, Kazuo Fujihara, Yoshiaki Kondo, Takashi Maeno, Isamu Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20090145909
    Abstract: A flat inner container (3), especially an internal tank for a road vehicle, which is surrounded by an outer container (1) and is used for receiving a cryogenic liquid, particularly a fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Hausberger
  • Publication number: 20090127270
    Abstract: An apparatus for production testing. According to one aspect, the apparatus is modular and suitable for transport and assembly in the field. The apparatus comprises a platform and one or more pressure vessels. The platform includes a mounting bracket for the pressure vessel and the mounting bracket includes a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism allows the pressure vessel to be lowered into the mounting bracket and coupled to the platform for example using a load sling on a helicopter. According to another aspect, the pressure vessels comprise spherical containers and the spherical containers are configured to be heliportable to a field site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Larry James Heighington
  • Publication number: 20090114367
    Abstract: A thermal management system for gas flow from an on board high pressure vehicle gas storage tank comprising an on board heat source operatively interconnected with a heater disposed in proximity to the metal component gas outlet flow control system of the on board tank; a thermostat regulating the flow of heat to the heater such that the thermostat regulates the temperature of the metal component outlet flow control system of the tank to a temperature corresponding to at least the minimum lower limit temperature permitted by the temperature tolerance range of metal component outlet flow control system of the tank; and an optional insulating shroud circumferentially disposed surrounding the gas flow heater installed in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
  • Publication number: 20090115190
    Abstract: These inventions related to systems and methods for producing, shipping, distributing, and storing hydrogen. In one embodiment, a hydrogen production and storage system includes a plurality of wind turbines for generating electrical power; a power distribution control system for distributing, and converting the electrical power from the wind turbines, a water desalination and/or purification unit which receives and purifies seawater, and an electrolyzer unit that receive electrical power from the power distribution system and purified water from the desalination units and thereby converts the water into hydrogen and oxygen. After its production, hydrogen is stored, transported, and distributed in accordance with various embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy J. Devine
  • Publication number: 20090114658
    Abstract: A float-based automatic drain valve automatically drains fluid from a compressed air cylinder; the cylinder includes a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is formed at the top of the chamber and connects to a low point of the compressed air cylinder to receive fluid therefrom. The outlet is formed at the bottom of the chamber for discharging the fluid. A buoyant stopper disposed within, and not attached to, the chamber, seals the outlet when insufficient fluid is present within the chamber to float the buoyant stopper. Further, the buoyant stopper unseals the outlet and discharges the fluid when buoyancy of the stopper within the fluid overcomes forces seating the buoyant stopper at the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: David Kumhyr
  • Patent number: 7525072
    Abstract: A heated O-ring that has particular application for providing sealing in the connector region of a compressed hydrogen storage tank in a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, an electrical heating wire is wound through the O-ring so that resistive heating is provide by applying an electrical potential to the wire so that the temperature of the O-ring does not decrease below a predetermined temperature. In another embodiment, electrical heating elements are provided adjacent to and in contact with the O-ring, where an electrical potential applied to the heating elements causes the heating elements to maintain the temperature of the O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Pechtold, Thorsten Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20090078706
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high-pressure tank capable of appropriately discharging high-pressure gas. The high-pressure tank is mounted on a mobile body, stores the high-pressure gas, and includes a plurality of gas discharge means for discharging the high-pressure gas from the high-pressure tank. The gas discharge means are disposed at opposite sides of the high-pressure tank in a longitudinal direction. The gas discharge means can each have a path through which the inside of the high-pressure tank communicates with the outside thereof, and a manual valve including a manual operating section for opening and closing the path by a manual operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Tsukuo Ishitoya, Nobuo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090050634
    Abstract: A container having a curved bottom and base cup which allows the container to stand upright. The container and base cup are fitted together by a mechanical engagement having portions on the container and base cup. The mechanical engagement of the container is disposed within the bottom cone of the container. The mechanical engagement of the base cup is cantilevered from the bottom of the base cup. Such disposition reduces stress at the interface between the side wall of the container and edge of the base, providing for a smoother transition and better appearance. Also, this disposition provides resistance to separation of the container and base cup during drop impact. The bottom of the container may be curved and have a well therein for receiving the contents of the container and a dip tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Michael Girardot, Scott Edward Smith, Chow-chi Huang, Matthew John Martin
  • Publication number: 20090050598
    Abstract: A container having a curved bottom and base cup which allows the container to stand upright. The container and base cup are fitted together by a mechanical engagement having portions on the container and base cup. The mechanical engagement of the container is disposed within the bottom cone of the container. The mechanical engagement of the base cup is cantilevered from the bottom of the base cup. Such disposition reduces stress at the interface between the side wall of the container and edge of the base, providing for a smoother transition and better appearance. Also, this disposition provides resistance to separation of the container and base cup during drop impact. The bottom of the container may be curved and have a well therein for receiving the contents of the container and a dip tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Chow-chi Huang, Scott Edward Smith, Matthew John Martin
  • Publication number: 20090014453
    Abstract: Collar for mounting a valve protection bonnet or cap on a fluid cylinder, characterized in that it comprises a first mounting portion provided with first fixing elements (2) intended to collaborate in removable attachment with a mating fixing region belonging to a valve, a second mounting portion provided with second fixing elements (3) intended to collaborate in removable attachment with a mating fixing region belonging to a protective cap, and a third mounting portion provided with bearing elements (4) intended to collaborate with an accepting region on the exterior surface of a body of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Christian Bleys, Philippe Deck, Fabrice Pin
  • Publication number: 20080296306
    Abstract: Tubes packed with gas absorbent media are installed in radial sectors in a high pressure gas tank interior. When a tank is fully packed with gas absorbent tubes in all sectors, interstices in the internal spaces between the tubes, an internal heat exchanger may be centrally installed within the tank having conduits for high pressure gas flow in the tank in a configuration in accordance with the cooling and heating requirements of the particular tank system. Flanged ends on the tubes maintain spacing of the tubes, facilitating gas flow and absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
  • Patent number: 7455119
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The distribution system includes a composite reservoir containing pressure-configurable orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080283420
    Abstract: A gas storage system (1) comprises a tank (10), having a tank gas outlet (28), and a multitude of gas emitting entities (20) encapsulated by the tank (10). The gas emitting entities (20) are arranged for providing a gas volume, which when released from said gas emitting entities, is considerably larger than a volume of the gas emitting entities (20) themselves. The gas emitting entities (20) are freely contained in the tank (10), i.e. there are no gas conduits or electrical connections to the tank (10). The tank (10) has a sealable opening (18) suitable for removal or insertion of the gas emitting entities (20) and the gas emitting entities (20) have a respective gas release device, which is operable as a response on a stimulation signal. A volume (14) surrounding the gas emitting entities (20) inside the tank (10) is the sole fluid connection between an opening of the gas release device and the tank gas outlet (28). Methods for storing and releasing gas are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MANBAS ALPHA AB
    Inventor: Lars Stenmark
  • Patent number: 7412956
    Abstract: A cylinder barrel (1) for housing a piston comprises a sheet metal liner (2) and a reinforcing structure (10) located outside the sheet metal liner (2). The reinforcing structure (10) comprises a glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) and a carbon-fiber-reinforcing layer (13). The glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) comprises a plain cloth (20) made of glass fiber covering the sheet metal liner (2). The carbon-fiber-reinforcing layer (13) comprises a carbon fiber string (31) wound around the outer circumference of the glass-fiber-reinforcing layer (12) along a spiral path. According to the this construction, the reinforcing structure (10) has a high flexibility which is required for preventing cracks in the reinforcing structure (10) while maintaining a high rigidity of the entire cylinder barrel (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Gotou, Tadashi Hiraga
  • Publication number: 20080173651
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of gas-containing storage vessels, and more specifically to the provision for antimicrobial surfaces within such vessels and in the connecting hardware associated with various applications of such vessels, so that microbial colonization of the interior of such vessels may be eliminated or retarded. This antimicrobial feature may result in improved safety in the use of such vessels, with reduced risk of the transmission of infection to a user. The invention further includes methods to provide gas-containing storage vessels with antimicrobial surfaces, so that microbial colonization of the interior of such vessels may be eliminated or retarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Ping
  • Publication number: 20080156813
    Abstract: A container for transporting and storing hazardous materials such as Chlorine includes a cylindrical body having end caps. The end caps are welded to the body to form a pressure vessel. The end caps have a peripheral edge that is recessed with respect to the ends of the body to protect the weld against damage from impact. The configuration of the juxtaposed components forms a lap joint that can be affixed together by a fillet weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Alan G. Eckert, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Publication number: 20080115744
    Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes an electrolyzer for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases. The engine exhaust may be recycled through the electrolyzer where it is converted to hydrogen and oxygen. A water reservoir in fluid communication with the electrolyzer maintains the water level in the electrolyzer. The hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolyzer may be routed to the internal combustion engine and provide the fuel for the engine. Hydrogen and oxygen not consumed by operation of the engine is stored in separate pressurized storage tanks. Expanders lower the pressure of pressurized hydrogen and oxygen for use to power the engine and provide electric power to the electrolyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: STEPHEN M. FLESSNER, Eric S. Flessner
  • Publication number: 20080105691
    Abstract: A fluid storage tank is disclosed, the storage tank including a first conduit disposed therein substantially adjacent an inner surface of a sidewall of the storage tank, and wherein the inner surface facilitates a heating of the first conduit and a fluid in the first conduit during extraction thereof from the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Harald Schlag
  • Publication number: 20080107503
    Abstract: A container for transporting and storing hazardous materials such as Chlorine includes a cylindrical body having end caps. The end caps are welded to the body to form a pressure vessel. The end caps have a peripheral edge that is recessed with respect to the ends of the body to protect the weld against damage from impact. The configuration of the juxtaposed components forms a lap joint that can be affixed together by a fillet weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: COLUMBIANA BOILER COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Eckert, Trevor M. Rummel
  • Publication number: 20080041291
    Abstract: A deep ocean gas storage system for storing compressed gas, the system comprising an inflexible thin walled storage vessel anchored to the sea floor having an axis located in water substantially perpendicular to and on a sea floor below sea level, a gas intake for admitting and discharging compressed natural gas to and from the vessel; a water port for admitting and discharging water to the vessel using hydrostatic pressure to discharge compressed gas from the vessel at a substantially constant discharge pressure as the volume of the gas in the storage vessel decreases when water content of the vessel increases; a conduit fluidly connected with the water port oriented substantially parallel to the axis having a discharge opening above the level of sea water in the vessel; and a valve disposed at the gas intake to the vessel for controlling compressed gas admission and discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Edward E. Horton, James V. Maher
  • Patent number: RE41142
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for holding a pressurized fluid such as compressed natural gas (“CNG”) includes two end cells and zero or more interior cells. The cell geometry ensures that the cells meet one another at tangential circular surfaces, thereby reducing the tendency of adjacent cells to peel apart. A web secured about the cells includes two sheets that are tangent to the cells. Unused volumes between the cells and the web contain wedges of foam or rubber. A valve provides fluid communication between the interior of the pressure vessel and a pressurized fluid line. The filled weight of one pressure vessel does not exceed the filled weight of a conventional gasoline tank that occupies substantially the same space as the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may be configured with exterior recesses for engaging conventional gasoline tank straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Blair, Darrel G. Turner, Richard K. Kunz, Mark J. Warner, Kevin W. Davis, F. Edward Wolcott, John D. Bennett