Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus including an elongated fluid vessel for transporting fluid, such as LPG. One or more breakable containers of compressible fluid are positioned within the fluid vessel. The containers are adapted to break by the force of the vessel fluid surging against them when the fluid vessel is impacted. The compressible fluid within the containers dissipates or eliminates the water hammer pressure resulting from the impact and thereby prevents the walls of the fluid vessel from failing. The breakable containers can be end partitions with one or more rupture discs thereon or collapsible pressurized containers, such as ordinary tennis balls, held at one or both vessel ends by internal breakaway partition walls.

Abstract: An internal valve for pressurized fluid containment vessels having vessel ports. The valve includes a valve seat associated with the vessel port and a valve member movable between a closed position against the valve seat and an open position wherein fluid can flow through the vessel port. A control chamber positioned in the vessel is connected to the valve member. A motive mechanism acting on or in the control chamber, by a control system outside of the vessel, controllably moves the valve member to at least one of the open or closed positions. The control chamber is sealed from fluid in the vessel by a sealing system, which includes a flexing surface against which fluid pressure in the vessel acts to thereby bias the valve member towards one of the open or closed positions.

Abstract: An internal valve for pressurized fluid containment vessels having vessel ports. The valve includes a valve seat associated with the vessel port and a valve member movable between a closed position against the valve seat and an open position wherein fluid can flow through the vessel port. A control chamber positioned in the vessel is connected to the valve member. A motive mechanism acting on or in the control chamber, by a control system outside of the vessel, controllably moves the valve member to at least one of the open or closed positions. The control chamber is sealed from fluid in the vessel by a sealing system, which includes a flexing surface against which fluid pressure in the vessel acts to thereby bias the valve member towards one of the open or closed positions.

Abstract: A tube well extends through a fluid containment compartment and is secured at both ends thereof to the compartment shell. Both ends of the well communicate with respective shell openings. Compartment fittings and/or equipment are positioned in the tube and are accessible through at least one of the openings. Both openings can be sealed and the well pressurized, to prevent pressurized fluid in the compartment from leaking through the equipment and into the tube well.

Abstract: An actuator system for controllably rotating a rotary (valve) element positioned in a pressurized fluid vessel. A double-acting piston-cylinder intermittently rotates a ratchet wheel operatively connected to the rotary element. The cylinder is sealed within a bellows chamber assembly in the vessel and is controllable by a pressure source positioned outside of the vessel. The wheel is rotated by a ratchet member biased against the ratchet wheel and attached to the cylinder and reciprocable therewith. A ratchet pawl biased against the ratchet wheel prevents the reverse rotation of the wheel, and thereby of the rotary element.

Abstract: An internal valve and metered positive displacement pump for a pressure fluid tank. The tank defines a fluid compartment, and first and second vessels are positioned within the protective envelope of the tank. A bellows pump assembly disposed in the first vessel includes a bellows and a piston cylinder arrangement positioned within and attached to the bellows. Pressurized fluid is pumped into and out of the first vessel to actuate the piston cylinder arrangement. With this actuating movement fluid is pumped from the compartment through a valve in the second vessel and into the second vessel for removal therefrom. The valve is normally closed against the working pressure of the fluid in the compartment by a spring bellows relief assembly in the second vessel. The force of the fluid pump by the piston cylinder arrangement opens the valve, and a check valve prevents fluid from flowing back from the valve into the first vessel.

Abstract: A fluid transport apparatus including a fluid transport tank having a tank shell defining a fluid compartment within it. A well connected to the shell at an opening through the shell is recessed into the perimeter of the compartment. The well and its contents are thereby protectively positioned within the envelope of the shell. Equipment operatively associated with the compartment can be mounted in the well. When the equipment includes a pressure relief valve, the well cover plate can have a vent which can have a rupture disc mounted therein and adapted to open when the valve lifts. A pressure relief valve mounted in the well can be controlled by a valve positioned within the fluid compartment and operatively connected in series with the relief valve. When the equipment is a fluid valve or a relief valve it can be controlled by control equipment mounted in another recessed well, safely spaced from the recessed well of the valve.

Abstract: An internal pump assembly including a fluid tank defining a fluid compartment, and first and second vessels positioned in the tank. The second vessel has a second vessel port through which fluid can flow relative to the fluid compartment. A bellows pump assembly positioned at least partially in the first vessel pumps fluid from the fluid compartment through the second vessel port into the second vessel from which the fluid can be subsequently removed. The fluid in the compartment acts on the bellows surface to thereby bias the pump assembly towards one of a pumping or a non-pumping position.

Abstract: A fluid apparatus including a fluid tank having a shell and defining a fluid containment compartment. A well is recessed into the fluid tank at an opening in the shell. The well has a well wall secured to the shell and a support ring at the shell opening and secured to and inside of the well wall. A cover plate is removably securable to the support ring to form a pressure-tight connection relative to the interior of the well such that the cover plate can retain in the well a pressure at least as great as the working pressure of the fluid in the compartment. This pressure-tight securement is preferably made by threading bolts through the plate and into drilled, tapped blind holes in the ring. The well can have a well head secured to the well wall and opposite to the shell opening. The well head in turn can be equipped with an internal manway cover openable into the tank and closable in a pressure-tight manner relative to the well wall.

Abstract: A fluid containment apparatus including first, second and third protective recessed wells. A first fluid flow device is positioned in the first well, a second fluid flow device in the second well, and control equipment in the third. First and second control conduits passing through the fluid compartment connect the control equipment with the first and second devices, respectively.

Abstract: A fluid containment apparatus including a fluid tank, a well wall and a closure system. The tank has a tank shell, which defines at least in part a fluid containment compartment and has a tank shell opening therethrough. The well wall is secured to the tank shell, positioned at the shell opening, recessed into the fluid containment compartment and defines at least in part a recessed well. The well wall has a well wall end and a well wall end opening. The closure system selectively opens and closes the well wall end opening. The closure system includes a well head connected to the well wall generally at the well wall end, a sealing gasket, an elliptical manway cover having a plurality of drilled and tapped blind holes, a separate fastening ring having a plurality of circumferential drilled through-holes and a clamp for clamping the manway cover and the fastening ring together and sandwiching the sealing gasket on the well head.