Abstract: The present disclosure provides an accumulator system that utilizes an ionic liquid for pressurizing gases. In particular, the accumulator system of the present disclosure avoids use of any internal mechanical parts, e.g., a bladder or a piston, thereby eliminating any potential for mechanical failure experienced by conventional accumulators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular pressure vessel mounting apparatus and methods for using the same in transporting or storing pressure vessels. In particular, the module pressure vessel mounting apparatus comprises: a plurality of top sleeves (200A); a plurality of bottom sleeves (200B); a top-plate (300A) configured to fit said plurality of said top sleeves (200A); a bottom-plate (300B) configured to fit said plurality of said bottom sleeves (200B); and a restraining device (400) configured to hold each of the pressure gas vessels between each of said top sleeves (200A) and each of said bottom sleeves (200B). Typically, a plurality of pressure vessels are placed between the top-plate (300A) and the bottom-plate (300B) by placing a top sleeve (200A) and a bottom sleeve (200B) between the neck of the pressure vessel and the top-plate (300A) and the bottom of the pressure vessel and the bottom-plate (300B), respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an accumulator system that utilizes an ionic liquid for pressurizing gases. In particular, the accumulator system of the present disclosure avoids use of any internal mechanical parts, e.g., a bladder or a piston, thereby eliminating any potential for mechanical failure experienced by conventional accumulators.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a boss configuration for a Type IV composite pressure vessel (“CPV”). In particular, the invention provides liner-to-boss interface that allows the polymeric liner to wrap around the internal collar of the boss that extends below the flange. Since the wrap-around section of the liner conforming to the internal collar portion of the boss is subjected to pressure from all sides, the liner stays adhered to the boss when the inside surface of the liner in a CPV is subjected to internal pressure from the contained fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides lightweight high-pressure accumulators that avoids diaphragm failure observed in conventional diaphragm accumulators. Lightweight high-pressure composite overwrapped accumulators of the invention are made from a plurality of hollow casings that are mated to form an accumulator housing. The accumulator housing is overwrapped with a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength and structural integrity. More significantly, the accumulators of the invention includes a plurality of annular grooves and a plurality of bulb on the flexible diaphragm such that the plurality of bulbs on the flexible diaphragm are placed in the plurality of annular grooves that are formed between the first and the second hollow casing. In this manner, diaphragm failure is significantly reduced or even completely eliminated during repeated high pressure charge/discharge cycle of the accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides lightweight high-pressure accumulators that avoids diaphragm failure observed in conventional diaphragm accumulators. Lightweight high-pressure composite overwrapped accumulators of the invention are made from a plurality of hollow casings that are mated to form an accumulator housing. The accumulator housing is overwrapped with a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength and structural integrity. More significantly, the accumulators of the invention includes a plurality of annular grooves and a plurality of bulb on the flexible diaphragm such that the plurality of bulbs on the flexible diaphragm are placed in the plurality of annular grooves that are formed between the first and the second hollow casing. In this manner, diaphragm failure is significantly reduced or even completely eliminated during repeated high pressure charge/discharge cycle of the accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight high pressure vessels that are made from a liner or a liner housing that is overwrapped with a composite material. Unlike conventional high pressure vessels, the lightweight high pressure vessel of the invention includes a liner that comprises a plurality of liner sections without using welding or crimping. In particular, the lightweight high pressure vessels of the invention include a plurality of elements that are combined to form a liner housing and a composite overwrap that provides structural and mechanical strength to maintain integrity of the high pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the high pressure vessel of the invention is a diaphragm accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight high pressure vessels that are made from a liner or a liner housing that is overwrapped with a composite material. Unlike conventional high pressure vessels, the lightweight high pressure vessel of the invention includes a liner that comprises a plurality of liner sections without using welding or crimping. In particular, the lightweight high pressure vessels of the invention include a plurality of elements that are combined to form a liner housing and a composite overwrap that provides structural and mechanical strength to maintain integrity of the high pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the high pressure vessel of the invention is a diaphragm accumulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-lined composite gas storage device comprising a phase-change material coated on the exterior surface of a metallic liner. The presence of the phase-change material on the exterior surface of the metal liner reduces the temperature change within the interior of the metal liner during a gas filling process compared to a similar vessel that does not have a phase-change material coating, thereby allowing a significantly greater amount of gas to be filled at a given pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Type 3 pressure vessel comprising a polar boss that is attached to a metallic liner and provides reinforced static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance of the liner orifice or neck region. In particular, the material of the polar boss has higher static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance relative to that of the liner material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic pressure accumulator having a pressure vessel and a piston chamber that is located within the interior space of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the invention relates to filament wound composite overwrapped hydraulic pressure accumulators with serviceable pistons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-lined composite gas storage device comprising a phase-change material coated on the exterior surface of a metallic liner. The presence of the phase-change material on the exterior surface of the metal liner reduces the temperature change within the interior of the metal liner during a gas filling process compared to a similar vessel that does not have a phase-change material coating, thereby allowing a significantly greater amount of gas to be filled at a given pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Type 3 pressure vessel comprising a polar boss that is attached to a metallic liner and provides reinforced static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance of the liner orifice or neck region. In particular, the material of the polar boss has higher static strength, fatigue strength, endurance, chemical resistance and/or corrosion resistance relative to that of the liner material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.

Abstract: An integral accumulator/reservoir system including a low pressure vessel having a low-pressure vessel wall defining a low-pressure vessel cavity; a high-pressure accumulator having a high-pressure accumulator wall defining a high-pressure accumulator cavity, the high-pressure accumulator being disposed in the low-pressure vessel cavity, the high-pressure accumulator wall including an aluminum layer; a flexible bladder, the flexible bladder being disposed in the high-pressure accumulator cavity; and a sensor module operably connected to the aluminum layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a method that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.