Abstract: Disclosed are gas cylinder assemblies for containing pressurized gas. The gas cylinder assembly has a polymeric liner and a low-permeability barrier layer. The polymeric liner a first end portion, a second end portion and a central body. The central body comprises an outer surface and an inner surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The gas cylinder assembly comprises a reinforcement structure wound over the central body. The gas cylinder assembly further comprises a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil is configured to reduce permeation of contents of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle is provided. The system can include an engine or power generation system to be powered by a fuel and a housing. The housing can be configured to couple to one or more frame rails of the vehicle, receive and protect a cylinder configured to store the fuel to be used by the engine or power generation system. The housing can have one or more access panels allowing access to an interior of the housing. The cylinder can include a first end portion, a second end portion, a central body forming an enclosed cavity for storing pressurized gas, a reinforcement structure disposed over the central body, and a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil can be configured to reduce permeation of contents of the cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle is provided. The system can include an engine or power generation system to be powered by a fuel and a housing. The housing can be configured to couple to one or more frame rails of the vehicle, receive and protect a cylinder configured to store the fuel to be used by the engine or power generation system. The housing can have one or more access panels allowing access to an interior of the housing. The cylinder can include a first end portion, a second end portion, a central body forming an enclosed cavity for storing pressurized gas, a reinforcement structure disposed over the central body, and a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil can be configured to reduce permeation of contents of the cylinder.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle is provided. The system can include an engine or power generation system to be powered by a fuel and a housing. The housing can be configured to couple to one or more frame rails of the vehicle, receive and protect a cylinder configured to store the fuel to be used by the engine or power generation system. The housing can have one or more access panels allowing access to an interior of the housing. The cylinder can include a first end portion, a second end portion, a central body forming an enclosed cavity for storing pressurized gas, a reinforcement structure disposed over the central body, and a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil can be configured to reduce permeation of contents of the cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed are gas cylinder assemblies for containing pressurized gas. The gas cylinder assembly has a polymeric liner and a low-permeability barrier layer. The polymeric liner a first end portion, a second end portion and a central body. The central body comprises an outer surface and an inner surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The gas cylinder assembly comprises a reinforcement structure wound over the central body. The gas cylinder assembly further comprises a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil is configured to reduce permeation of contents of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle is provided. The system can include an engine or power generation system to be powered by a fuel and a housing. The housing can be configured to couple to one or more frame rails of the vehicle, receive and protect a cylinder configured to store the fuel to be used by the engine or power generation system. The housing can have one or more access panels allowing access to an interior of the housing. The cylinder can include a first end portion, a second end portion, a central body forming an enclosed cavity for storing pressurized gas, a reinforcement structure disposed over the central body, and a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil can be configured to reduce permeation of contents of the cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided that includes a fuel tank, a heat detector, and a control circuit. The digital heat detector is disposed in proximity to the fuel tank. The control circuit is coupled with the digital heat detector and is configured to detect that a thermal event has occurred. The fuel system is configured to implement an emergency countermeasure in response to the detection of the thermal event.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided that includes a fuel system frame and in some cases access steps. The frame can be mounted to a vehicle frame rail. Bracket assemblies can be coupled to the fuel system frame at a plurality of positions. The fuel tank can be mounted at neck portions thereof and can be supported on the frame rail between the neck portion, e.g., spaced a distance from the neck portions in a longitudinal direction of the fuel system. The access steps can be non-rectangular to provide a wide stepping portion even if the fuel system includes large tanks. The steps can be directly supported by an outside surface of the tank.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has an interior chamber and includes an outer shell, a boss, and an internal liner disposed within the outer shell. The boss includes a port extending between the interior chamber and an exterior of the pressure vessel; and an annular flange extending radially from the port and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liner includes an exterior portion adjacent the exterior surface of the flange; an interior portion adjacent the interior surface of the flange; and a vent in the interior portion. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, flowing a non-metallic polymer around a flange of the boss to form an internal liner of the pressure vessel, forming a vent in an interior portion of the liner; and forming an outer shell surrounding the liner and at least a portion of the flange of the boss.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are gas cylinder assemblies for containing pressurized gas. The gas cylinder assembly has a polymeric liner and a low-permeability barrier layer. The polymeric liner a first end portion, a second end portion and a central body. The central body comprises an outer surface and an inner surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The gas cylinder assembly comprises a reinforcement structure wound over the central body. The gas cylinder assembly further comprises a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil is configured to reduce permeation of contents of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: A fuel system is provided that includes a fuel tank, a heat detector, and a control circuit. The digital heat detector is disposed in proximity to the fuel tank. The control circuit is coupled with the digital heat detector and is configured to detect that a thermal event has occurred. The fuel system is configured to implement an emergency countermeasure in response to the detection of the thermal event.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has an interior chamber and includes an outer shell, a boss, and an internal liner disposed within the outer shell. The boss includes a port extending between the interior chamber and an exterior of the pressure vessel; and an annular flange extending radially from the port and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liner includes an exterior portion adjacent the exterior surface of the flange; an interior portion adjacent the interior surface of the flange; and a vent in the interior portion. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, flowing a non-metallic polymer around a flange of the boss to form an internal liner of the pressure vessel, forming a vent in an interior portion of the liner; and forming an outer shell surrounding the liner and at least a portion of the flange of the boss.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has an interior chamber and includes an outer shell, a boss, and an internal liner disposed within the outer shell. The boss includes a port extending between the interior chamber and an exterior of the pressure vessel; and an annular flange extending radially from the port and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liner includes an exterior portion adjacent the exterior surface of the flange; an interior portion adjacent the interior surface of the flange; and a vent in the interior portion. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, flowing a non-metallic polymer around a flange of the boss to form an internal liner of the pressure vessel, forming a vent in an interior portion of the liner; and forming an outer shell surrounding the liner and at least a portion of the flange of the boss.

Abstract: A pressure vessel has an interior chamber and includes an outer shell, a boss, and an internal liner disposed within the outer shell. The boss includes a port extending between the interior chamber and an exterior of the pressure vessel; and an annular flange extending radially from the port and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The liner includes an exterior portion adjacent the exterior surface of the flange; an interior portion adjacent the interior surface of the flange; and a vent in the interior portion. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, flowing a non-metallic polymer around a flange of the boss to form an internal liner of the pressure vessel, forming a vent in an interior portion of the liner; and forming an outer shell surrounding the liner and at least a portion of the flange of the boss.