Abstract: A flange for a pressure vessel includes a rim, a sealing seat, and an undercut fillet. The rim has an annular surface for abutting an annular end of a cylindrical wall of the pressure vessel. The sealing seat has a cylindrical surface for abutting an inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the pressure vessel nearby the annular end. The undercut fillet is disposed between the rim and the sealing seat. A concave surface of the undercut fillet extends the annular surface of the rim radially inward and then curves back outward to intersect the cylindrical surface of the sealing seat. The undercut fillet of the flange helps distribute stress produced from a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A valve for delivery of fluid between two chambers. The valve includes a plug, force spring that opens the plug, and a base that joins/mates with the inner surface of a chamber. Plug sealing mechanisms seal the plug to the base. Chamber sealing mechanisms seal an inner surface of a chamber bore or conduit. The valve also includes a trigger arm that holds the plug down until the trigger arm is actuated to cause the plug to move and the valve to open. The valve also includes a remotely-actuatable trigger for releasing the trigger arm. A channel permits the transfer of fluid from one side of the plug to the other.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a lightweight pressure vessel capable of airborne and underwater use. The system includes an enclosure and a gas container that is capable of holding pressurized or liquefied gas in sufficient quantity to increase internal pressure of the pressure vessel, so that the internal pressure of the pressure vessel equals an external pressure of the pressure vessel. The system also includes a pressure relief device coupled to the enclosure. The pressure relief device is configured to release the pressurized or liquefied gas from the pressure vessel when the internal pressure exceeds the external pressure by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a gas supply mechanism coupled to the gas container, the gas supply mechanism being configured to allow gas from the gas container into order to increase the internal pressure of the pressure vessel until the internal pressure equals the external pressure.

Abstract: A valve for delivery of fluid between two chambers. The valve includes a plug, force spring that opens the plug, and a base that joins/mates with the inner surface of a chamber. Plug sealing mechanisms seal the plug to the base. Chamber sealing mechanisms seal an inner surface of a chamber bore or conduit. The valve also includes a trigger arm that holds the plug down until the trigger arm is actuated to cause the plug to move and the valve to open. The valve also includes a remotely-actuatable trigger for releasing the trigger arm. A channel permits the transfer of fluid from one side of the plug to the other.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a lightweight pressure vessel capable of airborne and underwater use. The system includes an enclosure and a gas container that is capable of holding pressurized or liquefied gas in sufficient quantity to increase internal pressure of the pressure vessel, so that the internal pressure of the pressure vessel equals an external pressure of the pressure vessel. The system also includes a pressure relief device coupled to the enclosure. The pressure relief device is configured to release the pressurized or liquefied gas from the pressure vessel when the internal pressure exceeds the external pressure by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a gas supply mechanism coupled to the gas container, the gas supply mechanism being configured to allow gas from the gas container into order to increase the internal pressure of the pressure vessel until the internal pressure equals the external pressure.