Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the pressure of the CNG in the vehicle tank.

Abstract: An automated balloon inflation device which has a supply of pressurized gas, a nozzle for receiving a balloon, and an actuator for sequentially closing a clamp on the balloon and the nozzle and subsequently supplying the pressurized gas to the balloon for the inflation thereof. Furthermore, a key-weight device may be employed for the dual purpose of controlling the supply of pressurized gas to the nozzle and to prevent the inadvertent loss of an inflated balloon which is secured to the key-weight. Additionally, the automated balloon inflation device is constructed so that any consumer may inflate a balloon with pressurized gas.

Abstract: A method and system for charging a container with a pressurized gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel is transferred from a gas supply through a heat exchanger to a fueling dispenser. The gaseous fuel is cooled as a function of one or both of a fueling station pressure availability or a container pressure rating. This method and system ensure that a pressurized gas cylinder can be completely charged regardless of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for monitoring steam conditions in a container, such as a beer keg, during disinfection, usually in a washer/racker. Temperature and pressure are taken repeatedly within the container during the disinfection process. Resulting temperature and pressure values are inputted to a data processor. The data processor establishes automatically whether the measured temperature and pressure values correspond to desired steam conditions within the container. These conditions are at, or within a predetermined tolerance from, a phase boundary between steam and water. An output is provided which includes a direct indication of whether the desired conditions are or have been met for measuring pairs of temperature and pressure values.

Abstract: A hardened asbestos-free, porous, calcium silicate filler material for an acetylene storage vessel is made by mixing quicklime with water to form a first mixture and at the same time mixing water, synthetic silica, cellulose fibers and ground quartz silica to form a second mixture. The first mixture is then added to the second mixture to form a third mixture. The third mixture is homogenized. Then a suspending agent is dispersed in the third mixture to form a fourth mixture. The fourth mixture is transferred into a cylinder to be filled and is cured under saturation steam pressure. Thereafter, the cylinder is dried. A gas storage cylinder so formed has a monolithic dry mass filling a metal shell. The mass has a porosity of about 88 to 91% and a density in the range of 250 g/l to 270 g/l.

Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid exchanging device includes drain and supply tubes to conduct used transmission fluid from and unused transmission fluid to a vehicle transmission. The device further includes a supply pump in the supply tube to flow unused transmission fluid into the transmission. A pair of flow control valves are disposed in the respective drain and supply tubes to allow the operator to match the flow rates of fluid through the respective tubes.

Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the pressure of the CNG in the vehicle tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressurizing liquid contained within a single, food-grade container or a series of such containers from an external source of gas, and for drafting liquid from the container (s). CO.sub.2 may be used to carbonate liquids such as beer or soft drinks, or alternatively air or inert gases may be used in conjunction with non-carbonated liquids such as wine.According to a preferred embodiment the disclosed apparatus, which may be used with a single container or each one of a series of containers, comprises a cap screwed onto the container neck and a nipple assembly attached to the neck via the cap. The nipple assembly includes a body section and a plurality of nipples attached thereto. Each nipple has an outer portion protruding externally of the container, an inner portion disposed within the container and an interior flow passage extending through both portions. An annular seal is disposed so as to prevent fluid leakage between the body section and the container neck.

Abstract: The invention embraces a method of tanking or filling of motor vehicles with natural gas and also an apparatus for operating the method of the invention. The motor vehicle includes a tank apparatus (2) with a pressure container (19). A tanking plant (1) includes a storage unit (3) for natural gas, a delivery device (5) and also a connection line (14) which can be connected to the tank device (2). The delivery device (5) includes a control and measuring device (5a), a regulating device (5b) and also an input and output device (5c). The control and measuring device (5a) has a regulating valve (7), a mass throughflow measuring device (8) and also a pressure sensor (9), with these three components being so controlled from the governing regulating device (5b) that the pressure container (19) is filled in a short period of time with natural gas.

Abstract: A self-contained, hermetic module for the transport of hazardous fluids such as space craft fuels. The module includes a base and a removable cover hermetically sealed to the base. The combination of the base and the cover define an enclosure. Located within this enclosure are a pressurized gas cylinder, a fuel tank and an evacuated vessel. An inert gas contained within the pressurized vessel expels a fuel contained in the fuel tank to fill the space craft. The evacuated vessel purges all lines and conduits to prevent hazardous fluids from escaping to the environment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying a gaseous raw material to plural users. A liquid raw material is evaporated by a single evaporation means and supplied to a gaseous raw material takeout portion provided with a plurality of takeout ports. The gas pressure is varied according to amounts of the gaseous raw material taken out of the takeout ports. The pressure variations are regulated by a main pressure-adjusting means mounted downstream of the gaseous raw material takeout portion. Extra gaseous raw material is sent to a gaseous raw material-condensing means, where the material is liquified. Then, the liquified material is fed back to the evaporation means. Thus, a closed circulatory loop circuit is formed. The gas pressure in the gaseous raw material takeout portion is regulated. The gaseous raw material is distributed to plural users at any desired time at their respective flow rates such that supply of the raw material to each individual user is carried out independent of supply to other users.

Abstract: A device for carbonating liquid refreshments whereby a high degree of saturation can be obtained with a single application because the entire mechanism, including an easily clamped on drink bottle and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) canister, may be easily shaken while pressurized CO.sub.2 is being applied to liquid in the drink bottle.

Abstract: Process for the filling of a piston-cylinder unit, for example a shock absorber, with compressed gas and for closing the gas chamber of the piston-cylinder unit with a sealing element in the form of a base. The piston-cylinder unit is placed in an apparatus which apparatus can be connected to a compressed gas source from which the gas chamber is filled. The base is inserted by the apparatus into the open end of the piston-cylinder unit, after which the piston-cylinder unit, now under pressure and closed off by the base, is closed by, the process of welding.

Abstract: An adaptive tire pressure control strategy for a central tire inflation system 10 wherein the programmed demand pressure setting P.sub.D may be increased automatically if certain criteria are met. These criteria are indicative of a running condition wherein tire temperature may be increasing to unacceptable levels due to underinflation. Additionally, air may also be added to tires in this condition in order to increase the load capacity of the tire, reduce tire temperature and prolong tire life.

Abstract: A mobile method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the virtually undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor control device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: An automatic filling system for a compressed gas tank includes a controller that measures the rate of fill of a tank being filled in order to provide an accurate estimate of the fill time for the tank, given available source pressure.

Abstract: Methods and dispensers which are used for filling liquid crystal into a LCD cell. The methods use a liquid crystal dispenser able to release liquid crystal with sufficient controllability at an evacuated atmosphere. Liquid crystal is filled through an inlet of an assembled LCD cell, or filled by laminating an upper substrate with a lower substrate on which liquid crystal has been dropped. The invented liquid crystal dispensers have an opening, in addition to the opening for a capillary, through which interior air bubbles can be released out so as not to be released from the capillary.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filling bottles with liquid, the liquid supply tank has several bottle filling adapters mounted to its body and providing a valve seat for liquid to flow from the tank to a bottle. The seat is proximate to a vertically movable valve body which has an integral tubular stem extending upwardly from it and a gas tube extending downwardly from it so gas can be conducted downwardly into a bottle and upwardly for being exhausted or returned to the tank. In the bore of the tubular combination gas conducting tube and valve stem there is a wire constituting a filling level probe. The tip of the wire is exposed in the gas tube to liquid in the bottle and the body of the wire is insulated and runs upwardly through the bore of the tubular stem where it is terminated in a cylindrical conductive element that enters an electrical connector. The connector provides a lead to a microprocessor based controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the fast-filling of cylinders for natural gas powered vehicles, employing a simplified physical arrangement and an improved control method to obtain maximum safe filling of the cylinders, which takes into account the presence of residual gas in the cylinders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast filling a vehicle fuel tank with high pressure natural gas comprising the steps of coupling a fill line to the vehicle tank, introducing high pressure natural gas into the line and the tank, measuring the pressure in the line in a manner that yields a measurement of the initial pressure of the gas in the tank, assigning an initial temperature for the gas in the tank, predetermining the final desired pressure and temperature of the gas in the tank at the end of the fill, calculating the mass or temperature of the gas to be added to the tank so that the adiabatic compression and potential rise in temperature of gas in the tank is automatically compensated for and the tank is substantially filled with a mass that results in a condition, when the tank and the gas contained therein substantially reach ambient temperature, wherein the pressure in the tank is substantially equal to the nominal rated pressure of the tank and, thereafter filling the tank with the calculated gas mass or

Abstract: A process and apparatus for filling insulating glass panes (10) with filler gas comprises two plates (1 and 2) and an endless conveyor belt (9) provided at the lower rim of the plates (1 and 2), on which the insulating glass pane (10) stands with its lower, open edge. Sealing devices (30 and 31) that can be brought into contact with the vertical edges of the insulating glass pane (10) are provided between the plates (1 and 2) in order to seal the interior of the insulating glass pane (10). The sealing device (30)is associated with a connection (50) for feeding filler gas into the interior of the insulating glass pane (10). Air and air-gas mixtures can be removed from the insulating glass pane (10) via a channel formed between the other vertical edge of the insulating glass pane (10) and a sealing device (31) applied at that location, whereby air or air-gas mixture can flow out over the entire height of the open, vertical rim of the insulating glass pane (10) from the interior of the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor handling device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: An automated fueling facility allows untrained persons to safely dispense homogeneous phase liquid methane from a cryogenic storage tank into a motor vehicle. The fueling facility automatically maintains pressure on the liquid methane within a predetermined safe operating range using methane gas trapped in the cryogenic storage tank. The pressure on the liquid methane is at least set equal to a set pressure equal to the sum of the saturation pressure of the liquid methane plus an additional amount to help to ensure that it remains in a fully saturated condition after exposure to any pressure losses as the fluid enters the pump. A pump is cooled by placing it in the storage tank and circulating liquid methane through the pump and back into the storage tank. A dispenser, including nozzle for connecting to a motor vehicle, is cooled by circulating liquid through the nozzle and back to the storage tank through a receptacle on the dispenser to which the nozzle is connected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the essentially automatic filling with pressurized ambient air of non-elastic inflatable objects to predetermined overpressures; and operate through the creation and sensing of a fluidic effect in the inflatable object attendant the filling of the same, the discontinuation of that fluidic effect when the inflatable object has been filled to the predetermined overpressure, the sensing of the discontinuation of the fluidic effect and the discontinuation of the supply of pressurized air to the inflatable object in response thereto. Provisions are made for adjustment in the predetermined overpressure to which the inflatable object is filled, and for reversing the operation of the apparatus and method to deflate inflated objects for re-use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drawing and measuring an amount of liquid agrichemical and dispensing the measured amount of agrichemical for mixture with water and eventual application onto a field. The agrichemical is drawn into a measuring vessel by suction pressure, created in one embodiment by an air compressor and valving system, and in another embodiment by a valve-pump in conjunction with a 3-way valve. The agrichemical is then dispensed from the measuring vessel either by positive pressure created by the same air compressor/valving system, or by suction pressure created by valve-pump/3-way valve. The valve-pump provides both a mixing chamber for the agrichemical and water prior to tank storage for eventual application, and controllable suction pressure for drawing the agrichemical out of the measuring vessel for mixing. The valve-pump is also self-cleaning thereby reducing the possibility of cross-contamination.

Abstract: A portable fluid exchanger for flushing the used transmission fluid from a vehicle engine as it replaces it with new fluid is mounted on a wheeled undercarriage and contains a tank of new transmission fluid, hoses, and a 12-volt electrical system which connects to the battery of the vehicle being serviced to power a fluid delivery pump, an output and return flow control system, and means for visually checking the condition of the fluid being pumped from the transmission. The normal continuous-flow circulation system of the vehicle is interrupted by interposing the exchanger in a cooling line of the transmission system, and the vehicle's own pump is used to expel fluid from the transmission while the exchanger introduces new fluid, as the vehicle engine idles. The fluid level in the transmission is gauged by monitoring inflow and outflow to and from the transmission to insure that it remains reasonably full during the flushing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the pneumatic pressure of a tire according to the invention calculates the pressure difference between the specified pneumatic pressure entered therein through an input section and the actual pneumatic pressure of a tire measured by a pressure sensor and operates its air charging or discharging valve by specifying an extent of openness of the valve and a time for keeping the valve open as a function of the obtained pressure difference. Thereafter, it calculates the rate of change in the pneumatic pressure of the tire from the actual pneumatic pressure of the tire measured for the second time during the valve is kept open and, at the same time, the pressure difference between the specified pneumatic pressure value and the actual pneumatic pressure of the tire measured for the second time.

Abstract: A storage container (12) is filled with a combustible mixture of gases including a flammable gas and a primary gas which contains an oxidizer gas. The primary gas is conducted from a source (16) of the primary gas to an intermediate primary gas container (22). The flammable gas is conducted from a source (18) of flammable gas to an intermediate flammable gas container (24). The primary gas is conducted to the storage container (12) from the intermediate primary gas container (22). Similarly, the flammable gas is conducted to the storage container (12) from the intermediate flammable gas container (24). Preferably, the flammable gas is conducted to the storage container (12) before the primary gas is conducted to the storage container. The storage container (12) is filled relatively quickly, in less than four minutes, and, in one embodiment, in approximately 1.2 minutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing granular material within a container. The apparatus includes a base member for uniformly distributing the granular material within the container by absorbing momentum from the inflow of the granular material. The method includes forming at least two flow paths for the inflow of granular material and then changing the flow of granular material through each of the flow paths to cause a substantially even distribution of granular material within the container.

Abstract: A row of open top containers travelling on a conveyor is purged of oxygen by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of lower flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a higher velocity inert gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. The manifold also includes at least one region of higher flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a lower velocity inert gas region along the containers, continuously and at substantially steady state. As the containers pass along the manifold, the inert flushing gas steadily removes oxygen from the containers, while the lower velocity inert gas region prevents the flushing gas from drawing in air.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling deflation operations in a CTIS (10, 200). During deflation to a selected pressure (P.sub.D), the tires will be deflated to a target pressure (P.sub.T) lower than the selected pressure and then inflated to the selected pressure.

Abstract: A method of refueling a road transportation vehicle or the like comprising receiving and storing liquid natural gas in a relatively large supply tank at relatively low temperature and moderate pressure, dispensing the liquid natural gas from the supply tank generally exclusively on demand when a vehicle is present for refueling, delivering the dispensed gas to a high-pressure fuel tank on the vehicle while simultaneously converting it to compressed natural gas at relatively high pressure and moderate temperature through the addition of energy to the gas primarily in thermal form. In one embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is elevated by a mechanical pump while in another embodiment the pressure of the natural gas is raised primarily by the addition of heat.

Abstract: This invention presents methods and dispensers which are used for a new way of filling liquid crystal into a LCD cell. The invented methods use the invented liquid crystal dispenser able to release liquid crystal with sufficient controllability at an evacuated atmosphere. Liquid crystal is filled through an inlet of an assembled LCD cell, or filled by laminating an upper substrate with a lower substrate on which liquid crystal has been dropped. The invented liquid crystal dispensers have an opening, in addition to the opening for a capillary, through which interior air bubbles can be released out so as not to be released from the capillary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing compressed gas from n storage vessels containing compressed gas. Gas is sequentially dispensed from each of the storage vessels until predetermined delivery conditions are reached for each storage vessel. After the predetermined delivery conditions are reached in storage vessel n, storage vessel n is backfilled using the remaining compressed gas from the other storage vessels. The backfilling provides greater extraction of stored gas in the storage vessels and consistently fast fill times.

Abstract: A readily cleaned liquid transfer system is designed for use with an associated vessel or container, such as a barrel, having therein a liquid to be removed. The system comprises a recirculation loop, a transfer manifold, and a transfer hose for providing flow communication between the transfer manifold and the recirculation loop. The transfer manifold has an inlet port which is located at about the bottom of the barrel, and an outlet port. The recirculation loop which has water flowing therethrough which is used as a diluent, also includes an eductor pump. The eductor pump hydrodynamically drives or draws the liquid in the barrel, through the transfer manifold and the transfer hose, into the recirculation loop. The recirculation loop discharges a blended product to a product tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting CO.sub.2 gas into a bottled liquid to carbonate or maintain carbonation in the liquid. A valved coupling having a conduit extending there through is screwably attached to a P.E.T. bottle substantially filled with liquid. The valve is depressed .while the bottle is squeezed to remove any excess air in the bottle. Regulated CO.sub.2 gas is then fed through a connector that is attached to the coupling to carbonate the liquid. Once carbonated, the connector is removed while the coupling remains in place to maintain carbonation.

Abstract: A storage container (12) is filled with a combustible mixture of gases including a flammable gas and a primary gas which contains an oxidizer gas. A fill head (50) has a continuous annular ridge (130) which extends around a gas outlet (132) from the fill head. The ridge (130) indents the material of the storage container (12) around an opening (152) in the storage container through which a flow of gas is directed during filling of a chamber in the storage container to provide a gas tight seal between the ridge and the container.

Abstract: A pneumatically-inflated inner tube having two compartments such that if one compartment is damaged and deflates, the other compartment may be inflated without removing the tire. The compartments inflate independently of each other using separate valves; each compartment has its own valve for inflation. When inflated, the two compartments surround the same annular axis. The two embodiments described have primary and secondary compartments. In the first embodiment, each compartment is a discrete component wherein the secondary compartment is disposed inside the primary compartment. The compartments connect where the valve of the secondary compartment projects through an aperture in the primary compartment. In the second embodiment, the two compartments form an integral unit. The compartments share a common surface such that one compartment is formed inside the other compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that conserves energy in the filling of a storage tank with natural gas and dispensing natural gas from the storage tank to receiving tanks. The invention permits the refueling of gas receiving tanks at a fueling rate comparable to that achieved with liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The apparatus includes the use of at least two compressors: a first compressor and a second compressor, in series with and drawing less horsepower than the first, for compressing natural gas into a storage tank up to a certain pressure level that fills the tank. Upon demand for gas from the storage tank, the second compressor alone may be used to withdraw gas from the storage tank and supply gas at a fueling rate to a receiving tank. When pressure in the storage tank drops to below a predetermined pressure level, the first compressor is brought on line to replenish gas in the storage tank to maintain the fueling rate through the second compressor.

Abstract: A cylinder rupture vessel rotates the cylinder during the rupturing process by using at least one driven roller assembly supported on a plurality of bearing surfaces. A rupture mechanism punctures the container and, when used in combination with the roller assembly, the cylinder is cut into sections. The rupture mechanism may be a water laser, a milling tool, a plasma cutting tool, a lathe tool, or at least one cutting wheel. Relative movement between the rupture mechanism and the bearing surfaces is achieved by a plurality of actuators. Treatment or decontamination of contents may be performed in the cylinder rupture vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor handling device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: Two LNG storage tanks receive LNG from a fill station. The two storage tanks are connected to an overflow tank into which the LNG flows during pressurization of the system. The overflow tank is connected to the use device, i.e. the vehicle's engine, through a heat exchanger to provide high pressure natural gas thereto. The fill station initially delivers LNG to the two storage tanks until the tanks are substantially filled with LNG whereupon the fill station automatically stops delivery of LNG and begins to deliver natural gas vapor to the storage tanks until the pressure in the system reaches a predetermined maximum that is equal to or greater than the pressure required by the use device. During the pressurization of the system some of the LNG in the two storage tanks is forced into the overflow tank by the incoming natural gas vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly filling fuel tanks with natural gas from a large pressurized storage vessel utilizing a compressor having a cylinder dedicated to removal of natural gas from the storage vessel and supplying it to the fuel tanks while other compressor cylinders at least partially replenish the removed natural gas by charging compressed gas to the storage vessel. The gas removal cylinder and other cylinders are connected to a common drive shaft driven by a single motor. The apparatus and method provide for rapid fueling of large numbers of vehicles using natural gas while significantly reducing capital investment requirements.

Abstract: A flusher and refill system for automobile, subassemblies such as an automatic transmission includes a storage tank for waste transmission fluid and a storage tank for unused or replacement transmission fluid. A fluid-conducting hose leading from the subassembly is connected to a fluid flow path leading to the waste fluid storage tank and which includes an electric valve and flow rate monitoring gauge. A second fluid-conducting hose is connected to a pump for pumping fluid from the unused fluid storage tank. The rate at which fluid is pumped out is monitored and a flow control valve in the new fluid flow path is adjusted so that replacement fluid is pumped into the subassembly at the same flow rate as used fluid is being pumped out.

Abstract: A system and method for refueling vehicle storage tanks with compressed natural gas (CNG) are provided that utilize a single stage compressor operable at suction pressures ranging from about 330 to about 3600 psig and discharge pressures ranging from about 330 to about 4500 psig in combination with a temporary storage tank for CNG at an intermediate storage pressure of from about 330 to about 4500 psig, preferably from about 1700 to about 2700 psig, selectively filling vehicle storage tanks with CNG from an inlet source, from the compressor discharge and from the intermediate storage tanks, and selectively supplying CNG to the compressor inlet at either the available line pressure or the intermediate storage pressure.

Abstract: An unmanned conveying device for a clean room is capable of restraining a spontaneous oxide film from growing in case that an unmanned carriage is obliged to stop for a long time due to its own cause of a cause at a destination spot while it conveys a semiconductor wafer from one spot to the destination spot. It is a first aspect of the invention to provide the unmanned conveying device which is self-propelled for conveying an object from a ground facility to a destination spot while loading an object to be conveyed thereon, characterized in that the object is accommodated in a container and the container is connected to an inert gas reservoir through a gas supply passage so that the atmosphere in the container can be replaced by a nitrogen gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied natural gas stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied natural gas and then feeding the pressurized liquefied natural gas through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied natural gas to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition at a temperature of about -220.degree. F. to -126.degree. F. when at a pressure of about 50 psig to 550 psig; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied natural gas to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, said vehicle using liquefied natural gas as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied natural gas in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition at a temperature of about -220.degree. F. to -126.degree. F. and a pressure of about 50 psig to 550 psig.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating the apparatus is disclosed for transferring reclaimed refrigerant from multiple recovery cylinders to a larger shipping cylinder using a vapor compressor and four-way valve to first transfer liquid refrigerant and then vapor to the shipping cylinder. This system includes flexible hoses for liquid and vapor transfer and employs valves near the couplings for connections of the hoses to the cylinders. Operating methods then permit transfer from successive cylinders to the shipping cylinders and change-outs in the shipping cylinders without loss of significant refrigerant to the atmosphere, and without inclusion of air into the refrigerant in the shipping cylinder.

Abstract: In a combined liquid natural gas and compressed natural gas fueling station, liquid natural gas is stored in a cryogenic tank and dispensed to vehicles on demand. Compressed natural gas is produced on demand from the liquid natural gas by a high-efficiency pump and vaporizer system and dispensed directly to vehicles or stored for later dispensing. For greater efficiency, the pump and vaporizer system is powered by combustion of natural gas, including gas bled off to relieve pressure from the cryogenic tank.

Abstract: The problem of a visible, rim-mounted valve stem for inflating a customized wheel-mounted tire is obviated by a wheel configuration that translates the tire inflation location from a valve stem mounted on the wheel rim to a hub location where a readily accessible tire inflation port can be effectively hidden beneath a locking center cap, making the access port tamperproof. A tire inflation passageway is integral with a spoke that connects the wheel hub to the wheel rim. In a preferred embodiment the wheel is a unitary cast structure, with the tire inflation passageway integrally cast as part of one of the spokes. The hub portion of the wheel has an inflation access port in fluid communication with the tire inflation fluid passageway, thereby providing for the application of pressurized air to the fluid passageway, so that inflation air flowing therethrough may be supplied to the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim and thereby control the tire pressure of the tire.