Abstract: A Reduced Boil-off Thermal Conditioning System (“RBTC System”) for transferring liquid natural gas (“LNG”) from a LNG supply tank to a LNG storage tank with reduced boil-off is disclosed. The RBTC System includes the LNG storage tank, a cryogenic fluid tank within the LNG supply tank, and a compressor. The LNG storage tank includes a first and second LNG pipe. The cryogenic fluid tank is configured to store a cryogenic fluid within the cryogenic fluid tank and the first and second LNG pipe are in fluid communication with to the cryogenic fluid tank. The first LNG pipe is in fluid communication with compressor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to fuel tanks including features for capturing vapors displaced during a filling process. In an embodiment, the invention includes a fuel tank including a housing defining an interior volume; an inflow conduit providing fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the interior volume; a check-valve coupled to the inflow conduit, the check-valve configured to allow fuel to flow through the check-valve into the interior volume but prevent the flow of gases from the interior volume to the outside of the housing; an expansion member configured to reversibly change in volume; and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the expansion member and the interior volume of the housing. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: A fuel cap includes a filler-neck closure adapted to mate with a filler neck to close a mouth opening into a fuel-conducting passageway formed in the filler neck. The filler-neck closure includes a vacuum-relief valve and a handle arranged to overlie the filler-neck closure and gripped by a user during removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid container (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a fuel container (1), having at least one filler tube (4) and having means for operational and filling ventilation, comprising at least one operational ventilation line (7) which is connected to an equalizing volume of the liquid container (1) and at least one filling ventilation opening (9) which opens into the equalizing volume. The fuel container (1) according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the operational ventilation opening (7) is connected to the filler tube (4) outside the container volume, in a manner which forms a siphon (8), and that the connection of the operational ventilation line (7) to the filler tube (4) is arranged in such a way that liquid is collected in the siphon (8) during each filling operation and closes the operational ventilation line (7).

Abstract: A fuel recovery system for a machine is disclosed. The fuel recovery system may have a tank configured to store a liquid fuel. The fuel recovery system may also have an accumulator fluidly connected to the tank and configured to receive gaseous fuel formed in the tank. The fuel recovery system may further have a compressor fluidly connected to the accumulator and configured to compress the gaseous fuel. In addition, the fuel recovery system may have a separator fluidly connected to the compressor and the tank. The separator may be configured to receive the compressed gaseous fuel, and separate the compressed gaseous fuel into a first flow of gaseous fuel at a first temperature and a second flow of gaseous fuel at a second temperature. In addition, the separator may be configured to direct the second flow to the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the oxygen content drawn from the atmosphere that enters the insulating fluid-containing expansion vessel of high-voltage systems. The apparatus is provided with inner and outer tanks that include a liquid that provides a diffusion barrier for capturing oxygen from the atmosphere. The tanks are in communication with the atmosphere on one side of the barrier and in communication with the expansion vessel on the other side of the barrier. Further provided is a moisture-capturing dehumidifier upstream of the diffusion barrier to dry the gas passing into the expansion vessel. The apparatus limits degradation of the insulation system caused by moisture and oxygen, thereby increasing the life span of the high-voltage system.

Abstract: An assembly mountable to a fuel tank and connectable to a carbon canister includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A vapor vent valve is configured to permit fluid communication from the fuel tank through the vapor vent valve from an inlet to an outlet, and in all cases is isolated from the internal cavity so that fluid flows through the vapor vent valve from the inlet to the outlet without fluid communication with the internal cavity. A first vent line connects the outlet of the vapor vent valve with a first port of the housing. A second vent line connects a second port of the housing with the carbon canister. At least a portion of the first vent line is above a predetermined liquid fuel level within the tank when the assembly is mounted to the fuel tank and tilted at up to a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An assembly mountable to a fuel tank and connectable to a carbon canister includes a housing defining an internal cavity. A vapor vent valve is configured to permit fluid communication from the fuel tank through the vapor vent valve from an inlet to an outlet, and in all cases is isolated from the internal cavity so that fluid flows through the vapor vent valve from the inlet to the outlet without fluid communication with the internal cavity. A first vent line connects the outlet of the vapor vent valve with a first port of the housing. A second vent line connects a second port of the housing with the carbon canister. At least a portion of the first vent line is above a predetermined liquid fuel level within the tank when the assembly is mounted to the fuel tank and tilted at up to a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A tank arrangement includes a tank for storing a liquid such as fuel or oxidizer for operation of a spacecraft and a pressurized driving gas for conveying the liquid out of the tank, and a gas supply and extraction device. The device includes a housing shell and plural outwardly expanding passage bodies providing openings that communicate the interior space of the tank to the inner reservoir space of the device. A baffle plate shields the outer opening of each passage body. Deflector plates are arranged in each passage body. Capillary plates extend longitudinally along the inner wall of the housing shell. By a capillary effect, the plates separate liquid from gas entering the device, so that the gas can be extracted while the liquid is stored in a reservoir of the device until it is drained back into the tank during an accelerated operation phase of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A gas supply and extraction device is arranged preferably on a tank lid or a tank wall in a tank for storing a pressurized driving gas and a liquid such as fuel or oxidizer for operation of a spacecraft. A device housing defines an interior reservoir space. Upper trumpet-shaped passage bodies and a lower trumpet-shaped passage body communicate from the interior reservoir space into the interior space of the tank. By capillary effects, baffle plates, deflector plates, capillary plates, a separation chamber and other components separate liquid from gas entering the device, so that the gas can be extracted while the liquid is stored in the reservoir space of the device until it is drained back into the tank during an accelerated operation phase of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A tank assembly and a closure device for a tank assembly. The tank assembly may comprise a tank housing defining an interior and an exterior and an opening between the interior and the exterior, a liquid being containable in the interior, vapor being produceable from the liquid, a flow path being defined between the interior and the exterior, a closure housing connectable to the tank housing to selectively close the opening, and adsorption media supported by at least one of the tank housing and the closure housing, vapor being routed along the flow path from the interior of the tank assembly, through the adsorption media and to the exterior of the tank assembly. In some aspects, the adsorption media is supported by the closure housing. In some other aspects, the tank housing includes a receptacle portion having a receptacle interior, the receptacle portion defining the flow path, and the adsorption media is supportable in the receptacle interior.

Abstract: A device for delivering fuel has a fuel delivery unit placed inside a fuel tank and which consists of a swirl pot with a fuel pump situated therein for delivering fuel out via a flow line to an internal combustion engine, and with a ventilation system located inside the fuel tank and serves to withdraw fuel vapors from the fuel tank. This ventilation system consists of ventilation lines and a liquid trap for precipitating fuel. The ventilation lines are arranged with one end in the upper area of the fuel tank, and, with the other end, lead into the liquid trap. An activated charcoal filter located downstream from the liquid trap has a connection to the atmosphere. The liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter are situated next and at the height of the swirl pot. At least the liquid trap is mechanically connected to the swirl pot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a container having an amount of liquefied petroleum gas contained therein. The container is first inspected thoroughly for leaks. Heated nitrogen gas is then fed into the container. The heated nitrogen gas may be transported from a nitrogen storage tank to the container via at least one pipe. Liquid nitrogen may be fed into a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen gas may then be heated via a steamer to expand the nitrogen gas and ensure that no liquid nitrogen enters the container. The heated nitrogen gas may vaporize any liquid liquefied petroleum gas contained therein. Further, the heated nitrogen gas may transport the liquefied petroleum gas to a flare for incineration. The heated nitrogen gas may be added any number of times to reduce the concentration of the liquefied petroleum gas therein to a desired level. The container may then be steam cleaned and opened to enter and thoroughly clean or inspect the inside of the container.

Abstract: The present invention combines the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency advantages of a flirt “Partial Seal System”, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,004 to flirt, with the customer convenience advantages of gasoline vapor recovery systems employing “bootless” nozzles. The use of bootless nozzles in combination with strict environmental vapor emissions compliance is made possible because of specific system advantages, which include the use of a burner designed to operate at two different flow rates, a coaxial processor stack which permits second and third stage combustion of excess gasoline vapor generated by the system before it is released to atmosphere, and a remote sensor which continually monitors system vacuum pressure to ensure that a sufficient vacuum is maintained at all times.

Abstract: Process components, containers, and pipes are provided that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steels containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having tensile strengths greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and DBTTs lower than about −73° C. (−100° F.).

Abstract: The present invention combines the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency advantages of a Hirt “Partial Seal System”, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,004 to Hirt, with the customer convenience advantages of gasoline vapor recovery systems employing “bootless” nozzles. The use of bootless nozzles in combination with strict environmental vapor emissions compliance is made possible because of specific system advantages, which include the use of a burner designed to operate at two different flow rates, a coaxial processor stack which permits second and third stage combustion of excess gasoline vapor generated by the system before it is released to atmosphere, and a remote sensor which continually monitors system vacuum pressure to ensure that a sufficient vacuum is maintained at all times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for storing cold fluid. The system includes a main tank and an auxiliary tank that are in fluid communication, and the auxiliary tank receives vapor and expanding fluid as the cold fluid in the main tank warms thereby avoiding overpressurization of the system.

Abstract: In an air breather system for the fuel tank of a vehicle, a mechanical seal is provided at the mouth of a filler pipe for preventing overflow from the mouth when filler gun is inserted into the mouth for fueling. The mouth is communicated with a canister for adsorbing the vapor of the fuel through an air breather passage. Even when negative pressure occurs under the mouth, normal fueling is performed without functioning the automatic stop of the filler gun.

Abstract: A system for drying and ventilating jet fuel tanks for reducing the fuel fume level from residual fuel in an emptied fuel tank operates in four modes. In a recirculation mode, a blower recirculates air through the tank in a closed loop. The blower suctions air from the tank and forces it through a vapor recovery unit having a cooling section with a refrigeration coil causing condensation of fuel vapor and a reheater section which reheats the air entering the tank to enhance evaporation of residual fuel. A heat recovery system circulates glycol/water mixture through a first heat recovery coil in the cooling section for absorbing heat from the air and a second heat recovery coil in the reheater section for returning the heat to the air. After fuel vapor has dried from the walls of the tanks, the system operates in a vacuum mode in which a vacuum hose, obtaining negative pressure through a pipe from the suction side of the blower, is used to remove residual puddles of fuel from the tank.

Abstract: A system is provided for controllably venting cryogen of extremely low temperature from a cryostat, wherein a conduit formed of selected metal provides a path of flow for the cryogen from the cryostat to an exhaust system. A gauge is coupled to the conduit, along the path of flow, by means of a bushing which thermally isolates the gauge from the metallic conduit, which is at an extremely low temperature. Thus, the gauge, which is used to continually monitor cryogen pressure, does not become unreadable due to icing or frosting as a result of heat loss from the gauge to the conduit. The bushing is formed from a material such as GC-10, and includes an intermediate portion for spacing the bushing away from the metallic conduit, and also for enclosing a dead space which substantially reduces heat transfer directly between the gauge and cryogen in the conduit.