A diffuser is disclosed and includes a channel with an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet through which a gaseous substance enters and exits the diffuser, respectively. The inner portion includes a first conical section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to a central axis, in a first direction. The inner portion also includes a second conical section that has a decreasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in the first direction. The second conical section is communicatively coupled with the first conical section. The outer portion includes a first annular section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in a second direction opposite the first direction. The diffuser further includes a plurality of orifices that communicatively couple the second conical section with the first annular section.

A fluid drain system for pressurized fuel systems includes a fluid drain tool that includes: an enclosure including a collection cavity; a fitting configured for removable coupling to a fluid filter drain valve to fluidly couple the fluid drain tool to the fluid filter drain valve; a tube that fluidly couples the fitting to the enclosure, such that fluid collected from the fluid filter drain valve can be transferred through the tube to the collection cavity of the enclosure; and a selectively openable valve having a first end in fluid communication with the collection cavity of the enclosure, and a second end in fluid communication with an atmosphere.

A fluid drain system for pressurized fuel systems includes a fluid drain tool that includes: an enclosure including a collection cavity; a fitting configured for removable coupling to a fluid filter drain valve to fluidly couple the fluid drain tool to the fluid filter drain valve; a tube that fluidly couples the fitting to the enclosure, such that fluid collected from the fluid filter drain valve can be transferred through the tube to the collection cavity of the enclosure; and a selectively openable valve having a first end in fluid communication with the collection cavity of the enclosure, and a second end in fluid communication with an atmosphere.

A balloon filling device is provided for filling balloons with air or water. The balloon filling device includes a container for holding fluid, a pump mechanism for pressurizing the container and a trigger mechanism for releasing fluid in the container. The trigger mechanism includes a nozzle for attaching and holding a balloon while releasing pressurized air or liquid within the container into the balloon. The pump mechanism includes a pressure relief valve for releasing air back through the pump mechanism to the outside of the container when the container is over-pressurized.

A balloon filling device is provided for filling balloons with air or water. The balloon filling device includes a container for holding fluid, a pump mechanism for pressurizing the container and a trigger mechanism for releasing fluid in the container. The trigger mechanism includes a nozzle for attaching and holding a balloon while releasing pressurized air or liquid within the container into the balloon. The pump mechanism includes a pressure relief valve for releasing air back through the pump mechanism to the outside of the container when the container is over-pressurized.

An axial piercing mechanism for a pressurized gas canister includes a housing, electric motor assembly, pushrod assembly, and lancet. The housing defines one or more radial exhaust ports and coaxial internal cavities. The electric motor assembly and pushrod assembly are disposed in the respective first and second cavities. The pushrod assembly is coupled to the electric motor assembly and is rotatably driven along the longitudinal axis thereby. The lancet is coupled to the pushrod assembly. The housing includes a second end that receives or couples to a sealed end of the pressurized gas canister proximate the lancet such that the electric motor assembly, when energized, causes the pushrod assembly and lancet to translate along the longitudinal axis, pierce a sealed end/diaphragm of the canister, and release pressurized gas through the exhaust port. A system includes the axial piercing mechanism and the pressurized gas canister.

An axial piercing mechanism for a pressurized gas canister includes a housing, electric motor assembly, pushrod assembly, and lancet. The housing defines one or more radial exhaust ports and coaxial internal cavities. The electric motor assembly and pushrod assembly are disposed in the respective first and second cavities. The pushrod assembly is coupled to the electric motor assembly and is rotatably driven along the longitudinal axis thereby. The lancet is coupled to the pushrod assembly. The housing includes a second end that receives or couples to a sealed end of the pressurized gas canister proximate the lancet such that the electric motor assembly, when energized, causes the pushrod assembly and lancet to translate along the longitudinal axis, pierce a sealed end/diaphragm of the canister, and release pressurized gas through the exhaust port. A system includes the axial piercing mechanism and the pressurized gas canister.

Improvements in machining systems that utilize machining fluids comprising a supercritical fluid are described. Some systems may provide centralized distribution of a supercritical machining fluid and/or a lubricant to a plurality of machining tools in a machining facility. Other systems may allow for selective delivery of multiple machining fluids to a machine tool. For example, a supercritical machining fluid and a non-supercritical machining fluid may be selectively delivered to a machining tool as desired for a particular machining process.

Improvements in machining systems that utilize machining fluids comprising a supercritical fluid are described. Some systems may provide centralized distribution of a supercritical machining fluid and/or a lubricant to a plurality of machining tools in a machining facility. Other systems may allow for selective delivery of multiple machining fluids to a machine tool. For example, a supercritical machining fluid and a non-supercritical machining fluid may be selectively delivered to a machining tool as desired for a particular machining process.

Compressed gas dispensing methods using cascade dispensing from a first plurality of storage vessels and a second plurality of storage vessels. A compressor is used to provide very high pressure compressed gas for the second plurality of pressure storage vessels. Various methods are described for different sources of the compressed gas. The methods are particularly suitable for dispensing hydrogen into storage vessels in vehicles.