Patent classifications
F17C13/02
Pressure vessel inspection device and monitoring sensor used for same
A pressure vessel inspection device includes: a monitoring sensor including a filament provided on an outer surface of a pressure vessel, a coating layer applied onto an outer surface of the filament so as to have an electrical physical quantity, and electrodes connected to ends of the filament and exposed to outside; and a control unit configured to measure structural health of the pressure vessel based on the electrical physical quantity of the coating layer in accordance with deformation of the pressure vessel, in order to monitor structural health of the pressure vessel and simplify a structure and a manufacturing process.
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Safety System and Method
A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Safety System and Method
A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.
COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER GAS DENSITY MEASUREMENT
A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.
COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER GAS DENSITY MEASUREMENT
A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.
Safe transportation system operations including fueling, transfer and charging
Multiply redundant safety system(s) that protects humans and assets while fueling vehicles, and/or transferring/fueling/tank exchanging of on road/off road, marine, aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, and all other vehicles/vessels utilizing Compressed and/or Liquefied Gas Fuels/compound(s), utilizing Hydrogen and/or Natural Gas Chemical Family of Natural Gas/Propane/Butane/ethane/ammonia/and/or any/all compound(s)/mixtures along with and/or without, oxidizer(s), such as Liquefied Oxygen, Oxygen Triplet (O3)/ozone/hydrogen peroxide/peroxide/solid oxidizer(s). One or more processors in combination with one or more system(s)/one or more sensor(s); in combination with one or more micro switches/one or more outputs/actuator(s) which combine to detect any leaks/fire(s)/explosion/voltage(s)/hazards/vehicle position/motion/vessel motion(s)/reusable tank/exchange tank/position(s)/arc's, spark(s)/and/or other hazards for rapid mitigation by locking out/stopping fueling/gas transfers/vehicle releasing/transfer line releasing. For different levels of safety, multiple combination(s) of various sensor(s)/detector(s)/input(s)/output(s)/device(s)/system(s)/action(s)/actuators, all may be standing alone and/or in any combination can be utilized.
Safe transportation system operations including fueling, transfer and charging
Multiply redundant safety system(s) that protects humans and assets while fueling vehicles, and/or transferring/fueling/tank exchanging of on road/off road, marine, aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, and all other vehicles/vessels utilizing Compressed and/or Liquefied Gas Fuels/compound(s), utilizing Hydrogen and/or Natural Gas Chemical Family of Natural Gas/Propane/Butane/ethane/ammonia/and/or any/all compound(s)/mixtures along with and/or without, oxidizer(s), such as Liquefied Oxygen, Oxygen Triplet (O3)/ozone/hydrogen peroxide/peroxide/solid oxidizer(s). One or more processors in combination with one or more system(s)/one or more sensor(s); in combination with one or more micro switches/one or more outputs/actuator(s) which combine to detect any leaks/fire(s)/explosion/voltage(s)/hazards/vehicle position/motion/vessel motion(s)/reusable tank/exchange tank/position(s)/arc's, spark(s)/and/or other hazards for rapid mitigation by locking out/stopping fueling/gas transfers/vehicle releasing/transfer line releasing. For different levels of safety, multiple combination(s) of various sensor(s)/detector(s)/input(s)/output(s)/device(s)/system(s)/action(s)/actuators, all may be standing alone and/or in any combination can be utilized.
Thermal Storage in Pressurized Fluid for Compressed Air Energy Storage Systems
A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.
Thermal Storage in Pressurized Fluid for Compressed Air Energy Storage Systems
A thermal storage subsystem may include at least a first storage reservoir configured to contain a thermal storage liquid at a storage pressure that is greater than atmospheric pressure. A liquid passage may have an inlet connectable to a thermal storage liquid source and configured to convey the thermal storage liquid to the liquid reservoir. A first heat exchanger may be provided in the liquid inlet passage and may be in fluid communication between the first compression stage and the accumulator, whereby thermal energy can be transferred from a compressed gas stream exiting a gas compressor/expander subsystem to the thermal storage liquid.
SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Scalable greenhouse gas capture systems and methods to allow a user to off-load exhaust captured in an on-board vehicle exhaust capture device and to allow for a delivery vehicle or other transportation mechanism to obtain and transport the exhaust. The systems and methods may involve one or more exhaust pumps, each with a multi-function nozzle assembly including an exhaust nozzle corresponding to a vehicle exhaust port and a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel to a vehicle fuel tank. Upon engagement with the vehicle exhaust port, the exhaust nozzle may create an air-tight seal between the exhaust nozzle and the vehicle exhaust port. An exhaust conduit may be configured to transport captured exhaust therethrough from the exhaust nozzle to an exhaust holding tank connected to and in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit.