An apparatus includes a Dewar having an endcap. The apparatus also includes a heat sink and a thermal interface material configured to thermally couple the endcap of the Dewar to the heat sink. The thermal interface material includes an amorphous pliable material that is configured to transfer thermal energy between the endcap of the Dewar and the heat sink without structurally coupling the Dewar to the heat sink. A thermal shoe may be positioned between the thermal interface material and the heat sink, and the thermal shoe may be configured to hold the thermal interface material against the endcap. The thermal shoe may have (i) a smaller cross-sectional size in a portion of the thermal shoe contacting the thermal interface material and (ii) a larger cross-sectional size in a portion of the thermal shoe contacting the heat sink.

An apparatus includes a Dewar having an endcap. The apparatus also includes a heat sink and a thermal interface material configured to thermally couple the endcap of the Dewar to the heat sink. The thermal interface material includes an amorphous pliable material that is configured to transfer thermal energy between the endcap of the Dewar and the heat sink without structurally coupling the Dewar to the heat sink. A thermal shoe may be positioned between the thermal interface material and the heat sink, and the thermal shoe may be configured to hold the thermal interface material against the endcap. The thermal shoe may have (i) a smaller cross-sectional size in a portion of the thermal shoe contacting the thermal interface material and (ii) a larger cross-sectional size in a portion of the thermal shoe contacting the heat sink.

Provided is a portable cylinder including a tank having an upper portion having a valve port, a mounting collar coupled to the upper portion of the tank, and a handle attached to the mounting collar. The mounting collar has an upwardly extending portion surrounding the valve port and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs extending radially outwardly from the upwardly extending portion, wherein a respective gap is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs. The handle includes a shroud portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced ledges for abutting an underside of a respective one of the plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs, and at least one tab for engaging the mounting collar in one of the gaps, and a handle portion extending from the shroud portion and having one or more areas for grasping the handle.

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.

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.

A boss configured for attachment to a pressure vessel includes a first bore therein and a bearing disposed at least partially within the first bore. A system for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount includes a boss, a bearing, and an attachment element. The boss is attached to the pressure vessel and has a first bore therein. The bearing is disposed at least partially within the first bore and has a second bore therethrough. The attachment element is configured to be affixed to the vessel mount, wherein a portion of the attachment element extends through the second bore and is slidable within the first and second bores substantially along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. A method is described for supporting a pressure vessel on a vessel mount.

A cryogenic fluid delivery manifold system includes a plurality of cryogenic supply tanks. A liquid flow manifold permits flow of liquid a use device. A vapor pressure manifold is coupled to the supply tanks and to a pusher tank for regulating and/or balancing pressure across the plurality of supply tanks.

A cryogenic fluid delivery manifold system includes a plurality of cryogenic supply tanks. A liquid flow manifold permits flow of liquid a use device. A vapor pressure manifold is coupled to the supply tanks and to a pusher tank for regulating and/or balancing pressure across the plurality of supply tanks.

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.