A storage vessel can include a shell that is formed by fibers wound about an axis and infused with a resin matrix. The resin matrix can include metal nanoparticles coated with a polymer and distributed within a resin. The nanoparticles provide low coefficients of thermal expansion, and the polymer coatings enhance their bonding with the resin The shells of such storage vessels provide increased tensile strength and modulus at both room and cryogenic temperatures. Such improvements stem from the higher interfacial residual thermal stress at cryogenic temperature due to their low thermal expansion properties, which in turn promotes crack branching that increases the energy dissipation of the matrix.

A simulated smoking device (1) comprising a simulated cigarette having a substantially cylindrical cigarette-like shape and a refill device (2, 50) having a substantially cuboid housing with a cigarette pack-like shape containing refill gas (32, 59) for the simulated cigarette and having means for selectively retaining the simulated cigarette. The simulated cigarette may be retained wholly within the housing. It may be retained at a location different from the refill location. A dose counter may be provided to give a visual indication of the doses in the refill device.

A new procedure for constructing cryogenic storage tanks involves erecting a freestanding metal liner. The liner is sized and configured to withstand the hydraulic forces the concrete wall of the tank being poured without the need for temporary stiffeners on the inside surface of lower portions of the liner. Lateral tension ties can be connected to anchor ties on an outward surface of the liner and used to tie the liner to outer formwork. These ties may be spaced up to about 2 m apart. Studs can also be provided on the outer surface of the liner, and a cylindrical ring of cryogenic steel can be integrated into the liner.

A high brightness laser-sustained broadband light source includes a gas containment structure and a pump laser configured to generate a pump beam including illumination of a wavelength at least proximate to a weak absorption line of a neutral gas contained in the gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes one or more anamorphic illumination optics configured to focus the pump beam into an approximately elliptical beam waist positioned in or proximate to the center of the gas containment structure. The broadband light source includes one or more first collection optics configured to collect broadband radiation emitted by the plasma in a direction substantially aligned with a longer axis of the elliptical beam waist.

A valve integrated pressure regulator (VIPR) device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor the amount of gas in the cylinder is provided. Features of the disclosed device include an electronic control, electronic alarm and the electronic display that are powered by rechargeable battery that may be disposed within the VIPR shroud or within a removable cylinder base affixed to a bottom of the gas cylinder. Additional functionality and security features may be provided via additional internally disposed sensors and/or wireless or hard-wired communications with one or more auxiliary devices.

An apparatus is configured to be positioned between a boss and a shell of a pressure vessel. The boss includes a bore therethrough, and the bore has a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes an annular body and a gas permeable feature. The annular body includes an inner surface configured to abut the boss and an outer surface configured to abut the shell. The annular body has opposite first and second ends relative to the longitudinal axis. The gas permeable feature is provided on the inner surface and extends at least from the first end to the second end. The disclosure also describes a pressure vessel including a shell, and boss, and an apparatus positioned between the boss and the shell. A method for forming a pressure vessel includes mounting a boss on a mandrel, positioning an annular fitting about a neck of the boss, forming a liner, and forming an outer shell.

Gas-filling system including a base manifold having a flow-control component and a manifold body that is operably coupled to the flow-control component. The manifold body includes a fill port and first and second supply ports that open to an exterior of the base manifold. The first and second supply ports are in fluid communication with a common passage within the manifold body such that the gas flowing through the first supply port or through the second supply port flows through the common passage to the fill port. The fill port is configured to be in fluid communication with a container. The gas-filling system also includes an accessory module removably coupled to the manifold body. The accessory module is connected to the first supply port and has an inlet port.

A cryogenic pressure container for a motor vehicle has an inner container and an outer container. An evacuated space is arranged between the inner container and the outer container at least in some regions. The inner container has a synthetic material layer. A barrier layer is arranged at least in some regions between the synthetic material layer and the evacuated space. The barrier layer is designed and arranged so as to at least reduce the transfer of constituents leaking out of the synthetic material layer into the evacuated space, wherein a gap is formed at least in some regions between the barrier layer and the synthetic material layer.

Cryogenic propellant tank (1) for a spacecraft engine, comprising an external enclosure (10) defining an internal volume, characterized in that the internal volume of the tank comprises a primary volume (V1) and a secondary volume (V2) connected to the primary volume (V1) via a valve (20) configured to selectively allow a passage of fluid from the primary volume (V1) to the secondary volume (V2), or to isolate the secondary volume (V2) from the primary volume (V1), the primary volume (V1) having a primary orifice (11) adapted to be connected to a first pressurization source (41), the secondary volume (V2) having a supply orifice (4) adapted to be connected to a supply line of a spacecraft engine (30), and a secondary orifice (12) adapted to be connected to a second pressurization source (42).

An apparatus includes a high-pressure tank, a controller, a valve, controlled by the controller, and a compressor.