Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.

The present disclosure relates to a field of soil-covered tank and includes a gas collecting and exhausting unit, a safety sealing unit and a closed-loop ventilation unit; a gas collecting pipe is located in a valve chamber and a channel, and the gas collecting pipe, a fan and an exhaust pipe are connected in sequence; a gas monitor of the safety sealing unit is used for monitoring concentration of combustible gases, a controller is connected to the gas monitor, a temperature sensor, a valve and a fan by conducting wires, and the controller set a warning temperature value and a warning gases concentration value and is capable of controlling actions of the valve and the fan; and the closed-loop ventilation unit is formed among a plurality of gas collecting and exhausting units.

A method for controlling purging of hydrogen from a hydrogen circuit system of a vehicle, the hydrogen circuit system having a hydrogen conduit being arranged in fluid communication with at least one hydrogen tank, the method being implemented by a hydrogen control system comprising at least one processing circuitry, the method comprising deactivating one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems into a non-ignitable state in response to a control signal indicative of a request for purging the hydrogen circuit system, and performing purging of the hydrogen circuit system when the one or more vehicle functions and vehicle systems are set into the non-ignitable state.

An integrated pressure regulator is provided with three stages configured to reduce an extreme tank pressure down to a typical working pressure. The regulator is configured to supply a steady working pressure until the tank pressure is reduced to little more than the working pressure itself. Stages of the pressure regulator are integrated into a body and arranged to minimize regulator mass and volume. A thermally-triggered pressure relief device may be included with a triggering time adapted to enhance the safety of smaller cylinders that may be used, e.g., in aerial applications.

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.

A suction method that sucks inside of a filling nozzle used for supply of hydrogen by using a suction nozzle that is engaged with the filling nozzle, the suction method comprising: evacuating a vacuum chamber by using a vacuum pump; and sucking inside of the suction nozzle by using the evacuated vacuum chamber.

A fueling station can include an outer housing comprising a housing volume, a first fluid bladder positioned within the housing volume and configured to hold a first fluid, a second fluid bladder positioned within the housing volume and configured to hold a second fluid, a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid bladder, a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the second bladder, a first hose positioned at least partially outside the outer housing and in fluid communication with both the first and second fluid conduits, and a bi-directional first nozzle connected to an end of the first hose opposite the first and second fluid conduits. The bi-directional first nozzle can be configured to simultaneously release fluid from the first hose and to collect fluid into the first hose. The first fluid bladder can be configured to release fluid through the first conduit in response to introduction of fluid into the second fluid bladder via the second conduit. The second fluid bladder can be configured to release fluid through the second conduit in response to introduction of fluid into the first fluid bladder via the first conduit.

A multifunction valve for a flange of a high pressure hydrogen tank for a fuel cell automotive system having a one-piece ejector body applicable to a head surface of a valve body is provided.

According to some embodiments, a cryogenic storage tank includes a manway formed in a body of the cryogenic storage tank. An inner manway lid is coupled to an inner wall of the cryogenic storage tank and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. An outer manway lid is coupled to an outer wall of the cryogenic storage tank and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. The inner and outer manway lids are configured to retain pressure within the cryogenic storage tank.

A cryogenic tank arrangement includes a tank body enclosing a storage space for storing liquefied gas. The tank arrangement has a safety valve arrangement in which at least one pressure relief valve is directly connected to the storage space of the tank body. There is a pressure relief valve arranged directly connected to at least two locations on a same face of the tank body.