A pressure vessel for containing a pressurized fluid is disclosed. An outer shell may define a cavity where the fluid is stored. An inner matrix substantially fills the cavity and undertakes a majority of the forces exerted by the stored fluid. The inner matrix is a series of interconnected nodes with a series of voids located therebetween. The voids contact one another so that fluid may flow therebetween, thus filling the cavity. The interconnected nodes are filleted at the points of contact to reduce stress concentrations. An inlet/outlet device may selectively permit the introduction and removal of the fluid from the cavity.

The disclosure relates to a storage device for storing gas and supplying a consumer with different gas pressure levels, comprising at least one low-pressure storage tank and at least one high-pressure storage tank. According to the disclosure, the low-pressure storage tank is connected to a low-pressure connection via a switchable first valve and the high-pressure storage tank is connected to a high-pressure connection via a switchable second valve, wherein it is possible to provide a connected consumer with a higher gas pressure level via the high-pressure connection than via the low-pressure connection. The low-pressure connection and the high-pressure connection are connected to each other via a switchable third valve. Furthermore, the tanks are connected to each other via a fourth valve. The valves are switchable in such a way that the low-pressure storage tank can be emptied to a lower minimum pressure level than the high-pressure storage tank.

A pressurized gas vessel port assembly incorporating a wall; a port extending through the wall; a nipple extending inwardly from the wall and having a hollow bore communicating with the port; a plug received within the hollow bore for movement between first and second positions, the plug residing at an inner end of the nipple at the first position and being displaced outwardly from the first position upon movement toward the second position; a venturi port opening the first nipple's hollow bore, the venturi being positioned outwardly from the first position for inducing an outward flow of the gas within the hollow bore; and incorporating a seat which outwardly overlies the venturi port, the seat being fitted for, upon a completion of the outward movement of the plug toward the second position, annularly contacting the plug and staunching the outward gas flow.

Systems and apparatus are disclosed relating to smart regulators and smart manifolds for welding-type systems. A smart regulator may be coupled to a fluid tank and provide information regarding the current pressure(s) and/or flow rate to a remote device and/or operator. The remote device may also determine and/or output additional information, such as, for example, remaining fluid and/or remaining time before the fluid runs out or becomes dangerously low. A smart manifold may be configured to work with several different fluid supplies. In this way, an operator may easily mix fluid types, switch between different fluid types, and/or switch between different fluid tanks.

A compressed air storage device has a flexible, elongated tubular configuration in which the tube has an internal volume that is configured to store sufficient compressed air to drive a hand-held pneumatic tool. The compressed air storage device has a variable diameter along its length and an internal space that extends between and communicates with couplings disposed at opposed ends of the device.