The present disclosure provides systems and methods for refilling fluid containers. A fluid container may include a bottle and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include two valves and be configured to engage with the bottle and a filling head or dispensing head. A system is configured to provide pressurized fluid to the refillable container, monitor filling, determine when to stop filling, and determine how much fluid was provided. The valve assembly may include a float mechanism coupled to one of the valves of the valve assembly to ensure fluid flow is stopped when the fluid container is full. The fluid, which can include carbon dioxide, is stored in a storage tank. A flow system provides the fluid to a filling head, which engages with the fluid container. The flow system includes a transfer pump, valves, and sensors configured to provide the fluid to the filling head.

A sensor assembly is positioned on an exterior of a tank to measure a fluid level within the tank. The tank is modified to include a surface feature and the sensor assembly is slotted within that surface feature. The sensor assembly includes a sensor device and a control circuit configured to drive the sensor device and evaluate readings to determine the fluid level. The sensor assembly further includes a communications interface to enable communication with a management system via a communications network. The management system can store information (e.g. fill status) related to the tank and additionally communicate with vendors or end users to coordinate resupply.

A pressure regulator for controlling the flow of gas from a high pressure source to a low pressure device and regulating a pressure to the low pressure device includes a body having a high pressure inlet and a regulated pressure outlet. The body has a series of passages and bores including first and second regulator valve assembly bores and first and second fill valve assembly bores. The first and second regulator valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages and the first and second fill valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages. A regulator valve assembly includes a seal, a regulator valve piston, a biasing member and an adjusting plug positioned in the first regulator valve assembly bore, and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second regulator valve assembly. A fill valve assembly includes a seal, a jam nut, a spring, a valve shaft, and a shaft actuator positioned in the first fill valve assembly bore and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second fill valve assembly bore.

The present disclosure is directed to a base configured to support a propane tank. The base can include a curved interior sidewall defining a cavity configured to receive the propane tank therein, the curved interior sidewall configured to frictionally engage the propane tank when the propane tank is inserted within the base and a roughened exterior surface positioned on an underside of the cavity, the roughened surface configured to frictionally engage with a surface on which the base is positioned. Further, the base can be constructed from a biodegradable molded pulp material.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for refilling fluid containers. A fluid container may include a bottle and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include two valves and be configured to engage with the bottle and a filling head or dispensing head. A system is configured to provide pressurized fluid to the refillable container, monitor filling, determine when to stop filling, and determine how much fluid was provided. The valve assembly may include a float mechanism coupled to one of the valves of the valve assembly to ensure fluid flow is stopped when the fluid container is full. The fluid, which can include carbon dioxide, is stored in a storage tank. A flow system provides the fluid to a filling head, which engages with the fluid container. The flow system includes a transfer pump, valves, and sensors configured to provide the fluid to the filling head.

A gas cylinder mobility aid is provided. A gas cylinder mobility aid for attachment to a collar of a gas cylinder, comprising a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. One or more coupling members affixed to the lower surface of the base plate wherein the one or more coupling members are positioned to form a frictional fit with the collar of the gas cylinder. A vertical member affixed at the center of said base plate and a handle rotatably attached to the vertical member such that the handle is present above the upper surface of the base plate and the handle rotates about the vertical member.

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.

The invention relates to a filling level measuring device for measuring the filling level in a container through the wall thereof by means of ultrasound, having an ultrasonic measuring head, a controller, and a fastening device by means of which the filling level measuring device can be fastened to the container such that the ultrasonic measuring head is pressed against the wall of the container. The invention further relates to a method of operating such a filling level measuring device, wherein a sampling rate is used which is situation-dependent. The invention finally relates to an assembly made up of such a filling level measuring device and at least one spacer which can be attached to the lower edge of a container to be provided with the filling level measuring device.

A method of transporting liquid petroleum gas (LPG) comprising coupling reverse thread fittings of a first tank to reverse thread fittings of a second tank, the first tank storing the LPG; and allowing the LPG to flow from the first tank to the second tank through the reverse thread fittings of the first tank and the reverse thread fittings of the second tank.

A pressure regulator for controlling the flow of gas from a high pressure source to a low pressure device and regulating a pressure to the low pressure device includes a body having a high pressure inlet and a regulated pressure outlet. The body has a series of passages and bores including first and second regulator valve assembly bores and first and second fill valve assembly bores. The first and second regulator valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages and the first and second fill valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages. A regulator valve assembly includes a seal, a regulator valve piston, a biasing member and an adjusting plug positioned in the first regulator valve assembly bore, and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second regulator valve assembly. A fill valve assembly includes a seal, a jam nut, a spring, a valve shaft, and a shaft actuator positioned in the first fill valve assembly bore and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second fill valve assembly bore.