A pressure vessel mounting structure (10) includes a plurality of bands (11) made of a composite material cured about the exterior surface (35) of the pressure vessel (30) to form an integral part of the vessel. The bands (11) may be spaced apart from one another to form a crisscrossing helical grid pattern with opposing ends (21) of the bands extending past a respective end (31) of the pressure vessel (30) and toward a longitudinal centreline (33) of the pressure vessel (30) to form a skirt (17). The skirt (17) provides mounting mounts (15) as well as a vertical standing mount for the vessel.

A fully removable chime or valve guard that can support the container on its top, side and bottom is provided. The removable chime or valve guard provides protection if the container is dropped on its side or top. The protection provided allows the containers to pass a drop test per 49 CFR section 178.603, so the containers can be certified per 49 CFR 178.504.

A portable gas cylinder assembly is disclosed which includes a gas cylinder having a central axis and a protective shroud configured to encase the gas cylinder and including opposed half-sections mechanically connected to one other along a vertical plane intersecting the central axis of the gas cylinder.

A fuel transfer station may provide for the refilling of fuel canisters providing fuel to combustion powered equipment. The fuel transfer station may include a base, a frame coupled to the base, a first connection port and a second connection port provided in the base, and fluid flow lines connecting the first connection port and the second connection port. A supply tank may be supported by the frame and detachably connected to the first connection port. A fuel canister to be refilled may be detachably connected to the second connection port. Fuel contained in the supply tank may be selectively supplied to the fuel canister through the fluid flow lines in response to a pressure gradient drawing the fuel into the fuel canister.

A system for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of straight sections of tube. The plurality of straight sections of tube are dense packed. The plurality of straight sections of tube are configured to fill a designated volume.

A portable gas cylinder assembly which includes a gas cylinder having a central axis, a protective shroud configured to encase the gas cylinder and including opposed half-sections mechanically connected to one other along a vertical plane intersecting the central axis of the gas cylinder, a cover member, separate from the opposed half-sections of the protective shroud, for supporting a lower portion of the gas cylinder within the opposed half-sections, and a base member, separate from the opposed half-sections of the protective shroud, for supporting a lower portion of the gas cylinder within the opposed half-sections.

The invention relates to an attachment device for attaching (DA) self-sealing plates against an external wall of a tank, said attachment device comprising: a part (PC) shapeable to the shape of said self-sealing plates; a plurality of straps (S1, S2, S3); a first connection means (PBM, PLQ, PBC) between the straps (S1, S2, S3) and the shapeable part (PC); a second connection means (DBM, DLQ) between the straps (S1, S2, S3) and the shapeable part (PC).

A pressure vessel includes a vessel main body, a first protective member, and a second protective member. The vessel main body is configured to contain gas inside. The second protective member is configured to exhibit performance that is different from that of the first protective member. One of the first protective member and the second protective member has recesses that the other one of the first protective member and the second protective member does not have at an end on a peak of a domical panel side provided with the one of the first protective member and the second protective member.

The invention relates to a gas distribution assembly comprising a gas container (20), such as a gas cylinder, a valve unit fixed to the gas container (20) and a protective cap (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged around the said valve unit, the protective cap (1, 2, 3, 4) comprising an opening (9) in which a rotary control member (5) is housed. The opening (9) is bordered by a protruding brim (7) jutting out from the external surface of the body (2) of the protective cap (1, 2, 3, 4). The protruding brim (7) comprises a cutout (8) forming a reading window so that marks or markings (11) corresponding to gas flow-rate values can be read.

A method and apparatus for a natural gas filling station comprising a dispenser; a structure covering the dispenser and having a canopy top; at least one tank disposed on the canopy top, the tank having at least one gas therein comprising CNG or LNG; and at least one line between the tank and the dispenser for communicating the gas between the tank and the dispenser.