F17C2205/0382

METHOD FOR OPERATING A TANK DEVICE FOR STORING COMPRESSED FLUIDS
20220042652 · 2022-02-10 ·

The invention relates to a method (200) for operating a tank device (1) for storing compressed fluids, having a tank (2), a valve device (100), a feed line (29), a flow-regulating element (27) situated in the feed line (29), and a control unit (64). The valve device (100) comprises a magnet apparatus (11), by means of which magnet apparatus (11) the opening and closing process of the valve device (100) can be controlled, the magnet apparatus (11) comprising a solenoid (10). A characteristic map (80) is stored in the control unit (64), in which characteristic map (80) reference pressure differences (70) with associated electrical current strengths for the solenoid (10) are stored, the electrical current strength being selected such that the valve device (100) is still open, an initial electrical current strength being stored in the characteristic map (80). The method is characterised by the following steps: a. applying (60) the initial electrical current strength to the solenoid (10); b. determining (61) the pressure p.sub.0 in the tank (2) and determining (61) the pressure p.sub.1 in the feed line (29) between the valve device (100) and the flow-regulating element (27); c. determining (62) the difference between the pressure p.sub.0 in the tank (2) and the pressure p.sub.1 in the feed line (29) between the valve device (100) and the flow-regulating element (27); d. assigning the determined difference between the pressure p.sub.0 in the tank (2) and the pressure p.sub.1 in the feed line (29) between the valve device (100) and the flow-regulating element (27) to one of the reference pressure differences (70) in the characteristic map (80) such that,—if the determined difference between the pressure p.sub.0 in the tank (2) and the pressure p.sub.1 in the feed line (29) between the valve device (100) and the flow-regulating element (27) can be assigned to one of the reference pressure differences (70): i. selecting (64) an electrical current strength assigned to the determined reference pressure difference (70) for the solenoid (10); ii. applying (65) the selected electrical current strength to the solenoid (10); iii. cyclically repeating (66) steps a. to d.; —if the determined difference between the pressure p.sub.0 in the tank (2) and the pressure p.sub.1 in the feed line (29) between the v

3D printed maze in pressure regulating valve
11396979 · 2022-07-26 · ·

A valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The valve body has an internal circumferential wall defining a gas passageway between the gas inlet and gas outlet. The inlet of the valve body is connectable to a source of pressurized gas. The valve also includes a rupture disc provided adjacent said gas inlet, wherein the ruptured disc is configured to prevent flow of gas through said inlet when intact and to allow flow of gas through said inlet when ruptured. The valve includes ribs radially extending from the internal circumferential wall, said ribs extending longitudinally in the direction to the gas outlet and from the gas inlet in a maze-type pattern. The ribs may be formed in a printed pattern to form a maze with dead-ends.

Fluid filling systems and methods

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.

Filling device
11193631 · 2021-12-07 · ·

To provide a filling apparatus capable of suppressing radial movement of a rod-shaped member (connecting pin) of a nozzle, and preventing damages and deformations (recesses and so on) from generating on an outer peripheral surface of the connecting pin. A filling apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes: a storage tank for storing hydrogen fuel; a filling nozzle (10) for filling a hydrogen gas from the storage tank through a fuel filling system to an in-vehicle hydrogen filling tank mounted on a vehicle; a rod-shaped member (2: connecting pin) and a main body portion (1) mounted on the filling nozzle (10); a sealing member (3: laminated sealing member) arranged on (a radially outer peripheral portion of the rod-shaped member of) the main body portion (1); a guide member (4: pressing member), projecting radially inward, mounted on a portion separated from an end side of the rod-shaped member (2) (from a receptacle 20 side in an in-vehicle hydrogen filling tank to the fuel filling system); and means for protecting an outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped member (2) from slide on the guide member (4).

Flow-blocking safety valve to prevent explosion of portable gas container
11371624 · 2022-06-28 · ·

There is provided a flow-blocking safety valve to prevent an explosion of a portable gas container, wherein, when the portable gas container overheats during use and the temperature rises above a predetermined level, a bridge hold supporting a pin of the safety valve melts and thus a pin or ball securely supported in the bridge holder becomes free to move to close a flow channel through which the gas flows, thereby blocking the gas discharge and preventing an accident occurring when the gas container bursts by overheating.

DUAL SOLENOID INITIATOR VALVE FOR COMPRESSED FLUID SOURCES

A dual solenoid valve for a compressed fluid source may comprise a bobbin and a first solenoid coil located around the bobbin. A second solenoid coil may be located radially outward of the first solenoid coil. An insulating layer may be located between the first solenoid coil and the second solenoid coil. A plunger may be biased away from the bobbin.

Pressure Relief Shipping Adapter for a Bottle Head Assembly
20220196212 · 2022-06-23 ·

In one embodiment, systems and methods include using a pressure relief shipping adapter to reduce the internal pressure of a container. A pressure relief shipping adapter comprises a body comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a first bore and a set of protrusions. The second portion comprises a second bore, wherein the second bore comprises a radial gap, wherein the radial gap comprises a uniform arc length along the length of the radial gap. A first end and a second end of the radial gap comprise a greater arc length than the radial gap. A pressure relief shipping adapter further comprises a pressure relief valve disposed at a first end of the first bore and an interlocking component comprising a first tab and a second tab, wherein the interlocking component is at least partially contained within the second bore.

Cross-activated pressure relief apparatus

A pressure relief apparatus for venting a tank comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a closure member retained, relative to the inlet and outlet ports, for preventing, or substantially preventing, fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, a trigger mechanism including a temperature response portion, and a compartment for receiving pressurized fluid from the outlet port and communicating the received pressurized fluid to the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism and the closure member are cooperatively configured to release the closure member and establish fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, thereby venting the tank, upon detection of a temperature at or above a predetermined temperature threshold or upon pressurization of the compartment at or above a predetermined pressure threshold.

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FILLING TANKS

Device and method for filling pressurized-gas tanks, comprising a fluid transfer circuit provided with an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of gas and at least two parallel downstream ends intended to be connected to distinct tanks that are to be filled, the transfer circuit comprising a temperature regulating member for regulating the temperature of the gas transferred from the source towards the downstream ends, the gas temperature regulating member being positioned in the transfer circuit upstream of the at least two downstream ends, which means to say that the gas temperature regulating member is common to the at least two downstream ends, characterized in that the at least two downstream ends of the circuit each comprise a respective control member for controlling the flow rate and/or the pressure of the transferred gas and configured to control the flow rate and/or the pressure in each of the downstream ends independently.

System for automatically replacing high-pressure gas tank and method thereof
11320094 · 2022-05-03 · ·

Disclosed is system for automatically replacing a high-pressure gas tank, including: a high-pressure gas tank lift installed in a cabinet which is able to be elevated and including a die to load a high-pressure gas tank thereon; a high-pressure gas tank clamp clamping the high-pressure gas tank loaded on the die of the high-pressure gas tank lift to align the position of the high-pressure gas tank; a high-pressure gas tank connection unit removing an end cap from the high-pressure gas tank elevated by the high-pressure gas tank lift to automatically connect a connector holder to a gas injection nozzle and control the flow of gas; and control unit installed in the cabinet to control operation of the high-pressure gas tank connection unit, the high-pressure gas tank lift, and the high-pressure gas tank clamp.