A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.

A method of manufacturing a pressure accumulator, using an AE signal for the pressure accumulator, includes: a first estimation step of estimating with an AE sensor provided at the pressure accumulator, a range of stress levels at each of which a damage AE signal that is generated from the pressure accumulator because of damage of material of the pressure accumulator is in a predetermined state; and a first design step of designing the pressure accumulator such that a minimum thickness of the pressure accumulator is determined based on the stress level range estimated in the first estimation step.

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 sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

A system includes a source of pressurized fluid, a primary pressure vessel disposed in fluid communication with the source, and a supplemental pressure vessel disposed in fluid communication with the source and in fluid communication with the primary pressure vessel. The primary pressure vessel has a first life expectancy duration and includes a first structural characteristic. The supplemental pressure vessel has a second life expectancy duration shorter than the first life expectancy duration and includes a second structural characteristic. A method uses a supplemental pressure vessel to predict impending failure of a primary pressure vessel. The method includes connecting a primary pressure vessel to a source of pressurized fluid, fluidly connecting a supplemental pressure vessel with the source and with the primary pressure vessel, and exposing the supplemental pressure vessel to a first fatigue load to cause its failure before failure of the primary pressure vessel occurs.

A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.

A method for managing the filling levels of a plurality of tanks arranged in a ship, said tanks being connected in such a way as to allow liquid to be transferred between said tanks, the method comprising providing an initial state (7) of the tanks, determining a target state (8) defining respective final filling levels of said tanks, determining a liquid transfer scenario (9), the transfer scenario defining one or more flows of liquid to be transferred between the tanks during a transfer period in order to shift from the initial state to the target state of the tanks, calculating a probability of damage to the tanks (10) during the course of said transfer scenario, as a function of successive filling levels of the tanks during the transfer period, if the probability of damage to the tanks satisfies an acceptance criterion, transferring (13) the liquid between the tanks in accordance with said transfer scenario.

A tank-in-tank fill level indicator, making use of noninvasive tank-in-tank measuring techniques. A vibration device, such as an exciter or resonator, vibrates the outer tank at its natural frequency of vibration, thereby inducing the vibration of the inner tank and a beating effect as a result of the interaction of the vibrations of the two tanks. A vibration detection device, such as an accelerometer, detects the resultant beating effect of the two tanks' induced vibrations. A data processing device, such as a microcontroller, processes the detection data to obtain the liquid volume. A display, wired or wireless data transmission device, or combination thereof, is then used to provide tank or container fill-level information.