The present invention is directed to improved assembly for transporting flammable fluids. In an example, the assembly comprises a conduit, a liner, and a core. The liner comprises a material that contracts in response to an elevation in temperature. In an example, the liner comprises a material that expands in response to an elevation in temperature.

Embodiments are directed to compressed gas storage units exhibiting one or more safety features. Particular embodiments employ a pressure relief mechanism to rapidly yet safely vent the contents of the tank in the event of a fire. The mechanism may comprise an internally piloted relief valve in communication with temperature-sensitive element(s) present along the tank dimensions. Under high temperature conditions indicative of a fire, the element communicates a signal to open the internally piloted relief valve. In some embodiments the element is configured to communicate a heat signal (e.g., by thermal conduction). In certain embodiments the element is configured to communicate a pressure change signal (e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic). In other embodiments the element may communicate different signal types, such as electric (e.g., thermoelectric) or mechanical (e.g., shear or tension forces). Also disclosed is a module incorporating a plurality of tanks to offer enhanced storage capacity.

A system for reducing the risk of waterlines freezing provides a solenoid controlled valve which may be cycled twice an hour for a minute (or longer if desired) to avoid ice buildup in the lines. The control circuit allows the homeowner flexibility in determining whether to allow the cycle timers (preferably 3 inexpensive timers) to control the solenoid valve's cycling directly or to permit a thermostat to intervene, cycling only when the set point of the thermostat is reached.

An air dryer having a heater element associated with its valves to prevent freezing at cold temperatures. The air dryer includes a temperature sensor and an electronic controller that reads the temperature sensor and inhibits actuation of the valves whenever the temperature of valves is below freezing or a predetermined temperature that indicates a risk for freezing until the valves have been sufficiently warmed by the heater to avoid freezing during operation.

An air dryer having a heater element associated with its valves to prevent freezing at cold temperatures. The air dryer includes a temperature sensor and an electronic controller that reads the temperature sensor and inhibits actuation of the valves whenever the temperature of valves is below freezing or a predetermined temperature that indicates a risk for freezing until the valves have been sufficiently warmed by the heater to avoid freezing during operation.

The invention provides a device for protecting a high-pressure gas tank of a motor vehicle. The device includes at least one heat-conducting plate and a thermal triggering unit. The heat-conducting plate has a distal region and a proximal region. The proximal region is arranged immediately adjacent to the thermal triggering unit and the distal region is arranged at a distance from the thermal triggering unit. The heat-conducting plate may be shaped so that it tapers from the distal region to the proximal region. The proximal region itself may be shaped in a tapering fashion. The heat-conducting plate may include heat-conducting fibers.

A valve and actuator assembly that includes a valve configured to control a flow of liquid into a coil or heat exchanger. The valve and actuator assembly further includes a valve actuator configured to control opening and closing of the valve via positioning of a valve closure member. The valve actuator is further configured to provide both a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate of the liquid through the valve. In an embodiment, the valve actuator includes a valve closure member position sensor configured to determine the position of the valve closure member based on a flow rate of the liquid through the valve.

According to an example, a system for managing a fluid condition in a pipe includes a controller to receive temperatures of the pipe detected by the temperature sensor over a period of time. The controller may determine, based upon the temperatures of the pipe over the period of time, a temperature profile of the pipe and may determine that the temperature profile of the pipe indicates that a freezing onset event has occurred. The freezing onset event may include a transition from a drop in temperature to an increase in temperature, in which the temperature during the transition is below a freezing point temperature of a fluid contained in the pipe. The controller may further trigger at least one of an alarm and an activation of a first freezing prevention device in response to the determination that the freezing onset event has occurred.

The present invention is directed to improved assembly for transporting flammable fluids. In an example, the assembly comprises a conduit, a liner, and a core. The liner comprises a material that contracts in response to an elevation in temperature. In an example, the liner comprises a material that expands in response to an elevation in temperature.

An apparatus includes a foreline for conveying a waste stream which is drawn from a process chamber to a pumping mechanism. The foreline comprises an isolation valve for selectively isolating the pumping mechanism from the process chamber and a bypass positioned around the isolation valve. The apparatus further comprises a controller for actuating the isolation valve. The controller is configured to cause the isolation valve to be closed when the waste stream is initially drawn from the process chamber, during which time the waste stream is conveyed to the pumping mechanism via the bypass. The bypass includes means for inhibiting propagation of a flame front therethrough. The controller is configured to cause the isolation valve to be opened once a pressure within a region upstream of the isolation valve has been reduced below a value at which propagation of a flame front within the waste stream can be sustained.