An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

An operating fluid container for a motor vehicle for accommodating an operating fluid. The operating fluid container has a compensation container that is at least indirectly fluidically connected to the atmosphere (ATM). The operating fluid container has the following features: the compensation container is situated within the operating fluid container in such a way that an outer surface of a compensation container upper shell is situated opposite from an inner surface of an operating fluid container upper shell; in the event of positive pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, a compensation container volume decreases; and in the event of negative pressure in the operating fluid container relative to the atmosphere, the compensation container volume increases. The operating fluid container is characterized in that the compensation container upper shell opposite from the operating fluid container upper shell has a shape, at least in sections, that is complementary to the operating fluid container upper shell.

A fuel storage system is provided for storing dimethylether (DME), a blend including DME, or other similar highly volatile fuel at a vehicle. The fuel storage system including a main storage tank, an expansion tank, a fuel filling receptacle configured to receive a fuel filling nozzle of a filling station, and a valve arrangement having at least a normal operating setting and a fuel filling setting. The valve arrangement in the normal operating setting provides a fuel passage between the main storage tank and the expansion tank, and the valve arrangement in the fuel filling setting both provides a fuel passage between the fuel filling receptacle and the main storage tank and prevents fuel flow between the main storage tank and the expansion tank. The fuel storage system is configured to mechanically prevent disconnection of the fuel filling nozzle from the fuel filling receptacle unless the valve arrangement is in the normal operating setting. A corresponding method, as well as a further example embodiment of the fuel storage system, are also provided.

A fuel tank for a vehicle, having a plurality of chambers, the chambers fluidly connected to allow a flow of fuel between the chambers, where at least one of the chambers has a flexible fluid container contained within an expandable rigid outer shell.

A hybrid vehicle having an electric drive with an energy storage device for the electric drive, and an internal combustion engine, and a tank device having a tank for storing fuel for the internal combustion engine. The hybrid vehicle further includes a cooling circuit, extending through the tank, having a circulating cooling medium to cool the energy storage device and also cool the fuel in the tank.

Filling methods and systems are provided for a conformable fuel tank. In one example, a system comprises an active thermal management arrangement for the conformable fuel tank. The active thermal management arrangement comprises one or more recirculation passage for mixing hot fuel distal to an inlet port of the conformable fuel tank with cool incoming fuel flowing to the inlet port.

A hybrid vehicle having an electric drive with an energy storage device for the electric drive, and an internal combustion engine, and a tank device having a tank for storing fuel for the internal combustion engine. The hybrid vehicle further includes a cooling circuit, extending through the tank, having a circulating cooling medium to cool the energy storage device and also cool the fuel in the tank.

An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

A fuel tank cover (150) is provided with a flange unit (22) closing an opening of a fuel tank, and a joint member (24) configured to be connected to the flange unit (22) movably in the upward/downward direction. The flange unit (22) includes a side tubular portion (43) extending in the upward/downward direction. The joint member (24) includes a columnar portion (160) extending in the upward/downward direction. The columnar portion (160) is inserted into the side tubular portion (43) movably in the upward/downward direction. A metal retainer (162) is provided to cover an outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion (160).

An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.