A flame mitigation device (FMD) for use within a portable fuel container includes a generally cylindrical body having an interior sidewall and exterior sidewall. An annular rim is configured at an upper end of the body and a bottom wall is further configured at a lower end of the body. The FMD includes one or more indented fuel flow members extending from the interior of the annual rim for decreasing cyclonic effect of fuel flowing into the body and a plurality of stepped ribs configured on the interior sidewall of the body for centering diesel and gasoline fuel pump nozzles when inserted into the body. A reverse domed shaped bottom help to disperse fuel though a plurality of substantially rectangular shaped holes through the side wall and bottom wall.

A liquid storage tank has a breathing valve that vents the tank's headspace at a high-pressure value and admits an ambient gas at a low-pressure value. A controller generates a first control signal when the percentage of the catalyst gas is less than a catalyst threshold, a second control signal when the percentage of the catalyst gas exceeds the catalyst threshold, and a third control signal when the pressure in the headspace is equal to a low-pressure threshold between the breathing valve's low-pressure value and high-pressure value. The first valve is only opened to output inert gas at a discharge pressure greater than the breathing valve's high-pressure value in response to the second control signal. The second valve is only opened to output inert gas at a discharge pressure that is between the breathing valve's low-pressure value and high-pressure value in response to the third control signal.

The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel apparatus for assembling a base module of the present invention. The apparatus may include an initial stage, and intermediate stage, and a rolling stage. The initial stage is operative to receive a spool of mesh material. The intermediate stage is operative to conduct the mesh material between the initial stage and the rolling stage, as well as carry out a number of other operations associated with the present invention. The rolling stage is operative to roll the unspooled mesh material into a base module in accordance with at last one embodiment of the present invention.

A portable fuel container configured to prevent liquid fuel contained therein from being entirely emptied from the container. The amount of liquid fuel retained in the container can be sufficient to maintain a fuel-to-air ratio in the container at a fuel-rich level that prevents combustion within the container if the container were to be placed near an ignition source or if an ignition source were to somehow enter the container. The container can also include other safety features such as, for example, a flash suppressor located at the fill opening, an extra wide fill opening, and/or an easily controllable dispensing spout. When a flash suppressor is employed, the perforations in the flash suppressor can be configured to retain fuel therein after fuel has been dispensed from the container and the flash suppressor is no longer submerged in fuel.

The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel base module from which assemblies of varying shape and size, suitable for disposing within a variety of different fluid containers, are created. In one embodiment, the base module is made from an expanded mesh which is rolled in a novel cylindrical configuration according to a novel methodology. In another embodiment, the base module may be combined with other base modules to form an assembly.

A flame mitigation device (FMD) for use within a portable fuel container includes a generally cylindrical body having an interior sidewall and exterior sidewall. An annular rim is configured at an upper end of the body and a bottom wall is further configured at a lower end of the body. The FMD includes one or more indented fuel flow members extending from the interior of the annual rim for decreasing cyclonic effect of fuel flowing into the body and a plurality of stepped ribs configured on the interior sidewall of the body for centering diesel and gasoline fuel pump nozzles when inserted into the body. A reverse domed shaped bottom help to disperse fuel though a plurality of substantially rectangular shaped holes through the side wall and bottom wall.

The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel apparatus for assembling a base module of the present invention. The apparatus may include an initial stage, and intermediate stage, and a rolling stage. The initial stage is operative to receive a spool of mesh material. The intermediate stage is operative to conduct the mesh material between the initial stage and the rolling stage, as well as carry out a number of other operations associated with the present invention. The rolling stage is operative to roll the unspooled mesh material into a base module in accordance with at last one embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel fuel containers which take advantage of the inventive principles disclosed herein. In one embodiment a fuel drum includes a plurality of base assemblies arranged in a drum cluster, and disposed within the drum. In another embodiment, a portable fuel container includes a plurality of base assemblies arranged in a can cluster and disposed within the portable fuel container. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of base assemblies are arranged in a cell cluster and disposed within a lattice structure.

The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes novel methods for assembling base modules by rolling sheets of expanded mesh into generally cylindrical shapes. Tension within the sheet of expanded mesh may be modulated during the rolling process in order to vary the density of the base module as desired. In further embodiments, the method includes arranging a plurality of base modules along a cylindrical axis to form an assembly. Assemblies may be utilized to fill containers that store fuel and other combustible fluids.

Flame mitigation system for retractable/extendible spout formed in a closure is described. The system meets applicable regulatory requirements and includes a flame mitigating mesh element in a rigid spout section immediately above a flexible section that extends and retracts. A tamper evident panel is disposed above the mesh, while a removable cap can be affixed to the rigid spout. An optional, snap-fitting cylindrical guard may also be used. In each instance, the precise positioning of selected elements and inner diameter and axial travel distance of selected elements can be determinative of the system's ability to pass the regulatory requirements.