[Problem] When configuring a device for storing and supplying fluid, each components such as vessels, valves/pipes and the like, are placed independently outside a vessel that stores the fluid, and even if these components are small, the volume of the area between the components cannot be effectively used because each of them occupies the surrounding area, and when the total size of the device is limited, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient volume of the vessel that stores the fluid. The present invention provides a design for a configuration of a mechanism consisting of components such as valves/pipes and the like, that functions for storing and exhausting the fluid inside the storage vessel to innovatively improve the volume usage efficiency of the device.

A valve for a fluid reservoir includes an inner portion configured to be arranged inside the reservoir, the inner portion including at least one portion of a sensor for measuring at least one parameter characterizing the fluid, the valve being capable of receiving information from a computer, external to the valve, the valve also includes an outer portion configured to be arranged outside the reservoir, the outer portion having an internal computer that acquires data from the at least one sensor, communicates bidirectionally with the external computer, takes into account information received from the external computer and data from the at least one sensor for controlling at least one actuator of the valve, and measures at least one current parameter in the electrical connection.

An automatic obstruction device for closing a filling circuit for filling a tank with fluid includes: a movable element movable between a non-obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable element offers resistance to the fluid compatible with the filling of the tank, and an obstruction position of the filling circuit, in which the movable offers a resistance to the fluid that is incompatible with the filling of the tank; a holding element of the movable element holding the movable element in the non-obstruction position, and allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position; and a first device of non-reversible movement or of non-reversible modification of the holding element allowing movement of the movable element toward the obstruction position, and being controllable by a control device.

A load-decoupling attachment system is configured to secure to a primary structure. The load-decoupling attachment system includes one or more baffle tiers. One or more beams are coupled to the one or more baffle tiers. The one or more beams include a fore end and an aft end. A fore end coupling joint is configured to secure the fore end to a first portion of the primary structure. The fore end coupling joint includes a spherical bearing that allows the fore end to rotate in relation to the first portion of the primary structure. An aft end coupling joint is configured to secure the aft end to a second portion of the primary structure. The aft end coupling joint includes a slot that allows the aft end to linearly translate in relation to the second portion of the primary structure.

A container includes one or more hollow shell assemblies, each assembly having a first hollow shell including a first inner surface to cover a portion of a pressure vessel (PV) and a second hollow shell including a second inner surface attachable to the first hollow shell. The first and/or second hollow shells may include a fiber layer that may be at least partially impregnated with resin, and an energy dissipating material that is substantially concentric with the inner surfaces of the respective shells. The first and second hollow shells are attachable to one another to define a volume for at least partially enclosing the PV, and may be overwrapped via filament winding.

One or more indicators provide an indication of fueling status of a hydrogen powered vehicle. One or more sensors detect temperature and/or other characteristics of the fuel provided to the vehicle and provide an electrical signal to one or more of the indicators to permit an indication of fueling status. The indicators, which may be visual and/or audible, may be positioned on the fueling apparatus and on the vehicle in the vicinity of a fueling receptacle. The indicators may also be positioned elsewhere on the vehicle and may be separate from the vehicle such as on or around a fueling station and/or on separate computerized devices.

A heat exchanger comprises an inlet, an outlet, a heat exchanging channel, and an opening. The heat exchanging channel surrounds a cavity. The opening provides access to the cavity. The inlet is coupled to one end of the heat exchanging channel and the outlet is coupled to another end of the heat exchanging channel. The heat exchanging channel is isolated from the cavity. No access or passage is present between the heat exchanging channel and the cavity. During operation, heat exchanging fluid flows through the heat exchanging channel thereby cooling fluid within the cavity. The heat exchanging fluid never contacts the fluid within the cavity. In various embodiments, the heat exchanging channel has a single or stacked layer when viewed along a cross section. The heat exchanging channel has a spherical, cylindrical, or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, an insulative layer is disposed between layers of the heat exchanging channel.

Various embodiments of space launch vehicle systems and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems include a reusable, horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing (HTHL), ground-assisted single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane that is capable of providing frequent deliveries of people and/or cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In some embodiments, the spaceplane can takeoff with the aid of a rocket-powered sled that, in addition to providing additional thrust for takeoff, can also provide propellant for the spaceplane engines during the takeoff run so that the spaceplane launches with full propellant tanks.

A hybrid softening strip for controlling stresses in a joint at low temperatures includes a layer of sacrificial material that can be tailored to fit the softening strip in the joint after the softening strip has been bonded to a structure.

The invention relates to a container for holding and storing liquids and viscous materials, in particular cryogenic fluids, comprising a jacket (12), which defines the interior (14) of the container (10) having a chamber (16), said container (10) being constituted of at least two container structures (20, 20′, 20″) and each of said at least two container structures (20, 20′, 20″) being formed as one piece from a blank (32) and having a dome portion (22), a branching portion (24), which is contiguous to the dome portion (22), and two cylinder portions (26, 28; 26′, 28′), which are contiguous to the branching portion (24), and the mutually facing container structures (20, 20; 20′, 20″) which are adjacent to each other being joined together.