Patent ID: 6722186
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B65D,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for preparing a fuel tank for repairs and verifying repair work upon completion, said apparatus comprising:a supply system constructed and arranged to be coupled to said fuel tank to provide a supply of inert gas into said fuel tank to purge said fuel tank of oxygen to a certain level and to inert said fuel tank with said gas, wherein the certain level of oxygen is maintained during performance of repair work, the repair work being associated with an area of said fuel tank, said supply system including a gas release system constructed and arranged to provide said supply of inert gas and including an arrangement to connect and facilitate transport of said inert gas, a supply mechanism configured and positioned to facilitate and regulate a transfer of gas from said gas release system to said fuel tank, and a connector mechanism to couple said supply mechanism to said gas release system; a relief system constructed and arranged to be coupled to said fuel tank to regulate and relieve pressure in said fuel tank; and a plurality of connectors, a first of said plurality of connectors constructed and arranged to couple said supply system to said fuel tank, and a second of said plurality of connectors constructed and arranged to couple said relief system to said fuel tank wherein said supply system comprises an arrangement of a pressure regulating mechanism, a flow measuring mechanism, and a pressure measuring mechanism along at least one passage to carry said gas, and wherein said supply system further comprises at least one flow control mechanism that is configured and positioned to isolate each of said pressure regulating mechanism, flow measuring mechanism, and pressure measuring mechanism from the at least one passage and from the other of said pressure regulating mechanism, flow measuring mechanism, and pressure measuring mechanism.