Pressure vessel transport system

A pressure vessel transport system can have one or more handles that allow a pressure vessel to be efficiently and safely transported. The transport system can consist of a housing surrounding a pressure vessel with the pressure vessel having a valve. The housing may continuously extend along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel to position the valve within the housing.

SUMMARY

A pressure vessel transport system, in accordance with various embodiments, consists of a housing surrounding a pressure vessel with the pressure vessel having a valve. The housing may continuously extend along a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel to position the valve within the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a system for safely and efficiently transporting a pressurized vessel. It is noted that a pressure vessel is hereby meant as any sealed contained with an internal chamber having a pressure above ambient atmospheric pressure. As such, a pressure vessel can be constructed with any shape, size, number of pieces, and material.

FIG. 1conveys a block representation of an example environment100in which assorted embodiments of the present disclosure can be practiced. The environment100has one or more pressure vessels102that are utilized by a pressurized system104to harness the potential energy stored in the pressure vessel102. That is, the pressure vessel102can contain nearly any liquid or gas at any pressure that has a potential energy when pressure is released and/or when the contained fluid is ignited.

Regardless of what fluid is contained within the pressure vessel102, a valve106of the pressure vessel102connects to a receiver108of the pressurized system104to allow selective engagement of the contained fluid with the pressurized system104. Hence, the valve106can have a manual and/or manual knob, solenoid, switch, or button that allows the fluid within the pressure vessel102to escape into the receiver108of the pressurized system104. The pressure vessel102may additionally have one or more integrated handles110and a base112that simplify vessel storage and movement, but such vessel102aspects are optional, as illustrated by the segmented boxes inFIG. 1.

It is contemplated that the pressure vessel102can be cyclically filled by a compressor and/or pump followed by fluid release into the receiver108. However, conventional vessel fill stations are cumbersome, bulky, and resident in a location distal and separated from the pressurized system104. Hence, transportation of a pressurized pressure vessel102from a fill station to the pressurized system104is often necessary. Such transport can be difficult due to pressure vessel102weight and size and can be dangerous due to the relatively high pressure and volatility of the fluid being contained in the pressure vessel102.

Accordingly, assorted embodiments are directed to incorporating the pressure vessel102into a transport system that allows the vessel102to be moved more easily and safely.FIGS. 2A and 2Brespectively illustrate line representations of example pressure vessels120and130that can respectively be employed in the environment100as part of a transport system.FIG. 2Adisplays a first vessel120that has an interior sealed volume that is accessed by a valve106. The first vessel120also has an integrated handle110and base112that are permanent aspects of the vessel housing122. That is, the handle110and base112are each integrated, or affixed, to the housing122in a manner that prevents user relocation of the handle110and/or base112.

Positioning the vessel's handle110and base112outside of the housing122can correspond to a substantially central center of gravity124due to the weight and size of the handle110and base112relative to the vessel housing122. The second pressure vessel130ofFIG. 2Bdepicts how a vessel can be configured without a handle110or base112. Although it is contemplated that the second vessel housing132can be shaped to consist of a planar surface, the housing132of the non-limiting example second vessel130has only curvilinear exterior surfaces that are not conducive to temporary or permanent storage.

The lack of a handle110in the second vessel130creates a dangerous situation where a user will grasp the vessel valve106during transport. Such activity can stress the joint between the valve106and housing132and/or inadvertently open the valve106and create a hazardous situation. Without any extra exterior housing material to form a handle110and/or base112, the second vessel130has a center of gravity134that is offset from the housing center towards the valve106, which can make the vessel unbalanced and awkward to transport, store, and mount.

Accordingly, various embodiments integrate the first120or second130pressure vessels into a vessel transport system where an external transport housing surrounds the vessel to protect the valve106while providing a handle to ease moving the vessel.FIG. 3displays a line representation of an example pressure vessel transport system140that is constructed and operated in accordance with some embodiments. The transport system140has a pressure vessel142disposed within a transport housing144that surrounds the vessel142.

The transport housing144is configured to be a single piece of material that folds along predictable grooves to surround the pressure vessel142. The transport housing144further continuously extends along the longitudinal axis of the vessel, parallel to the Z axis, to position the vessel valve146within the areal extent of the transport housing144. That is, the transport housing144wraps around the pressure vessel142and defines an interior areal extent148that corresponds with the internal dimensions of the housing144. By positioning the valve146within the areal extent148of the housing144, the valve146is protected from external trauma and inadvertent activation.

As shown, the transport housing144can have one or more valve apertures150that allow access to the vessel valve146. The valve apertures150allow the pressure vessel142to remain in the transport housing142while being connected to a receiver, such as receiver108ofFIG. 1. The transport housing144is configured with planar ends152that allow the system140to be stored upright on any flat surface. For instance, the system140allows a pressure vessel142with no base to be reliably stored in an upright (Z axis) orientation due to the planar end152contacting another flat surface.

Although not required or limiting, the external handle154defined by the transport housing144can be complemented by a hoist handle156that is proximal the vessel valve146. It can be appreciated that the housing handle154allows for efficient transport of the pressure vessel142in a horizontal orientation while the hoist handle156allows for efficient transport of the pressure vessel142in a vertical orientation. The hoist handle156can be a part of a hoist assembly158that positions a centering member160in contact with the housing144and vessel142to secure the hoist handle156.

The combination of differently oriented handles154/156allows for convenient and balanced movement of the transport system140without concern for the integrity of the valve146or the location of the vessel's center of gravity. It is contemplated that the transport housing144can be loosely wrapped around the pressure vessel142, as shown, or is secured with one or more fastening means. In other words, engagement of the exterior handle154by a user may sufficient to retain the transport housing144in contact with, and surrounding, the pressure vessel142or a fastening means, such as a screw, rivet, or magnet, can secure the transport housing144in the configuration shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4is an exploded view line representation of an example pressure vessel transport system170arranged in accordance with various embodiments. It is noted that common reference numbers will denote similar aspects of different drawings, but does not require the aspects to be identical.

As shown, the pressure vessel142is loosely integrated into the transport housing144without any direct mounting hardware. That is, the pressure vessel142is not secured directly to the transport housing144and instead is loose to move and vibrate within the areal extent148defined by the transport housing144. Although the hoist assembly158centers the pressure vessel142via contact of the centering member160with the vessel housing, the pressure vessel142remains free to move and vibrate. By configuring the transport system140/170to maintain the pressure vessel142in a loose arrangement, any pressure, trauma, and force is absorbed by the entirety of the pressure vessel housing142instead of a particular mounting point, or points. Thus, the loose vessel arrangement allows the strength of the entire vessel housing to be used to combat external contact.

The loose pressure vessel142arrangement in the transport housing144is complemented by the shape and size of the transport housing144that provides the planar ends152at locations outside the extent of the pressure vessel142or valve146. In some embodiments, the planar end152distal the valve146is covered with a base plate that protects the bottom of the pressure vessel142and provides a rigid surface to support the transport system170in an upright orientation. Meanwhile, the opposite planar end152remains open to allow the hoist handle156and valve be individually accessed selectively.

As previously noted, the transport housing144can be secured in the cylindrical configuration shown inFIGS. 3 & 4by one or more fastening means. The non-limiting embodiment ofFIG. 4conveys how multiple securing apertures172can be positioned along connection flanges174that define the exterior handle154. The securing apertures172can be resident on each flange174positioned on opposite sides of the transport housing144and a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, magnet, or other protrusion, can extend through aligned apertures172to maintain at least a portion of the transport housing144in a cylindrical shape that defines the areal extent148, which can also be characterized as an interior volume between the planar ends152.

Other fastening apertures may also be positioned on various regions of the transport housing144. For instance, one or more baseplate apertures176can be positioned proximal a planar end152to allow fasteners to extend into and secure a baseplate in position covering the planar end152distal the vessel valve146. Hoist apertures178may be positioned proximal the valve146to allow fasteners to extend into and secure at least the centering member160in contacting position with the pressure vessel housing. It is contemplated that hoist apertures may be utilized to secure the hoist handle156to the transport housing144. However, such hoist handle156securement does not necessitate a stationary hoist handle156as the fastening means via the hoist apertures178may allow for rotation of the hoist handle156relative to the centering member160and transport housing144.

The hoist assembly158can consist of one or more dampening members180that are disposed between the centering member160and the pressure vessel142. The dampening member(s)180can be any material, such as polymers, rubbers, elastomers, and cork, that are conducive to vibration and/or movement absorption. The dampening member(s)180may further soften any movement of the pressure vessel142against the centering member160. The ability to tune the materials and size of the dampening member(s)180of the hoist assembly158allows the movement characteristics of the pressure vessel142to be customized, which can increase safety and transport efficiency.

FIG. 5displays a line representation of an example transport housing190that can be employed in the transport systems140/170ofFIGS. 3 & 4in accordance with various embodiments. The partially articulated orientation of the transport housing190conveys how grooves192, which are areas of reduced material thickness, allow for predictable movement into the cylindrical shapes illustrated inFIGS. 3 & 4. It is noted that the transport housing190can be a single piece of material or a lamination of multiple different materials that collectively form a sheet that can lay flat in a single plane or be articulated, as shown inFIG. 5into a cylinder around a pressure vessel.

It is contemplated that the transport housing190consists of a plurality of separate rigid slats that are attached in a manner to allow articulation of the slats around a cylindrical pressure vessel. However, such rigid slats can exacerbate the transfer of force to the pressure vessel compared to the semi-rigid transport housing190that can bend, flex, and absorb external force. Hence, some embodiments configure the transport hosing190of a flexible material, such as a rubberized coating, rubber, foam, or combination thereof, that will retain a pre-defined shape as well as absorb reasonable amounts of force.

FIG. 6shows an end view line representation of portions of an example pressure vessel transport system200arranged in accordance with various embodiments. The transport housing144has been articulated from the flat configuration conveyed inFIG. 5to a cylindrical shape that can accommodate a pressure vessel within the areal extent148of the housing144. The shape of the transport housing144can be reliably repeated thanks to the predefined grooves192that allow for efficient manipulation of the transport housing144about a pressure vessel. Thus, it is contemplated that the transport housing144is manipulated into the configuration shown inFIG. 6while a pressure vessel is in contact with the transport housing144.

The end view ofFIG. 6illustrates how a baseplate202can be inserted into the housing's areal extent148to cover one planar end152of the housing144while leaving the other planar end open. It is contemplated that the transport housing144can accommodate multiple baseplates202that separately cover the opposite planar ends152of the housing. The construction of a baseplate202is not limited and can partially, or completely, occupy a planar end152with one or more materials, such as in a lamination or separated layers.

A baseplate202may be positioned inside the transport housing144at the planar end152to allow one or more fasteners to continuously extend through the housing144into the baseplate202. A baseplate202can be positioned outside the housing's areal extent148, such as on the planar end152, to partially, or completely cover the planar end152. For instance, a baseplate202may be attached to the transport housing144with fasteners extending parallel to the Z axis and have an ornamental and/or practical design that consists of holes and/or open regions. The ability to utilize one or more baseplates202is a variety of different configurations can provide a rigid, or semi-rigid, structure that protects a pressure vessel contained in the housing's areal extent148while providing additional surface area for the transport system200to balance upon when stored in an upright position where the longitudinal axis (LA) of the pressure vessel is parallel to the Z axis.

The side view line representation of an example pressure vessel transport system210depicted inFIG. 7conveys how a pressure vessel142is wholly contained within the areal extent defined by the transport housing144. It is noted that the transport housing144can be characterized, in some embodiments, as assembled when the connection flanges174of opposite sides of the transport housing144contact to form a substantially cylindrical shape with fasteners212extending through the apertures of each flange174. Such assembly may correspond with the external handle154being formed and/or fasteners extending through the connection flanges174. The combination of the baseplate202on one planar end152and the centering member160proximal the opposite planar end152with the transport housing144continuously extending around the periphery of the pressure vessel142can reliably and safely secure the pressure vessel142for transport.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of an example pressure vessel transport routine220that can be conducted with the various embodiments ofFIGS. 2A-7in the environment100ofFIG. 1in accordance with assorted embodiments. The transport routine220begins with step222providing a transport housing with a predetermined assembled shape. The transport housing can be a single piece of material, as shown inFIG. 5, with connection flanges and at least one external handle that come together according to predefined grooves to form the assembled shape.

While the transport housing is open and unassembled, step224proceeds to place a pressure vessel in contact with the transport housing, such as in substantially the center of the transport housing. The transport housing is then manipulated in step226to surround the pressure vessel. It is noted that the transport housing is arranged in step226to contact the periphery of the pressure vessel along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. In other words, the transport housing is wrapped around the pressure vessel in order to bring the connection flanges and external handle together and define an internal areal extent between two planar ends.

The assembled configuration of the transport assembly can be secured in-place via one or more fasteners extending through the connection flanges and/or external handle. Decision228evaluates if fasteners are to be incorporated into the transport housing. If so, step230attaches the fastener(s) through predefined apertures in the transport housing. At the conclusion of step230, or if no fasteners are to be used, step232positions a hoist assembly in contact with the pressure vessel within the transport housing. The hoist assembly can consist of at least a centering member that continuously surrounds the pressure vessel to center the vessel within the areal extent of the transport housing and a hoist handle.

The position of the hoist assembly is not required, but in some embodiments, is proximal vent apertures in the transport housing and the valve portion of the pressure vessel. Decision234determines if a baseplate is to be incorporated into the transport assembly. Step236attaches a baseplate to a planar end of the transport housing, opposite the vessel valve, with at least one fastener in step236if prompted by decision234.

In the event no baseplate is chosen, or after the baseplate is attached, the routine220can advance to either step238where the pressure vessel is transported by holding only the external housing handle or step240where the hoist handle is only engaged to transport the pressure vessel. It is noted that engagement of the external handle will transport the housing and pressure vessel in a horizontal orientation just as holding the hoist handle will transport the housing and pressure vessel in a vertical orientation.

Regardless of how the transport housing and pressure vessel is oriented during transport, step242opens the transport housing, disassembles the hoist assembly, and removes the pressure vessel so that it can be utilized as part of a pressurized system. It is contemplated that the pressure vessel can be connected to the pressurized system via a receiver prior to the valve of the pressure vessel being opened either manually or remotely. The connection of the pressure vessel in the pressurized system results in the transport housing, hoist assembly, and baseplate free to be utilized to transport a different pressure vessel. That is, the transport system can be employed repeatedly with different pressure vessels of different sizes, shapes, pressures, and destinations.

Through the various embodiments of a pressure vessel transport system, a pressure vessel can be more safely moved between locations due to the valve and vessel housing being protected. The planar end configuration of the transport housing allows for reliable upright pressure vessel storage even though the vessel may only have curvilinear sidewalls and no planar base. The combination of multiple different system handles allows the pressure vessel to be efficiently moved by hand or by rope without exposing any part of the pressure vessel outside of the transport housing.