Pressure vessel storage apparatuses and monitors and methods thereof

Abstract

A storage apparatus (100) including a structure (102) including an access point (106), pressure vessels arranged as pressure vessel cartridges (110) within the structure so that each of the pressure vessels is individually accessible from the access point. Each of the pressure vessels including straight portions connected by bent portions. The storage apparatus includes at least one fluid connection configured to connect with an external device and one or more sensors (116) positioned within the structure and interfaced with the pressure vessels or the structure and configured to monitor anomalies of the pressure vessels and / or structure.

Description

PRESSURE VESSEL STORAGE APPARATUSES AND MONITORSAND METHODS THEREOFCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 540,241 filed on September 25, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring anomalies and status of pressure vessel systems enclosed within a structure.BACKGROUND

[0003] Compressed fluids can be used for a variety of applications. For example, compressed fluids, such as gases, can be used as a fuel to provide benefits including lower pollution levels and lower refining costs compared to non-compressed fluids, such as gasoline or diesel fuel. When using compressed fluids as a vehicle or machine fuel or for industrial applications, it is desirable that the compressed fluids be transportable, refillable, and safely stored.

[0004] The storage of compressed fluids, such as hydrogen or methane, is particularly challenging, as the compressed fluid is typically stored at high pressure in order to achieve acceptable storage density in a storage tank or pressure vessel. Given the high pressure used to store a sufficient amount of compressed fluid, users need to be cognizant of the condition of the compressed fluid and the storage tank because leaks can quickly deteriorate function of the storage tank. For example, if a leak exists in one of the storage tanks, the leak may quickly compromise other storage tanks connected in series or create a build-up of compressed fluids within an area that includes the storage tanks. Current techniques include visual techniques that require significant time and effort to observe anomalies. However, these visual techniques are not always conclusive and the significant time used to implement them may delay addressing the leak.

[0005] Accordingly, what is needed are techniques to review anomalies and the status of compressed fluid and storage tanks that arc efficient and that retain advantages of using storage tanks or pressure vessels.SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a storage apparatus that includes a structure including an access point and pressure vessels arranged as cartridges within the structure so that each of the pressure vessels is individually accessible from the access point. Each of the pressure vessels includes straight portions connected by bent portions and at least one fluid connection configured to connect with an external device. The storage apparatus includes one or more sensors positioned within the structure and interfaced with the pressure vessels or the structure and configured to monitor anomalies and status of the pressure vessels and / or structure.

[0007] In some aspects, the bent portions and the straight portions may be aligned along a cartridge axis. Each of the straight portions may be in contact with another along the cartridge axis. The bent portions may connect with the structure at a support so that the pressure vessels each are vertically aligned within the structure. The pressure vessels may be stacked horizontally within the structure on the supports. The structure may be airtight so that fluids within the structure are not in fluid communication with the external environment. The one or more sensors may monitor each of the pressure vessels individually to determine whether a pressure vessel is in a state to be inspected and / or replaced. The one or more sensors may be integrated with a liner of each of the pressure vessels. The one or more sensors comprises one or more of a hydrogen sensor, a hoop direction displacement sensor, a hoop direction strain sensor, a longitudinal direction displacement sensor, a longitudinal direction strain sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock or timer to sense the date and time, another thermomechanical sensor suite, or any combination thereof. Each of the pressure vessels may be fluidly connected with at least one other of the pressure vessels. Each of the pressure vessels may be individually sealable by one or more safety valves between the other of the pressure vessels.

[0008] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a storage apparatus includes a structure that includes an access point and one or more structure outlets that receive or output a compressed fluid from the structure. The storage apparatus includes pressure vessels positioned within the structure so that each of the pressure vessels is individually removable from the access point. Each of the pressure vessels includes straight portions that arc arranged in parallel along acartridge axis and bent portions that fluidly connect each of the straight portions. The storage apparatus includes one or more pressure vessel outlets that arc connectable with the one or more structure vents and / or the one or more pressure vessel vents of another pressure vessel and one or more sensors that monitor anomalies within the structure and / or pressure vessels.

[0009] In some aspects, each of the pressure vessels may be aligned in parallel relative to each other. Each of the pressure vessels may be vertically aligned so that each of the cartridge axes extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of structure or between the access point and a rear surface of the structure. Each of the pressure vessels may be horizontally aligned so that each of the cartridge axes extends between lateral walls of the structure or between the access point and the rear surface of the structure.

[0010] In another aspect, the disclosure provides for a method of monitoring a storage apparatus that includes monitoring, using a sensor, cartridges comprising pressure vessels that are each aligned along an individual cartridge axis within a structure and removable through an access point of the structure. The method includes detecting, using a sensor, an anomaly in the structure, pressure vessels, or space of the structure. The method includes opening an access point on the structure so that all of the pressure vessels are individually accessible by removing each of the individual pressure vessels from the structure. The method includes inspecting the structure and / or pressure vessels for an anomaly.

[0011] In some aspects, the structure may include walls that in combination with the access point enclose the cartridges and create the space of structure. The method may further include replacing a cartridge that includes a pressure vessel with an anomaly. The anomaly may include one or more of leaked compressed fluids, moisture, or undesirable fluids present in the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, moisture, undesirable fluids, bulging on the pressure vessels, fraying or evidence of abrasion on the pressure vessel liners, undesirable temperature levels, elevated or reduced pressure in either the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, filling and emptying cycles over a certain threshold, a rupture in the pressure vessel or structure, a leak in the pressure vessel or the structure, a temperature source affecting the fluids of the pressure vessel or the structure, excessive hoop or longitudinal strain or displacement, or any combination thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings, which arc not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various examples discussed in the present disclosure.

[0013] FIGS. 1A-1B are different perspective views of a storage apparatus;

[0014] FIGS. 2A-2B are different cross-sectional views of a storage apparatus;

[0015] FIG. 3 is cross sectional view of a storage apparatus;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of a storage apparatus;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of a pressure vessel; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of a pressure vessel.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present disclosure is described with reference to examples of storage apparatuses and methods including pressure vessels in fluid communication with one another and in modular groupings of pressure vessel cartridges.

[0020] Examples of storage apparatuses enable easy monitoring and inspection of a series of pressure vessel cartridges within a structure without having to disassemble the storage apparatus to check internal pressure vessels within the respective pressure vessel cartridges. The pressure vessels within the pressure vessel cartridges may be formed from a material that expands and contracts as the pressure vessels are emptied and refilled, and a series of the pressure vessel cartridges may be connected to a single or pair of outlets (i.e., an outlet to fill and an outlet to empty) or an adapter of the storage apparatus. Over time, filling and emptying of the pressure vessels through the outlet(s) can stress on the walls of the individual pressure vessels, which needs to be monitored for leaks or potential leaks. Because each pressure vessel cartridge can be individually monitored by sensors and / or pulled out and inspected, the user can monitor anomalies of all of the pressure vessels within the pressure vessel cartridges simultaneously over time and determine whether individual replacement of the cartridges is desired, while retaining functionality of the other pressure vessel cartridges by connection to a system of outlets or adapters of the storage apparatus.

[0021] For example, if an anomaly (such as a certain number of filling cycles, bulge in a pressure vessel, elevated temperature, non-uniform pressure, defect in the materials of a pressure vessel, etc.) is detected, a user can pull one of the pressure vessel cartridges and determine if oneor more inner or outer individual pressure vessels need replacement while retaining use of the remaining pressure vessel cartridges within the structure. Additionally, since the pressure vessel cartridges can be connected to a single outlet or each other through an adapter system, one or more of the pressure vessel cartridges can be sealed from the remaining pressure vessel cartridges while awaiting inspection without interrupting use of the overall storage apparatus. In some examples, inclusion of individual pressure vessel cartridges and an enclosed / sealed structure can retain pressurized fluids within the structure while awaiting inspection without interrupting use of the storage apparatus so that the system retains efficiency while allowing undesirable fluids to be retained within the structure.

[0022] FIGS. 1A-1B are a perspective view of a storage apparatus 100. The storage apparatus 100 includes a structure 102 having walls 104 that define an access point 106. The access point 106 and / or the walls 104 are rotatably connected with a door 108 that is configured to open and close the access point 106 to the structure 102 so that a user can inspect the inner contents of the structure 102 at a desirable time. In some examples, the door 108 is not included (see e.g., the storage apparatus 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B), and the access point 106 and inside of the structure 102 may be open to an external environment so that a user can inspect the inner contents of the structure 102 during a quick pass by of the storage apparatus 100.

[0023] The structure 102 includes pressure vessel cartridges 110 that include individual pressure vessels 112, and each of the pressure vessels 112 are individually configured to contain pressurized fluids for external use, such as for conversion to energy. In FIG. 1A, the pressure vessel cartridges 110 have a horizontal arrangement so that the pressure vessel cartridges 110 are stacked adjacent to each other along a height of the structure 102. This configuration may be advantageous to use inner sides of the walls 104 of the structure 102 to individually support the pressure vessel cartridges 110 and allow individual access to the pressure vessel cartridges 110 for inspection. In FIG. IB, the pressure vessel cartridges 110 are vertically arranged and positioned adjacent to each other along a width of the structure 102 so that the pressure vessel cartridges 110 could be connectable from an inner top portion of one of the walls 104 inside the structure 102. This configuration may be advantageous to allow the pressure vessel cartridges 110 to hang from a topmost one of the walls 104 and to be easily accessed for inspection.

[0024] The pressure vessel cartridges 110 are positioned within a space 114 defined by the walls 104 of the structure 102 so that the pressure vessels 112 are protected from external interference. External interference may result in anomalies (as defined herein) or undesirableinteractions with the external environment. For example, an undesirable interaction with the pressure vessels 112 or the pressure vessel cartridges 110 may include prolonged exposure to the sun, undesirable abrasion, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the walls 104 define an enclosure that includes the space 114 so that if a leak or fluid generally permeates from the pressure vessels 112, the structure 102 will contain the fluid within the space 114 and improve safety of the storage apparatus 100.

[0025] On an inside of the door 108, sensors 116 are positioned that are configured to identify anomalies within or adjacent to the pressure vessels 112. In some examples, the sensors 116 may be positioned elsewhere within the structure 102 or on one or more of the pressure vessel cartridges 110 so that additional data regarding vessel status and any anomalies may be detected within or adjacent to the structures 102. The sensors 116 may be configured to identify and retain (e.g., by inclusion of a memory and / or a processor) any information sufficient to identify anomalies within the pressure vessels 112, the pressure vessel cartridges 110, and / or the structure 102. For example, the sensors 116 may be configured to detect a number of filling and emptying cycles, longitudinal, hop, or horizontal strain on the individual pressure vessels 112, the presence of gases or fluids, the presence of bulging on one or more of the pressure vessels 112, a combination thereof, or any other anomaly described herein.

[0026] In FIGS. 1A-1B, the structure 102 includes five of the walls 104 and the door 108 so as to form a complete enclosure having a cubic or rectangular shape to hold the pressure vessel cartridges 110 and the space 114. In other examples, the structure 102 may have any configuration sufficient to contain a series of the pressure vessel cartridges 110 that are easily accessible for inspection. For example, one or more of the walls 104 may be rounded or curved (not shown) and configured to house additional equipment along some or each of the walls 104, such as the sensors 116 or outlets (not shown) configured to interface the pressure vessel cartridges 110 with external equipment (not shown). In some examples, the structure 102 is sealed when the door 108 is closed - meaning that fluids or gases are prevented from entering or leaking from the structure 102 when sealed. In other examples, one or more of the walls 104 may include one or more openings (not shown) or windows (not shown) so that a user can quickly inspect the pressure vessels 112 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 110 while passing by the storage apparatus 100.

[0027] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate that the structure 102 is enclosed and / or airtight such that the pressure vessel cartridges 110 arc separated from the external environment, which may beadvantageous to both protect the pressure vessel cartridges 1 10 and monitor anomalies within the structure 102. For example, with the structure 102 enclosed, the combination of the walls 104 and the door 108 may contain any pressurized fluids that have leaked or permeated from the pressure vessels 112 so that the pressurized fluids do not undesirably mix with the external environment. Additionally, the sensors 116 within the structure may be affixed to the walls 104 and be able to detect whether there is an undesirable rapture associated with either the pressure vessels 112, the structure 102, or combinations thereof. For example, if moisture is detected within the structure 102 that is enclosed, this may be evidence that the structure 102 is at least partially compromised at the access point 106, the door 108, and / or the walls 104. Additionally, or alternatively, pressurized fluid present in the space 114 of the structure 102 may indicate an anomaly of the pressure vessels cartridges 110 that is causing the anomaly that warrants inspection.

[0028] FIGS. 2A-2B are different side views of a storage apparatus 200 without a door in two different configurations. The storage apparatus 200 includes a structure 202 having walls 204 that enclose pressure vessel cartridges 210, which may be similar to the structure 102, the walls 104, and pressure vessel cartridges 110 of FIGS. 1 A- IB. The pressure vessel cartridges 210 each include pressure vessels 212 (which may be similar to the pressure vessels 112 of FIGS. 1A-1B) that can be fluidly connected with external apparatuses or devices (not shown) through an outlet 218. Only one outlet 218 is shown in the storage apparatus 200 of FIGS. 2A- 2B, though in some examples, the storage apparatus 200 may have more than one outlet (not shown) so that the storage apparatus 200 is connectable with more than one device or apparatus (not shown) utilizing compressed fluids or filling or emptying the pressure vessels 212 with compressed fluids.

[0029] Each of the pressure vessels 212 includes bent portions 220 and straight portions 222 that are stacked (see e.g., the pressure vessels 112, 312, 412, 512, 612 of FIGS. 1A-1B and FIGS. 3-6) so that the user can access or utilize more than one of the pressure vessels 212 in a single one of the pressure vessel cartridges 210. At the straight portions 222 or at a valve or another outlet (not shown, see e.g., outlet 318 of FIG. 3), the pressure vessel cartridges 210 connect with the outlet 218 via an adapter 224 that is configured to maintain fluid connection with each of the pressure vessels 212 simultaneously. In some examples, the adapter 224 includes one or more safety valves (not shown), which can be any valve known to the skilled artisan, such as a manual valve or an automatic valve, so that leaking or defective ones of the pressure vessel cartridges210 can be sealed from other ones of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 and maintain operation of the storage apparatus 200 while awaiting inspection or replacement. In some examples, the adapter 224 is a series of connection lines (not shown) that each connect with the outlet 218 or separate individual outlets (not shown).

[0030] The pressure vessel cartridges 210 are shown as free of contact with each other; this may be advantageous to avoid undesirable abrasion between the pressure vessel cartridges 210. In other configurations, the pressure vessel cartridges 210 may be in contact with each other so that more of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 can be inserted into the structure 102. In either configuration, by having the pressure vessel cartridges 210 stacked horizontally (i.e., FIG. 2B) or aligned vertically (i.e., FIG. 2A), the structure 202 can include a high number of the pressure vessels 212 that are not necessarily visualizable from a side of the structure 202, and an arrangement of supports 226a, 226b allows for easy removal of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 for individual inspection of each of the pressure vessels 212.

[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates each of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 in a vertical position so that the bent portions 220 connect with a top one of the walls 204 and the straight portions 222 hang from the top one of the walls 204 of the structure 202 by the supports 226a. The supports 226a may have any configuration sufficient to allow the pressure vessel cartridges 210 to remain secure within the structure 202 and to avoid damage to any of the pressure vessels 212. For example, the structure 202 may include one or more, two or more, three or more, or a number of the supports 226a equal to or less than the amount of the bent and / or straight portions 220, 222. The supports 226a may be arranged as hooks, straps, slides, cleats, or any combination thereof. The supports 226a may be arranged as separators (not shown) or barriers (not shown) that hold a side surface of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 up and extend from the topmost to the bottommost of the walls 204 of the structure 202. The supports 226a may be arranged such that the pressure vessels 212 (whether the straight or bent portions 222, 220) are slidable in and out of the supports 226a during inspection or replacement of the pressure vessel cartridges 210. In other examples, the supports 226a may be arranged on side or topmost of the walls 204 and configured to connect with or secure the straight portions 222 of the pressure vessels 212. For example, if the pressure vessel cartridges 210 were arranged as the pressure vessel cartridges 110 shown in FIG. IB, the straight portions 222 of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 could be directly secured to the topmost of the walls 204 such that the pressure vessel cartridges 210 would hang vertically.

[0032] In FIG. 2B, the pressure vessel cartridges 210 are secured or positioned at the bent and / or straight portions 220, 222 to the walls 204 at lateral positions such that the pressure vessel cartridges 210 stack horizontally. The supports 226b may have any configuration sufficient to secure or support the pressure vessel cartridges 210 on top of each other. For example, the supports 226b may be flanges that support the bent portions 220 or edges of the straight portions 222 so that the pressure vessel cartridges 210 rest on the supports 226b. In other examples, the supports 226b may have an arrangement as described in relation to the supports 226a of FIG. 2A.

[0033] The structure 202 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 210 of FIGS. 2A-2B may additionally include one or more sensors (not shown) as described herein so that pressure vessel status and any anomalies can be monitored and addressed by removing the relevant one(s) of the pressure vessel cartridges 210 from the supports 226a, 226b. Additionally, a door (not shown), such as the door 108 of FIGS. 1 A-1B, may be included in the illustrated examples so that the storage apparatus 200 can have a sealed configuration.

[0034] FIG. 3 is cross sectional view of a storage apparatus 300, which may be similar to the storage apparatuses 100, 200 of FIGS. 1A-2B. The storage apparatus 300 includes a structure 302 including walls 304 that enclose pressure vessel cartridges 310 so that the pressure vessel cartridges 310 are separated from the exterior environment. The structure 302 may be similar to the structures 102, 202, the walls 304 may be similar to the walls 104, 204, and the pressure vessel cartridges 310 may be similar to the pressure vessel cartridges 110, 210 of FIGS. 1A-2B. The pressure vessel cartridges 310 include a series of pressure vessels 312 that are connected and positioned within a space 314 between the walls 304 of the structure 302 so that a compressed fluid can be stored within the pressure vessels 312. The pressure vessels 312 may be similar to the pressure vessels 112, 212, and the space 314 may be similar to the spaces 114, 214 of FIGS. 1A-2B. Within the structure 302, a configuration of sensors 316 is used to detect anomalies. The sensors 316 may be similar to the sensors 116, 216 of FIGS. 1A-2B.

[0035] To access the pressurized fluids of the pressure vessels 312, outlets 318 are included on the walls 304 of the structure 302 that are separated and / or different. The outlets 318 may have any configuration sufficient to access, release, or receive pressurized fluids to or from the pressure vessels 312. For example, one or both of the outlets 318 may be configured as a gate valve, check valve, diaphragm valve, butterfly valve, ball valve, pinch valve, globe valve, plug valve, needle valve, pressure relief valve, hydraulic valve, four- way valve, control valve, isolation valve, double check valve, flow control valve, piston valve, or any combination thereof.In some examples, the structure 302 only includes one outlet (not shown; see e.g., outlet 218 of FIGS. 2A-2B) and fluids arc filled and emptied through the outlet 318 to conserve useable area and make filling and emptying a more efficient process step.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sensors 316 are positioned on both one of the walls 304 and three of the pressure vessels 312 and are configured to detect anomalies within the structure 302, the pressure vessels 312, and / or the space 314 so that anomalies within the storage apparatus 300 can be inspected and / or mitigated. In addition, the sensors 316 may be positioned individually within each of the pressure vessels 312 so that specific portions or sections (which are a combination of bent portions 320, straight portions 322, and / or the outlets 318) of the pressure vessels 312 may be monitored. For example, the sensors 316 may be positioned within the bent and / or straight portions 320, 322 (which may be similar to the bent and / or straight portions 220, 222 of FIGS. 2A-2B) of the pressure vessels 312 so that different types of anomalies within materials of the pressure vessels 312 may be monitored. Specific instances of anomalies in this example may be differences in diameter and / or bulging at one or more of the bent and / or straight portions 320, 322. The sensors 316 may be integrated within liners of the pressure vessels 312, such as by integrating fiber sensors in extruded or otherwise formed versions of the pressure vessels 312. In other examples, the sensors 316 may be integrated within the walls 304 of the structure 302 such that anomalies in the structure 302 are detectable separately from anomalies in each of the pressure vessels 312.

[0037] The sensors 316 may be configured to monitor pressure vessel status and any type of anomaly, , and by triggering one or more of the sensors 316, a user may receive one or more notifications that an anomaly is present and one or more anomalies within the structure 302 or the pressure vessels 312 should be evaluated, inspected, or addressed. Any configuration of the sensors 316 sufficient to analyze an anomaly within the pressure vessels 312 or the structure 302 may be used. For example, the sensors 316 may include one or more of a hydrogen sensor, a hoop direction displacement sensor, a hoop direction strain sensor, a longitudinal direction displacement sensor, a longitudinal direction strain sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock or timer to sense the date and time, another thermomechanical sensor suite, or any combination thereof. Although shown in specific positions and orientations within FIG. 3, the sensors 316 may be positioned within any area sufficient to identify or detect one or more anomalies. For example, the sensors 316 may be positioned within the bent and / or straight portions 320, 322 of thepressure vessels 312, within liners of the pressure vessels 312 (see e.g., FIG. 4), and / or on external surfaces of the pressure vessels 312.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a storage apparatus 400. The storage apparatus 400 may be similar to the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300 of FIGS. 1-3. The storage apparatus 400 includes a structure 402 including walls 404 that enclose the pressure vessel cartridges 410 so that the pressure vessel cartridges 410 are separated from the exterior environment The structure 402 may be similar to the structures 102, 202, 302, the wall 404 may be similar to the walls 104, 204, 304, and the pressure vessel cartridges 410 may be similar to the pressure vessel cartridges 110, 210, 310 of FIGS. 1 A-3. The pressure vessel cartridges 410 include a series of pressure vessels 412 that are connected and positioned within a space 414 between the walls 404 of the structure 402 so that a compressed fluid can be stored within the pressure vessels 412 The pressure vessels 412 may be similar to the pressure vessels 112, 212, 312 and the space 414 may be similar to the spaces 114, 214, 314 of FIGS. 1A-3. The pressure vessels 412 include sensors 416 that extend along or within respective liners of the pressure vessels 412 for determining the presence of anomalies within the space 414, the structure 402, and / or the pressure vessels 412.

[0039] In connection with the pressure vessels 412, outlets 418, which may be similar to the outlets 218, 318 of FIGS. 2A-3, are included on one of the walls 404 of the structure 402 so that the user can empty and fill the pressure vessels 412. The structure 402 may include one or more of the outlets 418 for each of the pressure vessels cartridges 410, or the pressure vessel cartridges 410 may be connected in series via an adapter (not shown, see the adapter 224 of FIGS. 2A-2B). In the example of FIG. 4, by including both of the outlets 418 on a laterally positioned one of the walls 404, the pressure vessel cartridges 410 are inspectable through a door (not shown, see the door 108 of FIGS. 1 A-1B) that is opposite of another laterally positioned one of the walls 404 that includes the outlets 418.

[0040] The sensors 416 are shown as fiber or meshes (woven or unwoven) or a fabric or textile with integral or embedded sensors such that sensor inspection methods can achieve desired sensitivity in a position that is external of or integrated within the pressure vessels 412. The sensors 416 may be included as fibers or meshes or a fabric or textile with integral or embedded sensors so that when within or on the liner of the pressure vessels 412, the pressure vessels 412 can be formed or extruded simultaneously with the sensors 416, for example, by methods known by the skilled artisan to form hollow polymeric materials. Fibers and meshes as described herein refer to fibers or yarns (i.e., braided fibers) that are between 0.1 mm and 5 mmin diameter and may be woven or unwoven depending on the structural reinforcement desired. Fabrics and textiles described herein refer to woven cloth comprised of fibers or yarns with integral or embedded sensors. Inclusion of the integral or embedded sensors 416 in fibers and / or meshes additionally can provide structural support to the liners or other polymeric materials of the pressure vessels 412 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 410 so that emptying and filing cycles can be increased within the pressure vessels 412 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 410 before replacement. In some examples, the sensors 416 are integrated with reinforcing fibers of the liners of the pressure vessels 412 so that a combination of fibers and / or meshes and / or fabrics and or textiles may be used to structurally reinforce the pressure vessels 412.

[0041] Each of the pressure vessels 412 includes one or more bent portions 420 and at least one straight portion 422 that are connected in series between the outlets 418. The sensors 416 extend between the bent portions 420 and through the at least one straight portion 422 so that the user can detect issues in the at least one straight portion 422. The sensors 416 may be configured as fibers or meshes to reinforce the at least one straight portion 422. In other examples, the sensors 416 are configured as fibers and extend through an entire length and / or width of the pressure vessel 412 and extend between the outlets 418. The bent and / or straight portions 420, 422 may provide support for the pressure vessels 412 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 410. For example, the bent and / or straight portions 420, 422 may be extruded or otherwise formed such that the polymeric material of the pressure vessels 412 and / or the pressure vessel cartridges 410 retains a rigid shape when inflated with compressed fluid or while the at least one straight portion 422 is vertically stacked or horizontally aligned. In other examples, the bent portions 420 may be structured with corrugations that are configured to provide rigidity at the bent portions 420 so that two of the straight portions 422 can be held in contact with each other.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a side view of a pressure vessel cartridge 510. The pressure vessel cartridge may be similar to the pressure vessels cartridges 110, 210, 310, 410 and useable in the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 1A-4. The pressure vessel cartridge 510 includes pressure vessels 512 that connect with each other and sensors 516 that are integrated with the pressure vessels 512.The pressure vessels 512 may be similar to the pressure vessels 112, 212, 312, 412 and the sensors 516 may be similar to the sensors 116, 216, 316, and 416 of FIGS. 1A- 4. The pressure vessels 512 extend between outlets 518 that are configured to empty and fill fluids into the pressure vessels 512, and the outlets 518 may be similar to the outlets 218, 318, 418 of FIGS. 2A-4.

[0043] The pressure vessels 512 include bent and straight portions 520, 522 that are connected with each other by baffles 528, which may provide structural support between the straight portions 522 and mitigate or prevent the pressure vessel cartridge 510 from unwinding. In some examples, the bent and straight portions 520, 522 lack sufficient rigidity to maintain a coiled shape while containing and / or emptying of compressed fluids. Accordingly, the baffles 528 maintain the coiled shape of the pressure vessel cartridges 510 while inside of a storage apparatus (e.g., the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 1A-4) or while being pulled from the storage apparatus (not shown). In some examples, the baffles 528 may be configured to function like the sensors 516 so that one or more anomalies of the pressure vessels 512 and / or a structure of a storage apparatus (not shown, see e.g., the structures 102, 202, 302, 402 and the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 1A-4) arc detectable.

[0044] The baffles 528 extend along a cartridge axis CX so that each of the straight portions 522 are vertically aligned on the cartridge axis CX. The cartridge axis CX extends along a substantial center of each of the straight portions 522 such that a series of the pressure vessel cartridges 510 are stable, stackable, and / or align-able next to each other in a structure (not shown, see e.g., the structures 102, 202, 302, 402 of FIGS. 1A-4). The cartridge axis CX may extend along a substantial center of three or more of the pressure vessels 512, where two of the three or more pressure vessels 512 are optionally in contact. Relative to a structure (not shown), the cartridge axis CX may extend through the pressure vessels 512 and between two parallel walls (not shown, see e.g., the walls 104, 204, 304, 404 of FIGS. 1A-4), such as lateral walls or topmost and bottommost walls (not shown). In a storage apparatus (not shown, see e.g., the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400 of FIGS. 1 A-4) a collection of cartridge axes CX may be aligned in parallel, either vertically or horizontally, such that the pressure vessels 512 and / or pressure vessels cartridges 510 are aligned along the cartridge axis and are vertically stacked and / or horizontally aligned in parallel, which provides an advantage of allowing easy insertion and removal of the each of the pressure vessel cartridges 510 during inspection and / or replacement.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a side view of a pressure vessel cartridge 610. The pressure vessel cartridges may be similar to the pressure vessels cartridges 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 and useable in the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1A-4. The pressure vessel cartridges 610 include a series or configuration of pressure vessels 612 that are configured to contain a compressed fluid, and the pressure vessels 612 are fillable and emptiable by outlets 618 throughbent and straight portions 620, 622. The pressure vessels 612 may be similar to the pressure vessels 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 and the outlets 618 may be similar to the outlets 218, 318, 418, 518 of FIGS. 1A-5. The pressure vessels 612 and the pressure vessel cartridges 610 may optionally include one or more sensors, as described herein, such as the sensors 116, 216, 316, 416, 516 of FIGS. 1A-5.

[0046] The outlets 618 are connected by a bypass 630 that is configured to allow compressed fluids to flow between the two of the outlets 618 without traversing the bent and straight portions 620, 622 of the pressure vessels 612. The bypass 630 functions to provide a fluid pathway between the pressure vessels 612 when one or more of the pressure vessels 612 begins to leak or rupture. The bypass 630 includes a joint 632 connected with a regulator 634 by a channel 636 so that compressed fluids are flowable between the outlets 618 and the bent and / or straight portions 620, 622. The configuration of the bypass 630 may be any arrangement sufficient to provide a pathway between the outlets 618. For example, the bypass 630 may be configured as a three-way valve connected to the outlets 618 via one or more channel configurations (not shown). In other examples, the bypass 630 may simply be a channel (not shown) between the outlets 618 and either or both of the outlets 618 may be connectable to an external apparatus or an adapter (e.g., the adapter 224 of FIGS. 2A-2B). At either of the outlets 618, the bypass 630 may be closable such that fluids extend from one of the outlets 618 to the regulator 634, but not both, so that some of the pressure vessels 612 are still useable if another of the pressure vessels 612 is leaking or ruptured.

[0047] In one or more of the pressure vessels 612, valves 638 are included which function to close off one or more of the bent and / or straight portions 620, 622 of the pressure vessels 612 when a rupture or leak occurs. With the combination of the valves 638 and the bypass 630 are used together, if a leak or rupture occurs in one of the pressure vessels 612 between two of the valves 638, those two of the valves 638 can close and prevent a leaking of compressed fluids from the pressure vessels 612 that are adjacent to the one of the pressure vessels 612 that is leaking or ruptured, and the bypass 630 allows fluid communication between the pressure vessels 612 that are not leaking. While in this configuration, when one of the pressure vessels 612 leaks or ruptures and is detected by, for example, a sensor (not shown), the valves 638 and the bypass 630 provide a fluid pathway for continued operation before the user can inspect or determine the issue with the pressure vessel 612 that is leaking or ruptured and sealed off from the pressure vessels 612 that are adjacent. Additionally, by mitigating the leak of compressed fluids,structures (not shown, see e.g., structures 102, 202, 302, 402 of FIGS. 1 A -4) may operate at acceptable levels of compressed fluids within the spaces of the structure (not shown) for longer periods of time without being shut down due to levels of compressed fluids.

[0048] Also disclosed herein is a method of inspecting a storage apparatus and one or more pressure vessel cartridges or pressure vessels, such as the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400, the pressure vessel cartridges 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, and the pressure vessels 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, 612 of FIGS. 1A-6.

[0049] The method includes monitoring, using a sensor or visual aide, pressure vessel cartridges comprising pressure vessels that are each aligned along a cartridge axis within a structure and removable through an access point of the structure. The method includes detecting, using a sensor or visual aide, one or more anomalies in the structure, pressure vessels, pressure vessel cartridges, outlets, or space of the structure. In the process of detecting one or more anomalies, the present methods may include comparing data obtained from one or more sensors and / or inspection techniques with an established baseline data so that the method can predict stressors on the pressure vessels and allow for replacement of the pressure vessels before a rupture or other leak occurs. For example, the baseline data may be acceptable range of bulging on the pressure vessels, an acceptable pressure or temperature range within or around the pressure vessels, and / or acceptable strain on the materials of the pressure vessels, valves, and / or outlets.

[0050] After detecting one or more anomalies, the method includes opening an access point on the structure so that all of the pressure vessels are individually accessible and / or removable from the structure. The method may include investigating an opening in the structure such that the user can observe or inspect one or more of the components within the structure. The method further includes inspecting the structure and / or pressure vessels for the anomalies. Inspection may include using a sensor associated with a storage apparatus or pressure vessel cartridge (see e.g., the storage apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400, the pressure vessel cartridges 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, and the sensors 116, 316, 416, 516, 616 of FIGS. 1A-1B and 3-6), an external sensor, applying a periodic soap solution, and / or visual inspection. Inspection may include removing one or more pressure vessel cartridges while the remaining cartridges are kept within the structure so that a single pressure vessel cartridge can be inspected and the remaining storage apparatus can remain assembled and operable. After detecting and investigating the structure and / or pressure vessel cartridges, the method may include replacing and / or repairing a pressurevessel cartridge or pressure vessel that has an anomaly with one or more repair or replacement components.

[0051] As described herein, a storage apparatuses may be a compressed fluid storage system, a fluid storage system, a conformable storage system, a non-conformable storage system, or any other storage apparatuses designed to hold fluids in a compressed state. As described herein, the term fluidly coupled or in fluid communication with can be defined as having the fluid contents of two or more components being intermixable with each other. For example, fluidly coupled can include a mechanical coupling that allows communication of fluids, including gaseous substances and particulate matter, within and between components. Two components that are fluidly coupled may be referred to two components in fluid communication. As another example, the contents (or a portion of the contents) of a first component or first portion of a component, can be “in fluid communication” with the contents (or a portion of the contents) of a second component or second portion of a component. A vessel portion may be described as a first vessel portion, a second vessel portion, a third vessel portion, a fourth vessel portion, or any number of a vessel portion sufficient to form pressure vessel cartridges.

[0052] Anomalies as described herein include one or more of leaked compressed fluids, moisture, or undesirable fluids present in the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, moisture, undesirable fluids, bulging on the pressure vessels, fraying or evidence of abrasion on the pressure vessel liners, undesirable temperature levels, elevated or reduced pressure in either the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, filling and emptying cycles over a certain threshold, a rupture in the pressure vessel or structure, a leak in the pressure vessel or the structure, a temperature source affecting the fluids of the pressure vessel or the structure, excessive hoop or longitudinal strain or displacement, or any combination thereof. In some examples, an anomaly may be described as a condition that causes another anomaly. For example, one sensor may monitor for a rupture in a pressure vessel and another sensor may monitor for fluids released due to the rupture of the pressure vessel. Pressurized fluids include one or more of hydrogen, oxygen, methane, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof.

[0053] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other examples can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. In the description, various features may be grouped together tostreamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, novel and inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed example.

[0054] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim arc still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0055] Any directional descriptors described herein can be interpreted as being used with their normal and customary use in the art. Relative terms, such as, “substantially” “almost” or “about” may be used to indicate a possible variation, for example, of ±10% in a stated numeric value, manufacturing, design variation, or maximum pressure loss.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A storage apparatus, comprising: a structure comprising an access point; pressure vessels arranged as pressure vessel cartridges within the structure so that each of the pressure vessels is individually accessible from the access point, each of the pressure vessels comprising: straight portions connected by bent portions; and at least one outlet configured to connect with an external device; and one or more sensors positioned within the structure and interfaced with the pressure vessels or the structure and configured to monitor anomalies of the pressure vessels and / or the structure.

2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bent portions and the straight portions are aligned along a cartridge axis.

3. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the straight portions are in contact with one another along the cartridge axis.

4. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bent portions connect with the structure at one or more support so that the pressure vessels each are vertically aligned within the structure.

5. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure vessels are stacked horizontally within the structure on supports.

6. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is airtight so that fluids within the structure are not in fluid communication with an external environment.

7. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to monitor each of the pressure vessels individually to determine whether one of the pressure vessels is in a state to be inspected and / or replaced.

8. The storage apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more sensors are integrated with a liner of each of the pressure vessels.

9. The storage apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors comprises one or more of a hydrogen sensor, a hoop direction displacement sensor, a hoop direction strain sensor, a longitudinal direction displacement sensor, a longitudinal direction strain sensor, a temperature sensor, a clock or timer to sense the date and time, another thermomechanical sensor suite, or any combination thereof.

10. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the pressure vessels is fluidly connected with at least one other of the pressure vessels.

11. The storage apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the pressure vessels are individually sealable by one or more safety valves positioned at another of the pressure vessels.

12. A storage apparatus, comprising: a structure, comprising: an access point; and one or more structure outlets configured to receive or output a compressed fluid from the structure; pressure vessel cartridges positioned within the structure so that each of the pressure vessel cartridges is individually removable from the access point, each of the pressure vessel cartridges comprising: straight portions that are arranged in parallel along a cartridge axis; bent portions that fluidly connect each of the straight portions; and one or more pressure vessel outlets that are connectable with the one or more structure outlets and / or the one or more pressure vessel outlets of another of the pressure vessel cartridges; and one or more sensors configured to monitor anomalies within the structure and / or the pressure vessel cartridges.

13. The storage apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the pressure vessel cartridges are aligned in parallel relative to each other.

14. The storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the pressure vessel cartridges are vertically aligned so that each of the cartridge axes extends between top and bottom walls of the structure or between the access point and a lateral wall of the structure.

15. The storage apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the pressure vessel cartridges are horizontally aligned so that each of the cartridge axes extends between lateral walls of the structure or between the access point and a lateral wall of the structure.

16. A method of monitoring a storage apparatus, comprising: monitoring, using a sensor, one or more pressure vessel cartridges comprising pressure vessels that are each aligned along an individual cartridge axis within a structure and removable through an access point of the structure; detecting, using the sensor, an anomaly in the structure, the pressure vessels, or a space that is defined between the structure and the one or more pressure vessel cartridges; opening the access point on the structure so that all of the pressure vessels are individually accessible by removing the one or more pressure vessel cartridges from the structure; and inspecting the structure and / or the pressure vessels for the anomaly.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the structure comprises walls that in combination with the access point enclose the one or more pressure vessel cartridges and create the space of the structure.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: replacing the one or more pressure vessel cartridges that includes one of the pressure vessels with the anomaly.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the anomaly leaked compressed fluids, moisture, or undesirable fluids present in the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, moisture,undesirable fluids, bulging on the pressure vessels, fraying or evidence of abrasion on the pressure vessel liners, undesirable temperature levels, elevated or reduced pressure in cither the pressure vessels or the space of the structure, filling and emptying cycles over a certain threshold, a rupture in the pressure vessel or structure, a leak in the pressure vessel or the structure, a temperature source affecting the fluids of the pressure vessel or the structure, excessive hoop or longitudinal strain or displacement, or any combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensor is integrated with the one or more pressure vessel cartridges.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein any of the sensors can be integrated or embedded within fiber or meshes (woven or unwoven) or a fabric or textile that surrounds the vessel.

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