Multi-vessel evacuation system and valve

Abstract

A valve and multi-vessel evacuation system are provided that allow for evacuating each vessel of a high-pressure vessel array upon activation of a single pressure release device (PRD). Each vessel is fluidly coupled to a respective inlet of the valve and to a respective PRD. Each of the PRDs is fluidly coupled to a secondary inlet of the valve. During normal operation, the valve blocks fluid communication between the vessels and their respective vent lines, and the PRDs block fluid communication between the vessels and the secondary inlet of the valve. When at least one of the PRDs is triggered, pressurized fluid passes through the triggered PRD and flows to the secondary inlet of the valve, at which point the pressurized fluid actuates the valve. With the valve actuated, pressurized fluid from each of the vessels can evacuate to atmosphere through the valve and corresponding vent lines.

Description

MULTI- VESSEL EVACUATION SYSTEM AND VALVECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 722,664, filed November 20, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present application relates generally to high pressure vessel arrays. More specifically, the present application provides an evacuation system for a high pressure vessel array.BACKGROUND

[0003] In high pressure vessel arrays, efficient evacuation systems are necessary in case of an emergency, such as a fire, for example. Evacuation systems are the means by which the pressure vessel contents can be expelled and depressurized in an emergency in order to keep the pressure vessels from rupturing when they are overheated (as in a fire) or exposed to other adverse conditions or events.SUMMARY

[0004] The following summarizes some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all embodiments of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] A valve and multi-vessel evacuation system are provided that allow for evacuating the pressurized contents of each vessel of a high-pressure vessel array upon activation of a single pressure release device (PRD) associated with one of the vessels. Each vessel is fluidly coupled to a respective inlet of the valve and to a respective PRD. Each of the PRDs is fluidly coupled to a secondary inlet of the valve separate from the inlets coupled to the vessels. During normal operation, the valve blocks fluid communication between the vessels and their respective vent lines that are coupled to the valve. Additionally, the PRDs block fluid communication between the vessels and the secondary inlet of the valve.

[0006] When at least one of the PRDs is triggered, such as by temperature (e.g., a fire) or pressure, pressurized fluid from at least one vessel passes through the triggered PRD and flows300397905 1to the secondary inlet of the valve, at which point the pressurized fluid actuates the valve. With the valve actuated, pressurized fluid from each of the vessels can evacuate to atmosphere through the valve and corresponding vent lines. In this way, triggering a single PRD initiates evacuation of all of the vessels in the multi-vessel evacuation system through the use of the valve.

[0007] Reference is made herein to fluid and pressurized fluid. As used herein, fluid may refer to a gaseous material or a liquid material. Gaseous material may include, for example, compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or another suitable gas. Liquid material may include, for example, hydraulic oil.

[0008] In an example, a system includes a first vessel in fluid communication with a first pressure release device; a second vessel in fluid communication with a second pressure release device; and a valve. The valve includes: a first inlet in fluid communication with the first vessel, a first outlet, a second inlet in fluid communication with the second vessel, a second outlet, and a third inlet in fluid communication with both the first and second pressure release devices. The valve transitions from a first state to a second state in response to the first pressure release device being triggered. With the valve in the first state, the valve blocks fluid communication between the first inlet and the first outlet and between the second inlet and the second outlet. With the valve in the second state, the first inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second inlet is in fluid communication with the second outlet such that fluid vents from the first vessel through the first outlet and from the second vessel through the second outlet.

[0009] In another example, a system includes a valve in fluid communication with each of a plurality of vessels via a plurality of first inlets of the valve; and a plurality of pressure release devices in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels and with a second inlet of the valve. The valve includes a bore and a piston disposed within the bore and movable between a first position and a second position. The valve is arranged such that, upon at least one of the pressure release devices being triggered, pressurized fluid from at least one vessel enters the second inlet of the valve and forces the piston from the first position into the second position, thereby enabling pressurized fluid from each of the vessels to vent to an atmosphere through the first inlets and out a plurality of outlets of the valve.

[0010] In another example, a method includes simultaneously venting a plurality of vessels to an atmosphere through a valve comprising a plurality of first inlets in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels. The valve further includes: a second inlet, a plurality of outlets, a bore, and a piston. The piston is movable in the bore between a first position and a second position. The bore is in fluid communication with the first inlets, the second inlet, and the300397905 2outlets. The second inlet is in fluid communication with a plurality of pressure release devices that are in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels. Venting the plurality of vessels includes pressurized fluid from at least one of the vessels entering the second inlet of the valve and forcing the piston into the second position, thereby enabling pressurized fluid from each of the vessels to vent to the atmosphere through the outlets of the valve. The pressurized fluid that enters the second inlet passes through at least one pressure release device of the plurality of relief devices.

[0011] In another example, a valve includes a valve body; a piston; and a resilient member. The valve body defines a bore and a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet that are each in fluid communication with the bore. The piston is disposed within the bore and movable between a first position and a second position. The piston blocks fluid communication between the first inlet and the first outlet and between the second inlet and the second outlet when in the first position. The first inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet, and the second inlet is in fluid communication with the second outlet, when the piston is in the second position. The resilient member biases the piston toward the first position and compresses in response to pressurized fluid entering the third inlet and forcing the piston into the second position.

[0012] As used herein, a pressure release device (PRD) is a pressure- or temperature- activated device that, once activated, releases all pressurized content of a vessel, thereby reducing the likelihood of the vessel rupturing. Prior to being activated, fluid cannot pass through the PRD. For example, a PRD may be triggered when it and the vessel are exposed to fire (or otherwise to a sufficiently high temperature) or when the PRD is exposed to excessive pressure, such as from the vessel being overfilled. Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that remain open once activated, even if the temperature or pressure to which they are exposed drops below a predetermined value (e.g., the temperature or pressure that activated the device). Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that do not re-close after they are activated open and / or when the temperature or pressure to which they are exposed drops below a predetermined value. Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that start closed, are thereafter triggered open, and remain permanently open (i.e., do not re-close). Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that are initially closed, are thereafter triggered open, and remain open (i.e., do not re-close) until an operator resets the devices to be closed. Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that do not inhibit the evacuation of pressurized content from a vessel subsequent to the devices being triggered. Embodiments of the present300397905 3PRDs may be characterized as devices that do not stop the evacuation of pressurized content out of a vessel from an initial start of the evacuation to the evacuation’s completion when all the pressurized content has escaped the vessel. Embodiments of the present PRDs may be characterized as devices that allow a vessel containing pressurized contents to completely evacuate the pressurized contents once the evacuation begins.

[0013] The PRDs described herein may be any suitable PRD, such as a rupture disc device, a fusible plug device, a combination rupture disc / fusible plug device, or a pressure release valve. The primary activation mechanism of the PRDs described herein may be a eutectic material, a shape memory alloy, another suitable trigger responsive to temperature or pressure, a solenoid, or manual activation.

[0014] The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise.

[0015] Furthermore, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers, whole or fractions, within the range, inclusive of the ends of the ranges. Moreover, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

[0016] Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

[0017] The terms “comprise” and any form thereof such as “comprises” and “comprising,” “have” and any form thereof such as “has” and “having,” and “include” and any form thereof such as “includes” and “including” are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus (such as a valve) or system that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Eikewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.

[0018] Any embodiment of any of the apparatuses, systems, and methods can consist of or consist essentially of — rather than comprise / have / include — any of the described steps,300397905 4elements, and / or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.

[0019] An apparatus or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to or configured to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted or configured.

[0020] The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, even though not described, or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments.

[0021] Some details associated with the embodiments are described above and others are described below.

[0022] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi- vessel evacuation valve, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.300397905 5

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multi-vessel evacuation valve, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of a valve body of the multi-vessel evacuation valve, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a piston of the multi-vessel evacuation valve, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the multi-vessel evacuation valve in a first state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the multi-vessel evacuation valve in a second state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a multi-vessel evacuation system with the multi-vessel evacuation valve in the first state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8A is a schematic of a multi- vessel evacuation system with the multi-vessel evacuation valve in the second state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 8B is a magnified portion of FIG. 8A that depicts the multi- vessel evacuation valve in the second state, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the inventive subject matter. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every case and that, in some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form for clarity of presentation.

[0034] Referring now to the figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is an embodiment of the present multi-vessel evacuation valve, which is designated by the reference numeral 10. The valve 10 includes a valve body 100, a plurality of inlet fittings 102, a plurality of outlet fittings 104, and an inlet fitting 106. In the depicted embodiment, the plurality of inlet fittings 102 includes inlet fittings 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D. In other embodiments, the plurality of inlet fittings 102 may include a single fitting, two fittings, or any suitable number of fittings greater than two. In the depicted embodiment, the plurality of outlet fittings 104 includes outlet fittings 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D. In other embodiments, the plurality of outlet fittings 104 may include a single fitting, two fittings, or any suitable number of fittings greater than two.300397905 6

[0035] Each of the inlet and outlet fittings is adapted to be coupled to the valve body 100 on one end of the fitting and to be coupled to a fluid line (e.g., pipe) on the other end of the fitting. FIG. 1 depicts each of the plurality of inlet fittings 102, the plurality of outlet fittings 104, and the inlet fitting 106 coupled to the valve body 100. In at least some embodiments, the inlet and outlet fittings are coupled to the valve body 100 and to respective fluid lines via threaded engagement.

[0036] The inlet fitting 106, as shown, is disposed at an angle (e.g., a non-zero angle, such as 90°) relative to each of the plurality of inlet fittings 102 and to each of the plurality of outlet fittings 104. Specifically, a longitudinal axis 107 extending through a center of the inlet fitting 106 is disposed at an angle (e.g., a non-zero angle, such as 90°) relative to a lateral axis 103 extending through a center of the inlet fitting 102D and a lateral axis 105 extending through a center of the outlet fitting 104D, which lateral axes are, in the disclosed embodiment, parallel to each other. Each of the inlet fittings 102A, 102B and 102C may be aligned parallel with the inlet fitting 102D. Each of the outlet fittings 104A, 104B and 104C may be aligned parallel with the outlet fitting 104D. For example, in the depicted embodiment, a plane including each of the axes 103, 105, 107 extends through each of the plurality of inlet fittings 102, the plurality of outlet fittings 104, and the inlet fitting 106.

[0037] In various aspects, each of the inlet and outlet fittings may be o-ring face seal (ORFS) fittings, joint industry council (JIC) fittings, compression fittings, or other suitable fittings capable of achieving leak-free connections for use in high pressure and high vibration environments. For example, each of the inlet and outlet fittings may be Vi’ ORFS fittings, though other suitable sizing is possible. As a representative example, the inlet fittings 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D are depicted in FIG. 2 as ORFS fittings each having a face with a respective o-ring 109A, 109B, 109C, 109D. The face having the o-ring is placed within the valve body to form a seal such that, for example, the o-ring 109B precludes fluid flowing through inlet fitting 102B from leaking into the region where the inlet fitting 102B is coupled to the valve body 100. In other aspects, each of the inlet and outlet fittings may be a different suitable type of fitting. In some aspects, the plurality of inlet fittings 102, the plurality of outlet fittings 104, and the inlet fitting 106 may be omitted and the fluid lines are instead coupled directly to the valve body 100.

[0038] Referring now to FIGs. 2 and 3, the valve 10 further includes a piston 108 and a resilient member 110. With the valve 10 assembled, the piston 108 and the resilient member 110 are disposed within a bore 118 formed in the valve body 100, which will be described in more detail below. The resilient member 110 is a component capable of repeatedly storing and300397905 7releasing energy through elastic deformation. For example, the resilient member 110 may be a spring, such as a compression spring or an extension spring, each of which may be a coil spring, a machined spring, or another suitable type of spring.

[0039] The valve body 100 includes a plurality of inlets 112 formed in the valve body starting at a first surface 113 of the valve body 100 (e.g., a plurality of first inlets), the plurality of inlets 112 including inlets 112A, 112B, 112C, and 112D in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments, the plurality of inlets 112 may include two inlets or any suitable number of inlets greater than two. For instance, the number of inlets in the plurality of inlets 112 may equal the number of fittings in the plurality of inlet fittings 102. In the depicted embodiment, each of the inlets formed in the valve body starting at the first surface 113 can receive an end of an inlet fitting of the plurality of inlet fittings 102 and couple the inlet fitting to the valve body 100. For example, each of the inlets formed in the valve body starting at the first surface 113 may include at least one interior thread that can be engaged with at least one exterior thread of the end (or end portion) of the inlet fitting. The lateral axis 103 of an inlet fitting can also be referred to as a lateral axis of an inlet. In some embodiments, at least one exterior thread of an end (or end portion) of a fluid line can engage the at least one interior thread of an inlet formed in the valve body starting at the first surface 113 such that the fluid line is directly coupled to the valve body 100. When present, an inlet fitting engaged with an inlet of the plurality of inlets 112 may collectively be referred to as an inlet (e.g., a first inlet) of the valve 10.

[0040] The valve body 100 further includes a plurality of outlets 114 formed in the valve body starting at a second surface 115 of the valve body 100, the plurality of outlets 114 including outlets 114A, 114B, 114C, and 114D in the depicted embodiment. In other embodiments, the plurality of outlets 114 may include two outlets or any suitable number of outlets greater than two. For instance, the number of outlets in the plurality of outlets 114 may equal the number of fittings in the plurality of outlet fittings 104. In the depicted embodiment, each of the outlets formed in the valve body starting at the second surface 115 can receive an end of an outlet fitting of the plurality of outlet fittings 104 and couple the outlet fitting to the valve body 100. For example, each of the outlets formed in the valve body starting at the second surface 115 may include at least one interior thread that can be engaged with at least one exterior thread of the end (or end portion) of the outlet fitting. The lateral axis 105 of an outlet fitting can also be referred to as a lateral axis of an outlet. In some embodiments, at least one exterior thread of an end (or end portion) of a fluid line can engage the at least one interior thread of an outlet of the plurality of outlets 114 such that the fluid line is directly coupled to300397905 8the valve body 100. When present, an outlet fitting engaged with an outlet of the plurality of outlets 114 may collectively be referred to as an outlet (e.g., a first outlet) of the valve 10.

[0041] The valve body 100 further includes an inlet 116 (e.g., a second or secondary inlet) formed in the valve body starting at a third surface 117 of the valve body 100. The third surface 117 may be perpendicular to both the first surface 113 and the second surface 115. In the depicted embodiment, the inlet 116 can receive an end of the inlet fitting 106 and couple the inlet fitting 106 to the valve body 100. For example, the inlet 116 may include at least one interior thread that can be engaged with at least one exterior thread of the end (or end portion) of the inlet fitting 106. The longitudinal axis 107 of the inlet fitting 116 can also be referred to as a longitudinal axis of the inlet 106. In some embodiments, at least one exterior thread of an end (or end portion) of a fluid line can engage the at least one interior thread of the inlet 116 such that the fluid line is directly coupled to the valve body 100. When present, the inlet fitting 106 engaged with the inlet 116 may collectively be referred to as an inlet (e.g., a second or secondary inlet) of the valve 10.

[0042] Each inlet of the plurality of inlets 112, each outlet of the plurality of outlets 114, and the inlet 116 are in fluid communication with the bore 118 formed in the valve body 100. The longitudinal axis 107 is depicted in FIG. 3 extending through a center of the bore 118. In various example embodiments, the bore 118 may have a diameter (or a dimension suited to its chosen profile, such as one of the non-circular profiles discussed below, where such dimension is measured in the same manner discussed above) within a range of 0.45 to 0.55 inches (e.g., 0.50 inches).

[0043] In some embodiments, such as the depicted embodiment, at least one of the plurality of inlets 112 (up to each of them) may be offset from its corresponding outlet of the plurality of outlets 114 along the longitudinal axis 107. For example, the lateral axis 103 extending through the inlet 112D is offset from the lateral axis 105 extending through the outlet 114D along the longitudinal axis 107. In other embodiments, at least one of the plurality of inlets 112 (up to each of them) may be aligned with its corresponding outlet of the plurality of outlets 114 along the longitudinal axis 107. For example, in these other embodiments, the lateral axis 103 of the inlet 112D may extend along the same line as the lateral axis 105 of the outlet 114D.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, the piston 108 includes a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions. Each of the plurality of second portions has a diameter less than the diameter of each of the plurality of first portions. In some embodiments, at least one of the first portions has a diameter within a range of 0.40 to 0.60, 0.45 to 0.60, 0.50 to 0.60, 0.40 to 0.55, 0.40 to 0.50, or 0.45 to 0.55 inches (e.g., 0.49 inches). In some embodiments, at least one300397905 9of the first portions has a length along the longitudinal axis 107 within a range of 0.50 to 1.50, 0.50 to 1.0, 1.0 to 1.5, 0.75 to 1.25, or 0.70 to 1.10 inches (e.g., 0.90 inches). In some embodiments, at least one of the second portions has a diameter within a range of 0.20 to 0.40, 0.20 to 0.35, 0.20 to 0.30, 0.25 to 0.40, 0.30 to 0.40, or 0.25 to 0.35 inches (e.g., 0.28 inches). In some embodiments, at least one of the second portions has a length along the longitudinal axis 107 within a range of 0.50 to 1.50, 0.50 to 1.0, 1.0 to 1.5, 0.75 to 1.25, or 0.90 to 1.30 inches (e.g., 1.10 inches). A total length of the piston 108 along the longitudinal axis 107 in this example is within a range of 8 to 9 inches (e.g., 8.34 inches), though is not limited as such. The diameters and lengths of the first and second portions, as well as the length of the piston 108, may be within ranges other than those listed here in other embodiments.

[0045] In other embodiments, the respective outer profiles of the first portions and / or the second portions may be not round (e.g., triangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other suitable shape), and the distance ranges discussed above may be of a dimension that is taken along and between the locations on the surfaces of the respective portion of a line intersecting and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the piston (such as longitudinal axis 107 when the piston is positioned in the valve body).

[0046] The depicted embodiment shows the piston 108 including five first portions 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, and 200E and four second portions 202A, 202B, 202C, and 202D. The piston 108, however, can include different suitable numbers of first portions and second portions. For instance, the number of first portions and second portions depends on the number of inlets in the plurality of inlets 112 and the number of outlets in the plurality of outlets 114 of the valve body 100. In example embodiments, the first portion 200E may have a length shorter than the length of other first portions. For example, the first portion 200E may have a length along the longitudinal axis 107 within a range of 0.30 to 0.40 inches (e.g., 0.34 inches).

[0047] In an example, the depicted embodiment of the valve body 100 includes four inlets 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D and four outlets 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, which corresponds to the piston 108 including the four first portions 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D and four second portions 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D. For example, when the first portion 200A is positioned to cover the inlet 112A or the outlet 114A, the first portion 200 A blocks fluid communication between the inlet 112A and its corresponding outlet 114A via a sealing member (e.g., o-ring) 204 disposed on a first end (or first end portion) of the first portion 200A that precludes fluid from the inlet 112A from flowing past the sealing member 204. The first portion 200 A may also include a sealing member 204 disposed on a second end (or second end portion) of the first portion 200A, as depicted. The second portion 202A, when the piston 108 is shifted so the300397905 10first portion 200 A does not cover the inlet 112A or the outlet 114A, allows fluid communication between the inlet 112A and its corresponding outlet 114A, since there is no sealing member to preclude the fluid from the inlet 112A flowing to the outlet 114A.

[0048] While sealing members 204 are only indicated with reference numerals on the first portion 200 A for simplicity, it will be appreciated that each of the first portions 200 A, 200B, 200C, and 200D may block fluid communication between respective inlets and outlets by way of sealing members 204 disposed on each of the first portions 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D. The sealing members 204 also block fluid communication between adjacent inlets and outlets. For example, when the first portion 200B is positioned to cover the outlet 114B as depicted in FIG. 5, one of the sealing members 204 disposed on the first portion 200B blocks fluid communication between the inlet 112B and the outlet 114B, and a second sealing member 204 disposed on the first portion 200B blocks fluid communication between the inlet 112A and the outlet 114B.

[0049] A sealing member 204 may similarly be disposed on the first portion 200E to block fluid communication between the inlet 116 and the inlets 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, and between the inlet 116 and the outlets 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D. In some embodiments, the first portion 200E may be omitted.

[0050] An operation of the valve 10 will now be described with reference to FIGs. 5 and 6. At rest, the valve 10 is in a first, closed state (FIG. 5) in which the resilient member 110 biases the piston 108 into a first position, toward the inlet fitting 106, such that the piston 108 blocks fluid communication between the inlet fittings 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D and the outlet fittings 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D. When the piston 108 is forced into a second position against the biasing force of the resilient member 110, such as by pressurized fluid flowing into the inlet fitting 106, the valve 10 transitions to a second, open state (FIG. 6) in which each of the inlet fittings 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D is in fluid communication with a respective one of the outlet fittings 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D as depicted. In an example, the resilient member 110 is structured such that the piston 108 may be forced into the second position by fluid at a pressure greater than a pressure within a range of 25 to 200, 25 to 150, 25 to 100, 50 to 200, 50 to 150, or 100 to 200 psi.

[0051] Referring now to FIGs. 7 and 8, a multi-vessel evacuation system 300 is depicted that includes the valve 10 fluidly coupled to each of vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D storing fluid under pressure. For example, each of vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may store fluid at a pressure within a range of 3,000 to 12,000 psi. For example, if the fluid is compressed natural gas (CNG), each of vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may store CNG300397905 11at a pressure within a range of 3,000 to 4,000 psi (e.g., 3,600 psi). In such an example, vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may be any of the four types of CNG tanks. In another example, if the fluid is hydrogen gas, each of vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may store hydrogen gas at a pressure within a range of 9,500 to 12,000 psi (e.g., 10,100 psi). As depicted, respective fluid lines 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D fluidly couple the vessels 302A, 302B, 302C, 302D to the respective inlet fittings 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D of the valve 10. Each of the fluid lines described herein may be, for example, a pipe. The multi- vessel evacuation system 300 may be included in a fuel system, such as a fuel system disposed on a vehicle, in which each of the vessels stores fuel, or another suitable system employing vessels storing pressurized fluid.

[0052] Each of vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may also be fluidly coupled to an inlet of a pressure release device (PRD) of the multi-vessel evacuation system 300. In the depicted embodiment, a fluid line 308A fluidly couples the vessel 302A to an inlet of a PRD 304A, a fluid line 308B fluidly couples the vessel 302B to an inlet of a PRD 304B, a fluid line 308C fluidly couples the vessel 302C to an inlet of a PRD 304C, and a fluid line 308D fluidly couples the vessel 302D to an inlet of a PRD 304D. In some embodiments, the fluid line 308B may further fluidly couple the vessel 302B to the PRD 304A, the fluid line 308C may further fluidly couple the vessel 302C to the PRD 304B, and / or the fluid line 308D may further fluidly couple the vessel 302D to the PRD 304C. In such embodiments, the PRD 304A may be in fluid communication with the PRD 304B, the PRD 304B may be in fluid communication with the PRD 304C, and / or the PRD 304C may be in fluid communication with the PRD 304D.

[0053] The respective outlets of each of the PRDs 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D are fluidly coupled to the inlet fitting 106 of the valve 10. For example, the outlets of each of the PRDs 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D may be fluidly coupled to a fluid line 310 by a respective fluid line 312A, 312B, 312C, or 312D, and the fluid line 310 is fluidly coupled to the inlet fitting 106. In at least some aspects, a fluid line 314 may branch from the fluid line 310 and lead to the atmosphere, as explained further below. Each of the outlet fittings 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D of the valve 10 is fluidly coupled to a respective fluid line 316A, 316B, 316C, or 316D that each lead to the atmosphere. The fluid lines 310, 312A, 312B, 312C, 312D, 314, 316A, 316B, 316C, and 316D can be referred to as vent lines.

[0054] In FIG. 7, none of the PRDs 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D has been triggered and the valve 10 is in the first, closed state. In this normal operating state, fluid from the vessels 302A, 302B, 302C and 302D may fill the fluid lines 306A, 306B, 306C and 306D and the fluid lines 308A, 308B, 308C and 308D, but the PRDs 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D and the piston 108 effectively block fluid from entering any of the vent lines such that the vent lines are at300397905 12atmospheric pressure. Fluid that leaks through the PRDs prior to triggering them can escape to atmosphere via the vent line 314 so as to avoid accidental triggering of the valve 10. In an example, the vent line 314 may include a mechanism (e.g., a valve, such as a one-way valve) such that only fluid under pressure greater than a threshold (e.g., 4 psi) can pass through the vent line 314.

[0055] Upon one or more of the PRDs 304A, 304B, 304C, and 304D being triggered, the multi-vessel evacuation system 300 enters an evacuation state as shown in FIG. 8A. Fluid passes through the one or more triggered PRDs, fills the vent line 310, and forces the piston 108 into the second position against the biasing force of the resilient member 110. With the piston 108 in the second position, fluid in the fluid lines 306A, 306B, 306C and 306D can pass through the valve 10, into the vent lines 316A, 316B, 316C, and 316D, and out to atmosphere as best shown in FIG. 8B, which magnifies the valve 10 from FIG. 8A. Fluid in the vent line 310 can evacuate to the atmosphere through the vent line 314. In this way, triggering of even a single PRD initiates evacuation of all of the vessels in the multi- vessel evacuation system 300 through the use of the valve 10.

[0056] While the multi-vessel evacuation system 300 is depicted including a single valve 10, in other embodiments, the multi- vessel evacuation system 300 may include two or more valves 10 in parallel with one another and fluidly coupled to a respective plurality of vessels.

[0057] The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the products, systems, and methods are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, and / or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and / or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.300397905 13

[0058] The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.300397905 14

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system comprising: a first vessel in fluid communication with a first pressure release device; a second vessel in fluid communication with a second pressure release device; and a valve comprising: a first inlet in fluid communication with the first vessel; a first outlet; a second inlet in fluid communication with the second vessel; a second outlet; and a third inlet in fluid communication with both the first and second pressure release devices; wherein the valve transitions from a first state to a second state in response to the first pressure release device being triggered; wherein, with the valve in the first state, the valve blocks fluid communication between the first inlet and the first outlet and between the second inlet and the second outlet; and wherein, with the valve in the second state, the first inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet and the second inlet is in fluid communication with the second outlet such that fluid from the first and second vessels vents through the first and second outlets, respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel is in fluid communication with the third inlet of the valve subsequent to the first pressure release device being triggered.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first pressure release device blocks fluid communication between the first vessel and the third inlet of the valve prior to the first pressure release device being triggered.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a bore and a piston movably disposed within the bore.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the valve further comprises a resilient member that: biases the piston toward a first position when the valve is in the first state, and compresses in response to fluid forcing the piston into a second position when the valve is in the second state.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the piston blocks the first and second outlets when in the first position.300397905 157. The system of claim 5, wherein the piston blocks the first and second inlets when in the first position.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the piston, when in the second position, blocks fluid communication between the third inlet and each of the first and second inlets and between the third inlet and each of the first and second outlets.

9. A system comprising: a valve in fluid communication with each of a plurality of vessels via a plurality of first inlets of the valve, wherein the valve includes a bore and a piston disposed within the bore and movable between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of pressure release devices in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels and with a second inlet of the valve; wherein the valve is configured and arranged such that, upon at least one pressure release device of the plurality of pressure release devices being triggered, pressurized fluid from at least one vessel of the plurality of vessels enters the second inlet of the valve and forces the piston from the first position into the second position, thereby enabling pressurized fluid from each vessel of the plurality of vessels to travel through the plurality of first inlets and out a plurality of outlets of the valve.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the piston is biased toward the first position.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the piston blocks fluid communication between the plurality of first inlets and the plurality of outlets when the piston is in the first position.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the piston allows fluid communication between the plurality of first inlets and the plurality of outlets when the piston is in the second position.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein each respective vessel of the plurality of vessels is in fluid communication with a respective first inlet of the plurality of first inlets.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein each respective vessel of the plurality of vessels is in fluid communication with a respective pressure release device of the plurality of pressure release devices.

15. A method comprising: venting a plurality of vessels to an atmosphere at the same time through a valve comprising a plurality of first inlets in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels, wherein the valve further comprises:300397905 16a second inlet in fluid communication with a plurality of pressure release devices that are in fluid communication with the plurality of vessels; a plurality of outlets; a bore in fluid communication with the plurality of first inlets, the second inlet, and the plurality of outlets; and a piston disposed within the bore and movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the venting includes pressurized fluid from at least one vessel of the plurality of vessels entering the second inlet of the valve and forcing the piston into the second position, thereby enabling pressurized fluid from each of the plurality of vessels to vent to the atmosphere through the plurality of outlets of the valve; and wherein the pressurized fluid that enters the second inlet passes through at least one pressure release device of the plurality of pressure release devices.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one pressure release device allows fluid communication between the at least one vessel and the second inlet of the valve when triggered and blocks fluid communication between the at least one vessel and the second inlet of the valve prior to being triggered.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the piston is biased toward the first position.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the piston blocks fluid communication between the plurality of first inlets and the plurality of outlets when the piston is in the first position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the piston allows fluid communication between the plurality of first inlets and the plurality of outlets when the piston is in the second position.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein each respective vessel of the plurality of vessels is in fluid communication with a respective first inlet of the plurality of first inlets.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein each respective vessel of the plurality of vessels is in fluid communication with a respective pressure release device of the plurality of pressure release devices.

22. A valve comprising: a valve body defining a bore and a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet that are each in fluid communication with the bore; a piston disposed within the bore and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston blocks fluid communication between the first inlet300397905 17and the first outlet and between the second inlet and the second outlet when in the first position, and wherein, when the piston is in the second position, the first inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet, and the second inlet is in fluid communication with the second outlet; and a resilient member that biases the piston toward the first position and compresses in response to pressurized fluid entering the third inlet and forcing the piston into the second position.

23. The valve of claim 22, wherein the piston, in both the first position and the second position, blocks fluid communication between the first inlet and the second outlet and between the second inlet and the first outlet.

24. The valve of claim 22, wherein the piston includes a first portion having a first dimension and a second portion having a second dimension greater than the first dimension, the first and second dimensions taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the piston.

25. The valve of claim 22, wherein the piston translates along a longitudinal axis of the piston when moving between the first and second positions.300397905 18

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