Gas tank having usage monitoring system

• US 20080148853A1
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hyeung-Yun Kim
• Original Assignee: Hyeung-Yun Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Hyeung-Yun
• Application Number:
  US12/072,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20080148853A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/587
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/02 Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment measuring in general G01
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/035 with substantially horizontal main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0604 Liners
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0621 with three layers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0636 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/066 Plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0142 bundled in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0196 with shock absorbing means
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0397 on both sides of the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0465 : Vibrations, e.g. of acoustic type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0469 : Constraints, e.g. by gauges
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0491 : Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0495 : the indicated parameter is a converted measured parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 : Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/015 : Facilitating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0171 : Trucks

Abstract

A tank having a system for monitoring the structural conditions of the tank. The tank includes: an inner liner adapted to contain a gas thereinside and to prevent permeation of the gas therethrough; a shell surrounding the inner liner; and a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP) attached to the outside surface of the shell. Each DNP is able to operate as a transmitter patch or a sensor patch, where the transmitter patch is able to transmit a diagnostic signal and the sensor patch is able to receive the diagnostic signal. The diagnostic signal received by the DNP is analyzed to monitor the structural conditions of the tank.

Claims

1. A tank, comprising:

an inner liner adapted to contain a gas thereinside and to prevent permeation of the gas therethrough;

a shell surrounding the inner liner; and

a plurality of diagnostic network patches (DNP) attached to an outer surface of the shell;

wherein each of the patches is able to operate as at least one of a transmitter patch and a sensor patch, the transmitter patch is able to transmit a diagnostic signal, and the sensor patch is able to receive the diagnostic signal.

2. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of electrical cables connecting the diagnostic network patches to an external device.

3. The tank of claim 2, further comprising:

an electrical connection ring to which end portions of the electrical cables are secured.

4. The tank of claim 3, further comprising:

an electrical connection coupler having a generally hollow tubular shape and an inner side surface in contact with an outer side surface of the electrical connection ring, the electrical connection coupler including a plurality of connectors for connecting the end portions of the electrical cables to the external device.

5. The tank of claim 2, wherein each said electrical cable includes a substrate layer, conducting wires, and a cover layer.

6. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of fiber optic sensors disposed between the inner liner and the shell and operative to measure a strain of the shell.

7. The tank of claim 1, further comprising;

a thermometer attached to the shell and operative to measure a temperature of the tank.

8. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of strips for securing the DNP to the shell and protecting the DNP.

9. The tank of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic signal includes at least one of a Lamb wave and a vibration signal.

10. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

a structural health monitor controller for operating the DNP and processing the diagnostic signal received by the sensor patch.

11. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure control module attached to the tank and including;

at least one safety valve;

at least one electrical solenoid to operate the safety valve; and

a solenoid driver to actuate the solenoid.

12. The tank of claim 1, wherein the shell is formed of a composite material.

13. The tank of claim 1, wherein the inner liner is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metal and polymer plastic material

14. The tank of claim 8, wherein the strips are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of composite material, homogenous thermoplastic material, and rubber material.

15. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional shell interposed between the shell and the inner liner.

16. The tank of claim 15, wherein the additional shell is formed of a composite material.

17. The tank of claim 1, further comprising:

an additional shell surrounding the shell.

18. The tank of claim 17, wherein the additional shell is formed of a composite material.

19. The tank of claim 17, further comprising:

an impact protection cover surrounding a portion of an outer surface of the additional shell.

20. The tank of claim 19, wherein the impact protection cover is formed of an elastic material.