Compressed gas container with shape memory alloy pressure relief member
First Claim
1. A container for compressed gas, the container having a body portion which entraps the gas, a neck portion in communication with the body portion, the neck portion defining a gas passageway through which the gas may escape from the container, the container having:
- a pressure relief member comprising a bimorph mounted at the neck portion, the bimorph being impermeable by the gas and comprising;
a shape memory material having a shape which changes depending on temperature, such that below a critical temperature the bimorph assumes a first state and above the critical temperature the bimorph assumes a second state,the gas being entrapped within the container when the bimorph assumes the first state,the gas escaping through the gas passageway when the pressure thereof rises due to temperature increase above the critical temperature when the bimorph assumes the second state, thereby relieving gas pressure in the container.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A container (10) for compressed gas with a pressure relief member (18) made from a bimorph shape memory material. The bimorph (18) is impermeable by the gas. The bimorph (18) assumes a shape which changes depending on temperature. Below a critical temperature, the bimorph (18) lies in a first (deformed) state, and reverts to a second (remembered) state thereabove. The gas is entrapped within the container (10) when the bimorph (18) assumes the first state. When pressure rises due to temperature increase above the critical temperature, gas may escape from the container (10). This is because the bimorph (18) reverts to its second state, in which a relief gas passageway is opened, thereby relieving gas pressure.
58 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A container for compressed gas, the container having a body portion which entraps the gas, a neck portion in communication with the body portion, the neck portion defining a gas passageway through which the gas may escape from the container, the container having:
a pressure relief member comprising a bimorph mounted at the neck portion, the bimorph being impermeable by the gas and comprising; a shape memory material having a shape which changes depending on temperature, such that below a critical temperature the bimorph assumes a first state and above the critical temperature the bimorph assumes a second state, the gas being entrapped within the container when the bimorph assumes the first state, the gas escaping through the gas passageway when the pressure thereof rises due to temperature increase above the critical temperature when the bimorph assumes the second state, thereby relieving gas pressure in the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A container for compressed gas, the container permitting the gas to escape at an elevated temperature, the container having:
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a pressure relief member comprising a bimorph made of a shape memory alloy, the bimorph being fitted proximate a gas passageway of the container; wherein the shape memory alloy is previously made to remember a first state below a critical temperature; and the bimorph alters its shape to a second state above the critical temperature in response to a rise in ambient temperature above the critical temperature so that a gap occurs between the bimorph and the gas passageway and gas pressure may thereby be relieved.
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18. A method for providing pressure relief in a container for compressed gas, the container having a gas passageway through which the gas may escape, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a pressure relief member having a bimorph mounted proximate the gas passageway, the bimorph being impermeable by the gas; forming the bimorph so that it may assume a first state below a critical temperature and a second state thereabove, the gas being entrapped within the container when the bimorph assumes the first state; and selecting the material of which the bimorph is made so that at temperatures above the critical temperature, when the bimorph is in its second state, the bimorph is deflected and the gas passageway is thereby opened, such that the gas may escape through the gas passageway when the pressure thereof rises due to temperature increase above the critical temperature and gas pressure in the container may be relieved. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification