Receptacles – Horizontally attached receptacle sets – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-18
2002-06-04
Yu, Mickey (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Horizontally attached receptacle sets
Detachable
C220S023830, C220S004120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06398055
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for storing compressed gas, having a plurality of storage containers which each have a container wall which surrounds a cavity provided for storing the compressed gas, the storage containers one conductively connected to one another and each storage container has a head piece which is connected to the container wall, and at least one connection for introducing and/or discharging the compressed gas.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Gases are conventionally transported in special containers which firstly prevent the gases from evaporating and secondly have to be of sufficiently stable design that the gas cannot be suddenly released in the event of the container being damaged. Furthermore, these containers, if they are used for example for storing gases at high pressure, have to have an extremely firm and stable container wall. Containers of this type for compressed gas conventionally consist of steel or of another metal. In this case, for reasons concerned with strength, either spherical shapes or cylindrical shapes are preferred. However, containers of this type have the disadvantage firstly of having a very high dead weight even when empty. Furthermore, the quantity of gas which can be stored is severely restricted by the existing geometry of the container.
With regard to increasing the quantity of gas which can be stored, U.S. Pat. No.
5,577,630 discloses a pressure container which is used for storing natural gas. This container consists of a row of elongated storage elements which consist of plastic and are arranged next to one another. In this case, the storage elements are mutually supported via the touching walls. The storage structure has a woven fabric wrapped around it in order to increase the strength of the container. By arranging a plurality of storage elements next to one another a single pressure container is provided which, in contrast to the previously conventional, cylindrical pressure containers, is able to hold a substantially greater quantity of compressed gas. Since, however, the individual storage elements are surrounded by a single covering layer, it is not possible for the container to be individually adapted in its geometrical shape to different requirements. Furthermore, the known container has the disadvantage that in the event of damage to a single storage element the entire container has to be replaced.
Furthermore, gas-transporting vehicles are known where compressed gas is stored in large, bottle-like containers which are arranged lying parallel to one another and can communicate with one another at their end sides through corresponding connecting conduits. The individual containers, which are formed from steel pipes, can have a fiber material wrapped around their cylindrical part in order to increase the strength and are held together by an external supporting frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting from the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention is based on the object of developing a device for storing compressed gas in such a manner that the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art are avoided. In particular, the intention is to provide a device for storing compressed gas which firstly has sufficient strength with regard to the gas to be stored and which secondly can be adapted individually in its geometrical structure to the available space and to the quantity of gas to be stored.
Pursuant to this object, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one aspect of the present invention resides in a device for storing compressed gas, which device includes a plurality of storage containers which each have a container wall that surrounds a cavity in which the compressed gas is stored. In the gas storage facility according to the invention, each storage container has a head piece which is connected to the container wall. The storage containers are connected or can be connected to one another mechanically and in a modular manner to form a compact constructional unit via the respective head pieces arranged directly next to one another in a row. The head pieces are therefore in mutual contact. In order to increase the strength or to protect the gas storage facility, it is advantageous if each of the storage containers has an additional covering layer which is arranged on the container wall at least in partial regions of the particular storage container.
This results in the provision of a device for storing compressed gas which can be matched individually to the most varied requirements. The device can be expanded or reduced by an appropriate number of storage containers depending on the quantity of gas to be stored. As a result, not only can the quantity of gas to be stored be varied, but it is also possible to adapt the device to the available space. The individual storage containers can namely be arranged both next to one another and above one another, with the result that the geometry of the device which is provided can deviate altogether from the previous spherical or cylindrical configurations.
Should one of the storage containers be damaged during use of the device and therefore have to be replaced, the corresponding storage container can be removed from the entire device and replaced by a new storage container. Replacement of the entire device can therefore be avoided This results, inter alia, in a considerable reduction of costs. Furthermore, it is possible for the device to continue to be used during replacement of the damaged storage element if appropriate shut-off valves are provided. This leads to a reduction in the down times of the installations operating using the device.
In order to obtain storage containers having particularly high strength, the covering layer can be arranged on the outer surface of the container wall. However, it is also possible for the covering layer to be arranged on the inner surface of the container wall or within the container wall. Of course, particularly if a plurality of covering layers are used, it is also possible for the various options of arranging the covering layer/covering layers to be combined.
For example, the container wall may be of single-part or multipart design. However, in the case of the multipart configuration of the container wall, it has to be ensured that the individual parts are suitably connected to one another in a gastight manner.
The individual storage containers can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and connected to one another in just as simple a manner, which results in a high saving on costs during the production of the device according to the invention.
According to the invention, the head piece can be connected to the container wall by bonding, preferably by means of soldering or welding. Of course, other forms of connection are also conceivable; it is merely important for the head piece and the container wall to be connected to one another in a gastight manner and, depending on the permissible gas pressure, in a sufficiently resistant manner to shearing and extension.
In a further refinement, the storage containers can be of cylindrical design. The cylindrical shape of the container wall provides optimum strength properties with regard to the prevailing expansion pressure of the stored gas. In an expedient refinement, a storage container may, for example, have an internal diameter of 56 cm and an external diameter of 60 cm.
In a further refinement, a storage container has a conical cross-sectional tapering in its end region used to hold it in the head piece. It is advantageous for the side walls of the head piece, which are in contact with the cross-sectional tapering of the storage container, to be of corresponding design. This results in a further improvement in the strength of the connection between the head piece and the container wall. Furthermore, the cross-sectional tapering of the ends of the container wall enables the storage containers to be packed particularly densely within the device.
In another embodiment, connecting elements are provide
Arnold Troy
Mannesmann AG
Yu Mickey
LandOfFree
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