System with remotely controlled, pressure actuated tank valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10458600-B2
Application number	US-201715475382-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 31, 2017
Priority date	Apr 8, 2016
Publication date	Oct 29, 2019
Grant date	Oct 29, 2019

Abstract

A pressurized tank system includes a first tank, a second tank, a manifold, a first conduit connecting the first tank to the manifold, a second conduit connecting the second tank to the manifold, a first pressure actuated valve operably connected to the second conduit, a third conduit connecting the manifold and the first pressure actuated valve, and a fourth conduit connecting the first pressure actuated valve and the second tank. The first pressure actuated valve is configured for operation by fluid pressure in the third conduit. A method includes operably connecting a first pressure actuated valve at a junction between the second conduit, a third conduit connecting to the manifold, and a fourth conduit connecting to the second tank; and automatically opening the first pressure actuated valve with the fluid in the third conduit when the fluid pressure level exceeds a threshold pressure level.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pressurized tank system comprising:
a first tank;
a second tank;
a manifold;
a first conduit connecting the first tank to the manifold;
a first pressure actuated valve;
a second conduit connecting the first pressure actuated valve to the manifold;
a third conduit connecting the manifold and the first pressure actuated valve, the first pressure actuated valve being configured for operation by fluid pressure in the third conduit, wherein the first pressure actuated valve is closed when the fluid pressure in the third conduct is at a first level, and wherein the first pressure actuated valve is open when the fluid pressure in the third conduct is at a second level higher than the first level; and
a fourth conduit connecting the first pressure actuated valve and the second tank.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first tank has a larger volume than the second tank.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second valve operably connected to the first conduit.

4. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a third valve operably connected to a fifth conduit between the manifold and an atmosphere outside the system.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid source connected to the manifold.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid storage station connected to the manifold.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure actuated valve is configured for bi-directional fluid flow between the second and fourth conduits.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure actuated valve opens when a fluid pressure level in the third conduit reaches a threshold pressure level.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the threshold pressure level is between about 3,600 psi and about 4,500 psi.

10. A method for controlling fluid flow in a system comprising a first tank, a second tank, a manifold, a first conduit connecting the first tank to the manifold, and a second conduit connecting a first pressure actuated valve to the manifold, the method comprising:
operably connecting the first pressure actuated valve at a junction between the second conduit, a third conduit connecting to the manifold, and a fourth conduit connecting to the second tank;
introducing fluid into the third conduit, wherein the fluid has a fluid pressure level; and
automatically opening the first pressure actuated valve with the fluid when the fluid pressure level exceeds a threshold pressure level.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising automatically closing the first pressure actuated valve when the fluid pressure level falls below the threshold pressure level.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein fluid flows through the first pressure actuated valve from the second conduit to the fourth conduit.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein fluid flows through the first pressure actuated valve from the fourth conduit to the second conduit.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the threshold pressure level is between about 3,600 psi and about 4,500 psi.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first pressure actuated valve automatically opens when:
the fluid pressure level in the third conduit is greater or equal to about 0.6 times a fluid pressure level in the second conduit; and
the fluid pressure level in the third conduit is greater or equal to about 0.6 times a fluid pressure level in the fourth conduit.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising operating a second valve connected to the first conduit.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising operating a third valve operably connected to a fifth conduit between the manifold and an atmosphere outside the system.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising connecting a fluid source to the manifold.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising connecting a fluid storage station to the manifold.

Assignees

• Hexagon Technology As

Inventors

• Attarzadeh Navid
• Marker Troy
• Baldwin Don

Classifications

• F17C2260/023

  Avoiding overheating · CPC title

• F17C2260/021

  Avoiding over pressurising · CPC title

• F17C7/00 Primary

  Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass · CPC title

• F17C2205/035

  Flow reducers · CPC title

• F17C2260/042

  Reducing risk of explosion · CPC title