CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS )

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/425,709, filed November 23, 2016, which is incorporated by reference as if disclosed herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Pressurized substances require containers that are capable of containing the substance as well as a pressurized propellant for release via a trigger mechanism; thus expelling the substance into the surrounding environment. Current technology includes the use of exposed metal components, which can react with the substance contained and cause oxidation and catalyzing reactions. Other known technology is unable to vent excess pressure build-up leading to structural failure of the containment vessel. In known systems where venting is available, the systems are unable to safely expel the substances classified as mild irritants and their byproducts into the surrounding environment. Current technology also fails to provide information regarding the state of the contents of the canister or container. Finally, known technology does not provide a sophisticated cost efficient system that allows for reuse and refilling.

SUMMARY

[0003] Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to systems and apparatus including a fluid storage container having a pressure relief valve for containing, dispensing, and relieving pressurized substances using a pressure relief valve, a compression member, a filter assembly, a charge/discharge assembly for safely filling and dispensing fluids from the system, and sensors to notify the user of the status of the substance within the container. [0004] Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a fluid storage container. As used herein, the term fluid is defined to broadly include liquids, solids, gases, and mixtures thereof. The fluid storage container includes a pressure vessel and a pressure relief valve. The pressure vessel includes a fluid storage chamber defined by outer walls. The outer walls include one or more apertures. The one or more apertures include a pressure relief aperture and a charge/discharge aperture. The pressure relief valve automatically unseals and seals the pressure relief aperture and includes a compressible body and a compression member. The compressible body includes a first end proximate the pressure relief aperture and an opposite second end distal the pressure relief aperture and proximate the compression member. The compression member is positioned to introduce an adjustable force against the second end thereby causing the compressible body to compress and the first end to have a sealing force directed toward an outside surface of the pressure relief aperture. The first end removably seals the pressure relief aperture when the sealing force is greater than or equal to an opposite force against the first end. The opposite force is caused by a pressure in the fluid storage chamber and the pressure in the fluid storage chamber is relieved when the opposite force is sufficiently greater than the sealing force, which causes the compressible body to compress so that it does not seal the pressure relief aperture, thus allowing fluid to escape the fluid storage chamber via the pressure relief aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The drawings show embodiments of the disclosed subject matter for the purpose of illustrating the invention. However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front view of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fluid storage container shown in FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side section view of some components of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side section view of a joint formed between components of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side section view of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; [0011] FIG. 6 is a side section view of a filter assembly of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a partial side section view of filter assembly of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; [0013] FIG. 8 is a top view of a filter of a filter assembly of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0014] FIG. 9 is a top view of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0015] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an exhaust vent aperture of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0016] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a compression member of a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0017] FIG. 12 is an enlarged side section view of a pressure relief valve according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0018] FIGS. 13A-13C are enlarged side section views of a pressure relief valve according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0019] FIG. 14 is a partial side section view of a floating plug valve assembly according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0020] FIG. 15 is a partial side section view of a floating plug valve assembly and coupling assembly according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0021] FIG. 16 is a partial side section view of a floating plug valve assembly and coupling assembly according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0022] FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial side section views of floating plug valve assemblies according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

[0023] FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view taken at or near line 5-5 of FIG. 5; and

[0024] FIG. 19 is a chart showing the flow of fluids through a fluid storage container according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Aspects of the disclosed subject matter include fluid storage containers and systems including a pressure relief valve that automatically releases fluids from the container when the internal pressure of the container reaches a predetermined level. Upon release of fluids and lowering of the pressure in the container, the pressure relief valve automatically returns to a closed position thereby sealing the container. Depending on the particular fluids stored in the container, the pressure relief valve might open and close multiple times to release fluids and lower the pressure in the container. In some embodiments, aspects of the disclosed subject matter include a filter assembly for removing one or more constituents from the fluids being released and a coupling assembly for charging and discharging the container.

[0026] Referring now to the figures and in particular to FIGS. 1-5, in some embodiments, aspects of the disclosed subject matter include a fluid storage container 100. Referring now to FIG. 1, fluid storage container 100 includes a pressure vessel 102, a filter assembly 104, and a threaded nipple fitting 106, all of which are in fluid communication.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, pressure vessel 102 includes a fluid storage chamber 108 defined by outer walls 110. Outer walls 110 include one or more apertures, e.g., a pressure relief aperture 112 and a charge/discharge aperture 114. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, pressure vessel 102 includes pressure vessel threads 116 defined in outer wall 118, which is adjacent filter assembly 104. Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, threaded nipple fitting 106, which is hollow, extends from an end portion 120 of outer wall 110 and is in fluid communication with both fluid storage chamber 108 and charge/discharge aperture 114.

[0028] Filter assembly 104 includes a filter chamber 122 defined by outer walls 124. Outer walls 124 include one or more apertures, e.g., a fluid release channel 126 in fluid communication with pressure relief aperture 112, an exhaust vent aperture 128 in fluid communication with the fluid release channel, and a compression member aperture 130. As shown in the enlarged section view in FIG. 4, outer wall 132 includes filter assembly threads 134 that mate with pressure vessel threads 116 and form a threaded joint 136 between pressure vessel 102 and filter assembly 104. In some embodiments, an adhesive compound 138, e.g., a polymer adhesive to prevent air gaps, is applied to threads 134 and 116 and other surfaces of both pressure vessel 102 and filter assembly 104 that come into contact when mated via threaded joint 136. In some embodiments, heat shrinking materials (not shown) are included and used to secure filter assembly 104 and pressure vessel 102. [0029] Referring now to FIGS. 5-10, in some embodiments, filter assembly 104 includes a channel 140 and one or more filters 142. Channel 140 is defined between fluid release channel 126 and compression member aperture 130 and contains a pressure relief valve 144, which is disclosed further below and in FIGS. 5, 12A, 12B, and 13A-13C. One or more filters 142 are positioned within filter chamber 122 and are typically, but not always, fabricated from materials selected to remove one or more predetermined constituents from fluid entering filter assembly 104 from fluid release channel 126. For example, in some embodiments, one or more filters include a calcium chloride and active charcoal layers.

[0030] Still referring to FIGS. 5-10, but as best shown in FIG. 6, filter chamber 122 defines a conduit 146 for receiving fluid 148 that escapes pressure vessel 102 via pressure relief aperture 112 and fluid release channel 126, respectively, and directing the fluid so that it passes through one or more filters 142 before exiting the filter chamber via exhaust vent aperture 128. In an exemplary embodiment, fluid 148 includes a mixture of oxygen and paracetic acid that is high in concentration. One or more filters 142 are typically positioned in separated layers and fluid 148 flows to each subsequent layer via a filter aperture 150. In some embodiments, a rubberized sealing compound 152, or similar, is applied to interior surfaces 154 of filter chamber 122 to ensure a fluid-tight seal between one or more filters 142 and the interior surfaces.

[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, in some embodiments, filter assembly 104 includes one or more sensors 156 defined in one of outer walls 124, e.g., wall 158. Of course, in some embodiments, one or more sensors 156 are defined in one or more filters 142. In some embodiments, one or more transparent sections 160 are defined in wall 158 and one or more sensors 156 include layers positioned beneath the transparent sections and adjacent one or more filters 142, e.g., a pH sensitive layer including litmus paper, an oxygen sensitive dye to create an oxygen sensor, and a water sensitive dye to create a water indicator.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 11, 12, and 13A-13C, some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include pressure relief valve 144 for automatically unsealing and sealing at least pressure relief aperture 112. Pressure relief valve 144 includes a compressible body 170 and a compression member 172. Pressure relief valve components are typically, but not always, fabricated from non-metallic, chemical-resistant materials. In some embodiments, compressible body 170 is fabricated from chemical-resistant materials including fluoropolymers,

fluoroelastomers, polyimide polymers, polymerized siloxanes, and combinations thereof. [0033] Compressible body 170 includes a first end 174 proximate pressure relief aperture 112 and an opposite second end 176 distal the pressure relief aperture and proximate compression member 172. As best shown in FIG. 13B, in some embodiments, compressible body 170 is substantially hour-glass shaped and includes a center portion 178 that is narrower than first and second ends 174 and 176, respectively, and expands when the body is compressed. Of course, depending on the materials and geometry used, in some embodiments, compression of compressible body 170 occurs substantially at first and second ends 174 and 176 and center portion 178 remains substantially uncompressed. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 13A-13C, compression member 172 is positioned within channel 140 to introduce an adjustable force 180 against second end 176 thereby causing compressible body 170 to compress and first end 174 to have a sealing force 182 directed toward an end surface 184 of channel 140 adjacent pressure relief aperture 112.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13C, first end 174 removably seals pressure relief aperture 112 when sealing force 182 is greater than or equal to an opposite force 190 against the first end. Opposite force 190 is caused by a pressure in fluid storage chamber 108. As shown in FIG. 13B, the pressure in fluid storage chamber 108 is relieved when opposite force 190 is sufficiently greater than sealing force 182 to cause compressible body 170 to compress so that it does not seal pressure relief aperture 112 thus allowing a fluid 192 to escape the fluid storage chamber via the pressure relief aperture and enter filter assembly 104 via fluid release channel 126.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 14-18, in some embodiments, fluid storage container 100 includes a floating plug valve assembly 200 positioned in charge/discharge aperture 114. Floating plug valve assembly 200 includes a floating plug 202 and a plug stop 204.

[0036] Floating plug 202 includes first and second ends 206 and 208, respectively, and is shaped so as to seal charge/discharge aperture 114 when an opposite force 190', which is caused by a pressure in fluid storage chamber 108, is introduced against second end 208 thereby causing first end 206 of the floating plug to contact and seal the charge/discharge aperture.

[0037] As shown best in FIG. 16, plug stop 204 includes stop arms 210 and is shaped and sized so as to define a duct space 212 between the stop arms and an outer portion 214 of charge/discharge aperture 114. Duct space 212 contains floating plug 202 and is sized so as to allow the floating plug to move from a first position (see FIG. 5) where first end 206 is in contact with and sealing charge/discharge aperture 114 to a second position (see FIGS. 15 and 18) where second end 208 is in contact with stop arms 210 and the first end is not in contact with the charge/discharge aperture. Of course, depending on the forces acting on floating plug 202, the plug may temporarily be positioned so that it is not contacting other surfaces and is "floating" as shown in FIG. 16.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 17A and 17B, in some embodiments, plug valve

assembly 200 and nipple fitting 106 are combined to form a unitary assembly 215. Unitary assembly 215 includes outer threads 216 that mate with threads 217 formed on interior surfaces of charge/discharge aperture 114. Unitary assembly 215 includes an installation flange 218 that extends outwardly from threaded nipple fitting 106 and a flange compression seal 219 positioned between outer wall 120 of pressure vessel 102 and the installation flange. [0039] As shown in FIG. 17B, some embodiments include a unitary assembly 215' that includes an installation flange 218' that extends outwardly until it comes in contact with angled interior outer walls 120' of the pressure vessel such that as outer threads 216' mate with threads 217' formed on interior surfaces of charge/discharge aperture 114', pressure forces from angled interior outer walls 120' against installation flange 218' increase as interior outer walls 120' deform thereby increasing the overall amount of internal pressure forces that unitary assembly 215' can withstand.

[0040] Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 14-18, some embodiments include a fluid storage system, which includes the above-disclosed fluid storage container 100 and a coupling assembly 220 that is configured to releasably connect with floating plug valve assembly 200. In use, fluids in pressure vessel 102 flow in and out of the pressure vessel via floating plug valve assembly 200 and coupling assembly 220.

[0041] Coupling assembly 220 joins with hollow threaded nipple fitting 106, which includes exterior fitting threads 222. As disclosed above, fitting 106 extends from outer wall 120 and is in fluid communication with charge/discharge aperture 114. Fitting 106 includes a compression seal 224 positioned on its interior walls 226.

[0042] Coupling assembly 220 includes a cap-like body 228 and an at least partially conically-shaped male fitting 230. Cap-like body 228 includes sidewalls 232 with internal threads 234 that define an annular recess 236. Annular recess 236 and internal threads 234 are sized so as to mate with exterior fitting threads 222 on threaded nipple fitting 106. At least partially conically-shaped male fitting 230 extends from annular recess 236. As best shown in

FIGS. 5 and 16, male fitting 230 includes a charge/discharge duct 238 that extends from openings 240 defined adjacent an apex 242 of the male fitting through body 228 beneath annular recess 236 to a side aperture 244 formed in the body. In use, male fitting 230 is configured to be removably inserted in threaded nipple fitting 106 and in contact with compression seal 224 when internal threads 234 of annular recess 236 and exterior fitting threads 222 of fitting 106 are mated. In some embodiments, annular recess 236 includes an annular compression seal 250 that contacts bottom surfaces 252 of fitting 106 when body 228 and fitting 106 are mated.

[0043] Conically-shaped male fitting 230 and compression seal 224 are configured to create a physical barrier restricting the free movement of substance during container installation and removal. This is achieved as conically-shaped male fitting 230 applies force directly to compression seal 224 thus surrounding it due to the seal being unable to accommodate completely for the increasing diameter of conically-shaped male fitting 230 as it moves further into place. As a result, by the time conically-shaped male fitting 230 has traveled enough distance to contact and unseat floating plug 202, it has created enough compression force around its periphery to prevent any accidental substance discharge. Further, annular compression seal 250, which is positioned between bottom surfaces 252 of threaded nipple fitting 106 and surrounds conically-shaped male fitting 230 acts as an additional physical barrier if compression seal 224 fails. Threads 222 on threaded nipple fitting 106 also aid as an additional physical barrier to prevent substance free flow if the previously described physical barriers fail.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 19, a flow diagram showing the flow of fluids through some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is disclosed.

[0045] Fluid storage containers and respective systems disclosed in the present application offer benefits over known technologies. In some embodiments, designs according to the disclosed subject matter are fabricated utilizing non-metallic components and are capable of storing a substance with dynamic pressure and its propellant, as well as addressing the limitations of the existing solutions cost efficiently in a reusable, single device. Designs according to the disclosed subject matter include measures that prevent leaks during both refilling and dispensing of fluids.

[0046] Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustrated with respect to embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined, rearranged, etc., to produce additional embodiments within the scope of the invention, and that various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.