Apparatus for unloading pressurized fluid

Patent · Tue Jan 04 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:5221978

Rehberger, K M

An apparatus is described for unloading fluid, preferably pressurized gas, from containers in a controlled manner that protects the immediate area from exposure to the container contents. The device consists of an unloading housing, which is enclosed within at least one protective structure, for receiving the dispensed contents of the steel container, and a laser light source, located external to the protective structure, for opening the steel container instantaneously. The neck or stem of the fluid container is placed within the sealed interior environment of the unloading housing. The laser light passes through both the protective structure and the unloading housing to instantaneously pierce a small hole within the stem of the container. Both the protective structure and the unloading housing are specially designed to allow laser light passage without compromising the light's energy level. Also, the unloading housing allows controlled flow of the gas once it has been dispensed from the container. The external light source permits remote operation of the unloading device. 2 figures.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: PTO; EDB-94-064893
• Patent Number(s): US 5275214; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-967482
• OSTI ID: 5221978
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 28 Oct 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
GAS CYLINDERS
UNLOADING
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
GAS FLOW
LASER RADIATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OPERATION
PROCESS CONTROL
CONTAINERS
CONTROL
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
RADIATIONS
SAFETY
420203* - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures