Gas supply system

Claim 2

In a gas supply system comprising: a plurality of banks of storage containers; and regulator means operatively associated individually with banks of said storage containers for limiting the respective gas pressures therein to different predetermined values; the improvement which comprises: means for connecting a pressurized gas source to said plurality of banks of storage containers to first add pressurized gas to the bank which is at the lowest pressure until its pressure becomes substantially equal to that of the next higher pressure bank, and thereafter in succession to each successively higher pressure bank simultaneously with said lowest pressure bank until each bank being filled reaches the gas pressure limit determined by its individual regulator means; said gas supply system also comprising: means for withdrawing pressurized gas first from the bank of storage containers which is at the lowest pressure; and means operable thereafter for withdrawing pressurized gas from the higher pressure banks of storage containers in succession.

Claim 3

A gas supply system according to claim 1, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a respective normally closed, electrically operated valve connected to each higher pressure bank of storage containers, and a switch for opening said valve.

Claim 4

A gas supply system according to claim 1, and further comprising check valve means connected to said banks of storage containers to: a. pass pressurized gas from said source to said banks of storage containers; and b. block return flow from the respective banks of storage containers to said source; and c. block gas flow from any of said banks of storage containers to another bank.

Claim 5

A gas supply system according to claim 3, wherein said means for withdrawing pressurized gas from each higher pressure bank of storage containers comprises a normally closed solenoid valve connected between the respective bank of storage containers and said check valve means, and a switch for opening said solenoid valve.

Claim 6

In a gas supply system comprising: a plurality of banks of storage containers; a pressurized gas source; and individual regulator means for the banks of storage containers operatively connected individually to the latter to limit the gas pressure therein to different predetermined values; the improvement which comprises: means for connecting said source to said plurality of banks of storage containers to first add pressurized gas from said source to the bank which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter in succession to each successively higher pressure bank simultaneously with said lowest pressure bank until each bank being filled reaches the pressure limit set by its individual reguLator means; and check valve means operatively connected to each bank of storage containers to pass pressurized gas thereto from said source and to block return flow from the respective bank to said source and to block gas flow from any bank of storage containers to another bank; said gas supply system also comprising: means for filling a tank with pressurized gas first from the bank of storage containers which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter from one or more higher pressure banks of storage containers in succession when the gas pressure in said lowest pressure bank is insufficient to fill the tank to the desired pressure.

Claim 7

In a gas supply system comprising: a plurality of banks of storage containers; a pressurized gas source; and individual regulator means for the banks of storage containers operatively connected individually to the latter to limit the gas pressure therein to different predetermined values; the improvement which comprises: means for connecting said source to said plurality of banks of storage containers to first add pressurized gas from said source to the bank which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter in succession to each successively higher pressure bank simultaneously with said lowest pressure bank until each bank being filled reaches the pressure limit set by its individual reguLator means; and check valve means operatively connected to each bank of storage containers to pass pressurized gas thereto from said source and to block return flow from the respective bank to said source and to block gas flow from any bank of storage containers to another bank; said gas supply system also comprising: means for filling a tank with pressurized gas first from the bank of storage containers which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter from one or more higher pressure banks of storage containers in succession when the gas pressure in said lowest pressure bank is insufficient to fill the tank to the desired pressure.

Claim 8

A gas supply system according to claim 5, wherein said source is an air compressor, and the individual regulator means for the highest pressure bank of storage containers is a pressure switch operatively associated with said highest pressure bank and with said compressor to turn off said compressor when the gas pressure in said highest pressure bank reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 9

A gas supply system according to claim 5, wherein said means for filling the tank comprises a fill hose, a check valve connected to said fill hose to pass pressurized gas thereto and block return flow from the fill hose, a pressure regulator connected between said banks of storage containers and said last-mentioned check valve, and a pressure gauge for sensing the gas pressure in said fill hose.

Claim 10

In a gas supply system: different banks of individually pressure-regulated storage containers for storing gas at different pressures; and means for connecting a pressurized gas source to said banks of storage containers to first add pressurized gas to the bank which is at the lowest pressure until its pressure is substantially equal to that of the next higher pressure bank, and thereafter to add pressurized gas to successively higher pressure banks simultaneously until each bank reaches a predetermined pressure.

Claim 11

In a gas supply system: different banks of individually pressure-regulated storage containers for storing gas at different pressures; and means for connecting a pressurized gas source to said banks of storage containers to first add pressurized gas to the bank which is at the lowest pressure until its pressure is substantially equal to that of the next higher pressure bank, and thereafter to add pressurized gas to successively higher pressure banks simultaneously until each bank reaches a predetermined pressure.

Claim 12

A system according to claim 8, and further comprising check valve means connected to said banks of storage containers to a. pass pressurized gas from said source to said banks of storage containers; and b. block return flow from the respective banks of storage containers to said source; and c. block gas flow from any of said banks of storage containers to another bank.

Claim 13

In a gas supply system comrising: a plurality of banks of storage containers which store gas at different pressures and which are all connected to a common outlet; and means for withdrawing pressurized gas through said outlet first from the bank of storage containers which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter from a higher pressure bank of storage containers; the improvement wherein: said means for withdrawing pressurized gas comprises a respective normally closed, electrically operated valve connected between each higher pressure bank of storage containers and said outlet, and a switch for opening said electrically operated valve.

Claim 14

In a gas supply system comrising: a plurality of banks of storage containers which store gas at different pressures and which are all connected to a common outlet; and means for withdrawing pressurized gas through said outlet first from the bank of storage containers which is at the lowest pressure and thereafter from a higher pressure bank of storage containers; the improvement wherein: said means for withdrawing pressurized gas comprises a respective normally closed, electrically operated valve connected between each higher pressure bank of storage containers and said outlet, and a switch for opening said electrically operated valve.