Gas flow regulation system

Abstract

A gas flow regulation module is provided comprising, a body, including a longitudinal axis, and including a first port and second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port, and a second fluid passage extending from the second port; and a regulator, mounted to the body and disposed in communication with the first and second fluid passages, including a moveable pressure boundary member characterized by a transverse axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck. A gas flow regulation module is also provided, adapted for mounting within a pressure vessel and through an aperture provided in the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including an interior, the aperture including a longitudinal axis, comprising, a body, including a first port and a second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port and a second fluid passage extending from the second port, and a regulator mounted to the body and disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and in communication with the first and second fluid passages, including a moveable pressure boundary member characterized by a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aperture.

1 . A gas flow regulation module comprising: 
 a module housing, including a longitudinal axis, and including a first port and a second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port, and a second fluid passage extending from the second port; and    a regulator, mounted to the body and disposed in communication with the first and second fluid passages, including a moveable pressure boundary member characterized by a transverse axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the module housing.    
     
     
         2 . The gas flow regulation module claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the regulator comprises: 
 a regulator housing, including a pintle chamber and an output chamber;    a valve seat, an orifice disposed within the valve seat, wherein the pintle chamber is configured to communicate with the output chamber via the orifice; and    a pintle valve, mounted to the moveable pressure boundary member, and moveable into contact with the valve seat to thereby close the orifice and isolate the pintle chamber from the output chamber.    
     
     
         3 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the regulator comprises at least two stages.  
     
     
         4 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the moveable pressure boundary member is a diaphragm assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprises a solenoid shut-off valve, mounted to the body, and including a sealing member for closing the second port.  
     
     
         6 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a third port extending to the second port via a third fluid passage.  
     
     
         7 . A gas flow regulation module comprising: 
 a module housing, including a longitudinal axis, a first port and a second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port, and a second fluid passage extending from the second port; and    a regulator, mounted to the housing and disposed in communication with the first and second fluid passages, including a moveable pressure boundary member substantially disposed in a plane which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module housing.    
     
     
         8 . A gas flow regulation module, adapted for mounting within a pressure vessel and through a nozzle provided in the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including an interior, the nozzle including a longitudinal axis, comprising: 
 a module housing, including a first port and a second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port and a second fluid passage extending from the second port; and    a regulator mounted to the body and disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and in communication with the first and second fluid passages, including a moveable pressure boundary member characterized by a transverse axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.    
     
     
         9 . A gas flow regulator module, configured for mounting within a pressure vessel, and through a nozzle provided in the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including an interior, the nozzle including a longitudinal axis, comprising: 
 a module housing, including a first and a second port, a first fluid passage extending from the first port, and a second fluid passage extending from the second port; and    a regulator mounted to the body and disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and in communication with the first and second fluid passages, the regulator including a moveable pressure boundary member substantially disposed in a plane which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle;    wherein the regulator is configured for insertion through the nozzle.    
     
     
         10 . A gas flow regulation module comprising: 
 an elongated body including a longitudinal axis;    a fluid passage disposed within the body;    a valve seat disposed within the fluid passage;    an orifice disposed within the valve seat;    a valve, configured to seal the orifice; and    a moveable pressure boundary member, coupled to the valve, and characterized by a transverse axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body.    
     
     
         11 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the module further includes: 
 a cavity; and    a resilient member disposed within the cavity;    wherein the moveable pressure boundary member is configured to isolate the cavity from the fluid passage.    
     
     
         12 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the moveable pressure boundary member defines a pressure boundary between the cavity and the fluid passage.  
     
     
         13 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the moveable pressure boundary member is moveable in response to fluid pressure fluctuation in the fluid passage.  
     
     
         14 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the moveable pressure boundary member is a diaphragm.  
     
     
         15 . A gas flow regulation module, configured for mounting within a pressure vessel, and through a nozzle provided in the pressure vessel, the nozzle including a longitudinal axis, comprising: 
 an elongated body;    a fluid passage disposed within the body;    a valve seat disposed within the fluid passage;    an orifice formed within the valve seat;    a valve, configured to seal the orifice; and    a moveable pressure boundary member characterized by a transverse    axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.    
     
     
         16 . A gas flow regulation module, configured for mounting within a pressure vessel, and through a nozzle provided in the pressure vessel, the nozzle including a first diameter, comprising: 
 a fluid passage;    a valve seat disposed within the fluid passage;    an orifice disposed in the valve seat;    a valve configured to seal the orifice; and    a moveable pressure boundary member, coupled to the valve, including a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter.    
     
     
         17 . The gas flow regulation module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the moveable pressure boundary member includes a maximum diameter, and wherein the second diameter is the maximum diameter.  
     
     
         18 . The gas flow regulator module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the regulator is configured for insertion through the nozzle.  
     
     
         19 . A gas flow regulation module, configured for mounting within a pressure vessel, and through a nozzle provided in the pressure vessel, the nozzle including a longitudinal axis, comprising: 
 a fluid passage;    a valve seat disposed within the fluid passage;    an orifice formed in the valve seat;    a valve configured to seal the orifice; and    a moveable pressure boundary member, coupled to the valve, and substantially disposed in a place which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle;    wherein the moveable pressure boundary member is configured for insertion through the nozzle.