Filling of acetylene cylinders

Claim 1

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while, at very closely spaced intervals of time, typically about two times per second, through the time while pressurized gas is being introduced into the cylinder: (i) sensing the weight of the cylinder and its contents at a given instant of time; (ii) sensing the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (ii) at substantially the same given instant of time, comparing the sensed weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these sensed values to determine whether the sensed values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) at substantially the same given instant of time, effecting an interruption of the introduction of gas into the cylinder as a result of the sensed values being found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability.

Claim 2

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while, at very closely spaced intervals of time, typically about two times per second, through the time while pressurized gas is being introduced into the cylinder: (i) sensing the weight of the cylinder and its contents at a given instant of time; (ii) sensing the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (ii) at substantially the same given instant of time, comparing the sensed weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these sensed values to determine whether the sensed values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) at substantially the same given instant of time, effecting an interruption of the introduction of gas into the cylinder as a result of the sensed values being found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability.

Claim 4

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while: (i) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents; (ii) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (iii) comparing the monitored weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these monitored values to determine whether the monitored values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) interrupting the introduction of gas into the cylinder if, at any time during its introduction, the monitored values are found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (c) signaling an operator in response to a sensing of monitored values lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (d) initiating a predetermined emergency prodecure in response to the sensing of monitored values which lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability, unless an operator initiates a predetermined response within a predetermined interval of time as measured from the initiation of the step of signalling the operator.

Claim 5

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while: (i) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents; (ii) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (iii) comparing the monitored weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these monitored values to determine whether the monitored values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) interrupting the introduction of gas into the cylinder if, at any time during its introduction, the monitored values are found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (c) signaling an operator in response to a sensing of monitored values lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (d) initiating a predetermined emergency prodecure in response to the sensing of monitored values which lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability, unless an operator initiates a predetermined response within a predetermined interval of time as measured from the initiation of the step of signalling the operator.

Claim 8

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while: (i) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents; (ii) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (iii) comparing the monitored weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these monitored values to determine whether the monitored values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) interrupting the introduction of gas into the cylinder if, at any time during its introduction, the monitored values are found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (c) signaling an operator in response to a sensing of monitored values which lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (d) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (e) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder; (f) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder to be filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; and, (g) permitting the step of introducing gas into the cylinder to begin only in the event that the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety.

Claim 9

A method of filling a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a desired quantity of pressurized gas into a pressurized gas cylinder while: (i) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents; (ii) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; and, (iii) comparing the monitored weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define ranges of acceptability for these monitored values to determine whether the monitored values continue to lie within the predetermined ranges of acceptability; and, (b) interrupting the introduction of gas into the cylinder if, at any time during its introduction, the monitored values are found to lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (c) signaling an operator in response to a sensing of monitored values which lie outside the predetermined ranges of acceptability; (d) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (e) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder; (f) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder to be filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; and, (g) permitting the step of introducing gas into the cylinder to begin only in the event that the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety.

Claim 13

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a pressurized gas cylinder to be filled atop a weight-sensing device; (b) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (c) connecting a filling conduit to the cylinder such that the conduit communicates with the cylinder; (d) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder by measuring the pressure within the connected filling conduit; (e) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder being filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; and, (d) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a first desired material if, and only if, the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety.

Claim 14

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a pressurized gas cylinder to be filled atop a weight-sensing device; (b) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (c) connecting a filling conduit to the cylinder such that the conduit communicates with the cylinder; (d) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder by measuring the pressure within the connected filling conduit; (e) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder being filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; and, (d) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a first desired material if, and only if, the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety.

Claim 25

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a pressurized gas cylinder to be filled atop a weight-sensing device; (b) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (c) connecting a filling conduit to the cylinder such that the conduit communicates with the cylinder; (d) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder by measuring the pressure within the connected filling conduit; (e) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder being filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; (f) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a first desired material if, and only if, the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety; (g) determining the quantity of a first material introduced into the cylinder by the weight of the cylinder and its contents and subtracting therefrom the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (h) comparing the determined weight of the first material which has been introduced into the cylinder with a predetermined weight of first material which is desired to be introduced into the cylinder; (i) terminating the introduction of the first material into the cylinder when the determined weight of the first material which has been introduced into the cylinder is found to be as great in magnitude as the predetermined weight of first material which is desired to be introduced; (j) measuring the weight of the cylinder and its contents at a time after the step of introduction into the cylinder of the first material has been concluded; (k) measuring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder at a time after the step of introduction into the cylinder of the first material has been concluded; (l) comparing these measured weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define permissible ranges for such measured values with respect to the size and configuration of the cylinder that is being filled to determine whether such measured values lie within the predetermined permissible ranges for the cylinder being filled; and, (m) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a second desired material if, and only if, such measured weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined permissible ranges for the cylinder being filled, (n) signalling an operator in response to sensing of such measured values which lie outside the predetermined permissible ranges; and, (o) initiating a predetermined emergency procedure in response to the sensing of such values which lie outside the predetermined permissible ranges, unless an operator initiates a predetermined response within a predetermined interval of time as measured from the initiation of the step of signalling an operator.

Claim 26

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a pressurized gas cylinder to be filled atop a weight-sensing device; (b) measuring the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (c) connecting a filling conduit to the cylinder such that the conduit communicates with the cylinder; (d) measuring the initial pressure of the contents of the cylinder by measuring the pressure within the connected filling conduit; (e) comparing the measured initial weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define acceptable ranges of safety for these measured values with respect to the type of cylinder being filled to determine whether the measured initial values lie within the predetermined ranges of safety for the cylinder to be filled; (f) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a first desired material if, and only if, the measured initial weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined ranges of safety; (g) determining the quantity of a first material introduced into the cylinder by the weight of the cylinder and its contents and subtracting therefrom the initial weight of the cylinder and its contents; (h) comparing the determined weight of the first material which has been introduced into the cylinder with a predetermined weight of first material which is desired to be introduced into the cylinder; (i) terminating the introduction of the first material into the cylinder when the determined weight of the first material which has been introduced into the cylinder is found to be as great in magnitude as the predetermined weight of first material which is desired to be introduced; (j) measuring the weight of the cylinder and its contents at a time after the step of introduction into the cylinder of the first material has been concluded; (k) measuring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder at a time after the step of introduction into the cylinder of the first material has been concluded; (l) comparing these measured weight and pressure values with predetermined acceptable maximum and minimum values which define permissible ranges for such measured values with respect to the size and configuration of the cylinder that is being filled to determine whether such measured values lie within the predetermined permissible ranges for the cylinder being filled; and, (m) initiating an introduction into the cylinder through the filling conduit of a second desired material if, and only if, such measured weight and pressure values are found to lie within the predetermined permissible ranges for the cylinder being filled, (n) signalling an operator in response to sensing of such measured values which lie outside the predetermined permissible ranges; and, (o) initiating a predetermined emergency procedure in response to the sensing of such values which lie outside the predetermined permissible ranges, unless an operator initiates a predetermined response within a predetermined interval of time as measured from the initiation of the step of signalling an operator.

Claim 31

A method of filling acetylene gas into a pressurized gas cylinder of the type which contains a porous mass with a solvent absorbed therein for dissolving acetylene, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the necessary quantity of solvent and the necessary quantity of acetylene gas which should be added to the cylinder to properly refill it; (b) filling the cylinder with the necessary quantities of solvent and acetylene gas in a sequence of filling stages wherein: (i) a first stage includes introducing into the cylinder a first portion of the necessary quantity of solvent; (ii) a second usage includes introducing into the cylinder a first portion of the necessary quantity of acetylene gas; (iii) a third stage includes introducing into the cylinder the remaining portion of the necessary quantity of solvent; and, (iv) a fourth stage includes introducing into the cylinder the remaining portion of the necessary quantity of gas, with the gas being introduced during this stage being selected from a group consisting of acetylene and such gases as have a compatibility with acetylene to assist in stabilizing the contents of a cylinder of acetylene gas.

Claim 32

A method of filling acetylene gas into a pressurized gas cylinder of the type which contains a porous mass with a solvent absorbed therein for dissolving acetylene, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the necessary quantity of solvent and the necessary quantity of acetylene gas which should be added to the cylinder to properly refill it; (b) filling the cylinder with the necessary quantities of solvent and acetylene gas in a sequence of filling stages wherein: (i) a first stage includes introducing into the cylinder a first portion of the necessary quantity of solvent; (ii) a second usage includes introducing into the cylinder a first portion of the necessary quantity of acetylene gas; (iii) a third stage includes introducing into the cylinder the remaining portion of the necessary quantity of solvent; and, (iv) a fourth stage includes introducing into the cylinder the remaining portion of the necessary quantity of gas, with the gas being introduced during this stage being selected from a group consisting of acetylene and such gases as have a compatibility with acetylene to assist in stabilizing the contents of a cylinder of acetylene gas.

Claim 40

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder with acetylene gas and a solvent, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the initial weight of a cylinder to be filled with acetylene, together with the contents of the cylinder; (b) generating a signal which is representative of measured weight, and inputting the weight-representative signal to a control unit; (c) measuring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; (d) generating a signal which is representative of measured pressure, and inputting the pressure-representative signal to the control unit; (e) generating a signal which is representative of cylinder data including cylinder volume and tare weight, and inputting the cylinder-data-representative signal to the control unit; and, (f) utilizing the control unit to compare the character of the pressure-representative and weight-representative signals with predetermined permissible range of relationships for such signals, and permitting gas and solvent to be introduced into the cylinder if, and only if, the character of such signals falls within the permissible range.

Claim 41

A method of initiating filling of a pressurized gas cylinder with acetylene gas and a solvent, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the initial weight of a cylinder to be filled with acetylene, together with the contents of the cylinder; (b) generating a signal which is representative of measured weight, and inputting the weight-representative signal to a control unit; (c) measuring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder; (d) generating a signal which is representative of measured pressure, and inputting the pressure-representative signal to the control unit; (e) generating a signal which is representative of cylinder data including cylinder volume and tare weight, and inputting the cylinder-data-representative signal to the control unit; and, (f) utilizing the control unit to compare the character of the pressure-representative and weight-representative signals with predetermined permissible range of relationships for such signals, and permitting gas and solvent to be introduced into the cylinder if, and only if, the character of such signals falls within the permissible range.

Claim 45

A method of increasing safety in the filling of acetylene gas into a cylinder of the type which contains a porous mass having a solvent for acetylene absorbed therein, comprising the steps of: (a) spraying outer walls of the cylinder continuously with a coolant; (b) determining the necessary quantities of solvent and gas to be added to the cylinder to effect proper filling; (c) filling the cylinder with the needed quantities of gas and solvent utilizing a staged filling process divided into four periods with a first period embracing the charging of the cylinder with the major part of the necessary quantity of solvent, a second period wherein the cylinder is charged with the major part of the necessary quantity of gas, a third period wherein the cylinder is charged with the remaining quantity of needed solvent, and a fourth period wherein the cylinder is charged with the remaining quantity of gas; and, (d) checking the contents of the cylinder at the end of each of the first three periods to see that the measured values for weight and pressure fall within the permissible limit values before the next period of the process is started.

Claim 46

A method of increasing safety in the filling of acetylene gas into a cylinder of the type which contains a porous mass having a solvent for acetylene absorbed therein, comprising the steps of: (a) spraying outer walls of the cylinder continuously with a coolant; (b) determining the necessary quantities of solvent and gas to be added to the cylinder to effect proper filling; (c) filling the cylinder with the needed quantities of gas and solvent utilizing a staged filling process divided into four periods with a first period embracing the charging of the cylinder with the major part of the necessary quantity of solvent, a second period wherein the cylinder is charged with the major part of the necessary quantity of gas, a third period wherein the cylinder is charged with the remaining quantity of needed solvent, and a fourth period wherein the cylinder is charged with the remaining quantity of gas; and, (d) checking the contents of the cylinder at the end of each of the first three periods to see that the measured values for weight and pressure fall within the permissible limit values before the next period of the process is started.

Claim 54

A method of filling an acetylene gas cylinder of the type which has a porous mass housed within a pressure vessel, with a solvent for acetylene absorbed in the porous mass, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the requisite quantities of solvent and acetylene gas which ultimately must be added to the cylinder to fill it; (b) introducing a first quantity of solvent into the cylinder which equals the ultimate requisite quantity of solvent that is greater than 400 grams, less a reserve quantity of about 400 grams; (c) introducing a first quantity of acetylene into the cylinder at a time after the first quantity of solvent has been introduced into the cylinder, wherein the first quantity of acetylene equals a majority of the requisite quantity of acetylene; (d) introducing the reserve quantity of solvent into the cylinder at a time after the first quantity of acetylene has been introduced into the cylinder; and, (e) introducing into the cylinder a gaseous hydrocarbon in sufficient quantity to properly complete the filling of the cylinder.

Claim 55

A method of filling an acetylene gas cylinder of the type which has a porous mass housed within a pressure vessel, with a solvent for acetylene absorbed in the porous mass, comprising the steps of: (a) determining the requisite quantities of solvent and acetylene gas which ultimately must be added to the cylinder to fill it; (b) introducing a first quantity of solvent into the cylinder which equals the ultimate requisite quantity of solvent that is greater than 400 grams, less a reserve quantity of about 400 grams; (c) introducing a first quantity of acetylene into the cylinder at a time after the first quantity of solvent has been introduced into the cylinder, wherein the first quantity of acetylene equals a majority of the requisite quantity of acetylene; (d) introducing the reserve quantity of solvent into the cylinder at a time after the first quantity of acetylene has been introduced into the cylinder; and, (e) introducing into the cylinder a gaseous hydrocarbon in sufficient quantity to properly complete the filling of the cylinder.

Claim 57

A method of inputting first and second substances into a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a flow of a first substance into a pressurized gas cylinder; (b) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents during the introduction of the first substance, and terminating the introduction of the first substance when the monitored weight of the cylinder and its contents indicates that a desired first quantity of the first substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (c) at a time after the completion of the introduction of the desired first quantity of the first substance, initiating a flow of a second substance into the cylinder; and (d) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder during the introduction of the second substance, and terminating the introduction of the second substance when the monitored pressure of the contents of the cylinder indicates that a desired preliminary quantity of the second substance has been introduced into the cylinder.

Claim 58

A method of inputting first and second substances into a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a flow of a first substance into a pressurized gas cylinder; (b) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents during the introduction of the first substance, and terminating the introduction of the first substance when the monitored weight of the cylinder and its contents indicates that a desired first quantity of the first substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (c) at a time after the completion of the introduction of the desired first quantity of the first substance, initiating a flow of a second substance into the cylinder; and (d) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder during the introduction of the second substance, and terminating the introduction of the second substance when the monitored pressure of the contents of the cylinder indicates that a desired preliminary quantity of the second substance has been introduced into the cylinder.

Claim 59

A method of inputting first and second substances into a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a flow of a first substance into a pressurized gas cylinder; (b) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents during the introduction of the first substance, and terminating the introduction of the first substance when the sensed weight of the cylinder and its contents indicates that a desired first quantity of the first substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (c) at a time after the completion of the introduction of the desired first quantity of the first substance, initiating a flow of a second substance into the cylinder; (d) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder during the introduction of the second substance, and terminating the introduction of the second substance when the sensed pressure of the contents of the cylinder indicates that a desired preliminary quantity of the second substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (e) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder and monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents throughout the introduction of the first and second materials into the cylinder, and comparing these monitored values with predetermined safe maximum and minimum limits to sense whether filling of the cylinder is proceeding safely.

Claim 60

A method of inputting first and second substances into a pressurized gas cylinder, comprising the steps of: (a) initiating a flow of a first substance into a pressurized gas cylinder; (b) monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents during the introduction of the first substance, and terminating the introduction of the first substance when the sensed weight of the cylinder and its contents indicates that a desired first quantity of the first substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (c) at a time after the completion of the introduction of the desired first quantity of the first substance, initiating a flow of a second substance into the cylinder; (d) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder during the introduction of the second substance, and terminating the introduction of the second substance when the sensed pressure of the contents of the cylinder indicates that a desired preliminary quantity of the second substance has been introduced into the cylinder; (e) monitoring the pressure of the contents of the cylinder and monitoring the weight of the cylinder and its contents throughout the introduction of the first and second materials into the cylinder, and comparing these monitored values with predetermined safe maximum and minimum limits to sense whether filling of the cylinder is proceeding safely.