Prolong Systems, Inc.

Robert J Olson

Max D Liston

Todd I Harrison

Sy J Banaitis

The present invention is a device for maintaining a controlled atmosphere within a sealed container. The device is utilized to control the oxygen and the carbon dioxide levels within the container and utilizes permeable membrane technology to control such levels. An oilless compressor is used in conjunction with the device so as to not subject the permeable membranes to the derogatory effects associated with the presence of oil within an airstream that circulates through the permeable membranes. Additionally, the compressor is preferably mounted within the sealed container so as to not subject the compressor to the effects of temperature variation and corrosive marine environments. The present device further includes an air sampling system which is used to periodically measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the container. Control logic is included with the system which is operable to adjust the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in accordance with the particular readings obtained by the sampling system.

Controlled atmosphere storage container

The present invention is a system for maintaining a controlled oxygen atmosphere within a transport container vessel, such as a bulk rail car through the use of permeable membrane technology. An oilless compressor is used in conjunction with the system so as not to subject the permeable membranes to the derogatory effects associated with the presence of oil within an air stream that circulates through the permeable membranes. The present system further includes an air-sampling system which is used to continuously measure the oxygen levels within the rail car so as to provide verification that the oxygen levels are maintained at 5% or less to kill insects, larvae, or eggs which may be within the bulk materials transported by the rail car.

Controlled atmosphere storage system

A device for maintaining a controlled atmosphere within a sealed container. The device is utilized to control the oxygen and the carbon dioxide levels within the container and utilizes permeable membrane technology to control such levels. An oilless compressor is used in conjunction with the device so as to not subject the permeable membranes to the derogatory effects associated with the presence of oil within an airstream that circulates through the permeable membranes. Additionally, the compressor is preferably mounted within the sealed container so as to not subject the compressor to the effects of temperature variation and corrosive marine environments. The present device further includes an air sampling system which is used to periodically measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the container. Control logic is included with the system which is operable to adjust the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in accordance with the particular readings obtained by the sampling system.

A low blow-by compressor has a piston with at least one first ring disposed at the top end thereof and at least one second ring disposed at the bottom end thereof. A port is formed in the cylinder such that the port is above the second rings when the piston is positioned at top dead center and the port is below the first rings when the piston is positioned at bottom dead center such that fluid which blows by the first rings tends to exit the cylinder through the port rather than to blow-by the second rings. Thus any fluid which blows by the first rings can either be exhausted or recycled through the compressor inlet. The compressor utilizes reed valves wherein a first valve plate is attached to the cylinder and a second valve plate is disposed in laminar juxtaposition to the first valve plate. A reed valve gasket assembly is disposed intermediate the first and second plates and an o-ring is disposed about the periphery of the valve reed gasket assembly to prevent fluid leakage therethrough. Thus, the low blow-by compressor may be utilized in environments where leakage of the compressed fluid is undesirable.

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Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America

Robert J Olson