An apparatus for hydrogen dispensing can be configured to generate a display to be output visually to a customer that may use a dispenser to fill a fuel tank with hydrogen fuel. The display can include a graphical user interface or other interface that can show the customer information about the dispensing of fuel that is being provided to the user. This displayed information can include information to indicate an estimated time remaining to fully fill a vehicle's fuel tank so the customer can have visual and/or audible indications for how much longer the customer may have to wait to have the vehicle's fuel tank filled for continued use of the dispenser. This can improve the customer's experience at the fueling station. For instance, embodiments can allow the customer to more effectively use the fueling station and manage his or her time at the fueling station.

A method for calculating the remaining usage time of a gas cylinder equipped with a pressure reducer, the method comprising the following steps: (a) measuring the pressure of the gas in the cylin-der; (b) calculating the variation of pressure of the gas in the cylinder over time while gas is out-putted; (c) calculating a remaining usage time Tr based on the measured pressure in the cylinder and the calculated variation of pressure. Step (c) takes into account characteristics of the pressure reducer relative to variations of its nominal flow rate along the decrease of its inlet pressure while emptying the cylinder.

An oxyacetylene type work apparatus including a first container containing acetylene; a first pressure gauge configured to measure the pressure in the first container, a first two-dimensional marking disposed on the first dial, a second container containing oxygen; a second pressure gauge configured to measure the pressure in the second container, a second two-dimensional marking disposed on the second dial, an image capturing device configured to produce images of the first pressure gauge and of the second pressure gauge; an electronic logic circuit configured to process said images of the first and second pressure gauges thereby determining the respective angular positions, and a sensor configured to measure the temperature of the first acetylene container.

The invention relates to a pressurized gas container, in particular a gas cylinder, having an internal volume for gas storage, a fluid-distributing valve, a pressure sensor and microprocessor-based control means. The microprocessor-based control means are configured to detect filling of the gas container with gas, by comparing said at least one pressure value measured by the pressure sensor with at least one predefined and stored reference pressure threshold value; then to initiate a timer on the basis of a detection of filling of the gas container with gas; and to trigger a warning when the timer exceeds a given period calculated from the initiation of the timer.

A method for calculating the autonomy of a gas distribution system assembly including a container containing gas and equipped with at least one gas filling indicator device and a gas flow rate indicator device at the output of the container. The method includes recovering at least one item of identification information on the container and/or the gas used. The method also includes acquiring at least one image to recover a first datum on a value indicated by the gas filling indicator device and a second datum on a value indicated by the flow rate indicator device. The method also includes communicating the at least one acquired image and the at least one recovered tern of identification to a computation module configured to deduce therefrom a corresponding value of autonomy of the gas distribution assembly, the computation module including at least the ability to process images.

This invention relates to a method and a system for calculating in real-time the duration of autonomy of a non-refrigerated tank containing natural gas comprising a liquefied natural gas (LNG) layer and a gaseous natural gas (GNG) layer. This invention also relates to a system for calculating, in real time, according to the method of the invention, the duration of autonomy of a non-refrigerated tank, as well as a vehicle comprising an NG tank and a system according to the invention.

The invention relates to a gas container equipped with a gas distribution valve having an electronic device for measuring gas autonomy. Flow selection means allow a desired gas flow to be selected. The electronic device includes a pressure sensor. Signal processing means allow gas autonomies to be determined on the basis of the pressure signal and of the selectable gas flows. A selection component cooperates with the signal processing means in order to successively display, on data display means and in response to successive digital activations by the user of the selection component, the various selectable flow values and the various corresponding autonomies, with each flow value being simultaneously displayed with a corresponding autonomy.

An electronic liquid level gauge assembly includes an electronic display located in a housing connected to a tank. The display has first and second display portions for indicating liquid level condition. A first electronic sensor senses a change in magnetic field of a magnet associated with a liquid level transducer, with magnet rotation being proportional liquid level change. A processor determines a temperature-compensated liquid level condition by correlating the liquid level signal with temperature measurement of the liquid. A temperature-compensated vapor space can also be calculated based on tank information and properties of the liquid. Signals related to the temperature-compensated liquid level and vapor space are sent to the display and wirelessly transmitted to a smart phone or the like for remotely viewing the tank information. The smart phone also includes a special app for sending information, firmware updates, and display configuration data to the electronic gauge assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen fuel filling system includes a first flow passage through which hydrogen fuel supplied from a pressure accumulator that accumulates hydrogen fuel under pressure passes; a second flow passage through which hydrogen fuel supplied from the pressure accumulator passes, and which is arranged in parallel with the first flow passage; a switching valve that switches flow passages selectively from one of the first and second flow passages to another, or that switches flow passages between one and both of the first and second flow passages; and a control circuit that controls opening/closing of the switching valve, wherein a fuel cell vehicle using hydrogen fuel as a power source is filled with hydrogen fuel while switching the flow passages by the switching valve during supply from the pressure accumulator.

Disclosed herein are devices, methods, and systems that useful for allowing consumers to purchase a fluid in limited and/or discrete amounts or volumes, for example as-needed, daily, weekly, etc. In various embodiments, the disclosed devices, systems, and methods provide for an innovative fluid distribution system, including a device that can receive and monitor payment for a discrete amount of fluid, measure the fluid as it flows through the device, and stop fluid flow when the discrete amount of fluid has flowed through the device. The disclosed device may be in communication with a central server for receiving payment from the user, and providing information to the central server of the device's status.