Patent classifications
F17C2250/0452
Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Safety System and Method
A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.
GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM AND HYDROGEN STATION
A gas supply system (2) includes a compressor unit (21), an accumulator unit (23), a pre-cooling system (24) and a housing (4). In the gas supply system (2), the compressor unit (21) is vertically arranged and the pre-cooling system (24) is arranged above the accumulator unit (23) in the housing (4). The compressor unit (21) and the accumulator unit (23) are covered by one rectangular parallelepiped housing (4).
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR REFUELING HYDROGEN AIRCRAFT
Example systems, methods, and apparats for refueling hydrogen aircraft are disclosed herein. An example multiphase hydrogen refueling system includes a liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank coupled to at least one of a cryo-compressed hydrogen (CcH2) tank and a gaseous hydrogen (GH2) tank; a liquid nitrogen (LN2) tank; and a hydrant coupled to the LH2 tank, the CcH2 tank, the GH2 tank, and the LN2 tank, the hydrant including: a transfer line to refuel an aircraft with at least LH2, CcH2, or GH2; a purge valve to purge the transfer line using at least one of nitrogen (N2) from the LN2 tank or GH2 from the GH2 tank; and a GH2 return line to transmit evaporated GH2 back to the GH2 tank.
NITROX-MIXTURES PRODUCTION MACHINE AND RELATED OPERATING METHOD
Nitrox-mixtures production machine comprising: a molecular separator, which is structured so as to receive at inlet a flow of air and to provide at outlet an intermediate Nitrox mixture with high oxygen percentage; a low-pressure compressor, which is adapted to feed an airflow at inlet of the molecular separator; a mixing manifold, which communicates with the molecular separator so as to receive said intermediate Nitrox mixture, and is structured so as to mix the intermediate Nitrox mixture with fresh air coming from the outside, in order to provide at outlet a final Nitrox mixture with predefined composition; at least one oxygen sensor, which is adapted to measure the oxygen percentage present in said final Nitrox mixture; at least one pressure sensor, which is adapted to measure the air pressure in the molecular separator; and an electronic control device, which is connected to said at least one oxygen sensor and is adapted to regulate the flowrate of the airflow that is sucked in by the low-pressure compressor based on the signals coming from said at least one oxygen sensor and said at least one pressure sensor.
NITROX-MIXTURES PRODUCTION MACHINE
Nitrox-mixtures production machine comprising: a molecular separator, which is structured so as to receive at inlet a flow of air and to provide at outlet an intermediate Nitrox mixture with high oxygen percentage; a low-pressure compressor, which is adapted to feed an airflow at inlet of the molecular separator; a mixing manifold, which communicates with the molecular separator so as to receive said intermediate Nitrox mixture, and is structured so as to mix the intermediate Nitrox mixture with fresh air coming from the outside, in order to provide at outlet a final Nitrox mixture with predefined composition; at least one oxygen sensor, which is adapted to measure the oxygen percentage present in said final Nitrox mixture; and an electronic control device, which is connected to said at least one oxygen sensor and is adapted to regulate the flowrate of the airflow that the low-pressure compressor feeds at inlet of the molecular separator based on the signals coming from said at least one oxygen sensor.
Method of Purging a Dual Purpose LNG/LIN Storage Tank
A method for loading liquefied nitrogen (LIN) into a cryogenic storage tank initially containing liquid natural gas (LNG) and a vapor space above the LNG. First and second nitrogen gas streams are provided. The first nitrogen stream has a lower temperature than the second nitrogen gas stream. While the LNG is offloaded from the storage tank, the first nitrogen gas stream is injected into the vapor space. The storage tank is then purged by injecting the second nitrogen gas stream into the storage tank to thereby reduce a natural gas content of the vapor space to less than 5 mol %. After purging the storage tank, the storage tank is loaded with LIN.
LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEMS WITH GAS REMOVAL AND SENSING CAPABILITIES
A dispensing assembly for a pressure dispense package includes a connector having separate and distinct liquid and extraction conduits, and having a pressurization gas conduit. A liner fitment adapter may include a longitudinal bore to receive a probe portion of a connector defining a liquid extraction conduit, and may include a lateral bore to enable removal of gas.
Insertion of a connector into a dispensing assembly simultaneously makes fluidic connections between (a) a gas extraction conduit and a dispensing volume; (b) a liquid extraction conduit and the dispensing volume, and (c) a pressurization gas conduit and a space to be pressurized within a pressure dispense vessel.
Compressed natural gas vehicle safety system and method
A multiply-redundant system that protects fueling of rockets, aircraft and other vehicles using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) along with an oxidizer such as Liquefied Oxygen. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to detect any leaks, fire or explosion hazards quickly locking out further fueling. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used.
HYDROGEN GAS DISPENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
According to at least one aspect, a hydrogen gas dispensing system is provided. The hydrogen gas dispensing system includes a source configured to provide a hydrogen gas, a storage device configured to store the hydrogen gas up to a first pressure level, a dispenser configured to dispense the hydrogen gas up to a second pressure level that is higher than the first pressure level, and a compressor configured to compress the hydrogen gas from the source up to the first pressure level for storage in the storage device and configured to compress the hydrogen gas from the storage device up to the second pressure level for dispensing via the dispenser. According to at least one aspect, the dispensing system comprises an input power port configured to receive input power and an output power port configured to deliver output power derived from the input power to charge an electric vehicle.
Compressed natural gas storage and dispensing system
A compressed natural gas storage and dispensing system having descending pressure bulk storage banks in fluid communication with a supply source for CNG and high pressure storage banks in fluid communication with the descending pressure bulk storage bank, both banks being in fluid communication with fuel dispensers, wherein the delivery pressure of the CNG during simultaneous refueling of CNG powered vehicles is equalized.