The invention relates to a method for refuelling a vehicle (60) or an autonomous vehicle (60). At least one hydrogen tank (10) accommodating gaseous hydrogen is fitted in the vehicle (60). The method comprises the following method steps: The vehicle (60) drives into a refuelling area (24). A refuelling operation (28; 78, 80, 82) is performed on the vehicle (60). Then, the temperature of the contents of the at least hydrogen tank (10) is checked (30). If a temperature (74) of the tank contents of the at least one hydrogen tank (10) exceeds a temperature limit value (32), the vehicle (60) is transferred to a cooling down area (36). There, the tank temperature (44) is checked a second time following a cooling down phase. The tank pressure is checked (48) if the tank temperature (74) lies below a temperature limit value. If the tank pressure (76) in the at least one hydrogen tank (10) is below a tank pressure limit value, the vehicle (60) is transferred to the refuelling area (24) to continue refuelling; if the tank pressure (76) is in the tank pressure limit range, refuelling is halted (52).

A hydrogen tank assembly is provided for use in vehicles, such as aircraft. The hydrogen tank assembly has an inner tank wall, an outer tank wall, and an inert gas source. The inner tank wall defines a hydrogen tank volume that is surrounded by a shroud volume which is defined by the outer tank wall. The hydrogen tank volume is filled with cryogenic hydrogen and has a higher pressure than the shroud volume that is filled with an inert gas, such as helium. The counter-pressure of the inert gas prevents micro-cracks in the inner tank wall and increases the in-service life.

The present invention discloses a boss configuration for a Type IV composite pressure vessel (“CPV”). In particular, the invention provides liner-to-boss interface that allows the polymeric liner to wrap around the internal collar of the boss that extends below the flange. Since the wrap-around section of the liner conforming to the internal collar portion of the boss is subjected to pressure from all sides, the liner stays adhered to the boss when the inside surface of the liner in a CPV is subjected to internal pressure from the contained fluid.

A tank comprises: a liner including a circular cylindrical body part having a center axis and a dome part placed at each of opposite ends of the body part; and a reinforcing layer placed on the liner and containing fiber. The reinforcing layer includes a hoop layer placed on the body part and a helical layer placed across an area on the hoop layer and on the dome part. The hoop layer includes a hoop body layer and a hoop end layer connected to the hoop body layer and located at an end portion of the hoop body layer in an axis direction along the center axis. The hoop end layer has a shape projecting externally further in a radial direction of the body part than the hoop body layer, and includes an apex portion located at the outermost position in the radial direction and a tilted surface extending from the apex portion toward an outer surface of the dome part and having a shape conforming to the shape of the outer surface.

A composite storage tank may include a wall structure including at least three regions including an inner region, an outer region, and at least one permeation barrier. Another region may be optionally incorporated for venting potential permeation of fluids. The at least one permeation barrier and/or the venting layer may be strategically positioned between the inner region and the outer region to reduce or at least partially prevent fluid permeation of the inner region or the outer region. A vehicle may include such a composite storage tank. Methods of forming a composite fluid storage tank may include forming an inner composite region, applying a permeation barrier to an outer surface of the inner composite region, forming an outer composite region, and curing the inner composite region and the outer composite region with the permeation barrier to form the composite fluid storage tank.

A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.

A storage tank includes a tank wall, a pressure regulator, a low-pressure coupling, and a fill coupling. The tank wall of the storage tank is configured to contain a stored fluid at an internal pressure within the tank wall, the tank wall including an outer layer, an inner layer, and a regulator mount. The pressure regulator of the storage tank is connected to the regulator mount and is configured to receive a flow rate of the stored fluid and reduce the stored fluid from the internal pressure to an output pressure. The flow rate of the stored fluid is provided, via the low pressure coupling and at the output pressure to an external system. The fill coupling extends through the tank wall and receives the stored fluid from a fluid source to be stored within the storage tank

A high-pressure tank unit capable of securing the sealing property of a sealing member in the neck of the high-pressure tank. The tank unit includes a high-pressure tank and a connecting member connected to the high-pressure tank. The connecting member has an annular sealing member disposed between a liner and an insert portion and adapted to seal a housing space. The high-pressure tank has a tubular body disposed between the liner and reinforcing layer in a position facing the sealing member so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the liner, the tubular body adapted to restrict radial deformation of the inner peripheral surface of the neck. The longitudinal modulus of the material along the circumferential direction of the tubular body is higher than each of the longitudinal moduli of the materials along the circumferential direction of the liner and reinforcing layer.

A liquified air storage system can include a container assembly. The container assembly can be disposed on a base. The container assembly can have an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior portion can include a reinforced concrete layer and a steel liner. The exterior portion can be disposed adjacent to the interior portion, the exterior portion including prestressed wire. A method of assembling a liquified air storage system can include assembling an interior portion of a container assembly. The interior portion can have a reinforced concrete layer and a steel liner. Next, an exterior portion of the container assembly can be assembled on the interior portion. The exterior portion can include a composite material and prestressed wires. The exterior portion can be covered with an insulation layer.

A compressed gas storage system that includes a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel includes a first vessel portion and a second vessel portion in fluid communication with the first vessel portion. The pressure vessel includes a third vessel portion in fluid communication with the second vessel portion. The compressed gas storage system includes a first valve positioned between the first vessel portion and the second vessel portion and a second valve positioned between the second vessel portion and the third vessel portion. The first valve allows and impedes fluid flow between the first and the second vessel portions. The second valve allows and impedes fluid flow between the second and the third vessel portions.