[Problem] When configuring a device for storing and supplying fluid, each components such as vessels, valves/pipes and the like, are placed independently outside a vessel that stores the fluid, and even if these components are small, the volume of the area between the components cannot be effectively used because each of them occupies the surrounding area, and when the total size of the device is limited, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient volume of the vessel that stores the fluid. The present invention provides a design for a configuration of a mechanism consisting of components such as valves/pipes and the like, that functions for storing and exhausting the fluid inside the storage vessel to innovatively improve the volume usage efficiency of the device.

A valve for a fluid reservoir includes an inner portion configured to be arranged inside the reservoir, the inner portion including at least one portion of a sensor for measuring at least one parameter characterizing the fluid, the valve being capable of receiving information from a computer, external to the valve, the valve also includes an outer portion configured to be arranged outside the reservoir, the outer portion having an internal computer that acquires data from the at least one sensor, communicates bidirectionally with the external computer, takes into account information received from the external computer and data from the at least one sensor for controlling at least one actuator of the valve, and measures at least one current parameter in the electrical connection.

The invention relates to a method for filling a hydrogen tank (2) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a fuel cell drive, wherein the method comprises the steps: (a) determining a first operating time at which the motor vehicle (1) is to be started up and an expected first operating location at which the motor vehicle (1) is to be started up, (b) ascertaining a predicted maximum ambient temperature (T.sub.U,max) at the first operating location at the first operating time, and (c) filling the hydrogen tank with hydrogen (3) until a tank pressure (p) in the hydrogen tank (2) reaches a maximum permissible tank pressure (p.sub.max) at a tank temperature (T), wherein the following applies for the tank temperature (T): tank temperature (T)=[maximum ambient temperature (T.sub.U,max); maximum ambient temperature (T.sub.U,max)+10 K]. The invention relates further to a motor vehicle (1) comprising a hydrogen tank (2), a fuel cell drive and a control system (5) for controlling filling of the hydrogen tank (2), wherein the control system (5) to carry out the method.

The present disclosure relates to a thermal pressure relief device for gas pressure tanks and/or gas pressure tank systems, comprising: a valve unit which can be fluidically connected to the gas pressure tank and/or the gas pressure tank system and comprises at least one fluid path, by means of which the gas pressure tank and/or the gas pressure tank system can be drained, in particular a gas stored under high pressure in the gas pressure tank and/or the gas pressure tank system can be discharged into an environment, wherein the valve unit comprises a locking element which can be shifted and/or moved between an open position, in which the gas can flow through the fluid path, and a closed position, in which no gas can flow through the fluid path, and a first trigger means configured to shift and/or move, due to heat impact, in particular when reaching a predetermined temperature, the locking element into the open position and/or to enable the locking element to shift and/or move into the open position, wherein the first trigger means is further configured to detect the heat impact at least at one further location of the gas pressure tank and/or the gas pressure tank system, which is not the installation location of the thermal pressure relief device, and/or to detect the heat impact at least at two spatially separated locations and/or areas, in particular of the gas pressure tank and/or the gas pressure tank system.

An apparatus includes a high-pressure tank, a controller, a valve, controlled by the controller, and a heater.

Embodiments of systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in a dual-fluid vessel thereby minimizing transportation between locations are disclosed. In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel has an outer shell with two or more inner compartments, positioned within the outer shell, including a first inner compartment for storing CO.sub.2 and a second inner compartment for storing fuel. The dual-fluid vessel may connect or attach to a transportation vehicle to thereby allow transportation of the fuel and CO.sub.2. Insulation may provide temperature regulation for the fuel and CO.sub.2 when positioned in the respective first and second inner compartments. One or more ports having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading the fuel and/or CO.sub.2.

The present disclosure relates to a valve unit for a fuel supply system which is preferably adapted to supply a fuel cell system with fuel, comprising: at least one temperature detector, at least one pressure detector, and a safety valve integrated into a line section, wherein the safety valve can be adjusted between an open position, in which gas is able to flow through the line section, and a closed position, in which gas is not able to flow through the line section, wherein the temperature detector and the pressure detector are so disposed that they are able to detect a temperature and a pressure of the gas flowing through the line section in a state in which the gas is present at the closed safety valve in such a manner that it exerts pressure. The present disclosure relates further to an on-tank valve which can have all the features described in relation to the valve unit and differs from the valve unit only in that it is able to be mounted directly on a gas pressure tank. The present disclosure relates further to a gas pressure tank system for storing fuel, comprising: at least one gas pressure tank and a valve unit. Finally, the present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a possible leakage in a fuel supply system, and to a valve assembly.

A gas cylinder monitoring system comprising a gas cylinder for receiving and distributing gas. A flow control valve is associated with the gas cylinder and operable to allow or prevent the flow of gas from the cylinder. A monitor is provided for monitoring a signal from an input device associated with the flow control valve. The monitor has an environmental parameter sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a selected environmental parameter in the vicinity of the cylinder. The environmental parameter sensor is connected to the monitor for transmitting an environmental status signal thereto. A removable cover is provided for covering both the flow control valve and the environmental parameter sensor such as to only allow access to the flow control valve when the cover is removed. A transmitter is also provided for transmitting a signal, obtained by the monitor from the input device, to a receiver.

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.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for refilling fluid containers. A fluid container may include a bottle and a valve assembly. The valve assembly may include two valves and be configured to engage with the bottle and a filling head or dispensing head. A system is configured to provide pressurized fluid to the refillable container, monitor filling, determine when to stop filling, and determine how much fluid was provided. The valve assembly may include a float mechanism coupled to one of the valves of the valve assembly to ensure fluid flow is stopped when the fluid container is full. The fluid, which can include carbon dioxide, is stored in a storage tank. A flow system provides the fluid to a filling head, which engages with the fluid container. The flow system includes a transfer pump, valves, and sensors configured to provide the fluid to the filling head.