A method and apparatus for cooling a compressed fuel gas during transfer of the gas from a source vessel to a receiving vessel. The method includes receiving a portion of the fuel gas from the source vessel in an intermediate vessel. Then, fluidly isolating the intermediate vessel from the source vessel. Work is then extracted from the fuel gas by causing or allowing expansion of the fuel gas, thereby cooling the fuel gas. Finally, the cooled portion of fuel gas is released from the intermediate vessel to the receiving vessel.

A method of controlling a hydrogen filling apparatus for filling a hydrogen tank of a vehicle with hydrogen includes estimating a temperature of hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank during filling of the hydrogen tank with hydrogen, predicting that overheating of hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank will occur before the hydrogen tank is fully filled, if the estimated temperature of hydrogen inside the hydrogen tank becomes higher than a determination curve, and, if it is predicted that the overheating will occur, suppressing a filling speed of hydrogen so as to be lower than before it is predicted that the overheating will occur.

A cryogenic fluid transfer device comprising a first tank, a second tank, and a fluid transfer circuit, wherein the first tank comprises a cryogenic fluid distribution tank configured to store a cryogenic fluid in a liquid phase in a lower part thereof and in a gaseous phase in an upper part thereof, wherein the second tank comprises a cryogenic receiving tank configured to house the cryogenic fluid in liquid phase in a lower part thereof and in gaseous phase in an upper part thereof, wherein the fluid transfer circuit is configured to connect the first and second tanks, the fluid transfer circuit comprising a first pipe connecting the upper parts of the first and second tanks and comprising at least one valve, and a second pipe connecting the lower part of the first tank to the second tank that comprises a pump that has an inlet connected to the first tank and an outlet connected to the second tank, wherein: the pump and the at least one valve of the first line are configured so as to ensure a fluidic connection of the upper parts of the first and second tanks by opening the at least one valve during a transfer of the cryogenic fluid in liquid phase from the first tank to the second tank with the pump.

A conformable pressure vessel including pressure vessel segments defined by a cavity disposed within a liner. The pressure vessel segments receive and store a gas in a compressed state. Each of the pressure vessel segments includes a first section of the liner having a first diameter and a second section of the liner having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The conformable pressure vessel includes a reinforcement layer surrounding the liner, and an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity of the liner. The inlet receives the gas from a gas source. The conformable pressure vessel includes an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity of the liner. The outlet outputs the gas from the pressure vessel segments. The conformable pressure vessel includes a connecting tube in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The connecting tube receives the gas from the outlet.

A system for dispensing a gaseous fuel from a liquefied fuel and a method for operating such a system are provided. The system includes a storage tank, a pressure sensor, a dispenser, a temperature sensor, and a vapor supply unit. The storage tank stores a liquefied fuel including phases of liquid and vapor. The pressure sensor is configured to measure a vapor pressure inside the storage tank. The dispenser is configured to receive the liquefied fuel and dispense the gaseous fuel to a receiving tank. The temperature sensor is configured to measure temperature of the dispenser. The system further includes a vapor supply unit fluidly coupled with the storage tank and configured to provide the vapor of the liquefied fuel from the storage tank into the dispenser or in thermally contact with at least one portion of the dispenser.

An integrated pressure regulator is provided with three stages configured to reduce an extreme tank pressure down to a typical working pressure. The regulator is configured to supply a steady working pressure until the tank pressure is reduced to little more than the working pressure itself. Stages of the pressure regulator are integrated into a body and arranged to minimize regulator mass and volume. A thermally-triggered pressure relief device may be included with a triggering time adapted to enhance the safety of smaller cylinders that may be used, e.g., in aerial applications.

A method for extracting a liquid phase of a cryogen comprising the liquid phase and a vapour phase from an interior volume of a storage dewar through an extraction means, utilizing a push gas introduced into the vapour phase of the cryogen through an outlet of a supply line provided between a push gas supply and the interior volume of the storage dewar, the supply line partially extending through the liquid phase within the interior volume.

An array of pressure vessels for storage of a compressed gas includes at least one Type 4 pressure vessel and at least one Type 1 pressure vessel. The Type 1 pressure vessel is in fluid communication with the at least one Type 4 pressure vessel. A metal wall of the at least one Type 1 pressure vessel has a Type 1 thermal conductance that is greater than a Type 4 thermal conductance of the at least one Type 4 pressure vessel.

A pressurized tank system includes a first tank, a second tank, a manifold, a first conduit connecting the first tank to the manifold, a second conduit connecting the second tank to the manifold, a first pressure actuated valve operably connected to the second conduit, a third conduit connecting the manifold and the first pressure actuated valve, and a fourth conduit connecting the first pressure actuated valve and the second tank. The first pressure actuated valve is configured for operation by fluid pressure in the third conduit. A method includes operably connecting a first pressure actuated valve at a junction between the second conduit, a third conduit connecting to the manifold, and a fourth conduit connecting to the second tank; and automatically opening the first pressure actuated valve with the fluid in the third conduit when the fluid pressure level exceeds a threshold pressure level.

A device for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular with pressurized hydrogen, comprising a pressurized-gas source and a circuit for transferring gas from the source to the tank, the transfer circuit including a member for expanding and cooling the gas in order to lower the pressure and temperature of the gas from the source to respective values determined with a view to filling the tank, characterized in that the gas-expansion and cooling member includes a refrigerator that expands the gas by means of a Stirling or Ericsson thermodynamic cycle, the refrigerator being selectively supplied with gas from the source, and in that at least a portion of the cooled and expanded gas supplied to the tank is extracted from the refrigerator.