Self-contained mobile fueling station

• US 20050103400A1
• Filed: 08/24/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David John Farese, Donald Paul Eichelberger, Joseph Perry Cohen, Richard Layton Colwell
• Original Assignee: David John Farese, Donald Paul Eichelberger, Joseph Perry Cohen, Richard Layton Colwell
• Inventors: Cohen, Joseph Perry, Farese, David John, Colwell, Richard Layton, Eichelberger, Donald Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/231
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/02 Supplying fuel to vehicles; General disposition of plant in filling stations apparatus for transferring measured quantities of petrol, oil, or the like from storage space to vehicles B67D
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/00 Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge pressurised apparatus for purposes other than storage, see the relevant subclasses such as A62C, B05B; associated with vehicles, see the appropriate subclass of classes B60 - B64; pressure vessels in general F16J12/00 ; autoclaves B01J3/04; tank vehicles B60P3/22; railway tank wagons for carrying fluent materials B61D5/00; accumulators for supplying fluid under pressure F15B1/04; liquefied gas stoves F24C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/035 with substantially horizontal main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/056 Small (<1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0341 Perlite
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/035 Glass wool
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0663 in form of fibers or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0107 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/013 Two or more vessels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0142 bundled in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0161 with wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0317 fusing or melting
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0335 Check-valves or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 : Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 : gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 : Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0123 : gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/036 : Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/043 : by pressure cascade
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 : using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 : using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0434 : Pressure difference
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 : Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0694 : with calculations
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 : Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/023 : Avoiding overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/025 : Reducing transfer time
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/026 : by calculation
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/042 : Reducing risk of explosion
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/061 : for supply of supplying vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/065 : for refueling vehicle fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0105 : Ships
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 : by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0184 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/06 : for filling with compressed gases
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage

Abstract

A mobile self-contained self-powered station having a plurality of vessels delivers a pressurized fluid to a receiving tank (e.g., a fuel tank of a hydrogen-powered vehicle) without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities. The station includes first and second vessels, a conduit in fluid communication with the receiving tank and each of the first and second vessels, means for transferring at least a portion of a quantity of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel to the receiving tank, means for measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the receiving tank and the decreasing pressure in the first vessel, means for discontinuing the transfer from the first vessel when a predetermined limit value is reached, and means for transferring at least a portion of a quantity of the pressurized fluid from the second vessel to the receiving tank.

Claims

1. A self-powered station having a plurality of vessels for delivering a pressurized fluid to a first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, comprising:

a first vessel containing a first quantity of the pressurized fluid at a first pressure;

a second vessel containing a second quantity of the pressurized fluid at a second pressure;

a conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the first receiving tank and a second end in controllable fluid communication with each of the first vessel and the second vessel;

means for transferring at least a portion of the first quantity of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel through the conduit to the first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, thereby resulting in an increasing pressure in the first receiving tank and a decreasing pressure in the first vessel, the increasing pressure in the first receiving tank being less than the second pressure of the pressurized fluid in the second vessel;

means for measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the first receiving tank and the decreasing pressure in the first vessel;

means for discontinuing the transfer of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel when a predetermined limit value is reached; and

means for transferring at least a portion of the second quantity of the pressurized fluid from the second vessel through the conduit to the first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities.

2. A self-powered station as in claim 1, further comprising means for moving the self-powered station from a first location near the first receiving tank to a second location near a second receiving tank.

3. A self-powered station, as in claim 1, further comprising an insulation material disposed between the first or second vessel and a vessel adjacent the first or second vessel.

4. A self-powered station as in claim 1, further comprising a gas-permeable roof adapted to vent the pressurized fluid in a gaseous state.

5. A self-powered station as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining when the plurality of vessels are empty or near empty;

means for monitoring the self-powered station from a monitor in a remote location; and

means for reporting to the monitor from the self-powered station a determination that the plurality of vessels are empty or near empty.

6. A self-powered station as in claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid is a gas.

7. A self-powered station as in claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid is hydrogen.

8. A self-powered station as in claim 1, wherein the limit value of the pressure differential is zero.

9. A self-powered station as in claim 1, wherein the first receiving tank is a vehicle storage tank.

10. An automated mobile self-contained self-powered station having a plurality of vessels for delivering a pressurized hydrogen gas at 5,000 psig or greater to a first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, comprising:

a first vessel containing a first quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas at a first pressure;

a second vessel containing a second quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas at a second pressure;

a conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank and a second end in controllable fluid communication with each of the first vessel and the second vessel;

means for transferring at least a portion of the first quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the first vessel through the conduit to the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, thereby resulting in an increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank and a decreasing pressure in the first vessel, the increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank being less than the second pressure of the pressurized hydrogen gas in the second vessel;

means for measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank and the decreasing pressure in the first vessel;

means for discontinuing the transfer of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the first vessel when a predetermined limit value is reached;

means for transferring at least a portion of the second quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the second vessel through the conduit to the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities;

means for moving the mobile self-contained self-powered station from a first location near the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank to a second location near a second hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank;

means for determining when the plurality of vessels are empty or near empty;

means for monitoring the mobile self-contained self-powered station from a monitor in a remote location; and

means for reporting to the monitor from the mobile self-contained self-powered station a determination that the plurality of vessels are empty or near empty.

11. An apparatus for controlling a rate of delivery of a pressurized fluid from a storage vessel to a receiving tank through a conduit in fluid communication with the storage vessel and the receiving tank, comprising:

means for establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise to be maintained during a predetermined time period for filling of the receiving tank with the pressurized fluid; and

means for maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise during filling of the receiving tank with the pressurized fluid during the predetermined time period.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the means for establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise comprises:

a computer/controller for generating an electrical signal convertible to a low pressure gas signal; and

a regulator for amplifying the low pressure gas signal and controlling a fill pressure in the receiving tank.

13. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the means for maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise comprises:

a pressure control device in communication with the conduit or another conduit through which the pressurized fluid flows at an actual pressure before entering the receiving tank, the pressure control device adapted to increase or decrease the actual pressure of the pressurized fluid;

means for calculating periodically a rate of pressure rise over time; and

means for commanding the pressure control device to decrease the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is greater than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise, and to increase the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is less than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise.

14. An apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the rate of delivery is controlled as a function of either a percentage of a designated target pressure already achieved or a percentage of a designated target pressure yet to be achieved during a remaining portion of the predetermined time period.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the function is linear.

16. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the function is geometric.

17. An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the receiving tank has an instantaneous thermodynamic state and wherein the function varies over time with any changes in the instantaneous thermodynamic state to provide an optimal rate of fill.

18. An apparatus for controlling a rate of delivery of a pressurized hydrogen gas at 5,000 psig or greater from at least one storage vessel to a hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank through a conduit in fluid communication with the at least one storage vessel and the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank, comprising:

means for establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise to be maintained during a predetermined time period for filling of the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank with the pressurized hydrogen gas, comprising

a computer/controller for generating an electric signal convertible to a low pressure gas signal, and

a regulator for amplifying the low-pressure gas signal and controlling a fill pressure in the receiving tank;

means for maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise during filling of the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank with the pressurized hydrogen gas during the predetermined time period, comprising

a pressure control device in communication with the conduit or another conduit through which the pressurized hydrogen gas flows at an actual pressure before entering the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank, the pressure control device adapted to increase or decrease the actual pressure of the pressurized hydrogen gas,

means for calculating periodically a rate of pressure rise over time, and

means for commanding the pressure control device to decrease the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is greater than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise, and to increase the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is less than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise,

wherein the rate of delivery is controlled as a function of either a percentage of a designated target pressure already achieved or a percentage of a designated target pressure yet to be achieved during a remaining portion of the predetermined time period.

19. A method for delivering a pressurized fluid from a self-powered station to a first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, the self-powered station having a plurality of vessels, including at least a first vessel containing a first quantity of the pressurized fluid at a first pressure and a second vessel containing a second quantity of the pressurized fluid at a second pressure, comprising the steps of:

providing a conduit having a first end and a second end in controllable fluid communication with each of the first vessel and the second vessel;

placing the first end of the conduit in fluid communication with the first receiving tank;

transferring at least a portion of the first quantity of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel through the conduit to the first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, thereby resulting in an increasing pressure in the first receiving tank and a decreasing pressure in the first vessel, the increasing pressure in the first receiving tank being less than the second pressure of the pressurized fluid in the second vessel;

measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the first receiving tank and the decreasing pressure in the first vessel;

designating a limit value of the pressure differential at which a transfer of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel to the first receiving tank is to be discontinued;

discontinuing the transfer of the pressurized fluid from the first vessel when the limit value is reached; and

transferring at least a portion of the second quantity of the pressurized fluid from the second vessel through the conduit to the first receiving tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein the self-powered station is mobile or portable, comprising the further step of moving the self-powered station from a first location near the first receiving tank to a second location near a second receiving tank.

21. A method as in claim 19, wherein the first receiving tank is a vehicle fuel storage tank.

22. A method as in claim 19, wherein the pressurized fluid is a gas.

23. A method as in claim 19, wherein the pressurized fluid is hydrogen.

24. A method as in claim 19, wherein the limit value of the pressure differential is zero.

25. An automated method for delivering a pressurized hydrogen gas at 5,000 psig or greater from a mobile self-contained self-powered station to a first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, the self-powered station having a plurality of vessels, including at least a first vessel containing a first quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas at a first pressure and a second vessel containing a second quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas at a second pressure, comprising the steps of:

providing a conduit having a first end and a second end in controllable fluid communication with each of the first vessel and the second vessel;

placing the first end of the conduit in fluid communication with the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank;

transferring at least a portion of the first quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the first vessel through the conduit to the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities, thereby resulting in an increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank and a decreasing pressure in the first vessel, the increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank being less than the second pressure of the pressurized hydrogen gas in the second vessel;

measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank and the decreasing pressure in the first vessel;

designating a limit value of the pressure differential at which a transfer of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the first vessel to the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank is to be discontinued;

discontinuing the transfer of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the first vessel when the limit value is reached;

transferring at least a portion of the second quantity of the pressurized hydrogen gas from the second vessel through the conduit to the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank without using mechanical compression, external electric power, or other external utilities; and

moving the mobile self-contained self-powered station from a first location near the first hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank to a second location near a second hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank.

26. A method for delivering a pressurized fluid from a self-powered station to at least one receiving tank without using mechanical compression, electric power, or other external utilities, the self-powered station having n+1 vessels, wherein n is an integer greater than zero, each vessel containing a quantity of the pressurized fluid having a pressure which decreases as the quantity decreases, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a conduit having a first end and a second end in controllable fluid communication with each of the vessels;

(b) selecting the receiving tank to receive the pressurized fluid;

(c) engaging the first end of the conduit in fluid communication with the selected receiving tank, the selected receiving tank having a pressure which increases as the quantity of pressurized fluid is delivered to the selected receiving tank;

(d) selecting a vessel presently containing a quantity of pressurized fluid at a pressure greater than a present pressure of the pressurized fluid in the selected receiving tank;

(e) transferring at least a portion of the quantity of the pressurized fluid from the selected vessel through the conduit to the selected receiving tank without using mechanical compression, electric power, or other external utilities, thereby resulting in an increasing pressure in the selected receiving tank and a decreasing pressure in the selected vessel from which the pressurized fluid is being transferred, the increasing pressure in the selected receiving tank being less than the pressure of the pressurized fluid in at least one other vessel;

(f) measuring continuously a pressure differential between the increasing pressure in the selected receiving tank and the decreasing pressure in the selected vessel from which pressurized fluid is being transferred;

(g) designating a limit value of the pressure differential at which a transfer of the pressurized fluid from the selected vessel is to be discontinued;

(h) discontinuing the transfer of the pressurized fluid from the selected vessel when the limit value is reached;

(i) selecting another vessel presently containing a quantity of the pressurized fluid at a pressure greater than the present pressure of the pressurized fluid in the selected receiving tank;

(j) transferring at least a portion of another quantity of the pressurized fluid from the another selected vessel through the conduit to the selected receiving tank without using mechanical compression, electrical power, or other external utilities;

(k) repeating steps (d) through (j) until the selected receiving tank is filled with pressurized fluid at a desired filled pressure; and

(l) disengaging the first end of the conduit from fluid communication with the selected receiving tank.

27. A method as in claim 26, comprising the further steps of:

(m) selecting another receiving tank to receive the pressurized fluid;

(n) repeating steps (c) through (n) until the pressurized fluid can no longer be delivered from the self-powered station to the last selected receiving tank without using mechanical compression, electric power, or other external utilities.

28. A method as in claim 27, comprising the further steps of:

(o) refilling at least two of the n+1 vessels with the pressurized fluid, each refilled vessel containing a quantity of the pressurized fluid having a pressure which decreases as the quantity decreases; and

(p) repeating steps (b) through (p).

29. A method for controlling a rate of delivery of a pressurized fluid from a storage vessel to a receiving tank through a conduit in fluid communication with the storage vessel and the receiving tank, comprising the steps of:

establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise to be maintained during a predetermined time period for filling of the receiving tank with the pressurized fluid; and

maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise during filling of the receiving tank with the pressurized fluid during the predetermined time period.

30. A method as in claim 29, wherein the step of establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise comprises the sub-steps of:

generating an electric signal convertible to a low pressure gas signal;

amplifying the low pressure gas signal; and

controlling a fill pressure in the receiving tank.

31. A method as in claim 29, wherein the step of maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise comprises the sub-steps of:

providing a pressure control device in communication with the conduit or another conduit through which the pressurized fluid flows at an actual pressure before entering the receiving tank, the pressure control device adapted to increase or decrease the actual pressure of the pressurized fluid;

calculating periodically a rate of pressure rise over time; and

commanding the pressure control device to decrease the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is greater than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise, and to increase the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is less than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise.

32. A method as in claim 29, wherein the rate of delivery is controlled as a function of either a percentage of a designated target pressure already achieved or a percentage of a designated target pressure yet to be achieved during a remaining portion of the predetermined time period.

33. A method as in claim 32, wherein the function is linear.

34. A method as in claim 32, wherein the function is geometric.

35. A method as in claim 32, wherein the receiving tank has an instantaneous thermodynamic state and wherein the function varies over time with any changes in the instantaneous thermodynamic state to provide an optimal rate of fill.

36. A method for controlling a rate of delivery of a pressurized hydrogen gas at 5,000 psig or greater from at least one storage vessel to a hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank through a conduit in fluid communication with the at least one storage vessel and the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank, comprising the steps of:

establishing a predetermined rate of pressure rise to be maintained during a predetermined time period for filling of the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank with the pressurized hydrogen gas, comprising

generating an electric signal convertible to a low pressure gas signal,

amplifying the low pressure gas signal, and

controlling a fill pressure in the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank;

maintaining the predetermined rate of pressure rise during filling of the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank with the pressurized hydrogen gas during the predetermined time period, comprising

providing a pressure control device in communication with the conduit or another conduit through which the pressurized hydrogen gas flows at an actual pressure before entering the hydrogen-powered vehicle fuel storage tank, the pressure control device adapted to increase or decrease the actual pressure of the pressurized hydrogen gas,

calculating periodically a rate of pressure rise over time, and

commanding the pressure control device to decrease the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is greater than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise, and to increase the actual pressure when the rate of pressure rise is less than the established predetermined rate of pressure rise,

wherein the rate of delivery is controlled as a function of either a percentage of a designated target pressure already achieved or a percentage of a designated target pressure yet to be achieved during a remaining portion of the predetermined time period.