Self-contained mobile fueling station
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
36 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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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:
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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.
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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:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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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:
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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.
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Specification