Vehicle mounted LNG delivery system

• US 5,163,409 A
• Filed: 02/18/1992
• Issued: 11/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gustafson, Keith, Kalet, George W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, Tony M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US07/835,844
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 123/525, 123/526, 123/527, 62/50.1, 62/50.2, 62/53.2
• US Class Current: 123/525
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/022 to adjust the fuel pressure, temperature or composition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0647 the gaseous fuel being liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], liquefied natural gas [LNG], compressed natural gas [CNG] or dimethyl ether [DME]
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0212 comprising at least 3 C-Atoms, e.g. liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], propane or butane
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0215 Mixtures of gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Biogas; Mine gas; Landfill gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0224 Secondary gaseous fuel storages
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0287 characterised by the transition from liquid to gaseous phase F02M21/06 takes precedence; Injection in liquid phase; Cooling and low temperature storage
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/06 Apparatus for de-liquefying, e.g. by heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

The present invention uses an on-board source of compressed natural gas (CNG) to pressurize the LNG in the vehicle'"'"'s LNG storage tanks such that high pressure natural gas can be delivered to the use device. More than one LNG storage tank can be used without increasing the amount of CNG required if the storage tanks are connected together in series so that the upstream storage tank pressurizes the downstream storage tank.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted delivery system for natural gas, comprising:

a) a first tank for storing a quantity of liquid natural gas;

b) means for storing a quantity of compressed natural gas;

c) means for delivering the compressed natural gas to said first tank to pressurize and maintain the pressure in said first tank at a predetermined value; and

d) means for delivering said pressurized liquid natural gas from said first tank.

2. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said means for storing compressed natural gas is a storage vessel having approximately one third the volume of said tank.

3. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the means for delivering the pressurized liquid natural gas is connected to a use device.

4. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 3, wherein said use device is a vehicle engine.

5. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 1, further including a second tank for storing a quantity of liquid natural gas, said second tank being connected in series with said first tank.

6. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 1, further including a second tank for storing a quantity of liquid natural gas, and means for pressurizing the said second tank.

7. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 6 wherein, the means for pressurizing said second tank utilizes the pressurized LNG in said first tank.

8. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 3, further including means for vaporizing said natural gas before it delivered to said use device.

9. A vehicle mounted delivery system for natural gas, comprising:

a) means for storing a supply of compressed natural gas;

b) a plurality of tanks for storing a quantity of liquid natural gas, said tanks being connected in series with one another such that liquid natural gas flows from the upstream tank to the downstream tank;

c) means for delivering the compressed natural gas to the most upstream tank to pressurize it, said upstream tank, in turn, pressurizing the down stream tanks; and

d) means associated with said most down stream tank for converting LNG to natural gas and for supplying pressurized natural gas from the most downstream tank.

10. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 9, wherein said means for storing compressed natural gas is approximately one third the volume of the most upstream tank.

11. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the means for supplying the pressurized natural gas is connected to a use device.

12. The vehicle mounted delivery system according to claim 11, wherein said use device is the vehicle'"'"'s engine.