Method and apparatus for supplying fuel for a hydrogen-operated vehicle

• US 6,755,219 B1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Bolle, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/655,232
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: 141/9, 141/100, 141/114, 141/65, 141/59, 220/86.2
• US Class Current: 141/9
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/02 by wet methods
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/03 Fuel tanks chassis frame comprising fluid storage compartment B62D21/16 ; Details of the fuel feeding system related to the fuel tank F02M37/0076
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03105 with supplementary interior tanks inside the fuel tank
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03118 Multiple tanks, i.e. two or more separate tanks supplementary tanks inside the fuel tank B60K2015/03105
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0467 Fuel tanks with more than one filler pipe
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/065 from a hydride
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/018 with bladders
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0185 with separating membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

Described are a method of and an apparatus for supplying fuel for a motor vehicle comprising at least one hydrogen consumer wherein the hydrogen is liberated by catalytic reaction of a hydrogen donor provided as the fuel and recyclable fuel which has reacted in that operation is produced. The method comprises taking unreacted fuel from a first storage volume, filling at least one second storage volume separate from the first storage volume with reacted fuel and at least partially additionally using the first storage volume which has become vacant by virtue of unreacted fuel being taken therefrom, for storage of the reacted fuel. A fuel container arrangement includes at least one storage container for unreacted fuel and communicating with a removal container for supplying the fuel to the reaction, and a collecting container communicating with a storage container, when vacated of unreacted fuel, by way of a flow transfer conduit for transferring reacted fuel to the storage container.

Claims

1. A method of supplying fuel for a vehicle comprising at least one hydrogen consumer in which hydrogen is converted into electrical energy, wherein the hydrogen is liberated by catalytic reaction of a hydrogen donor provided as the fuel and recyclable fuel which has reacted in that operation is produced, including

taking unreacted fuel from a first storage volume,

filling at least one second storage volume separate from the first storage volume with reacted fuel and

at least partially additionally using the first storage volume which has become vacant by virtue of unreacted fuel being taken therefrom, for storage of the reacted fuel.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including

the use of a plurality of mutually spatially separated containers as storage volumes.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 including

the use of at least three series-connected containers as storage volumes,

wherein the unreacted fuel is taken from at least one storage container by way of a removal container which is fed with the unreacted fuel from said at least one storage container, at least one collecting container is filled with reacted fuel and reacted fuel is transferred from the collecting container into the at least one storage container when the unreacted fuel has been completely taken therefrom.

4. A fuel container for supplying fuel for vehicle comprising at least one hydrogen consumer in which hydrogen is converted into electrical energy, wherein the hydrogen is liberated by catalytic reaction of a hydrogen donor provided as the fuel and recyclable fuel which has reacted in that operation is produced, including

first and second mutually separate volumes for reacted and unreacted fuel,

means dividing the first and second volumes from each other and adapted to permit variation in the size of the respective volumes such that upon filling of one said volume said one volume is expandable at the expense of the respective other volume,

at least one container filling and/or emptying opening, and

at least one removal conduit for the removal of fuel from the container.

5. A fuel container as set forth in claim 4 including

first and second chambers,

wherein said dividing means comprises a flexible wall separating the chambers from each other.

6. A fuel container as set forth in claim 5 including

a peripherally extending container seam,

wherein said flexible wall is clamped peripherally in fluid-tight and gas-tight relationship in the region of said seam.

7. A fuel container as set forth in claim 4

wherein the container includes an outer casing means defining a main volume and a flexible inner container having a volume which is fluid-tightly and gas-tightly separated from the main volume and which is variable at the expense of the main volume.

8. A fuel container arrangement for supplying fuel for a motor vehicle comprising at least one hydrogen consumer in which hydrogen is converted into electrical energy, wherein the hydrogen is liberated by catalytic reaction of a hydrogen donor provided as the fuel and recyclable fuel which has reacted in that operation is produced, including

at least one removal container for the removal of fuel from the arrangement,

at least one storage container for storing unreacted fuel,

means communicating the removal container and the storage container,

means for conveying fuel from the storage container into the removal container,

at least one collecting container for collecting reacted fuel, and

a flow transfer means communicating said at least one collecting container with a storage container.

9. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 8 including

a switchable multiway valve operable for connecting the storage container to the removal container and to the collecting container.

10. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 8 including

at least two further storage containers and

switchable valve means for respectively communicating the at least two further storage containers with the removal container and the collecting container.

11. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 8 including

suction jet pumps for respectively feeding the removal container from said storage containers, and

a return conduit from said removal container for supplying fuel for actuating each respective suction jet pump.

12. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 11 including

a removal conduit for taking fuel from the removal container,

wherein the return conduit is branched from said removal conduit.

13. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 11 including

a common feed conduit to the removal container, and

means communicating the storage containers with a common return conduit from the removal container and said common feed conduit to the removal container.

14. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 12 including

a pressure regulating valve communicating the return conduit with the removal conduit.

15. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 8 including

a plurality of storage containers connected in series for fuel conveyance successively thereto,

wherein the size of the collecting container and the storage containers is respectively such that the container which is respectively disposed upstream in the direction of fuel conveyance is capable of receiving the volume of reacted fuel which is produced upon emptying of the downstream-connected container with unreacted fuel and processing thereof.

16. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 9 including

a plurality of storage containers,

a common filling conduit, and

means connecting the removal container and the storage containers to the common filling conduit.

17. A fuel container arrangement as set forth in claim 9 including

a plurality of storage containers,

a common emptying conduit, and

means connecting the removal container and the storage containers to the common emptying conduit.