System and method for monitoring and controlling gaseous fuel storage systems
First Claim
1. A monitoring and control system for a compressed gas fuel storage system having a storage vessel monitored by a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating an operating parameter signal, the system comprising:
- an input controller for managing gas flow to the compressed gas fuel storage system;
an output controller for managing gas flow from the compressed gas fuel storage system; and
a control system for managing the input controller and the output controller, the control system including;
a memory module for storing data related to design characteristics of the storage vessel, the data being representative of useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
an input signal converter for receiving and conditioning the operating parameter signals from the plurality of sensors, the operating parameter signals being related to useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
a processor module for evaluating the conditioned operating parameter signals provided by the input signal converter in relation to the data stored in the memory module to determine a status of the compressed gas fuel storage system;
an output signal converter for generating drive warning indicators based on the status of the compressed gas fuel storage system for controlling the input controller and the output controller; and
a system status module managed by the processor module for allowing in-service switching to change operating modes of the fuel storage system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaseous fuel storage system included in a vehicle to supply fuel to a power source (e.g., an engine, fuel cell and the like) is diagnosed and controlled by a monitoring/evaluation and control system. Various parameters with reference to gas temperature, gas pressure, gas density and damage and shock of a vessel containing the pressurized gas are provided by respective sensors mounted on and in vessels of a gas storage system. A control module determines whether maintenance of the vessels is required based on the sensed parameters. If maintenance is necessary, the components will be replaced with new ones or the entire gas storage system or the vessel will be replaced. If necessary, a warning is provided to avoid operation of the power source and the vehicle.
24 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A monitoring and control system for a compressed gas fuel storage system having a storage vessel monitored by a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating an operating parameter signal, the system comprising:
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an input controller for managing gas flow to the compressed gas fuel storage system;
an output controller for managing gas flow from the compressed gas fuel storage system; and
a control system for managing the input controller and the output controller, the control system including;
a memory module for storing data related to design characteristics of the storage vessel, the data being representative of useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
an input signal converter for receiving and conditioning the operating parameter signals from the plurality of sensors, the operating parameter signals being related to useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
a processor module for evaluating the conditioned operating parameter signals provided by the input signal converter in relation to the data stored in the memory module to determine a status of the compressed gas fuel storage system;
an output signal converter for generating drive warning indicators based on the status of the compressed gas fuel storage system for controlling the input controller and the output controller; and
a system status module managed by the processor module for allowing in-service switching to change operating modes of the fuel storage system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of monitoring and controlling a compressed gas fuel storage system having a storage vessel monitored by a plurality of sensors, each sensor generating an operating parameter signal, the method comprising:
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storing data related to design characteristics of the storage vessel, the data being representative of useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
receiving the operating parameter signals from the plurality of sensors, the operating parameter signals being related to useful life characteristics of the storage vessel;
evaluating the operating parameter signals received by the input signal converter in relation to the data stored in the memory module to determine a status of the compressed gas fuel storage system;
generating drive warning indicators based on the status of the compressed gas fuel storage system for managing gas flow to and from the compressed gas fuel storage system; and
switching between a plurality of operating modes of the fuel storage system in response to service requests. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification