Method and apparatus for dispensing compressed gas

• US 7,152,637 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Original Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated (Linde Plc)
• Inventors: Hoke, Bryan Clair Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US11/059,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20060180236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/2, 141/18, 141/67, 141/94, 141/95, 141/83, 141/192, 141/198
• US Class Current: 141/192
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/02 Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment measuring in general G01
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/025 having the pressure as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/026 having the temperature as the parameter
• 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 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0443 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/021 Avoiding over pressurising
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/022 Avoiding overfilling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/025 Reducing transfer time
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0139 Fuel stations
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/007 for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles filling with liquid fuel not under pressure, B60S5/02, B67D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/06 for filling with compressed gases
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 7/00 Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing compressed gas to a receiving tank is provided where the initial density in the tank is determined, and the quantity of compressed gas to be transferred is calculated and delivered based on the initial density and a desired final density.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing a compressed gas from a compressed gas source to a receiving tank comprising:

connecting a dispensing connector to the receiving tank;

determining an initial equivalent density of the compressed gas in the receiving tank;

selecting a target equivalent density for the receiving tank;

calculating a predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank as a function of at least the target equivalent density and the initial equivalent density;

transferring the compressed gas from the compressed gas source to the receiving tank while measuring an accumulated quantity of compressed gas transferred; and

controlling the flow of the compressed gas as a function of the accumulated quantity and the predetermined quantity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of controlling the flow comprises stopping the flow of the compressed gas when the accumulated quantity reaches the predetermined quantity or is within a range of the predetermined quantity.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of measuring a final equivalent density of the compressed gas in the receiving tank.

4. A method for dispensing a compressed gas from a compressed gas source to a receiving tank comprising:

connecting a dispensing connector to the receiving tank;

determining an initial equivalent density of the compressed gas in the receiving tank by a direct density sensor selected from the group consisting of a capacitive sensor, a vibrating element sensor, and a nucleonic sensor;

selecting a target equivalent density for the receiving tank;

calculating a predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank as a function of at least the target equivalent density and the initial equivalent density;

transferring the compressed gas from the compressed gas source to the receiving tank while measuring an accumulated quantity of compressed gas transferred; and

controlling the flow of the compressed gas as a function of the accumulated quantity and the predetermined quantity.

5. An apparatus for dispensing a compressed gas to a receiving tank comprising:

a compressed gas source;

a valve in fluid communication with the compressed gas source, said valve operable by a valve signal;

a fluid tight conduit having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is in fluid communication with said valve and wherein the second end is in fluid communication with a dispensing connector for connecting to the receiving tank;

a means for determining the equivalent density of the compressed gas in the receiving tank;

a means for calculating a predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank as a function of at least a target equivalent density and an initial equivalent density, said means for calculating in communication with said means for determining the equivalent density;

a means for measuring an accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed;

a means for comparing the accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed with the predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank; and

a means for generating the valve signal in communication with the means for comparing the accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed with the predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein an electronic controller is the means for generating the valve signal and the means for comparing the accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed with the predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein an electronic controller is the means for generating the valve signal, the means for comparing the accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed with the predetermined quantity of compressed gas to be added to the receiving tank, and the means for calculating.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for determining the equivalent density is at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a capacitive sensor, a vibrating element sensor, and a nucleonic sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for determining the equivalent density is integrated with the dispensing connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for determining the equivalent density is integrated with the receiving tank.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for measuring an accumulated quantity of compressed gas dispensed comprises a mass flow meter.