Integrity protection for pressurized bi-directional systems

• US 8,322,357 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/618,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20110114194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 137/14, 137/505, 137/624.12, 137/624.18, 137/599.01, 137/599.03, 137/599.08, 137/599.09
• US Class Current: 137/14
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0335 Check-valves or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0385 in blocks or units
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0394 in direct contact with the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/022 Avoiding overfilling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/036 Avoiding leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/037 Handling leaked fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/863 : Access and outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 : With independent valve controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86445 : Plural, sequential, valve actuations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87281 : System having plural inlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87322 : With multi way valve having serial valve in at least one branch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8733 : Fluid pressure regulator in at least one branch

Abstract

Excess flow valve devices, which are responsive to pressure and flow conditions in a bi-directional system, including structures to restrict flow in one direction through openings of a stopper of an excess flow valve based on balancing forces from at least a spring and a frictional force caused by the flow. Bi-directional system employing at least one pressure delayer responsive to pressure and flow impulses to protect a tank valve of a storage tank or a regulator during a refill phase or a discharge phase.

Claims

1. A bi-directional system, comprising:

a storage tank;

a regulator;

a spending line connecting the storage tank to the regulator;

a fill line connected to the spending line;

a check valve between the storage tank and the fill line and configured to allow flow into the storage tank;

a tank valve between the storage tank and the fill line and in parallel with the check valve; and

a distal pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the fill line and an outlet connected to the tank valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the distal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the distal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the distal pressure delayer.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximal pressure delayer valve having an inlet connected to the storage tank and an outlet connected to the tank valve.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the proximal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the proximal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the proximal pressure delayer.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an output pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the tank valve and an outlet connected to the regulator.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the output pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the output pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the output pressure delayer.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mid-stage valve disposed downstream of the regulator.

8. A bi-directional system, comprising:

a storage tank;

a regulator;

a spending line connecting the storage tank to the regulator;

a fill line connected to the spending line;

a check valve between the storage tank and the fill line and configured to allow flow into the storage tank;

a tank valve between the storage tank and the fill line and in parallel with the check valve; and

an output pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the tank valve and an outlet connected to the regulator.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the output pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the output pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the output pressure delayer.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a distal pressure delayer having an inlet connected to the fill line and an outlet connected to the tank valve.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the distal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the distal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the distal pressure delayer.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a proximal pressure delayer valve having an inlet connected to the storage tank and an outlet connected to the tank valve.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the proximal pressure delayer is configured to delay a flow of fluid through the proximal pressure delayer when a flow impulse is provided to the inlet of the proximal pressure delayer.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a mid-stage valve disposed downstream of the regulator.

15. A method of controlling fluid flow, comprising:

during a refill phase, receiving a first flow impulse of a fluid from a fill line to a bi-directional spending line, whereby the first flow impulse is directed toward a tank valve of a storage tank and a regulator connected by the spending line;

delaying the first flow impulse to the tank valve, wherein the tank valve is disposed between the fill line and a storage tank, whereby the fluid is substantially directed to the storage tank through a check valve connected to the storage tank in parallel with the tank valve; and

delaying the first flow impulse to the regulator, whereby leakage of the regulator during the refill phase is reduced.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein delaying the first flow impulse to the tank valve further comprises:

reducing a flow path in a distal pressure delayer in response to friction in the distal pressure delayer caused by the first flow impulse.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein delaying the first flow impulse to the regulator further comprises:

reducing a flow path in an output pressure delayer in response to friction in the output pressure delayer caused by the first flow impulse.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

during a discharge phase, receiving a second flow impulse from the storage tank to the spending line; and

delaying the second flow impulse to the regulator, whereby leakage of the regulator during the discharge phase is reduced.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein delaying the second flow impulse to the regulator further comprises:

reducing a flow path in an output pressure delayer in response to friction in an output pressure delayer caused by the second flow impulse.