LNG delivery system for gas powered vehicles

• US 5,127,230 A
• Filed: 05/17/1991
• Issued: 07/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1991
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hedegard, Kelly W., Neeser, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Capossela, Ronald C.
• Application Number:
  US07/702,076
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 62/50.1, 62/50.2, 62/46.2, 62/7, 123/525, 123/527
• US Class Current: 62/7
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/023 to adjust the fuel mass or volume flow
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/027 Determining the fuel pressure, temperature or volume flow, the fuel tank fill level or a valve position
• 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 21/0236 Multi-way valves; Multiple valves forming a multi-way valve system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0239 Pressure or flow regulators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0242 Shut-off valves; Check valves; Safety valves; Pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0245 High pressure fuel supply systems; Rails; Pumps; Arrangement of valves
• 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: F17C 13/025 having the pressure as the parameter
• 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 13/123 for gas bottles, cylinders or reservoirs for tank vehicles or for railway tank wagons
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0134 characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/033 : Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0302 : by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0393 : using a vaporiser
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/01 : Intermediate tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/016 : Preventing slosh
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/031 : due to heat transfer
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/065 : for refueling vehicle fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/00 : Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/02 : with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 : Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

The delivery system of the invention consists of a pair of LNG fuel tanks mounted on a vehicle. A solenoid valve associated with each tank allows the vehicle operator to select the tank from which LNG is to be delivered to the engine. An automatic override system is provided whereby if the pressure in the non-selected tank rises above a predetermined level, the operator'"'"'s tank selection is overridden and gas from the non-selected tank is used until the pressure falls below the predetermined level. This override system eliminates the need to vent gas to the atmosphere to avoid pressure build up and thereby eliminates waste of the LNG. Each tank is also provided with a pressure building capability such that the gas will always be delivered to the engine with sufficient pressure. The system is designed such that LNG from a stationary low pressure storage tank can be delivered at high pressure to refuel the tanks. Finally, a variable insulation barrier is provided in the fuel tanks to minimize heat transfer between the LNG and gas head.

Claims

1. A natural gas delivery system, comprising:

a) a first vehicle mounted tank for storing liquid natural gas and natural gas vapor;

b) a second vehicle mounted tank for storing liquid natural gas and natural gas vapor;

c) a use line connected to said first and second tanks for receiving natural gas from the first and second tanks and delivering natural gas vapor to the use device on said vehicle and means for pressurizing the natural gas in the use line;

d) means for selecting one of said first or second tanks to deliver natural gas to the use line; and

e) means for overriding said selecting means to deliver natural gas vapor to the use line from either of said tanks in response to detecting a pressure rise therein which exceeds a preselected maximum.

2. The delivery system according to claim 1, further including means for filling said first and second tanks.

3. The delivery system according to claim 2, wherein said means for filling includes a storage means for holding liquid natural gas at a low pressure and means for delivering the liquid natural gas to the first and second tanks at a higher pressure.

4. The delivery system according to claim 3, wherein said means for filling further includes means for venting high pressure gas from said first and second tanks to said storage means.

5. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said means for selecting one of said first and second tanks includes a manually activated valve associated with each of said first and second tanks.

6. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said use line includes a heat exchanger for vaporizing the liquid natural gas.

7. The delivery system according to claim 1, further including a means for pressurizing the first and second tanks.

8. The delivery system according to claim 1, further including means for minimizing heat transfer between the liquid natural gas and the natural gas vapor in the first and second tanks.