초록 ▼

A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described which generally comprises on-board means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for

A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described which generally comprises on-board means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The on-board storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The conveying means is adapted to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the on-board storing means from a stationary source of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and also to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the combining means of the prime mover during the operation of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the maximum pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored in the on-board storing means is in the range of approximately 100 psig (689 kPa) to approximately 400 psig (2760kPa). The apparatus generally includes one or more gas compressors for compressing the gaseous fuel to a predetermined pressure, preferably approximately 400 psig (2760 kPa). Sorbent filtering and storage means are also preferably provided for maximizing the amount of fuel to be stored in the apparatus in order to supply a quick initial charge of the gaseous fuel to the vehicle or other gaseous fuel consuming device.

대표청구항 ▼

In a system having a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel powered vehicle and a refueling apparatus for said vehicle, the improvement comprising in combination: inlet means on said refueling apparatus adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of said gaseous fuel; compressor means on said ref

In a system having a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel powered vehicle and a refueling apparatus for said vehicle, the improvement comprising in combination: inlet means on said refueling apparatus adapted to be connected in fluid communication with a source of said gaseous fuel; compressor means on said refueling apparatus for compressing said gaseous fuel in order to increase the pressure thereof up to a first predetermined pressure level; cooling means on said refueling apparatus for decreasing the temperature of said compressed gaseous fuel; sorbent filter means on said refueling apparatus for sorptively removing at least a portion of certain predetermined constituents of said gaseous fuel therefrom; discharge means on said refueling apparatus for supplying said compressed gaseous fuel to said vehicle, said discharge means including a discharge fluid conduit selectively and releasably connectable to a fuel inlet means on said vehicle in order to selectively refuel the same; at least one storage vessel on said refueling apparatus, said refueling apparatus storage vessel containing a sorbent material therein for sorptive storage of a first predetermined quantity of said compressed gaseous fuel in said refueling apparatus storage vessel; vehicle storage means for storing a second predetermined quantity of said compressed gaseous fuel on said vehicle, said vehicle storage means including a sorbent material for sorptively storing said second predetermined quantity of said compressed gaseous fuel; refueling apparatus control means for supplying said filtered and compressed gaseous fuel to said vehicle from either said compressor means or said refueling apparatus storage vessel, said control means causing said filtered and compressed gaseous fuel to be supplied to said vehicle from said refueling apparatus storage vessel when the pressure therein is generally at or above a second predetermined pressure level and further causing said refueling apparatus storage vessel to be bypassed by said filtered and compressed gaseous fuel when said refueling apparatus storage vessel pressure drops below a third predetermined level, said refueling apparatus control means further causing said filtered and compressed gaseous fuel to be supplied to said refueling apparatus storage vessel after said discharge fluid conduit has been selectively disconnected from said vehicle fuel inlet means or alternatively after the pressure of the compressed gaseous fuel in said vehicle storage means has increased to a fourth predetermined pressure level, said compressed gaseous fuel being supplied to said refueling apparatus storage vessel until the pressure in said refueling apparatus storage vessel is generally at said second predetermined pressure level; a prime mover on said vehicle having means for combining said compressed gaseous fuel with air to produce mechanical energy necessary to move said vehicle; means on said vehicle for conveying said compressed gaseous fuel to said vehicle storage means from said fuel inlet means and for conveying said compressed gaseous fuel from said vehicle storage means to said combining means of said prime mover; and vehicle sorbent filter means on said vehicle associated with said conveying means for sorptively filtering the flow of said compresssed gaseous fuel to said vehicle storage means, said vehicle sorbent filter means including a sorbent material.