초록 ▼

A relatively inexpensive system and method for regulating the temperature of a cryogenic liquid in a storage vessel (2), such as vehicle refueling station, comprises inner and outer walls (6, 8) defining a inner chamber (12) for housing the cryogenic liquid. To provide a variable thermal resistance

A relatively inexpensive system and method for regulating the temperature of a cryogenic liquid in a storage vessel (2), such as vehicle refueling station, comprises inner and outer walls (6, 8) defining a inner chamber (12) for housing the cryogenic liquid. To provide a variable thermal resistance around the inner chamber, a thermal control fluid is disposed within an insulation space (10) between the inner and outer walls. A fluid conduit (30) has an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a heat exchanger coil (36) disposed within the insulation space. A control valve (38) allows the cryogenic liquid to flow through the fluid conduit so that the cryogenic liquid is in heat exchange relationship with the thermal control gas as the liquid passes through the coil (i.e., the cryogenic liquid cools and condenses the thermal control gas to reduce the control gas pressure). The pressure of the control gas within the insulation space can be modulated to thereby control the heat flow into the inner chamber by controlling the flow rate of the cryogenic liquid through the fluid conduit.

대표청구항 ▼

A storage vessel for storing a liquified gas comprising: inner and outer walls defining a space therebetween, the inner wall further defining a chamber, the liquified gas being retained within the chamber; a thermal control fluid disposed within the space for modulating heat flow to the liquified ga

A storage vessel for storing a liquified gas comprising: inner and outer walls defining a space therebetween, the inner wall further defining a chamber, the liquified gas being retained within the chamber; a thermal control fluid disposed within the space for modulating heat flow to the liquified gas; a fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, the fluid conduit passing through the space and defining a heat transfer portion within the space; and a control valve for controlling flow of the liquified gas through the fluid conduit, the liquified gas being in heat exchange relationship with the thermal control fluid when the liquified gas passes through the heat transfer portion of the fluid conduit.