초록 ▼

A method of fueling an engine (92) of a vehicle having a fuel storage tank (70) is accomplished by providing a liquid fuel for fueling the engine (92). The fuel is cooled to reduced temperatures substantially less than ambient temperature so that the volume of the fuel is reduced. The fuel is stored

A method of fueling an engine (92) of a vehicle having a fuel storage tank (70) is accomplished by providing a liquid fuel for fueling the engine (92). The fuel is cooled to reduced temperatures substantially less than ambient temperature so that the volume of the fuel is reduced. The fuel is stored in the storage tank (70) while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures, with the reduced volume of the fuel thereby allowing more fuel to be held in the storage tank (70) and/or increasing the energy value of the fuel per unit volume. The fuel may be transferred from the storage tank (70) to the engine (92) while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures. The fuel may be cooled using either liquid nitrogen (76), or conventional mechanical refrigeration equipment (150).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of fueling an aircraft having an onboard fuel storage tank, comprising the steps of:providing a liquid fuel for fueling the aircraft;transferring the fuel to a ground location;cooling the fuel to reduced temperatures externally of the aircraft on the ground and s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of fueling an aircraft having an onboard fuel storage tank, comprising the steps of:providing a liquid fuel for fueling the aircraft;transferring the fuel to a ground location;cooling the fuel to reduced temperatures externally of the aircraft on the ground and substantially less than ambient temperature so that the volume of the fuel is reduced;transferring the fuel to the aircraft and storing the fuel in the onboard storage tank while the fuel is at the reduced temperatures, the reduced temperature and volume of the fuel thereby increasing the energy value of the fuel per unit volume.