초록 ▼

A compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling system has banks of cylinders containing CNG, a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid which does not readily mix with CNG, and reversible flow valves. Each cylinder has a fitting installed in an opening at one end. The fitting contains a hydr

A compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling system has banks of cylinders containing CNG, a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid which does not readily mix with CNG, and reversible flow valves. Each cylinder has a fitting installed in an opening at one end. The fitting contains a hydraulic fluid port and a gas port. The other end of each cylinder is closed. Hydraulic fluid is pumped from the reservoir into each cylinder through the hydraulic fluid port. Inside each cylinder, the hydraulic fluid directly contacts the CNG, forcing the CNG out through the gas port. When a sensor detects that the cylinders are substantially drained of CNG, the reversible flow valves will reverse orientation, allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow back into the reservoir.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fuel delivery system for delivering compressed natural gas into an external pressure vessel, comprising:a reservoir having a pump intake line and a return line; a hydraulic fluid contained in the reservoir; at least one tank having a chamber containing a compressed natural gas, a gas port, and

1. A fuel delivery system for delivering compressed natural gas into an external pressure vessel, comprising:a reservoir having a pump intake line and a return line; a hydraulic fluid contained in the reservoir; at least one tank having a chamber containing a compressed natural gas, a gas port, and a hydraulic fluid port, each of which is in fluid communication with the gas stored in the chamber; a hose line connected to the gas port for connection to an external pressure vessel; and a pump connected to the pump intake line for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the hydraulic fluid port and into physical contact with the gas stored in the chamber to maintain a selected minimum pressure at the gas port while the gas flows from the gas port through the hose line and into an external pressure vessel; wherein the tank is elongated and has first and second ends; and wherein each of the ports extends through the first end and one of the ports comprises a tube leading within the chamber to a point adjacent to the second end.