Natural gas vehicle maintenance separation and containment system
AssigneeClean Energy Fuels Corp.
InventorsRick Mendoza, Sheldon Canonizado, Ricardo Zagal, Evan W. Chandler, Michael J. LeBrun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A separation and containment system is provided. The separation and containment system can contain natural gasses, e.g., compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), within a natural gas vehicle (NGV) service area, and separate the NGV service area from a conventional service area. The separation and containment system utilizes one or more barriers, such as industrial fabric/vinyl materials that meet various regulatory safety standards applicable to NGVs. The separation and containment system is easily constructed, dismantled, and resized/adapted in accordance with desired operating conditions.
Claims11
A separation and containment system comprising:
- at least one adaptable barrier that separates one or more natural gases comprising at least one compressed natural gas or at least one liquefied natural gas contained within a first area from at least one second area;
- a track system comprising a trolley assembly to which the at least one adaptable barrier is attached, the track system configured to be resizable for adaptation to changing dimensions of a first service area;
- a first valance and a second valance, each of the first and second valances overlapping at least one portion of the at least one adaptable barrier at at least one point of attachment of the at least one adaptable barrier to the trolley assembly, such that each of the first and second valances are covering a space created by the at least one adaptable barrier attached to the trolley assembly at the at least one attachment point of the at least one adaptable barrier to the track system and to prevent the one or more natural gases from exiting the first area via the at least one attachment point;
- and
- at least one static barrier that separates one or more natural gases comprising at least one compressed natural gas or at least one liquefied natural gas contained within the first area from the at least one second area;
- wherein the first area is configured for servicing natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and the at least one second area is configured for servicing vehicles utilizing petroleum-based fuel;
- wherein the at least one adaptable barrier comprises a polyvinylchloride (PVC) coated vinyl.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.