US 2018/0320823 A1 · CNG Fueling System

Abstract

A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system has a single compressor comprising a first compression stage and a subsequent compression stage, wherein the first compression stage feeds the subsequent compression stage when filling a storage tank, the storage tank is configured to receive CNG from at least one of the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage of the compressor when filling the storage tank, a CNG feedback to the subsequent compression stage of the compressor from the storage tank, the CNG being introduced back into the compressor at a location downstream relative to an output of the first compression stage, and a first heat exchanger associated with the CNG feedback.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system, comprising:

a single compressor comprising a first compression stage and a subsequent compression stage;
at least one of a pressure regulator and a valve disposed between a source of CNG and the first compression stage;
a pressure sensor disposed between the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage;
and
a control system configured to selectively receive pressure information from the pressure sensor and configured to selectively control the at least one of the pressure regulator and the valve in association with at least one of converting between (1) operating both the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage to operating only the subsequent compression stage and (2) operating only the subsequent compression stage to operating both the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/032,061Filed 10 Jul 2018

Priority

31 Jan 2012

Published

8 Nov 2018

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

F17C 5/06
Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures: for filling with compressed gases
F17C 5/007
Automated filling apparatus: for individual gas tanks or containers, e.g. in vehicles
F17C 13/025
Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment: having the pressure as the parameter
F17C 13/04
Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels: arrangement or mounting of valves

Family

Application61/593,134Us provisional application · filed 31 Jan 2012

Application13/756,092Continuation in part · filed 31 Jan 2013

Application15/709,084Continuation in part · filed 19 Sep 2017

Application16/032,061Continuation in part

US 10,018,304 B2Related patent

US 10,851,944 B2Related patent

US 2013/0192701 A1Published application

US 2018/0003344 A1Published application

US 9,765,930 B2Related patent

US 2018/0320823 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

CNG Fueling System

Life of this patent

CNG Fueling System

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16