Cryogenic fuel tank venting system and method
OwnerJeffrey Patelczyk, Thomas K. Drubeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cryogenic fuel tank system includes a fuel tank configured to contain a cryogenic liquid with a headspace above the cryogenic liquid configured to contain cryogenic vapor. A fuel cell converts cryogenic vapor from the headspace to electricity and water vapor. A vent valve directs excess cryogenic vapor from the headspace to the fuel cell when a pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure level.
Claims12
A cryogenic fuel tank system comprising:
- a fuel tank configured to contain a cryogenic liquid with a headspace above the cryogenic liquid containing cryogenic vapor;
- a fuel cell configured to convert the cryogenic vapor to electricity and water vapor;
- a vent valve configured to direct excess cryogenic vapor from the headspace to the fuel cell when a pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure level.
A system for powering a vehicle comprising:
- a fuel tank configured to contain a cryogenic liquid with a headspace above the cryogenic liquid containing cryogenic vapor;
- a battery;
- a vehicle motor;
- a fuel cell configured to convert cryogenic fluid from the fuel tank to electricity to power the vehicle motor and charge the battery;
- a vent valve configured to direct excess cryogenic vapor from the headspace to the fuel cell when a pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure level so that the battery is charged.
A system for powering a vehicle comprising:
- a fuel tank configured to contain a cryogenic liquid with a headspace above the cryogenic liquid containing cryogenic vapor;
- a battery;
- a vehicle motor;
- a fuel cell configured to convert cryogenic fluid from the fuel tank to electricity to power the vehicle motor and charge the battery;
- a second fuel cell;
- a vent valve configured to direct excess cryogenic vapor from the headspace to the second fuel cell when a pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a predetermined pressure level.
A method for reducing atmospheric venting of cryogenic fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle powered by the cryogenic fuel, where the vehicle has a battery and a motor, comprising the steps of:
- directing fluid from the fuel tank to a fuel cell;
- converting the fluid to electricity using the fuel cell;
- powering the motor and partially charging the vehicle battery using the electricity;
- directing excess vapor from the tank to the fuel cell when a pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level;
- converting the excess vapor to additional electricity using the fuel cell;
- further charging the battery using the additional electricity.
A method for reducing atmospheric venting of cryogenic fuel vapor from a fuel tank of a vehicle powered by the cryogenic fuel, where the vehicle has a battery and a motor, comprising the steps of:
- directing fluid from the fuel tank to a first fuel cell;
- converting the fluid to electricity using the first fuel cell;
- powering the motor and partially charging the vehicle battery using the electricity;
- directing excess vapor from the tank to a second fuel cell when a pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level;
- converting the excess vapor to additional electricity using the second fuel cell;
- further charging the battery using the additional electricity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.