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US 2023/0417367 A1Published application
Hydrogen Fuel Storage And Delivery Method
AssigneeGreen Grid Inc.
InventorsChinmoy Prosun SAHA, Jeffrey Scott PICKLES
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel delivery and storage method is provided. A further aspect employs a remote central controller and/or software instructions which receive sensor data from stationary and bulk fuel storage tanks, portable distribution tanks, and end use tanks. Another aspect of the present system senses and transmits tank or hydrogen fuel characteristics including temperature, pressure, filled volume, contaminants, refilling cycle life and environmental hazards. Still another aspect includes a group of hydrogen fuel tanks which is pre-assembled with sensor, valve, microprocessor and transmitter components, at least some of which are within an insulator.
Claims50
A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:
- (a) automatically sensing first characteristics associated with a stationary bulk hydrogen storage tank, the first characteristics comprising at least one of:
- contaminants, refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;
- (b) automatically sensing second characteristics associated with portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks carried by vehicles, the second characteristics comprising at least one of:
- position, contaminants, refilling cycle life or environmental hazards;
- (c) automatically sensing third characteristics associated with stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks, the third characteristics comprising at least one of:
- contaminants, refilling cycle or environmental hazards;
- (d) automatically sending a signal to a remote programmable controller based on the sensed first, second and third characteristics;
- and
- (e) automatically changing distribution of the hydrogen fuel associated with at least one of the storage tanks, controlled by the controller, based on at least some of the sensed characteristics.
6 more elements
A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:
- (a) automatically sensing characteristics associated with a stationary bulk hydrogen storage tank;
- (b) automatically sensing characteristics associated with portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks carried by distribution vehicles;
- (c) automatically sensing characteristics associated with stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks;
- (d) receiving real-time signals by a programmable controller based on the sensed characteristics;
- (e) using the controller to automatically change distribution of the hydrogen fuel associated with at least one of the tanks, based on at least some of the sensed characteristics;
- (f) the controller receiving data pertaining to usage, storage and capacity of the hydrogen fuel in the bulk, distribution and end use tanks, which the controller automatically uses to schedule future distribution of additional hydrogen fuel;
- and
- (g) the controller automatically determining timing for maintenance and replacement of the end use tanks.
5 more elements
A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:
- (a) automatically sensing tank, fuel and environmental characteristics from stationary bulk hydrogen storage tanks;
- (b) automatically sensing tank, fuel and positioning characteristics from autonomously driven vehicles carrying portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks;
- (c) automatically sensing tank, fuel and environmental characteristics from stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks;
- (d) automatically sending a signal to a remote communicator if an environmental hazard is sensed;
- and
- (e) automatically changing a fuel characteristic associated with at least one of the storage tanks based on at least some of the sensed characteristics.
3 more elements
A method of distributing hydrogen fuel comprising:
- (a) automatically sensing characteristics associated with a portable distribution hydrogen storage tank carried by a distribution vehicle;
- (b) automatically sensing characteristics associated with a stationary end use hydrogen storage tank;
- (c) receiving real-time signals by a programmable controller based on the sensed characteristics;
- (d) using the controller to automatically change control a valve coupled to at least one of the tanks, based on at least one of the sensed characteristics;
- (e) the controller receiving data pertaining to usage, storage and capacity of the hydrogen fuel in the distribution and end use tanks, which the controller automatically uses to schedule future distribution of additional hydrogen fuel;
- and
- (f) using the hydrogen fuel from at least one of the end use tanks to provide temporary electrical power to an aircraft while it waits.
4 more elements
Fuel storage and delivery software, stored in non-transient memory, comprising:
- (a) a first set of instructions receiving real-time sensed tank, fuel and environmental data from stationary bulk hydrogen storage tanks;
- (b) a second set of instructions receiving real-time sensed tank, fuel and positioning data from portable distribution hydrogen storage tanks;
- (c) a third set of instructions receiving real-time sensed tank, fuel and environmental data from stationary end use hydrogen storage tanks;
- (d) a fourth set of instructions receiving real-time sensed tank, fuel and environmental data from portable end use hydrogen storage tanks;
- (e) a fifth set of instructions automatically determine a filled quantity of the fuel within each of the distribution and end use tanks;
- (f) a sixth set of instructions automatically causing at least one of the distribution tanks to be refilled from at least one of the bulk storage tanks;
- (g) a seventh set of instructions automatically causing at least one of the distribution tanks to refill at least one of the end use storage tanks;
- (h) an eighth set of instructions automatically sending a signal to a remote controller if an environmental hazard is sensed;
- and
- (i) at least a ninth set of instructions automatically changing a characteristic associated with at least one of the storage tanks or hydrogen therein based on at least some of the sensed data received.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.