LNG fuel storage and delivery systems for natural gas powered vehicles

The fuel storage container of clam 1, where said fuiel storage container is connected to a fuel cartridge for collecting vapor pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel vented from said faiel storage container when the pressure of said pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel in said fiuel storage container exceeds a preset pressure.

A system comprising:

• (a) at least one fuel storage container for storing pressurized liquefied natural gas at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123.degree. C. (-190.degree. F.) to about -62.degree. C. (-80.degree. F.), wherein said at least one fuel storage container is constructed by joining together a plurality of discrete plates of materials comprising an ultra-high strength, low alloy steel containing less than 9 wt % nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a DBTT lower than about -73.degree. C. (-100.degree. F.), and wherein joints between said discrete plates have adequate strength and toughness at said pressure and temperature conditions to contain said pressurized liquefied natural gas;
• and
• (b) facilities for delivering vaporized pressurized liquefied natural gas fiel on demand for combustion in an engine.

A fuel storage container suitable for use in a fuel storage and delivery system for storing pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123.degree. C. (-190.degree. F.) to about -62.degree. C. (-80.degree. F.) and delivering vaporized pressurized liquefied natura gas fuel on demand for combustion in an engine, wherein said fuel storage container is constructed by joining together a plurality of discrete plates of materials comprising an ultra-high strength, low alloy steel containing less than about 2 wt % nickel and having adequate strength and fracture toughness to contain said pressurized liquefied natural gas, whereinjoints between said discrete plates have adequate strength and toughness at said pressure and temperature conditions to contain said pressurized liquefied natural gas.

A method comprising:

• (a) placing pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123.degree. C. (-190.degree. F.) to about -62.degree. C. (-80.degree. F.) into at least one filel storage container, wherein said at least one fuel storage container has adequate strength and toughness to contain said pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel at said pressure and temperature conditions;
• and
• (b) delivering vaporized pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel on demand for combustion in an engine.

A system comprising:

• (a) at least one fuel storage container for storing pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa ( 100 psia) and at a temperature of about -123.degree. C. (-190.degree. F.) to about -62.degree. C. (-80.degree. F.), wherein said at least one fuel storage container has adequate strength and toughness to contain said pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel at said pressure and temperature conditions;
• and
• (b) facilities for delivering vaporized pressurized liquefied natural gas fuel on demand for combustion in an engine.