US 6,619,336 B2Granted

System and method for dispensing pressurized gas

AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.

InventorsJoseph Perry Cohen, David John Farese

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Abstract

A system for dispensing pressurized gas is provided which includes a pressurized gas source, a receiving tank, a gas flow line connected between the gas source and the receiving tank, a valve for initiating and terminating flow of gas between the gas source and the receiving tank, an electronic controller, and temperature and pressure sensors for sensing temperature and pressure of gas inside the receiving tank. The electronic controller stores a tank rated density and the temperature and pressure of gas and periodically calculates a density of the gas in the receiving tank based on the temperature and pressure. The electronic controller periodically compares the density of the gas with the tank rated density and initiates flow of gas through the valve when the density in the receiving tank is below the rated density and terminates flow of gas through the valve when the density reaches the tank rated density.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for dispensing pressurized gas, comprising:

(a) a pressurized gas source;
(b) a receiving tank;
(c) a sealed gas flow line connected between said gas source and said receiving tank;
(d) a valve in said gas flow line for initiating and terminating flow of the pressurized gas between the gas source and the receiving tank, said valve operable by a valve signal;
(e) an electronic controller;
(f) a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor for sensing temperature of a gas inside the receiving tank, said temperature sensor including a temperature signal generator for generating a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the pressurized gas in the receiving tank, said temperature signal adapted to be received by the electronic controller;
(g) a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a gas inside the receiving tank, said pressure sensor including a pressure signal generator for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure of the gas inside the receiving tank, said pressure signal adapted to be received by the electronic controller;
(h) wherein the electronic controller is adapted to store a tank rated density and the temperature and pressure signals;
(i) wherein the electronic controller is adapted to periodically calculate a density of the gas in the receiving tank based on the temperature and pressure signals;
and
(j) wherein the electronic controller is adapted to periodically compare the density of the gas in the receiving tank with the tank rated density and initiate flow of pressurized gas through the valve by generating the valve signal when the density of gas in the receiving tank is below the tank rated density and terminate flow of pressurized gas through the valve by generating the valve signal, when the density of the gas in the receiving tank reaches the tank rated density.

8 more elements

A method for dispensing pressurized gas, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a pressurized gas source;
(b) providing a receiving tank;
(c) providing a sealed gas flow line connected between the gas source and the receiving tank;
(d) providing a valve in the gas flow line for initiating and terminating flow of the pressurized gas between the gas source and the receiving tank, the valve operable by a valve signal;
(e) providing an electronic controller;
(f) providing a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of a gas inside the receiving tank, the temperature sensor including a temperature signal generator for generating a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of the pressurized gas in the receiving tank, the temperature signal adapted to be received by the electronic controller;
(g) providing a pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a gas inside the receiving tank, the pressure sensor including a pressure signal generator for generating a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure of the gas inside the receiving tank, the pressure signal adapted to be received by the electronic controller;
(h) storing a tank rated density and the temperature and pressure signals in the electronic controller;
(i) periodically calculating a density of the gas in the receiving tank based on the temperature and pressure signals;
(j) periodically comparing the density of the gas in the receiving tank with the tank rated density;
(k) initiating flow of pressurized gas through the valve by generating the valve signal when the density of gas in the receiving tank is below the rated density;
and
(l) terminating flow of pressurized gas through the valve by generating the valve signal when the density of the gas in the receiving tank reaches the rated density.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/075,890Filed 14 Feb 2002
Published: US 2003/0150510 A114 Aug 2003
Granted: 16 Sep 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

F17C 5/06
Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures: for filling with compressed gases
F17C 13/02
Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels: special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
F17C 2205/0323
Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device: valves
F17C 2221/012
Pure fluids: hydrogen