System and method for refuelling compressed gas pressure vessels using a liquid piston

#This application represents a National Stage application of PCT/AU2013/001433 entitled “System and Method for Refueling Compressed Gas Pressure Vessels Using a Liquid Piston” filed Dec. 10, 2013, pending.

#This invention relates generally to a compressed gas transfer system. In particular, the invention relates to a compressed natural gas (CNG) transfer system including a method of storing and delivering CNG at a controlled pressure using a liquid piston.

#Natural gas fuels are relatively environmentally friendly for use in vehicles, and hence there is support by environmental groups and governments for the use of natural gas fuels in vehicle applications. Natural gas based fuels are commonly found in three forms: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and a derivative of natural gas called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

#To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a pressure vessel refueling system that supplies gas at high pressure to a gas dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a further illustration of the pressure vessel refueling system of FIG. 1, wherein the CNG storage vessel is almost empty of gas, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#Those skilled in the art will appreciate that minor deviations from the layout of components as illustrated in the drawings will not detract from the proper functioning of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

#Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for refueling compressed gas pressure vessels using a liquid piston. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

#In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one element or method step from another element or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention.