Method and apparatus for dispensing compressed natural gas
US5752552A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/1987
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dispensing natural gas into the natural gas vehicle cylinder of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The natural gas dispensing system includes a pressure transducer and a temperature transducer for measuring the pressure and temperature, respectively, of the supply gas as it is passed toward a dispenser, a second pressure transducer for measuring the pressure within the natural gas vehicle cylinder, an ambient air temperature transducer for measuring ambient air temperatures at the dispensing site, and a mass flow meter for measuring the gas mass injected into the vehicle cylinder. Each transducer and the mass flow meter emits a data signal to a control processor which automatically dispenses compressed gas to the vehicle cylinder, as well as maximizing the amount of gas mass injected into the cylinder. The control processor maximizes the mass of compressed gas injected into the vehicle cylinder by injecting a first mass of compressed gas into the cylinder and calculating a first volume estimate in response thereto, estimating a second mass of compressed gas required to fill the cylinder to a first predetermined fill state, and then estimating a third mass of c…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.