Natural gas fuel storage and supply system for vehicles
US6698211B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A natural gas fuel storage and supply system, particularly suited for use in vehicles powered by liquid natural gas (LNG), includes an insulated tank containing a supply of LNG with a headspace there above. A pump and a vaporizer are in circuit between the tank and the engine of the vehicle. When activated, the pump pressurizes LNG from the tank and directs it to the vaporizer where gaseous LNG is produced. The pressurized gaseous LNG is routed to the engine where it is consumed as fuel. An economizer circuit communicates with the headspace of the tank and includes a regulator, a control valve and a flow control device. The control valve opens when the vehicle engine is in operation and the regulator opens when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level so that LNG vapor from the tank headspace flows to the vehicle engine air inlet where it is consumed. The flow control device, which may be an orifice or a flow control valve, is set to prevent the LNG vapor and air mixture created at the air intake from being combustable in the vehicle engine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.