COMPRESSED GAS FUEL STORAGE SYSTEM

• Main Authors: WIENHOLD, PAUL D, HILDEBRAND, RICHARD J, TILLER, DALE B, WOZNIAK, JOHN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 03.10.2006
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS INVEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OFTRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GASEXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS, IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; BLASTING; BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; COMBUSTION ENGINES; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED,LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; LIQUID HANDLING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; OPENING, CLOSING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PIPES; STORING; STORING OF DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS; SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL, WITH COMBUSTIBLEMIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TOCARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED ORSOLIDIFIED GASES; WEAPONS

A compressed gas vehicle fuel storage system comprised of a plurality of compressed gas pressure cells (30) supported by shock-absorbing foam (33, 34) positioned within a shape- conforming container. The container is dimensioned relative to the compressed gas pressure cells (30) whereby a radial air gap surrounds each compressed gas pressure cell. The radial sir gap (20) allows pressure-induced expansion of the pressure cells (30) without resulting in the application of pressure to adjacent pressure cells or physical pressure to the container The pressure cells are interconnected by a gas control assembly (40) including a thermally activated pressure relief device, a manual safety shut-off valve, and means for connecting the fuel storage system to a vehicle power source and a refueling adapter The gas control assembly (40) is enclosed by a protective cover attached to the container. The system is attached to the vehicle with straps to enable the chassis to deform as intended in a high-speed collision.