Patents Assigned to Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
  • Patent number: 7168464
    Abstract: A dual service system and method for selectively compressing and dispensing methane, hydrogen, and variable mixtures of methane and hydrogen for use as a gaseous fuel. The use of an in-line gas density meter, hydraulic intensifier, pressurized gas cooler, optional intermediate storage and multiple dispensers are disclosed. An inline gas density meter is used in combination with a programmable logic controller and a control valve on the hydrogen supply line to create a closed feedback loop for selectively controlling the hydrogen content of the resultant pressurized fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Diggins
  • Patent number: 6851657
    Abstract: A valve operable between a valve close position and a valve open position for a gaseous fuel system includes a housing having a fuel inlet port, a fuel outlet port and a chamber disposed between the fuel inlet port and the fuel outlet port A valve seat is disposed adjacent the fuel outlet port and includes an aperture. The valve further includes a magnetic coil and an armature magnetically coupled to the magnetic coil and disposed with in the housing. The armature is movable in response to the magnetic coil. A piston is coupled to the armature and is movable within the chamber away from the seat when the magnetic coil is actuated in the valve open position. Fuel flows from the inlet port through the chamber to the outlet port. The piston engages the seat when the magnetic coil is deactuated in the valve close position to prevent fuel from flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port. The piston includes a projection or radius for closing the valve seat aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Gregg Tawns
  • Patent number: 5694985
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively refueling a plurality of vehicle storage tanks with compressed natural gas (CNG) are provided that utilize a compressor system operable at suction pressures ranging from about 330 to about 3600 psig and discharge pressures ranging from about 330 to about 4500 psig in combination with means for temporarily storing CNG at an intermediate storage pressure of from about 330 to about 4500 psig, preferably from about 1700 to about 2700 psig, means for selectively filling vehicle storage tanks with CNG from an inlet source, from the compressor discharge and from the intermediate storage tanks, and means for selectively supplying CNG to the compressor inlet at either the available line pressure or the intermediate storage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David Andrew Diggins
  • Patent number: 5628349
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing pressurized gas, especially CNG, in which the temperature inside the receiving tank is preferably monitored and is used by a computer to adjust the fill pressure to compensate for the temperature and pressure rise attributable to adiabatic compression of the gas inside the receiving tank. The system also utilizes the temperature and pressure of the receiving tank to calculate the volume of gas dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Diggins, Jack E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5538051
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively refueling a plurality of vehicle storage tanks with compressed natural gas (CNG) are provided that utilize a compressor system operable at suction pressures ranging from about 330 to about 3600 psig and discharge pressures ranging from about 330 to about 4500 psig in combination with a tank for temporarily storing CNG at an intermediate storage pressure of from about 330 to about 4500 psig, preferably from about 1700 to about 2700 psig, apparatus for selectively filling vehicle storage tanks with CNG from an inlet source, from the compressor discharge and from the intermediate storage tanks, and apparatus for selectively supplying CNG to the compressor inlet at either the available line pressure or the intermediate storage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Pinnacle CNG Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jack E. Brown, David A. Diggins