Abstract: A bi-fuel vehicle includes an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to power the vehicle by combustion of liquid and gas-phase fuels. The vehicle has a dual fuel tank including a pressurizable gas-phase fuel compartment defined by a wall that is permeable by a gas-phase fuel. The gas-phase fuel compartment receives and contains the gas-phase fuel, and supplies the gas-phase fuel for combustion in the ICE. The dual fuel tank includes a liquid fuel compartment to receive and contain liquid fuel, and supply the liquid fuel for combustion in the ICE. A shell envelops the gas-phase fuel compartment, and defines the liquid fuel compartment. An interstitial space between the wall and the shell is in one-way fluid communication with the liquid fuel compartment. The interstitial space receives the permeated gas-phase fuel and channels the permeated gas-phase fuel to the liquid fuel compartment. The dual fuel tank has a vapor recovery system.

Abstract: A bi-fuel vehicle has an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to provide motive power to the vehicle by combustion of a liquid fuel and gas-phase fuel. The vehicle has a dual fuel tank including a liquid fuel tank to receive liquid fuel, contain the liquid fuel, and supply the liquid fuel for combustion in the ICE. The vehicle has a pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank defined by a wall. A gas-phase fuel is permeable through the wall. The pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank is to receive the gas-phase fuel, contain the gas-phase fuel, and supply the gas-phase fuel for combustion in the ICE. A shell envelops the pressurizable gas-phase fuel tank and defines an interior space of the liquid fuel tank. The wall is in fluid communication with the interior space. The interior space is to receive the permeated gas-phase fuel.

Abstract: A method for increasing capacity of a natural gas (NG) tank. The method includes selecting a container with a service pressure rating of about 3,000 or 3,600 psi. An NG adsorbent is in the container. The container has a maximum fill capacity. The method further includes cooling the adsorbent by Joule-Thomson cooling during filling of the container with NG from a filling source at greater than 3,600 psi. The container is filled to the maximum fill capacity at a fill rate to prevent a bulk temperature of the adsorbent from rising more than about 5° C. above an ambient temperature. A rate of heat transfer from the tank is less than a rate of heating from compression of the NG and adsorption during the filling. The NG adsorbent adsorbs a higher amount of NG than it would at higher than 5° C. above ambient.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) to provide motive power to the vehicle. The ICE includes a pressurizable tank defining a tank volume to contain a solution of a natural gas and a liquid fuel. The ICE has a refueling port in fluid communication with the tank volume to selectably interface with a refueling nozzle to receive the solution from the refueling nozzle. A fuel supply tube conveys the solution from the pressurizable tank to the ICE. A fuel injector is in fluid communication with the fuel supply tube and a combustion chamber of the ICE. In response to a level of the solution in the pressurizable tank, the fuel injector is to selectably inject a predetermined quantity of the solution or a predetermined quantity of a gaseous mixture into the ICE for combustion. The gaseous mixture includes a vapor and the natural gas evaporated from the solution.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a plurality of tank sub-units disposed in an array. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units has an aperture defined in at least one wall overlapping with another aperture defined in at least one adjacent tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single outlet port for selectively extracting a stored fluid from the tank. Each of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single fluid fill port.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a plurality of tank sub-units disposed in an array. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units has an aperture defined in at least one wall overlapping with another aperture defined in at least one adjacent tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single outlet port for selectively extracting a stored fluid from the tank. Each of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single fluid fill port. The array of tank sub-units is tessellated into a three-dimensional volume. A shell is disposed in contact with a plurality of the tank sub-units to envelop the array. The single outlet port and the single fluid fill port pass through the shell.

Abstract: A composite pressure vessel includes a liner to contain a pressurized fluid and a composite layer formed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of liner. The composite layer includes a third generation advanced high strength steel filament reinforcement embedded in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: A lithium-based battery separator includes a porous polymer membrane having opposed surfaces. A porous carbon coating is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the porous polymer membrane. Polycations are incorporated in the porous carbon coating, in the porous polymer membrane, or in both the porous carbon coating and the porous polymer membrane.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain includes determining a selected powertrain operational mode. A demand fraction is determined. An internal combustion engine (ICE) is to output a maximum power when a gaseous fuel is conveyed to an injector of the ICE at a source pressure greater than a cutoff pressure. The source pressure in a container in fluid connection with the injector is determined. The gaseous fuel is received at the source pressure by the injector to inject the gaseous fuel into the ICE for combustion in response to the source pressure, demand fraction, or selected powertrain operation mode meeting a first set of criteria. The injector is prevented from injecting the gaseous fuel into the ICE and the powertrain is driven from an alternative power source in response to the source pressure, demand fraction, or selected powertrain operation mode meeting a second set of criteria.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a ganged plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are electrically connected in series. At least one hinge is disposed between an adjacent pair of the battery cells. The battery cells are configured to be stacked upon a folding of the battery cell assembly at the at least one hinge. A cooling plate assembly for use with the battery cell assembly, and a battery power system having the battery cell assembly interlaced with the cooling plate assembly, is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a plurality of tank sub-units disposed in an array. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units has an aperture defined in at least one wall overlapping with another aperture defined in at least one adjacent tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single outlet port for selectively extracting a stored fluid from the tank. Each of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single fluid fill port. The array of tank sub-units is tessellated into a three-dimensional volume. A shell is disposed in contact with a plurality of the tank sub-units to envelop the array. The single outlet port and the single fluid fill port pass through the shell.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a natural gas tank includes a container, and a cooling mechanism operatively positioned to selectively cool the container. A method for minimizing a loss of natural gas storage during refueling is also disclosed herein. In an example of the method, a cooling mechanism, which is operatively positioned to selectively cool a container of a natural gas storage tank, is initiated prior to a refueling event. This cools the container to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A tank for storing compressed natural gas (CNG) for fueling an automotive vehicle engine. The tank includes a container body for containing the CNG at a service pressure rating from about 20 MPa (megapascals) to about 30 MPa, the container body being formed from a single piece. The container body includes a head end region, a terminal end region distal to the head end region, and an intermediate region extending therebetween. The terminal end region and the head end region define an axial length of the container body. The container body is formed from an aluminum alloy. A valve member is operatively connected to, and in fluid communication with the container body via an opening defined in a wall of the container body. The container body wall has a thickness ranging from about 3 mm to about 10 mm.

Abstract: A method for increasing capacity of a natural gas (NG) tank. The method includes selecting a container with a service pressure rating of about 3,000 or 3,600 psi. An NG adsorbent is in the container. The container has a maximum fill capacity. The method further includes cooling the adsorbent by Joule-Thomson cooling during filling of the container with NG from a filling source at greater than 3,600 psi. The container is filled to the maximum fill capacity at a fill rate to prevent a bulk temperature of the adsorbent from rising more than about 5° C. above an ambient temperature. A rate of heat transfer from the tank is less than a rate of heating from compression of the NG and adsorption during the filling. The NG adsorbent adsorbs a higher amount of NG than it would at higher than 5° C. above ambient.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank includes a plurality of tank sub-units disposed in an array. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units has an aperture defined in at least one wall overlapping with another aperture defined in at least one adjacent tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units. Each tank sub-unit of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single outlet port for selectively extracting a stored fluid from the tank. Each of the plurality of tank sub-units is in fluid communication with a single fluid fill port.

Abstract: A natural gas storage system includes a container, a natural gas adsorbent positioned in the container, and a heating mechanism operatively positioned to selectively thermally activate the adsorbent. A method for improving efficiency of the natural gas storage system is also disclosed. A predetermined percentage of a capacity of the container for natural gas remaining in the container is identified. In response, a heating mechanism operatively positioned to selectively thermally activate the adsorbent is initiated. The adsorbent is heated and buffer adsorbed gas is released from the adsorbent.

Abstract: A method of storing and using natural gas (NG) in a vehicle includes selecting a vehicle having an NG tank for fueling an engine of the vehicle. The tank service pressure rating is 3600 psi (pounds per square inch) and an NG adsorbent is in the tank. A first quantity of NG is transferred into the tank from a first source having a first source pressure less than 725 psi. The adsorbent adsorbs a portion of the NG. After transferring the first quantity of NG, the engine is operated until NG is desorbed and consumed by the engine. NG is transferred into the tank from a second source to fill the tank to a second tank pressure of about 3600 psi. The adsorbent adsorbs some of the NG. After transferring the second quantity of the NG, the engine is operated until NG is desorbed and consumed by the engine.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a ganged plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are electrically connected in series. At least one hinge is disposed between an adjacent pair of the battery cells. The battery cells are configured to be stacked upon a folding of the battery cell assembly at the at least one hinge. A cooling plate assembly for use with the battery cell assembly, and a battery power system having the battery cell assembly interlaced with the cooling plate assembly, is also provided.