Abstract: In at least some implementations, a device for filling a fuel gas storage tank includes a nozzle body having an inflow passage arranged to communicate a fuel gas source with the storage tank and an outflow passage arranged to receive an outflow of fuel gas from the storage tank. The inflow passage may be communicated with an inlet passage to admit fuel gas into the storage tank and the outflow passage may be communicated with an outlet passage through which fuel gas exits the storage tank. The outflow passage may be communicated with a downstream component for treatment of the outflow fuel gas, such as filtering, drying, and/or cooling. The outflow fuel gas may be rerouted into the fuel gas storage tank through the inflow passage and inlet passage, if desired. The disclosure also relates to a fitting for a storage tank and a method of filling a storage tank.

Abstract: A fuel gas storage tank is disclosed that can store fuel gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, in a solid state. The fuel gas storage tank includes a shell having a tank interior, a fuel gas storage material housed within the tank interior, one or more fuel gas injecting tubes, and one or more fuel gas collecting tubes. Each of the fuel gas injecting tube(s) and the fuel gas collecting tube(s) is permeable to fuel gas and is disposed in the tank interior and surrounded by the fuel gas storage material. And, within the tank interior, the one or more fuel gas injecting tubes and the one or more fuel gas collecting tubes are not directly connected to one another.

Abstract: A conformable fuel gas storage tank includes a shell, a fuel gas storage material, and one or more filter tube(s). The fuel gas can be natural gas or hydrogen gas. The shell defines an interior, and the fuel gas storage material is located within the interior. The filter tube permits fuel gas to diffuse out of filter tubes and into the interior of the tank and, additionally, supports the tank against outwardly-directed forces resulting from pressure within the interior of the shell.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel gas pre-filter unit can include a housing, a filter, and an inlet valve. The housing is installed in a vehicle structure that includes an outlet valve. The filter is located in the housing and between the inlet and outlet valves with respect to fuel gas flow through the pre-filter unit. The inlet valve permits and prevents gas flow into the housing and has a valve head that opens and closes an inlet port. The outlet valve permits and prevents gas flow out of the housing and eventually to a vehicle fuel gas storage tank. The outlet valve has a valve head that opens and closes an outlet port.

Abstract: A method and system for fueling a fuel gas storage tank carried on-board a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fueling system and method employ a fuel gas reservoir tank to supply fuel gas to the fuel gas storage tank. The fuel gas reservoir tank includes a reservoir interior that is at least five times greater in volume than a tank interior of the fuel gas storage tank. Moreover, each of the fuel gas reservoir tank and the fuel gas storage tank includes a fuel gas storage material, which is capable of solid state fuel gas storage, housed within their respective interiors. When a flow of fuel gas is circulated between the interior of the fuel gas reservoir tank and the interior of the fuel gas storage tank, fuel gas is charged into the fuel gas storage material housed within the fuel gas storage tank in a thermodynamically effective way.

Abstract: A fuel gas storage tank is disclosed that can store fuel gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, in a solid state. The fuel gas storage tank includes a shell having a tank interior, a fuel gas storage material housed within the tank interior, one or more fuel gas injecting tubes, and one or more fuel gas collecting tubes. Each of the fuel gas injecting tube(s) and the fuel gas collecting tube(s) is permeable to fuel gas and is disposed in the tank interior and surrounded by the fuel gas storage material. And, within the tank interior, the one or more fuel gas injecting tubes and the one or more fuel gas collecting tubes are not directly connected to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of filling a fuel gas storage tank, which houses a fuel gas storage material, with a fuel gas such as natural gas or hydrogen gas. The fuel gas storage tank includes an inlet, and outlet, and at least one filter tube disposed in the tank interior that fluidly communicates with at least one of the inlet or the outlet. The at least one filter tube defines a flow passage on its inside and is permeable to fuel gas such that fuel gas can diffuse from the flow passage inside the filter tube to outside of the filter tube. When filling the fuel gas storage tank, a flow of fuel gas is passed through the flow passage so that some of the fuel gas can diffuse out of the filter tube an into the tank interior for charging into the fuel gas storage material.

Abstract: A conformable fuel gas storage tank includes a shell, a fuel gas storage material, and one or more filter tube(s). The fuel gas can be natural gas or hydrogen gas. The shell defines an interior, and the fuel gas storage material is located within the interior. The filter tube permits fuel gas to diffuse out of filter tubes and into the interior of the tank and, additionally, supports the tank against outwardly-directed forces resulting from pressure within the interior of the shell.

Abstract: A conformable fuel gas storage tank includes a housing that has exterior walls surrounding an interior. First and second base walls are spaced apart in a direction along a normal axis, side walls extend between the base walls and are spaced apart in a direction along a lateral axis, and end walls extend between the base walls and the side walls and are spaced apart in a direction along a longitudinal axis. Interior walls divide the interior and extend in a direction between the base walls and the end walls, and are spaced apart in a direction along the lateral axis. The interior walls establish elongate, laterally spaced, through channels extending longitudinally between the end walls. A gas storage material is located within the channels, and a gas permeable flow guide ex tends along at least one of the channels and through the gas storage material.

Abstract: A conformable fuel gas storage tank includes a housing that has exterior walls surrounding an interior. First and second base walls are spaced apart in a direction along a normal axis, side walls extend between the base walls and are spaced apart in a direction along a lateral axis, and end walls extend between the base walls and the side walls and are spaced apart in a direction along a longitudinal axis. Interior walls divide the interior and extend in a direction between the base walls and the end walls, and are spaced apart in a direction along the lateral axis. The interior walls establish elongate, laterally spaced, through channels extending longitudinally between the end walls. A gas storage material is located within the channels, and a gas permeable flow guide ex tends along at least one of the channels and through the gas storage material.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a device for filling a fuel gas storage tank includes a nozzle body having an inflow passage arranged to communicate a fuel gas source with the storage tank and an outflow passage arranged to receive an outflow of fuel gas from the storage tank. The inflow passage may be communicated with an inlet passage to admit fuel gas into the storage tank and the outflow passage may be communicated with an outlet passage through which fuel gas exits the storage tank. The outflow passage may be communicated with a downstream component for treatment of the outflow fuel gas, such as filtering, drying, and/or cooling. The outflow fuel gas may be rerouted into the fuel gas storage tank through the inflow passage and inlet passage, if desired. The disclosure also relates to a fitting for a storage tank and a method of filling a storage tank.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel gas pre-filter unit can include a housing, a filter, and an inlet valve. The housing is installed in a vehicle structure that includes an outlet valve. The filter is located in the housing and between the inlet and outlet valves with respect to fuel gas flow through the pre-filter unit. The inlet valve permits and prevents gas flow into the housing and has a valve head that opens and closes an inlet port. The outlet valve permits and prevents gas flow out of the housing and eventually to a vehicle fuel gas storage tank. The outlet valve has a valve head that opens and closes an outlet port.