Abstract: A flange for a pump comprises first and second faces and a passageway for cryogenic fluid flow extending from the first face to the second face and at least one of (1) the passageway is for a pipe and comprises a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein when the pipe has an outer diameter that is smaller than the second diameter a gap is formed between the pipe and the passageway where the pipe passes through the second portion; and (2) a first annular groove in one of the first face and the second face and extending around the passageway, wherein the first annular groove in cooperation with the passageway forms a bellows. The gap and bellows increase the thermal resistance between the passageway and the flange, and the bellows allows for flexure during thermal contractions of the flange reducing thermal stress on welded fluid seals.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage vessel having an inner vessel defining a cryogen space; an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel; and a receptacle defining passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The receptacle has an elongated outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space; an elongated inner sleeve extending into the interior space defined by the elongated outer sleeve defining an inner receptacle space that is fluidly isolated from the thermally insulating space; and a collar extending around an inner surface of the elongated inner sleeve which seals against a cooperating surface of a pump assembly when a pump assembly is installed in the cryogenic storage vessel thereby dividing a warm end from a cold end of the receptacle.

Abstract: A cryogenic storage vessel having an inner vessel defining a cryogen space; an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel; and a receptacle defining passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The receptacle has an elongated outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space; an elongated inner sleeve extending into the interior space defined by the elongated outer sleeve defining an inner receptacle space that is fluidly isolated from the thermally insulating space; and a collar extending around an inner surface of the elongated inner sleeve which seals against a cooperating surface of a pump assembly when a pump assembly is installed in the cryogenic storage vessel thereby dividing a warm end from a cold end of the receptacle.

Abstract: Draining a cryogenic storage vessel to remove a pump is timing consuming, expensive and can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. A cryogenic storage vessel comprises an inner vessel defining a cryogen space and an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner and outer vessels. A receptacle comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, and defines passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The outer sleeve intersects opposite sides of the inner vessel, with the opposite ends of the outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space.

Abstract: A flange for a pump comprises first and second faces and a passageway for cryogenic fluid flow extending from the first face to the second face and at least one of (1) the passageway is for a pipe and comprises a first portion of a first diameter and a second portion of a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein when the pipe has an outer diameter that is smaller than the second diameter a gap is formed between the pipe and the passageway where the pipe passes through the second portion; and (2) a first annular groove in one of the first face and the second face and extending around the passageway, wherein the first annular groove in cooperation with the passageway forms a bellows. The gap and bellows increase the thermal resistance between the passageway and the flange, and the bellows allows for flexure during thermal contractions of the flange reducing thermal stress on welded fluid seals.

Abstract: In high horse power engines there are strict energy budgets allotted for each subsystem. It is a challenge for a gaseous fuel pumping system to supply the necessary gaseous fuel mass flow to the engine while staying within budget. A method for pressurizing a gaseous fuel supplied to an engine comprises providing first and second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus comprising first and second shuttle valves in first and second hydraulic pistons respectively; and selectively communicating hydraulic fluid flow to the first and second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatuses. In a first mode hydraulic fluid is communicated through the first hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus to the second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus. In a second mode hydraulic fluid is communicated through the second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus to the first hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus.

Abstract: In high horse power engines there are strict energy budgets allotted for each subsystem. It is a challenge for a gaseous fuel pumping system to supply the necessary gaseous fuel mass flow to the engine while staying within budget. A method for pressurizing a gaseous fuel supplied to an engine comprises providing first and second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus comprising first and second shuttle valves in first and second hydraulic pistons respectively; and selectively communicating hydraulic fluid flow to the first and second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatuses. In a first mode hydraulic fluid is communicated through the first hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus to the second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus. In a second mode hydraulic fluid is communicated through the second hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus to the first hydraulically actuated pumping apparatus.

Abstract: Draining a cryogenic storage vessel to remove a pump is timing consuming, expensive and can result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. A cryogenic storage vessel comprises an inner vessel defining a cryogen space and an outer vessel spaced apart from and surrounding the inner vessel, defining a thermally insulating space between the inner and outer vessels. A receptacle comprises an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve, and defines passages for delivery of liquefied gas from the cryogen space to outside the cryogenic storage vessel. The outer sleeve intersects opposite sides of the inner vessel, with the opposite ends of the outer sleeve defining an interior space in fluid communication with the thermally insulating space that is sealed from the cryogen space.

Abstract: A flange (50) for a pump (10) comprises a first face (65); a second faces (85); a passageway (110) for cryogenic fluid flow extending from the first face (65) to the second face (85), and the passageway (110) for a pipe (40) and comprising a first portion (120) of a first diameter and a second portion (130) of a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein when the pipe (40) has an outer diameter that is smaller than the second diameter, a gap (140) is formed between the pipe (40) and the passageway (110) where the pipe (40) passes through the second portion (130); and a first annular groove (155) in one of the first face (65) and the second face (85) and extending around the passageway (111), wherein the first annular groove (155) in cooperation with the passageway (111) forms a bellows.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based system includes an electromechanical pressure relief system to prevent an overpressure condition from damaging the anode circuit of a fuel cell stack or creating a hazardous environment. Upon detection of a fuel flow pressure in a fuel path between a fuel source and the fuel cell stack, the pressure relief system isolates the anode circuit from the fuel path, vents the fuel flow, and shuts down the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based system includes an electromechanical pressure relief system to prevent an overpressure condition from damaging the anode circuit of a fuel cell stack or creating a hazardous environment. Upon detection of a fuel flow pressure in a fuel path between a fuel source and the fuel cell stack, the pressure relief system isolates the anode circuit from the fuel path, vents the fuel flow, and shuts down the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a reservoir, a water management circuit, a cooling circuit and a fan. The fuel cell stack communicates a reactant flow and communicates a water flow. The water management circuit is adapted to remove water from the reactant flow and store the water in the reservoir. The cooling circuit is adapted to generate the water flow that is communicated through the fuel cell stack from the water in the reservoir. The fan controls the amount of water that is removed from the reactant flow to regulate a water level of the reservoir and controls removal of thermal energy from the water flow regulate a temperature of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A technique includes providing fuel and oxidant flows to a fuel cell. The technique includes humidifying the anode of the fuel cell, including saturating the oxidant flow and maintaining a temperature of the oxidant flow above a temperature of the fuel cell such that excess water propagates from a cathode of the fuel cell to the anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based system including equipment not classified to operate in a flammable environment, a detector to detect a flammable gas, and a component capable of leaking a flammable gas are arranged in an enclosure. The component is positioned above the unclassified equipment and below the sensor, and a buoyancy path is provided such that the unclassified equipment is isolated from flammable gas emitted by the component in the enclosure while a ventilation system is not energized. In addition, the detector is placed in the buoyancy path so that when the system is started from a de-energized state, the detector can determine whether an unacceptable concentration of flammable gas is present in the enclosure. When the system is energized, the ventilation system creates an air stream through the enclosure. The ventilation system is arranged such that unclassified equipment is upstream of flammable gas that is emitted by the component in the enclosure.

Abstract: This application relates to a hybrid power supply apparatus including a fuel cell and an energy storage device for use in off-road electric vehicles, such as lift trucks. The apparatus is a substitute for conventional lead acid batteries and is sized to fit within a conventional lift truck battery receptacle tray. The fuel cell and fuel processor systems are designed to meet the average load requirements of the vehicle, while the batteries and power control hardware are capable of responding to very high instantaneous load demands. The invention has a similar electrical interface as conventional battery systems and does not require vehicle modification. The apparatus is air-cooled to ensure that the hybrid power components operate within a preferred temperature range and to maintain the external surfaces of the apparatus and exhaust gases within safe temperature limits.

Abstract: This application relates to a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage device for use in off-road electric vehicles, such as lift trucks. The apparatus is a substitute for conventional lead acid batteries and is sized to fit within a conventional lift truck battery receptacle tray. The fuel cell and fuel processor systems are designed to meet the average load requirements of the vehicle, while the batteries and power control hardware are capable of responding to very high instantaneous load demands. The invention has a similar electrical interface as conventional battery systems and does not require vehicle modification. The apparatus is air-cooled to ensure that the hybrid power components operate within a preferred temperature range and to maintain the external surfaces of the apparatus and exhaust gases within safe temperature limits.

Abstract: This application relates to a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a fuel cell and an energy storage device for use in off-road electric vehicles, such as lift trucks. The apparatus is a substitute for conventional lead acid batteries and is sized to fit within a conventional lift truck battery receptacle tray. The fuel cell and fuel processor systems are designed to meet the average load requirements of the vehicle, while the batteries and power control hardware are capable of responding to very high instantaneous load demands. The invention has a similar electrical interface as conventional battery systems and does not require vehicle modification. The apparatus is air-cooled to ensure that the hybrid power components operate within a preferred temperature range and to maintain the external surfaces of the apparatus and exhaust gases within safe temperature limits.

Abstract: This application relates to a heat transfer apparatus and method employing an active regenerative cycle. The invention employs a working or “active” fluid and a heat transfer fluid which are physically separated. The working fluid is contained in an array of refrigeration elements that are distributed over the temperature gradient of a regenerative bed. The work for the refrigeration cycle is provided by alternative compression and expansion of the working fluid in each of the refrigeration elements at a temperature corresponding to the element's location in the temperature gradient. The compression and expansion strokes may be coupled together for optimum work recovery. The heat transfer fluid is circulated relative to the working fluid between a thermal load and a heat sink to enact a refrigeration cycle having improved energy efficiency.