Abstract: A shut-off valve for opening and closing a cryogenic tank that has particular application for a hydrogen consuming system, such as a fuel cell system or an internal combustion engine. The shut-off valve is positioned in a supply line coupled to the cryogenic tank, and is opened by a control valve. When the control valve is actuated, hydrogen pressure from the supply line is used to open the shut-off valve. The control valve is coupled to the output line either upstream or downstream of the shut-off valve. An output of the control valve can be vented to a cathode input, an anode input or a cathode exhaust of a fuel cell stack, to an air input of an internal combustion engine or to ambient, depending on the particular application.

Abstract: A liquid hydrogen storage tank is provided with a boil-off release pressure above the critical pressure. The super critical pressure hydrogen storage tank has less hydrogen losses than a conventional tank even when used in vehicular applications and can be operated so as to provide zero hydrogen loss with reduced mandatory driving distances.

Abstract: A construction for a multi-layered vacuum super insulated cryogenic tank and a method for making the same is disclosed. The cryogenic tank uses an inner tank that is wrapped with multiple layers of radiation shielding and is suspended within a frame by one or more suspension members. The frame is enclosed within a fluid tight outer tank that fits snuggly against the frame. An ultra-high vacuum is created between the inner and outer tanks.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods of operating a pressurized cryogenic liquid gas storage tank that has a vent cooling shield around which fuel vented from a storage tank flows to cool the storage tank by reducing the influence of heat influx into the storage tank. The method of the present invention provides for reduction in the quantity of fuel loss during the venting operation and allows a greater volume of liquid fuel to be stored in the storage tank. The method includes allowing fuel in a storage tank to transition between a two-phase state of liquid and gas into a single-phase state of liquid and back into a two-phase state of liquid and gas. Additionally, the present invention allows filling a storage tank to a liquid level greater than about 95% of the capacity of the storage tank.

Abstract: A pressure maintaining system for a hydrogen storage system includes a hydrogen supply feed that enables a hydrogen flow from the hydrogen storage system. A liquid phase hydrogen feed enables a liquid phase hydrogen flow to the hydrogen supply feed. A gas phase hydrogen feed enables a gas phase hydrogen flow to the hydrogen supply feed. A check valve enables fluid communication from the hydrogen supply feed to the liquid phase hydrogen feed when a pressure within the hydrogen supply feed is greater than a threshold pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a probe having a resistance that varies with temperature and is operable to determine the quantity of a fluid, such as hydrogen, in a storage tank, such as a cryogenic storage tank. The probe relies upon differing heat transfer rates for the gaseous and liquid phases of the fluid and a change in resistance due to a change in temperature of the probe to ascertain the quantity of fluid within the storage tank. The probe can be configured to account for the geometry of the storage tank thereby providing a linearized signal indicative of the quantity of fluid in the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a probe having a resistance that varies with temperature and is operable to determine the quantity of a fluid, such as hydrogen, in a storage tank, such as a cryogenic storage tank. The probe relies upon differing heat transfer rates for the gaseous and liquid phases of the fluid and a change in resistance due to a change in temperature of the probe to ascertain the quantity of fluid within the storage tank. The probe can be configured to account for the geometry of the storage tank thereby providing a linearized signal indicative of the quantity of fluid in the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a probe having a resistance that varies with temperature and is operable to determine the quantity of a fluid, such as hydrogen, in a storage tank, such as a cryogenic storage tank. The probe relies upon differing heat transfer rates for the gaseous and liquid phases of the fluid and a change in resistance due to a change in temperature of the probe to ascertain the quantity of fluid within the storage tank. The probe can be configured to account for the geometry of the storage tank thereby providing a linearized signal indicative of the quantity of fluid in the storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods of operating a pressurized cryogenic liquid gas storage tank that has a vent cooling shield around which fuel vented from a storage tank flows to cool the storage tank by reducing the influence of heat influx into the storage tank. The method of the present invention provides for reduction in the quantity of fuel loss during the venting operation and allows a greater volume of liquid fuel to be stored in the storage tank. The method includes allowing fuel in a storage tank to transition between a two-phase state of liquid and gas into a single-phase state of liquid and back into a two-phase state of liquid and gas. Additionally, the present invention allows filling a storage tank to a liquid level greater than about 95% of the capacity of the storage tank.

Abstract: A construction for a multi-layered vacuum super insulated cryogenic tank and a method for making the same is disclosed. The cryogenic tank uses an inner tank that is wrapped with multiple layers of radiation shielding and is suspended within a frame by one or more suspension members. The frame is enclosed within a fluid tight outer tank that fits snuggly against the frame. An ultra-high vacuum is created between the inner and outer tanks.

Abstract: A pressure container (70) for storing hydrogen gas (26) under pressure for a fuel cell engine. The container (70) includes an outer support layer (12) and a thermoplastic liner (14). An adapter (18) is provided in the outer layer (12) and the liner (14) to allow fill gas (20) to fill the container (70) under pressure. A fill vessel (72) is provided within the liner (14) and is sealed and thermally coupled to the adapter (18). The fill gas (20) is confined within a gap (78) between an outer surface of the fill vessel (72) and the liner (14) so that the temperature of the liner (14) is not significantly increased during the fill process. An opening (82) is provided in the fill vessel (72) so that the fill gas (20) forces the contained gas (26) within the container (70) into the fill vessel (72) through the opening (82).

Abstract: A pressure container (70) for storing hydrogen gas (26) under pressure for a fuel cell engine. The container (70) includes an outer support layer (12) and a thermoplastic liner (14). An adapter (18) is provided in the outer layer (12) and the liner (14) to allow fill gas (20) to fill the container (70) under pressure. A fill vessel (72) is provided within the liner (14) and is sealed and thermally coupled to the adapter (18). The fill gas (20) is confined within a gap (78) between an outer surface of the fill vessel (72) and the liner (14) so that the temperature of the liner (14) is not significantly increased during the fill process. An opening (82) is provided in the fill vessel (72) so that the fill gas (20) forces the contained gas (26) within the container (70) into the fill vessel (72) through the opening (82).