Fluid handling – Plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow – With manifold or grouped outlets
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-27
2001-11-27
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Plural tanks or compartments with parallel flow
With manifold or grouped outlets
C137S079000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321775
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compressed gas manifold for pneumatically interconnecting a plurality of gas storage cells.
2. Background
Domestic oil production is declining due to U.S. oil reserves becoming more difficult to tap while demands on petroleum production escalate. Half of the U.S. oil supply is imported and the U.S. Department of Energy predicts a 60 percent deficiency by the year 2010. International oil companies relying on easily extracted foreign oil may meet the demand but at an unacceptable cost to the U.S. economy. The primary cause of the short fall is the motor vehicle. Current predictions indicate motor vehicles will proliferate globally from 500 million today to one billion by the year 2030. The solution is obvious, alternative fuels must be developed for motor vehicles.
It has been demonstrated that compressed gasses such as hydrogen, propane, methane or natural gas are viable alternatives to petroleum as a fuel source for motor vehicles. Natural gas is one of the more interesting of the alternatives because it is a plentiful commodity in the United States and therefor inexpensive. As a result, more than 30,000 natural gas vehicles are being used in the United States. These vehicles have demonstrated low fuel costs and reduced engine maintenance while affording a significant reduction in exhaust emissions. Such vehicles have been restricted to fleet trucks, delivery vans, buses and taxis due to their limited range. The restrictions and limitations are caused by the space required for existing compressed natural gas fuel systems. This space penalty results in lost truck bed volume, automobile trunk volume and range. Furthermore, a higher initial purchase price is experienced due to the low demand for such vehicles. The resulting small population has made research and development unattractive so improvements have been slow to evolve.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a manifold for a compressed gas motor vehicle fuel storage system incorporating a plurality of compressed gas storage cylinders (pressure cells). The manifold includes an automatic thermally activated safety venting system , a manual shut-off valve, and a port for connecting the fuel storage system to the motor vehicle engine intake manifold and to a refueling port. An integrated embodiment of the invention is also described.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a fuel distribution manifold for a compressed gas fuel system for a motor vehicle which utilizes a plurality of pressure cells contained within a protective housing.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a gas manifold for refueling pressure cells, supplying gas to the vehicle engine and providing for the safe, controlled venting of the fuel system in event of a fire.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a manifold for interconnecting a plurality of compressed gas storage cells and controlling the flow of gas therefrom to a vehicle engine.
A still further objective of the invention is to provide a manifold for a compressed gas storage system which incorporates an automatic, controlled venting system to safely reduce tank pressure before the tanks explode in the event of a fire.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2011347 (1935-08-01), Ragonnet
patent: 2968161 (1961-01-01), Bliss
patent: 3929109 (1975-12-01), Chamberlain
patent: 4416227 (1983-11-01), Imamura
patent: 4978148 (1990-12-01), Kosugi et al.
patent: 5042520 (1991-08-01), Reznik
patent: 5284267 (1994-02-01), Polletta
patent: 5577630 (1996-11-01), Blair et al.
patent: 5603360 (1997-02-01), Teel
patent: 5632250 (1997-05-01), Kato et al.
patent: 5676180 (1997-10-01), Teel
patent: 5701928 (1997-12-01), Aoki
patent: 5704387 (1998-01-01), Sims
patent: 5813429 (1998-09-01), Ohtaka et al.
DOT -“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles; Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Container Integrity” -Dec. 19, 1994.
DOT -“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Compressed Natural Gas Fuel Container Integrity” -Dec. 28, 1994.
DOT -“Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel System Integrity of Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles” -Apr. 25, 1994.
Dept. of Energy -Advanced Automotive Technologies Annual Report to Congress -Fiscal Year 1996 (Mar. 1998).
ICNGI/Lincoln Composites -ISS -Novel Compressed Natural Gas Storage System for Automotive Applications approx. Jan. 22, 1999.
Lincoln Composites -NGV Fuel Tank Inspection Guidelines -1994/1996.
NFPA 52 -Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems 1992 Edition.
Compressed Gas Association, Inc. -Pressure Relief Device Standards Part 1 -Cylinders for Compressed Gas CGA S-1.1—1994.
Proposed Revision to American National Standard for Basic Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Fuel Containers -Mar. 1, 1995.
Basic Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Fuel Containers -ANSI/AGA -NGV2-1992.
EnV'98 Alternative Fuel Vehicles Advanced Natural Gas Vehicle Project -Johns Hopkins University, J.J. Wozniak et al. EnV'98 Environmental Vehicles & Alternative Fuels Conf., Jun. 15-17, 1998, Ypsilanta MI.
Advanced Natural Gas Vehicle Development -Johns Hopkins University, J.J. Wozniak et al., vol. 16 No. 1 (1995).
The Application of Scrimp Vartm Fabrication Technology to the Compressed Natural Gas Integrated Storage System Wienhold, P. et al, SAMPE J., 34(1) (Jan./Feb. 1998).
Development of an Integrated Storage System for a Mid-Size Automobile, Johns Hopkins University, Dale Tiller et al., May 26-28, 1998 Cologne, Germany.
Advanced Natural Gas Vehicle Program John Hopkins University, J. Wozniak et al. (1997).
Hildebrand Richard J.
Wozniak John J.
Cooch Francis A.
Rivell John
The Johns Hopkins University
LandOfFree
Compressed gas manifold does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compressed gas manifold, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compressed gas manifold will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2612858