Residential compressor for refueling motor vehicles that operate on gaseous fuels

Abstract

A compressor for natural gas is made in a format suitable for mounting on a wall or upright support at a residential location. This permits refilling of the gas reservoir of a gaseous-fueled motor vehicle parked at the residence. The wall-mounted appliance has vibration isolation supports to minimize transmission of noise into the residence. It has a ventilation and air circulation system that allows it to test for the presence of flammable gas both leaking from the appliance and present in the adjacent ambient environment, e.g. a garage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a home refueling appliance for the refueling motor vehicles that operate on gaseous fuels. In particular, it relates to a compressor that delivers high-pressure gas to the storage reservoir of gaseous fuel motor vehicles and monitoring and control elements that allow the appliance to operate in an unattended manner. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Motor vehicles that operate on gaseous fuels, typically natural gas and hydrogen are refueled at stations that dispense gas at high pressure, typically 3000 pounds per square inch and higher. These refueling stations are generally of two types. The first type is either a public or private refueling station that is capable of refueling gaseous-fueled motor vehicles in about the same amount of time as is required to refuel a comparable gasoline-fueled motor vehicle. [0003] The second type is a private refueling station that is more typically capable of refueling motor vehicles over a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The home refueling appliance variant of the invention is preferably designed to be mounted either on a wall, a post support member or other structure at about eye level. The unit is to be mounted preferably at least 36 inches above the ground, and more preferably, above the height of the hood of a standard passenger vehicle, e.g. above 48 inches from the ground. This is to ensure that the appliance is clear of any areas were it might be run into by a moving object, such as a motor vehicle. This avoids the cost of vehicle impact protection such as bollards and other barriers.

[0035] Thus the system of the invention protects against the risk of having the compressor system of the invention interfere with neighbouring appliances.

Problems solved by technology

To date, gaseous-fueled motor vehicles have not been an attractive option to private motor vehicle operators.

Public natural gas refueling stations are too few and far between in most areas to meet private motor vehicle operators' expectations for refueling convenience.

Private natural gas refueling stations have generally been too expensive to be attractive to private operators of one or two natural gas vehicles.

Additionally, existing floor-mounted refueling compressors are bulky and inconvenient to install.

Mainly for these reasons, the market for natural gas vehicles has been largely restricted to motor vehicle fleet operators.

One of the greatest barriers to the commercial introduction of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles is the virtually complete absence of hydrogen refueling stations and related infrastructure such as hydrogen production and transportation facilities.

It will be several years before even limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure is available.

The reciprocating and rotating masses are dynamically unbalanced, which results in a dominant low frequency vibration of about 10 to 15 hertz during start-up and low speed operation; and a dominant high frequency vibration of up to about 30 to 35 hertz occurring during normal operation.

Gas leaks can occur both from within a compressor unit and from outside a compressor unit, for example at the connection to the vehicle, or arising from the vehicle itself.

If the main gas supply system drops to a lower level, the added burden of the home refueling appliance may cause such pilot lights to go out.

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