Refueling adapter and refueling method for alternative fuel vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refueling adapter and refueling method for alternative fuel vehicles. A refueling adapter for alternative fuel vehicles includes a first filler port fluidly coupled to an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank of an alternative fuel vehicle. The first filler port is configured to fit the inlet nozzle of a first fuel type. A second filler port is fluidly coupled to a dispenser nozzle of an alternative fuel dispenser. The second filler port is configured to fit the dispenser nozzle of a second fuel type, the second fuel type being different than the first fuel type. An adapter controller is configured to communicate with a vehicle fuel supply system of the alternative fuel vehicle, and a valve provides a fluid connection between the first filler port and the second filler port and is operated by the adapter controller to selectively open and close the fluid connection.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102021209795.2, filed September 6, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a refueling adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle, an alternative fuel vehicle having such an adapter, and a method for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0004] Due to a combination of factors such as environmental concerns, high oil prices, and the possibility of a peak in oil, the development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced vehicle powertrains has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world. As a result, in recent years there has been increasing focus on various solutions involving alternative fuel vehicles that use alternative fuels. One specific example in this regard is a hydrogen-powered vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel as a power source. Such a vehicle typically converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into mechanical energy by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to power an electric motor.

[0005] In principle, a hydrogen-powered vehicle can be refilled at a hydrogen refueling station, just as a vehicle can be refilled with oil or other fuels at a gas station. Currently, there are two commonly used refilling pressures in the world, one being H70 or 700 bar standard and the other being H35 or 350 bar standard. These two standards are not compatible with each other, for example, when a vehicle designed for a 700 bar system is to be refilled at a 350 bar refueling station, this creates an obstacle. On the one hand, it is problematic to mechanically connect such a vehicle to a refueling station if possible. On the other hand, such a connection can cause safety problems, since the fuel during refilling is expected to have a higher temperature due to the 350 bar refueling station being equipped with a high-flow nozzle and not being pre-cooled. In addition, such a refueling station is currently not equipped with infrared communication, which means that the vehicle will not be able to automatically terminate the refueling process in the case of overheating. Some companies offer complex dosing solutions that enable vehicles of both pressure ranges to be refueled on one dispenser unit in as short a time as possible. Therefore, two refilling units for each pressure range are provided in one integrated dispenser unit. SUMMARY

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simplified but flexible refueling solution for alternative fuel vehicles. Accordingly, the present invention provides a refueling adapter, an alternative fuel vehicle, and a refueling method.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, a refueling adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle can comprise a first filler port configured to fluidly couple to an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank of the alternative fuel vehicle, wherein the first filler port is configured to fit the inlet nozzle of a first supply type; a second filler port configured to fluidly couple to a supply nozzle of an alternative fuel supply machine, in particular an alternative fuel pump, wherein the second filler port is configured to fit the supply nozzle of a second supply type, the second supply type being different from the first supply type; an adapter controller configured to communicate with a vehicle fuel supply system of the alternative fuel vehicle; and a valve providing a fluid connection between the first filler port and the second filler port and being operated by the adapter controller to selectively open and close the fluid connection.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present application, an alternative fuel vehicle can comprise a refueling adapter according to the present application. According to yet another aspect of the present application, a method for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle can comprise fluidly coupling a first filler port of a refueling adapter to an inlet nozzle of a fuel tank of the alternative fuel vehicle, wherein the first filler port is configured to fit the inlet nozzle of a first supply type; fluidly coupling a second filler port of the refueling adapter to a supply nozzle of an alternative fuel supply machine, in particular an alternative fuel pump, wherein the second filler port is configured to fit the supply nozzle of a second supply type, the second supply type being different from the first supply type; communicating with a vehicle fuel supply system of the alternative fuel vehicle by an adapter controller of the refueling adapter; operating a valve of the refueling adapter, the valve providing a fluid connection between the first filler port and the second filler port, the fluid connection being selectively opened and closed by the adapter controller.

[0009] An idea of the present application is to provide an adapter which can be used as an intermediary of a refueling station to refuel a vehicle at a fuel supply machine in case the two supply systems are not compatible with each other beforehand. Thus, the adapter can be installed inline between the inlet nozzle of the vehicle and the supply nozzle of the fuel supply machine to match the incompatible supply types of the vehicle and the fuel supply machine. The adapter can be configured as a plug-in device having a supply machine side socket as a first filler port and a vehicle side socket as a second filler port. The adapter can be provided, for example, by an operator of the refueling station. Alternatively, or in addition, the vehicle operator can carry such an adapter with him. In principle, the adapter can also be installed within the vehicle.

[0010] Therefore, this invention provides a simplified yet highly practical solution that can be improved and / or used as a field remedy to adapt disparate, inherently incompatible fuel supply systems to each other. The adapter controller can be configured to regulate the opening and closing of the fluid connection between the vehicle and the fuel dispenser and can communicate with the vehicle's fuel supply system. Accordingly, since the process can be interrupted and / or disabled in emergency and / or malfunction situations, the refueling process can be integrated in a fail-safe manner. Thus, alternative fuel vehicles can be used on a wider scale, depending on their respective usage and available fuel systems (e.g., for long-distance travel, demonstration projects, etc.), and the number of potentially available refueling stations can be significantly increased.

[0011] Beneficial embodiments and improvements of the invention will be found in the implementation details. According to embodiments of the invention, alternative fuels may include hydrogen. Therefore, in one particular embodiment, the invention can be used to refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles at supplemental hydrogen refueling stations that are incompatible with the refueling systems of individual vehicles.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first feeding type can operate at a first nominal operating pressure, and a second feeding type can operate at a second nominal operating pressure, wherein the first nominal operating pressure is different from the second nominal operating pressure. Therefore, the supplemental fuel adapter of the present invention can match incompatible pressure systems.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first nominal operating pressure can be 350 bar, and the second nominal operating pressure can be 700 bar. Alternatively, the first nominal operating pressure can be 700 bar, and the second nominal operating pressure can be 350 bar. For example, there are currently no 700 bar hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) (capacity > 10 kg) for commercial vehicles (CVs) in Europe. It is also impossible to refuel 700 bar CVs (capacity > 10 kg) (e.g., buses) at a 350 bar HRS (capacity > 10 kg). On the one hand, it is mechanically impossible to connect these vehicles to the HRS. On the other hand, and more importantly, it would be unsafe, because 350 bar HRSs are primarily equipped with high-flow nozzles and are generally not pre-cooled, meaning that higher temperatures are expected. Furthermore, these systems (at least currently) lack infrared communication capabilities, making it impossible to terminate the refueling process through vehicle intervention (e.g., in the event of overheating).

[0014] However, in the present invention, a 700 bar CV (volume > 10 kg) can be refueled at each 350 bar HRS (volume > 10 kg). The adapter provided by the present invention can be installed inline between the socket matching the nozzle of a 350 bar HRS and the nozzle matching a 700 bar socket. For example, several 350 bar bus / truck HRS are already available in the EU. Furthermore, for example in Switzerland, the power grid of this HRS type is continuously growing.

[0015] According to embodiments of the present invention, the adapter controller can be configured to communicate with the vehicle fuel supply system via infrared communication. For example, the system can use the infrared communication protocol described in the current standard SAE J2799. The adapter controller can run corresponding software equivalent to this standard in order to receive and interpret infrared communication from the vehicle side.

[0016] SAE J2799 specifies communication hardware and software requirements for fueling of Hydrogen Surface Vehicles (HSV) (e.g., fuel cell vehicles), but can also be used for heavy duty vehicles (e.g., buses) and industrial trucks (e.g., forklifts) with compressed hydrogen storage, where appropriate. The standard contains a description of the communication hardware and communication protocols that can be used for refueling of HSVs. The purpose of this standard is to enable coordinated development and implementation of hydrogen fueling interfaces.

[0017] The infrared communication can be used as a control measure, among other things, in particular to interrupt the refueling process in case of a malfunction, a pressure peak, an unacceptable temperature increase or other complex situations. Thus, process parameters and / or process limits, including fuel temperature, maximum fuel flow, pressure and / or pressure increase, can be communicated via the infrared interface. The vehicle refueling system can monitor these and other parameters of the refueling process and can inform the adapter accordingly, in particular in case of a malfunction or in case of exceeding or imminent exceeding of a process limit. The refueling adapter can then interrupt the refueling process and / or take other appropriate measures accordingly.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present invention, the adapter controller can be configured to operate the valve based on control signals received from the vehicle fuel supply system. In one particular example, the control signals can include instructions to allow, prohibit and / or interrupt the refueling process. To this end, the system can use various control functions to prevent refueling malfunctions, such as overheating, communication interruption, etc.

[0019] According to embodiments of the application, the valve can be normally closed and the adapter controller can be configured to open the valve in case the control signal from the vehicle fuel supply system comprises an open valve signal. For example, the valve can be or can comprise a normally closed solenoid valve. Once the adapter is connected between the fuel dispenser and the vehicle, the vehicle can submit appropriate instructions to open the valve and start the refueling process. This can be initiated automatically upon connecting the adapter. Alternatively, the adapter can comprise a control element, e.g. an activation switch, button, etc., by which an operator can activate the connected adapter. The adapter can then initiate communication with the vehicle system.

[0020] According to embodiments of the application, the refueling adapter can further comprise a power supply configured to supply power to the adapter controller and / or the valve. The power supply can comprise, for example, a battery or the like.

[0021] According to embodiments of the application, the valve can comprise two spools. A first spool can be configured to open and close the fluid connection between the first fill port and the second fill port. A second spool can connect the second fill port with a drain of the refueling adapter and can be configured to, when open, bypass the fluid connection to the first fill port and drain the alternative fuel at the drain.

[0022] Thus, the first spool can control the opening and closing of the actual fluid connection between the first fill port and the second fill port. The second spool, on the other hand, can be used to vent the fuel line of the system before disconnecting the adapter, e.g. once the vehicle fuel tank is full and / or the operator ends the refueling process. Thus, the adapter can only refuel when the first spool is open and the second spool is closed. A refueling process in progress can be completed or aborted by closing the first spool. On the other hand, the fuel dispenser system can be configured to detect a pressure spike when the first spool is closed during refueling and can thus interrupt refueling. Subsequently, the second spool can be opened for a short time to empty any fuel remaining in the adapter. In one particular example, one or both of these spools can be provided as a (normally closed) solenoid valve, which can be powered by an integrated power supply of the refueling adapter.

[0023] According to embodiments of the application, the refueling adapter can further comprise a pressure sensor configured to measure a fluid pressure of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection and / or a temperature sensor configured to measure a fuel temperature of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection. The adapter controller can be configured to operate the valve in case the measured fuel temperature and / or the measured fuel pressure exceeds a predefined threshold and / or deviates from a predefined range.

[0024] Accordingly, the system can be supplemented by several fail-safe mechanisms. For example, the system can be configured to detect pressure spikes and therefore interrupt refueling (e.g., in the event that a valve should unexpectedly close during refueling due to a malfunction, power outage, etc.). In another example, the system can be configured to detect deviations from an expected temperature range. Further, the system can assess whether a venting process was successful by monitoring fluid pressure accordingly. It will be appreciated, however, that monitoring of critical process parameters can also be accomplished by the vehicle refueling system, which may, for example, communicate with the refueling adapter through an infrared interface.

[0025] The present application will be explained in greater detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present application, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of the present application will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts throughout the several views. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A refueling adapter for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle is schematically depicted in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle of Figure 1 is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 A detailed schematic of a refueling adapter of Figure 1 is shown.

[0030] While specific embodiments are illustrated and described in this document, it will be appreciated that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present application. In general, this application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0031] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0032] 1 refueling adapter

[0033] 2 first fill port

[0034] 3 second fill port

[0035] 4 adapter controller

[0036] 5 valve

[0037] 5a first spool

[0038] 5b second spool

[0039] 6 inlet nozzle

[0040] 7 power supply

[0041] 8 discharge port

[0042] 9 electrical line

[0043] 10 alternative fuel vehicle

[0044] 11 fuel supply machine

[0045] 12 supply machine nozzle

[0046] 13 fuel line

[0047] 14 vehicle fuel supply system

[0048] 15 control element

[0049] 16 adapter housing

[0050] 17 infrared interface

[0051] 18 adapter dial

[0052] 19 machine side socket

[0053] 20 vehicle side socket

[0054] 21 fuel tank

[0055] 22 fuel system control device

[0056] 23 pressure sensor

[0057] 24 temperature sensor

[0058] M method

[0059] M1-M4 method steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] It should be understood that the terms "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats, ships, aircraft, and the like, and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel from sources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of power, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0061] While the example embodiments are described as using a plurality of units to perform the example processes, it is understood that the example processes can also be performed by one or more modules. Further, it is understood that the term controller / control unit refers to a hardware device that includes a memory and a processor and is specifically programmed to perform the processes described herein. The memory is configured to store modules and the processor is specifically configured to execute the modules to perform one or more processes described further below.

[0062] Further, the control logic of the present application can be implemented as non-transitory computer readable medium on a computer readable medium including a program instruction executable by a processor, a controller / control unit, or the like. Examples of the computer readable medium include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROM, tape, floppy disk, flash memory drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed fashion via the network (e.g., via a remote information processing server or a controller area network (CAN)).

[0063] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0064] The term "about" as used herein is understood as being within the normal tolerances of the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. "About" can be understood to be within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "about" modifies all numerical values provided herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0065] Figure 1 A refueling adapter 1 for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle 10 at a fuel supply machine 11 is schematically depicted in accordance with embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 A flow diagram of a method for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle is shown, while Figure 1 A detailed schematic of a refueling adapter is depicted, while Figure 3 A detailed schematic of a refueling adapter is depicted, while Figure 1 A detailed schematic of a refueling adapter is depicted, while

[0066] The alternative fuel vehicle 10 of the present embodiments can be, for example, a bus, a truck, or other commercial or passenger vehicle that uses hydrogen as its primary source of power to move. However, it should be understood that other alternative fuels can be used in other embodiments, such as natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and the like. Furthermore, hydrogen can be used as only one of a plurality of power sources, for example as part of a hybrid power system.

[0067] More specifically, the vehicle 10 can be a hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle (HICEV), which is a modified version of a conventional gasoline-powered internal combustion engine that burns hydrogen instead of gasoline in its internal combustion engine. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 can rely on a fuel cell conversion, in which hydrogen is converted to electrical energy by a fuel cell, which then powers an electric motor. Regardless of the method employed, the only byproduct of the waste hydrogen is water, and there is no carbon dioxide emissions at all, which is one of the reasons why hydrogen is a particularly attractive alternative fuel.

[0068] The vehicle 10 can include a fuel tank 21 configured to store gaseous hydrogen, which can be refilled into the fuel tank 21 through an inlet nozzle 6. The inlet nozzle 6 can be part of a vehicle fuel supply system 14 configured to comply with H70 or 700 bar standards and to maintain hydrogen at a nominal operating pressure of 700 bar. The vehicle fuel supply system 14 can be operated by a fuel system control device 22 (e.g., an electronic control unit (ECU)).

[0069] The fuel supply machine 11 can be a hydrogen fuel pump, wherein the supply machine nozzle 12 can be used to fill the vehicle with gaseous hydrogen. The fuel supply machine 11 can be adapted to a different supply type than the vehicle fuel supply system 14. For example, the fuel supply machine 11 can comply with the H35 or 350 bar refueling standard for supplemental hydrogen fuel, which controls the hydrogen at a nominal operating pressure of 350 bar. In other embodiments, the opposite arrangement can be employed, wherein the vehicle fuel supply system 14 is adapted for 350 bar, while the fuel supply machine 11 is adapted for 700 bar. However, in both cases, the supply types of the vehicle fuel supply system 14 and the fuel supply machine 11 are not compatible with each other.

[0070] For example, the nozzles and inlets of a 350 bar system will not typically mechanically fit with the corresponding nozzles and inlets of a 700 bar system. Even if this aspect is ignored, these systems should not be coupled to each other for safety reasons, at least without additional measures. The 350 bar system typically uses high flow nozzles without pre-cooling. On the other hand, the 700 bar system relies on pre-cooling and normal flow nozzles. Thus, when the two systems are coupled to each other, the high flow on one side and the absence of pre-cooling on the other side can create an overheating. Furthermore, modern 700 bar systems are typically adapted for wireless infrared communication between the corresponding vehicle and fuel supply machine, while 350 bar systems do not have this capability. In the case of a 700 bar system, the use of infrared communication as a control measure, particularly in case of a malfunction, pressure peak, unacceptable temperature rise or other complications, is able to interrupt the refueling process. By coupling these incompatible systems, the possibility of terminating the refueling process will thus be affected.

[0071] To improve this situation, the present invention provides a refueling adapter 1 that can be inserted between the supply machine nozzle 12 of the fuel supply machine 11 and the inlet nozzle 6 of the vehicle fuel supply system 14 to adapt the two incompatible systems to each other. More specifically, the refueling adapter 1 can comprise a first fill port 2 at a vehicle side socket 20, configured to be fluidly coupled with the inlet nozzle 6 of the fuel tank 21 of the alternative fuel vehicle 10. The refueling adapter 1 can further comprise a second fill port 3 at a supply machine side socket 19, configured to be fluidly coupled with the supply machine nozzle 12 of the hydrogen fuel supply machine 11.

[0072] Valve 5 can be disposed within adapter housing 16 to provide fluid connection between the first filler port 2 and the second filler port 3. The opening and closing of valve 5 can be performed by adapter controller 4 (e.g., an electronic controller) that communicates with the vehicle fuel supply system 14 of the alternative fuel vehicle 10 via infrared communication. Therefore, the supplemental fuel adapter 1 is provided with an infrared interface 17 conforming to SAE J2799. Thus, adapter controller 4 can be configured to receive and interpret infrared communications transmitted from the vehicle fuel supply system 14. Data transmitted by vehicle 10 is then used to control valve 5.

[0073] Valve 5 may include two valve cores 5a and 5b, both of which are normally closed solenoid valves. If the control signal from the vehicle fuel supply system 14 includes a valve opening signal, the first valve core 5a may be configured to open the fluid connection between the first filler port 2 and the second filler port 3. Figure 3 (Left side). The second valve core 5b can connect the second filler port 3 to the exhaust port 8 of the supplemental fuel adapter 1 and can be configured to bypass the fluid connection with the first filler port 2 and discharge alternative fuel at the exhaust port 8 when open. Figure 3 As shown, the fuel line 13 connecting valve cores 5a and 5b can be arranged in a "T" shape within the adapter housing 16 and continue as a hose outside the adapter housing 16. Therefore, the first valve core 5a can allow, disable, or interrupt the refueling process. On the other hand, if necessary, the second valve core 5b can bleed the system, particularly before disconnecting the inlet nozzle 6.

[0074] therefore, Figure 2 The corresponding method M shown may include: in step M1, fluidly connecting the first filling port 2 to the inlet nozzle 6; in step M2, fluidly connecting the second filling port 3 to the feeder nozzle 12; in step M3, communicating with the vehicle fuel supply system 14 via the adapter controller 4; and in step M4, operating the valve 5 via the adapter controller 4, thereby operating the valve cores 5a and 5b to selectively open and close the fluid connection and selectively discharge alternative fuel at the discharge port 8.

[0075] The solenoid valve cores 5a and 5b, and the adapter controller 4, are powered by a power source 7 (e.g., a battery or other suitable rechargeable and / or replaceable energy storage device) integrated into the adapter 1. The adapter controller 4, and thus the refueling adapter 1, can be turned on and off manually via a control element 15 (e.g., a button). The control element 15 can be supplemented with status LEDs or other signaling elements.

[0076] In the described embodiments, the refueling adapter 1 can further optionally comprise a pressure sensor 23 and a temperature sensor 24. The pressure sensor 23 can be configured to measure the fluid pressure of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection. The temperature sensor 24 can be configured to measure the fuel temperature of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection. Based on these measurements, the adapter controller 4 can be configured to operate the valve 5 in response to determining that the measured fuel temperature and / or the measured fuel pressure exceeds a predefined threshold and / or deviates from a predefined range. For example, it can be detected that the temperature deviates from an acceptable range and the valve can be closed accordingly. In another example, the pressure can be monitored during the discharge process to assess whether the discharge was successful.

[0077] Thus, the refueling adapter 1 is able to assess the current state of the refueling process based on the measured physical parameters and can interrupt the refueling if these parameters deviate from defined parameter ranges. On the other hand, the termination of the refueling process can also be initiated by the vehicle fuel supply system 14 and / or the fueling machine 11. For example, during an ongoing refueling process, when the first valve core 5a of the refueling adapter 1 should be closed for any reason, a pressure peak can be detected (e.g. by a corresponding sensor element of the fueling machine 11) and then the delivery of hydrogen can be stopped.

[0078] Thus, a typical refueling process can be started by plugging the refueling adapter 1 to the inlet nozzle 6 of the vehicle 10 (control element 15 set to "off", status LED off). Next, the refueling adapter 1 can be activated by switching the control element 15 to "on". During the establishment of the infrared communication with the vehicle fuel supply system 14, the status LED of the control element 15 can first emit yellow light and only switches to green light when the process is completed, which indicates that the refueling adapter 1 is ready for use and the refueling can be started. Next, the fueling machine nozzle 12 of the fueling machine 11 can be plugged into the refueling adapter 1 and the refueling is started. Once the refueling is completed, the fueling machine nozzle 12 can be disconnected from the refueling adapter 1 and the adapter 1 can be turned off. Then, the LED of the control element 15 can turn yellow for a limited period of time (e.g. a few seconds) while the discharge process is performed (a hissing noise is emitted). Once the LED of the control element 15 is extinguished, the refueling adapter 1 can be disconnected from the vehicle 10.

[0079] In response to detecting a fault or other incident (over-temperature, data link loss, etc.) during refueling (first spool 5a closed), the LED can turn red, indicating that the refueling process is interrupted. The tender nozzle 12 can then be disconnected from the refueling adapter 1. The operator can then wait until the LED switches back to green, and retry refueling once the adapter 1 and tender nozzle 12 are reconnected.

[0080] In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. All alternatives, modifications, and equivalents thereof are intended to be encompassed by the various aspects and embodiments. A number of other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the application and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the application and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A supplemental fuel adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle, comprising: A first filling port is fluidly connected to an inlet nozzle of the fuel tank of an alternative fuel vehicle, wherein the first filling port is configured as an inlet nozzle suitable for a first feeding type; The second filling port is fluidly connected to the feeder nozzle of the alternative fuel feeder, wherein the second filling port is configured as a feeder nozzle suitable for a second feed type, which is different from the first feed type, and the first and second feed types have the same chemical composition. An adapter controller configured to communicate with the vehicle fuel supply system of an alternative fuel vehicle; and A valve, which provides a fluid connection between the first filling port and the second filling port, and is operated by the adapter controller to selectively open and close the fluid connection. The first feeding type operates under a first nominal working pressure, the second feeding type operates under a second nominal working pressure, and the first nominal working pressure is different from the second nominal working pressure.

2. The supplemental fuel adapter for alternative fuel vehicles according to claim 1, wherein, Alternative fuels include hydrogen.

3. The supplemental fuel adapter for alternative fuel vehicles according to claim 1, wherein, The first nominal working pressure is 350 bar, and the second nominal working pressure is 700 bar; or the first nominal working pressure is 700 bar, and the second nominal working pressure is 350 bar.

4. The supplemental fuel adapter for alternative fuel vehicles according to claim 3, wherein, The adapter controller is configured to communicate with the vehicle's fuel supply system via infrared communication.

5. The supplemental fuel adapter for alternative fuel vehicles according to claim 4, wherein, The adapter controller is configured to operate the valve based on control signals received from the vehicle's fuel supply system.

6. The supplemental fuel adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The valve is normally closed, and the adapter controller is configured to open the valve in the event that a control signal from the vehicle fuel supply system includes a valve opening signal.

7. The supplemental fuel adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a power source configured to supply power to the adapter controller or the valve.

8. The supplemental fuel adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The valve includes two valve cores, namely a first valve core and a second valve core. The first valve core is configured to open and close the fluid connection between a first filler port and a second filler port. The second valve core is connected to the second filler port and the exhaust port of the refueling adapter and is configured to bypass the fluid connection with the first filler port and discharge alternative fuel at the exhaust port when open.

9. The refueling adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising a pressure sensor and / or a temperature sensor, the pressure sensor being configured to measure the fluid pressure of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection, and / or the temperature sensor being configured to measure the fuel temperature of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection, wherein, The adapter controller is configured to operate the valve in response to determining that the measured fuel temperature or measured fuel pressure exceeds a predefined threshold or deviates from a predefined range.

10. An alternative fuel vehicle having a supplemental fuel adapter for an alternative fuel vehicle according to claim 1.

11. A method for refueling an alternative fuel vehicle, the method comprising: The first filling port of the supplemental fuel adapter is fluidly connected to the inlet nozzle of the fuel tank of the alternative fuel vehicle, wherein the first filling port is configured as an inlet nozzle suitable for a first feeding type; The second filling port of the supplemental fuel adapter is fluidly connected to the feeder nozzle of the alternative fuel feeder, wherein the second filling port is configured as a feeder nozzle suitable for a second feeder type, which is different from the first feeder type, and the first feeder type and the second feeder type have the same chemical composition; The adapter controller of the supplemental fuel adapter communicates with the vehicle fuel supply system of the alternative fuel vehicle. An actuation valve of the refueling adapter, which provides a fluid connection between the first and second filling ports, is operated via an adapter controller to selectively open and close the fluid connection. The first feeding type operates under a first nominal working pressure, the second feeding type operates under a second nominal working pressure, and the first nominal working pressure is different from the second nominal working pressure.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The adapter controller communicates with the vehicle's fuel supply system via infrared communication.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The adapter controller is configured to operate the valve based on control signals received from the vehicle's fuel supply system.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The valve is normally closed, and the adapter controller is configured to open the valve in the event that a control signal from the vehicle fuel supply system includes a valve opening signal.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The valve includes two valve cores, namely a first valve core and a second valve core. The first valve core selectively opens and closes the fluid connection between a first filler port and a second filler port. The second valve core connects the second filler port and the exhaust port of the refueling adapter and, when open, selectively bypasses the fluid connection with the first filler port and discharges alternative fuel at the exhaust port.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising measuring the fluid pressure of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection using a pressure sensor or measuring the fuel temperature of the alternative fuel along the fluid connection using a temperature sensor, wherein, The adapter controller is configured to close the valve if the measured fuel temperature and / or measured fuel pressure exceed a predefined threshold.

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