Portable fuel gas systems, computer-implemented methods, programs, and recording media

Abstract

To provide a method for transferring gaseous fuel to gaseous fuel driving type transportation.SOLUTION: A portable fuel gas system 100 includes a portable enclosure, a fuel gas supply manifold 158, a pressure control valve 122 that is in a fluid communication state with the fuel gas supply manifold, the fuel gas supply manifold having a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the pressure control valve, and fuel gas shutoff valves 106, 130, 138a, 180a that are in a fluid communication state with the fuel gas supply manifold and are operable to control the flow of fuel gas within the fuel gas supply manifold. When the fuel supply system is deactivated after a fill, a processor is adapted to be capable of controlling the plurality of valves to selectively fluidly connect a purge gas source to the fuel gas supply manifold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority, respectively, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 163,215, filed on March 19, 2021, and entitled "Gaseous Fueling System (Fueling System, Fuel Filling System, Fuel Recharging System, etc.)", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 051,240, filed on July 13, 2020, and entitled "Hydrogen Fuel Cell - boat", and all of those applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this document.

Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells can provide low-emission power (power, energy, or energy sources with low waste emissions, low-emission energy, or energy sources) or zero-emission power (power, energy, or energy sources with virtually zero waste emissions, zero-emission energy, or energy sources) for various applications. Fuel cell systems may convert gaseous fuels, such as hydrogen, or hydrocarbons such as methane, propane, natural gas, or similar substances, into electrical energy (electricity, power, etc.) and waste (exhaust products, etc.), such as water vapor, or, in the case of hydrocarbon fuels, carbon dioxide. However, because gaseous fuels are compressible and can escape into the atmosphere (the surrounding environment), transferring them from, for example, a filling station or delivery vehicle to a fuel cell-powered vehicle is more complex than delivering liquid fuels such as gasoline. Improved methods are needed for transferring gaseous fuels to gaseous fuel-powered vehicles. [Overview of the project]

[0003] A computer-implemented method for supplying fuel gas to a fuel supply system is disclosed. The processor is configured to control a plurality of valves in the fuel supply system to allow or restrict gas flow to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations including an operation to deactivate the fuel supply system before filling, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to supply purge gas to the fuel gas supply manifold by selectively fluidizing a purge gas source to the fuel gas supply manifold of the fuel supply system, and to selectively fluidize the fuel gas supply manifold to a vent manifold, the plurality of operations including an operation to perform a leak check on the fuel supply system. When performing a leak check on the fuel supply system, the processor controls the plurality of valves to supply the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply manifold by selectively fluidically connecting the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold. This method includes a process of charging the pilot subsystem of the fuel supply system with the fuel gas (charge, fill, introduce, etc.). When charging the pilot subsystem with the fuel gas, the processor controls the plurality of valves to selectively fluidically connect the fuel gas supply manifold to the pilot subsystem. This method includes a process of filling the fuel supply system with the fuel gas (fill, fill, fill, etc.). When filling the fuel supply system with the fuel gas, the processor controls the plurality of valves to selectively fluidically connect the fuel gas supply manifold to one or more fuel gas storage containers, thereby allowing the fuel gas to flow from the fuel gas supply source to the one or more fuel gas storage containers via the fuel supply system.This method includes a process for deactivating the fuel supply system after filling. When deactivating the fuel supply system after filling, the processor controls the plurality of valves to selectively fluidize the purge gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0004] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a specific example of a fuel supply system.

[0005] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a suitable controller for controlling the system shown in Figure 1.

[0006] [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a proper way to prepare the system shown in Figure 1 for receiving fuel gas.

[0007] [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a suitable method for removing air and / or fuel gas from the system shown in Figure 1.

[0008] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a suitable method for checking the system shown in Figure 1 for fuel gas leaks.

[0009] [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a suitable method for charging the pilot subsystem of the system shown in Figure 1.

[0010] [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a suitable method for filling a fuel gas storage container with fuel gas using the system shown in Figure 1.

[0011] [Figure 8]Figure 8 shows an example of a suitable method for purging fuel gas from the system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The disclosures in this document relate to methods of using a fueling system to transfer fuel gas from a fuel supply to a vehicle powered by the fuel gas. In one exemplary example, some of the methods disclosed in this document may be used to transfer fuel from a fuel gas supply to an onboard fuel gas storage system on a boat. Some of the methods disclosed in this document may also be used with various fuel gas supplies, including tube trailers (trucks that transport fuel gas such as hydrogen gas using tubes), ground-based pressurized storage, and similar systems. Some methods disclosed in this document may be used to transfer fuel from a fuel gas supply source to a fuel gas storage facility. In some embodiments, some methods disclosed in this document may be used to transfer fuel from a fuel gas supply source (e.g., a gas generator such as a pressurized vessel, compressor, electrolyzer, or reformer) to a transport vehicle. In some embodiments, some methods disclosed in this document may be used to transfer fuel from a transport vehicle to a fuel gas supply source.

[0013] In many embodiments, the fuel gas storage unit (storage, storage facility, etc.) may be associated with or installed on a vehicle, such as a boat, automobile, motorcycle, aircraft, or other means of transport. In some other specific examples, the fuel gas storage unit may be associated with a stationary storage facility, such as a fuel supply station for a vehicle. In some specific examples, a stationary power system and / or gas equipment may have an on-site or integral fuel storage unit. In many specific examples, a fueling system (replenishment system, filling system, injection system, etc.) may have one or more conduits suitable for containing fuel gas. In many specific examples, the fuel gas is pressurized to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The conduits may be arranged into one or more pressure zones, for example, a high-pressure zone, an intermediate-pressure zone, and a low-pressure zone, each of which flows fluidly through them. The fueling system may have pressure reducing devices between the zones. For example, the fueling system may have a pressure reducing valve between the high-pressure zone and the intermediate-pressure zone to reduce the pressure of the fuel gas as it flows from the high-pressure zone to the intermediate-pressure zone. Similarly, a pressure reducing valve may be placed between the intermediate-pressure zone and the low-pressure zone to reduce the pressure of the fuel gas as it flows from the intermediate-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone.

[0014] One or more of the aforementioned pressure zones may be in fluid communication with one or more fuel gas storage vessels that receive fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source via its fuel gas supply manifold (the fuel gas supply manifold, manifold for the fuel gas supply source, passage forming member used when dividing the flow of fluid, branch pipe, manifold, etc.). For example, a fuel gas storage vessel may receive fuel gas from the intermediate pressure zone. One or more of the aforementioned pressure zones may be in fluid communication with a fuel gas end-use device, such as a fuel cell, motor, engine, reformer, burner, or similar. For example, the low-pressure zone may be in fluid communication with a fuel gas end-use device so as to supply the end-use device with the fuel gas at an appropriate pressure and flow volume (e.g., volume of fluid flowing, volumetric flow rate). In some embodiments, the fuel cell system may convert the fuel gas in the fueling system into electrical energy that provides power (e.g., electricity) to a propulsion system for a boat.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a specific example of a fuel supply system 100 used in some of the methods disclosed herein. The fuel supply system 100 may be configured to be releasaably fluidly connected to a gas supply 102, for example, one or more pressurized vessels. In the illustrated example, the gas supply 102 is a tube trailer that is delivered, for example, to a site for supplying fuel to a transport vehicle via the fuel supply system 100. In some examples, the gas supply 102 may have a fuel gas generator, for example, a reformer or an electrolyzer. In some examples, the gas supply 102 may have a compressor. The fuel supply system 100 may have various process devices (devices used to carry out a process, i.e., processing), such as some valves, some sensors, some filters, some conduits and similar ones, which will be described in detail later.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the fuel supply system 100 may be controlled by a processing element, such as a controller 200, which is, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). Figure 2 shows a simplified block diagram of the various devices (processing elements, etc.) of the controller 200. As shown in the figure, the controller 200 may have one or more processing elements 202, an optional display 204, one or more memory components 206, a network interface 208, a power supply (power source, power circuit, etc.) 210, and an optional input / output I / O interface 212, where these various components may be directly connected to each other, or indirectly connected to each other, for example, via one or more system buses, contact traces, wiring, or wireless mechanisms.

[0017] One or more processing elements 202 may be substantially any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, and / or sending instructions. For example, processing element 202 may be a microprocessor, microcomputer, graphics processing unit, or similar. Furthermore, it should be noted that processing element 202 may have one or more processing elements or one or more processing modules, each of which may or may not be connected to one another. For example, a first processing element may control a first set of components (a set consisting of parts of multiple components that make up the computing device, such as the controller 200 mentioned above), and a second processing element may control a second set of components (a set consisting of another part of the multiple components, such as the controller 200 mentioned above) of the computing device, where the first and second processing elements may or may not be connected to each other. In this regard, some processing elements are configured to execute one or more instructions (programming instructions, statements, etc.) locally and in parallel with each other and / or across a network, for example, using some cloud computing resources.

[0018] The display 204 is optional and provides input / output mechanisms for some of the devices of the controller 200, for example, to display visual information (e.g., images, graphical user interfaces, videos, notifications, and the like) to the user, and in some specific examples, the display 204 may also act to receive user input (e.g., via a touch screen or the like). The display may be an LCD screen, plasma screen, LED screen, organic LED screen, or the like. Some types and numbers of displays may vary depending on some type of device (e.g., smartphone vs. desktop computer, vs. PLC).

[0019] Some memory components 206 store electronic data that may be used by the fuel supply system 100, such as audio files, document files, programming instructions, and the like. Some memory components 206 may be, for example, non-volatile storage, magnetic recording media, optical recording media, magneto-optical recording media, ROM (read-only memory), RAM (read-write memory), writable and erasable memory, flash memory, or a combination of one or more types of memory components. The memory components are optionally linked to each other via a cloud network or the like, and / or to other aforementioned computing devices, etc., via a network interface 208.

[0020] The network interface 208 transmits and receives data to and from the network, and consequently transmits and receives that data to and from the various devices of the fuel supply system 100. The network interface 208 may transmit and send data directly or indirectly to the plurality of devices of the fuel supply system 100. For example, the networking / communication interface (such as the network interface 208) may transmit and receive data to several other computing devices via a network, such as RS-232, DH-485, CANBUS, MODBUS, Ethernet®, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, or other suitable wired or wireless network. In some embodiments, the network interface may further have an application program interface (API) that interfaces and translates various modules, such as several requests, over the network.

[0021] The controller 200 may have a power source 210. The power source 210 supplies power to various components of the controller 200 and, optionally, also to some of the aforementioned components of the fuel supply system 100. The power source 210 may have one or more rechargeable hardware resources, disposable hardware resources, or hardwire sources, such as batteries, power cords, AC / DC inverters, DC / DC converters, fuel cells, or the like. Further, the power source 210 may have one or more types of connectors or components that supply different types of power to various devices of the fuel supply system 100 or the controller 200. In some specific examples, the power source 210 may have a connector (e.g., Universal Serial Bus), which supplies power to the computer or a battery within the computer, and further transmits and receives data to and from the device (a device in the fuel supply system 100, etc.), and thereby transmits and receives the data to and from some other devices (other devices in the fuel supply system 100, etc.).

[0022] The aforementioned optional input / output interface (I / O interface) 212 enables the controller 200 to receive input from a user and provide output to the user. For example, the I / O interface 212 may have a capacitive touch screen, keyboard, mouse, stylus, or the like. The types of devices that interact via the input / output interface 212 may vary according to requirements.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the fuel supply system 100 may have one or more breakaway couplings (such as emergency release couplings, emergency disconnect devices, devices that close or block at the location where the pipe is accidentally detached or cut to automatically prevent fluid leakage, connectors with breakaway functions, connectors, joints, etc.), for example, breakaway coupling 104 and / or breakaway coupling 114. The breakaway coupling 104 and / or breakaway coupling 114 may be suitable for stopping the gas flow in the conduit in case the conduit bursts under pressure (when high pressure is acting) or is accidentally disconnected (disconnected, separated, detached) in some other way.

[0024] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more check valves (such as fuel gas check valves, purge gas check valves, etc.), for example, fuel gas check valve 120, fuel gas check valve 134, purge gas check valve 112 or something similar. The check valve may act to permit gas to flow in one direction within itself but substantially prevent gas from flowing in the reverse direction within itself.

[0025] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more on / off valves (such as a valve that switches between a fully closed position and a fully open position, or a valve that opens and closes a valve), i.e., a shutoff valve (such as a valve that switches between a bidirectional flow shutoff position and a bidirectional free flow allow position). The shutoff valve may be manually operated, or in many specific examples, it may be automatically driven by an actuator. When the shutoff valve is open, it allows gas to flow through it, and when it is closed, it substantially prevents gas from flowing through it. The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more manually operated on / off shutoff valves, for example, a fuel gas supply shutoff valve 106, a fuel gas shutoff valve 130, a block valve (such as a shutoff valve) 138a, and a fuel gas storage isolation valve 180a. The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more automatically driven shut-off valves, for example, a fuel gas shut-off valve 132a, a purge gas vent valve 108a, a purge gas supply valve 110a, a pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a, a fuel storage container shut-off valve 176a, and a purge gas shut-off valve 148a.

[0026] Some of the above-mentioned shut-off valves may have their respective actuators, for example, a fuel gas shut-off valve actuator 132b, a purge gas vent valve actuator 108b, a purge gas supply valve actuator 110b, a pilot subsystem shut-off valve actuator 146b, a fuel storage container shut-off valve actuator 176b, a block valve actuator 138b, a fuel gas storage isolation valve actuator 180b, and / or a purge gas shut-off valve actuator 148b. In many specific examples, some of the above-mentioned actuators may be fluid-pressure devices (e.g., driven by a compressed gas such as air, nitrogen, or similar) that, in operation, open or close the respective valves corresponding to each actuator. In some other specific examples, the actuators may be fluid-driven, electrically driven, or similar. Any actuator may have or be associated with a position indicator that shows the position of the valve driven by each actuator. In some embodiments, the position indicator may be a limit switch, proximity switch or similar, which is in electrical communication with a processing element (such as the processing element 202 described above) of the controller 200 and acts to show the valve position to the processing element.In some embodiments, the position indicator may indicate the valve position to the user of the fuel supply system 100 by using, for example, a flag (status indicator, sign, etc.) or other visual indicator that visually shows the valve position. Any valve described in this document may be an automatic valve driven by an actuator controlled by a processing element. The position of any valve described in this document may be indicated by a position indicator, which may be associated with an actuator (an actuator, an actuator that drives the valve whose operating position is indicated by the position indicator, any actuator used in the fuel supply system 100, etc.) or may be a device independent of the actuator.

[0027] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more pressure control valves (pressure regulating valves, regulators, pressure reducing valves, etc.). The pressure control valves may be configured to regulate the pressure of the fuel gas upstream or downstream of themselves (to adjust the pressure so that it is within an error range of a target value or setpoint). For example, the fuel supply system 100 may have several pressure control valves in the form of a purge gas forward pressure regulator 142, a fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 and / or a fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140. These regulators may be forward pressure regulators that regulate the pressure of the fuel gas at their outlet, i.e., downstream side. In some specific examples, the pressure control valves may be back pressure regulators that regulate the pressure of the fuel gas at their upstream side, i.e., inlet side. Any of the pressure control valves described in this document may be set manually or automatically. For example, a pressure control valve may be an I / P (current / pressure conversion type) controller, a V / P (voltage / pressure conversion type) controller, or a similar controller that receives an electrical input signal from a processing element (such as the processing element 202 mentioned above) and controls the pressure upstream or downstream of the pressure control valve. In some embodiments, some pressure control valves may be manually set (a target value is set), for example, via a bias spring or a pilot regulator (a valve for pre-controlling another original valve, such as a lead valve or guide valve).

[0028] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more fuel gas storage vessels 166. Each fuel gas storage vessel 166 may be any suitable container (container, etc.) that contains the fuel gas at a desired pressure. In some embodiments, one or more of the several fuel gas storage vessels 166 are pressure vessels made of metal (usually steel or aluminum, but may be other metals and / or alloys) (generally referred to as Type I vessels). In some embodiments, one or more of the several fuel gas storage vessels 166 may be a metal pressure vessel (e.g., made of aluminum) wrapped around its periphery with a fiber-reinforced composite (e.g., glass fibers, aramid fibers or carbon fibers held within the base material) (e.g., Type II vessels). In some embodiments, one or more of the fuel gas storage containers 166 may have a metal liner (e.g., made of aluminum or steel) surrounded by a fiber-reinforced composite material (e.g., a Type III container). In some embodiments, one or more of the fuel gas storage containers 166 may have a polymer liner (e.g., thermoplastic) surrounded by a fiber-reinforced composite material (e.g., a Type IV container). In various specific examples, the fuel gas storage containers 166 may be suitable for storing fuel gas at typical pressure levels of 250 bar, 350 bar, 500 bar, or 700 bar. The fuel gas may be added to or removed from the fuel gas storage containers 166 as needed.In some embodiments, the several fuel gas storage containers 166 and pilot subsystems (systems that constitute part of the fuel supply system 100) may be optional. For example, the fuel supply system 100 may be used to supply the fuel gas from a fuel gas supply source 102 to a fuel consumption device without storing the fuel gas.

[0029] In some cases, the fuel gas storage container 166 may be suitable for containing a solid-state storage medium, such as a metal hydride (metal hydrogen storage metal, hydrogen storage metal, etc.). The solid storage medium may store a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, in a reversible, non-flammable, and low-pressure state (e.g., about 70–100 bar), and may have several specific advantages over some of the conventional pressure vessels mentioned above. For example, because the pressure involved is generally low as described above, the wall thickness of the container containing the solid storage medium may be thinner and less expensive than that of a conventional pressure vessel. Furthermore, the container containing the solid storage medium may be manufactured to be more flexible or adaptable to other shapes relative to conventional pressure vessels, which are generally cylindrical or spherical due to the stresses applied to their walls by the high-pressure gas contained within them. Some exemplary solid storage media capable of containing fuel gases such as hydrogen include destabilized hydrides (e.g., LiBH4 / MgF2 (a mixture of LiBH4 and MgF2), etc.), anionic materials (Mg(BH4)2), amide / imide (a mixture of amide and imide, etc.) materials (e.g., 2LiNH2+MgH2), and alane (aluminum hydride). Other solid storage materials are described in L. Klebanoff & J. Keller, Final Report for the DOE Metal Hydride Center of Excellence (Sandia National Laboratories, SAND2012-0786, Feb. 2012), which is incorporated into this document by reference for any purpose.

[0030] The fuel supply system 100 takes into account the physical characteristics of the fuel gas, environmental conditions (ambiment conditions, The The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more sensors that detect the state of the environment surrounding the fuel supply system 100 and / or the state of the aforementioned components of the fuel supply system 100. Some sensors may detect characteristics such as pressure or temperature. For example, the fuel supply system 100 may have one or more transmitters (devices that detect and transmit physical characteristics, such as transducers and sensors), for example, a fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116, a fuel gas first stage pressure transmitter 136, a fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 118, and / or a storage pressure transmitter 174. Similarly, the fuel supply system 100 may have one or more temperature transmitters, such as a fuel gas storage temperature transmitter 178.

[0031] Some sensors (such as transmitters and transducers) may convert the detected physical characteristics into electrical signals suitable for reception by the controller 200 or other appropriate control system. For example, a sensor may convert the detected physical characteristics into an analog signal such as a current signal (e.g., a signal representing a current value in the range of 4mA to 20mA or similar) or a voltage signal (e.g., a voltage value in the range of 0V to 5V, a voltage value in the range of 0V to 10V or similar). In some specific examples, a sensor may convert the detected physical characteristics into a digital signal such as a digital signal having RS-232, DH-485, CANBUS, MODBUS, Ethernet® or other appropriate form. Either the digital or analog signal may be transmitted by wire or wirelessly.

[0032] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more filters, for example, filter 124. The filter may be any device that allows fuel gas to pass through but prevents or captures particulate matter or liquid matter. The fuel supply system 100 may have several other filters as needed.

[0033] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more pressure safety valves (devices that automatically open the valve body to ensure the safety of a pressure vessel, safety relief valves, etc.). The pressure safety valve may be any device that relieves the fuel gas from the conduit or container when the pressure of the fuel gas exceeds a set point pressure level (a set pressure value, relief pressure, upper pressure, etc.). The relieved fuel gas is vented to the atmosphere. In some specific examples, the pressure safety valve may release the fuel gas when the pressure and temperature of the fuel gas exceed their respective thresholds. For example, the fuel supply system 100 may have a purge gas pressure safety valve 150 and / or a fuel gas pressure safety valve 128.

[0034] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more temperature-pressure relief devices 188, such as temperature-pressure relief devices (safety devices that automatically release fluid when pressure or temperature exceeds their respective safety levels, overheating and overpressure prevention safety devices, temperature-pressure relief devices, pressure control valves that release a portion of the fluid to the return side to maintain its pressure at a set value, temperature / pressure-sensitive relief devices that are sensitive to at least one of temperature and pressure, temperature-pressure-sensitive relief devices, etc.). The temperature-pressure relief device 188 may also vent an unsafe buildup of pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 when the temperature of the fuel gas storage container 166 exceeds a threshold value. For example, the fuel gas storage container 166 may be vented at temperatures of approximately 90°C, 100°C, 110°C, 120°C, or 130°C. In some other examples, the fuel gas storage container 166 may be vented at temperatures that are higher or lower than those temperatures. This type of situation may occur when the fuel gas storage container 166 is engulfed in flames or otherwise exposed to fire, which may cause the pressure of the fuel gas inside the fuel gas storage container 166 to rise to a dangerous level.

[0035] The temperature-pressure relief device 188 may be controlled by some of the devices in the pilot subsystem 182. In some specific examples, the pilot subsystem 182 may be an optional device, such as when the system (e.g., the fuel supply system 100) has a temperature-pressure relief device 188 that does not use the pilot subsystem 182. The pilot subsystem 182 may have some devices that control the pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 by causing the temperature-pressure relief device 188 to open when an unexpected rise in pressure occurs in the fuel gas storage container 166. The pilot subsystem 182 may also have a pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a and a pilot subsystem shut-off valve actuator 146b that enable the pilot subsystem 182 to be charged (charged, packed, loaded, filled, etc.) with high-pressure fuel gas. The gas flow toward the pilot subsystem 182 may be restricted by an isenthalpic throttle (a throttle that causes a flow process along a flow path where the enthalpy is constant, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow), such as a pilot gas throttle 184, which may be an orifice. The conduit may be fluidly connected to a shuttle valve 186 (such as a shuttle valve having two or more inlets and a common outlet, the outlet of which is automatically connected to any of the inlets by the action of the inlet pressure) at a location in the pilot subsystem 182 upstream of the pilot gas throttle 184, for example, via a check valve 198. The check valve 198 may have the advantage of reducing or preventing backflow through the pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a during the execution of an event such as when the fuel gas storage container 166 is vented.The pilot subsystem 182 may have a shuttle valve 186. The shuttle valve 186 and / or temperature-pressure relief device 188 may vent the gas to a pilot zone vent manifold 154c which may vent the gas to a vent mast (a passage for releasing the vented fluid into the atmosphere, such as a vent pipe) as indicated by arrow 190.

[0036] Multiple components of the fuel supply system 100 may be connected to one or more conduits suitable for containing the fuel gas and a purge gas which may be used to clear the fuel gas from the fuel supply system 100. In many specific examples, the conduits may be hollow tubes. The hollow tubes may have a rigidity comparable to that of a pipe, or they may be as flexible as a hose. The conduits may be made of any suitable material. In many embodiments, some of the conduits may be made of 300 series stainless steel (e.g., AISI 316 / 316L steel). In many embodiments, the pressure of the fuel gas may have a nominal pressure that is 250 bar, 350 bar, 500 bar, 750 bar, 900 bar, or higher. The pressure of the fuel gas may vary within a range of approximately + / - 25% of several nominal values. A typical conduit adaptively configured to accommodate higher pressures may have thicker walls and / or a smaller diameter than a conduit adaptively configured to accommodate lower pressures.

[0037] The fuel supply system 100 may be fluidly connectable to the gas source 102 by a fuel gas supply conduit 152a. In many embodiments, the fuel gas supply conduit 152a may be a flexible hose. A flexible hose may have the advantage of allowing for positional changes of the gas source 102 coupled to a transport vehicle (e.g., a tube trailer) if the fuel supply system 100 is mounted on or associated with a movable transport vehicle (e.g., the fuel supply system 100 may move up and down in water due to waves, or be located on a boat that floats up and down relative to a dock due to tides).

[0038] The fuel supply system 100 may have a fuel gas supply manifold 158 formed by one or more conduits. Similarly, the fuel supply system 100 may have a purge gas supply manifold 156 connected to both a purge gas supply source 144 and the fuel gas supply manifold 158. The purge gas supply source 144 may be associated with (for example, provided on a trailer having the fuel gas supply source 102). In some embodiments, the purge gas supply source 144 may be associated with (for example, provided on a trailer having the fuel gas supply source 102). The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more vent manifolds, such as a purge gas vent manifold 154a, a fuel gas vent manifold 154b, and / or a pilot zone vent manifold 154c. The vent manifolds 154a, 154b, and 154c may be in fluid communication with their respective vent masts, as indicated by arrows 160, 162, and 190. In some embodiments, the vent manifolds 154a, 154b, and 154c may be in fluid communication with a common vent mast (such as a single vent mast common to the vent manifolds 154a, 154b, and 154c).

[0039] The fuel supply system 100 may have one or more pressure zones, such as a high-pressure zone 170, a medium-pressure zone 168, and / or a low-pressure zone 172. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the high-pressure zone 170 includes a breakaway coupling 104, a fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106, a fuel gas supply conduit 152a, a breakaway coupling 114, a purge gas check valve 112, a fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116, a fuel gas check valve 120, and a fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122. The high-pressure zone 170 may have a filter, such as a filter 124. In some embodiments, the fuel gas may flow from a gas supply source 102, through the breakaway coupling 104, to the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106. The flow of the fuel gas may be controlled by the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106. The fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106 may be driven manually or automatically. Providing a high-pressure zone 170 (e.g., having a high pressure from the fuel gas supply source 102) and a medium-pressure zone 168 (e.g., via a fuel gas regulator (first stage)) may have some specific advantages. One that may be more efficient is transporting the fuel gas at a higher pressure than transporting it at a lower pressure. For example, when fuel gas is supplied by a tube trailer, the higher the pressure in some of its tubes, the more fuel can be contained in a given (constant) shipment (e.g., diesel for the tractor pulling the trailer) for a very small cost increment. However, higher transport pressures (e.g., the pressure acting on the fuel during transport) may not be suitable for the fuel gas storage system (i.e., they may exceed the pressure rating for the pressure vessel or conduit).Vessels with low-pressure ratings are generally less expensive than those with high-pressure ratings and may be used in fuel gas storage systems (e.g., static fuel gas storage units) where size or weight is not a critical consideration. Therefore, reducing the pressure of the fuel gas at a location between the high-pressure and medium-pressure zones may allow for the use of systems that enable efficient delivery at high pressure (fuel gas distribution, supply, delivery, release, etc.) at a lower cost while also providing storage at lower pressures.

[0040] When the gas source 102 is connected to the breakaway coupling 104 and the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106 is open, fuel gas flows from the gas source 102 to the fuel supply system 100 via the fuel gas supply conduit 152a. The fuel gas supply conduit 152a may be connected to the fuel supply system 100 via the breakaway coupling 114. The fuel gas may also flow towards the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 via the fuel gas check valve 120. The advantage of placing the fuel gas check valve 120 upstream of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may be seen in the event of a sudden or unplanned loss or disconnection of the fuel gas supply conduit 152a, thereby preventing the fuel gas from being discharged from the fuel supply system 100 and flowing back into the atmosphere. In general, it is desirable to contain the fuel gas within a suitable system because, if it leaks, it can ignite or explode. The fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116 may be positioned at any suitable location within the fuel gas supply manifold 158 so that it can detect the pressure in the high-pressure zone 170. The fuel gas supply manifold 158 may have conduits that fluidly connect the high-pressure zone 170 to the purge gas supply manifold 156 so that a purge gas is used in accordance with the methods disclosed herein to purge (remove, expel, etc.) the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold 158.

[0041] The high-pressure zone 170 may be connected to the intermediate-pressure zone 168 at the location of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122. The fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may reduce the pressure of the fuel gas at a position between the high-pressure zone 170 and the intermediate-pressure zone 168. For example, the gas supply source 102 may supply the fuel gas at a pressure of, for example, 500 bar. The fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may reduce the pressure of the fuel gas supplied by the gas supply source 102 from 500 bar to a lower pressure, for example, 100 bar, 200 bar, 350 bar, 400 bar, or similar. In some cases, the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may reduce the fuel pressure to a pressure suitable for a solid storage system such as a metal hydride. For example, the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may reduce the pressure to about 10–40 bar.

[0042] Fuel gas may flow from the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 into the intermediate pressure zone 168. The fuel gas may also flow from the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 to the filter 124 to capture or separate particulate matter or liquid. The fuel gas may then flow from the filter 124 to the fuel gas shut-off valve 130 and then to the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a. The fuel gas shut-off valve 130 may be used to manually shut off the fuel flow. In some embodiments, either valve 130 or 132a may be optional. For example, the system may have a manual shuttle valve 130 but not an actuated valve 132a, or vice versa. A fuel gas shut-off valve 132a may be opened or closed by a fuel gas shut-off valve actuator 132b, respectively, to allow or stop the flow of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold 158. A fuel gas first-stage pressure transmitter 136 may be positioned at any suitable location in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 so as to be able to detect the pressure in the intermediate-pressure zone 168. A block valve 138a may be provided to isolate the fuel gas first-stage pressure transmitter 136 from the intermediate-pressure zone 168, for purposes such as maintenance. The fuel gas may flow from the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a to a fuel gas check valve 134. The fuel gas check valve 134 may prevent the backflow of the fuel gas into some portion of the intermediate-pressure zone 168 upstream of the fuel gas check valve 134. The intermediate pressure zone 168 may have a branch (branch passage) that selectively communicates fluidly with the vent manifold 154a, for example, via a valve 189a. The branch may be located downstream of the check valve 134 or at any other suitable location on the fuel gas manifold 158.The valve 189a may be selectively actuated by the actuator 189b (for example, it may be able to be opened or closed). The branch may be used to vent and / or deactivate several other parts of the fuel gas storage container 166 and / or the fuel supply system 100.

[0043] The fuel gas supply manifold 158 may have or be connected to a branch (branch pipe, branch passage, collection of multiple branch passages, etc.) or T-joint (tee, T-junction pipe, T-shaped fitting, fitting with branch passage, fitting with leg, T-shaped passage, etc.) 194 within the intermediate pressure zone 168. The T-joint 194 may be in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold 158 by connection to a flexible hose. One leg (leg, foot, branch passage, etc.) of the branch may flow into the low pressure zone 172 via a fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140. A shuttle valve 197 may be provided upstream of the regulator 140. The shuttle valve 197 may offer the advantage of providing a positive shutoff (a reliable shutoff that ensures no stagnation or return) of the fuel gas to the regulator 140. The low-pressure zone 172 is in fluid communication with one or more fuel-consuming devices, such as one or more fuel cells, engines, or similar devices, as indicated by arrow 164, and fuel may be supplied to them. Similar to the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122, the fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140 may be a forward pressure regulator that reduces the pressure from the intermediate-pressure zone 168 to the lower pressure used in the low-pressure zone 172. For example, the fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140 may reduce the pressure of the fuel gas from 350 bar to a pressure suitable for an end-use device such as a fuel cell. For example, the fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140 may reduce the pressure of the fuel gas to 10 bar.In some examples, the fuel gas regulator (second stage) 140 may reduce the pressure of the fuel gas from the pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166, for example, about 900 bar, to a pressure suitable for supplying fuel to the transport, for example, about 500 bar, about 625 bar, about 700 bar, and / or about 875 bar. The other branch (another branch passage, another leg, another branch passage extending from the T-joint 194, etc.) may be a storage container supply branch (branch, branch passage, leg, etc.) 187 that supplies the fuel gas to the pilot subsystem 182 and / or one or more fuel gas storage containers 166, for example, via a fuel gas storage isolation valve 180a. The fuel gas may be supplied from the storage container supply branch 187 to the pilot subsystem 182 by a branch (branch, branch passage, leg, etc.) 193 that is in fluid communication with the branch 187 and the pilot subsystem 182. In some specific examples, the fuel supply system 100 may optionally have a pilot supply branch (branch, branch passage, leg, etc.) 191 separate from the storage container supply branch 187 (separate from, independent of, etc.) to supply the fuel gas to the pilot subsystem 182. The pilot supply branch 191 may be selectively closed by a shut-off valve 192. In the example shown in Figure 1, the pilot supply branch 191 extends from the portion of the fuel gas supply manifold 158 between the fuel gas pressure safety valve 128 and the shut-off valve 130. In some other specific examples, the pilot supply branch may extend from any suitable location in the fuel gas supply manifold 158.Providing a separate pilot supply branch 191 may have the advantage of allowing the pilot subsystem 182 to be filled without using the storage container supply branch 187, for example, for the purpose of filling the pilot subsystem 182 to a higher pressure than that of the fuel gas storage container 166. In some examples, the fuel gas storage container 166 may have a check valve that allows fuel gas to flow into the vessel (pressure vessel 166, fuel gas storage container 166, etc.) when the manifold pressure (the pressure of the fuel gas supply manifold 158, etc.) becomes higher than the tank pressure (the pressure of the fuel gas storage container 166, etc.).

[0044] Fuel gas may flow through the pilot subsystem shutoff valve 146a when the pilot subsystem shutoff valve 146a is open, for example, by the pilot subsystem shutoff valve actuator 146b. The pilot subsystem 182 may maintain the pressure of the fuel gas (such as the pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container 166) and keep the shutoff valve 186 closed. If an excessive temperature is detected by the temperature-pressure relief device 188 (for example, if a fire is detected), the temperature-pressure relief device 188 may vent the fuel gas in the pilot subsystem 182 to reduce its pressure, for example, via the pilot zone vent manifold 154c. When the pressure in the pilot subsystem 182 decreases, the shuttle valve 186 may open to vent the fuel gas from the fuel gas storage container 166. The flow rate (e.g., volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate) of the fuel gas passing through the shuttle valve 186 and / or the temperature-pressure relief device 188 may be greater than the flow passing through the pilot gas throttle 184 so that the pressure in the pilot zone may be maintained and the fuel gas storage container 166 may be vented during a fire.

[0045] The fuel supply system 100 may have an additive supply container 195. The additive may be a solid, liquid, or gas and may be added to the fuel gas or the purge gas to introduce novel or improved properties to the respective gas streams. In one example, the additive may be an ordorant, and the additive supply container may be used as an ordorant supply container 195. The ordorant supply container 195 may be selectively fluidically connected to the fuel gas manifold 158, for example, via a control valve 196. Many fuel gases are doped with an ordorant that has a characteristic putrid odor (e.g., methyl mercaptan). This type of dopant may draw the attention of nearby users to a leak of the fuel gas. Some fuel gases, such as hydrogen, may be delivered without the use of such ordorants. For example, fuel cell systems that convert hydrogen into electricity may be damaged by elements such as sulfur present in methyl mercaptan, even at low concentrations. A possible advantage is the addition of a harmless odorant to the fuel gas. Some examples of odorants suitable for use in fuel cell systems include ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, acrylic acid esters, acetophenone, propionaldehyde, n-butyraldehyde, or mixtures thereof.

[0046] The odorant supply container 195 may supply the odorant to the fuel gas using the wick from which the odorant enters and evaporates into the fuel gas. The odorant supply container 195 may supply the odorant to the fuel gas using a drip system in which the odorant is supplied to the combustion gas at a predetermined rate of drops of a liquid. The odorant supply container 195 may supply the odorant to the fuel gas using an injection system in which the odorant is compressed and released through a valve (for example, via a control valve 196).

[0047] In some specific examples, the fuel system (the fuel supply system mentioned above) 100 may be portable by packing multiple components of the system into a certain enclosure. In one specific example of a portable system 100, the system includes a fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106, a fuel gas supply conduit 152a, a breakaway coupling 114, a fuel gas supply manifold 158, a fuel gas check valve 120, a fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122, a fuel gas pressure safety valve 128, a shut-off valve 130, a fuel gas shut-off valve 132a, a fuel gas check valve 134, a block valve 138a, and a block valve actuator 13 8b, a purge gas forward pressure regulator 142, a purge gas shut-off valve 148a, an actuator 148b, a purge gas pressure safety valve 150, a purge gas vent valve 108a, a purge gas supply valve 110a, a pressure transmitter 118, a fuel gas vent valve 126a, a shut-off valve 197, a T-pipe 194, and optionally a regulator 140 and / or a fuel gas storage shut-off valve 180a and actuator 180b through which the fuel gas flows.

[0048] Figures 3-8 illustrate several methods for operating a fuel supply system, such as fuel supply system 100. Figure 3 shows an example of setup method 300 for preparing fuel supply system 100 to receive fuel gas. Figure 4 shows an example of inerting / purifying method 400 for purging air and / or fuel gas remnants from fuel supply system 100 prior to filling. Figure 5 shows an example of leak check method 500 for verifying the integrity of fuel supply system 100. Figure 6 shows an example of pilot subsystem charging method 600 for charging pilot subsystem 182. Figure 7 shows an example of a fill method 700 for filling one or more fuel gas storage containers 166 of the fuel supply system 100 with fuel gas. Figure 8 shows an example of a post-fill deactivation method 800 for purging residual fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold 158 of the fuel supply system 100. Some of the operations of the methods described in this document may be performed in a different order than those illustrated, and in some cases, some operations may be performed substantially simultaneously. In some embodiments, some of the operations may be optional or omitted.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the setup method 300 may be initiated in process 302, and electrical power (electricity, etc.) is supplied to the fuel supply system 100. The power may be supplied by any suitable power source, for example, a fuel cell, generator, battery, engine or other power source, all of which are installed on a transport vehicle. If the fuel supply system 100 is associated with a boat, shore power (electricity from a land-based power source) may be supplied. Power, electricity, etc. may be supplied automatically by a processing element, for example, a PLC, via a relay or other power control device.

[0050] Setup method 300 proceeds to process 304, and the fuel gas supply source is connected to the fuel supply system 100. The fuel gas supply conduit 152a may connect the fuel gas supply source 102 and the fuel supply system 100.

[0051] Setup method 300 proceeds to process 306, and the configuration of the aforementioned multiple valves in the fuel supply system 100 may be verified. For example, any of the aforementioned multiple sensors (such as the aforementioned transmitters) in the fuel supply system 100 may be selectively fluidically shut off from the fuel supply system 100. For example, a block valve 138a may be located between the fuel gas first stage pressure transmitter 136 and the fuel gas supply manifold 158. This block valve 138a may have an actuator, for example, a block valve actuator 138b that acts to open and close the block valve 138a. The position of the fuel gas storage shut-off valve 180a may be verified as open, for example, by using a position indicator associated with the fuel gas storage shut-off valve actuator 180b. The position of pilot zone vent valves (such as shuttle valve 186) and / or defueling valves associated with fuel gas storage container 166 may be verified as closed, for example, by position indicators.

[0052] Setup method 300 proceeds to process 308, and purge gas is supplied to the purge gas supply manifold 156. For example, a shut-off valve on the purge gas source, e.g., purge gas supply source 144, may be opened. The downstream pressure of the purge gas forward pressure regulator 142 may be adjusted to about 5–about 15 bar. The purge gas may be any suitable gas capable of displacing air, oxygen, and / or fuel gas from the fuel supply system 100. In many embodiments, the purge gas may be nitrogen, but other suitable non-flammable and / or non-oxidizing gases, e.g., argon, xenon, krypton, carbon dioxide, or similar may be used.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a suitable deactivation / purifying method 400 for removing air, purge gas, and / or fuel gas from the fuel supply system 100. This deactivation / purifying method 400 may also be suitable for deactivating or purifying the fuel supply system 100 before filling the fuel supply system 100 in a fill method 700 (pre-fill). Deactivating the fuel supply system 100 prior to supplying fuel gas is important from a safety standpoint. If a portion of the fuel supply system 100 has air that has entered the fuel supply system 100, adding fuel gas without first deactivating the fuel supply system 100 may cause the formation of a flammable mixture of fuel and air. It may be advantageous to remove the air from the fuel supply system 100 to prevent contamination of the fuel gas. Purifying the fuel supply system 100 may have the advantage of removing contaminants, such as the purge gas, for example, when the requirements for the purity of the system are stringent (e.g., 99.99% purity). In some examples, this method 400 may be used to deactivate / purify the fuel gas supply manifold 158. In some examples, this method 400 may be used to deactivate / purify the fuel gas storage container 166.

[0054] Method 400 may proceed to process 402, in which gas (a gas, purge gas and / or fuel gas) is supplied to the fuel supply system 100. Method 400 may be used as an inactivation method performed by supplying purge gas. Method 400 may be used as a purification method performed by supplying fuel gas. When used as an inactivation method, Method 400 may be started in process 402, in which the purge gas supply valve 110a and the purge gas shut-off valve 148a are opened by the corresponding purge gas supply actuator 110b and the purge gas shut-off valve actuator 148b, respectively, and they are controlled by a controller 200. The controller 200 may monitor the pressure of the purge gas in the purge gas supply manifold 156 and / or the fuel gas supply manifold 158. When used as a high-purity method, process 402 may proceed to open the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106 to supply fuel gas to the fuel supply system 100. The controller 200 monitors the pressure reported by the fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116. The method may pause without proceeding to other processes until the gas pressure stabilizes. Pressure stability may be measured by the rate of change of the pressure over time (rate, rate of change, gradient, amount of change, percentage of change, etc.). For example, when the amount of change of the pressure is less than about 50-100 millibars per minute. The controller 200 may record the pressure value when the system stabilizes in a memory component 206, for example, for subsequent use during the execution of this method.

[0055] The deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 404, and the controller 200 maintains the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 for a predetermined time. In many embodiments, the pressure may be maintained for about 10 seconds, but it may also be maintained for a shorter time (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds or similar) or a longer time (e.g., 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or longer).

[0056] The deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 406, and the controller 200 monitors the pressure within the fuel supply system 100 while the pressure within the fuel supply system 100 is maintained as in process 404. When the pressure falls below a threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 408, issuing an alarm and / or taking other appropriate action. This process 408 will be described in detail later. The threshold may be measured as a change (a difference) relative to the pressure recorded in the memory component 206 in process 402. For example, when the pressure falls by more than approximately 350 millibars from the aforementioned stable pressure (the maintained pressure), the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 408. Several other appropriate pressure drops, such as approximately 30 millibars, 70 millibars, 700 millibars, 1.5 bar, 3.4 bar, 7 bar, or higher, may be measured, resulting in an alarm being triggered by process 408. In some embodiments, the pressure drop may be measured as a percentage of the pressure measured in process 402. For example, an alarm may be triggered if the pressure drops by approximately 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, or more than the pressure measured in process 402. In some embodiments, the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 408 when the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 drops to below a certain absolute value, for example, within a range of approximately 1 bar to approximately 10 bar. For example, the deactivation / purification method 400 may proceed to process 408 if the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 falls to less than approximately 5.5 bar. If the predetermined time elapses in process 404 and the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 does not fall below the threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 410.

[0057] In process 410, the controller 200 may vent the fuel gas supply manifold 158, the fuel gas supply source 102, and / or the fuel gas storage container 166. For example, the controller 200 may open the fuel gas vent valve 126a and / or valve 189a by the fuel gas vent valve actuator 126b. For example, valve 189a may be used to vent the fuel gas storage container 166 via the fuel storage container shut-off valve 176a. The purge gas and / or fuel gas may escape from the fuel supply system 100 through the fuel gas vent manifold 154b to the vent mast indicated by arrow 162.

[0058] Process 410 may be used independently of Method 400 for purposes such as venting the fuel gas source 102 and / or fuel gas storage container 166 in emergency situations. For example, the fuel gas source 102 may be vented by opening valve 126a. The fuel gas storage container 166 may be vented by opening valve 189a. This type of venting may be used to vent the fuel gas source 102 and / or fuel gas storage container 166 at a remote location away from each container, for example, by using a flexible hose connection (a configuration in which elements are connected using flexible hoses, a flexible hose piping system). The deactivation / purification method 400 may be used to deactivate the fuel gas source 102 and / or fuel gas storage container 166. This type of venting would be advantageous if either the fuel gas source 102 and / or the fuel gas storage container 166 were compromised.

[0059] The deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to processes 414 and 416, and the controller 200 monitors the pressure of the fuel supply system 100, for example, by a fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116 (for example, to measure the pressure in the high-pressure zone 170) and / or a fuel gas first-stage pressure transmitter 136 (for example, to measure the pressure in the intermediate-pressure zone 168). In process 416, the controller 200 compares the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 to a threshold to determine whether the fuel gas supply manifold 158 has been sufficiently vented. The controller 200 may monitor either or both of the high-pressure zone 170 and / or the intermediate-pressure zone 168. If the pressure is not below the threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 may return to process 414 and continue monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158. The threshold may be close to the ambient pressure, for example, about 30 millibars, about 70 millibars, about 700 millibars, about 1.5 bar, about 3.4 bar, or about 7 bar. Other suitable pressures lower or higher than these may be used. When the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 falls below the threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 418.

[0060] In process 418, the deactivation / purification method 400 may increment a counter (such as a counter or digitizer) by increasing the counter value by 1, increasing the counter value by a fixed amount (increment), etc. The value of the counter may be stored in the memory component 206. The counter may be an integer value representing the number of times (such as the number of cycles) that the deactivation / purification method 400 has performed processes 402-416.

[0061] The deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 420, and the deactivation / purification method 400 compares the counter to a threshold. If the counter does not exceed the threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 may return to process 402. If the counter matches or exceeds the threshold, the deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds to process 412. The counter threshold may be set or determined to ensure that the concentration of air or other contaminants (impurities, pollutants, inclusions, etc.) in the fuel supply system 100 has decreased to a satisfactory level. The cycle threshold may be based on the target purity of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container 166. For example, the threshold number may be based on the volume and pressure of the fuel gas source (the aforementioned fuel gas supply source) 102, the volume of the fuel gas storage container 166, the pressure setting of the purge gas regulator 142, and the number of purge cycles required to achieve a target purity (e.g., 9.99% or higher) within the fuel gas storage container 166.

[0062] In many embodiments, the counter threshold may be 3. Several other thresholds may be used as needed, for example, the counter threshold may be 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, or it may be the number 10. With each cycle performed, the concentration of contaminants (e.g., air) and / or residual fuel gas (e.g., hydrogen) is reduced relative to the concentration of the purge gas. In process 412, the controller 200 may shut off the purge gas supply source 144 and / or the fuel gas supply source 102. For example, the controller 200 may close the purge gas shutoff valve 148a by the purge gas shutoff valve actuator 148b, or close the fuel gas shutoff valve 106. The purge gas vent valve 108a may be opened for a short period of time (e.g., about 2 seconds) and then closed by the purge gas vent valve actuator 108b. The purge gas vent valve 108a may remain open whenever valve 110a is closed, which constitutes, for example, a block and bleed configuration (a configuration that reliably shuts off the fluid using a shut-off valve and a release valve). This type of configuration may improve the safety of the fuel supply system 100 if, while supplying high-pressure fuel gas, the check valve 112 fails and valve 110a is unable to stop backflow (e.g., the flow of gas from manifold 158 to manifold 156). The fuel gas vent valve 126a, purge gas shut-off valve 148a, purge gas vent valve 108a, and purge gas supply valve 110a may all be closed by the controller 200, each by its corresponding actuator.

[0063] In process 408, the controller 200 may close the purge gas shut-off valve 148a, or it may open the purge gas vent valve 108a and the fuel gas vent valve 126a to vent the fuel supply system 100. The controller 200 may issue an alert or alarm to notify the user that there is a leak in the fuel supply system 100. The alarm may be a visual alarm, such as an indication on the display 204, a beacon (transmitter, signal display terminal, etc.), or similar. The alarm may also be an auditory alarm, such as a bell, buzzer, or similar, in addition to or instead of the visual alarm. The alarm may also be an electronic message, such as an email, text message, or other appropriate message sent to the user via the network interface 208. The deactivation / purification method 400 proceeds from process 408 to process 412.

[0064] In some embodiments, in method 400, the manifold 158 may be connected to a vacuum source, and a substantial portion of the gas in the manifold may be removed from the manifold. In some embodiments of this kind, in process 410, a gas may be introduced into the manifold 158 (e.g., a purge gas or a fuel gas). Method 400 may be performed in a manner different from that described herein, for example, by monitoring an appropriate pressure threshold in processes 406 and 416, or by repeating the method (method 400) once or more times.

[0065] In some embodiments, the deactivation / purification method 400 may be suitable for activating a solid storage medium, such as a hydride (hydride, hydrogen compound, etc.). With respect to some hydrides, an oxide layer is formed on some of the reactants of the metal hydride during production. However, the hydride cannot be used until the oxide layer is removed. Removing the oxide layer is completed by exposing the hydride to a reducing environment, for example, by exposing the hydride to hydrogen at a pressure of about 70 bar and a temperature of about 80°C. This process is often referred to as activation. Once activated, the hydride can be used for hydrogen storage, for example, in a fuel gas storage container 166. For example, in process 402, the deactivation / purification method 400 may be used together with the aforementioned purge gas to purge air from the hydride. The deactivation / purification method 400 may be adaptively configured and used in process 403 to supply the fuel gas (i.e., hydrogen) after deactivation. In process 404, the hydrogen pressure and / or flow rate may be monitored to determine the start of hydrogen absorption in the hydride. The hydrogen pressure and / or flow rate may be adjusted based on the temperature of the hydride, for example, to prevent the temperature of the hydride from exceeding a threshold. The hydrogen pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 may be increased until the pressure stabilizes at a certain level (e.g., about 70 bar). The fuel gas storage container 166 may be vented as described above, as in processes 410, 414, 416 and 418.The fuel gas storage container 166 may be subjected to hydrogen charge cycles (repeated operations to fill the fuel gas storage container 166 with hydrogen) a certain number of times (e.g., 3, 4 or more times) until the counter threshold is exceeded in process 420.

[0066] Figure 5 shows an example of a leak check method 500 suitable for checking the fuel supply system 100 for leaks. In some embodiments, this leak check method 500 may be used instead of the deactivation / purification method 400 so that contaminants (impurities, pollutants, inclusions, etc.) are purged from the system by the leak check method 500. In some embodiments, the leak check method 500 may be omitted. It may be advantageous to perform a leak check on the fuel supply system 100 by first using the purge gas as described with respect to processes 404-408, and then again using the fuel gas as described in this leak check method 500. The fuel gas may have different leak or diffusion characteristics than the purge gas, and a leak check using the fuel gas may detect leaks that might not be detected by a leak check using the purge gas. For example, if the purge gas is nitrogen and the fuel gas is hydrogen, hydrogen may leak through fittings, seals, pipe couplings, threads, or similar components that nitrogen may not be able to penetrate. Hydrogen (H2) is a much smaller molecule than nitrogen (N2) and can escape from a containment in a manner that nitrogen may not be able to escape. Furthermore, the fuel gas may be supplied at a much higher pressure than the purge gas. For example, the purge gas may be supplied at about 5–15 bar, but it may also be supplied at a nominal pressure with an upper limit of about 700 bar. Higher-pressure gases are more likely to leak from the fuel supply system 100 than lower-pressure gases.

[0067] The leak check method 500 may be initiated in process 502, and fuel gas is supplied to the fuel supply system 100. The fuel gas may be supplied at a pressure of the gas supply source 102. For example, the fuel gas may be supplied at a pressure of 1 bar, 10 bar, 100 bar, 200 bar, 300 bar, 350 bar, 400 bar, 500 bar, 700 bar, or higher. The controller 200 may open the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106.

[0068] The leak check method 500 proceeds to processes 504 and 506. In process 504, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold 158. For example, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure reported by the fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116. The leak check method 500 proceeds to process 506, in which the controller 200 compares the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 to a threshold. If the pressure is unstable (for example, exhibiting a time rate of change higher than the threshold), the leak check method 500 may return to process 504, and the controller 200 continues to monitor the pressure in the fuel supply system 100. The stability of the pressure may be measured by the rate of change of the pressure and / or by the achievement of a certain value for absolute pressure. The controller 200 may record the pressure value when the system stabilizes in a memory component 206, for example, for subsequent use during the execution of the method. For example, if the pressure change is less than a threshold of about 1 to about 5 bar per minute, the leak check method 500 proceeds to process 508.

[0069] In process 508, the controller 200 shuts off the fuel gas supply source 102. The controller 200 may also close the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106.

[0070] The leak check method 500 then proceeds to process 510, and the controller 200 monitors the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 and maintains that pressure for a predetermined period of time. In many embodiments, the pressure may be maintained for about 10 seconds, but the pressure may be maintained for a shorter time (e.g., 1 second, 5 seconds or similar) or a longer time (e.g., 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or longer).

[0071] The leak check method 500 proceeds to process 512, and the controller 200 monitors the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 while the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 is maintained as in process 510. The controller 200 may monitor either or both of the high-pressure zone and / or the medium-pressure zone 168. If the pressure falls below a threshold, the leak check method 500 proceeds to process 514 to issue an alarm and / or take other appropriate action. This process 514 will be described in detail later. The threshold may be measured as the amount of change relative to the pressure recorded in the memory component 206 in process 506. For example, if the pressure falls below the stable pressure by an amount greater than the threshold, the leak check method 500 proceeds to process 514. Some exemplary thresholds may be similar to those described with respect to process 406, but are not repeated for brevity. In some embodiments, the leak check method 500 proceeds to process 514 if the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 falls below a certain absolute value. If the predetermined time elapses in process 510 and the pressure in the fuel supply system 100 has not yet fallen below the threshold, the leak check method 500 proceeds to the pilot subsystem charge method 600, as indicated by arrow 518. Optionally, for example, if the pilot subsystem 182 is not used, method 600 may proceed to the fill method 700.

[0072] In some embodiments, processes 510 and 512 may monitor the pressure of the fuel supply system downstream of a closed valve and determine whether the pressure rises above a threshold. This type of pressure rise may indicate leakage through the valve. For example, the fuel gas may flow into the high-pressure zone 170, be reduced to a lower pressure by, for example, a fuel gas regulator 122, and then flow into the intermediate-pressure zone 168. The flow of fuel gas may be stopped by, for example, closing the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a by an actuator 132b. The pressure downstream of the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a may be monitored by, for example, a fuel gas first-stage pressure transmitter 136. A rise in the fuel gas pressure detected by the pressure transmitter 136 when the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a is closed may indicate leakage in the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a. When this type of leakage is detected, an alarm may be issued.

[0073] Process 514 may issue an alarm, for example, as described for process 408. The characteristics of the alarm issued by process 514 may differ from those of the alarm issued by process 408. For example, the methods described above may issue several alarms together with several different error messages, visual indicators, audio indicators, or similar. After issuing an alarm in process 514, the leak check method 500 proceeds to the post-fill deactivation method 800, as indicated by arrow 516, to deactivate the fuel supply system 100 with the purge gas. Deactivating the system is advantageous because it allows for safe repair of the system 100 in the absence of fuel gas.

[0074] Figure 6 shows an example of a pilot subsystem charging method 600. As described above, the pilot subsystem 182 may also act to safely vent the fuel gas storage container 166 in the event of a fire. Venting the fuel gas from the fuel gas storage container 166 in the event of a fire may have several specific safety advantages. For example, when a fire is detected, the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container 166 may be directed away from the fuel gas storage container 166 towards a vent stack (gas release tower, ventilation pipe) or other remote location away from the site of the fire. This is generally preferable to containing the fuel gas within the fuel gas storage container 166, rather than facing the risk that if the fuel gas storage container 166 ruptures or leaks and the fuel gas escapes, the fire will damage the fuel gas storage container 166 and eventually explode.

[0075] The pilot subsystem charging method 600 may be initiated in process 602, and the controller 200 connects the pilot subsystem 182 to the fuel gas supply manifold 158. For example, the controller 200 may open the pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a by the pilot subsystem shut-off valve actuator 146b. When the pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a is open, the fuel gas may flow through the valve or may be throttled by the pilot gas throttle 184.

[0076] The pilot subsystem charging method 600 then proceeds to process 604, and the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel supply system 100. For example, the controller 200 may open the fuel gas supply shutoff valve 106, thereby allowing the fuel gas to flow from the gas supply source 102 to the fuel supply system 100. The fuel gas shutoff valve 132a, the fuel gas storage shutoff valve 180a, and the pilot subsystem shutoff valve 146a may be opened by the controller 200, thereby allowing the fuel gas to flow to the pilot subsystem 182.

[0077] The pilot subsystem charging method 600 proceeds to processes 606 and 608. In process 606, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 and / or the pilot subsystem 182. The controller 200 may monitor either or both of the high-pressure zone 170 and / or the medium-pressure zone 168. For example, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158, which is reported by the fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116, the fuel gas first-stage pressure transmitter 136 and / or the storage pressure transmitter 174. The controller 200 may monitor the pressure in the pilot subsystem 182 by the fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 118.

[0078] The pilot subsystem charging method 600 then proceeds to process 608, in which the controller 200 compares the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 with the pressure in the gas supply source 102. In process 608, the controller 200 compares the pressure in the pilot subsystem 182 with the set point (pressure setpoint) of the fuel gas regulator, first stage 122. The set point of the fuel gas regulator, first stage 122 may be set by the controller 200, for example, if the fuel gas regulator, first stage 122 is a valve that automatically controls the pressure (e.g., an I / P (current / pressure conversion type)). In some embodiments, the setpoint of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 may be a predetermined value stored in the memory component 206. If the pressure (the pressure, each pressure, etc.) is unstable in either the fuel gas supply manifold 158 and / or the pilot subsystem 182 (e.g., exhibiting a rate of change over time higher than the threshold), the pilot subsystem charging method 600 may return to process 606, and the controller 200 continues to monitor the pressures in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 and the pilot subsystem 182. Pressure stability may be measured by the rate of change over time of the pressure, the difference between the pressure of the gas source 102 and the pressure of the fuel gas supply manifold 158, the difference between the setpoint of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 and the pressure of the pilot subsystem 182, and / or the achievement of a certain value for absolute pressure.The controller 200 may record the pressure value when the system stabilizes, for example in a memory component 206, for subsequent use during the execution of this method. For example, when the difference between the pressure of the gas source 102 and the fuel gas supply manifold 158, and / or the difference between the setpoint of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122 and the pressure of the pilot subsystem 182 is less than about 1 bar, the pilot subsystem charging method 600 proceeds to process 610.

[0079] In process 610, the controller 200 shuts off the pilot subsystem 182. For example, the controller 200 may close the pilot subsystem shut-off valve 146a using the pilot subsystem shut-off valve actuator 146b.

[0080] Figure 7 shows an example of a fill method 700. This fill method 700 may be initiated in process 702, and the controller 200 receives a fill type to be performed. For example, the I / O interface 212 of the controller 200 may prompt the user to select either a final fill pressure type of fill (a method of filling so that the final fill pressure reaches a predetermined value without considering temperature) or a temperature-compensated fill (a method of filling so that the final fill pressure reaches a predetermined value considering temperature). In some examples, the user may be prompted to input information about the fuel gas source 102, such as volume, pressure, and / or type of fuel gas. In a final fill pressure type fill, a target fill pressure may be received (received by the user, input by the user, etc.) for the one or more fuel gas storage containers 166. In a temperature-compensated fill, the controller 200 may monitor the temperature of the one or more fuel gas storage containers 166, for example, by a fuel gas storage temperature transmitter 178.The system may further monitor the pressure of the pilot subsystem 182 (the pilot subsystem 182 pressure, such as the pilot pressure) (for example, by the transmitter 118), and if it (the pressure measured by the transmitter 118, such as the pilot pressure mentioned above) is lower than the target pressure (the target fill pressure mentioned above), it may lower the set point (the set point, such as the set point of the fuel gas regulator (first stage) 122, the relief pressure or upper limit pressure of the fuel gas storage container 166) to the pressure measured by the transmitter 118.

[0081] The fill method 700 then proceeds to process 704, and the controller 200 determines the fill pressure set point (the fill pressure set value, filling pressure set value, set value of the filling pressure of the fuel gas storage container 166, set pressure value at the end of filling of the fuel gas storage container 166 and at low temperatures, etc.). In the final fill pressure method fill, the fill pressure set point may be received from the I / O interface 212 (received, received from the user, input by the user, etc.) and / or retrieved from the memory component 206 (retrieved, as a recorded value of the user's input, etc.). In a temperature-compensated fill system, the fill pressure setpoint may be determined based on one or more initial pressures and / or initial temperatures within the fuel gas storage container 166 (e.g., measured by a storage pressure transmitter 174 and / or a fuel gas storage temperature transmitter 178), the pressure of the gas supply source 102 (actual pressure, etc.), and / or a desired fill pressure (the target fill pressure, appropriate fill pressure, etc.). In some specific examples, the fill pressure setpoint may be determined based on ambient temperature, for example, the ambient temperature near the pressure vessel (the fuel gas storage container 166, high-pressure vessel, etc.). In one example, the fill pressure setpoint may be determined based on an equation relating the fill pressure setpoint to the initial pressure (before beginning the filling process, before the filling process, before the filling method, before the filling process) and the initial ambient temperature (ambient temperature, ambient temperature, etc.) in the pressure vessel (fuel gas storage container 166, etc.). An example of this type of equation is shown in Equation 1 below. (1) P2 = a + b*T + c*P1 + d*T*P1 Here, P2 is the fill pressure setpoint, P1 is the initial pressure inside the pressure vessel, T is the initial ambient temperature, a, b, c, and d are multiple constants.

[0082] In one example, the aforementioned constants are a=3764.337, b=1.666, c=-0.152, and d=0.00114.

[0083] The filling method 700 then proceeds to process 706, and the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas storage container 166. For example, the controller 200 may open the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a.

[0084] The fill method 700 proceeds substantially simultaneously to processes 714 and 708, that is, processes 714 and 708 and any processes that follow them may be executed in parallel with each other, or in series and at high speed, regardless of the order.

[0085] In process 714, the controller 200 monitors the temperature inside the fuel gas storage container 166 using the fuel gas storage temperature transmitter 178. Fill method 700 proceeds to process 716, where the temperature is compared to a first threshold. In many embodiments, the first threshold may be about 75°C. Fill method 700 may proceed to process 720, where the temperature of the fuel gas storage container 166 is compared to a second threshold. In many embodiments, the second threshold may be about 85°C. Either the first or the second threshold may be based on the type of the fuel gas storage container 166 used (the type, fill method, filling method, fill pressure setpoint determination method, target fill pressure determination method, etc.). For example, some of the thresholds mentioned above, approximately 75°C and approximately 85°C, may be suitable for Type IV tanks with polymer liners, while some higher thresholds may be suitable for Type III tanks with metal liners, or Type I metal tanks that do not have composite material enclosures and generally have better heat transfer characteristics than Type III or Type IV tanks.

[0086] If the temperature exceeds the first threshold in process 716, the fill method 700 proceeds to process 718, and the controller 200 may issue an alarm as previously described with respect to process 408 and / or process 514. The fill method 700 may then return to process 714 and continue monitoring the temperature.

[0087] In process 720, if the temperature exceeds the second threshold, the fill method 700 may proceed to process 722 and terminate the fill method 700. In process 722, the controller 200 may issue an alarm as previously described with respect to processes 408, 514 and / or 718. In process 722, the controller 200 may take some additional actions, such as closing the fuel gas supply shutoff valve 106, the fuel gas shutoff valve 132a, the fuel gas storage shutoff valve 180a, and / or the fuel storage container shutoff valve 176a. The controller 200 may not re-enable the execution of the fill method 700 until the temperature returns to a level below either the first or the second threshold.

[0088] In process 708, the controller 200 monitors the pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 using a pressure transmitter, for example, a storage pressure transmitter 174. Fill method 700 then proceeds to process 710, where the controller 200 compares the pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 to the fill set point (such as the fill pressure set point) determined in process 704. When the pressure in the fuel gas storage container 166 reaches the set point (such as the fill pressure set point) within an optional reasonable deadband of approximately + / - 5%, fill method 700 proceeds to process 712 to shut off the fuel gas. When two or more fuel gas storage containers are used, each container may be equipped with a sensor (for example, a pressure sensor (such as the storage pressure transmitter 174)). In this type of embodiment, different fuel gas storage containers may be filled unevenly (for example, due to differences in initial pressure between the containers, differences in pressure loss between the conduits leading to the containers, etc.), and when any of the above fuel gas storage containers reach the set point (the set point, such as the fill pressure set point mentioned above), the filling method 700 proceeds to process 712 so that none of the storage containers exceed the set point (the set point, such as the fill pressure set point mentioned above).

[0089] In process 712, the controller 200 may close the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a, and may also close the fuel gas storage shut-off valve 180a, the fuel storage container shut-off valve 176a, and / or the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106.

[0090] Figure 8 shows a post-fill deactivation method 800 suitable for purging fuel gas from the fuel supply system 100, for example, after performing the fill method 700. This post-fill deactivation method 800 may also be suitable for deactivating the fuel supply system 100 after filling it, for example, during the performance of the fill method 700. This post-fill deactivation method 800 may be initiated in process 802, in which the gas supply source 102 is shut off from the fuel supply system 100. For example, the controller 200 may close the fuel gas shut-off valve 132a, the fuel gas storage shut-off valve 180a, the fuel storage container shut-off valve 176a and / or the fuel gas supply shut-off valve 106.

[0091] The post-fill deactivation method 800 may proceed to process 804, in which the controller 200 vents the fuel gas supply manifold (fuel gas manifold, etc.) 158. In this process 804, the controller 200 may open the fuel gas vent valve 126a by, for example, the fuel gas vent valve actuator 126b, and / or open the purge gas supply valve 110a by, for example, the actuator 110b.

[0092] The post-fill deactivation method 800 may proceed to processes 806 and 808, which may be substantially similar to processes 414 and 416 described above, and for the sake of brevity, further explanation thereof is omitted.

[0093] The post-fill deactivation method 800 then proceeds to process 810, and the purge gas is supplied to the fuel supply system 100. Process 810 may be substantially similar to the aforementioned process 402, and for brevity, further explanation thereof is omitted.

[0094] The post-fill deactivation method 800 proceeds to processes 812 and 814. In process 812, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure of the purge gas in the fuel gas supply manifold 158. For example, the controller 200 may monitor the pressure reported by the fuel gas supply pressure transmitter 116. The post-fill deactivation method 800 proceeds to process 814, where the controller 200 compares the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 to a threshold. If the pressure is unstable (e.g., exhibiting a rate of change over time exceeding the threshold), the post-fill deactivation method 800 returns to process 812, and the controller 200 continues to monitor the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158. Pressure stability may be measured by the rate of change of the pressure over time and / or the achievement of an absolute pressure value. The controller 200 may record the pressure value when the system stabilizes in a memory component 206 for subsequent use, for example, during the execution of the post-fill deactivation method 800. For example, if the pressure change is below a threshold of about 50–100 millibars per minute, the post-fill deactivation method 800 proceeds to process 816, and the fuel gas supply manifold 158 is vented.

[0095] Process 816 may be substantially similar to process 804 described above, and for the sake of brevity, further explanation of it will be omitted.

[0096] Post-fill deactivation method 800 may proceed to processes 818 and 820, which are substantially similar to processes 414 and 416 and / or processes 806 and 808 described above, and for brevity, further explanation thereof is omitted. Differences in the gas composition in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 may occur between the execution of processes 806 / 808 and processes 818 / 820. In processes 806 / 808, the fuel gas supply manifold 158 may initially contain the fuel gas at a high pressure, for example, the fill pressure setpoint determined in process 704 of method 700. In processes 818 / 820, the gas composition in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 may be a mixture of residual fuel gas and purge gas at a low pressure (e.g., 5-15 bar).

[0097] The post-fill deactivation method 800 proceeds to process 820 when the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 falls below the threshold, and the controller 200 increments the counters in processes 822 and 824. Processes 822 and 824 may be substantially similar to processes 418 and 420 described above, and for brevity, further explanation of them is omitted. The post-fill deactivation method 800 may repeatedly perform a series of processes from 810 to 824 to sufficiently purge residual fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold 158.

[0098] The post-fill deactivation method 800 proceeds to process 826 after a sufficient number of purge cycles (such as the multiple processes described above, from process 810 to process 824) have been performed to reduce the concentration of fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold 158 to below the threshold at which the fuel gas would be flammable if it were to leak into the atmosphere (i.e., below the lower flammability limit, or lower explosive limit). In this process 826, the fuel gas supply manifold 158 is vented, as previously described with respect to process 816. Venting the fuel gas manifold (the fuel gas manifold, the fuel gas supply manifold 158, etc.) has the advantage of allowing the fuel gas supply conduit 152a to be disconnected while the fuel gas is at a low pressure (preferably close to atmospheric pressure) and at a minimum concentration (preferably below the lower limit of flammability), thereby reducing the risk of fire or explosion.

[0099] The descriptions of certain specific examples included in this document are, in essence, merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed matters or the scope of their applications or uses. In the detailed descriptions of certain specific examples of the systems and methods relating to the present invention included in this document, several accompanying drawings forming part of them are referenced, which are illustrated as exemplary diagrams specific to certain examples in which the described systems and methods may be implemented. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to implement the systems and methods disclosed in this document, and it should be understood that several other examples may be used, and that structural or logical modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, for clarity, detailed descriptions of certain specific features are not discussed when it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that this does not obscure the descriptions of certain specific examples of this disclosure. Therefore, the detailed descriptions included in this document should not be taken as limiting, and the scope of this disclosure is defined solely by the attached claims.

[0100] As can be understood from the foregoing, although several specific examples of the present invention are described in this document for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0101] Some details shown in this document are provided for illustrative purposes and solely for illustrative purposes of some preferred examples of the invention described herein, and for the purpose of providing what we believe to be the most useful and readily understandable explanation of the principles and conceptual aspects of various examples of the invention. In this regard, it is not to attempt to show structural details of the invention in a degree of detail beyond what is necessary to understand the invention fundamentally, to allow the description to be interpreted in light of the drawings, and / or to show some examples in which the way in which some forms of the invention are embodied in practice will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0102] As used in this document, and unless otherwise specified to exclude them, the terms “a,” “an,” and “a number of” shall be interpreted as meaning “one,” “at least one,” or “one or more.” Unless the context requires otherwise, terms expressed as singular in this document shall imply plurality, and terms expressed as plural shall imply singularity.

[0103] Unless the context explicitly requires its exclusion, throughout the specification and claims, “comprise,” “comprising,” and similar words should be interpreted in a non-exclusive sense, not an exclusive or monopolistic sense, i.e., “including, but not limited to.” Words used with singular or plural numbers also encompass words used with plural and singular numbers, respectively. Furthermore, when used in this application, the words “this document,” “above,” and “below,” and words with similar meanings, refer to the entire application and not to any particular part thereof.

[0104] Of course, it should be understood that any of the examples, specifics, or methods described herein may be combined with one or more other examples, specifics, and / or processes, or that some of the examples, specifics, or methods described herein may be separated into parts and / or implemented in separate devices (such as whole devices or finished products) or device portions (such as partial devices or semi-finished products) in accordance with the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein.

[0105] Finally, the above discussion is intended merely to illustrate the systems described in this document, and should not be interpreted as limiting the attached claims to any particular example or to a single group of examples. Thus, while the systems disclosed in this document are described in particular detail with reference to several typical examples, it should be understood that numerous modifications and other examples may be invented by those skilled in the art, extending the systems disclosed in this document and without departing from the intended spirit and scope set forth in the subsequent claims. Accordingly, the specifications and drawings should be considered as illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the attached claims.

[0106] According to the present invention, several embodiments can be obtained as described below. (Aspect 1) A computer-implemented method performed by a computer for supplying fuel gas to a fuel supply system, wherein a processor is configured to control a plurality of valves in the fuel supply system to allow or restrict the flow of gas to perform a plurality of operations, The aforementioned multiple processes are, A pre-fill deactivation treatment for deactivating the fuel supply system before filling, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to supply purge gas to the fuel gas supply manifold by selective fluid connection, which selectively connects a purge gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold of the fuel supply system, and to selective fluid connection, which selectively connects the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold. A leak check process for performing a leak check on the fuel supply system, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to supply the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply manifold by selective fluid connection, which selectively connects the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold. A pilot subsystem charging process for charging a pilot subsystem of the fuel supply system with the fuel gas, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to selectively fluidize the fuel gas supply manifold to the pilot subsystem. A fuel supply system filling process for filling the fuel supply system with the fuel gas, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to fluidly connect the fuel gas supply manifold to one or more fuel gas storage containers, thereby causing the fuel gas to flow from the fuel gas supply source to the one or more fuel gas storage containers via the fuel supply system. A post-fill deactivation treatment for deactivating the fuel supply system after filling, wherein the processor controls the plurality of valves to perform selective fluid connections, which selectively connect the purge gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold. A method that includes this. (Aspect 2) The aforementioned pre-fill deactivation treatment is A step of monitoring the first pressure of the purge gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using a sensor electrically connected to the processor, A step of issuing an alarm in response to the first pressure of the purge gas falling below a first threshold, The fuel supply system is vented by selective fluid connection of the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold, The process involves monitoring the second pressure of the purge gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using the aforementioned sensor, The process involves the processor incrementing a counter in response to the second pressure falling below a second threshold, and A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 1, including the following: (Aspect 3) The aforementioned leakage check process is: The process involves monitoring the first pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold at a first time point using a sensor electrically connected to the processor, A step of shutting off the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold in response to the first pressure having a time rate of change below a threshold, The process involves monitoring the second pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using the aforementioned sensor at a second time point later than the first time point, A step of issuing an alarm in response to the second pressure of the fuel gas falling below a second threshold, A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 1, including the following: (Aspect 4) moreover, A computer-implemented method according to any of the preceding multiple embodiments, comprising the step of venting the fuel supply system by selective fluid connection of the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold. (Appendix 5) moreover, A computer-implemented method according to any of the preceding multiple embodiments, comprising the step of inactivating the fuel gas supply manifold in response to the second pressure of the fuel gas falling below a second threshold. (Aspect 6) The fuel supply system includes a fuel gas storage container, The aforementioned pilot subsystem is A pilot subsystem shut-off valve that is in fluid communication with the aforementioned fuel gas supply source, A shuttle valve that responds to the pressure of the fuel gas in the pilot subsystem and acts to contain the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container, A temperature-pressure relief device that, in response to the detection of a rise in the temperature of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container, acts to vent the pressure of the fuel gas in the pilot subsystem. Includes, The shuttle valve is configured to vent the fuel gas from the fuel gas storage container in response to the venting of the fuel gas pressure in the pilot subsystem, which is performed using the temperature-pressure relief device. The aforementioned pilot subsystem charge process is: The process involves the processor causing the pilot subsystem shut-off valve to open, The process involves monitoring the first pressure of the fuel gas in the pilot subsystem using a sensor that is electrically connected to the processor, In response to the first pressure having a time rate of change below a threshold, the processor performs the steps of closing the pilot subsystem shut-off valve. A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 1, including the following: (Aspect 7) The computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3 or 6, wherein the pilot subsystem further includes a pilot gas throttle that is in fluid communication with the pilot subsystem shut-off valve and capable of acting to restrict the flow of the fuel gas into the pilot subsystem. (Pattern 8) The fuel supply system includes a fuel gas storage container, The processor controls the plurality of valves to perform selective fluid connection, which selectively connects the fuel gas storage container to the fuel gas supply manifold. The aforementioned fuel supply system fill process is The aforementioned processor performs a fill pressure setpoint determination step in which it determines the fill pressure setpoint, A step of supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas storage container via the fuel gas supply manifold by selectively fluidizing the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, A step of monitoring the temperature of the fuel gas storage container using a temperature sensor that is electrically connected to the processor, A step of issuing an alarm in response to the monitoring of the temperature, A step of monitoring the pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container using a pressure sensor that is electrically connected to the processor, In response to the pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container reaching the fill pressure setpoint, the processor performs the steps of shutting off the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold. A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 1, including the following: (Aspect 9) The computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, or 8, wherein the fill pressure setpoint determination step is performed based on the initial pressure or initial temperature of the fuel gas in the fuel gas storage container, which is measured by the pressure sensor or the temperature sensor, respectively. (Aspect 10) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 9, wherein the fill pressure setpoint is determined from the initial pressure and initial ambient temperature in the fuel gas storage container. (Aspect 11) The aforementioned post-fill deactivation treatment is A step of shutting off the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold by selectively fluidizing the purge gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, A step of venting the fuel gas supply manifold by selectively fluidizing the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold, A step of monitoring the first pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using a sensor that is electrically connected to the processor, A step of supplying the purge gas to the fuel gas supply manifold in response to the first pressure of the fuel gas falling below a first pressure threshold, A step of monitoring the first pressure of the purge gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using the sensor, In response to the first pressure of the purge gas having a time rate of change below a change rate threshold, the fuel gas supply manifold is vented by selective fluid connection of the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold, The steps include monitoring the second pressure of the purge gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using the sensor, The process involves the processor incrementing a counter in response to the second pressure falling below a second pressure threshold. A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 1, including the following: (Aspect 12) The fuel gas supply manifold includes a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone, The computer-implemented method according to Embodiment 3, wherein the first pressure zone has a first pressure level that is higher than or equal to the second pressure of the second pressure zone, and one of the first zone pressure or the second zone pressure includes the pressure of the fuel gas in the first pressure zone or the second pressure zone, respectively. (Aspect 13) The aforementioned sensor is A first sensor in fluid communication with the first pressure zone, The second sensor is in fluid communication with the second pressure zone. Includes, The aforementioned leakage check process is: A step of monitoring either the first or second pressure with the first sensor, A step of monitoring either the first or second pressure with the second sensor. A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 10, which includes the following: (Aspect 14) The aforementioned sensor is A first sensor in fluid communication with the first pressure zone, The second sensor is in fluid communication with the second pressure zone. Includes, The aforementioned leakage check process is: A step of flowing the fuel gas into the first pressure zone, The process of flowing the fuel gas into the second pressure zone, A step of stopping the flow of the fuel gas to a certain portion of the second pressure zone using a fuel gas shut-off valve, A step of monitoring the third pressure of the fuel gas in the portion of the second pressure zone downstream of the fuel gas shut-off valve, A step of issuing an alarm in response to the third pressure of the fuel gas exceeding a third threshold, A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 10, which includes the following: (Aspect 15) The fuel gas supply manifold includes a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone, The first zone pressure of the fuel gas in the first pressure zone is higher than or equal to the second zone pressure of the fuel gas in the second pressure zone. The aforementioned fuel supply system fill process is A step of supplying the fuel gas to the first pressure zone at the pressure of the first zone, A step of reducing the pressure of the fuel gas in the first pressure zone from the first zone pressure to the second zone pressure, A step of supplying the fuel gas to the second pressure zone at the pressure level of the second zone, A step of supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas storage container via the second pressure zone and at the pressure level of the second zone. A computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, or 8, including the following. (Aspect 16) The fuel gas supply manifold includes a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone, The first zone pressure of the fuel gas in the first pressure zone is higher than or equal to the second zone pressure of the fuel gas in the second pressure zone. The selective fluid connection of the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold includes a selective fluid connection of the first pressure zone to the vent manifold and a selective fluid connection of the second pressure zone to the vent manifold. The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 9, wherein the post-fill deactivation treatment includes the step of venting each of the first and second pressure zones to the vent manifold by selective fluid connection of each of the first and second pressure zones to the vent manifold. (Aspect 17) The computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, 8, or 11, wherein the fuel gas is hydrogen. (Aspect 18) The computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, 8, or 11, wherein the fuel supply system includes a fuel gas storage container. (Aspect 19) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 5, wherein the fuel gas storage container is one of type I, type II, type III, type IV, or metal hydride containers. (Aspect 20) The fuel supply system is a computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, 8, or 11 associated with a transport vehicle. (Aspect 21) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 18, wherein the transport system includes a fuel cell system capable of acting to convert the fuel gas into electrical energy. (Aspect 22) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 19, wherein the fuel cell system supplies power to the propulsion system of the transport vehicle. (Aspect 23) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 18, wherein the fuel gas is supplied to the boat by a fuel gas source. (Aspect 24) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 21, wherein the fuel gas source includes a high-pressure vessel capable of acting to be selectively connected to the fuel supply system by a fuel gas supply conduit. (Aspect 25) The computer-implemented method according to embodiment 22, wherein the fuel gas supply conduit includes a flexible hose. (Aspect 26) Furthermore, the fuel supply system includes a high-purity treatment to increase its purity, The high-purity treatment is, A step of monitoring the first pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using a sensor that is electrically connected to the processor, A step of issuing an alarm in response to the first pressure of the fuel gas falling below a first threshold, A step of venting the fuel supply system by selectively fluidizing the fuel gas supply manifold to the vent manifold, The process involves monitoring the second pressure of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold using the aforementioned sensor, The process involves the processor incrementing a counter in response to the second pressure falling below a second threshold, and A computer-implemented method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, 6, 8, or 11, including the following:

[0107] (Aspect 101) A portable fuel gas system, Portable siege and, Processor and The touchscreen is electrically connected to the processor, Fuel gas supply manifold, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with a fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. Within the first pressure zone, a fuel gas shut-off valve is electrically connected to the processor and capable of operating to control the flow of fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor. Includes, The fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. The processor is configured to receive user input from the touch screen and to perform a high-purity treatment on the fuel gas supply manifold. The high-purity treatment is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves, following the supply of the first portion of the fuel gas, monitoring a first elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the first elapsed time and the pressure reaches a first threshold, The process involves closing the fuel gas shut-off valve, followed by monitoring a second elapsed time since the closing of the fuel gas shut-off valve, Based on the second elapsed time reaching a second threshold, the vent valve is opened to vent at least a portion of the first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold; The process involves, following opening the vent valve, monitoring a third elapsed time since the opening of the vent valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the vent valve based on the fact that at least one of the third elapsed time and the pressure reaches a third threshold, Includes, The processor is further configured to perform a leak check on the fuel gas supply manifold. The leak check is, The process of supplying a second portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold by opening the fuel gas shut-off valve, The process of supplying the second portion of the fuel gas, followed by monitoring a fourth elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the fourth elapsed time and the pressure reaches a fourth threshold, The process of monitoring the change in pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, Based on the change in the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold, the process involves issuing an alarm via the touch screen or supplying a third portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to a fuel gas storage container. A portable fuel gas system including [unspecified component]. (Aspect 102) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, The aforementioned fuel gas is a portable fuel gas system containing hydrogen. (Aspect 103) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, the portable fuel gas system comprising a first fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the first pressure zone. (Aspect 104) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 103, wherein the vent valve includes a second fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the second pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the second pressure zone. (Aspect 105) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, The aforementioned gas flow limiter is a portable fuel gas system including an isenthalpy throttle. (Aspect 106) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, A portable fuel gas system in which the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the fuel gas storage container and is capable of operating to supply the third portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container. (Aspect 107) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, A portable fuel gas system in which the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the pilot system and a portion of the third part of the fuel gas can be supplied to the pilot system from the fuel gas supply manifold. (Aspect 108) A computer-implemented method performed by a computer for supplying fuel gas to a fuel gas storage container using a portable fuel gas system, The aforementioned portable fuel gas system is Portable siege and, Processor and The touchscreen is electrically connected to the processor, Fuel gas supply manifold, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with a fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. A fuel gas shut-off valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is capable of operating to control the flow of fuel gas within the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor. Non-volatile computer-readable recording media and Includes, The fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. The computer-readable recording medium includes one or more instructions, and when the one or more instructions are executed by the processor, the processor performs a high-purity treatment on the fuel gas supply manifold. The high-purity treatment is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves, following the supply of the first portion of the fuel gas, monitoring a first elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the first elapsed time and the pressure reaches a first threshold, The process involves closing the fuel gas shut-off valve, followed by monitoring a second elapsed time since the closing of the fuel gas shut-off valve, Based on the second elapsed time reaching a second threshold, the vent valve is opened to vent at least a portion of the first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold; The process involves, following opening the vent valve, monitoring a third elapsed time since the opening of the vent valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the vent valve based on the fact that at least one of the third elapsed time and the pressure reaches a third threshold, Includes, The processor is further configured to perform a leak check on the fuel gas supply manifold. The leak check is, The process of supplying a second portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold by opening the fuel gas shut-off valve, The process of supplying the second portion of the fuel gas, followed by monitoring a fourth elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the fourth elapsed time and the pressure reaches a fourth threshold, The process of monitoring the change in pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, Based on the change in the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold, the process involves issuing an alarm via the touch screen or supplying a third portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container. Computer-implemented methods including (Aspect 109) A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 108, A computer-implemented method comprising a first fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the first pressure zone. (Aspect 110) A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 109, A computer-implemented method comprising a second fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the second pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the second pressure zone. (Aspect 111) A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 108, The gas flow limiter is a computer-implemented method including an isenthalpy throttle. (Aspect 112) A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 108, A computer-implemented method wherein the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the fuel gas storage container and is capable of operating to supply the third portion of the fuel gas to the fuel gas storage container. (Aspect 113) A computer-implemented method according to embodiment 108, A computer-implemented method wherein the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the pilot system and is capable of operating to supply a portion of the third part of the fuel gas to the pilot system from the fuel gas supply manifold. (Aspect 114) A portable hydrogen gas delivery system, Including a portable enclosure, The portable siege was Processor and The touchscreen is electrically connected to the processor, A fuel gas supply manifold configured to receive and supply the aforementioned hydrogen gas, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with a fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. Within the first pressure zone, a fuel gas shut-off valve is electrically connected to the processor and capable of operating to control the flow of hydrogen gas in the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor. Includes, The fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. The processor is configured to perform a high-purity treatment on the fuel gas supply manifold. The high-purity treatment is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the hydrogen gas in the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves, following the supply of the first portion of the hydrogen gas, monitoring a first elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the first elapsed time and the pressure reaches a first threshold, The process involves closing the fuel gas shut-off valve, followed by monitoring a second elapsed time since the closing of the fuel gas shut-off valve, Based on the second elapsed time reaching a second threshold, the vent valve is opened to vent at least a portion of the first portion of the hydrogen gas; The process involves, following opening the vent valve, monitoring a third elapsed time since the opening of the vent valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the vent valve based on the fact that at least one of the third elapsed time and the pressure reaches a third threshold, Includes, The processor is further configured to perform a leak check on the fuel gas supply manifold. The leak check is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a second portion of the hydrogen gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process of supplying the second portion of the hydrogen gas, followed by monitoring a fourth elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the fourth elapsed time and the pressure reaches a fourth threshold, The process of monitoring the change in pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, Based on the change in the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold, the process involves issuing an alarm via the touch screen or supplying a third portion of the hydrogen gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to a fuel gas storage container. A portable hydrogen gas delivery system including [unspecified component]. (Aspect 115) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, further comprising, Includes a mobile user device that is in a state of wireless communication with the aforementioned processor, The user input includes a portable fuel gas system, which includes a first user input received from the touch screen or a second user input received from the mobile user device via wireless communication. (Aspect 116) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, further comprising, A portable fuel gas system including a vent mast in fluid communication with the vent valve. (Aspect 117) A portable fuel gas system according to embodiment 101, further comprising, A portable fuel gas system comprising a battery, which is electrically connected to the processor and one or more of the touch screen, the fuel gas shut-off valve, the vent valve, or the pressure transmitter. (Aspect 118) A program executed by a computer to carry out the computer-implemented method described in aspect 108. (Aspect 119) A recording medium in which the program described in embodiment 118 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

Claims

1. A portable fuel gas system, Portable siege and, Processor and Fuel gas supply manifold, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. A fuel gas shut-off valve that is electrically connected to the processor and capable of operating to control the flow of fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor. Includes, The fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. The processor is configured to receive user input and perform a high-purity treatment on the fuel gas supply manifold. The high-purity treatment is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves monitoring a first elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the first elapsed time and the pressure reaches a first threshold, A step of monitoring the second elapsed time since the closure of the fuel gas shut-off valve, Based on the second elapsed time reaching a second threshold, the vent valve is opened to vent at least a portion of the first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold; The steps include monitoring a third elapsed time since the opening of the vent valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, A step of closing the vent valve based on the fact that at least one of the third elapsed time and the pressure reaches a third threshold, A portable fuel gas system including [unspecified element].

2. A portable fuel gas system, Portable siege and, Processor and Fuel gas supply manifold, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. A fuel gas shut-off valve that is electrically connected to the processor and capable of operating to control the flow of fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor. Includes, The fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. The processor is configured to receive user input and perform a leak check on the fuel gas supply manifold. The leak check is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves monitoring the elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the elapsed time and the pressure reaches a threshold, The process of monitoring the change in pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, Based on the change in the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold, the process involves issuing an alarm or supplying a second portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to a fuel gas storage container. A portable fuel gas system including [unspecified element].

3. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, The aforementioned fuel gas is a portable fuel gas system containing hydrogen.

4. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, A portable fuel gas system comprising a first fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the first pressure zone.

5. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 4, A portable fuel gas system comprising a second fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the second pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the second pressure zone.

6. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, The aforementioned gas flow limiter is a portable fuel gas system including an isenthalpy throttle.

7. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 2, A portable fuel gas system in which the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the fuel gas storage container and is capable of operating to supply the second portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container.

8. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 2, A portable fuel gas system in which the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the pilot system and is capable of operating to supply a portion of the second part of the fuel gas to the pilot system from the fuel gas supply manifold.

9. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, further comprising: This includes a mobile user device that is in a state of wireless communication with the aforementioned processor, The user input is a portable fuel gas system that includes a first user input received from the mobile user device via wireless communication.

10. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, further comprising: A portable fuel gas system including a vent mast that is in fluid communication with the vent valve.

11. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, further comprising: A portable fuel gas system including a battery that is electrically connected to the processor, the fuel gas shut-off valve, the vent valve, or the pressure transmitter.

12. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 1, The processor is configured to supply the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container by opening the fuel gas shut-off valve. A portable fuel gas system further configured such that the processor stops the supply of the fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container by closing the fuel gas shut-off valve.

13. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 12, A portable fuel gas system configured such that the processor stops supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas storage container based on values ​​obtained from the initial pressure and initial ambient temperature in the fuel gas storage container.

14. A portable fuel gas system according to claim 13, A portable fuel gas system in which the above value is determined based on the sum of a first constant, the product of a second constant and the initial ambient temperature, the product of a third constant and the initial pressure in the fuel gas storage container, and the product of a fourth constant, the initial ambient temperature and the initial pressure in the fuel gas storage container.

15. A computer-implemented method performed by a computer for supplying fuel gas to a fuel gas storage container using a portable fuel gas system, The aforementioned portable fuel gas system is Portable siege and, Processor and Fuel gas supply manifold, A gas flow limiter in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold has a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone separated from each other by the gas flow limiter. A fuel gas shut-off valve that is electrically connected to the processor and capable of operating to control the flow of fuel gas in the fuel gas supply manifold, A vent valve that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and is electrically connected to the processor, A pressure transmitter that is in fluid communication with the fuel gas supply manifold and electrically connected to the processor, wherein the fuel gas supply manifold, the gas flow limiter, the vent valve, the pressure transmitter, and the fuel gas shut-off valve are arranged within the portable enclosure. Non-volatile computer-readable recording media and Includes, The computer-readable recording medium includes one or more instructions, and when the one or more instructions are executed by the processor, the processor performs a high-purity treatment on the fuel gas supply manifold. The high-purity treatment is, The process involves opening the fuel gas shut-off valve to supply a first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply source to the fuel gas supply manifold, The process involves monitoring a first elapsed time since the opening of the fuel gas shut-off valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. A step of closing the fuel gas shut-off valve based on the fact that at least one of the first elapsed time and the pressure reaches a first threshold, A step of monitoring the second elapsed time since the closure of the fuel gas shut-off valve, Based on the second elapsed time reaching a second threshold, the vent valve is opened to vent at least a portion of the first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold; A step of monitoring a third elapsed time since the opening of the vent valve, and monitoring the pressure in the fuel gas supply manifold via the pressure transmitter, at least one of these steps. Computer-implemented methods including

16. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15, A computer-implemented method comprising a first fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the first pressure zone.

17. A computer-implemented method according to claim 16, A computer-implemented method comprising a second fuel gas vent valve configured to be in fluid communication with the second pressure zone and to selectively vent the fuel gas from the second pressure zone.

18. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15, The gas flow limiter is a computer-implemented method including an isenthalpy throttle.

19. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15, A computer-implemented method wherein the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the fuel gas storage container and is capable of operating to supply the first portion of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply manifold to the fuel gas storage container.

20. A computer-implemented method according to claim 15, A computer-implemented method wherein the second pressure zone is in fluid communication with the pilot system and is capable of operating to supply a portion of the first part of the fuel gas to the pilot system from the fuel gas supply manifold.

21. A program executed by a computer to carry out the computer-implemented method described in claim 15.

22. A recording medium in which the program described in claim 21 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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