Modular Portable CNG Fueling Station with Pre-Wired Skids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations require permanent, custom installations with extensive underground wiring, making them impractical for portable or temporary use.

Innovation Solution

A modular, portable CNG fueling station design featuring a compressor module, control module, interface module, and fueling station module, with preinstalled electrical conduits and valving, allowing for above-ground installation and easy transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional CNG fueling stations use separate on-site installation with custom underground wiring, then the station can provide stable power supply to compressors and control systems, but the installation complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the compressor, control systems, electrical wiring, and gas piping into a single integrated container module. This merging eliminates the need for separate on-site installation of multiple components and their interconnections, directly reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliable power supply through pre-integrated electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is pre-wired with all necessary electrical conduits, control wiring, and gas piping before deployment. This preliminary action of preparing the infrastructure in advance transforms the complex on-site installation process into a simple plug-and-play setup, reducing installation time and complexity while ensuring reliable connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional CNG fueling stations require extensive underground wiring and custom installation, then the station can provide dedicated power to each compressor and control device, but the installation cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates all control devices, compressors, electrical wiring, and gas piping into a single containerized module. This merging maintains dedicated power supply to each component through pre-installed wiring while dramatically reducing installation time from weeks to hours of simple container deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

All electrical wiring, control systems, and gas piping are pre-installed and tested within the container before deployment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming on-site wiring and installation processes while ensuring reliable device operation through factory-tested connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional CNG fueling stations are built as permanent installations, then the station can provide stable operation and easy maintenance access, but the portability and flexibility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestation operation stabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static permanent installation into a dynamic, movable container that can be deployed and relocated as needed. The containerized design maintains stable operation through integrated systems while providing adaptability for temporary or mobile fueling locations, enabling the station to adapt to different site requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If conventional CNG fueling stations use separate on-site installation with multiple electrical conduits per compressor, then the station can provide dedicated control and power to each compressor, but the wiring complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor control reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines all compressor units, control systems, and electrical wiring into a single integrated container. This merging maintains dedicated control and power to each compressor through pre-installed internal wiring while eliminating the need for complex on-site conduit installation, significantly improving installation ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250035265A1Modular and portable compressed natural gas fueling station

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 OPAL FUELS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for a modular compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station. The modular CNG fueling station modules include a control station skid, an interface module, and a compressor skid. The compressor skid includes a fueling station for fueling a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle. Each of the modules of the modular CNG fueling station are configured as fully wired “plug and play” station modules. The control station module, the interface module, and the compressor module are each pre-plumbed with electrical connections to allow the CFS station to be portable and easily installed above-ground at a utility site.