Staged Gas Compressor Array for Residential Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for compressing and storing gaseous fuels like natural gas and hydrogen for vehicles are costly and complex, requiring high-pressure systems that are not practical for residential refueling and result in limited vehicle range due to weight and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system using an array of staged tanks with increasing pressure set points and a single compressor to incrementally compress and store gas, allowing for efficient refueling from a residential gas supply system, reducing the need for complex and expensive equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional high-pressure compression systems are used to store gaseous fuel at 2000-3000 psig, then on-board storage capacity is increased, but refueling apparatus becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the compression process into multiple stages using an array of storage tanks at different pressure levels (first stage tanks at lower pressure, second stage tanks at higher pressure). This segmentation allows a single compressor to incrementally compress gas through multiple tanks rather than requiring one complex high-pressure compressor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate storage tanks at various pressure levels as mediators between the single compressor and the final high-pressure storage requirement. These intermediate tanks act as stepping stones, allowing the compressor to build pressure incrementally and transfer gas through multiple stages, simplifying the overall refueling apparatus.
2Duration of action of moving object
If gaseous fuel is stored at very high pressures (2000-3000 psig) to increase on-board storage capacity, then vehicle range is extended, but the system requires complex and expensive refueling equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling equipment is segmented into multiple low-pressure-stage tanks rather than one high-pressure system. Each tank handles a portion of the pressure range, allowing the use of a simpler single-stage compressor instead of complex multi-stage compression equipment, thereby extending vehicle range without requiring complex refueling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter distribution across multiple tanks rather than concentrating all pressure in a single tank. By distributing pressure levels across first stage and second stage tanks, the system achieves high final storage pressure while using equipment operating at lower, simpler pressure levels throughout the refueling process.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single compressor is used with an array of staged tanks, then refueling from residential gas supply becomes practical, but the system requires multiple storage tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The single compressor is designed to serve multiple functions by connecting to an array of tanks at different pressure levels. It can compress gas into first stage tanks, then later compress gas from those tanks into second stage tanks, and ultimately deliver to vehicle storage. This multi-functionality allows residential gas supply refueling with practical, standardized equipment despite having multiple tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures which tanks are in use at different times during the refueling process. Tanks are filled in sequence based on pressure levels and compressor capacity, allowing the system to adapt to varying refueling requirements while using a fixed array of tanks. This dynamic operation makes the multi-tank system practical and flexible.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables cost-effective, compact, and modular refueling of vehicles, increasing the practical storage capacity of gaseous fuels and extending vehicle range without the need for expensive high-pressure equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor incrementally compressing the gas from the gas supply system through a plurality of storage tanks having increasingly higher pressure set points
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for compressing gases and supplying compressed gaseous fuel to a consuming device, such as a gaseous fueled vehicle or the like. One embodiment includes a gas compressor for compressing the gaseous fuel to an array of tanks having predetermined initial set points which are increasing for tanks in the array. One embodiment provides a selecting valve having first and second families of ports wherein the valve can be operated to select a plurality of ports from the first family to be fluidly connected with a plurality of ports with the second family, and such fluid connections can be changed by operation of the valve.