IP Library Granted Patent US 10,018,304
Granted Patent B2
US 10,018,304 · App. 15/709,084 · Granted Jul 10, 2018

CNG fueling system

Inventor: Richard Allan Poorman (Diana, TX)
F17C5/06F17C2205/0338F17C2221/033F17C2227/0327F17C2260/02F17C2270/0168
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,018,304
App. No.
15/709,084
Granted
Jul 10, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system has a single compressor comprising a first compression stage and a subsequent compression stage, wherein the first compression stage feeds the subsequent compression stage when filling a storage tank, the storage tank is configured to receive CNG from at least one of the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage of the compressor when filling the storage tank, a CNG feedback to the subsequent compression stage of the compressor from the storage tank, the CNG being introduced back into the compressor at a location downstream relative to an output of the first compression stage, and a first heat exchanger associated with the CNG feedback.

Claims (30)

1. A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system, comprising:

a single compressor comprising a first compression stage and a subsequent compression stage, wherein the first compression stage feeds the subsequent compression stage when filling a storage tank;

the storage tank being configured to receive CNG from at least one of the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage of the compressor when filling the storage tank;

a CNG feedback to the subsequent compression stage of the compressor from the storage tank, the CNG being introduced back into the compressor at a location downstream relative to an output of the first compression stage; and

a first heat exchanger associated with the CNG feedback.

2. The CNG fueling system of claim 1 , wherein the first heat exchanger receives heated CNG from the compressor.

3. The CNG fueling system of claim 2 , further comprising:

a feedback regulator valve disposed between the first heat exchanger and the compressor.

4. The CNG fueling system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second heat exchanger associated with the CNG feedback.

5. The CNG fueling system of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger receive heated CNG from the compressor.

6. The CNG fueling system of claim 4 , wherein each of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger received heated CNG from the compressor.

7. The CNG fueling system of claim 4 , further comprising a feedback regulator valve disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

8. A method of operating a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling system, comprising:

providing a single compressor comprising a first compression stage and a subsequent compression stage, wherein the first compression stage feeds the subsequent compression stage when filling a storage tank;

compressing CNG using at least one of the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage when filling the storage tank;

storing CNG compressed by the at least one of the first compression stage and the subsequent compression stage of the compressor in the storage tank;

further compressing the stored CNG using the compressor by feeding the stored CNG back to the subsequent compression stage of the compressor that compressed the CNG prior to storing the CNG in the storage tank, the CNG being introduced back into the compressor at a location downstream relative to an output of the first compression stage; and

providing a first heat exchanger and heating the CNG from the storage tank prior to feeding the CNG back to the subsequent compression stage.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first heat exchanger uses heat from the compressor to heat the CNG from the storage tank.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

providing a feedback regulator valve between the first heat exchanger and the compressor.

11. The method of claim 10 , operating the feedback regulator valve to output CNG at a pressure lower than a storage tank pressure.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

providing a second heat exchanger between the compressor and the first heat exchanger.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

providing a feedback regulator valve between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first heat exchanger receives heated CNG from an output of the first compression stage.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

providing a cool CNG bypass connected between the storage tank and the first heat exchanger and connected between the compressor and the second heat exchanger.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RECORDED AT RF 060842/0429 Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: TEXAS CAPITAL BANK
To: J-W POWER COMPANY
Reel/Frame 074331/0174 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: J-W POWER COMPANY
Reel/Frame 061268/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2022
From: J-W POWER COMPANY
To: TEXAS CAPITAL BANK
Reel/Frame 060842/0429 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: J-W POWER COMPANY
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 045993/0183 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 13756092 · Jan 31, 2013
Provisional Application 61593134 · Jan 31, 2012
Related Publication 20180003344A1 · Jan 4, 2018