Method and apparatus for accurately measuring volume of gas flowing as a result of differential pressure
A method is described of accurately measuring volume and terminating transient flow of compressed natural gas flowing turbulently as a gas through a conduit including an orifice plate to fill a vehicle fuel tank as a result of differential pressure of the gas within the conduit across the orifice plate. The compressed natural gas transiently flows very rapidly at the start of a filling operation and slows down as the fuel tank approaches full. The method comprises: determining flow of the gas through the conduit at repeating short time intervals from the start of flow through measurement of differential pressure across the orifice plate; and terminating flow of the gas through the conduit when the differential pressure is a preselected value equal to substantially 1-2 inches of water pressure. The gas volume is referenced to a predetermined temperature and pressure. An apparatus is described for accurately measuring volume and terminating transient flow of compressed natural gas flowing turbulently as a gas through a conduit to fill a vehicle fuel tank as a result of differential pressure of the gas within the conduit comprising means including at least one storage tank providing a supply of compressed natural gas.
- Assignee:
- Northern Indiana Public Service Co., Hammond, IN
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4646940
- OSTI ID:
- 6985337
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 16 May 1984
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Performance, Fuel Economy, and Economic Assessment of a Combustion Concept Employing In-Cylinder Gasoline/Natural Gas Blending for Light-Duty Vehicle Applications
Empty-full indicator for solids tanks and blenders
Related Subjects
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COMPRESSED GASES
FLOWMETERS
METERING
NATURAL GAS
VEHICLES
FUEL GAGES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GAS METERS
TANKS
ACCURACY
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
GAS FLOW
PRESSURE EFFECTS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TIME DEPENDENCE
TURBULENT FLOW
CONTAINERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
032000* - Natural Gas- Transport
Handling
& Storage
330800 - Emission Control- Alternative Fuels
320203 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Transportation- Land & Roadway