| CPC F17C 6/00 (2013.01) [F17C 13/04 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0323 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0338 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0355 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2227/0135 (2013.01); F17C 2250/032 (2013.01); F17C 2250/043 (2013.01); F17C 2250/0439 (2013.01); F17C 2250/0443 (2013.01); F17C 2250/0636 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0189 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. An apparatus to refuel a vessel with cryo-compressed hydrogen, the apparatus comprising:
a mixing tank structured to include the cryo-compressed hydrogen, the mixing tank coupled to the vessel, a cryo-compressed hydrogen source, and a supercritical hydrogen source;
a first valve coupled to the mixing tank and the vessel, the first valve positioned downstream of the vessel and upstream of the mixing tank;
a second valve coupled to the mixing tank and the vessel, the second valve positioned downstream of the mixing tank and upstream of the vessel;
a third valve coupled to the mixing tank and the supercritical hydrogen source; and
a refueler controller configured to:
open the first valve to defuel the vessel prior to a refuel process based on a pressure of the vessel;
cause the mixing tank to fill with at least the cryo-compressed hydrogen based on the pressure of the vessel and a pressure of the mixing tank;
open the second valve to initiate the refuel process of the vessel;
cause the third valve to increase or decrease a flow of supercritical hydrogen from the supercritical hydrogen source to the mixing tank to adjust a temperature of the mixing tank in response to a temperature of the vessel not satisfying a target temperature of the vessel during the refuel process; and
close the second valve to end the refuel process in response to the pressure of the vessel satisfying a target pressure of the vessel.
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