US 12,215,829 B2
Boil-off shielded coupling for hydrogen tank filling
Sean Dimmer, Latham, NY (US); Patrick Adam, Latham, NY (US); and Ian Richardson, Latham, NY (US)
Assigned to Plug Power Inc., Slingerlands, NY (US)
Filed by Plug Power Inc., Latham, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/936,669.
Prior Publication US 2024/0110671 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. F17C 5/02 (2006.01); F16L 59/14 (2006.01); F16L 59/18 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 5/02 (2013.01) [F16L 59/141 (2013.01); F16L 59/184 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2223/0153 (2013.01); F17C 2227/04 (2013.01); F17C 2265/031 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0168 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydrogen fuel coupling system comprising:
a hydrogen fuel tank comprising:
a body with a chamber therein for storing liquid hydrogen;
a first connector in fluid communication with the chamber;
a second connector disposed around the first connector, the second connector having a boil-off inlet port for receiving gaseous hydrogen from the chamber;
a hydrogen fuel supply connector comprising:
a hydrogen fuel transfer line having a passageway therethrough and operably connectable to a liquid hydrogen supply;
a third connector for operably sealably connecting the hydrogen fuel transfer line to the first connector of the hydrogen fuel tank for supplying liquid hydrogen, via the passageway, to the chamber in the hydrogen fuel tank;
a shroud extending around the third connector and the hydrogen fuel transfer line defining a gap therebetween, the shroud having a first end and a second end, the second end operably sealably engageable with the hydrogen fuel transfer line;
a fourth connector for operably sealably connecting a first end of the shroud to the second connector of the hydrogen fuel tank; and
a boil-off vent connected to the shroud for venting gas from the gap.