US 12,351,337 B2
Sub-coolers for refueling onboard cryogenic fuel tanks and methods for operating the same
Constantinos Minas, Niskayuna, NY (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Evendale, OH (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Nov. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/531,263.
Prior Publication US 2023/0159185 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. B64F 1/28 (2006.01); B64D 37/30 (2006.01); F17C 7/04 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 1/28 (2013.01) [F17C 7/04 (2013.01); B64D 37/30 (2013.01); F17C 2223/0161 (2013.01); F17C 2250/0631 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a first valve configured to separate a cryogenic fuel into a primary flowline and an auxiliary flowline, wherein the cryogenic fuel in the primary flowline has a first temperature, and wherein the cryogenic fuel in the auxiliary flowline has a second temperature;
a second valve configured to reduce the second temperature of the cryogenic fuel in the auxiliary flowline by reducing a saturated pressure in the auxiliary flowline;
a cryogenic heat exchanger to reduce the first temperature of the cryogenic fuel in the primary flowline by transferring heat from the primary flowline to the auxiliary flowline;
a temperature sensor to measure a measured temperature of the cryogenic fuel in the primary flowline downstream of the cryogenic heat exchanger;
a supply tank upstream of the first valve, the supply tank including a submerged transfer pump to increase a vapor pressure of the cryogenic fuel exiting the supply tank;
a fuel tank downstream of the cryogenic heat exchanger, the fuel tank storing the cryogenic fuel at a higher density than the supply tank; and
a controller to:
control at least one of a first position of the first valve or a second position of the second valve including to regulate the first temperature;
determine a density of the cryogenic fuel based on the first temperature; and
determine a mass of the cryogenic fuel flowing from the cryogenic heat exchanger based on the density, a volumetric flow rate of the cryogenic fuel, and a duration of flow of the cryogenic fuel.