US 11,732,843 B2
On-tank regulator for high-pressure tank
David T. Montgomery, Edelstein, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/379,935.
Prior Publication US 2023/0014654 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. F17C 7/00 (2006.01); F17C 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 1/00 (2013.01) [F17C 7/00 (2013.01); F17C 2203/0619 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0338 (2013.01); F17C 2221/012 (2013.01); F17C 2265/066 (2013.01); F17C 2270/0184 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compressed fluid storage assembly, comprising:
a storage tank having a tank wall, the tank wall including an inner layer defining an interior space, the interior space being configured to store a compressed fluid at a first pressure;
a pressure regulator connected to the storage tank, wherein the pressure regulator comprises:
an input line extending through the tank wall, the input line fluidly connected to the interior space via a first opening in the inner layer,
an internal seal sealing an outer surface of the input line to the inner layer, and
a pressure reducing component comprising a throttling valve and fluidly connected to the input line;
a low-pressure coupling fluidly connected to the pressure regulator, pressure reducing component being configured to receive the compressed fluid, at the first pressure, via the input line, and to direct the compressed fluid to the low-pressure coupling at a second pressure less than the first pressure, the low-pressure coupling being configured to form a releasable fluid connection with an external system, and to direct the compressed fluid, at the second pressure, to the external system via the releasable fluid connection; and
a fill coupling fluidly connected to the interior space, the fill coupling being configured to receive the compressed fluid, at the first pressure, and to direct the compressed fluid to the interior space.