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  Intelligent network of hydrogen supply modulesUSPTO Application #: 20060293862Title: Intelligent network of hydrogen supply modules Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing hydrogen deployment within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment is provided. An electronic controller monitors hydrogen supply modules, evaluates conditions relating to the hydrogen supply modules, and affects hydrogen deployment. The electronic controller may also monitor hydrogen utilizers within the heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. Various means for adjusting hydrogen deployment are discussed. (end of abstract) Agent: Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Patent Department - Allentown, PA, US Inventors: Tama Maya Copeman, Christy John Sutton USPTO Applicaton #: 20060293862 - Class: 702024000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, Or Testing, Measurement System In A Specific Environment, Chemical Analysis, Quantitative Determination (e.g., Mass, Concentration, Density), Gaseous Mixture (e.g., Solid-gas, Liquid-gas, Gas-gas) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060293862. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/104,177, filed Apr. 11, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing hydrogen within an environment with heterogeneous hydrogen requirements. The invention further relates to a network of hydrogen supply modules and corresponding method for managing hydrogen deployment. [0003] The developing use of hydrogen as an energy carrier will require broad-based and flexible hydrogen supply systems to provide hydrogen efficiently to a large number of diverse hydrogen consumers. [0004] Numerous hydrogen applications are being developed, including hydrogen-powered fuel cell or internal combustion vehicles, stationary power applications, backup power units, power grid management, power for remote locations, and portable power applications in consumer electronics, business machinery, and recreational equipment. Hydrogen dispensing stations will be needed for vehicle refueling, and smaller refill centers will be needed for portable devices such as computers, power tools, mobile communication devices, and other electronic equipment. [0005] With the numerous hydrogen applications, warehouse distribution centers, airports, seaport docks, truck loading docks, offices, factories, shopping malls, sustainable towns and cities, and industrial environments will require a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment. A wide range of power production devices, hydrogen storage technologies with different performance characteristics will be in use. In this complex environment, hydrogen will need to be supplied at different pressures, purities, and usage rates within the local environment. Hydrogen supply to several of these sites is further complicated because each of them has a unique usage pattern. [0006] For example hydrogen fuel cells require a much higher purity hydrogen than internal combustion engines (ICEs) that run on hydrogen. Certain impurities, such as carbon monoxide in the hydrogen may poison a typical proton exchange membrane fuel cell but would have no negative impact on an ICE. [0007] Hydrogen storage systems also have different hydrogen requirements. For example, metal hydrogen tanks store hydrogen typically at about 250 psia and have restrictions on impurities, for example less than 2 ppm carbon monoxide. Compressed gas storage tanks can store hydrogen up to about 10,000 psia and can accept higher levels of impurities. [0008] Because the hydrogen volume requirements in these hydrogen applications will vary significantly and because the diverse hydrogen utilizers will be geographically dispersed, the logistics of hydrogen supply under normal conditions will be complex but manageable. Under abnormal conditions, however, hydrogen supply logistics may be especially complex and unpredictable. Abnormal conditions would occur, for example, when on site hydrogen generators malfunction or are shut down for maintenance, or alternatively when local hydrogen demand temporarily exceeds local supply capability or storage capacity. There is a need to solve the problem of hydrogen management within the diverse heterogeneous hydrogen environment. [0009] More specifically, there is a need for flexible and adaptable hydrogen supply methods to address these problems and supply hydrogen within a heterogeneous hydrogen environment and to address the interconnectivity of the various hydrogen utilizers within a heterogeneous hydrogen environment. Embodiments of the present invention, which are described below and defined by the claims that follow, address this need and offer flexible hydrogen supply alternatives for varied user requirements under both normal and abnormal demand conditions BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention relates to a heterogeneous hydrogen supply network comprising hydrogen supply modules, an electronic controller, and a means for adjusting hydrogen deployment. Each of the hydrogen supply modules comprise a hydrogen source, a sensor for measuring a condition relating to the hydrogen source, and a dispensing connector in fluid communication with the hydrogen source. At least one of the dispensing connectors of one of the hydrogen supply modules is distinct from at least one of the dispensing connectors of another of the hydrogen supply modules. The electronic controller is in communication with the hydrogen supply modules and evaluates a set of conditions produced by the sensors. The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment is in communication with the electronic controller. [0011] The hydrogen source may comprise a hydrogen storage vessel, a hydrogen generator, and/or a chemical hydride. [0012] The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a conveyance for moving a hydrogen supply module. [0013] A hydrogen supply module may comprise an electricity generation means for converting hydrogen to electricity. A hydrogen supply module may comprise a battery and/or a capacitor. A hydrogen supply module may comprise a telemeter in communication with the electronic controller. A hydrogen supply modules may comprise a positioning system in communication with the electronic controller. [0014] The heterogeneous hydrogen supply network may comprise a means for communicating information relating to a hydrogen delivery from an external hydrogen supply to the electronic controller. [0015] The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a conduit for controllably transferring hydrogen between hydrogen supply modules. [0016] The heterogeneous hydrogen supply network may comprise hydrogen utilizers having various hydrogen requirements. Hydrogen utilizers may comprise a receiver for receiving instructions from the electronic controller as to where to acquire hydrogen. Hydrogen utilizers may comprise a telemeter and/or a positioning system. Hydrogen utilizers may comprise a sensor for measure a condition relating to hydrogen stored on the hydrogen utilizer. Hydrogen utilizers may comprise a battery and/or capacitor. [0017] The means for adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise a detachable fluid connection for transferring hydrogen between two hydrogen utilizers. [0018] The present invention also relates to a method for distributing hydrogen within a heterogeneous hydrogen supply environment comprising dispensing hydrogen from hydrogen supply modules to hydrogen utilizers, subsequently measuring at least one condition relating to a hydrogen source at each of the hydrogen supply modules thereby forming a set of measured conditions, communicating the set of measured conditions to an electronic controller, evaluating the set of measured conditions via the electronic controller, and adjusting hydrogen deployment in response to the step of evaluating the set of measured conditions. [0019] The step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may comprise moving a hydrogen supply module and subsequently dispensing hydrogen from the hydrogen supply module. [0020] The step of dispensing hydrogen from hydrogen supply modules to hydrogen utilizers may comprise dispensing hydrogen to a hydrogen utilizer having a first hydrogen requirement at a first location and the step of adjusting hydrogen deployment may further comprise dispensing hydrogen to another hydrogen utilizer having a second hydrogen requirement at a second location. [0021] The inventive method may further comprise transferring hydrogen from a hydrogen utilizer to a hydrogen supply module during the dispensing step and later dispensing at least a portion of that hydrogen at another location. Continue reading... Full patent description for Intelligent network of hydrogen supply modules Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Intelligent network of hydrogen supply modules patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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