Description:Complete Specification

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a pressure regulator for a hydrogen engine, and more specifically to the pressure regulator for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to a hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine.

Background of the invention
[0002] US 2018320605 AA describes a high pressure fluid control system and method of controlling pressure bias in an end use device. Disclosed are a fluid control system and method for controlling delivery of two variable pressure fluids to maintain a pressure bias between the two fluids within an end use device. The system employs an actively controlled vent valve which can be integrated into a fluid control module in preferred embodiments and is actuated to an open position to decrease fluid pressure in a first fluid supply line when a determined pressure differential reversal exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure differential reversal. The disclosed system is particularly useful in a high pressure direct injection (HPDI) multi-fueled engine system where the first fluid is a gaseous fuel and the second fluid is a liquid fuel. The fluid control system and method of controlling it provide for improved control of venting along with protecting system components from high back pressure and cross contamination of fluids.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a pressure regulator for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to a hydrogen injector of a hydrogen engine in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a pressure regulator 100 for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to a hydrogen injector of a hydrogen engine. The pressure regulator 100 comprises an inlet supply path 110 in flow communication with hydrogen gas at high pressure, and a first outlet valve 120 in flow communication with the inlet supply path 110 and adapted to control a flow of hydrogen gas from the inlet supply path 110 to a first outlet supply path 130. A second outlet valve 140 is in flow communication with the first outlet supply path 130 and adapted to regulate a flow of hydrogen gas at a first pressure to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine. A third outlet valve 150 is in flow communication with the first outlet supply path 130 and adapted to control the flow of hydrogen gas from the first outlet supply path 130 to a second outlet supply path 160. A fourth outlet valve 170 is in flow communication with the second outlet supply path 160 and adapted to regulate the flow of hydrogen gas at a second pressure to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine.

[0005] A pressure regulator 100 for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to a hydrogen injector of a hydrogen engine is described. The pressure regulator 100 comprises an inlet supply path 110 in flow communication with hydrogen gas at high pressure. More specifically, hydrogen gas at high pressure from a hydrogen tank is channeled to the inlet supply path 110 of the pressure regulator 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a first outlet valve 180 is in flow communication with the inlet supply path 110 and is adapted to control a flow of hydrogen gas from the inlet supply path 110 to a first outlet supply path 130. In an exemplary embodiment, a second outlet valve 140 is in flow communication with the first outlet supply path 130 and is adapted to regulate the flow of hydrogen gas at a first pressure to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine. In addition, a third outlet valve 150 is in flow communication with the first outlet supply path 130 and is adapted to control the flow of hydrogen gas from the first outlet supply path 130 to a second outlet supply path 160. A fourth outlet valve 170 is in flow communication with the second outlet supply path 160 and is adapted to regulate the flow of hydrogen gas at a second pressure to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the first outlet valve 180 may be a spring actuated mechanical valve that is actuated when a pressure of hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path 110 is greater than a first threshold pressure that is pre-determined by a user. When the first outlet valve 120 is actuated, hydrogen gas at high pressure flows through the first outlet valve 120 and into the first outlet supply path 130 at a reduced pressure in contrast to the high pressure of hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path 110. In addition, the third outlet valve 150 may be a spring actuated mechanical valve that is actuated when a pressure of hydrogen gas at the first outlet supply path 130 is greater than a second threshold pressure that is pre-determined by the user, wherein the second threshold pressure is lower than the first threshold pressure. When the pressure of hydrogen gas at the first outlet supply path 110 is lesser than the first threshold pressure that is pre-determined by the user, the pressurized hydrogen gas is retained within the inlet supply path 110, and is not allowed to flow into the first outlet supply path 130 via the first outlet valve 120.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, an electronic control unit is in electronic communication with the second outlet valve 140 and the fourth outlet valve 170. More specifically, the electronic control unit is adapted to actuate the second outlet valve 140 to an open position in order to deliver hydrogen gas to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine. In addition, the electronic control unit is adapted to actuate the second outlet valve 140 to deliver hydrogen gas to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine at a first pressure that is lower than the pressure of hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path 110. The electronic control unit is adapted to actuate the fourth outlet valve to an open position to deliver hydrogen gas to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure. In an exemplary example, the pressure of hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path may be 100 bar, the pressure of hydrogen gas at an outlet of the second outlet valve 140 may be 50 bar, and the pressure of hydrogen gas at an outlet of the fourth outlet valve 170 may be 25 bar. More specifically, the first outlet valve 120 in a first step pressure reduction stage decreases the pressure of hydrogen gas from the pressure of the hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path 110 to a lower pressure that is channeled through the first outlet supply path 130. Subsequently, the second outlet valve 140 in a second step pressure reduction stage decreases the pressure of hydrogen gas from the pressure of the hydrogen gas at the first outlet supply path 130 to a much lower pressure that can be channeled through the outlet of the second outlet valve 140. Therefore, the hydrogen gas at high pressure flowing through the inlet supply path 110 decreases to a lower pressure in a first step that can be tapped out of the first outlet supply path 130 to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine via the second outlet valve 140. Further, when required, the hydrogen gas at high pressure flowing through the first outlet supply path 130 decreases to a much lower pressure in a second step that can be tapped out of the second outlet supply path 160 to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine via the fourth outlet valve 170. The third outlet valve 150 decreases the pressure of hydrogen gas flowing through the first outlet supply path 130 to the lower pressure that is channeled through the second outlet supply path 160. The second outlet valve 140 and the fourth outlet valve 170 when actuated by the electronic control unit serve to decrease the pressure of the hydrogen gas from the pressure of the hydrogen gas at the first outlet supply path 130 to a first low pressure of hydrogen gas that can be tapped in a first stage via the second outlet valve 140 and a second low pressure of hydrogen gas that is lower than the first low pressure of hydrogen gas that can be tapped in a second stage via the fourth outlet valve 170. The pressure regulator is therefore a two stage pressure regulator that can independently supply pressurized hydrogen at two different pressures to the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the first outlet valve 120 is positioned against a first orifice 180 defined between the inlet supply path 110 and the first outlet supply path 130 to prevent a flow of hydrogen gas from the inlet supply path 110 to the first outlet supply path 130. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the third outlet valve 150 is positioned against a second orifice 190 defined between the first outlet supply path 130 and the second outlet supply path 160 to prevent a flow of hydrogen gas from the first outlet supply path 130 to the second outlet supply path 160.

[0009] A working of the pressure regulator 100 for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to a hydrogen injector is described as an example. As pressurized hydrogen flows from the inlet supply path 110 against the first outlet valve 120, the first outlet valve 120 is displaced in a downward direction when a pressure of the pressurized hydrogen gas exceeds a pre-determined user defined threshold pressure. Therein, pressurized hydrogen flows into the first outlet supply path 130. When it is required to deliver pressurized hydrogen at a first pressure, the second outlet valve 140 is opened by the electronic control unit that is in electronic communication with the second outlet valve 140. Therein, pressurized hydrogen at the first pressure flows through the second outlet valve 140 and into the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine. When it is not required to deliver pressurized hydrogen through the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine, the second outlet valve 140 is closed by the electronic control unit. Therein, pressurized hydrogen is retained within the first outlet supply path 130 and is not allowed to flow through the second outlet valve 140. As pressurized hydrogen flows from the first outlet supply path 130 against the third outlet valve 150, the third outlet valve 150 is displaced in a downward direction when a pressure of the pressurized hydrogen exceeds a pre-determined user defined threshold pressure. Therein, pressurized hydrogen flows into the second outlet supply path 160. When it is required to deliver pressurized hydrogen at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, the fourth outlet valve 170 is opened by the electronic control unit that is in electronic communication with the fourth outlet valve 170. Therein, pressurized hydrogen at the second pressure flows through the fourth outlet valve 170 and into the hydrogen injector of the hydrogen engine. When the pressure of hydrogen gas flowing through the inlet supply path 110 decreases below the user defined threshold pressure, the first orifice 180 is closed due to the restoring movement of the first outlet valve 120 due to the restoring movement of its spring member. Similarly, when the pressure of hydrogen gas flowing through the first outlet supply path 130 decreases below the user defined threshold pressure, the second orifice 190 is closed due to the restoring movement of the third outlet valve 150 due to the restoring movement of its spring member.

[0010] It must be understood that the embodiments explained above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Many modifications in the embodiments with regard to dimensions of various components are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We Claim

1. A pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine, said pressure regulator (100) comprising:
an inlet supply path (110) in flow communication with hydrogen gas at high pressure;
a first outlet valve (120) in flow communication with the inlet supply path (110) and adapted to control a flow of hydrogen gas from the inlet supply path (110) to a first outlet supply path (130);
a second outlet valve (140) in flow communication with the first outlet supply path (130) and adapted to regulate a flow of hydrogen gas at a first pressure to one of said hydrogen injector and said hydrogen rail of said hydrogen engine;
a third outlet valve (150) in flow communication with the first outlet supply path (130) and adapted to control the flow of hydrogen gas from the first outlet supply path (130) to a second outlet supply path (160); and
a fourth outlet valve (170) in flow communication with the second outlet supply path (160) and adapted to regulate the flow of hydrogen gas at a second pressure to one of said hydrogen injector and said hydrogen rail of said hydrogen engine.

2. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said first outlet valve (120) may be a spring actuated mechanical valve that is actuated when a pressure of hydrogen gas at the inlet supply path (110) is greater than a threshold pressure that is pre-determined by a user.

3. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said third outlet valve (150) may be a spring actuated mechanical valve that is actuated when a pressure of hydrogen gas at the first outlet supply path (130) is greater than a threshold pressure that is pre-determined by a user.

4. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 1, further comprising an electronic control unit in electronic communication with said second outlet valve (140) and said fourth outlet valve (170), said electronic control unit adapted to actuate said second outlet valve (140) to deliver hydrogen gas to said hydrogen injector of said hydrogen engine.

5. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 4, wherein said electronic control unit is adapted to actuate said second outlet valve (140) to deliver hydrogen gas to said hydrogen injector of said hydrogen engine at a first pressure.

6. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 5, wherein said electronic control unit is adapted to actuate said fourth outlet valve (170) to deliver hydrogen gas to said hydrogen injector of said hydrogen engine at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

7. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said first outlet valve (120) is positioned against a first orifice (180) defined between said inlet supply path (110) and said first outlet supply path (130) to prevent a flow of hydrogen gas from said inlet supply path (110) to said first outlet supply path (130).

8. The pressure regulator (100) for delivering two different pressures of hydrogen to one of a hydrogen injector and a hydrogen rail of a hydrogen engine in accordance with Claim 7, wherein said third outlet valve (150) is positioned against a second orifice (190) defined between said first outlet supply path (130) and said second outlet supply path (160) to prevent a flow of hydrogen gas from said first outlet supply path (130) to said second outlet supply path (160).