Metal hydride air conditioner

Abstract

A system for flowing gaseous fluid comprising: a collection container; compression machinery disposed within the collection container, and including an inlet, a fluid compression space, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the outlet through the fluid compression space, and wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to an inlet fluid conduit and the outlet is fluidly coupled to an outlet fluid conduit and each of the inlet and outlet fluid conduits extends through and externally of the container; wherein the collection container is configured for receiving gaseous fluid leakage flow from the compression space, and is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the compression machinery to facilitate flow of the received leaked gaseous fluid to the inlet of the compression machinery.

1 . A system for flowing gaseous fluid comprising: 
 a collection container;    compression machinery disposed within the collection container, and including an inlet, a fluid compression space, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the outlet through the fluid compression space, and wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to an inlet fluid conduit and the outlet is fluidly coupled to an outlet fluid conduit and each of the inlet and outlet fluid conduits extends through and externally of the container;    wherein the collection container is configured for receiving gaseous fluid leakage flow from the compression space, and is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the compression machinery to facilitate flow of the received leaked gaseous fluid to the inlet of the compression machinery.    
   
   
       2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collection container is fluidly coupled to the inlet fluid conduit by a return fluid conduit, and wherein a one-way valve is disposed in the return fluid conduit and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the return conduit from the inlet fluid conduit and to the container.  
   
   
       3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the one-way valve is biased to a normally closed position preventing flow through the return conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to open in response to a condition wherein a fluid pressure within the container exceeds a fluid pressure within the inlet fluid conduit by a predetermined minimum amount.  
   
   
       5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing and the housing defines the inlet and the outlet, and wherein the compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the housing is disposed within the collection container.  
   
   
       6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the compression machinery includes a bypass conduit for effecting the leakage flow from the fluid compression space and to the collection container.  
   
   
       7 . The system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid compression space upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       8 . A system for flowing gaseous hydrogen comprising: 
 a collection container;    compression machinery disposed within the collection container, and including an inlet, a fluid compression space, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the outlet through the fluid compression space, and wherein the inlet is coupled to an inlet fluid conduit and the outlet is coupled to an outlet fluid conduit and each of the inlet and outlet fluid conduits extends through and externally of the container; and    a hydrogen storage container containing at least one hydrogen storage material and fluidly coupled to the outlet of the compression machinery;    wherein the collection container is configured for receiving gaseous hydrogen leakage flow from the compression space, and wherein the collection container is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the compression machinery to facilitate flow of the leaked gaseous fluid to the inlet of the compression machinery.    
   
   
       9 . The system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collection container is fluidly coupled to the inlet fluid conduit by a return fluid conduit, and wherein a one-way valve is disposed in the return fluid conduit and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the return conduit from the inlet fluid conduit and to the container.  
   
   
       10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one-way valve is biased to a normally closed position preventing flow through the return conduit.  
   
   
       11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to open in response to a condition wherein a fluid pressure within the container exceeds a fluid pressure within the inlet fluid conduit by a predetermined minimum amount.  
   
   
       12 . The system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing and the housing defines the inlet and the outlet, and wherein the compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the housing is disposed within the collection container.  
   
   
       13 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the compression machinery includes a bypass conduit for effecting the leakage flow from the fluid compression space and to the collection container.  
   
   
       14 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       15 . A system for flowing gaseous fluid comprising: 
 a collection container;    compression machinery comprising: 
 an inlet;  
 a fluid compression space fluidly coupled to the inlet;  
 a moveable member disposed in force application communication relative to the fluid compression space and configured for effecting an application of a force to the fluid compression space upon a movement of the moveable member; and  
 an outlet fluidly coupled to the fluid compression space;  
   wherein the collection container is configured for receiving gaseous fluid leakage flow across the moveable member from the fluid compression space, and is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the compression machinery to facilitate flow of the received leaked gaseous fluid to the inlet of the compression machinery.    
   
   
       16 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the collection container is fluidly coupled to the inlet by a return fluid conduit, and wherein a one-way valve is disposed in the return fluid conduit and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the return conduit from the inlet and to the container.  
   
   
       17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the one-way valve is biased to a normally closed position preventing flow through the return conduit.  
   
   
       18 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to open in response to a condition wherein a fluid pressure within the container exceeds a fluid pressure at the inlet by a predetermined minimum amount.  
   
   
       19 . The system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the application of the force is configured to effect pressurization of any gaseous fluid in the fluid compression space and effect flow of the pressurized gaseous fluid through the outlet.  
   
   
       20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing defining the inlet and the outlet and the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the compressor machinery further comprises a bypass conduit for effecting the gaseous fluid leakage flow from the fluid compression space and across the moveable member.  
   
   
       21 . The system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing, the housing defining the inlet and the outlet, wherein the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the moveable member is configured for movement relative to the housing, and wherein the collection container is configured to receive any gaseous fluid leakage flow through a bypass conduit defined between the moveable member and the housing.  
   
   
       22 . The system as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       23 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing, wherein the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the moveable member comprises a piston and a rolling diaphragm member, and wherein the piston is coupled to the housing by the rolling diaphragm member, and wherein a bypass conduit is provided in the rolling diaphragm to facilitate the gaseous fluid leakage flow.  
   
   
       24 . The system as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       25 . A system for flowing gaseous fluid comprising: 
 a collection container;    compression machinery comprising: 
 an inlet;  
 a fluid compression space fluidly coupled to the inlet;  
 a moveable member disposed in force application communication relative to the fluid compression space and configured for effecting an application of a force to the fluid compression space upon a movement of the moveable member; and  
 an outlet fluidly coupled to the fluid compression space; and  
   a hydrogen storage container containing at least one hydrogen storage material and fluidly coupled to the outlet of the compression machinery;    wherein the collection container is configured for receiving gaseous fluid which leaks across the moveable member from the compression space, and is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the compression machinery to facilitate flow of the leaked gaseous fluid to the inlet of the compression machinery.    
   
   
       26 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the collection container is fluidly coupled to the inlet by a return fluid conduit, and wherein a one-way valve is disposed in the return fluid conduit and is configured to prevent fluid flow through the return conduit from the inlet and to the container.  
   
   
       27 . The system as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the one-way valve is biased to a normally closed position preventing flow through the return conduit.  
   
   
       28 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to open in response to a condition wherein a fluid pressure within the container exceeds a fluid pressure at the inlet by a predetermined minimum amount.  
   
   
       29 . The system as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the application of the force is configured to effect pressurization of any gaseous fluid in the fluid compression space and effect flow of the pressurized gaseous fluid through the outlet.  
   
   
       30 . The system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing defining the inlet and the outlet and the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the compressor machinery further comprises a bypass conduit for effecting the gaseous fluid leakage flow from the fluid compression space and across the moveable member.  
   
   
       31 . The system as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing, the housing defining the inlet and the outlet, wherein the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the moveable member is configured for movement relative to the housing, and wherein the collection container is configured to receive any gaseous fluid leakage flow through a bypass conduit defined between the moveable member and the housing.  
   
   
       32 . The system as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       33 . The system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing, wherein the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and wherein the moveable member comprises a piston and a rolling diaphragm member, and wherein the piston is coupled to the housing by the rolling diaphragm member, and wherein a bypass conduit is provided in the rolling diaphragm to facilitate the gaseous fluid leakage flow.  
   
   
       34 . The system as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the bypass conduit is disposed upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       35 . A system for effecting cooling of a first process fluid and heating of a second process fluid comprising: 
 a first hydrogen storage container containing at least one first hydrogen storage material;    a first process fluid conduit disposed in thermal communication disposition with the hydrogen storage container;    compression machinery fluidly coupled to the first hydrogen storage container for receiving a low pressure gaseous fluid from the hydrogen storage container, and configured for pressurizing the received low pressure gaseous fluid to provide a high pressure gaseous fluid, and discharging a flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid;    a second hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to the compression machinery for receiving the discharged flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid,    the second hydrogen storage container containing at least one second hydrogen storage material; and    a second process fluid conduit disposed in thermal communication disposition with the hydrogen storage container.    
   
   
       36 . The system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein at least a portion of the first hydrogen storage container is disposed within the first process fluid conduit, and wherein at least a portion of the second hydrogen storage container is disposed within the second process fluid conduit.  
   
   
       37 . The system as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein compression machinery includes: 
 an inlet fluidly coupled to the first hydrogen storage container for receiving the low pressure gaseous fluid from the first hydrogen storage container;    a fluid compression space fluidly coupled to the inlet;    a moveable member disposed in force application communication relative to the fluid compression space and configured for effecting an application of a force to the fluid compression space upon a movement of the moveable member to effect the pressurizing of the received low pressure gaseous fluid to provide a flow of high pressure gaseous fluid; and    an outlet fluidly coupled to the fluid compression space and configured for discharging the flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid;    wherein the second hydrogen storage container is fluidly coupled to the outlet for receiving the discharged flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid.    
   
   
       38 . The system as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein each of the first and second hydrogen storage materials comprises a metal hydride material.  
   
   
       39 . A vehicle including a passenger compartment and a cooling system, the cooling system comprising: 
 a first hydrogen storage container containing at least one first hydrogen storage material;    a first process fluid conduit disposed in thermal communication disposition with the hydrogen storage container, and fluidly coupled to the passenger compartment for flowing hot ambient air flow received from within the passenger compartment and effecting heat transfer from the hot ambient air flow to the first hydrogen storage container to provide a cooled ambient air flow to the passenger compartment;    compression machinery fluidly coupled to the first hydrogen storage container for receiving a low pressure gaseous fluid from the hydrogen storage container, and configured for pressurizing the received low pressure gaseous fluid to provide a high pressure gaseous fluid, and discharging a flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid;    a second hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to the compression machinery for receiving the discharged flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid,    the second hydrogen storage container containing at least one second hydrogen storage material; and    a second process fluid conduit disposed in thermal communication disposition with the hydrogen storage container, and fluidly coupled to an environment exterior to the vehicle.    
   
   
       40 . The vehicle as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein at least a portion of the first hydrogen storage container is disposed within the first process fluid conduit, and wherein at least a portion of the second hydrogen storage container is disposed within the second process fluid conduit.  
   
   
       41 . The vehicle as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein compression machinery includes: 
 an inlet fluidly coupled to the first hydrogen storage container for receiving the low pressure gaseous fluid from the first hydrogen storage container;    a fluid compression space fluidly coupled to the inlet;    a moveable member disposed in force application communication relative to the fluid compression space and configured for effecting an application of a force to the fluid compression space upon a movement of the moveable member to effect the pressurizing of the received low pressure gaseous fluid to provide a flow of high pressure gaseous fluid; and    an outlet fluidly coupled to the fluid compression space and configured for discharging the flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid;    wherein the second hydrogen storage container is fluidly coupled to the outlet for receiving the discharged flow of the high pressure gaseous fluid.    
   
   
       42 . The vehicle as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein each of the first and second hydrogen storage material comprises a metal hydride material.  
   
   
       43 . A method of flowing gaseous fluid comprising: 
 pressurizing the gaseous fluid with compression machinery;    collecting gaseous fluid which leaks from within the compression machinery in a collection container; and    flowing the collected leaked gaseous fluid to the compression machinery.    
   
   
       44 . The method as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the compression machinery includes an inlet, a fluid compression space, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the outlet through the fluid compression space, and wherein the leaking gaseous fluid leaks from the fluid compression space.  
   
   
       45 . The method as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the collected leaked gaseous fluid is flowed to the compression machinery in response to a condition wherein a fluid pressure in the container exceeds a fluid pressure at the inlet by a minimum predetermined amount.  
   
   
       46 . The system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein the compression machinery includes a housing, the housing defining the inlet and the outlet, wherein the fluid compression space is disposed within the housing, and the gaseous fluid leaks from the fluid compression space.  
   
   
       47 . The system as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the gaseous fluid leaks from upstream of the outlet and downstream of the inlet.  
   
   
       48 . The method as claimed in  claim 47  wherein the gaseous fluid consists essentially of gaseous hydrogen.  
   
   
       49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the gaseous fluid is gaseous hydrogen.  
   
   
       50 . A method of effecting cooling of a first process fluid and heating of a second process fluid comprising: 
 transferring heat from a hot first process fluid to a first hydrogen storage material to effect desorption of gaseous hydrogen and provide a cooled first process fluid;    mechanically compressing the desorbed gaseous hydrogen to provide pressurized gaseous hydrogen;    effecting absorption of the pressurized gaseous hydrogen by a second hydrogen storage material to produce heat energy;    transferring the produced heat energy to a second process fluid.