Gas temperature moderation within compressed gas vessel through heat exchanger

Abstract

A pressure vessel for storing fuel cell reactants is disclosed. The pressure vessel includes an inner shell formed from a moldable material and forming a cavity therein, and an outer shell formed about the inner shell. A heat transfer member is disposed within the vessel cavity. The heat transfer member is thermally coupled a suitable external thermal mass external the pressure vessel to minimize the effect of thermal energy on the vessel. The heat transfer member may be a metallic structure within the cavity, or may be integrated within the inner shell on an inner shell surface. The external thermal mass may further be thermally coupled to either an active or a passive external thermal handling system for controlling the temperature of the fluid within the vessel.

1 . A vessel comprising:
 an inner shell forming a cavity therein;   an outer shell formed over the inner shell; and   a heat transfer member disposed within the cavity to provide thermal communication between the cavity and outside of the cavity, the heat transfer member adapted to minimize an effect of thermal energy on the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer member is thermally coupled to a heat exchange structure external the outer shell for controlling a temperature in the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer member is a metallic sheet structure disposed within the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The vessel of  claim 3 , wherein the heat transfer member further comprises:
 a center support; and   at least one fin thermally coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the center support.   
     
     
         5 . The vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one fin contacts at least a portion of an inner surface of the inner shell. 
     
     
         6 . The vessel of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first adapter having a first thermal mass at a vessel first end, the first adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough; and   a second adapter having a second thermal mass at a vessel second end, the second adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough;   wherein the center support is thermally coupled to the first adapter and the second adapter.   
     
     
         7 . The vessel of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second thermal masses is thermally coupled to an external heat exchange structure for controlling the temperature in the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first adapter having a first thermal mass disposed at a vessel first end, the first adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough; and   a second adapter having a second thermal mass disposed at a vessel second end, the second adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough;   wherein the center support is thermally coupled to the first adapter and the second adapter.   
     
     
         9 . The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first adapter and the second adapter is thermally coupled to a heat exchange structure. 
     
     
         10 . The vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the heat exchange structure is one of a radiator and a heating and air conditioning system. 
     
     
         11 . The vessel of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first adapter and the second adapter further includes an internal passage formed therein for receiving a heat exchange fluid, the fluid in thermal communication with a heat exchange structure. 
     
     
         12 . The vessel of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchange structure is an active cooling system. 
     
     
         13 . The vessel of  claim 11 , wherein the heat exchange structure is one of a radiator and a heating and air conditioning system, 
     
     
         14 . A vessel comprising:
 an inner shell formed from a moldable material and forming a cavity therein;   an outer shell formed over the inner shell; and   a metallic structure disposed within the cavity adapted to minimize an effect of thermal energy on the vessel, wherein the metallic structure is thermally coupled to a heat exchange structure external the outer shell for controlling a temperature in the cavity.   
     
     
         15 . The vessel of  claim 15 , wherein the metallic structure is in thermal communication with at least a portion of an inner surface of the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The vessel of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough; wherein the metallic structure is thermally coupled to the adapter.   
     
     
         17 . The vessel of  claim 17 , wherein the adapter is further thermally coupled to an external heat exchanger. 
     
     
         18 . A vessel, comprising:
 a hollow inner shell formed from a moldable material and forming a cavity therein;   an outer shell formed over the inner shell;   an adapter sealingly engaging at least one of the inner shell and the outer shell and extending therethrough;   a heat transfer member disposed within the cavity and thermally coupled to the adapter to minimize an effect of thermal energy on the vessel.   
     
     
         19 . The pressure vessel of  claim 19 , wherein the heat transfer member is a metallic structure, comprising:
 a center support; and   at least one fin thermally coupled to and extending substantially outwardly from the center support.