Patent ID: 7323043

Claim:
A container for storing hydrogen comprising: an outer shell having an inlet for inputting hydrogen gas and an outlet for outputting hydrogen gas; a thermally conductive liner lining an interior of the outer shell; an inner hydride core in communication with the inlet and the outlet for storing the hydrogen gas; coolant lines in thermal communication with at least one of the outer shell and the thermally conductive liner; an inlet flow sensor and an outlet flow sensor associated with the inlet and the outlet, respectively; a thermal management controller for determining whether the container is in a dispensing mode or a refueling mode based on a signal associated with at least one of the inlet flow sensor and the outlet flow sensor; a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with a propulsion unit of a vehicle; a second heat exchanger associated with a temperature that is less than or equal to the ambient temperature outside of the vehicle; and a valve assembly for routing the coolant lines in a dispensing mode to the first heat exchanger and for routing the coolant lines in refueling mode to the second heat exchanger.