Patent ID: 7721770

Claim:
A method of operating a device for filling a tank for storing fuel as condensed gas for use by a consuming device operable with cryogenically stored fuel, the tank having a filling device for the cryogenically stored fuel, at least comprising a filling line and a removal line for connecting to a station-side filling device, the method comprising the acts of: in a first time period, for cooling the tank, introducing condensed gas via the filling line into the tank, said condensed gas being, at least in large part, removed again in gas form via the removal line; in a second, subsequent, time period, filling the tank with condensed gas at the same time as at least displaced gas is removed; and in a third, subsequent, time period, closing the filling line and keeping the removal line open in order to return gas from the tank to the station-side until a pressure and/or a temperature in the tank is lowered to predetermined values.