QUANTUM Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc, a leader in natural gas, alternative fuel systems and clean propulsion vehicle technologies, announced that it has received the notice of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent on lightweight composite shells of natural gas and hydrogen storage tanks.

Quantum’s new patent covers the breakthrough application of discrete localised reinforcement that enables significant reduction in the weight and cost of composite shells of pressurised cylindrical storage tanks. Quantum recently announced the demonstration of this technology leap for lightweight carbon composite compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuel tanks, utilising selective fibre placement, to achieve significant reduction in weight and cost – demonstrating more than 20 per cent reduction in material utilisation.

“This is a significant patent in that it provides an elegant solution to reduce both weight and cost of fuel tanks, thus enabling more widespread commercialisation of natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” said Brian Olson, president and chief executive officer of Quantum. “We are in the process of refining this technology for phased introduction into commercial products.”

Quantum currently produces one of the lightest and highest capacity natural gas and hydrogen on-board storage systems in the world. Developed at Quantum’s technology campus in Lake Forest, California, Quantum’s advanced natural gas storage systems provide dramatic weight reduction, increased fuel storage capacity, and the capability to quickly integrate these systems.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide is a leader in the innovation, development and production of natural gas fuel storage systems and the integration of vehicle system technologies including engine and vehicle control systems and drivetrains. It is headquartered in Lake Forest, California, and has operations and affiliations in the US, Canada, and India.