REFUELING SYSTEM FOR HYDROGEN FUEL CELL-POWERED AIRCRAFT

A refueling system for hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a compressor to receive a source of low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas and compress the low temperature, high pressure hydrogen gas into a higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas. A compression chamber within the compressor to receive the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas from the compressor. A valve coupled with the compression chamber to reduce the pressure of the higher temperature, higher pressure hydrogen gas to a higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas. A storage container on an aircraft to receive the higher temperature, lower pressure hydrogen gas via the pressure relief valve. A heat exchanger in thermal cooperation with the compression chamber, the heat exchanger configured to absorb heat from the compression chamber and convert the heat into storable energy.