Adaptive Gas Filling System for Vehicle Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas filling systems for vehicles lack efficiency in determining the optimal filling rate for individual gas tanks, as they do not account for the heat radiation properties of the tank, leading to inefficient filling times and the need for frequent database updates for new tank designs.
Innovation Solution
A gas filling system that calculates temperature and pressure increases during filling and selects a filling rate map based on these parameters, allowing for adaptive filling rates tailored to each tank's heat radiation performance without pre-stored data, using a controller to manage the filling process and adjust rates dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the filling rate is increased to reduce filling time, then productivity is improved, but the temperature and pressure in the gas tank may exceed reference values, compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The filling rate is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control device continuously monitors temperature and pressure during filling, and adjusts the filling rate in real-time based on current tank conditions. This allows the system to operate at high filling rates when conditions permit while automatically reducing the rate when temperature or pressure approach reference values, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control mechanism is implemented where temperature and pressure sensors continuously monitor the gas tank state during filling. This feedback information is fed to the control device, which then adjusts the filling rate accordingly. The closed-loop feedback system enables the filling process to adapt to changing tank conditions, maintaining safety while optimizing filling speed
2Manufacturing precision
If a database with maximum filling rates for different gas tank types is maintained, then filling accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and maintenance burden increase due to frequent updates needed for new tank designs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically measuring temperature and pressure increases during the filling process to determine the heat radiation properties of the gas tank. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external database lookups and updates, as each tank's characteristics are autonomously identified and stored for future use, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining filling accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on pre-stored filling rate parameters for different tank types, the system dynamically determines optimal filling rates based on measured temperature and pressure changes. By shifting from parameter-based control to measurement-based control, the system adapts to new tank designs automatically without requiring database updates, thus reducing maintenance burden while preserving filling precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient gas filling at rates suitable for each tank, reducing filling time while maintaining tank stability and eliminating the need for pre-stored heat radiation data or frequent updates, regardless of tank volume, and allows for real-time monitoring and communication between the vehicle and filling device.
Implementation Method 1
the heat radiation property of the gas tank and a period of time for filling are not considered... the heat radiation performance of the gas tank may be acquired from a temperature increase and a pressure increase
Implementation Method 2
the temperature and pressure increase in the gas tank as the hydrogen gas is filled into the gas tank... calculating a temperature increase and a pressure increase in the gas tank during a predetermined period of time
Data Source
AI summary
A gas filling system (1) includes a gas tank (30); a gas filling device (2) that fills gas into the gas tank (30); and a controller (24) that calculates a temperature increase ΔT and a pressure increase ΔP in the gas tank (30) during a predetermined period of time (t seconds) that elapses from a start of gas filling. The controller (24) selects a filling rate map (Ma, Mb) from a prepared filling rate map group on the basis of the calculated temperature increase ΔT and the calculated pressure increase ΔP. The gas filling device (2) carries out gas filling using the filling rate map selected by the controller (24).