Breakaway Fluid Coupling With Dual Valve Closure for Hydrogen Refuelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrogen refuelling of fuel cell vehicles, existing couplings face challenges in ensuring safe breakaway from the dispenser without axial pressure influence across varying pressures and temperatures, requiring a solution that is simple, reliable, and cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling with a housing and nipple that separates under a predetermined axial tensile force, featuring non-return valves and a closure mechanism using spring-mounted locking elements, ensuring radial pressure independence and eliminating the need for dynamic seals, with a single closing mechanism for both non-return valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic seals are used in the coupling to ensure tightness across pressure and temperature ranges, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dynamic mechanical seals with a purely mechanical closure mechanism using spring-pressure-mounted locking elements that engage with valve-side pins. This substitution eliminates the need for dynamic seals while maintaining sealing reliability through static mechanical interlocking that responds to axial movement during breakaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism uses the spring force of the non-return valves themselves to automatically close the valves during breakaway. The system serves itself by utilizing its own internal spring forces rather than requiring external actuation or maintenance-intensive dynamic sealing components.
2Reliability
If dynamic seals are used in the coupling to ensure tightness across pressure and temperature ranges, then sealing reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive dynamic seals with a simpler mechanical closure mechanism using spring-pressure-mounted locking elements. This substitution reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining sealing reliability through static mechanical interlocking that responds to axial movement during breakaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism uses simple spring-mounted locking elements that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than expensive dynamic seals. The design prioritizes cost-effectiveness by using simpler, more replaceable components that achieve the same sealing function without the high cost and maintenance burden of dynamic seals.
3Reliability
If a closure mechanism is designed to close both non-return valves, then breakaway protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-pressure-mounted locking elements serve multiple functions: they hold the non-return valves open during normal operation, automatically close the valves during breakaway by engaging with valve-side pins, and can be actuated by axial movement of the nipple. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive breakaway protection without requiring separate mechanisms for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the closure functions for both non-return valves into a single unified mechanism using spring-pressure-mounted locking elements that interact with both valve-side pins. This consolidation achieves breakaway protection for both valves simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate closure mechanisms.
4Reliability
If radial pressure transfer is implemented between fixed parts, then pressure independence is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements radial pressure transfer at specific localized sealing interfaces between radially directed parts. By concentrating the pressure transfer function at these specific locations with appropriate sealing surfaces, the design achieves pressure independence while managing manufacturing precision requirements through focused design rather than throughout the entire assembly.
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
The solution provides extensive pressure independence and reliable breakaway protection, maintaining tightness across the pressure and temperature range, enhancing refuelling safety without additional maintenance or cost, suitable for hydrogen, natural gas, and liquefied gas refuelling.
Implementation Method 1
a closure mechanism comprises respective valve-side pins and a sleeve arranged between said pins, which sleeve is arranged in an axially movable manner in the interior of the nipple, and can be locked by means of spring-pressure-mounted locking elements with at least one of the pins
Implementation Method 2
a fluid channel, which passes through the housing and the nipple, in the course of which a housing-side and a nipple-side non-return valve are arranged
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for transferring fluids is provided, having a housing and a nipple which can be fastened thereto and separated from the housing when a predetermined axial pulling force is exceeded, while overcoming a spring force, and having a fluid duct traversing the housing and the nipple, a housing-side and a nipple-side non-return valve and is routed in a radially guided manner around a vented cylindrical interior of the nipple. A closure mechanism comprises respective valve-side pins and a sleeve arranged between these pins, the sleeve being axially movable in the interior of the nipple and lockable to at least one of the pins by means of spring pressure-mounted locking elements so that, with the nipple fixed, the non-return valves are held open against their spring force, and, with the nipple released, the housing-side non-return valve is completely closed and the nipple-side non-return valve is at least partially closed.