Bubble Prevention Buffer Tank for Fuel Cell Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fuel cell vehicles, air bubbles generated in the buffer tank can damage the coolant pump and reduce cooling efficiency, leading to performance instability due to the influx and outflux of coolant under atmospheric pressure.

Innovation Solution

A bubble prevention buffer tank structure featuring multiple-sized meshes and lattices, including a first bubble prevention part at the inlet pipe and a second part inside the tank, designed to break and remove air bubbles, with the second part having a matrix arrangement of dividing lattices to stabilize coolant flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a buffer tank is provided in the coolant circulation loop to adjust water balance, then water balance control is improved, but air bubbles are generated and sucked into the coolant system causing pump damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater balance controlVSAvoidair bubble generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer tank is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions, with each compartment equipped with its own bubble removal device. This segmentation allows air bubbles to be removed at multiple locations throughout the tank, preventing them from being drawn into the pump while maintaining water balance control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bubble removal devices (such as meshes or filters) are introduced as intermediary elements between the coolant reservoir and the pump. These devices intercept and remove air bubbles from the coolant before it reaches the pump, acting as a mediator that eliminates the harmful effect of bubbles while preserving the buffer tank's water balance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a great amount of coolant flows into the buffer tank, then cooling capacity is improved, but surrounding air is sucked into the buffer tank causing cavitation phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidpump operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bubble removal devices are positioned upstream in the buffer tank to remove air bubbles from the coolant before it flows toward the pump. This preliminary action prevents bubbles from reaching the pump, eliminating cavitation risk while allowing high coolant flow rates for effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potentially harmful effect of air entrainment during high coolant flow into a benefit by using the flow itself to carry bubbles toward the removal devices. The high flow rate that causes air suction also enhances bubble transport to the meshes/filters, where bubbles are captured and removed, protecting the pump from cavitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 structure effectively reduces air bubble generation, preventing pump damage and enhancing cooling performance, reducing noise and maintaining the durability of cooling components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one mesh and at least one lattice inside the buffer tank so as to remove air bubbles inside the buffer tank by breaking the air bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble breaking and coalescence:

Data Source

PatentUS7997299B2Structure of bubble prevention buffer tank of fuel cell vehicle

Publication Date: 2011.08.16 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A structure of a bubble prevention buffer tank of a fuel cell vehicle is provided that comprises at least one mesh and at least one lattice inside the buffer tank so as to remove air bubbles inside the buffer tank by breaking the air bubbles.