Compressed Gas Vehicle Leakage Detection via Zero-Output Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressed gas energy accumulation systems in vehicles face risks of unintended gas release due to piping cracks, which can be difficult to detect through leakage checks before operation, posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a gas engine with a gas container, control valve, piping unit, and pressure gauge, where a control device measures pressure changes to detect leaks by comparing pressures at zero output states, suspending leakage determination during output changes to avoid interfering with the gas machinery's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If leakage checks are performed before operation, then safety is improved, but leakage detection is insufficient for gradual cracks that progress during running
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary leakage checks before operation and continues to monitor during operation. The control device is configured to detect leakage states at specific timing (when target output becomes substantial zero), enabling early detection of gradual cracks before they lead to dangerous situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure gauge provides continuous feedback on compressed gas pressure, and the control device uses this feedback to determine leakage states. By comparing pressure changes over time, the system can detect gradual cracking that progresses during vehicle operation, transforming the one-time pre-operation check into an ongoing monitoring system.
2Measurement precision
If continuous leakage monitoring is implemented, then detection accuracy is improved, but interference with gas machinery operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is configured to determine leakage states only at specific periodic timing when the target output of gas machinery becomes substantial zero. This periodic monitoring approach enables accurate leakage detection without continuously interfering with the gas machinery operation, as monitoring is suspended when target output changes from substantial zero within the measurement time.
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 solution allows for early detection of compressed gas leakage without influencing the vehicle's operation, improving safety by periodically assessing leakage states and preventing emergencies like pipe cracks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure gauge that detects a pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit
Implementation Method 2
a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit, and a determination unit that determines a leakage state of the compressed gas based on a change in pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A power unit that can periodically determine a leakage of a compressed gas to early discover a defect, such as a crack, and a vehicle in which the power unit is used are provided. A vehicle that runs with an air engine including a gas machinery includes a control device. The control device includes an adjuster that controls an output of the gas machinery such that a target output is obtained, a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure of the compressed gas at the piping unit of the air engine, and a determination unit that determines a leakage state of the compressed gas based on a change in pressure, which is measured by the pressure measuring unit every time the target output of the gas machinery becomes substantial zero. The control device suspends the determination of the leakage state when the target output of the gas machinery changes from substantial zero during the determination.