Conformable Pressure Vessel Thermal Management for Rapid Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conformable pressure vessels experience significant thermal gradients during rapid gas filling due to the segmented nature, leading to extreme temperature differences between pressure vessel segments, which can exceed the material limits of conventional materials.
Innovation Solution
Implementing thermally conductive materials, heat pipes, phase change materials (PCMs), and gas recirculation methods to equalize temperature across pressure vessel segments by conducting heat, using thermally conductive foams and heat pipes for conduction, PCMs for latent heat absorption, and recirculating gas through connecting tubes with Tesla valves to diffuse thermal gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas is filled at high rate into conformable pressure vessel, then filling speed is improved, but temperature gradient between pressure vessel segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel is divided into multiple segments that can be independently temperature-controlled. Each segment has its own temperature monitoring and control mechanisms, allowing differential thermal management to reduce overall temperature gradients while maintaining high filling rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting fill rates, pressure levels, and temperature control settings based on real-time temperature gradient measurements. This allows optimization of filling speed while maintaining temperatures within safe operating limits.
2Reliability
If temperature extremes are reduced in pressure vessel segments, then material safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel system incorporates self-regulating thermal management features where temperature sensors automatically trigger control mechanisms to equalize temperatures between segments. This self-service approach reduces material safety risks while minimizing the need for complex external thermal management systems.
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 proposed methods significantly reduce temperature extremes within conformable pressure vessels, allowing faster filling and extraction while maintaining temperatures within safe operating limits, with temperature equalization achieved through thermal conduction, latent heat management, and gas recirculation.
Implementation Method 1
thermally conductive materials, heat pipes, phase change materials (PCMs), and gas recirculation methods to equalize temperature across pressure vessel segments by conducting heat
Implementation Method 2
heat pipes, phase change materials (PCMs), and gas recirculation methods to equalize temperature across pressure vessel segments
Implementation Method 3
phase change materials (PCMs), and gas recirculation methods to equalize temperature across pressure vessel segments by conducting heat, using thermally conductive foams and heat pipes for conduction, PCMs for latent heat absorption
Implementation Method 4
gas recirculation methods to equalize temperature across pressure vessel segments by conducting heat, using thermally conductive foams and heat pipes for conduction, PCMs for latent heat absorption, and recirculating gas through connecting tubes with Tesla valves to diffuse thermal gradients
Implementation Method 5
recirculating gas through connecting tubes with Tesla valves to diffuse thermal gradients
Data Source
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AI summary
A conformable pressure vessel including pressure vessel segments defined by a cavity disposed within a liner. The pressure vessel segments receive and store a gas in a compressed state. Each of the pressure vessel segments includes a first section of the liner having a first diameter and a second section of the liner having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The conformable pressure vessel includes a reinforcement layer surrounding the liner, and an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity of the liner. The inlet receives the gas from a gas source. The conformable pressure vessel includes an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity of the liner. The outlet outputs the gas from the pressure vessel segments. The conformable pressure vessel includes a connecting tube in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The connecting tube receives the gas from the outlet.