Copper Alloy Gas Pipe Cooling Section for Hydrogen Filling

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas filling apparatuses for vehicles, particularly those using CNG and hydrogen, face limitations due to the high heat retention and low thermal conductivity of stainless steel gas pipe cooling sections, leading to larger device sizes and reduced freedom in layout, as well as increased energy consumption and production costs.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a gas pipe cooling section made of copper alloys, such as beryllium copper or copper-titanium, which offers superior thermal conductivity and mechanical strength, allowing for a downsized cooling system, improved cooling efficiency, and reduced production costs, while being resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stainless steel is used for the gas pipe cooling section, then corrosion and rust resistance are improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates and device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcooling section size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to copper alloy, which fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity property while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs copper alloy as a composite material that combines the advantages of high thermal conductivity with adequate mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and material durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If stainless steel is used for the gas pipe cooling section, then strength is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidcooling section size

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to copper alloy, which fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity property while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If stainless steel is used for the gas pipe cooling section, then corrosion resistance is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidcooling section size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to copper alloy, which fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity property while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the gas pipe cooling section is downsized, then filling efficiency is improved, but cooling capacity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to copper alloy, which fundamentally alters the thermal conductivity property while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enhances filling efficiency by shortening filling times, reducing energy consumption, and lowering production costs, while ensuring effective cooling and safety through the use of copper alloys in the gas pipe cooling section.

Implementation Method 1

Copper alloys are excellent in thermal conductivity, so that the gas pipe cooling section can be downsized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the gas pipe cooling section may be accommodated in a vessel with a vacuum insulation structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11499677B2Gas filling apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 TOKYO TATSUNO CO LTD

AI summary

A gas filling apparatus with excellent filling efficiency through a downsized gas pipe cooling section. A gas filling apparatus 1 of the present disclosure includes; a main unit 2 having a filling mechanism for transporting a gas from a gas supply source through a primary pipe 71 while measuring a flow rate of the gas and a gas pipe cooling section 41 for cooling a gas pipe in which a gas from the filling mechanism is introduced; and a hose unit 3 having a filling hose 34 connected to a secondary pipe 72 lead from the gas pipe cooling section and a gas filling nozzle attached to an end of the filling hose, wherein the gas pipe cooling section is made of copper alloy. The pipe cooling section can be disposed at a connecting portion between the secondary pipe and the filling hose, and plurality of the filling mechanisms can be mounted, and to each filling mechanism is independently mounted the gas pipe cooling section. The gas pipe cooling section can be accommodated in a vessel 42 with vacuum insulation structure, and to the vessel is connected a pipe 44 for communicating a vacuum portion 42a of the vessel with a diffusion pipe through a safety valve 43.