Cryogenic Storage Inlet for Uniform Gas Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers for cryogenic compressed gas in motor vehicles experience non-uniform cooling during refueling, leading to pressure overshooting and thermomechanical stresses due to localized cooling and subsequent heat input, which shortens the storage container's lifespan and causes overcharging.
Innovation Solution
A storage container design with a pipe-shaped inlet line featuring multiple inlet openings arranged at specific angular distances and positions to ensure uniform distribution of supercold gas, avoiding local cooling and subsequent pressure buildup, including configurations with inlet openings at 60° or 120° angular spacing and diagonal alignment for optimal temperature equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gas is introduced through a single inlet point, then the refueling process is simple, but non-uniform cooling occurs causing pressure overshooting and thermomechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The single inlet is segmented into multiple inlet openings distributed around the inlet line circumference. This segmentation allows the cold gas to be introduced at multiple locations simultaneously, creating a more uniform temperature distribution in the storage volume and preventing localized overcooling that leads to pressure overshooting and thermomechanical stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage volume receive cooling through strategically positioned inlet openings. The inlet openings are distributed to ensure that cold gas reaches different local areas uniformly, creating localized cooling zones that collectively achieve uniform overall cooling without causing harmful temperature gradients in the container wall.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple inlet openings are provided, then uniform gas distribution is achieved, but the inlet structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet line serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a flow distribution manifold, and a temperature equalization device. By making the inlet line multi-functional, the design achieves uniform gas distribution through multiple openings without proportionally increasing overall structure complexity, as the inlet line itself performs several roles simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet openings are arranged in multiple rows at different angular positions around the inlet line circumference, transforming a one-dimensional flow path into a three-dimensional distribution network. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows uniform gas distribution throughout the storage volume while maintaining a compact inlet structure.
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 ensures uniform gas distribution and prevents pressure overshooting, reducing thermomechanical stresses and extending the storage container's lifespan by maintaining consistent temperature and pressure within the container.
Implementation Method 1
the gas introduced into the storage container has at least a slightly lower temperature than at least portions of the base in the storage volume... the stored gas is first locally cooled and, only after the refueling, a temperature balancing takes place
Implementation Method 2
the supercold cryo-compressed gas to be stored is axially as well as radially introduced into the storage volume in a particularly uniformly distributed manner
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container for a motor vehicle for storing cryogenic compressed gas, potentially in an over-critical state, having an inlet for introducing the gas to be stored into a storage volume. The inlet has a plurality of inlet openings that are arranged spaced apart from one another and extend into the storage volume. The arrangement serves for localized cooling of the gas and prevents strong thermoelectric voltages on the wall of the storage container.