Cryogenic Hydrogen Storage Pump Layout for Pressure and Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic fluid storage units for vehicles face challenges in managing high internal pressures, leading to increased mass and thickness of the storage unit, which is disadvantageous for on-board applications, and heat transfer from pumps reduces storage time due to motor heat release.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic fluid storage unit with an internal reservoir housed in an external reservoir separated by a low-pressure intermediate space, featuring a cryogenic fluid transfer member with a motor-cooling exhaust duct to transfer heat away from the stored fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the storage unit is designed to withstand high internal pressures (40-200 bar), then the hydrogen injection requirement is met, but the wall thickness and mass of the storage unit become very significant
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit is divided into two separate reservoirs: an internal reservoir for storing cryogenic hydrogen at low pressure (1-27 bar) and an external reservoir that provides structural support. This segmentation allows the pressure-bearing function to be separated from the storage function, enabling the use of thinner walls in the hydrogen-containing internal reservoir while still meeting the high pressure injection requirement through the transfer pump system.
2Power
If a transfer member with motor is used to compress and transfer cryogenic fluid, then high-pressure injection is achieved, but motor heat release heats up the cryogenic hydrogen and reduces storage time
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the cryogenic environment by placing it in the warm intermediate space between the internal and external reservoirs. Only the pump element that requires cryogenic fluid contact remains in the cold environment. This extraction eliminates the heat source from the cryogenic space, preventing motor heat from heating the stored hydrogen and extending storage time.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate space between the internal and external reservoirs serves as a thermal buffer and intermediary zone. It houses the motor and mechanical transmission components, isolating them thermally from the cryogenic hydrogen while still allowing mechanical connection to the pump. This intermediary space prevents direct thermal coupling between the motor and the cryogenic fluid.
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 effectively maintains low storage unit mass, extends storage time by preventing motor heat from heating the cryogenic fluid, and enables high-pressure fluid transfer for efficient engine combustion.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one exhaust duct being configured to cool the motor... This heat is transferred to the flow of cryogenic fluid conveyed outwardly of the storage unit. It is evacuated with the cryogenic fluid.
Implementation Method 2
the at least one exhaust duct being configured to cool the motor... This heat is transferred to the flow of cryogenic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic fluid storage unit comprises an internal reservoir, an external reservoir, and a cryogenic fluid transfer member housed in an intermediate space between the internal reservoir and the external reservoir. The cryogenic fluid transfer member comprising a body delimiting a chamber, an intake, and a discharge comprising at least one exhaust duct placing the chamber in fluid communication with a cryogenic fluid outlet outside the storage unit. The cryogenic fluid transfer member further comprises a movable member configured to move relative to the body by varying a volume of the chamber, a motor, and a mechanical transmission transmitting a movement from an output shaft of the motor to the movable member. The at least one exhaust duct is configured to cool the motor.