Cryogenic Pressure Vessel Refueling Control via Density Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic pressure vessels with inadequate thermal insulation lead to gradual fuel heating and pressure increase, triggering safety device activation and potential fuel release into the environment, posing safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle equipped with a cryogenic pressure vessel featuring advanced thermal insulation monitoring and control systems, including sensors and controllers that interrupt refueling when damaged insulation is detected, setting fluid density limits to prevent pressure exceedance and ensuring safe operation by managing fuel release through the blow-off management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thermal insulation of the pressure vessel is inadequate or damaged, then the fuel heats up and pressure rises, but the safety devices become active and fuel is released into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively interrupts refueling before the pressure vessel reaches dangerous pressure levels by monitoring fluid density and comparing it against calculated limit values. This preliminary action prevents the need for safety devices to activate and release fuel into the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fluid density during refueling and provides feedback to the controller, which compares the measured density against pre-calculated limit values based on thermal insulation quality. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustments to prevent harmful fuel release.
2Productivity
If refueling continues with damaged thermal insulation, then the pressure vessel can be kept in service, but excessive fuel release and pressure buildup occur
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates refueling limit values in advance based on the thermal insulation quality and interrupts refueling before excessive pressure buildup occurs. This allows the vehicle to remain in service while preventing fuel loss through safety device activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the refueling process by changing the fluid density parameter - interrupting refueling when the measured density exceeds the calculated limit value. This parameter-based control optimizes the balance between maintaining vehicle operation and preventing fuel loss.
3Productivity
If the fluid density limit is not enforced, then refueling can be completed, but the maximum permissible pressure is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors fluid density during refueling and provides real-time feedback to determine when to interrupt the process. This feedback mechanism ensures pressure limits are not exceeded while maximizing refueling efficiency within safe operating parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical pressure relief devices with an electronic control system that uses sensors and controllers to monitor fluid density and interrupt refueling electronically. This substitution prevents pressure exceedance through intelligent control rather than mechanical safety devices.
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
Prevents excessive fuel release and pressure buildup, allowing continued safe vehicle operation even with damaged thermal insulation, reducing the risk of hazardous mixtures and fuel inefficiency, enabling the vehicle to be driven to a service garage without breaking down.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal insulation V is arranged at least in regions between the inner vessel and the outer vessel
Implementation Method 2
The at least one sensor can be a pressure sensor which monitors the pressure in the evacuated space V
Implementation Method 3
At least one controller is designed to interrupt refueling of the motor vehicle if, in the event of damaged thermal insulation V, a lower fluid density limit value DUB for the fluid in the inner vessel is exceeded
Implementation Method 4
These systems permit fuel to escape, wherein the released fuel is converted, for example, in a catalytic converter
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for refueling a cryogenic pressure vessel of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has: a) a cryogenic pressure vessel having an internal vessel which stores a fluid, an external vessel and heat insulation which is arranged between the internal vessel and the external vessel, at least in certain areas; and b) a controller, wherein the controller is designed to interrupt refueling of the motor vehicle if, in the case of damaged thermal insulation, a lower fluid density limiting value for the fluid in the internal vessel is exceeded. The lower fluid density limiting value is lower than an upper fluid density limiting value for the fluid in the internal vessel in the case of refueling of the internal vessel with intact thermal insulation.