Direct Hydrogen Liquefaction for Small-Quantity Vehicle Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Obtaining small quantities of liquid hydrogen is cost-prohibitive and logistically challenging, especially for remote locations, due to the high expense and large hardware requirements of traditional liquid hydrogen storage and transfer systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that liquefies room temperature gaseous hydrogen using a cryocooler directly on a closely coupled UAV flight Dewar, eliminating the need for vacuum jacketed transfer hoses and reducing hardware needs, allowing for on-site generation of small quantities of liquid hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional liquid hydrogen storage Dewars and ground support equipment are used, then liquid hydrogen can be stored and transferred, but the system requires extensive hardware, large land footprint, and high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquefaction function from the traditional storage system and integrates it directly into the UAV platform. Instead of using separate ground-based storage Dewars and transfer equipment, the system places a compact liquefaction unit directly on the UAV, eliminating the need for extensive ground support hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from ground-based horizontal storage systems to an aerial three-dimensional integrated system. By placing the liquefaction unit directly on the UAV flight platform, the system eliminates the need for ground pads, fencing, and maneuvering space, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension and aerial platform to reduce land footprint and hardware requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional liquid hydrogen delivery systems are used, then liquid hydrogen can be supplied, but the cost is prohibitive for small quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the UAV system to serve itself by integrating the liquefaction unit directly on the platform. The system can convert gaseous hydrogen to liquid hydrogen on-demand without requiring external delivery infrastructure, eliminating the high costs associated with traditional liquid hydrogen delivery and storage for small quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the hydrogen supply system into modular components that can be scaled to match the specific needs of each UAV application. Rather than requiring large centralized storage facilities, the system uses smaller, distributed liquefaction units that can be precisely sized for the required hydrogen quantity, reducing overall system cost.
3Ease of operation
If traditional ground support equipment is used, then hydrogen transfer can be performed, but extensive land modification and fencing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the hydrogen storage, liquefaction, and transfer functions into a single integrated unit that travels with the UAV. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate ground-based storage Dewars, vacuum jacketed piping, and associated ground support equipment, thereby reducing the land footprint to minimal installation requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If remote locations are served with traditional systems, then liquid hydrogen can be delivered, but logistical and legal barriers prevent access
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs the liquefaction action preliminarily by integrating the capability directly on the UAV platform before flight operations begin. This allows the system to carry its own liquid hydrogen supply capability to remote locations without requiring local infrastructure, delivery logistics, or compliance with ground-based storage regulations.
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
Enables long-duration and long-range operations for UAVs, making liquid hydrogen energy storage scalable for commercial UAVs and Personal Air Vehicles, while reducing costs and logistical barriers by allowing on-site hydrogen liquefaction.
Implementation Method 1
liquefying the hydrogen using a cryocooler directly on top of a closely coupled UAV flight Dewar
Implementation Method 2
liquefying the hydrogen using a cryocooler
Data Source
AI summary
A refueling system may include an inlet tube that fluidly connects to a container containing gaseous hydrogen, a cryocooler including a cold tip and a cold head, the cold tip driven to a hydrogen liquefaction temperature by the cold head, a condensation chamber fluidly connected to the inlet tube to receive the gaseous hydrogen and thermally connected to the cryocooler cold tip, a catalyst disposed in the condensation chamber and that conducts ortho-to-para hydrogen conversion. The cryocooler cold tip absorbs a resulting exothermic reaction. The refueling system may also include a funnel fluidly connected to the condensation chamber and that receives liquid hydrogen from the condensation of the gaseous hydrogen, and a coupling mechanism fluidly connected to the funnel to receive the liquid hydrogen and having a nozzle downwardly movable to fluidly connect from above to an upwards facing tank inlet of a vehicle.