Dynamic Fuel Leakage Detection Threshold for Vehicle-Specific Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel leakage detection systems at hydrogen supply stations struggle to accurately detect hydrogen leakage during filling due to varying pressure losses and conditions specific to different vehicle types and manufacturers, leading to potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A fuel leakage detection system that includes a communication part for data acquisition, a fuel flow rate measurement part, a fuel flow-out permission part, and a control unit with a fuel leakage detection mechanism, which estimates fill volume based on tank temperature and pressure, and stops fuel flow if leakage is detected, using specific threshold values tailored to each vehicle's conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a universal fuel leakage detection method is used for all vehicle types, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of fuel leakage detection deteriorates due to varying pressure losses across different vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The detection threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit calculates a vehicle-specific threshold value based on real-time measurements of filling time and fill volume, allowing the detection system to adapt to different vehicle types and their specific pressure loss characteristics without requiring multiple fixed threshold settings
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from a fixed threshold to a calculated threshold that varies based on vehicle-specific parameters. By computing the threshold as (fill volume / filling time) × correction coefficient, the system adapts to different vehicle types while using a universal detection formula
2Measurement precision
If vehicle-specific threshold values are calculated and applied, then the fuel leakage detection accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for threshold calculation and communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold calculation is performed preliminarily during the normal filling process before leakage detection is needed. The control unit continuously monitors filling time and volume, calculates the vehicle-specific threshold, and stores it for immediate use in leakage detection, so no additional time is required when leakage detection is activated
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs continuous monitoring of filling parameters during the entire filling process, so the threshold calculation is an ongoing useful action rather than a separate preparatory step. This continuous measurement approach ensures the threshold is always available when needed for leakage detection
3Measurement precision
If the detection threshold is set to be highly sensitive, then the fuel leakage detection accuracy is improved, but the productivity of the fuel filling operation decreases due to false alarms stopping legitimate filling
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system applies a localized correction coefficient to account for vehicle-specific characteristics. By customizing the threshold calculation for each vehicle type through the correction coefficient, the system achieves high sensitivity for detecting actual leakage in each specific vehicle without triggering false alarms that would reduce overall filling productivity
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 accurate and early detection of fuel leakage, improving safety by setting appropriate threshold values for various vehicle types, ensuring reliable hydrogen filling operations at hydrogen supply stations.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate measurement part (26) for measuring a flow rate of fuel, by detecting a volume change of the fuel tank (34)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor provided in the vicinity of an inlet of the onboard fuel tank, and the tank pressure detected by the pressure sensor
Implementation Method 3
a tank temperature detected during fuel filling by a temperature sensor provided at the onboard fuel tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel leakage detection system comprises: a communication part for acquiring data relating to fuel filling of an onboard fuel tank from the vehicle side when a fuel supply part is connected to a filler port; a fuel flow rate measurement part, provided on the upstream of the fuel supply part 18, for measuring the flow rate of fuel flowing to the fuel supply part; a fuel flow-out permission part for permitting/stopping the outflow of fuel to the fuel supply part; and a control unit for controlling the fuel flow-out permission part. The control unit further comprises a fuel leakage detection part for detecting fuel leakage when filling fuel to a vehicle based on the fuel flow rate acquired by the fuel flow rate measurement part and on data relating to fuel filling acquired from the vehicle side via the communication part, and the fuel flow out permission part stops outflow of fuel to the fuel supply part when occurrence of fuel leakage is detected by the fuel detection part.