Gaseous Fuel Filling Nozzle Clutch Biasing Against Freeze Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing filling nozzles for gaseous fuel, such as hydrogen gas, face issues where the protrusion at the clutch tip becomes fixed in a radially outwardly open position due to freezing, preventing the nozzle from being removed from the receptacle.
Innovation Solution
A filling nozzle design incorporating a ring-shaped elastic spacer fitted into the engagement portion of the clutch, biased radially inward by an elastic force, and a drainage channel to prevent moisture accumulation, ensuring the clutch can move radially inward even in freezing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filling nozzle is fixed in a radially outwardly open state to prevent hydrogen gas leakage, then seal reliability is improved, but the filling nozzle cannot be removed from the receptacle when the protrusion becomes fixed due to freezing
Solution Approach 1:
A protrusion is added to the clutch that extends radially inward to contact the receptacle. This protrusion acts as an intermediary locking mechanism that maintains the radially outwardly open state for sealing reliability, while still allowing controlled movement for removal when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch is designed with movable protrusions that can dynamically transition between fixed and movable states. The protrusion at the tip can move radially inward to engage the receptacle for secure connection, and can be disengaged for removal, providing dynamic adaptability between sealed connection and removable states
2Ease of operation
If the protrusion at the clutch tip is allowed to move radially inward for connection, then the filling nozzle can be connected to the receptacle, but the protrusion becomes unable to move radially inward due to freezing in cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A heating element is incorporated into the clutch mechanism to apply preliminary anti-action against freezing. The heating element pre-heats or maintains the protrusion above freezing temperature, preventing ice formation that would block radial inward movement, thus ensuring reliable connection and disconnection operations in cold conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the protrusion is actively controlled by the heating element. By changing the temperature parameter from below-freezing to above-freezing, the physical state of moisture on the protrusion surface is altered, preventing freezing and maintaining movement capability in cold environments
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 the clutch from becoming fixed in an outward position, allowing reliable disengagement from the receptacle by maintaining inward movement, even in the presence of moisture or freezing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a portion 4R of the clutch 4 other than the end portion 4E is biased radially inwardly of the filling nozzle 10-1 by the elastic spacer 15, etc.
Implementation Method 2
the annular recess 1D is connected to an outside of the pipe joint body 1 though a drainage channel 7W
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a filling nozzle that can prevent a protrusion at a tip of a clutch from becoming fixed in a radially outwardly open position. A filling nozzle 10-1 according to the present invention is characterized by including: a pipe joint body 1 provided at a tip of a filling hose for filling gaseous fuel and connected to a receptacle 20 on a side to be filled with gaseous fuel; and a clutch 4 that extends on an outside of the pipe joint body 1 in a direction in which the pipe joint body 1 and the receptacle 20 are connected (hereinafter referred to as “connection direction”) and engages with the receptacle 20, wherein a ring-shaped elastic spacer (15, 15-1, 15-2, 15-3) is fitted into an engagement portion where an end portion 4E of the clutch 4 away from the receptacle 20 is engaged with the pipe joint body 1 such that a portion 4R of the clutch 4 other than the end portion 4E is biased radially inwardly of the filling nozzle 10-1 by the elastic spacer 15, etc., and a shape of the elastic spacer 15, etc. is complementary to a gap or a portion of the gap when the end portion 4E of the clutch 4 is engaged with the engagement portion where the end portion 4E engages with the pipe joint body 1.