Fuel Cell Hydrogen Buffer for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell vehicles face challenges in reducing noise caused by pressure pulsation of hydrogen gas due to injector operation, which requires a large surge tank volume, making it difficult to accommodate components in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buffer system with a branch pipe and buffer tank on the upstream side of the injector in the hydrogen gas supply pipe, which reduces pressure pulsation and noise, allowing for a smaller tank size and easier accommodation of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a surge tank with serial structure is directly provided on the hydrogen gas supply pipe to suppress pressure pulsation, then noise reduction is achieved, but the surge tank requires a large volume that cannot be easily accommodated in the front box
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the surge tank into two separate components: a buffer provided on the hydrogen gas supply pipe and a buffer tank provided on the hydrogen gas discharge pipe. This segmentation allows each component to be smaller in volume while collectively achieving the same pressure pulsation suppression effect, solving the accommodation space problem in the front box.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a communication passage that connects the buffer and buffer tank, allowing them to work together as an integrated system. This intermediary connection enables the two smaller components to function collectively like a single larger surge tank, achieving noise reduction without requiring excessive accommodation space.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a surge tank is directly provided on the hydrogen gas supply pipe to suppress pressure pulsation, then noise from pipe vibration is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the serial structure requiring sufficient volume
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the buffer system into two separate locations (supply pipe and discharge pipe), the invention simplifies the overall structure by distributing the pressure pulsation suppression function across two smaller, more easily accommodated components rather than requiring one large serial structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the buffer and buffer tank through a communication passage to create a coordinated system where both components work together to suppress pressure pulsation, achieving the same effect as a single large surge tank but with reduced individual component sizes and simplified accommodation.
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 buffer system effectively suppresses pressure pulsation and noise, enabling a more compact design that simplifies the accommodation of fuel cell vehicle components while maintaining effective noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer tank coupled to the branch pipe so as to allow the hydrogen gas to flow through the buffer tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen gas supply pipe for supplying a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack, and injectors provided at positions along the hydrogen gas supply pipe, for injecting the hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen gas supply pipe includes a buffer, provided on the upstream side of the injectors, and the hydrogen gas can flow through the buffer. The buffer includes a branch pipe branched from the hydrogen gas supply pipe, and the buffer tank coupled to the branch pipe so as to allow the hydrogen gas to flow through the buffer tank.