Hydrogen Recirculation Compression for Fuel Cell Braking Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty vehicles with fuel cell systems face challenges in managing excessive energy generated during braking, as conventional methods like battery storage or resistors are inefficient or impractical due to capacity constraints, leading to compromised braking performance and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A system with an electrically powered compressor in the hydrogen fuel storage and supply system, which pressurizes hydrogen fuel in response to energy dissipation needs, allowing efficient management and reuse of excess energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional braking methods (battery storage or resistors) are used to manage excessive energy during braking, then braking performance can be maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to capacity constraints and energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excessive energy generated during braking into a beneficial resource by using it to drive the hydrogen fuel compressor. This resolves the contradiction by transforming energy that would otherwise be wasted (improving energy efficiency) into useful work that maintains system pressure (preserving braking performance through continued fuel cell operation)
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own generated braking energy to service itself by powering the compressor. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external energy management systems while maintaining both energy efficiency and braking performance
2Reliability
If the cooling system is designed to handle high levels of excessive energy from braking, then braking performance is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the complex cooling system to manage excessive braking energy, the patent converts this harmful energy into useful compression work. This eliminates the need for oversized cooling infrastructure while maintaining braking performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the energy management function from the cooling system and relocates it to the fuel compression system. This separation reduces cooling system complexity while maintaining braking capability
3Reliability
If batteries are sized to handle extensive braking energy storage, then braking performance is maintained, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for oversized batteries by converting braking energy into mechanical compression work. This resolves the contradiction by removing the weight penalty while maintaining braking performance through alternative energy utilization
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
Enhances energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting compressor operation to manage excessive energy, reducing waste and improving braking capacity, while optimizing hydrogen fuel utilization.
Implementation Method 1
the electrically powered compressor is controllable to pressurize hydrogen fuel in the recirculation hydrogen fuel system
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system (10) for a vehicle (1), the system comprising a hydrogen fuel storage system (20) for storing hydrogen fuel (22); a recirculation hydrogen fuel system (30) for transporting hydrogen fuel, the recirculation hydrogen fuel system having a fuel inlet (32) configured to be in fluid communication with the hydrogen fuel storage system and further a fuel return line (34) to the hydrogen fuel storage system, wherein the recirculation hydrogen fuel system is configured to be in fluid communication with a hydrogen fuel-consuming power source (40), the system further comprising an electrically powered compressor (50) disposed in the recirculation hydrogen fuel system; and wherein the electrically powered compressor is controllable to pressurize hydrogen fuel in the recirculation hydrogen fuel system in response to a determined need for dissipating energy.