Fuel Cell Stack Leakage Inspection with Sequential Point Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting airtightness in fuel cell systems fail to identify the specific component or location of leaks within the fuel cell stack or fuel processing system, leading to inefficiencies in the fuel cell system's operation.
Innovation Solution
A leakage inspecting system comprising a supply part, suction part, sensing part, and discharge part, along with a processor and memory, to accurately measure and locate leaks at individual inspection points using helium gas, ensuring precise airtightness inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If airtightness inspection is performed on the entire fuel cell stack or FPS as a whole, then the inspection can be completed with simple equipment, but the specific leakage location or component cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system divides the fuel cell stack or FPS into multiple inspection points, each equipped with its own inspection pipe and valve. This segmentation allows the system to independently inspect each component or location, thereby identifying the specific leakage source while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism (processor and valve control system) that manages the inspection process by sequentially opening and closing valves at different inspection points. This intermediary control enables precise leakage location identification by isolating and testing each segment independently, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple inspection points are inspected simultaneously, then the inspection time is reduced, but interference between inspection points occurs affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system employs periodic action by sequentially opening and closing valves at different inspection points in a controlled sequence. The processor manages valve operations to inspect one point at a time in a systematic order, preventing interference between inspection points while maintaining high productivity through efficient sequential testing of multiple locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the valve control sequence and preparing the inspection setup before actual measurement begins. The processor is programmed to manage valve opening and closing in a predetermined sequence, ensuring that each inspection point is tested independently and accurately without interference from other points, thus maintaining both speed and precision.
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 fine and accurate airtightness inspection, identifying leak locations and ensuring the quality of the inspection target by minimizing interference between inspection points, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the fuel cell system.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing part that is connected to the suction part and measures a suction amount of the leak inspection gas suctioned through the suction part
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a leakage inspecting system for an inspection target, and the leakage inspecting system for an inspection target includes a supply part that supplies a leak inspection gas to the inspection target, a suction part that includes a plurality of inspection pipes facing a plurality of inspection points on the inspection target and suctions the leak inspection gas leaked from the plurality of inspection points through the inspection pipes facing the inspection points, a sensing part that is connected to the suction part and measures a suction amount of the leak inspection gas suctioned through the suction part, and a discharge part that discharges a remaining gas in the inspection target or the suction part to the outside.