Fuel Cell Remaining Level Display Using Pressure Sensor and Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell equipped vehicles, the remaining fuel level cannot be displayed on the indicator between the time the starter switch is turned on and the main stop valve of the fuel tank is opened, due to the conventional method of determining fuel tank filling by opening the main stop valve.
Innovation Solution
A method using a pressure sensor between the fuel cell and the main stop valve to calculate and display the remaining fuel level, with the option to store the calculated level in memory when the main stop valve is closed, allowing display even when the valve is not open, and incorporating temperature measurements for accurate calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the main stop valve is opened to detect remaining fuel level using pressure sensor, then the remaining fuel level can be accurately displayed, but the display cannot be shown during the period from starter switch on to main stop valve opening
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor performs preliminary detection of the remaining fuel level before the main stop valve is opened. The controller stores this pre-detected level in memory, enabling the display to show the fuel level immediately when the starter switch is turned on, eliminating the display blank period while maintaining accurate measurement
2Loss of information
If the main stop valve is opened to calculate remaining fuel level, then accurate display is achieved, but the system cannot display fuel level when the valve is closed for safety or operational reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The controller creates a copy of the remaining fuel level data detected by the pressure sensor and stores it in memory when the main stop valve is closed. This copied information is then displayed on the display device, ensuring continuous fuel level information availability without requiring the valve to be open
3Measurement precision
If pressure sensor is used to detect remaining fuel level with main stop valve open, then fuel level can be displayed, but the pressure sensor cannot provide accurate readings when the valve is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor performs preliminary measurement of the remaining fuel level while the main stop valve is still open. The controller stores this pre-acquired pressure data and the corresponding fuel level information in memory before closing the valve, ensuring that accurate fuel level data is preserved and can be displayed even when the valve is subsequently closed
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 continuous and accurate display of the remaining fuel level, even when the main stop valve is closed, by using a pressure sensor and memory storage, ensuring that the fuel level can be displayed immediately after the starter switch is turned on and before the valve is opened.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor provided between a fuel cell and a main stop valve of a fuel gas tank
Implementation Method 2
calculating a remaining level of fuel gas in the fuel gas tank using a pressure value acquired from the pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
If a main stop valve of a fuel gas tank is not opened, it becomes possible to display a remaining level of fuel gas. A remaining fuel level displaying method for the fuel cell system comprises: if the main stop valve is opened, then calculating a remaining level of fuel gas in the fuel gas tank using a pressure value acquired from the pressure sensor, and displaying the calculated remaining level of the fuel gas on a display device, and if the main stop valve is closed, then displaying on the display device a remaining level of the fuel gas that was stored into a memory at a time when the main stop valve was shut off.