Fuel Cell Thermal Management for Long-Endurance Surface Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned surface vehicles face challenges in sustaining long-duration operations due to limitations in energy sources such as batteries and internal combustion engines, which lack sufficient energy density, are maintenance-intensive, and generate noise, making them unsuitable for harsh and remote ocean environments.
Innovation Solution
A power system incorporating a fuel cell with a fuel storage module and a fuel and thermal management system, including a heat exchanger, flow valve, and pressure regulator, that delivers fuel to the fuel cell and removes waste heat, enabling efficient and quiet operation for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If batteries are used as energy devices, then the unmanned surface vehicle can operate for extended periods, but the energy density is insufficient to support long-duration missions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fuel cell stack with a metal hydride fuel storage system to create a hybrid power system. The fuel cell converts chemical energy from the metal hydride into electrical energy, providing sustained power output with high energy density suitable for long-duration operations exceeding 30 days.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes metal hydride technology to store hydrogen at high density through phase changes and chemical bonding. The metal hydride absorbs and releases hydrogen through reversible chemical reactions, maintaining high energy density while enabling extended operation periods.
2Ease of operation
If internal combustion engines are used, then refueling is easy and turn-around time is quick, but the mechanism is complex requiring routine maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical combustion engine system with an electrochemical fuel cell system. The fuel cell uses electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, eliminating moving parts, combustion chambers, and associated mechanical components that require maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal hydride fuel storage system automatically regulates hydrogen release based on demand, and the fuel cell continuously generates power as long as fuel is supplied. The system requires minimal intervention beyond refueling, with no routine maintenance of mechanical components.
3Ease of operation
If internal combustion engines are used, then refueling is easy, but acoustic noise is significant which is undesirable for many missions
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell electrochemical system replaces the noisy mechanical combustion process. Electricity is generated through chemical reactions without combustion, eliminating the acoustic noise associated with engine operation while maintaining ease of refueling through fuel storage modules.
4Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are used, then energy can be provided during operation, but solar irradiance reduces at higher latitudes during winter
Solution Approach 1:
The metal hydride fuel storage system stores hydrogen in a condensed phase within the metal lattice, maintaining high energy density independent of environmental conditions. This allows consistent power generation through the fuel cell regardless of latitude, season, or weather conditions.
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 power system provides reliable, long-duration energy for unmanned surface vehicles, simplifies refueling, reduces noise, and maintains performance in harsh conditions by using a scalable fuel storage and efficient thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack for removing waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack during operation
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack, where the fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A power system for an unmanned surface vehicle includes a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack, where the fuel cell stack includes a fuel inlet. The power system also includes a fuel storage including at least one fuel-storage module fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack. The fuel-storage module is a source of energy for the fuel cell. The power system also includes a fuel and thermal management system fluidly connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack. The fuel and thermal management system includes a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fuel cell stack for removing waste heat produced by the fuel cell stack during operation. The fuel and thermal management system also includes a flow valve, a pressure regulator, and a conduit.