Fuel Tank Ionization Control for Safe High-Speed Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
During vehicle refueling, electrostatic charges accumulate in the fuel tank due to friction between the fuel and the fuel line, posing a risk of electrical discharge and explosion hazards, which existing systems mitigate by limiting fuel flow rates based on assumptions about air medium ionization levels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank using sensors and control devices to adjust fuel flow rates, increasing the ionization level through ionizing radiation or ambient air, allowing for higher fuel flow rates while maintaining safety by dissipating electrostatic charges effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fuel flow rate is limited to prevent electrostatic charge accumulation, then safety is improved, but refueling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the air medium by increasing its ionization level through radiation sources or ionization devices. This parameter change allows the fuel flow rate to be increased while maintaining safety, as the ionized air provides a conductive path that prevents electrostatic charge accumulation. The contradiction is resolved by modifying the ionization level parameter rather than limiting flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces ionized air as an intermediary medium between the fuel and the surrounding environment. The ionized air acts as a conductive pathway that mediates the dissipation of electrostatic charges, allowing safe operation at higher fuel flow rates. This intermediary enables the system to achieve both safety and speed.
2Productivity
If ionization level of air medium is increased to dissipate electrostatic charge, then fuel flow rate can be increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes naturally occurring ionization sources such as cosmic radiation or radioactive materials that are already present in the environment. Instead of requiring complex external ionization equipment, the system leverages these self-service ionization sources to maintain safe operating conditions, thereby reducing overall device complexity while enabling higher fuel flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces ionized air as an intermediary medium between the fuel and the surrounding environment. The ionized air acts as a conductive pathway that mediates the dissipation of electrostatic charges, allowing safe operation at higher fuel flow rates. This intermediary enables the system to achieve both safety and speed.
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
This approach reduces refueling time while ensuring safety by increasing fuel flow rates without increasing the risk of electrical discharge, enhancing operational efficiency in transportation facilities.
Implementation Method 1
exposing, using an ionization radiation source, an air medium in the fuel tank to ionizing radiation to increase a level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic charge may be generated in the fuel due to, among other factors, friction between the fuel and the fuel line
Implementation Method 3
the electrostatic charge may accumulate on the surface of the fuel
Implementation Method 4
The electrostatic charge accumulated on the surface of the fuel dissipates at an increased rate when the determined level of ionization of the air medium is higher than the baseline level of ionization
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow, which causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes exposing an air medium in the fuel tank to ionizing radiation to increase a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank and increase a rate of dissipation of the electrostatic charge. The method includes determining the level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.