Fuel Temperature and Pressure Equalization for Vehicle Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle fuel systems, especially those using CNG or hydrogen, pressure vessels often have varying temperatures and pressures at the start of filling, leading to incomplete filling of some vessels before the target refueling pressure is reached in others, resulting in a suboptimal state of charge and reduced fuel introduction during the filling process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjust the temperature and pressure of fuel in multiple pressure vessels to setpoints prior to filling, using a control device to equalize conditions without exceeding maximum operating limits, ensuring maximum fuel introduction from a single filling source by determining setpoints based on characteristic curves and initial conditions, and accounting for pressure losses and filling system properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pressure vessels are filled simultaneously from a single filling source, then the filling process is efficient and time-saving, but the fuel introduction quantity is reduced because some vessels cannot be completely filled due to temperature and pressure variations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines target temperatures and target pressures for each pressure vessel before the filling process begins. This preliminary setting of parameters ensures that when filling occurs simultaneously, each vessel is optimized to accept maximum fuel quantity, resolving the contradiction between filling efficiency and total fuel introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature and pressure parameters of each pressure vessel individually before filling by controlling fuel removal and supply. This parameter optimization allows simultaneous filling to achieve both high efficiency and maximum fuel quantity by ensuring each vessel starts at optimal conditions.
2Reliability
If fuel is removed from pressure vessels to equalize temperatures and pressures before filling, then the state of charge is optimized, but the vehicle loses usable fuel during the preparation process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a buffer storage as an intermediary component between the pressure vessels and the fuel conversion device. Removed fuel is stored in the buffer temporarily, preventing direct loss, and can be returned to vessels or used later, thus optimizing state of charge without permanent fuel loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers fuel that is removed from pressure vessels during temperature and pressure equalization. Instead of discarding this fuel, it is stored in a buffer and can be returned to the pressure vessels or used to propel the vehicle, eliminating waste while achieving optimal charging state.
3Reliability
If the filling process is terminated when the target refueling pressure is reached in one or more pressure vessels, then the maximum operating pressure is not exceeded, but other pressure vessels remain incompletely filled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality control by determining individual target temperatures and target pressures for each pressure vessel based on its specific characteristics and initial state. This localized parameter optimization allows each vessel to be filled to its maximum capacity without exceeding safety limits, resolving the contradiction between pressure safety and filling completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
By preliminarily determining optimal target parameters for each vessel before filling begins, the system ensures that simultaneous filling can proceed without exceeding maximum pressures while still achieving complete filling of all vessels. This preliminary planning eliminates the need to terminate early.
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 allows for a higher amount of fuel to be introduced into the system during filling, increasing the vehicle's range by ensuring all vessels are filled to their maximum capacity, reducing waiting time at filling stations, and minimizing fuel overflow between vessels.
Implementation Method 1
removing fuel from a first pressure vessel, wherein the fuel in the first pressure vessel has a first temperature and a first pressure, for approximating the first temperature and/or the first pressure of the fuel to the temperature setpoint and/or to the pressure setpoint
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for setting the temperature and/or the pressure of fuel in multiple pressure vessels (20, 40, 60) of a vehicle to in each case one temperature setpoint value and/or in each case one pressure setpoint value before a filling process of the pressure vessels (20, 40, 60) is presented, comprising the following steps: removing fuel from a first pressure vessel (20), wherein the fuel in the first pressure vessel (20) has a first temperature and a first pressure, in order to bring the first temperature and/or the first pressure of the fuel closer to the temperature setpoint value and/or to the pressure setpoint value of the first pressure vessel (20), and, in a manner dependent on the decision by a control device (80), feeding the removed fuel from the first pressure vessel (20) to a fuel conversion device for driving the vehicle, or into a second pressure vessel (40), wherein the fuel in the second pressure vessel (40) has a second temperature and a second pressure, in order to bring the second temperature and/or the second pressure of the fuel closer to the temperature setpoint value and/or to the pressure setpoint value of the second pressure vessel (40), wherein the temperature setpoint values and/or the pressure setpoint values of the pressure vessels (20, 40, 60) are determined such that, without an exceedance of the respective maximum operating pressure and the respective maximum operating temperature of the respective pressure vessel (20, 40, 60), the amount of fuel introduced from a single filling source by means of a filling process of the pressure vessels (20, 40, 60) performed at the same time and for an equal length of time is as high as possible.