Fuel Tank Gas Charging Control for Fast Hose Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas charging devices face inefficiencies due to temperature rise in the gas supply pipeline and charging hose, leading to increased time required to lower the temperature of fuel gas supplied to the fuel tank, especially when there is a long interval between previous and current charging sessions at high ambient temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a control system that initiates fuel gas supply to the fuel tank at a high increase rate initially to rapidly reduce the temperature of the downstream supply pipeline and charging hose, followed by a reference increase rate during the middle and late stages of charging, using a control device to manage valve openings and temperature sensors to achieve the desired temperature within a predetermined time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If gas charging is performed with a long interval between previous and current charging sessions at high ambient temperature, then the gas supply pipeline and charging hose temperature rises to ambient temperature, but the time required to lower the fuel gas temperature to predetermined temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required to lower fuel gas temperatureVSAvoidgas supply pipeline and charging hose temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary cooling action by supplying cooled fuel gas at a high increase rate during the initial phase of charging, before the pipeline and hose temperatures can fully rise to ambient temperature. This preliminary action reduces the temperature difference between the pipeline and the fuel gas, thereby reducing the time required to lower the fuel gas temperature to the predetermined temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the fuel gas supply rate based on the charging phase. During the initial phase, a high increase rate is used to rapidly cool the pipeline and hose. During the middle and late phases, a reference increase rate is used to maintain efficient charging. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the temperature control process and reduces overall charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If fuel gas is supplied at a high increase rate initially to rapidly reduce pipeline temperature, then the temperature reduction speed increases, but the charging pressure increase rate must be controlled to prevent excessive pressure rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature reduction speedVSAvoidcharging pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the fuel gas supply rate based on the charging phase. During the initial phase, a high increase rate is used to rapidly cool the pipeline and hose. During the middle and late phases, a reference increase rate is used to maintain efficient charging. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the temperature control process and reduces overall charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the supply rate parameter based on the charging phase. Initially, the supply rate is set to a high increase rate to maximize temperature reduction efficiency. As charging progresses, the supply rate is adjusted to a reference increase rate to maintain proper pressure control. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both temperature reduction speed and pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 rapid temperature reduction of fuel gas supplied to the fuel tank, enhancing charging efficiency by ensuring the fuel gas reaches the predetermined temperature within a specified time, thus reducing overall charging time.

Implementation Method 1

the gas charging device reduces gas charging time by cooling the hydrogen gas with a cooler (a heat exchanger) provided in the gas supply pipeline to suppress a rise in gas temperature in the fuel tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

fuel gas cooled by the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the gas supply pipeline and the charging hose whose temperature has risen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3786515B1Gas charging device

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 ENEOS CORP

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AI summary

A control device (28) disposed in a dispenser unit (4) controls opening/closing of a flow regulating valve (16) so that pressure increase rate of gas pressure in a fuel tank (2A) when gas charging to the fuel tank (2A) increases at a reference increase rate determined in advance. The control device (28), when gas charge to the fuel tank (2A) begins, controls pressure increase rate at a high increase rate higher than the reference increase rate. After the difference between gas pressure in the fuel tank (2A) when gas charging is performed at the high increase rate and gas pressure in the fuel tank (2A) when the charging is performed at the reference increase rate has reached a predetermined pressure difference, the control device (28) controls the opening/closing of the flow regulating valve (16) so that gas charge to the fuel tank (2A) is performed at the reference increase rate.