Gas Cartridge Connection Isolation for Hydrogen Impurity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impurities, including oxygen, can enter a hydrogen utilizing device when connecting a gas cartridge to a connector, leading to catalyst deterioration and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply device with a cover to isolate the main stop valve and connector from the ambient atmosphere, and a removal device to remove impurities before connection, ensuring the connector and main stop valve are not in contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is directly connected to the main stop valve without isolation, then the operation is simple and fast, but impurities from the ambient atmosphere can enter the hydrogen utilizing device causing catalyst deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device activates before the connector and main stop valve make contact to remove impurities from the inner space in advance. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that when connection occurs, the pathway is already purified, preventing catalyst deterioration without requiring complex continuous purification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cover creates an isolated inner space that can be filled with purified or inert atmosphere before connection. This inert environment prevents ambient impurities from entering during the connection process, protecting the catalyst while maintaining a manageable structural complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover and removal device are added to isolate and purify the connection area, then impurity entry is suppressed, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful impurities are extracted from the inner space by the removal device before connection occurs. By actively removing contaminants rather than trying to prevent all possible contamination sources, the system achieves effective protection with relatively simple components
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the ambient atmosphere and the connection interface. It creates a controlled inner space that can be purified independently, mediating the interaction between the external environment and the sensitive hydrogen utilizing device
3Reliability
If the connector and main stop valve are kept separate for impurity removal, then purification is effective, but the hydrogen supply operation takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device performs purification in advance while the connector and main stop valve are still separate, preparing the inner space for connection. This preliminary purification eliminates the need for lengthy purification processes after connection begins, reducing overall operation time while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly transitions from the separate state to the connected state after preliminary purification is complete. By rushing through the connection phase quickly once the inner space is prepared, minimal time is lost while ensuring purification effectiveness is maintained
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
Suppresses impurity entry into the hydrogen utilizing device, preventing catalyst deterioration and maintaining device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cover that isolates a vicinity of the main stop valve of the attached gas cartridge and the connector from the ambient atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
a removal device that removes an impurity from an inner space of the cover in a state in which the connector and the main stop valve are not in contact
Data Source
AI summary
The gas supply device disclosed in the present specification includes a cover that shuts off the periphery of the main stop valve and the connector of the gas cartridge from the outside air, and a removal device that removes impurities from the inner space of the cover in a state where the connector and the main stop valve are not connected. The controller of the gas supply device connects the main stop valve and the connector when impurities are removed from the inner space by the removal device, and opens the main stop valve. The gas supply device disclosed herein shuts off the periphery of the main stop valve and the connector from the outside air and removes impurities from the periphery of the main stop valve. Therefore, contamination of the gas supply device with impurities can be suppressed.