High Pressure Gas Container Heat Conductor Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

High pressure gas containers with fusible plug valves face issues with heat transfer efficiency due to low thermal conductivity materials, leading to potential increased internal pressure and reduced durability, especially when exposed to high temperatures, and existing heat conductors are prone to breakage from external impacts.

Innovation Solution

A high pressure gas container design featuring a fusible plug valve and boss portions with higher heat conductivity than the container body, connected by a heat conductor accommodated within the container body, which is made of materials like stainless steel or aluminum, and configured as a braided wire to absorb thermal expansion and prevent breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If carbon fiber reinforced plastic is used as the container body material to reduce weight and increase strength, then weight is reduced and strength is improved, but thermal conductivity decreases causing delayed heat transfer to the fusible plug valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer strengthVSAvoidheat transfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat conductor (intermediary component) is introduced between the container body and fusible plug valve to bridge the thermal conductivity gap. The heat conductor has higher thermal conductivity than the carbon fiber reinforced plastic container body, enabling efficient heat transfer from the container wall to the fusible plug valve while maintaining the lightweight and strong container body structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a heat conductor is provided outside the container to transfer heat to the fusible plug valve, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the heat conductor is vulnerable to breakage from external impacts and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidheat conductor durability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat conductor is nested inside the container body, placing it within the protected interior space. This positioning shields the heat conductor from external impacts, vibration, and environmental factors while still allowing it to perform its heat transfer function from the container wall to the fusible plug valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The container body structure serves as a protective cushion for the heat conductor by positioning it inside the container. The container walls absorb and distribute external impacts before they can reach the heat conductor, preventing breakage from vibration and accidental contact with external objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the heat conductor is placed outside the container for easy installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the heat conductor may interfere with other constituent members and cause unintended impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidinterference with other members

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat conductor is nested within the container body's interior space, positioning it away from other constituent members such as insulation layers, mounting brackets, and external fixtures. This eliminates interference and accidental contact while the heat conductor can still extend from the container wall to reach the fusible plug valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution ensures effective heat transfer to the fusible plug valve, preventing breakage of the heat conductor and maintaining container durability by rapidly transferring heat and absorbing thermal deformations, thus reliably releasing pressure when exposed to high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conductor extending from a fusible plug valve provided in the high pressure gas container along a side surface of a container body outside the container to transfer heat to the fusible plug valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The fusible plug is made of a metal having a low melting point and melts by being exposed to a high temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

configured as a braided wire to absorb thermal expansion and prevent breakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10429009B2High pressure gas container and method for manufacturing high pressure gas container

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

In a high pressure gas container with a container body having a fusible plug valve and a boss portion arranged at a position different from the fusible plug valve, each of the fusible plug valve and the boss portion has a higher heat conductivity than the container body, the fusible plug valve and the boss portion are connected by a heat conductor and the heat conductor is accommodated in the container body.