Gas Storage Connection Sleeve for Pressure-Tight Misalignment Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas storage systems face challenges in achieving a reliable, pressure-tight connection between gas storage units and a shared connection structure, particularly in mobile applications like hydrogen storage systems for vehicles, where manufacturing inconsistencies and angular errors can compromise sealing and fastening integrity.
Innovation Solution
A connecting sleeve with dual sealing portions and a tensioning device, such as a bayonet-type fastening mechanism, is used to decouple sealing and fastening functions, allowing for angular error compensation and secure attachment of gas storage units to a shared connection structure, utilizing O-rings and clamping screws for enhanced stability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a direct connection between gas storage units and shared connection structure is used, then manufacturing precision requirements are high, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas storage unit connection end and the shared connection structure. The connecting sleeve includes a first sealing portion that connects to the gas storage unit and a second sealing portion that connects to the shared connection structure, thereby mediating the connection and compensating for angular errors without requiring high manufacturing precision of the main connection structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple functional components: the connecting sleeve with dual sealing portions, the tensioning device for fastening, and the gas storage unit connection end. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connecting sleeve handles sealing and angular error compensation, while the tensioning device handles fastening, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
2Reliability
If sealing and fastening functions are combined in one component, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability under high pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct sealing and fastening functions. The connecting sleeve with its first and second sealing portions is responsible solely for creating pressure-tight seals, while the separate tensioning device (such as a bayonet mechanism or clamping screw) is responsible for mechanical fastening. This functional segmentation ensures that sealing reliability is not compromised by the mechanical stresses of fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting sleeve acts as a mediator that provides dedicated sealing surfaces between the gas storage unit and the shared connection structure. By separating the sealing function (handled by the connecting sleeve) from the fastening function (handled by the tensioning device), the system achieves high sealing reliability under high pressure conditions while maintaining manageable device complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing components are used, then sealing reliability improves, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first sealing portion and second sealing portion are integrated into a single connecting sleeve component rather than being separate parts. This merging allows the dual-sealing function to be achieved in one assembly step, reducing assembly time while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple sealing surfaces. The connecting sleeve is installed as one piece, simultaneously providing both sealing interfaces.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a tensioning device is added for fastening, then connection stability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning device serves as a specialized intermediary component that provides reliable mechanical fastening between the gas storage unit and the shared connection structure. Examples include bayonet mechanisms or clamping screws that create stable mechanical connections. While this adds a component, it uses simple, standardized mechanical elements that keep manufacturing costs reasonable while significantly improving connection stability for high-pressure applications.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas storage system (1) comprising gas storage units (2) which each have a connection end (4) which pressure-tightly connects said gas storage unit (2) to a shared connection structure (5).In order to improve the gas storage system (1) with respect to its manufacturing process and/or function, a connecting sleeve (12) is associated with the connection end (4), a first sealing portion (13) of said connecting sleeve being fluid-tightly accommodated in the connection end (4) of the gas storage unit (2), and a second sealing portion (14) of the connecting sleeve (12) being fluid-tightly accommodated in a connection recess (9) in the shared connection structure (5).