High-Pressure H2 Check Valve With Annular Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure hydrogen systems are limited by the flow rate and flow range of their check valves, which restrict the efficient distribution of hydrogen in applications such as fueling systems for vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design for high-pressure H2 systems, featuring a main body with an inlet and outlet interface, a piston movable between open and closing positions, a piston holder with a piston spring, and a flow channel arranged around the piston, allowing for high flow rates and efficient gas exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional check valve design is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the flow rate is limited and flow range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The piston holder with piston spring is arranged inside the piston, creating a nested configuration where the piston holder is positioned within the piston's internal volume. This nested arrangement allows the valve to achieve high flow rates through the annular flow channel while keeping the overall valve structure compact and avoiding excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel is arranged in an annular configuration around the piston, utilizing the radial dimension to create a larger effective flow area without increasing the axial length of the valve. This dimensional approach enables high flow rates while maintaining a compact valve structure
2Productivity
If the flow channel is arranged around the piston, then the flow rate increases, but the space utilization becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The piston holder with piston spring is nested inside the piston, utilizing the piston's internal volume to house these components. This arrangement allows the annular flow channel to occupy the space around the piston while the piston holder occupies the internal space, achieving efficient space utilization without increasing overall valve volume
Solution Approach 2:
The annular flow channel utilizes the radial space around the piston, transforming the one-dimensional linear flow path into a two-dimensional annular path. This increases the effective flow area without proportionally increasing the valve's external dimensions, particularly the axial length
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 check valve enables a high flow rate of hydrogen, up to 300 g/s, while maintaining a compact design, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems and enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen distribution in high-pressure systems.
Implementation Method 1
a piston spring (34) designed to push the piston (30) into the closing position
Implementation Method 2
a piston (30) being movable between an open position and a closing position to open and close the flow channel (26) against a sealing seat (28)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a check valve (10) for a high-pressure H2-system (100), especially for a manifold (110) of the high-pressure H2-system (100), the check valve (10) comprising a main body (20) with an inlet interface (22) for connecting the check valve (10) to a refuelling infrastructure (150) and an outlet interface (24) for connecting the check valve (10) to the high-pressure system (100), wherein the main body (20) comprises a flow channel (26) fluid communicatingly connecting the inlet interface (22) to the outlet interface (24), a piston (30) being arranged in the main body (20) and being movable between an open position and a closing position to open and close the flow channel (26) against a sealing seat (28) of the main body (20), wherein the flow channel (26) is arranged at least partially around the piston (30), a piston holder (32) with a piston spring (34), wherein the piston holder (32) and the piston spring (34) are at least partially arranged inside the piston (30), wherein the piston spring (34) is designed to push the piston (30) into the closing position, wherein the piston holder (32) is attached to an inside of the main body (20). Furthermore, the invention relates to a manifold (110) for a high-pressure H2-system (100), the manifold (110) comprising at least one check valve (10).