High Pressure Container Ventilation via Gas Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high pressure container units, such as those in vehicles, do not adequately protect high pressure containers like fuel tanks from elevated temperatures, which can lead to increased risk of damage or explosion.
Innovation Solution
A high pressure container unit design featuring a container body housed within a case, a pipe system with a closing member and ventilation mechanism that discharges high pressure gas and air using a Venturi effect to manage temperature, with a fusible plug allowing gas release when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the high pressure container is mounted on the lower part of the vehicle without additional protection structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases when temperature of the lower part becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a case for physical protection, a ventilation mechanism for thermal management, and a closing member for controlled discharge. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of protection without overly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation mechanism is designed to activate preemptively when temperature reaches a threshold, discharging air from the case before the high pressure container is directly exposed to harmful heat levels. The closing member is pre-positioned to automatically close the pipe when temperature exceeds a given condition, preventing harmful effects before they occur.
2Reliability
If the closing member allows high pressure gas to be discharged when temperature becomes high, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member responds to temperature parameter changes by transitioning from a closed to an open state. This parameter-based control ensures the pipe remains closed during normal operation (preventing gas loss) and only opens when temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold (ensuring safety).
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates thermal feedback through the closing member that monitors temperature conditions and automatically adjusts the pipe closure state. When temperature rises above the given condition, the closing member detects this change and opens the pipe for discharge; when temperature returns to normal, it closes again, preventing unnecessary gas loss.
3Temperature
If the ventilation mechanism discharges air from the case when temperature becomes high, then the temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation mechanism utilizes the pressure of discharged high pressure gas itself to drive the ventilation process. The gas flow automatically creates the necessary pressure differential to expel air from the case without requiring external power sources or complex control systems, achieving self-service thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation function is merged with the existing high pressure gas discharge system. The same pipe and closing member used for gas discharge also serve the ventilation function, eliminating the need for a separate ventilation system and reducing overall device complexity.
4Reliability
If the pipe extends to the outside of the case for gas discharge, then the reliability is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of potential leakage is extracted and isolated to a specific controlled location at the pipe outlet. The closing member creates a sealed closure that remains engaged during normal operation, effectively containing the system. Only when temperature exceeds the given condition does the closing member disengage, intentionally allowing discharge in a controlled manner rather than risking unintended leakage.
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
Effectively ventilates the area around the high pressure container, preventing overheating and ensuring safe discharge of high pressure gas, thereby protecting the container from high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilation mechanism discharges air inside the case to the outside of the case with use of pressure of the discharged high pressure gas when the given condition is satisfied
Data Source
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AI summary
A high pressure container unit (10) includes a container body (20) configured to store high pressure gas, a case (12) storing the container body (20) inside the case (12), a pipe (24; 62) connected with the container body (20) and extending to an outside of the case (12), a closing member (28) that is configured to close the pipe (24; 62) and allow the high pressure gas stored in the container body (20) to be discharged from the pipe (24; 62) when a given condition is satisfied, and a ventilation mechanism (32; 66) that discharges air inside the case (12) to the outside of the case (12) with use of pressure of the discharged high pressure gas when the given condition is satisfied.