Hydrogen Reservoir Connector With Aluminum-Steel Split Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems require a connection device for high-pressure hydrogen reservoirs that maintains tightness and pressure resistance after repeated loosening and reconnecting, which is challenging due to the need for high-strength materials that are difficult to process and have high specific gravity.
Innovation Solution
A connection device is designed with a base body made of lightweight aluminum or aluminum alloy and connection elements made of high-strength stainless steel, where the connection elements are attached during manufacturing, ensuring stability and ease of processing while minimizing weight and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connection device is made entirely of high-strength steel to ensure pressure resistance and tightness after repeated loosening and reconnection, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases due to difficulty in processing
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device applies local quality by using different materials in different parts: the base body is made of lightweight aluminum while the connection elements (screws, nuts, fasteners) are made of high-strength steel. This allows the critical connection points to have the required strength and wear resistance for repeated loosening and reconnection, while the main structure remains lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device uses composite materials by combining aluminum base body with steel connection elements. This composite construction allows the device to achieve both lightweight properties from aluminum and high strength/durability from steel in the connection components, resolving the contradiction between weight and reliability.
2Reliability
If the connection device is made entirely of high-strength steel to ensure durability after repeated loosening and reconnection, then the strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty in machining and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making only the connection elements (screws, nuts, fasteners) from high-strength steel, while the base body is made from aluminum that is easier to machine. This localized application of high-strength material ensures durability where needed while maintaining ease of manufacture for the main structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device is segmented into different functional parts with different material requirements: the base body (easier to manufacture) and the connection elements (requiring high strength). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function and manufacturing requirements.
3Reliability
If high-strength materials are used for the connection elements to maintain tightness after repeated loosening and reconnection, then the reliability is improved, but the specific gravity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses local quality by applying high-strength, high-specific-gravity materials only to the connection elements where strength is critical for maintaining tightness after repeated loosening and reconnection. The base body uses lighter aluminum material, reducing overall specific gravity while maintaining reliability where needed.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention discloses a connection device for connecting one or more hydrogen storage devices to a fuel cell. For this purpose, a connection device is proposed which comprises a base body made of a light metal such as aluminum and connection elements made of a high-strength material such as stainless steel.