Removable Hydrogen Supply Container Assembly for Aircraft Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen supply systems in aircraft require significant downtime for maintenance due to the need to uninstall both the hydrogen tank and the container holding equipment items, which complicates maintenance and increases aircraft downtime.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen supply device with removable upstream and downstream containers that can be detached from the hydrogen tank, allowing individual containers to be maintained or replaced without removing the tank, and utilizing connection systems to maintain fluidic and electrical continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydrogen tank and container are installed together as a single unit, then the structural integrity and safety are improved, but the maintenance complexity and downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable components: the hydrogen tank (upstream container) and the equipment container (downstream container) can be detached from each other. This allows maintenance of the equipment container without removing the tank, while maintaining structural integrity during operation through secure connection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the hydrogen tank and container are permanently connected, then the connection reliability is improved, but the maintenance time and aircraft downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a permanent fixed connection to a dynamic reversible connection. The container can be securely connected during operation for reliability, and quickly detached for maintenance, with the connection state changing based on operational needs.
3Reliability
If all equipment items are positioned in a single sealed container, then the safety against hydrogen leakage is improved, but the maintenance efficiency and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment items are contained in a sealed container that maintains safety during operation, but the container itself is segmented from the tank and can be independently removed for maintenance, preserving both safety and maintenance efficiency.
4Ease of repair
If the container is designed to be removable for maintenance, then the maintenance accessibility is improved, but the connection reliability and sealing integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed with pre-positioned sealing elements and alignment features that ensure proper sealing when connected. The sealing integrity is prepared in advance through the connection design, allowing easy removal for maintenance while maintaining reliability when connected.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen supply device including at least one hydrogen tank, at least one hydrogen circuit and at least one upstream container joined to the hydrogen tank, as well as at least one removable downstream container. The upstream and downstream containers are configured to occupy an assembled state, in which the upstream and downstream containers are connected, and a detached state in which the upstream and downstream containers are not joined. The hydrogen circuit has an upstream segment positioned in the upstream container, a downstream segment positioned in the downstream container, as well as a first connection system which connects the upstream and downstream segments when the upstream and downstream containers are in the assembled state. Thus, each downstream container may be uninstalled and removed from the aircraft without it being necessary to uninstall the hydrogen tank.