Universal Hydrogen Filling Evaluation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen filling performance evaluation systems are limited to evaluating a single filling protocol and capacity, requiring significant time to discharge hydrogen for re-evaluation, making back-to-back filling performance assessments impractical.

Innovation Solution

A universal hydrogen filling performance evaluation system with multiple nozzles, receptacles, and hydrogen storages of varying capacities, utilizing an introduction control valve and manifold to enable back-to-back filling performance evaluation and capacity-specific assessments by controlling hydrogen introduction and discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single filling protocol is evaluated using a conventional system, then the evaluation is simple and straightforward, but the system cannot evaluate multiple filling protocols or capacities, requiring system changes for each new protocol

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to evaluate multiple filling protocols and capacitiesVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation system is designed with multiple receptacles (first and second receptacles) and multiple hydrogen storages (first and second hydrogen storages) that can be coupled to nozzles in different configurations. This universal design allows the same system to evaluate multiple filling protocols (e.g., protocol for 10kg storage vs. protocol for 30kg storage) without requiring system changes, as the system can adapt its configuration based on the evaluation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the evaluation capability into separate modular components - multiple receptacles and multiple hydrogen storages with different capacities. Each receptacle and storage can be independently coupled to nozzles, allowing flexible segmentation of the evaluation process for different protocols and capacities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If hydrogen is discharged completely from a storage before re-evaluation, then the storage is ready for another evaluation cycle, but significant time is required for complete discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation throughputVSAvoidtime required for hydrogen discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

While one hydrogen storage is being filled and evaluated, another hydrogen storage is simultaneously discharged in preparation for the next evaluation cycle. This preliminary action of discharging a storage while another is being used eliminates the idle waiting time that would otherwise be required for complete discharge before re-evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous evaluation by maintaining parallel operations - filling/evaluation of one storage occurs simultaneously with discharge of another storage. This continuity eliminates downtime between evaluation cycles, as the system is always engaged in a useful action (either filling or discharging) without idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple hydrogen storages of various capacities are evaluated simultaneously, then back-to-back evaluation and capacity-specific evaluation become possible, but the system requires multiple receptacles and complex valve control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveback-to-back evaluation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of receptacles and control valves

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple discrete receptacles (first receptacle, second receptacle) and multiple hydrogen storages (first hydrogen storage, second hydrogen storage) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each component to be dedicated to specific evaluation tasks, enabling simultaneous back-to-back evaluation and capacity-specific evaluation with precise control over each evaluation parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11306873B2Universal hydrogen filling performance evaluation system for back-to-back filling performance evaluation and capacity-specific filling performance evaluation

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A system for evaluating filling performance of hydrogen storages having various capacities uses a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of receptacles, and a plurality of hydrogen storages, and includes discharging hydrogen filled in one hydrogen storage while filling another hydrogen storage with hydrogen. Evaluation of filling performance may be performed in a back-to-back manner such that hydrogen is introduced into one of the plurality of hydrogen storages and discharged from another of the hydrogen storages. The plurality of hydrogen storages have various capacities, and introduction of hydrogen into the plurality of hydrogen storages is controlled according to a combination of hydrogen storages that corresponds to an evaluation target capacity, such that filling performance evaluation for various capacities is possible.