Hydrogen Tank Filling Layout With Parallel Source Subgroups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for filling pressurized gas tanks, particularly vehicle hydrogen tanks, struggle to achieve high transfer rates due to equipment limitations, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that connects pressurized fluid sources in separate subgroups to dedicated transfer lines, with each subgroup and transfer line sized for lower flow rates, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple sources to achieve higher total flow rates, controlled by an electronic data processing unit for optimal pressure balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If equipment is sized for high flow rates, then transfer rate is improved, but equipment size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas transfer function into multiple parallel circuits, each handling a portion of the total flow. Multiple sources (2-10) are grouped into subgroups (first subgroup: sources 2-4, second subgroup: sources 5-7, third subgroup: sources 8-10), with each subgroup connected to dedicated transfer lines (35-37) and control valves (32-34). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high aggregate flow rates while keeping individual circuit components smaller and more cost-effective.
2Productivity
If equipment is sized for high flow rates, then transfer rate is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas transfer function into multiple parallel circuits, each handling a portion of the total flow. Multiple sources (2-10) are grouped into subgroups (first subgroup: sources 2-4, second subgroup: sources 5-7, third subgroup: sources 8-10), with each subgroup connected to dedicated transfer lines (35-37) and control valves (32-34). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high aggregate flow rates while keeping individual circuit components smaller and more cost-effective.
3Productivity
If pressure drop is increased to control transfer speed, then flow rate control is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable piloted valves (32-34, 42-44) in each parallel circuit that can be independently adjusted based on real-time pressure conditions. The electronic data processing unit (14) monitors pressure differentials and actively modulates valve openings to optimize flow distribution, replacing static pressure-drop-based control with active dynamic control that minimizes energy waste while maintaining precise flow rate management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed pressure drop to actively modulated valve opening degrees. By using piloted valves with electronic control, the system can adjust the flow resistance dynamically, allowing precise control of transfer speed without relying on excessive pressure drops that would cause energy loss. The electronic data processing unit (14) continuously optimizes valve positions based on pressure sensor feedback.
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
Enables high-flow rate gas transfer with reduced equipment size and cost, minimizing cold generation and optimizing pressure differentials for efficient filling of large tanks.
Implementation Method 1
pressure balancing between sources and the tank to be filled
Implementation Method 2
the sum of several maximum transfer gas flow rates provided by several outlet valves and several transfer lines being greater than or equal to the maximum fill gas flow rate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for filling pressurised gas tanks, in particular hydrogen tanks of vehicles, comprising a fluid transfer circuit having an upstream end connected to a plurality of sources (2 to 10) of pressurised fluid and a downstream end comprising at least one distribution termination (11, 12, 13) for connection to a tank to be filled, the sources (2 to 10) being connected in parallel to the at least one termination (11, 12, 13), each source (2 to 10) comprising a fluid outlet connected to a respective outlet valve (22 to 30), the sources (2 to 10) being connected in parallel in distinct subgroups to respective transfer lines (35 to 37), i.e. all the sources of a single subgroup are connected in parallel to a dedicated transfer line (35 to 37), each of several subgroups of sources, preferably all the subgroups, comprising multiple sources, the transfer lines (35 to 37) being connected in parallel to the at least one distribution termination (11, 12, 13) and each comprising a respective transfer valve (32 to 34), the at least one distribution termination (11, 12, 13) comprising a set of control valves (32 to 34), the at least one distribution termination (11, 12, 13) and its set of control valves (32 to 34) being sized to transfer a predetermined maximum filling gas flow rate, the outlet valves (22-30), the transfer lines (35-37) and the transfer valves (32-34) being sized to transfer a maximum transfer gas flow rate that is less than the maximum filling gas flow rate, the sum of a plurality of maximum transfer gas flow rates provided by a plurality of outlet valves (22-30) and a plurality of transfer lines (35-37) being greater than or equal to the maximum filling gas flow rate.