Hydrogen Flowmeter Failure Diagnosis Using Tank State Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for calibrating flowmeters in hydrogen filling devices are cumbersome and infrequent, making it difficult to continuously verify the accuracy of flow rate measurements, which can lead to undetected deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring hydrogen gas filling amounts using a flowmeter, receiving pressure, temperature, and volume data, calculating the filling amount, and comparing it with past performance data to determine if the flowmeter is failing, with an output indicating any failure for alarm purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravimetric method is used for flowmeter calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the gravimetric calibration method by calculating an equivalent filling amount based on pressure, temperature, and volume measurements. This calculated value serves as a substitute for the actual gravitational measurement, allowing continuous verification without requiring the complex physical calibration equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravimetric measurement system with a computational system that uses pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and volume data to calculate the filling amount. This substitution eliminates the need for physical balance equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If gravimetric calibration is performed frequently, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous verification of flowmeter accuracy by performing calculations during each normal filling operation. Instead of periodic interruptions for calibration, the system continuously monitors accuracy by comparing calculated filling amounts with flowmeter readings, ensuring reliability without stopping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by using its own operational data (pressure, temperature, volume, and flowmeter readings) to check flowmeter accuracy. This eliminates the need for external calibration equipment and personnel, allowing the system to verify its own measurement accuracy during normal operation.
3Productivity
If flowmeter accuracy is not continuously verified, then productivity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the calculated filling amount is continuously compared with the flowmeter reading, and the difference (error value) is monitored. When the error exceeds a threshold, the system alerts operators to check or replace the flowmeter, ensuring measurement precision is maintained without interrupting productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for diagnosing a failure of a flowmeter in a measuring machine, includes measuring a filling amount of hydrogen gas by using a flowmeter in a case that a tank of a vehicle powered by the hydrogen gas is filled with the hydrogen gas; receiving information of a pressure, a temperature, and a volume of the tank; calculating a filling amount at an end of filling of the hydrogen gas into the tank from the measuring machine by using the pressure, the temperature, and the volume of the tank; and determining whether or not the flowmeter fails by using a plurality of error values between a metering filling amount at the end of filling measured using the flowmeter and a calculated filling amount at the end of filling calculated using the pressure, the temperature, and the volume of the tank, the plurality of error values being based on a plurality of past performance data stored in a storage device, and an error value at the end of filling of the hydrogen gas at a present time, and outputting a result.