Hydrogen Fuel Filling Flow Switching to Reduce Valve Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen fuel filling systems for fuel cell vehicles face challenges in adjusting the flow rate of hydrogen fuel without using costly and prone-to-leakage flow rate adjusting valves, and existing methods to reduce filling time still suffer from leakage due to valve deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen fuel filling system that utilizes parallel flow passages and a switching valve to adjust the flow rate by switching between multiple pressure accumulators, eliminating the need for a flow rate adjusting valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flow rate adjusting valve is used to adjust the flow rate of hydrogen fuel, then the flow rate can be controlled, but leakage occurs due to deterioration over time and the system becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage is divided into multiple segments (first flow passage and second flow passage) with different flow capacities. By switching between these segmented passages, flow rate control is achieved without requiring a continuously adjustable valve, thereby eliminating leakage issues while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive and unreliable flow rate adjusting valve with a simple switching valve that directs flow through pre-configured passages. This substitution uses simpler, more reliable components that do not suffer from the same deterioration and leakage problems.
2Ease of operation
If a flow rate adjusting valve is used to adjust the flow rate of hydrogen fuel, then the flow rate can be controlled, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage is divided into multiple segments (first flow passage and second flow passage) with different flow capacities. By switching between these segmented passages, flow rate control is achieved without requiring a continuously adjustable valve, thereby eliminating leakage issues while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive and unreliable flow rate adjusting valve with a simple switching valve that directs flow through pre-configured passages. This substitution uses simpler, more reliable components that do not suffer from the same deterioration and leakage problems.
3Productivity
If filling time is reduced by using a bypass path, then the filling speed increases, but valve deterioration and leakage still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage is divided into multiple segments (first flow passage and second flow passage) with different flow capacities. By switching between these segmented passages, flow rate control is achieved without requiring a continuously adjustable valve, thereby eliminating leakage issues while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching valve periodically switches between different flow passages during the filling process. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain high filling speeds while avoiding continuous operation of any single valve component, thereby reducing wear and preventing leakage.
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 inexpensive and safe hydrogen fuel filling by effectively adjusting the flow rate without relying on flow rate adjusting valves, thereby reducing leakage and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow passage through which hydrogen fuel supplied from a pressure accumulator that accumulates hydrogen fuel under pressure passes
Implementation Method 2
a switching valve that switches flow passages selectively from one of the first and second flow passages to another
Implementation Method 3
hydrogen fuel is rapidly charged from the pressure accumulator to the fuel tank by the differential pressure between the pressure in the pressure accumulator and the pressure in the fuel tank
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen fuel filling system includes a first flow passage through which hydrogen fuel supplied from a pressure accumulator that accumulates hydrogen fuel under pressure passes; a second flow passage through which hydrogen fuel supplied from the pressure accumulator passes, and which is arranged in parallel with the first flow passage; a switching valve that switches flow passages selectively from one of the first and second flow passages to another, or that switches flow passages between one and both of the first and second flow passages; and a control circuit that controls opening/closing of the switching valve, wherein a fuel cell vehicle using hydrogen fuel as a power source is filled with hydrogen fuel while switching the flow passages by the switching valve during supply from the pressure accumulator.