Hydrogen Aircraft Fuel Distribution With Return-Loop Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The internal pressure of hydrogen fuel tanks in hydrogen aircraft fluctuates, leading to unstable discharge pressures in booster pumps, making timely fuel distribution to propulsion systems challenging, and excess liquid hydrogen distribution requires effective handling.
Innovation Solution
A fuel distribution system with a tank pressurizing mechanism using return piping, regulating valves, and a fuel vaporizer to stabilize internal pressure and manage excess liquid hydrogen, incorporating a controller for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If liquid hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen fuel tank with heat insulating structure, then cold storage efficiency is improved, but internal pressure regulation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A return piping system acts as an intermediary channel, allowing liquid hydrogen to circulate between the fuel tank and vaporizer. This mediator enables pressure regulation without compromising the heat insulating structure's cold storage efficiency, as the return piping provides an alternative flow path that decouples the insulation function from the pressure regulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition of hydrogen (liquid to vapor) in the vaporizer to regulate tank pressure. When liquid hydrogen flows through the vaporizer, it vaporizes and returns to the tank, increasing pressure. This phase change mechanism enables pressure regulation while the heat insulating structure maintains cold storage efficiency, resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
2Speed
If pump delivers liquid hydrogen to propulsion system, then fuel distribution speed is improved, but discharge pressure stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring tank pressure and adjusting the return piping flow accordingly. When tank pressure drops, the controller opens the regulating valve to allow more liquid hydrogen to return to the tank, increasing pressure. This feedback mechanism stabilizes discharge pressure while maintaining high fuel distribution speed through the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the flow rate parameter of liquid hydrogen through the return piping by adjusting the regulating valve opening. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain stable discharge pressure from the pump while preserving high fuel distribution speed, as the flow rate can be optimized in real-time based on pressure conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If excessive liquid hydrogen is distributed to fuel piping, then fuel availability is improved, but pressure fluctuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers excessive liquid hydrogen by routing it through the return piping back to the fuel tank. Instead of discarding excess fuel, the regulating valve redirects it to maintain proper tank pressure. This recovery mechanism ensures fuel availability for the propulsion system while preventing pressure fluctuations caused by excessive distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the distribution of liquid hydrogen by controlling the regulating valve opening based on real-time pressure conditions. When pressure is stable, more fuel can be distributed to the propulsion system. When pressure drops, the valve closes to prevent further distribution and allow pressure recovery. This dynamic control maintains both fuel availability and pressure stability.
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
Stabilizes internal pressure and efficiently manages excess liquid hydrogen, ensuring consistent fuel distribution to propulsion systems, preventing pump inefficiencies and vaporization issues.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel vaporizer (35) that vaporizes the liquid hydrogen LH
Implementation Method 2
the fuel vaporizer (35) vaporizing the liquid hydrogen LH
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel distribution system of a hydrogen aircraft includes a hydrogen fuel tank storing liquid hydrogen, a pressure sensor that measures an internal pressure of the hydrogen fuel tank, fuel distribution piping through which liquid hydrogen is delivered from the hydrogen fuel tank to a predetermined distribution destination, a pump that is disposed in the fuel distribution piping and delivers liquid hydrogen, first return piping including a path, a first regulating valve, and a fuel vaporizer, the path branching from the fuel distribution piping downstream of a disposing position of the pump and returning to the hydrogen fuel tank, the first regulating valve regulating a flow rate or pressure of liquid hydrogen, the fuel vaporizer vaporizing liquid hydrogen, and a controller that controls the first regulating valve and the fuel vaporizer.