Hydrogen Fueling Communication and Cooling for Secure Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen fueling stations face limitations in communication bandwidth, unidirectionality, and equipment reliability, particularly in vehicle-to-dispenser communication, which affects the efficiency and safety of hydrogen refueling in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) wireless communication between vehicles and fueling stations using on-board units (OBUs) and roadside units (RSUs) to establish bidirectional, secure connections for exchanging richer data sets, including vehicle-to-nozzle pairing techniques that maintain vehicle anonymity, and employing advanced hydrogen cooling systems with phase-change materials and efficient heat exchangers to manage hydrogen temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IrDA protocols are used for communication between dispenser and vehicle, then low bit error rate is achieved, but communication bandwidth is limited and unidirectional communication only is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system that bridges the vehicle and dispenser. The system uses a camera to capture images of the vehicle's license plate and other identifying features, then processes this visual information through image recognition algorithms to establish bidirectional communication channels. This intermediary approach enables rich data exchange while maintaining the reliability of the original IrDA protocol for critical control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely optical IrDA communication mechanism with a hybrid system that incorporates computer vision and image processing technologies. By substituting mechanical/optical line-of-sight requirements with camera-based identification and wireless communication protocols, the system achieves both high reliability and enhanced bandwidth for bidirectional data exchange.
2Temperature
If hydrogen gas is cooled using conventional heat exchangers, then hydrogen temperature is reduced for safe dispensing, but equipment complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) that undergo phase transitions (e.g., from solid to liquid) at specific temperatures to absorb and release thermal energy. The PCM is encapsulated in a heat exchanger that contacts the hydrogen flow, allowing passive temperature regulation during the phase transition process. This eliminates the need for active refrigeration systems and complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the cooling medium by selecting materials with appropriate phase transition temperatures matched to the hydrogen cooling requirements. By carefully selecting PCMs with transition temperatures in the range of -40°C to 0°C, the system achieves efficient hydrogen cooling without requiring complex multi-stage refrigeration systems.
3Reliability
If vehicle identification information is exchanged for nozzle pairing, then vehicle-to-nozzle ambiguity is resolved, but vehicle privacy and anonymity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different levels of information disclosure to different functional requirements. For vehicle identification and nozzle pairing, the system captures and processes detailed visual information including license plates and vehicle features. However, for payment and user account management, the system uses anonymized identifiers such as hashed license plate numbers or temporary session IDs. This local differentiation of information quality maintains pairing accuracy while preserving user privacy where possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms personally identifiable information into anonymized forms through cryptographic hashing and encoding. The license plate image is processed to extract identifying features, then converted into a hashed identifier that can be used for transaction tracking and nozzle pairing without revealing the actual license plate number. This parameter transformation maintains the functional requirements for reliable pairing while eliminating privacy risks.
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
Enhances communication bandwidth, ensures secure and efficient hydrogen refueling by resolving vehicle-nozzle ambiguity, maintains vehicle privacy, and optimizes hydrogen cooling for safe dispensing, improving the overall refueling process.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange between the hydrogen gas flowing through the stainless-steel tubing and the chilled aluminum block cools the hydrogen gas to the low temperatures needed for HFCV dispensing
Implementation Method 2
cooled to very low temperatures by a refrigeration or condenser unit (also referred to as a 'chiller' or 'cooler') via refrigeration tubing
Implementation Method 3
employing advanced hydrogen cooling systems with phase-change materials and efficient heat exchangers to manage hydrogen temperature
Data Source
AI summary
According to aspects, hydrogen fueling systems and methods are provided, including vehicle-to-vehicle communication techniques, hydrogen cooling techniques and/or hydrogen dispenser control techniques that facilitate improving aspects of a hydrogen fueling station. According to one aspect, an annular heat exchanger adapted to operate in a high-pressure and high-UA hydrogen fueling environment is provided.