Hydrogen Filling Pressure Gauge Calibration During Normal Refueling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and calibrating pressure gauges in hydrogen filling systems are costly and time-consuming, requiring removal of gauges for factory calibration every two years, which prevents detection of failures within this period and disrupts hydrogen station operations.
Innovation Solution
A method for diagnosing pressure gauge failures by measuring pressure values at different positions in the flow passage during normal hydrogen filling operations, determining deviations, and automatically calibrating faulty gauges using parallel pressure gauges, allowing for continuous accuracy confirmation without stopping the filling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure gauges are removed for factory calibration every two years, then calibration accuracy is ensured, but hydrogen station operations are disrupted and detection of failures within the period is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration using a reference pressure gauge before failures occur. The system continuously monitors pressure gauge accuracy during normal operations and calibrates gauges proactively when deviations are detected, rather than waiting for the two-year interval or removing gauges for inspection. This ensures measurement precision is maintained while avoiding operational disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the pressure gauge system to perform its own calibration using a reference pressure gauge during normal filling operations. The calibration process is integrated into the existing operational flow, allowing the system to maintain its own accuracy without external intervention or removal from service, thus preserving productivity while ensuring measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If pressure gauges are removed for calibration inspection, then calibration accuracy is confirmed, but cost and time are required and filling system operation is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by performing calibration during normal filling operations without stopping the filling system. The reference pressure gauge continuously monitors accuracy, and calibration is performed in-situ during regular operations, eliminating the time loss associated with removing gauges for inspection while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of removing and physically inspecting pressure gauges with an electronic/digital calibration system. A reference pressure gauge provides continuous electronic monitoring and automated calibration signals, substituting the manual mechanical inspection process with an automated electronic system that operates during normal filling, thus eliminating time loss while ensuring accuracy.
3Reliability
If multiple pressure gauges are used to monitor flow passage pressure, then failure detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference pressure gauge as an intermediary to simplify the monitoring system. Instead of requiring multiple monitoring gauges, a single reference pressure gauge serves as a mediator that continuously compares the accuracy of multiple measurement pressure gauges against it. This intermediary approach maintains high reliability for failure detection while minimizing system complexity by using one reference gauge to monitor multiple gauges.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference pressure gauge performs multiple functions: it serves as both a measurement device for monitoring flow passage pressure and as a calibration reference for verifying the accuracy of other pressure gauges. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of gauges needed, maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate reference standards.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for diagnosing failure in a pressure gauge of a hydrogen filling system includes filling a fuel cell vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel with the hydrogen fuel from an accumulator, in which the hydrogen fuel is accumulated, via a dispenser; and acquiring pressure values measured by a plurality of pressure gauges disposed at different positions in a flow passage of the hydrogen fuel between the accumulator and an outlet of the dispenser at timing when a flow rate of the hydrogen fuel to be filled at a stage close to an end of the filling becomes a threshold value or less, determining whether or not a deviation between the pressure values is within a threshold value on the basis of acquired pressure values, and outputting a determination result.