Hydrogen ICE Tank Layout for Sports Car Packaging Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines face challenges with storage constraints due to low density, requiring large tanks and complicating vehicle design, leading to increased length and weight, which impair dynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid car design with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine utilizing spherical and cylindrical tanks strategically positioned, combined with a hybrid propulsion system, including an electric machine and rear-wheel drive, to optimize space and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen tanks are made large to store adequate hydrogen mass, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but vehicle length and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional cylindrical horizontal tanks to spherical tanks positioned vertically in the engine compartment. This dimensional change allows more efficient use of vertical space, accommodating adequate hydrogen storage capacity without increasing vehicle length.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen storage system is divided into multiple spherical tanks (typically 3-5 tanks) distributed in the engine compartment rather than using a single large tank. This segmentation allows flexible spatial arrangement that optimizes both storage capacity and vehicle dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen tanks are made large to store adequate hydrogen mass, then hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spherical tanks instead of conventional cylindrical tanks. The spherical geometry provides the highest volume-to-surface-area ratio, maximizing hydrogen storage capacity while minimizing the material required for tank construction, thereby reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical tanks are constructed using composite materials (typically fiber-reinforced polymers) that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the tanks to withstand high internal pressure (700 bar) while minimizing the weight of the storage system.
3Strength
If spherical or cylindrical tanks are used to withstand high internal pressure, then hydrogen storage pressure resistance is improved, but positioning flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Spherical tanks are inherently more adaptable to various positioning configurations compared to cylindrical tanks. The spherical shape allows rotation and placement in different orientations within the engine compartment, providing superior positioning flexibility while maintaining pressure resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Dividing the hydrogen storage into multiple smaller spherical tanks increases positioning flexibility. These segmented tanks can be strategically distributed in available spaces within the engine compartment, adapting to the specific vehicle layout and protecting against shocks from multiple directions.
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
The design achieves high performance in sports driving without compromising range, addressing storage and weight issues while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine
Data Source
AI summary
A car having: two front wheels; two rear drive wheels; an internal combustion engine, which is powered by hydrogen, is provided with a plurality of cylinders, inside which respective pistons slide, and with a drive shaft connected to the pistons, and is longitudinally arranged in a central or rear position; a transmission system, which connects the drive shaft of the internal combustion engine to the rear drive wheels; and two tanks, which are arranged beside an engine block of the internal combustion engine on the two opposite sides of the internal combustion engine.