Variable-Flow Hydrogen Injector for Fuel Cell Load Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fuel cell systems require multiple injectors to manage varying loads, increasing costs and space requirements due to the complexity of the injector components.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen supply device incorporating a solenoid valve with a variable cross-sectional area hydrogen flow path, allowing for stable hydrogen delivery to a fuel cell without the need for multiple injectors, utilizing a solenoid valve with a valve seat and body that adjusts its stroke amount to control hydrogen flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple injectors are provided to manage varying loads, then hydrogen supply adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen supply adaptabilityVSAvoidinjector quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the hydrogen flow path area variable through the stroke amount of the valve body. The valve body can move to different positions (first position for large area, second position for small area) to dynamically adjust hydrogen flow according to load requirements, eliminating the need for multiple injectors while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of hydrogen flow path area by varying the valve body stroke amount. By controlling the position of the valve body relative to the valve seat, the effective flow area is adjusted continuously or discretely, allowing a single injector to perform the function of multiple injectors with different flow capacities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple injectors are provided to manage varying loads, then hydrogen supply adaptability is improved, but mounting space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen supply adaptabilityVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple injectors into a single injector by incorporating a variable stroke valve body that can adjust the hydrogen flow path area. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and their associated mounting spaces while maintaining the ability to supply different hydrogen flows for varying loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single injector is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple load conditions. The valve body can operate at different stroke amounts to provide both large and small hydrogen flow areas, making the single injector capable of replacing multiple specialized injectors and reducing overall mounting space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the valve body stroke amount is varied to control hydrogen flow area, then hydrogen supply precision is improved, but valve structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen supply precisionVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve structure incorporates dynamic elements (movable valve body with variable stroke) to achieve precise control of hydrogen flow. The complexity is justified by the significant improvement in hydrogen supply precision, as the variable stroke allows fine-tuning of the flow area to match exact load requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 stable hydrogen supply to a fuel cell based on operating conditions without requiring multiple injectors, reducing costs and space requirements while ensuring efficient hydrogen management.

Implementation Method 1

an injector that includes a solenoid valve and injects hydrogen from an injection hole when the solenoid valve is opened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

an ejector that suctions hydrogen in anode off-gas of a fuel cell by a negative pressure generated by a flow of hydrogen injected from the injector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure generation by fluid flow: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4358198A1Hydrogen supply device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4358198A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4358198A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4358198A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Problem] The present invention provides a hydrogen supply device that stably supplies hydrogen to a fuel cell according to an operation state. [Means for Resolution] A hydrogen supply device (10) includes: an injector (10b) including a solenoid valve (25) and injecting hydrogen from an injection hole (23) when the solenoid valve (25) is opened; and an ejector (10a) that suctions hydrogen in anode off-gas of a fuel cell (51) by a negative pressure generated by a flow of hydrogen injected from the injector (10b) and supplies, to the fuel cell (51), hydrogen injected from the injector (10b) and hydrogen in the anode off-gas. The solenoid valve (25) includes: a valve seat section (6) including the injection hole (23); and a valve body (2) seated on the valve seat section (6) when the solenoid valve (25) is closed, and is configured that a cross-sectional area of a hydrogen flow path in the injection hole (23) varies according to a stroke amount of the valve body (2).