Hydrogen Safety Joint With Spring-Loaded Socket Flow Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints for emergency releasing in hydrogen fueling systems fail to immediately shut off the hydrogen gas flow path when the nozzle is disconnected, leading to outgas and potential safety hazards due to the initial open state of the shutoff valve during the disconnection process.
Innovation Solution
A safety joint design featuring a cylindrical nozzle side member and a filling apparatus side member with orthogonal central axes, a protruding portion with a through hole, and a slidable closing member urged by an elastic member, which holds the closing member in a separated position during connection and moves to block the flow path upon disconnection, ensuring immediate shut-off of the hydrogen gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is disconnected from the socket, then the shutoff valve closes to prevent gas leakage, but at the initial stage of disconnection the valve remains open causing outgas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the closing member in advance to block the flow path before the plug fully disconnects. The closing member is pre-positioned within the socket's flow path, and upon disconnection, it immediately moves to seal the opening, preventing outgas before the shutoff valve can close.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closing member as an intermediary element between the plug and the external environment. This closing member acts as a mediator that seals the socket's flow path opening when the plug disconnects, preventing direct exposure of the high-pressure gas to the outside until the shutoff valve completes its closing action.
2Productivity
If the closing member is held separated during connection, then the flow path remains open for filling, but the closing member must be positioned precisely to avoid blocking the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow control function into two separate components: the shutoff valve on the plug side and the closing member on the socket side. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently - the shutoff valve controls gas flow during connection/disconnection, while the closing member provides backup sealing - reducing the precision requirements for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by having the closing member provide only auxiliary sealing function during normal operation, while the primary flow control is handled by the shutoff valve. The closing member is positioned to be close enough to seal the flow path but not so close as to block it, requiring only partial precision rather than complete sealing contact during filling.
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 safety joint effectively reduces the outflow of high-pressure hydrogen gas during the initial stage of nozzle disconnection, enhancing safety by preventing gas leakage and ensuring the hydrogen gas is not released externally, thus mitigating safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (spring 9) that urges the closing member (8) in a direction in which the plug (10) comes off
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problems] To provide a safety joint that can immediately shut off a hydrogen gas flow path at the initial stage when a plug, which is a nozzle side member, comes out of a socket, which is a filling apparatus side member, to prevent release of outgas. [Means of solving the problems] A safety joint including: a cylindrical nozzle side member with a flow path formed inside, a shutoff valve of the nozzle side member opens when the nozzle side member is connected to a filling apparatus side member; and the filling apparatus side member with a cylindrical shape and a flow path formed inside, the filling apparatus side member can be connected to the nozzle side member.