Hydrogen Safety Joint Using Support-Member Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints for hydrogen gas filling systems do not effectively shut off the gas flow path at the initial stage of disconnection, leading to the release of high-pressure hydrogen gas, known as outgas, when the plug is pulled out of the socket, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A safety joint with a cylindrical nozzle side member and a filling apparatus side member, featuring shutoff valves and an elastic member that closes the socket side shutoff valve when the plug is disconnected, utilizing support members that move with the nozzle side member to ensure the rod-shaped member is not supported, allowing the valve body to sit on the valve seat and shut off the gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is disconnected from the socket, then the gas flow path should be shut off immediately, but the existing pipe joint structure causes a delay in closing the shutoff valve, resulting in outgas release
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is pre-positioned within the socket such that when the plug is pulled out, the support member automatically moves to push the valve body against the valve seat before the plug fully disconnects. This preliminary action ensures the valve closes at the initial stage of disconnection, preventing outgas release.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the plug and the valve body. When the plug is pulled out, the support member translates this motion into a pushing force on the valve body, mediating the connection between plug displacement and valve closure to achieve immediate shut off.
2Reliability
If the support member structure is added to enable immediate valve closing, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves multiple functions: it supports the valve body in the normal connected state, and simultaneously acts as a actuator to push the valve body against the valve seat when the plug is pulled out. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member utilizes the motion of the plug being pulled out as its operating force source. The displacement of the plug directly drives the support member to push the valve body, creating a self-actuating mechanism that does not require external power sources or complex control systems.
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 immediately shuts off the hydrogen gas flow path at the initial stage of disconnection, preventing the release of outgas and ensuring safety by ensuring the shutoff valves close promptly when the plug is disconnected from the socket.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element mounted to the other side of the socket side valve stem is held at a position separated from a socket side valve seat against an elastic repulsive force of an elastic body on the socket side
Implementation Method 2
a valve body provided on the plug side valve stem is held at a position separated from a plug side valve seat against an elastic repulsive force of an elastic body on the plug side
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a safety joint that can immediately shut off a hydrogen gas flow path at the initial stage when a plug (nozzle side member) comes out of a socket (fueling apparatus side member) to prevent release of hydrogen gas. In a safety joint (100, 100-1, 100-2) when the plug (10) is disconnected from the socket (20), a plug side shutoff valve 5 and a socket side shutoff valve 24 close, a mechanism for closing the socket side shutoff valve (24) includes a socket side spring (23) for urging a socket side valve body (25), a socket side rod (22) connected to the socket side valve body (25), and a support member (26, 27, 28) for supporting (mounting) the socket side rod (22), the support member (26, 27, 28) moves, together with the plug (10), to a state that the support member (26, 27, 28) does not support (mount) the socket side rod (22) when the plug (10) is disconnected from the socket (20).