Hydrogen Safety Joint With Support-Triggered Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints for emergency releasing in hydrogen gas filling systems fail to immediately shut off the hydrogen gas flow path when the plug is disconnected from the socket, leading to the release of high-pressure hydrogen gas, known as outgas, which poses a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A safety joint with a mechanism that includes an elastic member and a support member to ensure the shutoff valve closes immediately when the plug is disconnected, preventing outgas by moving the support member to a state where it no longer supports the rod-shaped member connected to the valve body, allowing the elastic member to press the valve body onto its seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is disconnected from the socket to enable emergency releasing, then the filling hose can be pulled away safely, but high-pressure hydrogen gas flows out as outgas at the initial stage
Solution Approach 1:
The socket side shutoff valve is designed to close automatically at the initial stage of plug disconnection through the support member mechanism. The support member is positioned to contact the rod-shaped member during normal operation, holding the valve open. When the plug begins to disconnect, the support member moves away, allowing the elastic member to immediately close the valve before gas can escape, thus performing the shut-off action in advance of potential gas release.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the plug disconnection action and the valve closing action. It translates the mechanical movement of plug disconnection into the movement needed to release the rod-shaped member, which then allows the elastic member to close the valve. This intermediary mechanism ensures coordinated shutdown of both connection and flow path.
2Ease of operation
If the shutoff valve remains open during plug disconnection to maintain flow path communication, then gas can flow freely, but hydrogen gas leaks to the outside as outgas
Solution Approach 1:
The socket side shutoff valve system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The valve state changes automatically based on the connection status: open during normal operation when the support member holds the rod-shaped member in position, and closed during emergency disconnection when the support member moves away and the elastic member forces the valve body onto the valve seat. This dynamic response prevents gas leakage while maintaining operational ease.
3Productivity
If the rod-shaped member is constantly supported to keep the valve open, then gas flow is maintained, but the valve cannot close immediately when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is pre-loaded and ready to close the valve immediately when the support member releases the rod-shaped member. The system uses the stored elastic energy to automatically and rapidly close the valve without requiring external actuation or control systems. The valve closes by its own inherent mechanical design, achieving fast response and high reliability when emergency shutdown is needed.
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 prevents the initial release of hydrogen gas when the plug is disconnected, ensuring safety by immediately shutting off the gas flow path and reducing the risk of accidents during hydrogen filling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (23: socket side spring) for urging a valve body (25: socket side valve body)
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 (nozzle side member) comes out of a socket (fueling apparatus side member) to prevent release of hydrogen gas. [Means of solving the problems] 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).