Hydrogen Nozzle Prefilling for Tank Connection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen filling systems struggle to efficiently determine the connection of multiple nozzles to either a single or multiple tank systems, leading to inefficient filling times and incorrect filling controls due to the inability to distinguish between different tank system configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize prefilling techniques and pressure measurements to differentiate between connections to a single or multiple tank systems, employing first and second filling controls based on pressure increases in hydrogen supply lines to optimize filling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzles are connected to multiple receptacles, then hydrogen filling capacity is improved, but it becomes impossible to determine whether nozzles are connected to one or multiple tank systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions (communication exchange, prefilling operations, pressure measurements) before the main hydrogen filling process to determine the tank system configuration. By conducting these preparatory steps, the system gathers necessary information about whether multiple nozzles are connected to one or multiple tank systems, enabling appropriate filling control to be selected subsequently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from communication between the hydrogen supply apparatus and movable bodies, as well as feedback from pressure sensor measurements during prefilling, to determine the connection configuration. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt its filling control strategy based on the actual tank system configuration, resolving the information loss problem.
2Measurement precision
If vehicle identification information is transmitted to determine tank system type, then filling control accuracy is improved, but information security and privacy protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary operational information (tank system configuration) through indirect methods such as communication protocols and pressure measurements during prefilling, rather than transmitting or processing sensitive vehicle identification information. This extraction approach obtains the needed information while minimizing information security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses communication protocols and pressure measurements as intermediaries to indirectly determine tank system type without directly handling sensitive vehicle identification information. These intermediary methods serve as a bridge between the need for accurate identification and the requirement for information security.
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 accurate determination of nozzle connections to tank systems, preventing inefficient filling times and ensuring optimal filling controls without requiring sensitive vehicle information, thus enhancing efficiency and security.
Implementation Method 1
when pressure in rest of the hydrogen supply lines increases after the first prefilling
Data Source
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AI summary
To efficiently perform hydrogen filling according to the form of a movable body by the use of a hydrogen supply apparatus provided with nozzles, in a method of filling at least one movable body with hydrogen from a hydrogen supply apparatus, said at least one movable body being provided with a tank system that has receptacles and that is in such a manner that hydrogen conduits on a downstream side of the receptacles come together, the hydrogen supply apparatus being provided with hydrogen supply lines and nozzles that are provided at the heads of the hydrogen supply lines, the hydrogen supply apparatus is configured to be able to perform first and second filling controls, the first filling control being a hydrogen filling control to be performed when the nozzles are connected to the receptacles of the tank system, the second filling control being a hydrogen filling control to be performed when one of the nozzles is connected to one of the receptacles of the tank system, the method including: after the nozzles are connected to some of the receptacles of said at least one movable body and before performing the first or second filling control, performing first prefilling with hydrogen via one of the nozzles; and when pressure in rest of the hydrogen supply lines increases after the first prefilling, performing the first filling control, the rest of the hydrogen supply lines being connected to the other nozzles via which no first prefilling is performed.