Hydrogen Vehicle Refueling Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen fuel cell vehicle refueling systems lack automatic mechanisms to prevent vehicle operation during refueling, risking damage to both vehicles and equipment, and do not effectively detect faulty refueling events.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen refueling system that uses sensors to communicate refueling signals to a control system, disabling the traction drive system during refueling and re-enabling it when complete, while also detecting faulty refueling events through multiple sensor inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic refueling detection and control systems are implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor refueling status and communicate with the control system. The control system receives signals from sensors (detecting fuel inlet connection, tank pressure, temperature) and automatically adjusts vehicle system operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that improves reliability without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling system performs self-monitoring and self-control functions. The control system automatically detects refueling conditions through sensors and independently manages the disabling/enabling of vehicle systems without requiring external supervision, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining safety while reducing operational complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect refueling status, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling detection function is segmented into multiple independent sensor measurements: fuel inlet connection status, tank pressure changes, and temperature variations. Each sensor monitors a specific aspect of the refueling process, and the control system integrates these segmented measurements to achieve comprehensive and precise refueling detection
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where the same sensors serve multiple purposes. For example, pressure sensors monitor both refueling status and potential fault conditions, while temperature sensors detect both normal refueling thermal changes and abnormal conditions, allowing one sensor to perform multiple detection functions
3Reliability
If vehicle systems are automatically disabled during refueling, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by automatically disabling vehicle systems before any potential safety issues can arise during refueling. The system proactively prevents vehicle operation when refueling is detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring safety is established in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of ensuring vehicle shutdown during refueling (relying on operator compliance or attendant enforcement) is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The control system uses electronic signals to automatically disable traction and other vehicle systems, substituting mechanical/operator-based safety enforcement with automated electronic control
Data Source
AI summary
A method for refueling hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles is disclosed, that is capable of automatically disabling the vehicle systems, resetting the vehicle systems to allow for normal vehicle operation after the refueling event is complete, and determining if a faulty refueling event has been detected and allows normal vehicle operation.