Hydrogen Refueling Interface Using Machine Power in Remote Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large construction machines with restricted operating ranges face challenges in refueling with hydrogen due to high energy requirements and lack of energy supply networks at remote locations, limiting the effectiveness of current mobile hydrogen refueling solutions.
Innovation Solution
An interface device that provides drive power for hydrogen transfer between a mobile refueling station and the construction machine, utilizing various power sources such as hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical power, and includes features for energy supply, control power, data transmission, and safety measures, allowing for efficient hydrogen refueling even in remote areas without a local power connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is transferred from a mobile refueling station to a construction machine using conventional overflow methods, then the refueling process requires low local energy requirements, but the delivery quantity and filling level are limited resulting in reduced operating range
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between overflow mode (pressure-driven, low energy) and active pumping mode (high flow rate, higher energy) based on the pressure differential between the refueling station and the construction machine tank. This allows the system to adapt to varying conditions and achieve both high delivery quantities and acceptable energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of hydrogen transfer by using an active pump instead of relying solely on pressure equalization. This enables control over flow rate, pressure, and timing, allowing sufficient hydrogen to be transferred even when the construction machine is at high altitude or has a full tank, thereby increasing delivery quantity without proportionally increasing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If an active hydrogen refueling system with pumping capability is used to increase delivery quantity, then sufficient hydrogen can be supplied to extend operating range, but significantly higher power and energy requirements are needed which cannot be met by conventional mobile refueling solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the refueling function with the power supply function by having the construction machine's own power system (electrical or hydraulic) provide the energy needed for active hydrogen transfer. This eliminates the need for a separate high-power source on the mobile refueling station, enabling high productivity without proportionally increasing power requirements at the refueling station.
Solution Approach 2:
The construction machine serves itself by providing the power needed for its own refueling process. The machine's electrical or hydraulic system powers the pump or compressor during refueling, allowing the system to achieve high delivery rates without external high-power support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile refueling station is used to refuel construction machines at remote locations, then the machines can be supplied with hydrogen away from stationary refueling infrastructure, but there is usually no energy supply network available to drive the hydrogen refueling station or compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal power sources that are already present on construction machines (electrical systems or hydraulic systems) to power the refueling process. This allows the mobile refueling station to operate at any location without requiring external power infrastructure, as it can draw power from the machine being refueled or from its own onboard power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The construction machine's power system acts as an intermediary, bridging the gap between the mobile refueling station and the need for high power consumption. Instead of requiring the refueling station to carry its own high-power source or connect to external infrastructure, the machine's power system mediates the energy transfer needed for active refueling.
4Productivity
If the construction machine provides its own power for refueling, then high delivery quantities can be achieved without external power infrastructure, but the interface device and power transmission system become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing, standardized power interfaces and communication protocols that are already present on construction machines. By copying and adapting these existing interfaces rather than creating entirely new systems, the complexity is minimized while still enabling high-speed active refueling with full power utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an interface device, which is or can be connected to a construction machine to be refueled, on the one hand, and to a preferably mobile hydrogen refueling station, on the other, or forms a component thereof, wherein the interface device has a drive unit or a power transducer designed to provide the drive power for transferring hydrogen from the hydrogen refueling station to the construction machine to be refueled and wherein the interface device is formed by the construction machine to be refueled and/or the preferably mobile hydrogen refueling station and/or a dispenser unit, which is designed to supply the preferably mobile hydrogen refueling station and/or the construction machine with the drive power.